Faith, Hope and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Who knew two worlds could be so close and still feel so far apart?  Ivy June lives in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and has been selected to represent her school and county in the first ever student exchange program.  She spends two weeks living with Catherine's family in the city of Lexington and attends Catherine's private academy school.  When it's time for Catherine to spend her two weeks with Ivy June's family, the culture shock is intense.  As both girls deal with personally difficult situations, they realize that strong bonds and friendships can come from places that seem so different and unfamiliar.

From Newbery award winning author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Faith, Hope and Ivy June is a beautiful story of how friendship can bridge the differences between people's lifestyles.

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11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

Leo and Amanda were born on the same day in the same hospital, and when their parents meet at the nursery viewing window, it is the start of a friendship and ten years of joint birthday parties.  On their 10th birthday, Leo and Amanda begin their falling out and don't speak for the entire year.  Amanda is not looking forward to her upcoming 11th birthday, and especially unhappy (and extremely confused) when the day repeats over and over again.  Why is time stuck on their birthday and how do Amanda and Leo get out of the cycle?

Author Wendy Mass has a number of popular books.  The first in a trilogy of books set in Willow Falls, 11 Birthdays is followed by Finally (12) and 13 Gifts.

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Calvin Coconut, Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury

"Maybe you know the feeling of how junk it is when summer ends.  The good times are over.  You start thinking about school, homework.  Getting up early again.
And there's nothing you can do about it."

So starts Graham Salisbury's series starter Calvin Coconut, Trouble Magnet.  Calvin and his friends are starting 4th grade in their home state of Hawaii.  Calvin has a list of troubles that seem to be attracted to him: a school bully, a pesky little sister and an unfriendly, teenage daughter of his mom's friend to whom he has to give up his bedroom for.  Even with all those troubles, Calvin still makes a point of befriending the new kid in class.

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