The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place - The Mysterious Howling, by Maryrose Wood (2010)

It was not Miss Penelope Lumley's first journey on a train, but it was the first one she had taken alone.

Fifteen-year-old Penelope has recently graduated from Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females.  She has traveled to Ashton Place for her first job as a governess.

"Listen to this, girls:  'Wanted Immediately:  Energetic Governess for Three Lively Children.'"  Miss Mortimer often shared breakfast with her favorites among the students and would read the newspaper aloud to them as they gobbled up their boiled oats and milk.  "Knowledge of French, Latin, History, Etiquette, Drawing, and Music will be REquired - Experience with Animals Strongly Preferred.'  Animals!  Did you hear that?  It is the perfect job for you, Penny, dear!"

But once Penelope arrives for her interview, she hears a strange howling sound, and Lady Constance doesn't want to talk about the children.  Once she is offered the job, she is asked to make a solemn oath that she will not leave her job.

Penelope gives it her all and diligently works with the children.  But Ashton Place is filled with mysteries?  Who are the children?  Why do people lurk around corners?  

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Waiting for Normal, by Leslie Connor (2008)

Maybe Mommers and I shouldn't have been surprised; Dwight had told us it was a trailer even before we'd packed our bags.

Twelve-year old Addison Schmeeter lives in upstate New York with her mom.  Addie's family situation is complicated, to say the least.  She believes in heroes and she longs for things to be normal.

I shook my head.  "I know the health stuff is important, but I think there's more to getting happy than that."

She leaned forward, kind of studying me.  I worried that I shouldn't have said it.  Soula actually might have been happy just to have good health.

"I think you need heroes, too," I said.  I made a little fist for punch.

"Heroes?"  she asked.  "Like friends and family?"

"They can be friends or family," I said.  "Webster's says-"

"Webster's?"

"The dictionary," I explained.  "A hero is someone who sets themselves apart from others.  You know - someone who is strong or shows courage, takes a risk.  And I know Webster's is probably talking about well-known heroes.  Like from the newspapers and history books.  Inventors and athletes and people like Martin Luther King."

"Uh-huh."  Soul was still listening.

"But don't you think it's possible . . . " - I twisted up my face - " . . . that every person is a hero to someone else?"

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My rating:  10 out of 10 stars
Loved, loved, loved it!

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