If you missed any of these great reads, take a look now.

In 1977 a graduate student bought a year old African grey parrot to study. She named him Alex, which was short for Avian Learning Experiment. No one expected him to be able to learn much because, after all, he had a "birdbrain." But Alex surprised everybody. To enjoy this true story of friendship and hard work,  read Alex the Parrot by Stephanie Spinner. You'll be amazed!

Auggie Pullman was born with a facial deformity which he says is worse than whatever you're thinking. After being home-schooled up to now he is going to try going to a private school for fifth grade. How will Auggie convince his teachers and classmates to get past his looks and accept him as an ordinary kid? the answer is in Wonder by R. J. Palacio.

Poor Pluto! Several years ago it was demoted from a planet. Are you wondering why the demotion and what Pluto is now? Tthen Pluto's Secret, filled with facts and recent research presented in an entertaining way by Margaret Weitekamp and David DeVorkin, might be just the book for you. At the end of the book you'll find a glossary, suggestions of other books and websites to explore, and some interesting photographs.

A bad case of tonsillitis means Violet Mackerel has to have her tonsils removed. She's got serious butterflies in her stomach, but suspects that the purple lozenge from Doctor Singh may help her in quite an extraordinary way. will a freezer stocked with breakfast ice cream, a wonderful new friend in the waiting room, and her belief that the surgery will transform her voice into that of an opera singer, help Violet’s recovery? Read Violet Mackerel's Remarkable Recovery by Anna Branford to find out.