"Esperanza Rising" by Pam Munoz Ryan (book): For all of Esperanza’s 12 years, she lived in her father’s wealthy ranch in Mexico with everything she could want. When she turned 13 year old, her father is murdered and Esperanza and her mother must flee their ranch and evil uncles, with the help of their loyal servants. They end up going to California, working in the agricultural industry and Esperanza unwillingly enters a world where she no longer has servants, a big ranch or her wealthy possessions.

"Operation Redwood" by S. Terrell French (book): Julian Carter-Li, 12, is staying with his uncle and aunt while his mother travels to China. While at in his uncle’s office, since he was sent home from school sick, Julian opened his uncle’s email. He finds a new email from a homeschooled girl named Robin, who criticized his uncle’s decision that involved his company, IPX. Julian soon finds out his uncle's company plans to cut down some of the oldest and last California redwood trees. Julian and his friends, some old and new, come together to figure out a way to stop them.

“My Life in Pink & Green” by Lucy Greenwald (book): After 12-year-old Lucy Desberg spots a foreclosure warning in the mail, she realizes that Old Mill Pharmacy in small-town Connecticut, owned and run by her mother and grandmother is in jeopardy. While her mom and grandma argue about how to handle the crisis, Lucy, an aspiring makeup artist, joins her school’s Earth Club, researches green businesses, and hatches a plan to expand the pharmacy into an eco-spa.

PONY (magazine): PONY is a really cool horse magazine, which is aimed at teen girls 11 and up. Even if you don’t have a horse or pony, reading the riding tips, “real life experiences,” collecting horse posters, and other stuff is always fun. You can look for PONY at bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc. Although it is a bit hard finding this magazine, because it’s made in the UK, you can visit their website: www.ponymag.com

Imagine (magazine): Imagine is a magazine by Johns Hopkins University that centers its attention on talented youth. It’s a magazine that covers various topics each month. There are essay contests, recommended books to read, student reviews on different colleges, articles, and other things on each issue’s theme. This month’s theme is philosophy and if you want to read it, visit: www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100304_SFF. You can visit the website at: www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine