Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein with Mark Shulman illustrated by Juliana Neufeld

Bick, Beck, Tommy and Storm have been home-schooled all of their lives as they travel the world with their treasure-hunting parents.
Recently their mother disappeared in Cyprus and then in the beginning of this book, their father goes overboard during a storm.  Now the siblings are orphans at sea.
As they finish up their father's current assignment, they encounter very interesting, nefarious individuals.   Whom can they trust?
 Together, with their talents, they overcome major obstacles.
Very exciting and entertaining!
I also really liked how the siblings treated each other (expect for Bick and Beck's famous twin tirades which always end with them being fine with each other/no resentment).
I won't recommend this series to my fourth grade son (see below).
Perfect series for middle school boys who are reluctant readers.
Guided Reading Level: T (fourth grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.6 
"A hi-low book-will appeal to older readers but who are reading at a lower grade reading level".
Warnings/points to discuss: Tommy, the oldest brother age seventeen, is into girls and frequently checks them out.  He especially likes art with naked women. Violence with gun pointing.

Rain Makes Applesauce by Jullian Scheer illustrated by Marvin Bileck

Award winner-Caldecott Honor book
This book was not what I was expecting!
Very silly phrases are used throughout ("my house goes walking every day"), always ending with "and rain makes applesauce."
The illustrations are fanciful.  The reader will have fun observing two children (or fairies?!) monitoring the progress of an apple seed.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller illustrated by Frank Morrisono

Alta is the "fastest kid in Clarksville" but then Charmaine moves into town and gives Alta some competition.  When Wilma Rudolph returns to Clarksville, her home town, for a parade to honor her, the girls put aside their differences.
Told in first person narrative.
The author shares a few facts about Wilma Rudolph at the end.
-Borrowed from the library.

Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryan**

"Eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life . . ."
This book is stunning.
From his collection of slave-related documents, Mr. Bryan choose the Fairchilds Appraisement of the Estate from July 5, 1828 to base this book.
He took the list of slaves to be sold on this appraisement and gives them a voice.  On the first page the slave describes his/her occupation and how he/she contributes to the success of the Fairchild plantation.  Then the second page, the same slave shares his/her dreams.
The artwork is incredible.
A necessary book to read and share during any Civil War unit or history unit during this time.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.