George Crum and the Saratoga Chip by Gaylia Taylor

This is classified as a biography, but it is highly speculative. Would you call that a "pseudobiography"? George Crum is widely thought to be the inventor of the potato chip. This feisty man of African American and Native American heritage was a cook in a hoity toity restaurant where his frustration with a picky customer resulted in one of the most popular snack foods today.

Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Bethany Cole is an only child. As she approaches her 13th birthday, her mother becomes more and more distraught, and Bethany is left with an aunt she never knew she had while her father "gets help" for her mother. At least that's what Bethany is told. But people is Aunt Myrlie's town have shocking reactions to Bethany's appearance, and Bethany begins to question her parents' past as well as her own. Double Identity is a fast-paced YA thriller, which brings up some sticky ethical questions. Great read!

The Greatest Skating Race by Louise Borden

In January 1942, Piet Janssen leads two friends to safety in Brugge, Belgium from his town of Sluice in The Netherlands by ice skating the 16 km along the frozen canals. The story, written in verse, is quite gripping and the reader truly senses the danger the children face at the prospect of being detained by the German soldiers stationed along the canals, especially at the border crossing. The illustrations by Niki Daly, in browns and greys, are reminiscent of an earlier era and are quite fitting for the subject matter.

The Misadventures of Maude March by Audrey Couloumbis

My reading of children's/young adult books has been slow-going this summer. It took me way too long to read this book! And as a result, I don't think I enjoyed it nearly as much as I could have. The premise is cute; Maude and her sister Sallie are orphans who lose their guardian aunt in an unfortunate accident. A string of "misadventures" ensue in which Maude becomes a wanted woman. Sallie, the narrator, is spunky, while Maude is a bit sour (who wouldn't be angry in her position?!?). The book didn't really hook me until maybe the last quarter, at which point I read until I was finished. I think this book will appeal to readers who are interested in reading about strong female characters, as well as those who like books about the Wild West.