The show is a go!

I was a bit confused at the beginning of Zebrafish, written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds - I think I tend to read graphic novels too quickly and not think about the pictures long enough.  So I started over and slowed down, and it was much better.  (That's a not-subtle hint for those who are new to graphic novels!) Vita is an aspiring musician and decides to form a rock band; however, she's less than thrilled with those who show up to audition: Plinko and Jay play air guitar, Tanya is an environmentalist, and Walt is an artist.  None except Vita have any true musical ability, but the group comes up with a cool idea for making a music video.  When Tanya misses a bunch of their meetings, Vita starts to get a little upset...until she learns that Tanya is going to the hospital to be treated for leukemia.  Now the band has a mission: raise money to buy equipment for leukemia research. Not only is that a neat story line, but some of the proceeds from the sale of the book go to Children's Hospital Boston.  Inspiring!

Don't mess with Rachel's brother

Despite the title, Rachel Spinelli Punched Me in the Face by Paul Acampora is a funny, gentle book.  After Zachary's mom leaves him and his dad, they move and start life over in the little town of Falls, Connecticut.  He immediately makes friends with his neighbor Rachel.  She has a knack for getting frequent detentions - usually from defending her brother Teddy, who has some type of disability (maybe autism?) and who the reader will view as a lovable trumpet-playing prodigy.  The book's small-town feel is often demonstrated from scenes at the local ice cream shop, owned by an amusing Polish-American couple; the diner, owned by Rachel and Teddy's dad (their mom died long ago); and the park, which the kids are helping to clean up.  By the end, Rachel's not quite as angry and over-protective, and Zachary is coping better with his mother's desertion. Some serious issues, but with a nice, light touch.

Don't try this at home

If you have a problem, I wouldn't recommend you deal with it like Alex did in Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick.  But the way he dealt with the consequences of his actions was pretty cool.  Upset about his parents' separation, Alex gets drunk, takes his mom's car, and crashes into a garden gnome.  He's basically a good kid, and the judge sentences him to 100 hours of community service at a nursing home.  He gets paired up with Sol Lewis, a cranky old guy who's fond of playing practical jokes.  At first, Sol is basically a pain, but he and Alex end up bonding over their shared passion of guitar playing.  Sol eventually gives Alex guitar lessons, advice on girls (very funny), and insight into Sol's past.  There's a neat little tweak at the end of the book - you may figure it out ahead of time. Alternating between silly and serious, this will especially be appealing to readers who liked Sonnenblick's Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie.