Madame President by Lane Smith

A romping imagination-filled examination of the duties of the President of the United States viewed through the eyes of a child. This book would be an excellent beginning point to a study of the presidency. It brings up a number of points on the list of presidental duties from photo-ops, to baby kissing, to the president's cabinet including secretary of agriculture (Mr. Potato Head) as well as some like Secretary of Soccer. Hail to the Chief has been included--but check out the modifications. Our president even has to contend with a disaster area (her own room). A great tongue-in-cheek introduction to a serious topic.

Helpful from a teacher perspective to view it this way--certainly explains some of the answers we get on test questions!

Well Witched by Frances HARDINGE

Take your British folktale about a wishing well as background peeking into a story set in modern times. Add in three adolescents who have worked out "the pecking order" and their individual roles in their group just to have imposed gifts from the witch in the well destroy the balance and threaten their world. The kids steal coins from the well and consequently are set the task of granting the wishes which go with the coins by the witch. Thoughtful musings among the characters about wishes and what people really want when they are wishing. Scary fantasy.