Some of you have mere days of school left while others of you have just a few more weeks. Our Poll this month asks about your summer reading. Does your school have a summer reading list? Scroll down to answer!

Also, besides some great books and interviews this week, we have info about a Lemonade Stand Kit that you can buy --- and help support a charity that we are just crazy about in honor of a very special little girl. Curious? Read on. And happy lemon squeezing or stirring.

Have a great rest of the month.

Carol Fitzgerald for Kidsreads.com (Carol@bookreporter.com)

Kidsreads.com contributing writer Shannon McKenna interviewed Iain Lawrence, author of THE CONVICTS. Lawrence describes how an incident that occurred when he was a child helped him write this story from the main protagonist's point of view. He also talks about the novel's historical setting, how he was able to accurately recreate life on a prisoner ship, the research required for his books, and what readers can expect from future installments in this intriguing series.

THE CONVICTS by Iain Lawrence
After seeing his father dragged off to debtor's prison, fourteen-year-old Tom Tin sets out to roam London's streets in search of some way to aid his family. He encounters a variety of unsavory characters, and the events of this one night drastically alter the course of his life. Reviewed by Shannon McKenna and excerpted.

Kidsreads.com contributing writer Shannon McKenna interviewed Ron Roy, whose A TO Z mystery series concludes with THE ZOMBIE ZONE. Roy talks about Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose's final adventure and how he came up with the titles for each book. He also explains why he enjoys writing for children, offers advice to young people who would like to be authors, and discusses his latest writing project, which is sure to delight his many fans.

Play our new Word Scramble.

Play our A TO Z Trivia Game.

Print out a sheet where you can name your own A TO Z mysteries.

Kidsreads.com contributing writer Alexis Burling interviewed Deborah Wiles, author of EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS, about a ten-year-old girl whose family runs the town funeral home. Wiles explains how she came up with the names of the characters who appear in the novel and her reasons for choosing each one. She talks about the lessons that can be learned from the different ways in which each character deals with death, the authors and books that inspired her to become a writer, and two new novels that fans of Wiles can look forward to reading in the near future.

EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
Ten-year-old Comfort Snowberger has attended 247 funerals. But that's not surprising, considering that her family runs the town funeral home. And despite the deaths of her Great-uncle Edisto and Great-great-aunt Florentine, Comfort knows how to deal with loss --- or so she thinks. Reviewed by Alexis Burling and excerpted.

In this month's roundup of cool new books, we spotlight the return of two popular series --- Cirque du Freak and Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective --- and Louise Erdrich's captivating sequel to THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE, a National Book Award Finalist. May also marks the release of two picture books that tie in perfectly to Father's Day --- one written by Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld" and the other by former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman. And let's not forget the visual treat served up by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, who help readers look for Art in New York City's Museum of Modern Art.

The Empire has risen, and the Jedi Order has been destroyed. As far as the Emperor is concerned, the Jedi are all but extinct. However, on the remote planet of Tatooine, one Jedi Master remains: Obi-Wan Kenobi. Thus begins a thrilling new series from the bestselling author of "Jedi Apprentice" and "Jedi Quest."

MAGYK: Septimus Heap, Book One by Angie Sage
Silas Heap finds a baby in the forest the very night his son, Septimus, dies. Ten years later the Heap family discovers that their adopted daughter, Jenna, has a secret identity so important that evil powers stalk her. This leads to an adventure complete with quirky characters, hilarious situations, and surprising plot twists. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.

KILLERS OF THE DAWN: Book #9 in the Cirque du Freak Series, by Darren Shan
In the ninth Cirque du Freak novel, Darren Shan learns the identity of the Vampaneze Lord and is determined, with the help of his fellow hunters, to save the fate of vampires everywhere. Reviewed by Carlie Webber and excerpted.

ALEX AND THE AMAZING LEMONADE STAND by Liz and Jay Scott, with help from Alex Scott
Two days before her first birthday Alexandra "Alex" Scott was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer. At the age of four, Alex came up with a plan to help raise money to research the disease and find a cure --- she would sell lemonade from a lemonade stand in her front yard. This picture book, written by Alex and her parents, Liz and Jay, is the inspirational true story of a little girl whose single act of kindness impacted the lives of so many people.

ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND by Running Press
Running Press has joined the fight for the cure with their own ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND book and kit. The book contains a number of tips on planning and organizing a lemonade sale, with plenty of ways to increase donations and make the most of any stand. The kit includes some extra special goodies --- stickers that read "I donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand," creative advertising posters, a lemon squeezer, flyers that you can photocopy and hand out, and much more!

CLEMENCY POGUE: FAIRY KILLER by J. T. Petty
A fairy tale in the most literal of definitions, this hilarious, action-packed debut novel will carry you along on wings of imagination until it has you believing with all of your heart. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

THE CALLAHAN COUSINS #1: SUMMER BEGINS by Elizabeth Doyle Carey
In this first book featuring the Callahan cousins, Hillary and her three cousins have turned twelve, which means they get to spend an entire summer at Grandmother Gee's sprawling Gull Island house without their parents. They enjoy plenty of lovely adventures, including the re-ignition of an old family rivalry. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

THE SPOON IN THE BATHROOM WALL by Tony Johnston
Martha Snapdragon, who lives in the Bloggins School boiler room with her janitor father, observes a number of weird occurrences at the school --- not the least of which is a giant golden spoon that simply appears one day, stuck in the wall of the school bathroom. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

DRAGON KEEPER by Carole Wilkinson
In Carole Wilkinson's unique and wondrous story, a young girl with no name escapes a life of slavery when an elderly dragon with magical powers takes her on a mysterious and dangerous quest to find the Ocean. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

NO SMALL THING by Natalie Ghent
When twelve-year-old Nathaniel and his two sisters spot an ad in the paper for a free pony, they can hardly believe their luck. But what will their mother say? Mom has been having a hard time ever since Dad walked out on them four years ago, though caring for a pony would mean so much to the three children. Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub.