Need some good reads for mid-summertime pick-me-ups? This is the time of year when most teachers would, if they could, reiterate the importance of reading to students. These novels for middle grade readers should keep kids happily ensconced during rainy afternoons and beach side relaxing.

"Weregirls: Birth of the Pack" by Petru Popescu; Starscape/Tor Teen; 352 pages; $9.95.

Refreshingly modern and magical, Popescu's girl-power read appeals to kids who like fantasy and realism, all wrapped up into one absorbing tale. Using elements of American Indian spiritualism and myth, plus soccer, trendy fashions and the power of friendship, "Weregirls: Birth of the Pack" stars a 16-year-old named Lily, who starts a soccer team with her friends and finds supernatural powers.

Real dilemmas young teens face, including dealing with conceited, arrogant soccer rivals, figure in with the introduction of a rich girl named Andra. Lily's late American Indian father, killed in the line of duty as a policeman, helps her deal with Andra and evil supernaturally, as the girls find they really can create magic.

Absorbingly appealing, clearly written and exciting, "Weregirls: Birth of the Pack" is a fabulously entertaining read for girls.

"The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd; David Fickling Books/Random House; 323 pages; $15.99.

Sort of a James Bond-like mystery for kids ages eight to 14, Dowd's second novel features not-so-loving siblings Ted and Kat, who follow a trail of clues across London to search for their cousin. Salim disappeared from a sealed pod onboard the observation wheel known as the London Eye. The pair know that as time ticks by, Salim's chances of survival diminish.

With the police completely baffled, and theories of kidnapping and spontaneous combustion floating about, Ted and Kat set off on an action-packed journey that will satisfy adventure fans and thinking mystery fans all at once. A great introduction to London's culture and English humor, "The London Eye Mystery" is appealingly retro — a sure-fire fun read for both boys and girls.

"Hank Zipzer: Barfing in the Backseat" by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver; Grosset & Dunlap; 152 pages; $13.99.

Actor Winkler's "Hank Zipzer" series is written for reluctant readers and underachievers, but appeals to third-to-sixth-graders of all intellects, school rankings and personalities. In his latest, subtitled "How I Survived my Family Road Trip," young Hank is baffled and shocked when his father announces plans for a winter road trip to the Grand National Crossword Puzzle Tournament. With previously high hopes for Disney World or the Grand Canyon, Hank now thinks his "ears have gone wacko" when hearing the plans, and proceeds to be flabbergasted and annoyed through much of the book.

Winkler knows how to weave a kid-friendly tale, and makes sure Hank ends up with one of the most exciting trips ever because, as the book ends, "You just never know where a good time is going to come from."

"Runemarks" by Joanne Harris; Knopf Delacorte Dell/Random House; 544 pages; $18.99.

Already a hit in the U.K., bestselling author Joanne Harris' huge epic adventure imagines a new ending for the gods of Norse mythology — with a crazy girl named Maddy Smith. Maddy talks to goblins, tells stories, and worst of all, has a ruinmark on her hand, a sign associated with "the Bad Old Days."

Maddy, however, has secret powers, and finds her "runemark," (spelled that way by a secretive character known as One-Eye), is a sign of magic. But first she has to learn the truth about many unanswered mysteries. What lies under red Horse Hill? What is the Whisperer and why must it be found? What is One-Eye afraid of? And is a war really coming?

Akin to a mesh of "Shrek," "A Series of Unfortunate Events," "The Princess Bride" and other fairy tale-like grand adventures, "Runemarks" is super-fun reading for fans of richly imagined magical fantasy. Larger-than-life characters and plenty of humor add appeal for readers ages 10 and up.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.