The following books are guaranteed to help beat the summer doldrums.

The Cardboard Shack Beneath the Bridge
Written and illustrated by Tim Huff. Castle Quay Books (Pickering, Ontario, 2007). 31 pp., $9.74 (U.S.).

This extraordinary little book touches on a delicate subject in a very loving and Christian way. "The Cardboard Shack" talks about homelessness, how homeless people might feel and how to treat them; it even suggests a few ways to help. Huff's rhyming verse gives gentle advice for when kids see homeless people. His illustrations use color to emphasize people --- homeless or not --- with light-gray and white background settings. At the end of the book is a page-by-page discussion guide for the adults who read along. Ages 6-11.

My Last Best Friend
By Julie Bowe. Harcourt Children's Books (Orlando, Fla., 2007). 160 pp., $16.

Young Ida May draws the reader right into the story with her unusual way of looking at things, including the idea that "Fourth grade isn't fourth at all." She struggles with making friends and finally finds a secret hiding place outside the playground to leave a note for her newest friend --- but Ida May is not yet ready to reveal her identity. Bowe has captured some of the social struggle associated with late elementary school and has created a character with whom young readers can empathize; the result is a humorous tale that will have the reader wanting more when it ends. Ages 7-10.

The First Tortilla
By Rudolfo Anaya, translated into Spanish by Enrique R. LaMadrid, illustrated by Amy Cordova. University of New Mexico Press (Albuquerque, N.M., 2007). 32 pp., $16.95.

This book is the total package: a Mexican folk tale in two languages and stunning, colorful illustrations that capture the beauty and culture of the tale. Young Jade follows a blue hummingbird to take an offering to the Mountain Spirit so that he will end the drought. The Spirit is so pleased he allows her to take a treasure --- corn --- from his cave. The rest is history, or in this case legend. Ages 5 and up.

Peak
By Roland Smith. Harcourt Children's Books (Orlando, Fla., 2007). 256 pp., $17.

When 14-year-old Peak Marcello gets caught scaling skyscrapers, his parents work a deal with the judge for him to go live in Thailand with his father, a professional climber. When Peak's father tries to get him to become the youngest person to climb Mount Everest, the adventure takes off. But the reader is hooked before that, because Smith's first-person story is cleverly written, disguised as a writing assignment so Peak can finish the school year. Lots of action, conflict and friendship will keep young readers turning pages as Peak learns what is really important in life. Ages 12 and up.

Stories of the Saints, Volume I
Various authors and illustrators. Arcadius Press (Springfield, Mo., 2007). 112 pp., $14.95.

For the young reader who prefers comic books, this graphic-novel-type paperback features stories on the lives of five saints: Patrick, Jerome Emiliani, Henry, Elizabeth Seton and Joan of Arc. The pencil and ink drawings and lettering are all in comic-book style, but the heroes are of a slightly different genre from normal comic books. Ages 8-14.

Maggie Come Lately
By Michelle Buckman. Think (Colorado Springs, Colo., 2007). 334 pp., $12.99.

This teen novel deals with some very difficult subjects, but in a very good way. Chapter 1 sets the scene with the suicide of Maggie's depressed young mother, when Maggie is just 4 years old. Chapter 2 jumps to Maggie's 16th birthday, and from there the novel proceeds. Maggie deals with a wide range of feelings as she helps her father raise her younger brothers and keep the household running. The book also involves rape, sexual abuse, peer pressure and self-esteem. Buckman includes references to church and prayer several times throughout the book as Maggie begins to realize that what she really wants out of life she already has. Along the way she learns that it is easy to love your friends, but sometimes you must learn to love your enemies. Ages 14 and up.

Attack of the Turtle
By Drew Carlson, illustrated by David A. Johnson. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Grand Rapids, Mich., 2007). 158 pp., $16.

Here is a historical novel based on the actual design and use of the first submarine --- against the British in the American Revolution. Ezra Bushnell, who tells the story, and his brother David, who designed the "turtle," were real people, and Carlson has brought them to life by weaving together real and fictitious events. At the back of the book is an author's note and an illustration showing just how the "turtle" worked --- including parts still used today in modern submarines. Ages 8-12.

Beauty Shop for Rent
By Laura Bowers. Harcourt Children's Books (Orlando, Fla., 2007). 336 pp., $17.

By the end of two chapters, readers will be sucked into the homey, down-to-earth, first-person story of Abbey Garner, who is being raised by her grandmother and her "Granny Po's" somewhat eccentric set of friends. If this were a movie, it would be a successful chick flick, with character development, romance, friendship and the turbulent emotions that go along with being a teenage girl. This is a modern coming-of-age story that includes good old-fashioned values. Ages 12 and up.

Game, Set and Match
By Donna King. Kingfisher (Boston, 2007). 136 pp., $5.95.

Sports lovers, especially competitive young readers, will appreciate the story of Carrie Springsteen, a high-level 12-year-old tennis player. Like many talented youngsters, Carrie finds herself torn between wanting to compete and wanting to be "normal" like her friends. King combines tennis strategy with a somewhat weak plotline for a story that should appeal to young sports lovers, especially competitive ones. Ages 8-10.

Yo, Jo!
By Rachel Isadora. Harcourt Children's Books (Orlando, Fla., 2007). 40 pp., $16.

"Yo, Jo!" is fun, full of energy and totally unlike most other books for young children. The multicultural characters in the neighborhood are illustrated with collage and oil, giving the illustrations a unique texture. Most of the typeface is HipHop, which fits right in with the various greetings in Jomar's neighborhood as people rollerblade, listen to music or just hang out. Ages 3-7.

Ghost Ship
By Mary Higgins Clark, illustrated by Wendell Minor. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York, 2007). 30 pp., $17.99.

A little magic comes to life in Clark's first children's book, "Ghost Ship," which recalls a boy's adventure along a Cape Cod beach centuries ago. The magic is totally enhanced by Minor's paintings, full-page illustrations that capture the beauty of a Cape Cod sunset, the tumult of the sea and the terror of a burning neighborhood. Ages 6-10.

Barb Fraze, the mother of three, is international editor of Catholic News Service.