No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

"Any book with an award medal on it and a picture of a dog always has a canine casualty", observes Wallace Wallace. That's why he's not surprised that the book assigned in 8th grade English class, Old Shep, My Pal, has a similar plot. He gives his honest opinion of the book to his English teacher, and finds himself assigned to detention. Wallace cannot tell a lie (it's against his personal policy), so he ends up missing weeks of football practice in detention because he refuses to change his opinion. Detention takes place in the auditorium during the school play practices. Wallace is horrified to find out that this year's play is Old Shep, My Pal directed by his English teacher (who loves the book). Bit by bit, Wallace Wallace makes suggestions to improve the play, and he makes some new friends in the process.

Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry

Students in Mrs. Pidgeon's 2nd grade class can't get enough of Gooney Bird Greene's "absolutely true" stories. You'll love the stories too...like the one about how Gooney Bird came from China on a flying carpet. Or the one about the prince, the palace and the diamond earrings. Everything about Gooney Bird is as unusual as her name. And the story about how she got her name is another good one! Also read Gooney Bird and the Room Mother and Gooney the Fabulous.