Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan. After Jake Semple is expelled from a long list of middle schools, he finds his last resort in the quirky, artistic, eccentric, homeschooling Applewhite family.   Under their influence, Jake begins to recognize the value of his own talents, and is gradually transformed from juvenile delinquent to budding star. 

Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story by Lisa Wheeler. Cushion is a porcupine who wants to find a wife.  He tries luring a rabbit, a pig, and a beaver with his musical talents, but his offensive lyrics leave him lonely.  Cushion eventually meets a fellow porcupine and finds true love. 

Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss. When the farm animals in this delightful picture book get bored, they head to the local library. Though each animal tries to communicate with the librarian in its own voice, either mooing, neighing or oinking, it’s the feisty hen that the librarian finally understands. A clever play on a familiar joke.