2006 Books That Take You Away

I'm on the hunt for fiction titles published for middle readers in 2006 that evoked a strong sense of place via the combo of good writing and your imagination. Any suggestions much appreciated.

Note: I've shifted to the new version of blogger, in case you hadn't noticed. More changes, links, and labels forthcoming. My withered left brain is taxed with all the html-coding, but I have to confess that it's sort of fun to put on the techno-geek hat for a change.