THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS...

Dogs or cats...? This question seems to be one that never goes out of fashion for as long as I can remember. At times we judge people based on this simple personal preference. However, it seems that only dogs and cats know the real truth about themselves.

The book DOGS AND CATS by STEVE JENKINS is filled with unique and informative facts about these animals that many of us have as pets. The colorful illustrations and the easy-to-read text will definitely make it a quick additive to your animal report as well as for reading it aloud.

For grades 3rd and older.

THE TRUE MEANING OF STRUGGLE

Isabel is a slave. Her mother is dead, she is sold to dreadful owners, her sister is sent away, and she suffers physical and mental punishment on a daily basis. But CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson (who also wrote the award winning novel SPEAK) is a fascinating book. Not only do you get a grueling perspective on the life of a slave, the story provides a unique window for seeing what it was like during the Revolutionary War. As Isabel struggles to decide her fate, she spies on the King's supporters and delivers food to the prisoners the British have captured. It isn't long before everything spirals out of control and Isabel must make some major decisions. This is the first in a new series. For grades 4 and up

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

The Library will be closed for the Fourth of July weekend. See you on Monday, July 6!

ADIOS OSCAR!: A BUTTERFLY FABLE

Oscar is a caterpillar who lives on a plant near the window. Oscar is heartbroken when he comes out from his cocoon and discovers he has short grey wings instead of the gorgeous orange-and-black ones he expected. And instead of the urge to fly to Mexico, he has the urge to eat sweaters and old socks! And fly around a light! Oscar’s friends all mock him for the time he spent learning Spanish and Mexican culture, and he is heartbroken. But that all changes when he finds a note, Edna, his bookworm friend, left behind for him. This book includes after words with some information on monarchs and moths and the difference between the two. The author also scatters Spanish phrases throughout the book. Very colorful illustrations. Written by Peter Elwell. Ages 4-8.

RULE THE SCHOOL!

If you like books like The Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Captain Underpants, than RAYMOND AND GRAHAM RULE THE SCHOOL by MIKE KNUDSON is for you. It's pact with funny situations about all things school related... I know, I know, only few weeks left to school, but you still have time!

Raymond and Graham are best friends who feel that they have earned the right to rule since they are the oldest in ther school based on their age. However, things almost never turn out to be the way people have planned. And so begins the adventures of these mischievous knuckleheads. The non-stop adventures include from having one's eyebrow shaved to having a severe upset stomach do to too much consumption of prune pudding (go figure!)

For grades 4th and up.

NO REST FOR THE FAMOUS DETECTIVE DUO

Alex just wants to lay low and avoid the fame from the last two mysteries but unfortunately, Yasmeen, his friend and partner, just can't let go of a new mystery that has literally been mailed to them. Someone has just tried to kidnap Alex's baseball coach while he was in a Porta-Potty! In order to capture the criminal though, they have to sort through old bags of trash for clues ...from the Fourth of July picnic.... a month ago! Who Stole Uncle Sam? by Martha Freeman is the third case for Alex and Yasmeen. Great for 5th & older.

WE MISSED YOU...

The readers of the Snacktime reading group met last night to talk about Freak the Mighty and this is what they thought:

Crystal - 3 - The Characters were interesting. I did not think that it was a positive or inspirational story.

Allisyn - 8 - I loved the building of the friendship between the two characters. It was an original story and a good tale of a different friendship.

Brittany - 8.5 - I loved how the friendship grew and developed even though it was a sad ending. I really liked how it played out. It was realistic.

Khristie - 7 - I liked how the book was detailed.

Tamar - 7.5

(The numbers are the rating the reader gave the book. Ten is the highest rating and one the lowest.)

Come and join us next month on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205 and voice your opinion on The Secret Garden by Frances Hogson Burnett.

MAKEOVERS

Obsessed with the cosmetic industry twelve-year old Lucy comes up with a business plan that will keep the doors to her grandmother's drug store open in My Life in Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald. Friendships, family relationships and middle school all play important parts in this sometimes serious, somtimes funny book about a young girl's dreams and ambitions.

This is a light fun read for a hot summer's day. For grades 5 - 8.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY by Kathryn Fitzmaurice is very well written for an author's first novel. Set in a small oceanside town, Eleanor "Groovy" Robinson witnesses her father being taken to jail. Turns out, it's her mother that's sent him there, and all of a sudden her normal world swirls into chaos. She's so upset she can't even do the one thing she loves - cooking. She discovers unlikely friends in peculiar people and places, and comes to terms with things not always being what they seem. Very easy to read, with vivid imagery and an engaging plot. For grades 4 and up.

TORTUGA IN TROUBLE

This story is a variation of Little Red Riding Hood. Tortuga is bringing a delicious supper to his abuela. Iguana, Conejo and Culebra are following him. But they’re not the only ones who want to steal his dinner. Coyote has his own dinner plans for Tortuga and his grandmother.Includes a glossary of Spanish words used. Full color and funny story written by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by Ethan Long.

Kindergarten, ages 5-6

SNACKTIME READERS - JUNE

Join the Snacktime Readers on Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Children's Room of the Central Library to talk about this month's book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. This is the story of two boys who become unlikely friends. Their disabilities, Max's learning and Kevin's physical problems, cause both of them to be harassed by their classmates but when they become friends and form a partnership they become a force to be reckoned with. Kevin opens new worlds of imagination and confidence for Max who in turn carries Kevin, aka "Freak," into the real world.

For grades 4 and older.

MEET THE TROPHY KID!

Being a trophy kid to one of the most powerful Hollywood Power couple can be a big challenge. Joe, who was only three years old when his mom and sister were killed during the war in Yugoslavia happens to be that kid. He is aware of the fact that the only reason his Hollywood parents adopted him was to show their circle of friends that they too can contribute to the well being of others. So you can only imagine how Joe felt when his parents left him all alone in order to attend a charity event to raise awareness for the orphans in the world, or when his parents threw a birthday party for him with kids Joe didn't even know. They were all for a show...

Things do take on a different path when Joe agrees to write an autobiography with the help of a reporter and more secrets of the Hollywood couple gets revealed. However, very unpredictable events do take place in his life, leading him to find things that he was missing all his life. A fun summer read. TROPHY KID OR HOW I WAS ADOPTED BY THE RICH AND FAMOUS by STEVE ATINSKY.



For grades 4th and up.

DEAR GRAN,

I know that you are almost ninety years old, so I won't expect a reply from you very often. That's okay, because I just want to practice typing on my new computer.

Annabelle

Dear Gran,

Why haven't you answered my first letter?

Gran, You've Got Mail! by Jo Hoestlandt is a delightfully quirky little French book of letters written between Annabelle and her great-granmother. Great for reluctant readers 5th & older.

LOIS LOWRY STRIKES AGAIN!

I am beginning to think that Lois Lowry can write about anything. Author of award winning books like Number the Stars and The Giver, not to mention the Anastasia Krupnik series among other greats, she's managed to pen a fabulous story for the "dark comedy" genre that will remind you of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket! THE WILLOUGHBYS is an atypical story about a miserable family with misearble parents who decide they don't like their kids anymore, hire a nanny and leave town. The oldest boy is the bossiest kid you'll ever meet, the twins have the exact same name but alternate days they can wear the one sweater they own, and the only girl is really the smartest but is too shy to say anything. Down the street lives a miserable candy bar inventor who lost his family. But the two families intertwine in very strange ways, and make for a delightful tale. For grades 4 and up.