HAPPY HOLIDAYS

All of the Glendale Libraries will be closed for the Christmas holiday from December 24 through December 27. They will reopen on Monday December 28 at the regular times. Best wishes for the season.

CAN YOU BE AN ECO WARRIOR?

His carefree mother finally got a grant to photograph China so that means Julian is sent to stay with his wealthy aunt and uncle. His little cousin is cool, but all he can think about is a whole summer with his awful aunt and mean uncle who hated his father. It seems they don't even want him around but intend to send him away for to math camp. MATH CAMP!? That's like not having summer vacation at all!

Julian and his friends set in a motion a plan that will take care of two things at once: to actually have a fun summer vacation and to see these redwoods that his uncle's company is trying to cut down and sell for a huge profit.

Set in Northern California, five kids set out to save a grove of almost extinct trees taller than the Statue of Liberty and older than the United States. Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French is a great story about kids who act on what they believe in even if the ending is a bit unrealistic. But that's why this is fiction. Great for readers 6th-8th grades.

WHAT DOES SEVENTH GRADE LOOK LIKE?

Emma-Jean Lazarus is NOT your typical seventh grader. At least in this book, her perception of her friends, family and the world around her is not the same as most seventh graders you'll meet. She is EXTREMELY logical and scientific. She does not bubble and squeal over the upcoming Spring Fling. She doesn't understand why boys are suddenly getting her attention. It's like her life is one big science experiment. EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL IN LOVE by Lauren Tarshis is the sequel to EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL OUT OF A TREE, but you don't need to read the first to enjoy the second. Even though Emma-Jean isn't your usual seventh grade girl, the way she sees life is fascinating and makes the book worth reading. For grades 4-8.

Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid

Vincent is a young boy spending Christmas Eve with his tio Pancho that is a farmer living down in south Texas. As Santa getting older, he calls on family, specifically his cousin Pancho to help him out to delivery toys to the boys and girls along the Texas-Mexico border. Pancho gracefully volunteered and Santa using his magic stardust, transformed Pancho into Charro Claus with his incredible burritos, Rigo, Jaime, Freddie and Little Joe as Vincent spies through the window. Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid is a bilingual colorful and funny Christmas story written and illustrated by Xavier Garza. For ages 4 and up.

ARE YOU AFRAID YET?

1. An actual headless chicken lived eighteen months without a head.
2. When we get scared, our brain orders the release of adrenaline and a flood of other hormones into the bloodstream. Instantly, the body is ready to fight or flee.
3. A pumping heart has enough pressure to blast blood 30 feet into the air.
4. The ancient Egyptians were able to pull their brains out of their noses.
5. Black cats are actually good luck instead of bad (there is a scientific explanations as well)

Guess what? All of the above is true, now you need to read the book to find out the who’s and the how’s of this scary, mysteries book that has great illustrations as well as few cartoons to show us the seemingly impossible.
ARE YOU AFRAID YET? THE SCIENNCE BEHIND SACRY STUFF is written by STEPHEN JAMES O’MEARA and the illustrations are by JEREMY KAPOSY.

For grades 4th and older.

KIDNAPPING AND CLASSICAL MUSIC?

Rescuing Seneca Crane by Susan Runholt is perfect for adventurous, and fearless middle school girls.

A second mystery adventure has the two friends off to Scotland for the Edinburg Music Festival. Just as they are befriending this amazing pianist, Seneca, she's kidnapped and held for a million dollar ransom. Kari and Lucas are determined to rescue her themselves, because, really, what adult would believe them, especially the ones they suspect are involved in Seneca's kidnapping.

QUINITO, DAY AND NIGHT/QUINITO, DIA, Y NOCHE.

Quinito’s daily life is full of opposites. His sister Clara gets up early, while older brother Juan sleeps in, his mommy is short and his daddy is tall, he points out who is neat and who is messy, and so on. Whether he's happy or sad, quiet or loud, Quinito is always up to something……
This delightful bilingual picture book explores the concept of opposites. Written by Ina Cumpiano, illustrated by Jose Ramirez. Kindergarten, Ages 5-6.

ONE SMALL STEP

ONE SMALL STEP: CELEBRATING THE FIRST MEN ON THE MOON is one of the coolest non-fiction books that I have seen/read in a long time. The book is pact with great, colorful pictures of the Apollo 11 spacecraft among other really interesting stuff. The uniqueness of the book is in its scrap book format, flipping through the pages, you will feel as though you are reading someone's actual personal creation. It also has things such as a copy of the actual food menu of the Apollo 11, among other must see things. Even if you are not interested in space, you will not want to put down this fascinating book. The creative team for the book is JERRY STONE, TERRY PASTOR AND ANDY MANSFIELD.

For grades 4th and older.

A LIBRARIAN SAVES THE DAY

THE SMASHING SCROLL by Michael Dahl is the perfect mystery for you if you are just starting to read chapter books. Scary things happen. Giant scrolls telling the "World's Last Story" start rolling down the road, threatening to cover the Earth with it's parchment! And of course - the librarian saves the day!

For 2nd - 4th graders.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND HIS BOYS.

I love reading historical fiction because I get to learn true facts about real life heroes. In LINCOLN AND HIS BOYS by ROSEMARY WELLS we learn how patient and tender Lincoln was towards his sons.
This particular book is unique because it presents the president from his children's viewpoint. The story spans from the time that Lincoln decides to run for president to the end of the Civil War.
The chapters are full of Lincoln's wisdom and insights. P.J. Lynch's illustrations add warmth and life to this touching and inspiring book on one of the most liked and famous presidents. A very good read.


For grades 4th and older.

ANOTHER GREAT SERIES?

I just finished THE ETERNAL HOUR GLASS, the first book in a new series called THE MAGICKEEPERS by Erica Kirov, and this is going to be a fascinating bunch of stories. Intermixing the history of famous magicians, authors and others with a modern day family of Russian magicians, the author has struck upon the possibility of literary gold. Nick Rostov lives a somewhat ordinary life as the son of a washed up Vegas Magician, living in hotels, eating pizza and skateboarding. One day, his grandfather takes him for his birthday "surprise," and Nick finds himself living with an entirely new family, that of the greatest magician in Vegas and throughout the world - Damian! They've brought Nick here to live out his life (and be part of the show) in order to protect him and his magical ability (which he just found out he has) from the evil "shadowkeepers." This is shaping up to be a series worth the read, and perfect for 5th-8th grades.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

Very soon you will be flocking to the local movie theater to see the movie version of FANTASTIC MR. FOX by ROALD DAHL. But it would be great if you could read the book first.

Mr. Fox loves nothing more than to hear how fantastic he is. He does everything that he can to get the compliments from his wife, including stealing chicken, duck and turkey from his nemeses, the three farmers. However, the farmers are well aware of Mr. Fox and they plot to capture their enemy and teach him a lesson. But... there is a reason why Mr. Fox is called Fantastic. This book is such a fun read that you can won't want to put in down.


For grades 4th and older.

A GRIMM SHOCKER!

If you've been keeping up with the madcap adventures of this crime fighting family, you will be shocked to the core by the unmasking of The Master of the Scarlet Hand in the final chapter!

Sabrina and Daphne's parents awake after two years of magical sleep and are confused by all that has happened. Daphne and Sabrina's wish for a happy family reunion with their parents are dashed when their father insists they give up their detective ways and return to New York City. Before anyone can leave Ferryport though the Scarlet Hand's army begin to assault the Grimm home and they must make a run for safety deep in the forest. The only option open to the family is to join Prince Charming's ragtag army of Everafters in order to destroy The Master's plans of taking over the town and eventually, the world.

The seventh exciting book, The Everafter War by Michael Buckley is for readers in 4th and up.

THE POSSIBILITY OF FLYING

I won't lie, Francesca Lia Block is a wonderful author, but she is an author that will only appeal to certain people. I can't even tell you who those people are, but the way she writes is different than other authors because nothing about the stories are obvious. You have to find your way, much like the characters in one of her recent books THE WATERS AND THE WILD. This is a story about a 13-year-old girl, who's not really a girl. She makes friends with a 18th century slave girl, who's not really a slave girl, and an alien boy who's not really an alien. Or maybe they are these things. Whatever the case, this girl, who finds herself wanting to eat dirt all the time, keeps seeing another version of herself - in her room, walking down the street, out in the back yard. The "doppleganger" version is here to replace her, and it's only a matter of time before the reality sets in. Obscure enough for you? Recommended for 6th-8th grades.