Wednesday, March 28, 2007

COOOOOOOOOKKKKIIIIEEEEE!

Cookie was baked with too much spice and has runaway from Mr. Baker. Willy and Wally, always on the lookout for sweets to eat, go chasing after Cookie but are foiled at every turn. As they are about to give up, their luck changes when a sweet old lady in front of a cottage all covered in candy beckons them to come in and enjoy something warm from the oven.... Uh, oh. Is this who I think it is? Will the boys get the sweet treats they are craving for?

Bad Boys Get Cookie! by Margie Palatini can be enjoyed by readers in Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

LIBRARIES ON THE GO

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without the Glendale Public Library? What about life without any books at all?! In her book, , Margriet Ruurs gives us a very interesting look at some traveling libraries that make books available for communites around the world. Some of these communities are so remote is that the books have to go to them. Here in Glendale, we have our own traveling library, the bookmobile! But in other places, people use bikes, boats, and buses to transport books. Sometimes, even camels or donkeys travel carrying large bundles of books. Read this book to find out more about these special mobile libraries.

This book is best for readers in grades 4 through 8 and is a true story so if you need to do a book report on a non-fiction book, this one is for you!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

ELEPHANTS = BIG STORIES

Rosie one of the elephants at the Los Angeles County Zoo is retiring and if you have been interested in following in her story, then the story of Moduc, the greatest elephant that ever lived according to author Ralph Helfer, is the right story for you.

Both of these titles, Mosey, The Remarkable Friendship of a Boy and His Elephant and The World's Greatest Elephant both by Ralph Helfer, are based on the true story of a boy and his elephant. Born on the same day in Germany they develop an unusual bond that makes them inseparable and
leads the pair on many thrilling adventures.

Mosey is just right for readers in grades 4 and older and The World Greatest Elephant is for readers in grades 3 and older.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

THE AMAZING LIFE OF BIRDS: (A TWENTY-DAY PUBERTY JOURNAL OF DUANE HOMER LEECH) AS DISCOVERED BY GARY PAULSEN

March 21

Dear Journal,

So far this week a cute baby bird appeared outside my bedroom window, a ginormous zit appeared in the middle of my face, I dreamt about ELBOWS (not really elbows if you get my meaning), I babbled like an idiot to the cute new girl in my class, everybody thinks I'm carrying an infectious disease.

Puberty needs to be over already!!!

Your friend, the miserable zit factory,
Duane

For readers in 6th grade and older.

Friday, March 16, 2007

WRITE LIKE A MONK

Have you ever wanted to spend hours poring over an invitation or a special poem, writing each letter meticulously, making sure each stroke is perfect? Calligraphy for Kids will show you how to write beautiful letters just like the monks. Calligraphy for Kids by Eleanor Winters is filled with detailed pictures, directions and examples for you to follow.

For writers in 4th grade and older.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

HERE COMES MELANIE

Meet Melanie Martin. This sweet, thoughtful and curious girl who also happens to be an avid diary writer and is going to make you feel like she is your best friend that you have known her all your life. In the book, Melanie in Manhattan by Carol Weston, which is part of a series called Melanie Martin Novels, Melanie has developed an on-line romance with Miguel,who is from Spain. To complicate matters at the same time she also likes another boy who is from her school. Things get more difficult when Miguel announces that he is going to pay her a visit to New York City. Now it is the perfect time to decide who she likes more and why. The whole family takes on an adventurous journey in New York City, visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Central Park, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. You too can go on a fun trip with her to New York City and have a great time with her and find out what happens to her friendships among other things.

For grades fourth and up.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Have you ever seen pictures of the Washington Monument? Has it ever reminded you of asparagus?! Well that's what people were saying about it at the time it was being built. In this book by Susan Rubin, we learn about the history of ten "problem" buildings that caused a lot of controversy when they were first being built and some buildings even caused people to protest. Eventually though these buildings became recognized as important national landmarks or at least became pretty popular for tourists. Most of the buildings mentioned in the book are in the United States except for two French landmarks along with the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. For example, the Eiffel Tower in France was so hated that 47 artists, writers, poets, composers and cultural leaders got together to write a letter of protest about the new "useless and monstrous" tower. Years later some people complained that the spiraled-shaped Guggenheim Museum made them too dizzy. Read There Goes the Neighborhood: Ten Buildings People Loved to Hate to find out more interesting and sometimes amusing stories behind some famous buildings.



Saturday, March 03, 2007

HI HO, HI HO, IT'S OFF TO SCHOOL WE GO!

The Unusual Suspects by Michael Buckley

In Book Two of The Sisters Grimm series, Sabrina and Daphne must go to school or risk having to go back to the orphanage with the horrible social worker. But going to school in Ferryport, a New England town filled with disguised fairy and magical creatures that their Grimm ancestors have confined inside the town limits many years ago, is not like any other elementary school. By the end of the first day of school, Sabrina's awful teacher is dead and a student is suspected. Along with their Granny Relda, Puck, The Pied Piper (aka the principal), Prince Charming (aka the Mayor), Snow White (aka the kindergarden teacher) search out the murderer, only known by the scarlet handprint left at the scenes of the crimes.

For 4th - 6th grade readers who enjoy dark yet funny, fantasy, murder mysteries.