TALE OF A MERMAID

A mermaid who doesn't know how to swim and thinks that she is afraid of the water doesn't sound likely does it? In Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler the reader meets Emily and her mother who live on a boat surrounded by water yet Emily does not know how to swim. Her mother has always objected to her learning how and when she finally agrees to let her join the swim class at school their lives are set on a course that will bring about major changes and the revelation of a big secret.

For grades 5-8.

A BORING MAINE SUMMER (NOT REALLY)

The Legend of Old Salty is for comic book readers and those who love a bizzare and outrageous adventure.

Jack and Benny are dragged to Chowder Bay for the summer by their parents. In this New England town, their father insists on first stopping to get the traditional sweets, salt water taffy. When the candy store is robbed, the boys follow the trail of taffy wrappers only to discover that the thieves are lobsters stealing taffy for the big queen lobster, Old Salty, the legendary Sea Monster of Chowder Bay. All must do her bidding.

Jack and Benny and Angus, the old fisherman, must battle Old Salty in that age old struggle for power and taffy.

Salt Water Taffy: The Seaside Adventures of Jack and Benny. The Legend of Old Salty, V. 1 by Matthew Loux. For readers in 2nd-5th.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR...

Let's say you are out in the ocean fishing and caught a turtle that could make all your wishes come true. What would you ask for? Would you ask for simple things or almost impossible things?

In this newly adapted tale from the Grimm Brothers, the fisherman and his wife are always in disagreement. One wants the fancy things in life while the other wants only the simple things. Can she actually get her impossible wishes and can he stop her from wanting them?

I grant you the time to read the story.

THE FISHERMAN AND THE TURTLE adapted by ERIC A. KIMMEL and illustrated by MARTHA AVILES.

For grades 2nd through 4th.

A CAT'S LIFE IN EAST L.A.

Chato is a hungry “low-riding” cat from East Los Angeles, whose new neighbors are a family of tasty mice. At first, the mice are afraid of Chato, but he pretends to be friendly and invites the family to dinner. Chato and his equally hungry friend Novio Boy are delighted that so many mice are coming to be their dinner and they prepare a huge fancy feast to accompany the main course. Both cats are very surprised at the mice family's special guest! CHATO'S KITCHEN by Gary Soto does a wonderful job of integrating the multilingual heritage of Chato and the other characters throughout the book. Especially helpful is the glossary at the front of the book, explaining certain Spanish words that appear at various times in the book, and also describes some of the food Chato and Novio Boy prepare for the feast. A great story for 2nd - 4th grades .

A TURNING POINT IN HISTORY

There was a time when kids went outside to play, made up imaginary games evoking historical characters and aliens from the future, families went on road trips in search of gold, radiation was still a new treatment for cancer, and cancer was still mysterious. In THE LUCKY PLACE by Zu Vincent, families are becoming visibly dysfunctional through the eyes of Cassie, spanning ten years from age three to thirteen. There's Old Daddy, the drunk, and New Daddy, the one Cassie likes better. Jaime, her older brother, is not happy about New Daddy, but escapes his anger and frustration by taking as many dance classes as possible. There are complex relationships rich with emotion, told from a soft, gentle, very human perspective. This book will capture the attention of 5th grades and up.

AUTHOR AT THE LIBRARY

When: Saturday, November 15, 2008, 2:00 p.m.

Where: Central Library Auditorium
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale, Ca 91205

Tony Johnston will be here to talk about her book Any Small Goodness and also to sign your personal copy. For additional questions, please call (818) 548-2035.

Copies of the book will be available for sale to benefit the Friends of the Library on the day of the author talk.

A HUG-- A SPECIAL THING TO GIVE

Jules the kitten has a lot of love to give. He doesn't need to buy a toy or anything sweet for those he loves, but he does have plenty of hugs to give to the world. His hugs are for different things that live and grow on Earth, such as a giraffe, a buttercup or a pudu. Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell is such a lovely story to share. The message of embracing everyone and everything is heartwarming. This is great for story time or for sharing with those YOU love! I love this book!

THE LIVING MUSEUM OF HUMAN ODDBALLS

Set in another place and time Jeremy Cabbage by David Elliott is the story of an orphan who is stranded at Harpwitch's Home for mean Dogs, Ugly Cats and Strey Children. Unfortunately for him the dogs and cats are treated much better for than the children. His only chance is to be adopted but since he is eleven, the chance of that is not good. Not good until Bo and Ba, a couple whose genetic condition has caused their feet to grow extremely large and their noses to become very round and very red, and take him into their very unusual family. This is the beginning of an outrageous adventure that pits good against evil. Guess who wins.

BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

Tal is a teenage Israeli girl searching for reasons. She sends out a message in a bottle, only to hear from a young, angry Palestinian boy. The two exchange sporadic emails, seemingly prompted mostly by Tal, sharing their worlds and the frustration, sadness, and want for change between both sides of the border separating them. A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA by Valerie Zenatti, shows both sides of a never-ending war between two cultures over the right to live in a place that defines both their histories. Told from both characters perspectives, the story is emotional, vivid, and pertinent for any readers 6th grade and up.

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING BETTER THAN EVER

Lauren Child's colorful illustrations fit perfectly with this new translation of the classic story of the little Swedish girl who just doesn't quite get the rules of living in a village after years of living away at sea with her papa. Pippi, the strongest girl in the world, lives in a house with only the company of her horse and monkey. Along with her two friends, Tommy and Annika, she tries out town living such as going to school so she can have school holidays, or going to coffee parties, but people have a hard time seeing Pippi for the fun loving free living child that she is.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren resembles Lauren Child's characters Lola and Clarice Bean with her sassy but no nonsense attitude. A great read-a-loud for the younger set, too.

For reader in 4th - 6th grade

PLEASE WRITE IN THIS BOOK

Ms. Wurtz has a great group of kids in her class and each one has a unique personality and style. There's Milton-- he's really smart; Luke (whose name rhymes with puke) is the class clown; Lizzy, who tends to be a bit bossy; and Yoshi, a dedicated friend. To get the class to practice their writing skills, Ms. Wurtz puts a class journal in the Writer's Corner. Unfortunately, the messages, thoughts and drawings in the class journal get way out of hand. What starts off as creative and fun, then turns into broken friendships, tears, and jeer. Will Ms. Wurtz intervene and make everything right or will the class have a creative solution?

Students in the 3rd thru 5th grades, as well as teachers who are interested in adding a journal to their writing center, will find Mary Amato's book delightful, sometimes gross, and fun! Eric Brace's illustrations bring the story to life.