A SPECIAL GRANDPARENT HOLIDAY

This is a spooky traditional winter holiday that comes from Northern New Mexico. Men from the village camouflage themselves as scary old men, then they come down on the children teasing them to make sure they are behaving. Raymundo and Amelia have moved recently to the village and they don't know what to expect from this holiday. When an "Abuelo," who turns out to be their Uncle shows up at the door, they are very surprised. The abuelos encourage the little ones to dance and sing. Afterwards, they enjoy cookies and empanadas.

Written by Pat Mora, illustrated by Amelia Lau Carling.

Ages 5-8.

SPLISH SPLASH YOU'RE IT

Sopranos and the Maltese Falcon for the younger set. A complex and absolutely entertaining farce about how middle school is really played out. In the world of middle school everyone has their defined roles: Mr. Biggs, boss of The Organization wants his good luck Charm back; Matt, the independent private investigator hired to get the said charm; Nikki Fingers, former water gun for hire of Mr. Biggs who has the good luck charm. Dead on black comedy of social pecking order of middle school.

Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo is one book that should not be judged by its cover but by the contents. A fast read for mature readers 6th & up.

THE DAWN OF EQUALITY?

It's the late 1950s, and Rob Garrett is off to a boarding school in Connecticut. But he's leaving his home in Virginia behind, right at an important time in history - the supposed end of segregation in the South. in NEW BOY by Julian Houston, Rob is torn between advancing himself through his educational opportunities, or furthering the role of all African Americans by participating in demonstrations going on in his home town. This year in Rob Garrett's life is an eye-opening, life-changing time, and provides a little window into a very significant era in history. The book has some pretty advanced ideas, so probably best for those reading at an 8th grade level.

AND JUST HOW WAS THE BOOK....

The Snacktime Readers group met last night at the Central Library to talk about this month's book, Rules by Cynthia Lord. Here's what some of the participants thought ( we always rate a book 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest):

Crystal: It was a wonderful book. I loved it. (Rating: 10)

Celina: I thought it was funny. (Rating: 10)

Allisyn: I really liked this book. It gives you a different perspective on how hard it can be for people with disabilities and for their family members. (Rating: 10)

Join the group next month on Wednesday, May 27. We will be reading The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin. Copies of this are available in the Children's Room at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91204. For more information, please call (818) 548-2035. See you there!

GONE FROM HOME...

GONE FROM HOME: SHORT TAKES by ANGELA JOHNSON has some pretty cool stories that will keep you so focused that you won't want them to end. If you are a girl, imagine dressing up like a boy to survive the tough streets of your neighborhood, if you are a boy, imagine stealing animals from a pet shop, so that the new owners of these animals won't cage them, or saving a baby from an abandonment but can not really do much to save your self. You will meet some really couragious kids that might at first seem to be asking for trouble, however if you look a bit deeper into their hearts, you will see that they all are striving to make things better not only for themselves but the community that they live in. Their selfless acts take them to different paths and the reader won't miss home much since their journies are so inviting...

For grades 4th and older.

LUCK IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT

Living in a small town means that the friendship pool is not large and in the case of Harry "Dit" Sims it meant that there was almost no one his age in his small Alabama town. But that is going to change, coming to town is a new postmaster and his family. Set in 1917 The Best Bad Luck I Ever had by Kristin Levine tells the story of the somewhat unusual friendship that forms between Dit and Emma who end up teaching each other a lot and making a difference in their community.

For grades 5 through 8.

FOR YOUNG DRAGON LOVERS

Kenny has found a friend, a dragon friend. Everyone knows that dragons are ferocious fire breathing monsters who must be slayed knights of the kingdom. And wouldn't you know it, Kenny's other good friend turns out to be the knight chosen to kill his new friend.

Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DeTerlizzi is a revised, modern version of the classic tale The Reluctant Dragon with lovely new black and white illustrations. Perfect for bedtime read-a-loud or for independent readers in 4th - 6th grade.

Read the classic tale also and compare the two.

BARACK OBAMA

He represents hope, change, unity and greatness. History has been made, dreams have become reality and now countless people united can dream bigger than ever.

Barack Obama is our new president. However, before he became the president, he dedicated his time and energy in community work and in making a difference in peoples lives. His passion is contagious and his intellect is inspiring. Read this very short biography about our president and you too will feel the energy and the inspiration to dream big and follow where your passions lead you. The book is by NIKKI GRIMES and the illustrations are by BRYAN COLLIER.

For grades 1st to 3rd.

APRIL SNACKTIME READERS

This month's book is Rules by Cynthia Lord the story of twelve-year-old Catherine and her brother David. This is not your usual family story that revolves around the typical squabbles between an older sister and her amusing younger brother. David is autistic and that takes him way out of typical. This is a family who focuses all of their attention around this disability. Their story is told by Cynthia and happens one summer when everything turns out not as expected and causes her to question just what normal is.

For grades 5-8

Snacktime Readers meets at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205. A book discussion group for readers in fourth grade and above along with their parents, this group will get together on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Children's Room. Come and join the discussion and share our snacks. For more information, please call (818) 548-2035.

A TREE WORTH READING

THE DRAGON TREE by Jane Langton is not about dragons. This is the story about a family of free-thinkers, an evil tree inspector, and a girl kept captive in an attic. You would think that these things would have absolutely nothing to do with each other. But they are all brought together by a magical tree that grows foot by foot in a matter of minutes, with leaves that tell stories and fruit that feeds body and mind. It's a quick read for a chapter book, with a lot of excitement and some political activism thrown in for your reading pleasure. Plus, you get to learn a little bit about Henry David Thoreau. A great read for 4th grade and up.

HERE, KITTY, KITTY! = VEN, GATITA, VEN!

A young girl gets a shy new kitten that hides and makes trouble. She hides under the table, under the sofa, under sister's bed, inside a flower pot, behind grandma's shoes. This is the third book in Pat Mora's bilingual My family/ Mi familia series.This story will delight children with its mischievous playful watercolor illustrations and charming story.

Written by Pat Mora, illustrated by Maribel Suarez. Kindergarten ages 5-6.

THESE ARE THE DAYS OF OUR TOYS LIVES...

Lumphy, Stingray and Plastic are back again with their toy friends for new adventures. They meet a shark friend, made of rubber, that they stuff with garbage before they realize he's a nice shark. They escape out the window into a big drift of snow as they try to hunt for the little girl that loves them. But the best story yet is when they go to the basement for a dance party to celebrate the repair of their friend the dryer! TOY DANCE PARTY by Emily Jenkins is the sequel to Toys Go Out, and is just as entertaining. The hilarious actions of these toys bring them to life and give each one some very human characteristics. Good for 2nd - 5th grade readers.

NOT JUST A SPELLING BEE

It's a tale told in from the points of view of kids who enter the annual school spelling bee. It's about parents and adults who have ulterior motives. It's about desire, corruption and competition.

Jennifer: Could care less about the bee, but her parents won't allow her to lose.

Mutual: Only going to regular school because his parents want him to win the bee.

Chrissie: Determined to get to the truth no matter how much it hurts.

Harlan: Class clown who wants to be a legend. All he needs is one perfect prank.

Jake: He wants the prize. The money will go to a good cause... his future.

I Put a Spell on You: From the Files of Chrissie Woodward, Spelling Bee Detective by Adam Selzer is a book of stories within a story of kids who are determined to do what is right rather than what is expected. For 6th -8th grade readers.

LIKE WORDS?

He loves words and lives to play scrabble, has a serious allergy to peanuts, and doesn't have a clue when it comes to making friends. Doesn't sound too attractive, does it? But twelve-year-old Ambrose is a really great kid who just needs to find his spot in the world and when he becomes friends with the adult son of the landlord, that just might happen. Susin Nielson tells this sometimes sad and at other times laugh out loud funny in her book WORD NERD.

For grades 5-8

HOW TO BECOME A STAR

Striking bilingual English/Spanish Yoruba myth in which the author explains the origins of comets and stars. Oloyou, the cat, the very first creature that the God-child creates, is also the very first friend. God-child and Oloyou play together for hours on end, until one day the cat falls into the kingdom of ferocious Okun Aro, the Sea. Oloyou is terribly lonely until he meets Aro's mermaid daughter Kandili and falls madly in love with her. Infuriated by the disertion of his friend, Okun Aro throws the lovers up into the heavens where they turn into stars in the night sky.


A good humoured read-aloud tale in both English and Spanish languages, written by Teresa Cardenas and illustrated by Margarita Sada. Ages 4-10.