HURRICANES AND CIRCUS ANIMALS!

It is the evening of a huge hurricane that's about to sweep through Florida. Chase's dad is a great predictor of where disaster will strike next and he's got his business to help people rebuild their lives after a natural disaster. When Chase goes to school the day of the hurricane, his principal is convinced the hurricane isn't going to hit anywhere near the school or the town in which they live. Boy, is she wrong! The storm sends Chase and his new friend Nicole on a wild dangerous adventure, that involves an escaped cheetah and a pregnant elephant! 

Roland Smith has written an excitement-packed trilogy of death-defying tales, starting with STORM RUNNERS, and followed by THE SURGE and ERUPTION. Once you pick up the first book, you'll be in a hurry to get the next! For grades 4-7.

PLEDGE TO CHOOSE KIND

Starting a new school isn't easy for anyone, but it is especially hard for August Pullman.  He says that whatever you imagine his face to look like, it's probably ten times worse in real life.  That's because August was born with a facial deformity which has kept him homeschooled for his whole life.  His parents have decided, though, that its time to put August out into the real world and see how he does.  August faces some bullying, but he also faces the wonder of friends who stand by his side in the faces of unkind people.


Told from the points of view of August, his sister, and other characters in the book, Wonder by R.J. Palacio will leave everyone pledging to "choose kind" and accept people for who they are.  August is more than his deformity.  He is a Star Wars loving, smart-alecky, fun kid who teaches a whole school how to choose kind.  Recommended for kids in 4th grade and up.

HERE COMES HORTENSE!

Bob and Nana take their grandson to Wonderworld where they tell him a surprise is waiting. The grandson adores and admires his Nana because she is a special person to be around. She is not afraid of anything. Heights, bugs and wild rides don’t frighten her. Unfortunately the big surprise comes in the form of Hortense, Bob’s granddaughter. What an ugly surprise! Hortense steals Nana’s attention all the time and even gets to share a hotel room with her. Boy is angry that he has to share the attention, until he discovers that Hortense misses spending time with her other grandparents since they divorced before she was born.


Here Comes Hortense is written by Heather Hartt-Sussman and illustrated very colorfully by Georgia Graham. Also Recommended for parents with children dealing with issues of jealousy and neglect.

For ages 4-7.

CANCER IS NEVER EASY

Losing a parent to cancer is never easy, especially for Corinna Burdette. When 8th grade begins she must decide if the treasured memories of her mother and lessons from her are really worth keeping.  Carol Geithner offers a unique voice of a middle school student who struggles through each stage of grief. The story offers an honest look at loss as experienced by an 8th grader.

If Only by Carole Geithner is best for 6th and up.

MAGGIE BROOKLYN IS BACK

Maggie is back with another mystery. She's been hired by a schoolmate to find out who has been egging her dog in the park.  Maggie finds out other dogs are being egged, too.  Hmmm... she's gonna get to the bottom of this. 

Meanwhile her two best friends are in a state of hyper excitement because teen heart throb, Seth Ryan, is in town to shoot a new movie and they want to be cast as extras. There's a lot of excitement in the movie world, but not all of it is good.  Seth Ryan acts totally weird, the neighbors are upset by the constant noise  and the horrible director is making everything worse. Then one day, Seth Ryan disappears.  Another mystery for Maggie to solve.

Vanishing Acts:  A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery by Leslie Margolis.  For readers in 6th-8th grades.

MYSTERIOUS MANSION HAS LOUD DOG

TILL DEATH DO US BARK by Kate Klise is Book Three in the "43 Old Cemetery Road" series, and will keep readers on their toes! Seymour lives with an odd set of adoptive parents - both are writers, but one is a ghost! One day, a shaggy old dog shows up, and Seymour is thrilled to have a companion who's not consumed with writing all the time. But he barks all night! Seymour gets roped into doing what he can to ease the sadness of his new furry friend, and discovers that this dog, who's name is Secret, might have a few secrets of his own!

For grades 3-5.

STEALING A LIFE

13 year old Caleb feels like his world is crashing down around him.  His best friend seems to be in love with his number one enemy and he's beginning to think that the career path he's on isn't for him.  Caleb is a professional thief who travels through time to steal and sell famous objects for his adopted Uncle.  Uncle is looking to expand his business, stopping at nothing to make money and becoming dangerous to anyone who stands in his way.  Can Caleb get out of the family business in one piece?  What will he do with his future if he succeeds?

In an action-packed novel, Time Snatchers by Richard Ungar will snatch readers in grades 5-8 and transport them into a not so distant future.

WHAT'S YOUR STAR QUALITY?

Calli Be Gold by Michelle Weber Hurwitz


In order to be considered someone special in the Gold family, you must excel in sports or in theater. Calli, the youngest member of the family can really care less about being a super star, but her parents won’t stop pressuring her.  When Calli meets a young boy, she discovers that she actually has star qualities. 

For readers in 4^th grade and up. 

WHO IS A JEOPARDY FAN?

Beans for 100 please. This girl is one of the biggest fan of Jeopardy, the game show, and tried unsuccessfully in the past to get on during Jeopardy Kids Week.   BUZZZZ.  Who is Olivia Bean?  

Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen by Donna Gephart is the biggest queen of trivia  and she must watch Jeopardy every night.  When there's finally a chance for kids to audition for the game show and possibly go to Hollywood, she's determined to find a way to get on.  But, Olivia has a weakness.  Geography.  Can she make it?  Only if she can enlist the help of her nemesis and next door neighbor who is the king of trivia and is great at geography.   She can't let the opportunity pass her by because this might also be her only way to see her dad in LA since the divorce. 

For readers and Jeopardy lovers in 4th-6th. 

A MAMMOTH IN THE LIBRARY

A child asks his librarian, Ms. Reeder, if he can bring Woolly the mammoth to the library. Woolly can help with so many things at the library if only he would not create a chaos. For instance, Woolly could help with the shelving if he would not get stuck between the shelves causing a big mess, throwing all the books on the floor, or if he could make less noise when he walks. When Mayor Pinchpenny comes with overdue books and refuse to pay all fines, Woolly would grab him by his legs and turn him  upside down and shake him until all the coins come out of his pocket.

This hilarious story is full of funny illustrations. Children will not only enjoy Woolly, but also learn rules and practices of a library such as how to acquire a library card, how to behave in the library, and how important the library is to its community. For Ages 5-8. Can I Bring Woolly to the Library, Ms. Reeder? is written by Lois G. Grambling and is illustrated by Judy Love.

AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE?

I don't know about this book. Granted, the girl is trying to keep herself and her brother from growing hungry, but she sure is selfish! THE GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY adapted by Dan Jolley is a graphic novel based on an original story written by O.T. Nelson in 1975. A virus has wiped out all humans over the age of 12, and it's up to these kids to figure out how to survive. Some are trying to take others' food by force, some merely ask. Well, Lisa's not sharing with anyone, and pretty much expects everyone to do their share of the work in order to maintain their existence. She forms a city, it's HER city, and she controls everything that happens in it. Read this to see if you agree.

For 4th grade and up.

AHOY MATEY!

From Vivian, Children's Librarian at the Casa Verdugo Branch Library:

Charlotte Jane Battles Bedtime by Myra Wolfe

After participating in many pirate filled activities with her pirate mother and father, adorable Charlotte Jane wants to keep playing throughout the night.  After a much sleepless night, Charlotte Jane lost her “formidable oomph” and is unable to do any of her pirate activities the next day.

Readers will delight in Myra Wolfe’s message that a good night’s sleep is all it takes to regain your pirate gusto.  A delightful bedtime story to share with young children and pirate fans.

VOTE AND HELP THE LIBRARY

READ! BUILD! PLAY!

Help the Glendale Libraries bring a great Lego program to our kids by following the link below and voting for GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY. Your vote could help us get some additional Lego materials and books for the collection. Please help us spread the word and share with your family and friends.

 http://readbuildplay.com/

IT'S A BIG WORLD, LITTLE PIG!

Poppy, the little pig, is a talented skater who makes it to the World Games of ice skating competitions. The games are far away and Poppy is scared, but her friends and family  encourage her and give her great advice.  When she arrives at the games in Paris, Poppy is very excited and scared at the same time about meeting so many new people.  Even though they all look different, are from different places, and are different animals, they all love sports and want to be friends.  Soon she learns that it is fun to make friends with competitors from all over the world.  

It's a Big World Little Pig written by Kristi Yamaguchi, illustrated by Tim Bowers.   The illustrations are colorful and fun and perfect for ages 5-6.  This book focuses on Poppy's family being proud of her performing to the best of her ability.  It also teaches children about following your dreams and not to let fear hold you back.