DOUBLE THE TROUBLE

Miles and his family move to Yawnee Valley.  Miles had been known as the prankster at his previous school and hopes to maintain his reputation at his new school, the Yawnee Valley Science and Letter Academy.  Upon his arrival, Miles discovers that there is another prankster already at work.  Someone has already managed to move Principal Barkin’s car to the top of the stairs of the school entrance, where it is blocking any access into the school.  Miles is very impressed with the prank but is surprised when the principal begins to suspect that it was him.  

As Miles begins to familiarize himself at his new school, the student helper, Niles Sparks, is asked to show him around.  As the days and weeks go by, Miles is surprised that there are no signs of who the prankster could possibly be.  Even though the principal continues to suspect it’s him, he doesn’t want to take credit for something he didn’t do, so Miles gets to work on creating his own prank. 

With two unknown pranksters in the same school, this is a formula for a very interesting and unexpected school year.  Will the school pranksters reveal their identity and collaborate with one another to prank Principal Barkin and the Yawnee Valley Science and Letter Academy? Read to find out.

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, with illustrations by Kevin Cornell, is a funny book that will appeal to students grade 3-6. This is the first book of the series. 

LOOKING FOR MOM IN MANY STRANGE PLACES

Julia lives with her grandmother and aunt in an old house called Windy Ridge. Her mom has been gone quite some time, and Julia has pretty much settled into a life with her friend Belfry, taking pictures with her Brownie camera of things she finds interesting. Well, her grandmother decides to die one day, so Aunt Constance and Julia pack up the house and head out on the road to find Julia's mother. Without any idea of where they are going, quite a quirky, entertaining adventure unfolds. With a bit of humor and a whole lot of weird, this historical fiction just may capture the attention of even the most reluctant reader. JULIA AND THE ART OF PRACTICAL TRAVEL by Lesley M. M. Blume is an entertaining read for 5th - 8th grades.

NOV 2015

DOES BAD KITTY NEED A BATH?

Kitty is smelly, dirty, and grimy.  Although she uses the traditional technique of licking herself clean, she would benefit from a proper bath in clean, cool aromatic suds. It sounds simply divine, but Kitty would rather not take one. Will she ever take a bath? or will she be content simply licking her fur for cleanliness.  Kitty is neither completely good or bad. She just knows what she wants, and its up to the readers to decide if her reputation as Bad Kitty holds true.

Bad Kitty Gets A Bath is the first chapter book in this series by Nick Bruel.  He introduces a fun loving, smart, and mischievous kitty who is bound to have many fans! For a list of books in the series, visit Novelist K-8.  This resource can be found on our library's website under Articles and Databases, or click on the link: http://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/library-arts-culture/articles-databases

SURE BEATS BOILING OIL

If you read Harry Potter or the Hunger Games, and you like stories where society is out to destroy the lives of children, then THE UNWANTEDS by Lisa McMann is a good book to read along the same lines. In the dark, dreary land of Quill, some kids become "wanteds" and some are relegated to "unwanted" status, which means they are sent to die in a giant pit of boiling oil. Only the unwanteds actually end up in a magical world of creativity and free thought, something completely frowned upon in the land of Quill. Kids learn magical fighting techniques, in preparation to fight for their beliefs in a battle that comes when not everyone is prepared to fight. It's not to difficult to read, it is action-packed, and reflects positively on those that are more creative than calculating. For grades 4 and up.

WHERE ARE BAD KITTY'S PRESENTS?

It's Bad Kitty's birthday, and her owner wants to celebrate with an event to remember.  A number of cats, each with distinct personalities, bring a unique gift to the party.  Kitty goes with the flow and enjoys the party until she learns that someone has tampered with her birthday gifts.  That's when another side to Kitty comes out.  Will she behave as she tries to solve the mystery of her missing gifts? Readers are left to wonder if she's truly a bad kitty or one they'd want in their homes.  A fun read with adorable characters that will leave others wondering why you-the reader-is laughing out loud!  

Nick Bruel's second book, Happy Birthday Bad Kitty is filled with comical black and white illustrations which makes this series even more fun!  For Ages 8-10.

WE'RE NOT IN BROOKLYN ANYMORE!

First they visited their long-lost mother in Oakland in One Crazy Summer, they returned to life with their father in Brooklyn in P.S. Be Eleven, and now the Gaither girls are back--this time visiting their paternal relatives in rural Alabama--in Gone Crazy in Alabama, the third and final installment of the series from award-winning author Rita Williams-Garcia. 

Much like the previous two novels, Williams-Garcia paints an all-at-once funny, poignant, and unflinchingly realistic look at life in the 1960s for these three young black girls and their family. As their father reminds 12-year-old Delphine and her younger sisters Vonetta and Fern while he's telling them to be on their best behavior, "the South's not like Bed-Stuyvesant and you can't get more southern than Alabama." 

And truer words have never been spoken: they get their milk and butter from a cow, the best entertainment is hearing their great-grandmother and great-aunt tell conflicting stories about their decades-long feud, and, perhaps most notably, they experience the very real presence of the KKK. But when a potentially deadly storm strikes, things get even more real as Vonetta goes missing after a fight with her sisters. Will the Gaither girls and their family ever be the same after their time in the deep South? 

This historical fiction novel really tells it like it was, and will make a gripping read for 5th to 8th graders, whether or not they've already enjoyed the previous two books in the series. 

WHERE WILL BEAR SLEEP?

Bernard is exhausted, but he can't find a quiet and comfortable place to sleep.  He goes for a walk through the forest to find an ideal location.  He encounters a number of animals who kindly offer their homes.  A lily pad, a tree, or burrow might be right for those animals but not for Bernard.  A small unassuming mouse offers a suggestion which piques Bernard's interest but will it be the right bed for Bear?

Clive McFarland's A Bed For Bear is a wonderful story to share with young children during the fall and winter seasons, especially before bedtime.  

For PreK-2nd grade.

THE SKY IS FALLING!

Is the sky really falling?  Ask Chicken Little why she’s in a frenzy as she does the mambo.  Well it all started one day when an acorn fell on Chicken Little’s head… and it went downhill from there.  Chicken Little truly believed that the sky was falling, so of course she didn't listen to Squirrel's explanation and created chaos on the farm. 


Chaos meaning all the chickens began to dance; they did the moonwalk, the twist and the waltz.  Soon enough all the other farm animals joined in the dance even though they knew better; the animals even did the hokey-pokey.  It wasn’t long before the clever Fox showed up to stir some trouble. He believed that he could actually fool the animals to come to his den.  Read to find out if the Fox accepts the chickens challenge.

The Sky is Falling by Mark Teague is a hilarious read-a-loud picture book. This is a great twist for a classic tale, teaching the importance of listening skills, especially when creating unnecessary confusion. The illustrations are colorful and cartoon-like.  

Ages 3-5

IS THE MOON REALLY FOLLOWING YOU?

The Moon is Going to Addy's House written and illustrated by Ida Pearle takes a simple but universal idea and turns it into an inventively breathtaking picture book. On her way home with her family after a playdate at her friend's house, Addy is intent on watching the moon in the sky as it appears to follow her along the way. 

Pearle uses the perspective in her brilliant cut-paper art in mesmorizing ways to relate that familiar childhood feeling that the moon is moving across the sky as you travel, alternately high and low, near and far. The simple yet rhythmic text--"Look way up high and way down low. There it is, still!"--pairs seamlessly with the dreamy illustrations to explore this enigmatic natural phenomenon. 

This versatile book is perfect both for sharing with a group or exploring one-on-one at bedtime with toddlers and preschoolers alike. 

HOLIDAY CLOSURE

THE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED FROM SATURDAY JANUARY16 - 18, 2016 FOR MLK DAY.  WE WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 19. 

SEVERAL OF OUR BRANCHES WILL BE OPEN ON FRIDAY JANUARY 15 FOR YOUR LIBRARY NEEDS.  

A TOAST TO BACON

Everyone loves Bacon: Egg, Waffle, Pancake, Hot dog, Pickle, Chile, Garlic... and especially Bacon himself. French Toast doesn’t love Bacon, but that’s because French Toast apparently doesn’t like anyone. Bacon plays the ukulele, tells funny jokes, drives fancy cars, wears fancy hats, and grows a fancy mustache-- and everyone knows that fancy mustaches are amazingly lovable.

Bacon thoroughly enjoys his sizzling celebrity status, but as his fame heats up and spreads from his local 24-hour diner home he begins to snub his old friends. After all, what’s a delicious breakfast food to do when everyone loves you and you smell so good?

Kelly Dipucchio’s Everyone Loves Bacon, illustrated by Eric Wight, is a quirky cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris. It’s a food punny picture book with a premise so ridiculous it’s bound to elicit giggles from listeners. Share this delicious story just before breakfast... with a toast to bacon!

Ages 4+

ZOMBIES REVISTED

Do you fear the "walking dead"? Maybe they're a little too creepy for you, but in James Ponti's second zombie-related book, DEAD CITY: BLUE MOON, Molly Bigelow is back to defeat the worst of them. But with less disgusting stuff and more action and adventure, with a little mystery thrown in. Molly and her zombie fighting Omega Team are tracking down the original 13 zombies all over New York, and along the way Molly comes across some information about her mother that has her wondering - is her mother still alive? 

A lively story for any zombie fan. For 5th - 8th grades.

OCT 2015

IT'S AWARD SEASON!

The Book Award Season that is. Here's a list of the 2016 medal winners and honors, some of which we have in the system so be sure to put holds on them and check out these amazing books, authors and illustrators. The favorite of the Children's Room is the multiple award winner, Last Stop on Market Street by the first Latino author to win the Newbery medal, Matt de la Pena. 

John Newbery Medal, which goes to the most distinguished book in American literature for children the previous year, went to Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. The book was illustrated by Christian Robinson.  Newbery Honor Books: 

• The War that Saved My Life written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley  
• Roller Girl written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson 
• Echo written by Pam Munoz Ryan 

Randolph Caldecott Medal for best picture book is Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear, illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick.

Caldecott Honor Books: 

• Trombone Shorty illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Troy Andrews  
• Waiting illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes 
• Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement illustrated by Ekua Holmes, written by Carole Boston Weatherford 
• Last Stop on Market Street  illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by Matt de le Pena.

Coretta Scott King awards for an African-American author and illustrator:

Author award: Rita Williams-Garcia for Gone Crazy in Alabama.  Illustrator award: Bryan Collier for Trombone Shorty written by Troy Andrews and Bill Taylor.

• Illustrator Honor Book: Last Stop on Market Street illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by Matt de la Pena. 

Pura Belpré awards for a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. 
Illustrator award: Rafael López for The Drum Dream Girl.

Stonewall Book Award, the Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's and Young Adult Literature Award for books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. 
George written by Alex Gino

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.
Young children's book: Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah written by Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrated by Sean Qualls.Middle grade book: Fish in a Tree written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, and The War that Saved My Life written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradle.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for beginning reader book.
Don't Throw It to Mo! written by David A. Adler and illustrated by Sam Ricks.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook for children and young adults.
The War that Saved My Life written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and narrated by Jayne Entwistle.
Odyssey Honor Recording:

• Echo written by Pam Munoz Ryan and narrated by Mark Bramhall, David de Vries, MacLeod Andrews and Rebecca Soler.

WANTED: PET HUMAN

Living out on the streets is never easy for a stray cat, but the nameless feline narrator of My Pet Human considers himself lucky to live such a carefree life. With an insider’s knowledge of the best hiding spots and food joints as well as plenty of domesticated, neighborhood critter friends, there’s little incentive for the tuxedo cat to find a pet human of his own. This is particularly the case when he’s already sure the perfect pet human doesn’t exist!

But when a new family moves into town, this street-wise cat is forced to reconsider his roaming ways. Suddenly he’s found someone to feed him lots of treats, give him back rubs, have boxes for him to play in, treat him gently, let him sleep in her lap, and possibly be a faithful companion. Could this little human girl be his perfect pet human?

Author-illustrator Yasmine Surovec is the creator of the Cat versus Human cartoon blog, and her first chapter book for younger readers features appealing comic style illustrations on every page. A cozy new series for pet lovers.

Grades 3+

THE GRIFFIN'S RIDDLE

If you could travel to the imaginary world to find a cure, would you? Ben and Pearl from Buttonville do!  Ben is a ten-year-old whose parents are going through a rough patch and Pearl is Ben’s new friend who loves adventure and allows her curiosity to get her in trouble.  When Mrs. Mulberry, the snoopy committee president, needed to visit Dr. Woo the duo knew they were in trouble.  

Ben and Pearl could not allow anyone to find out that there was a portal to the imaginary world inside Dr. Woo’s hospital but that was not the only problem the two faced. Ben and Pearl learn that both Dr. Woo and the Sasquatch have fallen ill with Troll Tonsillitis which can spread throughout the town within hours. Now it’s up to Ben and Pearl to find a cure from the imaginary world.

Read the Griffin’s Riddle by Susanne Selfors to find out if the duo was able to help the Dr. Woo and the Sasquatch or did the entire town of Buttonville catch Troll Tonsillitis. The fifth book of the Imaginary Veterinary is filled with mythical creatures and fun riddles.

For grades 3-6

CENTAUR RISING

Arianne and her family leave their home for the evening to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. This grand spectacle gives her mother some reprieve from their financial troubles.  When it's time to go back home a great light flashes which stirs their horse, Agora.  Little do they know that this extraordinary light would change their lives forever.

When a pony is born the next year, Arianne's family must think of creative ways of caring for it with the little money that they have. To their surprise, the pony is a centaur.  The family must now think of ways to teach the community that although he may look different, there are special qualities that the centaur possesses.

Jane Yolen creatively weaves a tale about the life of a horse and a boy, who must stand together, to help their family regardless of their personal challenges.  The author also includes a historical note about medical practices during the 1960s.  An interesting and eye-opening read. For 5th and up.

HEAR HERE or TO TWO TOO

When two words sound the same but are spelled differently, we call those words homonyms. Rose will tell you all about her list of homonyms, including one for her dog Rain (reign). Life is challenging for Rose because of her Asperger's. This just means she sees the world a little differently than other kids, and certain things can really upset her. She lives with her Dad because her mom left, but her Dad doesn't really understand Rose sometimes and gets mad. Thank goodness Rose has Uncle Weldon. 

RAIN REIGN by Ann Martin might be a little quirky, but once you start reading, it will be hard to put down. There's always something exciting every few pages. For 5th - 8th grades.

SEPT 2015

HERE FISHY, FISHY, FISHY

What would you do if you found a whale in your swimming pool? When a gargantuan whale mysteriously appears in a tiny backyard pool, a young boy employs a series of imaginative tactics to evict the unwanted visitor. To his chagrin, the boy finds the whale completely unmoved by logic, wheedling, bribes, or large crane trucks.

But just as he’s about to throw in the towel for good, the boy has an epiphany: it’s not a sink or swim scenario. There’s an uplifting compromise that will keep both walking on (or splashing in) air. Of course, nap time later introduces a new unbearable challenge.

Joyce Wan’s The Whale in My Swimming Pool is a wacky picture book with appealing cartoon illustrations. There’s no explanation for the whale’s random appearance, but the bizarre set-up only enhances the story’s humorous tone. Share it with fans of Mo Willems' cajoling Pigeon books.

Ages 4+