LOCKER HERO

Max Crumbly is in 8^th grade and for the first time he is attending public school.  For all of his life he has been homeschooled so he had never experienced social issues such as bullying until now.  After an unfortunate encounter with the school bully, Doug “Thug” Thurston, Max gets trapped in a school locker and no one knows he is there. Worse, it's a three day weekend.  As he tries to get himself out, he soon finds out that his school is being robbed.  Does Max figure a way out and go home or should he stay and try to be the school hero?

Locker Hero, the first title in this new series is brought to us by Rachel Renee Russell, author of the popular Dork Diaries, and is a great read for students grades 4 and up. 

THIS MARY HAS LOTS OF GLAM

Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer and illustrations by Vanessa Vrantley-Newton is a delightful adaptation of the classic nursery rhyme, Mary Had a Little Lamb.  In this retelling, this little Mary loves to accessorize.  With her very stylish fashion, she helps her classmates add a little “glam” to their fashion. 

Children who enjoy series such as Pinkalicious and Fancy Nancy will enjoy this book.  This is a wonderful story to share with children ages three and up with its beautiful illustrations and a message for little girls to be creative.

AMUSEMENT PARK ADVENTURES

Little Elliot and Mouse venture off to Coney Island and Mouse is very excited to show Little Elliot all the attractions at the amusement park.  Upon arrival, Little Elliot is overwhelmed by the rides and attractions.  Mouse tries to help his friend find rides that are more suitable for his pace.  

Will Elliot overcome his fears and try some of the rides?  Will the two friends enjoy their experience at the amusement park? 

Little Elliot Big Fun by Mike Curato is the third book in the Little Elliot series.  This book teaches us about friendship and how we can be different from one another but still enjoy each other’s company. This is also a great story to help children deal with anxiety when approaching new things.  A lovely story with beautiful illustrations makes it a great read aloud for children ages 2 and up. 

NOT YOUR AVERAGE GRANDMA

What would you do if your grandma was a ninja? Well for Ethan, it's all a reality. Not only does his grandma teach the other students karate moves, but Ethan and his grandma zip line to school while all the other children have to take the bus. The students find her pretty cool up until she accidentally deflates the team's soccer ball. Ethan and all the students get very upset and that's when he wishes his grandma was just normal. Can Ethan forgive her? Read this story to find out. 

"My Grandma’s a Ninja," by author Todd Tarpley and illustrator Danny Chatzikonstantinou is an interesting and funny story about a grandma who happens to be a ninja. This is a great story to be shared with a grandchild and it also makes for a good read-aloud for children ages 3 and up.     

THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE

The classic nursery rhyme, There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, has been retold many times since its origin. This particular retelling has been adapted into a playful picture book. Author-illustrator Jane Cabrera illustrates an old woman who not only adopts nine multiracial children but several animals as well. As problems arise throughout the story, the old woman manages to find solutions to each one. Whether it's repairing clothes or fixing furniture, she manages to get by with what little resources she has and, through it all, she always has a smile. The last page is sure to leave a smile on your face as well.

This modern adaptation of a nursery rhyme has beautiful illustration and is a great read-aloud or lap reading that's sure to keep children engaged. This story is recommended for infant-kindergarten.

THE INGREDIENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BEDTIME

A Recipe for Bedtime, written by Peter Bently and illustrations by Sarah Massini, is the perfect book for reading aloud during bedtime and storytime.  A baby’s bedtime routine is unfolded in each rhyming verse.  On each page, the animals work together to guide a child through a bedtime ritual.  Once they have followed all the “ingredients” for bedtime, the animals end with a sweet lullaby.

With bright and colorful illustrations and wonderful writing, this book is highly recommended to be shared with young children.   

For ages 1-5.

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.