A SURPRESENT FOR ANY READER

Delaware Pattinson, who goes by Delly, is always getting in trouble for one thing or another. She doesn't MEAN to get in trouble, but it seems to always find her. So when the principal and her parents threaten to send her off to reform school, she has to learn to straighten up - AND QUICK! TRUE (...SORT OF) by Katherine Hannigan is a dellylicious story about a girl coming to terms with being responsible, meeting new friends, learning patience, and feeling loved. The characters each have their own issues to deal with, and the author does a fantastic job of letting each one take the spotlight in some way. For grades 4 and up.

CHIVAS TICKETS ARE HERE!

If you have already turned in your summer reading log but didn't get your Chivas ticket come by the library and pick one up. Chivas USA is offering a free ticket for all finishers to the big August 27, 2011 game versus Real Salt Lake. If you can't make it, you can choose one of three other dates.

Children will need to be accompanied by an adult to attend the game. Adult tickets can be purchase at the same time as the child's voucher is redeemed for a discounted rate.

If you haven't signed up for summer reading yet, and want to go to the Chivas or Clippers game, get yourself to the library and sign-up!

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS BULLY

When all you want is a basketball, and you get a plot of dirt, wouldn't you be annoyed? Jackson Jones is less than thrilled when his mom gives him a garden plot for his birthday instead of a basketball. But Jackson turns lemons into lemonade by planting beautiful flowers he can sell to buy his own basketball. His plans are ruined one day when a mystery blooms smack dab in the middle of his flower bed. Can you figure out who is trying to ruin Jackson's plans before he can? Jackson is funny and smart, and comes up with some great ideas for pleasing his mom, avoiding his six-year-old neighbors, and still getting what he wants in the end. JACKSON JONES AND THE PUDDLE OF THORNS by Mary Quattlebaum is a fun book for 3rd-6th grades.

THE SUMMER OF MILLICENT, STANFORD AND EMILY

This trilogy is set in the summer right before the start of middle school. Three kids come together in friendship, well for two of them a mutual understanding. Millicent, Girl Genius, is enlisted to tutor Stanford Wong, (who) Flunks Big Time, in English for the summer. Along comes So Totally, Emily Ebers, who just moved into the area and befriends Millicent.

Millicent is socially challenged and has never had a close friend before. Because everyone thinks she's a freak, she will do almost anything to keep Emily from finding out that she's so brilliant that she is homeschooled. Stanford can't stand Millicent but needs her to pass the class so he can play basketball next season. But, he can't let Emily, whom he thinks is absolutely adorable, know that he's being tutored! Or any of his friends for that matter. Emily on the other hand substitutes her father's absence in the wake of her parents' divorce by charging everything on the emergency credit card and buying friendships. She seriously has a crush on Stanford and doesn't get why Millicent is so hard on him.

Everyone has a secret that they want to hide, but not for long. Each have to deal with their perceived failures and shortcomings in their own way. A fantastic trio of companion books from each person's point of view. Start with Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee.

For mature readers in 6th - 8th grades.

GYM RAT NO MORE

Life sure isn't the same for Toby anymore. This time last year, everything was great. Toby and his best friend JJ were always hanging out and playing basketball at the rec center. Now JJ is a star varsity basketball player. He's in a band, has new friends, a new girlfriend, and is just too cool for Toby. So when the new coach encourages Toby to join the 8th grade basketball team, he decides to go for it. He didn't realize that the coach had asked him to join just so he could have him sit on the bench ALL THE TIME. How is Toby supposed to help his team win the league championship if he never gets to play? It gets worse though. Toby does finally get to play and when he does he finds out that playing on a team is a much different ball game. You'll have to read Toby Wheeler: Eighth Grade Benchwarmer to find out if Toby is stuck being a benchwarmer forever!

For grades 5 and older.