FOOD, FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING

A story told from two points of view, Joe and Ravi. 

Ravi is a star pupil just transferred from India.  
Joe, a student needing a little extra help in school. 

Ravi wants to be liked by the only other Indian boy in the class. 
Joe just wants the other Indian boy in the class to leave him alone. 

Ravi's mom cooks his lunches everyday. 
Joe's mom feeds him constantly.  

The two are not so different after all. 

Save Me a Seat  by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan are two amazing authors with one amazing story about friendship.  

For readers in 4th - 6th grades.

NEW PICTURE BOOKS WITH A MORAL

Louis I:  King of the Sheep  by Olivier Tallec

An accidental crown rolls onto Louis the Sheep's head and he becomes KING! This leads to all types of kingly things, like having a scepter, making speeches to his flock and hunting lions, until one day the wind blows off his crown and there ends his reign as King of the Sheeps. An unusual morality tale translated from the French original about how easy things come and go.  

Steve, Raised by Wolves:  The story of a wild boy and his first day of school by Jared Chapman

A boy raised by a wolf mom has a hard time adjusting to school, but his mom keeps encouraging him to be himself and all will be fine.  Howling while on top of the desk , pouncing on other students and drinking from the toilet bowl is just not good behavior when you're in school. But when the class pet hamster goes missing, his wolf skills lead the class on a search to find the missing rodent and he finally finds his stride with his classmates.   Simple clear illustrations make this a fun story.  

A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson illustrated by David Roberts 

Brown bear and black bear are two different types of bears you see in the woods and depending on which you encounter will determine your behavior.  Playing dead or running can have lethal consequences if you do the wrong thing with the wrong bear.  But what is a boy to do when he encounters BOTH,  a black bear AND a brown bear!  A treacherous yet hilarious walk for one little boy. What's the moral of this story i ask?!

These stories are great for readers from 3 and up. 

A FAMILY OF MALES

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

2 dads, 4 brothers (different ages, different cultures), 1 grumpy new neighbor, 1 imaginary friend (maybe), many pets, a new school, a broken body part, etc .  You get the idea.  

This is a year in the life of the Family Fletcher.  

Sam - 12 years old athlete loves soccer and musical theater. 
Eli - 10 years old intellectual who thinks he's made the wrong choice. 
Jax - 12 years old with a project he keeps putting off.  
Frog - kindergartener with an imaginary friend or two?  

You'll laugh.  
You'll cry.  
You'll cheer. 
You'll empathize.  

For 6th grades and up.  

  

A MODERN DAY PIRATE TREASURE HUNT

Ollie is told by the FBI to lie low since his last treasure hunt blew up all over the news and some really bad guys went after him and his friend, Moxie.  Now he's going to lay low with a bunch of super competative scouts on an island off the coast of Boston but  he's already starting off on the wrong foot without realizing it and the Park Ranger wants to enlist him in finding a 200 year old pirate treasure "privately".  It's not going to be an easy 2 weeks that's for sure.  He just wanted to stay off the radar, but the games, real or not, are drawing him in. Hopefully  he will survive this scouting trip.  

Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting:  A 14-Day Mystery by Erin Dionne is a fast paced adventure for 6th-8th grade readers.

GOLDFISH ARE BARELY MENTIONED

Every once in a while, a book comes along that is like a perfectly wrapped present. THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH by Jennifer L. Holm is the big box wrapped in shiny paper with a fancy bow placed right in the center - full of anticipation of good things! Ellie is going through the usual middle school changes, with her best friend being super busy with volleyball, a cute, mysterious boy in a few of her classes, oh and of course her grandfather coming to live with her as a teenage boy! Ellie learns quite a lot about love, family, friends, and the intricate web that weaves it all together. It's a quick read that will appeal to boys and girls in the 4th-8th grades, especially those readers that like a lot of dialog.

OCTOBER 2014

MASON DIXON

Mason Dixon has completed third grade and is gearing up to start fourth grade.  However, his mother is already pressuring him to start thinking of all the extra curricula activities that he should get involved in, specifically singing.  The problem is that Mason has been traumatized so badly that singing for him would be like diving into a pool of dead frogs.  Unfortunately, the fact that he needs to remind his mother of the dreadful incident that took place couple of years ago is making him to feel even more traumatized.

Funny, cute and a charming easy chapter book, especially for boys. Mason Dixon: Fourth Grade Disasters by Claudia Mills.

Grades 3rd and up.  

JACOB'S NEW DRESS

Jacob loves to swing on the monkey bars, race toy cars, and play with dinosaurs. One of his favorite areas in the room is the dress-up corner, where he tries on different outfits.  He enjoys it so much that he requests to wear a similar outfit the next day. Although he is teased and bullied, his parents and teacher offer much support, love, and honor his curiosity and creativity. 

Sarah and Ian Hoffman offer a gentle story about a boy who wants to wear clothes outside the norm.  By doing so they thoughtfully address the topic of gender non-conformity in this picture book story. 

For families and educators to share with children Pre-K to 2nd grade.

MATH ALL THE TIME

Who says math is only used during math class or that math is dumb? Well, Logan and Bennedict found out the hard way that math is everywhere, in every subject and it certainly isn't dumb.  In Numbed by David Lubar, the boys return from a math field trip completely unable to solve the most ordinary and mundane math problem such as adding and subtracting;  trying to figure out what time it would be 2 hrs. from 4:15 or if they have enough money for a sticky bun.  

A fun short follow up to Punished!  but you don't need to read it in order to enjoy this book.


A beginning chapter book for readers in 2nd-4th grades.  

PUZZLES GALORE

Let's face it, Winston has become a puzzle addict.  He's getting in trouble and missing out on special things with his friends because all he can think about is puzzles.  Maybe it's time to give it up.  But can he?  He gets an opportunity to go away for a puzzle filled weekend at a mansion.  Will this be his last hoorah?    

While puzzling away, there's another mystery afoot.  A coveted prize goes missing and everyone is pointing fingers at the obvious suspect, but Winston and his friends think it's someone else.  Everyone is acting suspicious and more than one person has a motive.  

Come join Winston, his friends and a house full of famous guests for a weekend of puzzles and mystery in Winston Breen and the Puzzler's Mansion by Eric Berlin, the third book in the Winston Breen series.  For readers in 6th -8th grade. 

 - SPOILER ALERT - someone will die.  


  

NEW BOYS JOIN THE DETECTIVE GAME

Twins Cody and Otis are traveling to a Caribbean island to help their aunt with her new inn.  Being totally into detective and mystery stories, they jump into helping her with mysterious ghost and troubles with all four feet. Each chapter has the boys dealing with red herring and a long list of suspects.  Perfect for those who enjoy an easy read.  

Double Detectives:  The Secret of Skull Island by Zack Norris is a new mystery series for those who would enjoy a duo of detectives hashing it out in different locations in each book much like the Hardy Boys of yesteryears.  This series is available in hardback and uncatalogued paperback.  A very innocent and wholesome style of mystery detective fiction for children in 4th through 6th grades. 

GOOD CHANGES

Ben the Inventor isn't really about inventing as such, but about Ben and his best friend, Jack, and the end of their friendship.  Jack's mother just got a new job and the family will have to sell their house and move to Vancouver, a nearby city.  This is a very sweet beginning chapter book about how the two boys come up with all kinds of plans to make the house unsaleable and thereby remain neighbors and friends forever.  

Ben the Inventor by Robin Stevenson is a good introduction into the world of  beginning chapter books and for those looking for a solid boy book.  For readers in 2nd-4th.

PUNS PUNS PUNS

Logan was caught playing chase in the library and for his PUNishment, everything he says is a play on words. 
In order to reverse the curse must go on a quest for special words, such as find seven palindromes, within a certain amount of time, otherwise, he will speak in puns forever.  

Fans of David Lubar's over the top silliness will love this fast read, Punished!.   For beginning chapter book readers in grades 3-4.  

DIGNITY IN A HOT DOG SUIT

When Dan Hogg said he would help his uncle with his hot dog business at the fair, his uncle never mentioned that he would be passing out samples in a hot dog costume.  It's a hundred degrees and no one wanted the yucky samples until a beautiful girl comes along.  He's so smitten, he begins looking for her and let her try out the thousand dollar costume.  With nothing to do but hang out in the bathroom stall in his underwear, Dan overhears a conversation about something criminal happening at the fair.   What's a 15 yr. old boy gonna do, but try to protect his beloved crush, even if he is in his undies.

Hold the Pickles by Vicki Grant is part of the Orca Currents series that's short and easy to read. The Orca Currents are perfect for those older students who hate to read but have to.  This one is full of puns and humor for readers in 7th grade and older.     

THE CURE FOR BORING BOOKS

MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE (a book by Betty MacDonald) lives in an upside-down house and loves children. Many of the kids in her town don't like doing their chores, talk back to their parents, and misbehave in many other ways. Rather than scolding the children, the parents turn to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle for her miraculous cures and antidotes for these rare childhood "diseases" their children seem to have, such as "Won't-put-away-toys-itis." 

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's healing methods are so funny and different, you may even read the other books in the series, just to make sure you don't have any of these strange childhood problems. Other books in this series include HELLO, MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE, MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE'S MAGIC, and MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE'S FARM, and are great for readers in 3rd grade and up.

JULY 2012

BUDDING BOY BUD

This is a story about Bud, NOT Buddy. His mother insisted that he tell everyone to call him Bud. It's been four years since Bud's mom died, and he's bounced from orphanage to foster home and back again. His latest foster family is awful! He narrowly escapes her clutches and runs away to search for his father. Bud has his suitcase full of mementoes, which also serve as clues to where Bud's father may live. An adventurous journey ensues, taking Bud through many aspects of society during the late 1930s. Bud finds the man he is looking for, but he is really surprised to learn who that man really is! BUD, NOT BUDDY by Christopher Paul Curtis takes place many years ago, but everything that happens to Bud could happen to you too. Grades 4 and up.

JULY 2012

A TIME TRAVELING HOUSE WITH BASEBALL INCLUDED

A review of 13 Hangmen by Art Corriveau from Mr. B at the Grandview Branch of GPL.

Here’s a novel about baseball, time travel, murder, and history. Oh, and not just regular Dan Gutman baseball and trading card time travel, but the kind based on the theory that all of life past and present is happening all at once in parallel universes. The events at 13 Hangmen Court, Boston, are triggered by the death of amateur detective Tony’s great uncle, Zio Angelo. As his 13th birthday approaches, Tony inherits Zio Angelo’s 200 year old decaying house with the stipulation he sleep in Zio Angelo’s old bedroom. The room, Tony discovers, is a portal to parallel universes.

As 13-year-old boys appear and disappear, it becomes apparent to Tony that all the boys are living in the room at the same time, but in their own universes. The 13-year old boys include Tony; his great-uncle Zio Angelo who at 13 is friends with rookie Red Sox player Ted Williams; a run-away slave on the Underground Railroad; Paul Revere’s silversmith apprentice, and others. Together, as the portal allows, they solve a 200 year old mystery, save the house from demolition by the health and safety department, and solve the murder of Zio Angelo.

This well written, well researched, multi-leveled historical adventure may not be for every 13-year-old, but those willing to tackle it will not be disappointed. Maybe someone will send a copy to Tim Burton – it’s ripe for a film version. 

For readers in grades 6th- and older.   

THE MUSTACHE THAT TOOK OVER THE COUNTRY

I don't know why, but mustache stories are hilarious to me, especially when kids or animals wear them.  Fake Mustache or, How Jodie O'Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and some nerdy guy) Save the U.S. Presidential Election From a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind by Tom Angleberger is so over the top you can't help but chuckle while reading this. 

One day at the beginning of summer, Lenny  and his best friend were going to hang out; go into town and maybe get a hot dog, but Casper had other plans.  Evil plans it turns out.  He bought a fake mustache, not just any fake mustache, but a special one that cost over $100.00!  The next day there was news of a short man with a handlebar mustache in a fancy- man-about-town suit robbing a bank.  No one knew who this thief was except Lenny.  It seemed as if Casper had everyone under his spell and they would just hand things over to him and believe that everything he did was wonderful.  Within a few days, Casper had gone from 7th grader to Governor with the intention of becoming president of the United States!  Lenny had to find a way to snap everyone out of their trance and stop Casper and his fiendish plot to take over everything.

The mustache leads to all kinds of hijinks, robberies, mistaken identities, cross dressing, some romance and so much more.  Another outrageous fun read from the author of "Origami Yoda" books.  

For readers in grades 4th - 8th.

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.

NEW ORLEANS GETS A HARD HURRICANE HIT!

Hurricane Katrina just seems like a bad dream for those of us who saw it on the news. But Saint Louis Armstrong Beach was IN THE HURRICANE! It's all because his dog Shadow won't show up when the town is being evacuated. Saint's a good boy, who always does what he's told, but he loves that dog more than anything (except maybe his neighbor Mona Lisa). Saint loves the dog so much that before the hurricane, he goes down to the French Quarter with his clarinet to play music for money. Music he spends on a collar, leash and food for Shadow. But sometimes a leash just can't keep a dog from doing what a dog does. SAINT LOUIS ARMSTRONG BEACH by Brenda Woods is a good, quick read that factors in all the culture and excitement of New Orleans, and the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina. For grades 4 and up.

THREE STRIKES, YOU ARE OUT!

Gregory and his mother, little sister Jeanine, and imaginary friend Joey USED to live on a Navajo reservation. Now they live in a motel. Only his new friend Matt, in his new school, tells him its really a shelter, not a motel, and if they're not careful, Mr. Hass will give them three strikes and they're out! Not in the baseball way! The only saving grace for Gregory and his new set of circumstances is art class, where he can escape from all the problems and worries he has to deal with. BIRD SPRINGS by Carolyn Marsden is a quick read for a reluctant reader that's complex and adventurous enough for any reading level. For grades 4 and up.