ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, SHOOT!

You might have played the game Rock Paper Scissors before (maybe with a friend to decide who will get the last piece of pizza?) but you've probably never considered it's origin story. Where did they come from and how did their first battle come about? Wonder no more with the publication of The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Adam Rex. This hilariously clever picture book tells all, from Rock's first challenge in the Kingdom of Backyard to Paper's battles with Printer in the Empire of Mom's Home Office to Scissors's many trials in the Kitchen Realm to their eventual final confrontation. Each one was a victor in his or her own stomping grounds, but who will emerge triumphant when they finally meet one another and wage the ultimate war? 

Daywalt (author of the beloved Day the Crayons Quit and Day the Crayons Came Home) keeps readers guessing who the champion will be while Rex gives them many entertaining details to pore over, making this a fun picture book to read aloud in a group setting or to share one-on-one with preschoolers to second graders. 

The battle lines have been (cleverly) drawn, but no matter which character comes out victorious, this book is sure win over anyone who reads it.  

A LIBRARY ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER

Luigi Lemoncello is an ink drinker!  He's loved everything about books and libraries for his whole life.  When he grows up to become a successful entrepreneur, he decides to give back to his community and builds a state of the art public library.  Before its grand opening, twelve students from the local elementary school are selected to take part in a library sleepover.  As part of their stay, they participate in a number of strategy games.  But when a grand prize is announced, they are each faced with the decision to try to win the grand prize individually or win as a team. 

With so many twists and turns, Chris Grabenstein's book is a wondrous read filled with so many treasures and unforgettable characters.  What would you do if you had to Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library? 

If you plan to check out Charlie and the Chocolate Factory then do take this along too.  You won't regret it!!  Also, our very own Central Library is undergoing a renovation.  There are still many adventurous things happening in the Children's Room and at our Branch locations. Pick up a Family Events brochure or click on the link glendalepubliclibrary.org for events.

NERDS OF THE WORLD UNITE!

It's amazing these kids get along! In THE VIEW FROM SATURDAY by E.L. Konigsburg, Noah, Ethan, Nadia, and Julian have nothing in common, except that they are all loners for one reason or another. They are as different as North, South, East, and West. Things change one Saturday when Julian, a small boy originally from India, invites them all to tea. It's not long before the four form firm friendships, which only become stronger when their teacher Ms. Olsinki, who's in a wheelchair, chooses them to compete in the Academic Bowl. This story isn't like other stories, because it jumps from one person's point of view to another, and each one sees the things happening in their lives differently. Great for 5th - 8th graders.

DON'T DRINK THE FIT MIX

Can you imagine a world with no living animals? Can you imagine a world where they stop having children for thirty years? Much like Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, there exists a world controlled by a video game. In THE ROAR by Emma Clayton, Mika is lost in the dreary world that exists below the rich of society. His twin sister is supposedly dead, but Mika still feels her. In a surreal combination of space, the future, ghosts and machines, this story unfolds into a visual portrayal of an alternate society that is ultimately changed by the children who live there. This is a fantastic book for 5th grade and up.

NOT JUST A SPELLING BEE

It's a tale told in from the points of view of kids who enter the annual school spelling bee. It's about parents and adults who have ulterior motives. It's about desire, corruption and competition.

Jennifer: Could care less about the bee, but her parents won't allow her to lose.

Mutual: Only going to regular school because his parents want him to win the bee.

Chrissie: Determined to get to the truth no matter how much it hurts.

Harlan: Class clown who wants to be a legend. All he needs is one perfect prank.

Jake: He wants the prize. The money will go to a good cause... his future.

I Put a Spell on You: From the Files of Chrissie Woodward, Spelling Bee Detective by Adam Selzer is a book of stories within a story of kids who are determined to do what is right rather than what is expected. For 6th -8th grade readers.