MIDDLE SCHOOL FRENEMIES AND CRUSHES

There are many roles in middle school that each person assumes. There are athletes, popular kids, nerds, teacher's pets, and over-achievers. Gracie doesn’t buy into any of it. She just goes with her own flow, even with family challenges at home. She is not considered a fashionista or 'big girl on campus;' she’s just a regular middle school girl who is witty, charming, and a good friend. She also happens to have a crush on a boy. The only problem is that her BFF has a crush on the same boy. When her very shy friend asks her for some help, what will Gracie do?

In, Well, That Was Awkward, Rachel Vail skillfully weaves the trials and tribulations of a middle-schooler in a relatable story. Despite her many challenges Gracie is somehow able to bring her strength and courage to the forefront. Rachel Vail's inclusion of middle-schoolers from different ethnic backgrounds is a plus.

For ages 12 and up.

REAPERS, TROLLS, AND GOBLINS, OH MY!

Jack lives in a land of mystical creatures. When one of the creatures takes his best friend away forever, he is determined to find out why. In the midst of his investigation, he encounters a slew of fairies and like creatures who are being targeted, sorted, and taken away; another mystery for him to solve!  

Jack is a ten year old who learns that his father is Death, and he's not to interfere with whatever is going on. It's troubling to him to see innocent lives being drastically affected, so with the help of a few friends he's able to learn more about what it will take to stand up to injustice and his father.

M.L. Windsor writes a story for those interested in mystical creatures or would like to enjoy a Lemony Snicket read-alike.  Jack Death is a fast paced novel that's sprinkled with humor and unforgettable characters, but note that there are also grisly scenes (Spoiler Alert: bad guys can eat their victims in three bites) that will leave readers bug-eyed and maybe wanting a sequel. 

For grades 6-8, not for the faint of heart.

DEATH EXPLAINED SIMPLY

Two amazing picture books to explain death euphemistically and ritualistically to a child should you need to.   


Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved and illustrated by Charlotte Pardi (translated from Danish)

AND

Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Christian Robinson. 

For ages 4 and up.

CREEPY AND TWISTED

Tabitha, an unwanted child of two very selfish parents, is about to be left at the doorstep of the local orphanage, when she and five other children are  invited to a spend the weekend at the mansion of a wealthy but reclusive countess.  Strange things begin to happen as soon as they arrive.  The maid dies right at the dinner table and the children begin to dissappear one by one.

Tabitha sets out to investigate the secrets she's sure is hiding in the mansion and with the seemingly more and more unstable countess.  Nooks and Crannies by Jessica Lawson is a Dahlish gothic novel set in some nebulous Dickensian time period.  It's a perfect read for those looking for something different to read.

For readers in 4th-6th grades.  

STEP RIGHT UP FOR THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!

Come one, come all and read something truly spectacular! Prepare to witness the Greatest Show on Earth in Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley with striking black-and-white illustrations by Diana Sudyka. Micah has grown up hearing his grandfather Ephraim spin some pretty amazing tales of his time spent at a magical circus when he was a young boy, and Micah is totally convinced that magic is real.

And now more than ever, with his beloved grandfather on his deathbed and his truly awful great-aunt stepping in to take care of him, is the time Micah needs a miracle to happen in order to cure the person he loves most in the world. What's more the Lightbender--the most powerful magician at Circus Mirandus--had promised Ephraim a miracle once upon a time, so what could possibly stop him from making Micah's grandfather well again? Unfortunately, something is preventing the magician from keeping his promise, but Micah refuses to take no for an answer and, with the help of his new friend Jenny, is determined to do anything it takes to get the Lightbender to grant the miracle he needs before it's too late.

With humor, heart, adventure, and more than a little magic, this captivating and poignant middle-grade fantasy will have readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.Best for readers in 5th to 8th grades.

THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH

Ellie's goldfish has lived for seven years, since her day as a preschooler or so she thought.  Her mother tells her that the fish was really goldfish number 14.  Her life is about to change even more when a 13 year old "distant cousin" comes to live with them. There's something very familiar yet odd about him, but she can't quite put her finger on what it is.  This isn't really a story about goldfishes or even pets, but a great coming of age tale, using humor and a bit of science fiction to force us to deal with the cycle of life - birth, growth, death - in a gentle and thoughtful way.   

Jennifer Holm, author of the Babymouse series, creates a story filled with adventure, humor, suspense, and love.  Best for readers from 4th - 8th.

Note: This will be our One Book One Glendale... for Young Readers in November.  We're very excited to have Ms. Holm come to Glendale to talk about her book.  Please check in for a date and time as we get closer to the event. 

HONEY - A SUMMER SURPRISE

“Honey.”  Who’s Honey? That’s what Melody wants to know.  Ten-year-old, Melody is full of questions. Why has her father, Henry, been so distracted, spacey and whistling “You Are My Sunshine” lately? And who did he call Honey over the phone, then try to cover up with a lame excuse… “they got the wrong number?” 

As if Melody didn't have enough on her plate with Henry’s odd behavior and her flunking her math test, Teeny, Melody’s 6-year-old neighbor blurts out that Henry’s been bitten by the love bug. Now, Melody wants to find out the secrets surrounding Royal, Indiana. 

Read Honey to unveil the secrets in the town of Royal and learn about new twists and turns in this story. Sarah Weeks touches on many important topics in this realistic fiction.  Honey is a delightful, quick read with fun characters.

For 3rd-5th grade

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

FLY HOME

Jewel spends a lot of time over at the cliff.  It's the only place where she ever feels truly understood and not alone.  At home, her grandfather doesn't speak and her parents keep secrets.  Secrets about the day Jewel was born.  The day her brother went missing.  The day he thought he was a bird and tried to fly off of Jewel's cliff.  Her dad tells Jewel to stay away from the cliff and the duppies that are spirits and tricked Jewel's brother into trying to fly.  Her mother tells her father to stop filling Jewel's head with nonsense.  Jewel ignores them both and doesn't question their life.  Until the day Jewel meets John.  The boy who shares a name with her brother.  The boy her grandfather is convinced is a duppy.  The boy who may be able to help Jewel and her family share their secrets and learn to be a family once more.

Follow Jewel and her family on their journey of healing in Crystal Chan's book, Bird, for tweens in grades 6 and up.

THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC, 1912

 

George Calder, a ten year boy travelling with his Aunt Daisy and younger sister Phoebe, is captivated by the Titanic's size and grandeur. George gets an opportunity to meet the ship's designer and its Captain and can't help but explore every inch of the grand ship on his own.  He soon learns from a fellow passenger that a treasure is kept within the baggage compartment and decides to venture off down below the deck. George's excitement soon turns to fear when he encounters a robber who wants to cause him great harm but an unexpected jolt occurs and an object injures the robber.  As George runs back to his quarters for safety he hears that the Titanic had hit an iceberg.  Will George and his loved ones survive?  

Lauren Tarshis does a wonderful job of blending the facts of one of the greatest events in maritime history with the story of a boy filled with hope and courage.  The facts presented at the end of I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic, 1913,  will also captivate readers.  

For 8 years and older.

LEVELS OF STRANGE

IS IT NEWBERY WORTHY? 

Willow Chance feels like she's running out of chances.  Her favorite number is 7, but she doesn't want to use 7 chances on life and she's already starting number 3.  Given up as a baby, her wonderful parents adopted her and loved her for all her character and uniqueness (which her classmates call weirdness) - like her obsession with medical diseases and her favorite outfit which includes gardening pants and an obsession with the number seven.  Her uniqueness has left Willow with very few friends, up until a few weeks ago when she learned vietnamese, gained 2 friends, and was sent to mandatory counseling by her school.  Now, though, as her counselor pulls up to her driveway and she sees the police but not her parents, Willow wonders if the third time is the charm or if she'll have to keep trying to find stability over and over again.

Join Willow on the path through social acceptance, grief, and the path towards a new life in Holly Goldberg Sloan's novel, Counting by 7s for students in grades 6 and up.

LAST YEAR'S 2013 NEWBERRY WINNER - A TALE TO REMEMBER

A circus owner adopts a young gorilla named Ivan as his house pet.  The owner dresses him, takes him shopping, and talks to him like one would talk to any member of the family.  Ivan grows up to be mellow, taking life as it comes.  Unfortunately, when Ivan becomes a large adolescent gorilla, he must move from his warm and cozy home into a cold and isolated glass cage at the circus.  Over the years, he gets to know other circus animals and finds comfort in their company.  All the animals, however, agree that there must be a better life outside of the circus.  When one of the main attraction animals falls fatally ill, Ivan masterfully thinks of a way to protect the animals, especially, the youngest one. 

Katherine Applegate, author of Home of the Brave, Animorphs, and Roscoe Riley series, writes a poignant and endearing tale about a gorilla whose heart matches its size.  Inspired by the real Ivan, this story is narrated in first person and will speak to any reader who values friendship, questions purpose, or loves animals. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is the 2013 Newbery Award Winner.  Available in book and audio CD format.



BULLIES & APACHE HELICOPTERS

The ninety-one letters Derek keeps in his dad's Knight Rider lunchbox are the only way he can communicate with his dad. Since Derek was five, his dad has spent most of his time flying Apache Helicopters for the Army.  Last year, Derek and his mom thought his dad was home for good, but the Army called him back and now he is in Afghanistan.  His dad's letters help him through all the problems life throws at him.   Like being bullied by the kid he thought was his best friend. Or showing up at the school bus stop in the pouring rain on a Saturday.  Or forgetting his mom's birthday.  Or just plain missing his dad.  

Join Derek in this funny and touching account of how military service affects children and families in David Fleming's novel, The Saturday Boy.  This book is appropriate for children in Grades 5 and above.

WHAT'S A DRAGONSLAYER?

Exactly!  A dragonslayer has not been seen for many years.  Now, the last dragon in the Ununited Kingdom is dying.  Mayhaps all magic along with it.  Orphan, Jennifer Strange, manager of wizards and all things magical at the Kazam Mystical Arts Management is treading water and keeping things together, barely, while her boss is "away".  Come to find out, she is the last dragonslayer and the previous dragonslayer has been waiting for her for a long, long time.  With no time spare, she gets a crash course as an apprentice in the history of dragons and people, and dragonslayers and of course the dragonstation.  She's had the quickest apprenticeship ever.

But now with the imminent death of the dragon, everyone, from kings to land developers, are vying for the last of the open space of Dragonland.  Jasper Fforde's first book for children, The Last Dragonslayer, is a great fantasy that takes a while to set up but ends in a fantastically unexpected way. 

For readers in 6th-8th.  

ZOMBIES ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE THOUGHT

There's actually three levels of zombies, at least according to DEAD CITY  by James Ponti. You won't necessarily be able to tell if a zombie is a Level 1 because they look and act exactly like living humans, just with a lot more make up.  Level 2s try to be like Level 1s, but they have no soul and can't tell right from wrong.  Level 3s are pretty much like the zombies you're already familiar with - mindless, brain-eating blobs.  Of course, there's a team of kids out to save the city from the zombies.  They're called the Omegas, and are a highly secret organization, and it turns out that Molly, the newest member, is the greatest Omega since...well, since the death of someone very important to Molly. 

For grades 5 and up.

MARCH 2013

YOU NEED YOUR LUNGS TO BREATHE...

...You need your brain to think, you need your heart to love. A long, long, time ago, well okay, 1940, it wasn't always easy to breathe. A terrible outbreak of the disease tuberculosis has taken over the bodies of many United States citizens. Men, women and children were dying if they didn't get help quick. This is what happens to Evvy, only her family thinks it is best if she goes to Loon Lake - a place just for people who have tuberculosis! Evvy is put into a room with four other sick girls, and the story talks all about what it's like living and dying with this disease. BREATHING ROOM  by Marsha Hayles is not a horror story, even though bad things happen. It IS a good historical fiction with interesting pictures and posters from that era. Evvy becomes good friends with many that come and go, and learns a lot about the importance of breathing. For 5th through 8th grades.

February 2013

SAY GOOD NIGHT GRACIE

You might not know this, but it really hurts when one of your parents dies. Especially when it happens unexpectedly. Especially when it's your Dad, the only one in your family that understands you. So it doesn't seem like a very good thing when your sister decides to adopt a dog. Especially when that dog talks to you and only you. Grace wonders if she's losing her mind, but at least takes the time to listen. You won't believe what this dog has to say! WHAT THE DOG SAID by Randi Reisfeld is a story that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions, but in the end you will be filled with love. 

For grades 4 and up.

OCTOBER 2012

READING IS NEVER EASY

Travis is new to the middle school, new to the area and not happy at all.  When he meets outspoken, Velveeta, a classmate, things begin to look up until he has to read out loud in class.  He feels like a Bluefish all over again.  

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz is a hopeful story of new friendships and hidden secrets.  A realistic look at how middle schoolers deal with death, alcoholism, parents, neglect, bullying, and school.  For mature readers in 6 grade and up.  

THE 2012 NEWBERRY WINNER IS VERY UNUSUAL

A 2012 Newberry Winner

This is an odd but truly enjoyable story about a boy who is grounded for the entire summer during the 1960s in a dead end town named, Norvelt.  With nothing else to do, his mother lends him out to the next door neighbor with the arthritic hands.  Whenever someone in Norvelt dies, it's up to him to help write the obituaries/history trivia.  In exchange for the use of his hands, she teaches Jack how to drive and fixes his bloody nose problem (which seems to squirt blood every time he gets excited or stressed).

 The once model town seem to hosting a lot of funerals for their elderly residents over such a short period of time that it all becomes suspicious.  When a Hell’s Angel motorcycle member accidentally dies in Norvelt, a chain of events set off monumental changes for Jack, his parents and the entire town.

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos seems like an autobiography but it’s not, even though the author lived in Norvelt and the main character is named after him. It’s a very unusual tale for that special reader who has read everything! For readers in 6th-8th.

SHERLOCK HOLMES - THE LEGEND BEGINS

In this version of young Sherlock Holmes, the boy is sent to stay with his uncle and aunt at the end of the school term instead of going home to be with his mother.  It's best since his father has been sent off to India with the Army and brother Mycroft is busy at work in London.  Here in the country, Mycrofts sets Sherlock up with an unusual tutor from America, who begins to mentor young Sherlock in tracking, thinking and observational skills.  


When two people die from an unkown cause the townspeople begin to worry.   Young Sherlock along with two friends begin investigating the mysterious black clouds that seem to hover whenever there’s a death.



A dark beginning for this young Sherlock in Death Cloud by Andrew Lane.  For mystery lovers in 6th-8th grades.