GAME OVER

Pete Watson never intended to trigger the end of the world. All he wants is to play the newest Brawl-A-Thon 3000 XL! video game that he’s been saving up for months to purchase. But when Pete’s mother unexpectedly borrows money from his Brawl-A-Thon jar, he decides to hold a spontaneous garage sale to recoup the missing funds. The bug exterminator, a.k.a. Bug Man, looks like just the sort of everyday person who would frequent garage sales to scope out junk. On the other hand, his dad’s dusty, old CommandRoid 85 Video Arcade System game console, hidden away in a corner of the basement, certainly doesn’t look like a portal to the CIA’s top-secret database. How could Pete have predicted that the Bug Man’s nefarious plans would transform and entrap his dad into an 8-bit video game character; lead the president to declare on national television, “I put bird poop in my hair. I have to say I like it there. More than in my Underwear”; and put the entire world in jeopardy? With help from his ex-best friend, Wesley, and his ex-babysitter, Callie, Pete will have to rely on every gaming trick in his repertoire to save his dad and avert the ultimate GAME OVER. Joe Schreiber draws on classic video game references and middle grade humor to present an entertaining tale of embarrassing crushes, awkward friendships, and spy adventures. Filled with cartoon doodles and flip book art, Game Over, Pete Watson will appeal to video game-loving, Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans. Grades 4-6

DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN?

“I have a garden” a playful dog announces on the first page of the book. And as the reader goes on to discover all the variety of the different animals that the garden has, the pages of the book become filled with more animals and flowers. Showing even more illustrations of lushes flowers and animated animals and insects.  

However, all the flowers and the animals belong to him because the garden is HIS.  But can this be possible?  Beautiful things are to be shared, so how can the dog be convinced that the garden belongs to everyone?  

This particular picture book is so colorful and vibrant that after reading it, I wanted to literally jump inside the pages and smell all the flowers and play with all the animals.   It is a fun and easy book that will even be great for a read aloud.  I Have a Garden by Bob Barner

Pre-k to 1^st grade 

ELLRAY JAKES: THE DRAGON SLAYER!

When it comes to height or size, he is the smallest in his class.  However, when it comes to taking on more than what one can handle, Ellray Jakes is the one for you. Even though he is small in size, he also happens to be a bigger brother to his sister who seems to be in danger of bullies in her school. 

Like an older brother, he really tries hard to teach his sister to stand up for herself and protect her from others who choose to be mean to her.  His sister’s gentle personality doesn't make things easy, he decides to take things in his hands.  However, in life there are consequences for every action and even though Ellray’s intention is a good one.  

Can he take things in his own hands and make those bullies go away?  Will his actions be understood and forgiven by his parents, and more specifically his sister?  Or can he just magically make things better without having to explain to anyone…? 

Ellray Jakes: The Dragon Slayer by Sally Warner is part of a series and it will be great if you’re a beginner when it comes to chapter books.  

For grades 3rd and up. 

SOARING AND OTHER MATTERS

If you like a bit of adventure, magic and the possibility of people flying on their own in your stories, then The Art of Flying by Judy Hoffman is for you. 

It all starts when Fortuna Dalliance’s mother sends the eleven-year-old off to help the very old and strange pair of ladies who live down the street. Not your typical neighbors, the live not only in a very unusual and creepy house but also may possess magic powers. Though this encounter with the sisters, or should we say witches, Fortuna becomes involved in a fantastical adventure that includes birds that have been transformed into boys, cats that are not what they seem and a question of friendship.

For readers in 5th-8th grades.

CHOCOLATE AND MORE CHOCOLATE

A book review by a special guest reviewer, Vikram, age 10:

Charlie Bucket lived with his family in a small cottage.  They were very poor.  For a long time, Mr. Willy Wonka‘s chocolate factory was closed. Suddenly one day, everybody heard the gears and machines in the factory running again and saw little people running around.  Now, Mr. Willy Wonka decided to let five children, finders of a golden ticket, one in each candy bar, come to tour the factory.  After the tour, each child would get a lifetime supply of candy. 

The five children were Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee and Charlie Bucket.  Augustus Gloop went up some pipes, Veruca Salt chewed some inedible gum and had to be taken away, and Violet Beauregarde got thrown down the garbage chute, until only Charlie and Mike Teavee were left.  

Mike Teavee complained, “I am getting tired." 
"Let’s use the elevator, then,” said Mr. Willy Wonka. 
Once they were in the elevator, Mr Willy Wonka said they could each choose a button and press it.  Mike Teavee chose the television room.  Mr. Willy Wonka explained that you could see chocolate being sent by television.  He said not to go near the lens because they would send you by television and make you very, very small.  After the chocolate had been sent, Mike Teavee  went near the lens and got sent by television, and he was a midget.  The workers, the Oompa-Loompas, grabbed him and had to take him and his parents so they could stretch him and make him tall.  

So, what happened to Charlie?  Read  the book to find out !  CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl.  

Recommended for readers in grades   4th & 5th.   The story is further continued in Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.           

THE POWER OF THE BEAN

There are so many superheroes that at times; it is really hard to remember who has what power.  And on top of all these superheroes, apparently there is more need to invent new and exciting once. Or at least this is what one of the major comic publication companies is trying to do in this super funny and super cool book called, THE ADVENTURES OF BEANBOY by LISA HARKRADER.

   Tucker MacBean is not a superhero; however he is a boy in middle school whose love for comic books and superheroes exceeds most of the powers that he reads about.  His only true escape in life is to finish reading as many books as he can get his hands on.  In addition, things at home are not going the way Tucker wants, especially when his divorced parents haven’t stopped bickering at each other, his mom who is constantly preoccupied with everything but him and on top of all these, he is being bullied with none other than a girl who can’t even form a proper sentence. 

   So you can imagine the excitement and the thrill he feels when in one of his favorite comic books, the publishers are calling for a contest to create a new comic hero and what is really nice about this contest, is that the winner will receive a full scholarship to attend a university.  Tucker sees this his only way out to have a more exciting life; after all he pretty much knows what makes a true comic book character a superhero…

However, creating a superhero is not as easy as he imagined and not all characters can be as good as he thought…

This is truly a fun and adventures story that will literally put a smile on your face and will make you think twice about the power of beanJ

For  grades 5^th and up.

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE!

If you want to read a book where you can change the journey or the faith of the characters in a story, than this is the book for you! The book is about a group of young hikers who have decided to reach the very top of Mount Everest. However, while the reader is enjoying the great expedition, he/she is also going to be responsible in making choices about the directions that the group should take to reach to the top of the mountain. This means that a lot of logical and strategic thinking needs to be made in order to have a successful expedition for the young hikers.
This Choose Your Own Adventure book is full of interesting scenarios, graphs and pictures that will really make you feel as though you are actually on the expedition yourself. The only thing is that you might not get to feel the actual snow or the cold. However, your imagination will do that for you since it’s written very descriptively….

So lets begin our adventures...

Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure: Everest: You Decide How to Survive! by Bill Doyle and David Borgenicht.

For grades 5th-7th.

ONE WAY, TWO WAY...THIRTEEN WAY!

Want a fun and relatable book about the crazy things that happen in a usual classroom? Now imagine that all those fun and relatable things are happening without your teacher. The regular teacher is out and a new substitute teacher has taken over the class. Imagine all the pranks and all the endless possibilities of great mishaps that the class can come up with the hope that the substitute teacher will not be as harsh as their regular teacher? Sounds fun ha? THIRTEEN WAYS TO SINK A SUB is by JAMIE GILSON and one you finish reading this book, I am sure that you will be able to come up with more than thirteen ways to "sink a sub."

Warning: Don't try the pranks that you read in this book in your classroom!

For grades 5th and up.

TOO MANY TOYS (Demasiados Juguetes) NOT READ

Spencer has too many toys. The house has become hazardous. His father trips over them, his Mom falls over them. Something has to be done! He needs to give some of the toys away but Spencer tries to persuade his mom to keep them all because every single toy is his favorite.

Spanish edition written by David Shannon, illus. by author. Ages 4-8

MEET FERDINAND!

Ferdinand is the bull in the story that prefers to stay in the beautiful fields, smelling flowers rather than going and fighting other bulls in the bullfights. He gets picked to participate in a bull fight out of a lot of bulls because of his presents and his attitude, however all is misleading because even though he is a bull which personifies courage and bravery, he still does not care about impressing or actually fighting, he still wants to be in peace, smelling flowers and just being in the moment. The book is unique because of its fine black and white illustrations which add so much depth and character to the story. THE STORY OF FERDINAND is by MUNRO LEAF and the illustrations are by ROBERT LAWSON.

For grades pre-K.

THE SNOW GOOSE

This timeless, classic story will touch your heart and stay with you for a long time. The story is set against the backdrop of World War II in a small town where a man has become a recluse do to his hunched back. Eventually he meets a girl named Frith who has brought in a wounded goose. Frith sees how the lonely man slowly heals the wounds of this goose and during this time a friendship develops. The goose heals and flies away only to come back and set her home where the man lives. However, all that changes when he is needed in the war for his sailing skills.

And...You need to read the book to find out what happens next...

The illustrations in the story are as beautiful and telling as the story.

THE SNOW GOOSE by PAUL GALLICO and the illustrations by ANGELA BARRETT.

For grades 5th and up.

THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES

This is a variation of the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs. Tio Jose and Tia Lupe own a taqueria in Texas. Three little tamales, two sisters and a brother want to run away from the taqueria before they can be eaten. They ran off into the desert. Each tamale built a little casita to live in. The first one build a house of sagebrush. The second build his casita of cornstalks, and the third builds hers out of cactus. Eventually Señor Lobo, the Big Bad Wolf, comes around looking for some lunch and with plans to blow their houses down.

Tamales are adorable, especially the smart one with her big glasses, and the brother with his dramatic eyebrows and mustache. Some Spanish words are scattered. There is a glossary at the front if you need help with the pronunciation. Pictures are wonderfully done. Written by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. For readers 4-8. Grades 1-2.

A PERFECT SEASON FOR DREAMING/UN TIEMPO PERFECTO PARA SONAR

Octavio Rivera is an old man who enjoys the most beautiful dreams. At first Octavio tells no one, but as his dreams becom more vivid, he is eager to share them with somebody.... but who? He dares not to tell anyone in the family for fear they think he's going crazy, until finally he realizes that there is only one person that would understand and who loves dreams as much as he does, his granddaughter Regina.

Bilingual edition, written by Benjamin Alire Saenz, illustrated by Esau Andrade Valencia. Best for grades 2-3.

HUMAN VS. FAERIE

Imagine a world where fairies/faeries actually exist. Now imagine the faeries and the humans have a big war with each other and destroy parts of each others worlds. It's dangerous to be a human. Most people don't even leave their villages (formerly big cities). When they do venture out into the world, it's almost as if all of nature is out to get them. But Liza is different. She has a little faerie in her blood, and sets out on an adventure that will create a bridge between faeries and humans once again. Good story for 5th-8th grade.

MEET THE TROPHY KID!

Being a trophy kid to one of the most powerful Hollywood Power couple can be a big challenge. Joe, who was only three years old when his mom and sister were killed during the war in Yugoslavia happens to be that kid. He is aware of the fact that the only reason his Hollywood parents adopted him was to show their circle of friends that they too can contribute to the well being of others. So you can only imagine how Joe felt when his parents left him all alone in order to attend a charity event to raise awareness for the orphans in the world, or when his parents threw a birthday party for him with kids Joe didn't even know. They were all for a show...

Things do take on a different path when Joe agrees to write an autobiography with the help of a reporter and more secrets of the Hollywood couple gets revealed. However, very unpredictable events do take place in his life, leading him to find things that he was missing all his life. A fun summer read. TROPHY KID OR HOW I WAS ADOPTED BY THE RICH AND FAMOUS by STEVE ATINSKY.



For grades 4th and up.

MAN IN THE MOON

What if someone gave you the power to change your life? Would you do it? Or would you just let things happen naturally? MAN IN THE MOON by Dotti Enderleis a story about a girl who is struggling in her daily life due to her father's unemployment and her brother's terminal illness. She goes to sleep hoping that at least in her dreams she can see the bright side of life.

One day, a man who happened to be an old friend of her father's shows up and with her mother's objection, stays with the family...

Things start changing in ways that even the girl didn't dream of. In this part mystery, part suspense and part fantasy story, all readers will find something enjoyable.

For grades 4th and older.

THE WATCHER

"In this uncertain life, of these two things we are certain: the holiness of the heart's affections, the truth of the imagination" and so begins the story of THE WATCHER by JAMES HOWE...

The watcher is a thirteen-year-old girl who observes others without a smile, or a word. But nothing in life is what it seems... So we start seeing what is inside of the mind of the watcher and the watched. Perceptions, imaginations and the human need together intervene in this great story that ultimately is about survival. You will not want to put down this book until the very last word is finished.

For grades 4th and up.

HERE, KITTY, KITTY! = VEN, GATITA, VEN!

A young girl gets a shy new kitten that hides and makes trouble. She hides under the table, under the sofa, under sister's bed, inside a flower pot, behind grandma's shoes. This is the third book in Pat Mora's bilingual My family/ Mi familia series.This story will delight children with its mischievous playful watercolor illustrations and charming story.

Written by Pat Mora, illustrated by Maribel Suarez. Kindergarten ages 5-6.

THESE ARE THE DAYS OF OUR TOYS LIVES...

Lumphy, Stingray and Plastic are back again with their toy friends for new adventures. They meet a shark friend, made of rubber, that they stuff with garbage before they realize he's a nice shark. They escape out the window into a big drift of snow as they try to hunt for the little girl that loves them. But the best story yet is when they go to the basement for a dance party to celebrate the repair of their friend the dryer! TOY DANCE PARTY by Emily Jenkins is the sequel to Toys Go Out, and is just as entertaining. The hilarious actions of these toys bring them to life and give each one some very human characteristics. Good for 2nd - 5th grade readers.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR...

Let's say you are out in the ocean fishing and caught a turtle that could make all your wishes come true. What would you ask for? Would you ask for simple things or almost impossible things?

In this newly adapted tale from the Grimm Brothers, the fisherman and his wife are always in disagreement. One wants the fancy things in life while the other wants only the simple things. Can she actually get her impossible wishes and can he stop her from wanting them?

I grant you the time to read the story.

THE FISHERMAN AND THE TURTLE adapted by ERIC A. KIMMEL and illustrated by MARTHA AVILES.

For grades 2nd through 4th.