SECRETS

Secrets always start off with a whisper, but that whisper can be heard by many beautiful things in this world. Where does a secret travel to after a little girl shares it with her puppy? 

Secrets I Know written by Kallie George and art by Paola Zakimi, is beautifully illustrated. This book needs to be read more than once as it may start off slow at first. In the end, the whisper that the girl is seen sharing with her puppy carries itself to the stars in the night sky. The illustrations and words in this story are descriptive and colorful.

A perfect read for children ages 4 and up. 

LISTEN TO MY STORIES MR. DOG

A peek through Fairy Tales for Mr. Barker by Jessica Ahlberg takes a jump through different fairy tale locations--literally--through a hole in each page when a little girl runs after her dog, an escapee from her bedroom, into the three bear's house because he didn't want to listen to another a story.   As the reader turns the page, the dog leads him/her into a new fairy tale until they all end up back in the little girl's bedroom where she now has a larger audience who will listen to her stories.

For readers ages 3 and up. 

DEAR GRAN,

I know that you are almost ninety years old, so I won't expect a reply from you very often. That's okay, because I just want to practice typing on my new computer.

Annabelle

Dear Gran,

Why haven't you answered my first letter?

Gran, You've Got Mail! by Jo Hoestlandt is a delightfully quirky little French book of letters written between Annabelle and her great-granmother. Great for reluctant readers 5th & older.

THEODOSIA ONCE AGAIN

Theodosia, our young heroine, is back in Victorian England with her family in this second mystery adventure. After mummies from museums all over London appear repeatedly at the doorstep of her father's museum, Theodosia realizes she must use her magical skills and knowledge of ancient Egypt to outmanuever a sinister secret society from turning London into a city of Chaos, keep her father from being imprisoned and as if these weren't enough, free herself from the tutors that her grandmother insists that a proper young ladies need. Phew, this is one busy girl!

For those looking for some armchair excitement. Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris by R.L. La Fevers is for 5th & older.

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING BETTER THAN EVER

Lauren Child's colorful illustrations fit perfectly with this new translation of the classic story of the little Swedish girl who just doesn't quite get the rules of living in a village after years of living away at sea with her papa. Pippi, the strongest girl in the world, lives in a house with only the company of her horse and monkey. Along with her two friends, Tommy and Annika, she tries out town living such as going to school so she can have school holidays, or going to coffee parties, but people have a hard time seeing Pippi for the fun loving free living child that she is.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren resembles Lauren Child's characters Lola and Clarice Bean with her sassy but no nonsense attitude. A great read-a-loud for the younger set, too.

For reader in 4th - 6th grade

LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS

Is it possible to find happiness in death? If you were the one dying, what could you do to make your passing away less painful for others? These are just a few thoughts I had after reading THE HAPPINESS OF KATI by Jane Vejjajiva. Kati lives with her grandparents because her mother has Lou Gehrig's disease and feels she isn't able to take care of Kati. But Kati really knows nothing about her mother until after her death, through the paper trail her mother left her to follow. Recommended for grades 5 and up.

OUT OF THE DUST

In this gut-wrenching story written in a free-verse, you will find a twelve year old girl to be such an observant and brave being that you will root for her from the beginning to the end. Her thoughts and her insights are so well developed and poignant that you will know she will be fine no matter what happens to her. She will be able to crawl out of the dust with grace and dignity in a very poetic way. OUT OF THE DUST by KAREN HESSE is a Newbery award winning novel that should go on your must-read list.

For grades four and up!

SUMMER OF MYSTERY: A TICK TOCK SECRET

After coming to the rescue of a little girl raised by two elderly aunts, Nancy Drew, begins looking for clues to a second will left by their wealthier cousin only to find out that many others are also desperately seeking the new will.

Nancy Drew and the Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene is the first in this classic girl sleuth series. For readers in 4th - 6th grade.