WHAT MAKES A SPIDER A SPIDER?

As the title Frank the Seven-Legged Spider implies, our lovable protagonist faces a bit of an existential crisis in this spirited and rollicking picture book from author-illustrator Michaele Razi. Frank begins the story as an eight-legged spider (which immediately gave this reviewer some anxiety, of course, as we know by the title that things will inevitably go terribly awry!) who spins the most magnificent webs, but wakes up one morning to find one of his precious legs has mysteriously disappeared. Where could it be? If Frank can't find his lost limb, will he still be able to do all the things he loves? And, most importantly, is Frank still a spider if he only has seven legs? 

Young readers will follow Frank's search for his missing appendage--and ultimately his identity apart from physical attributes like the number of legs he has--with fascination, empathy, and more than a few laughs along the way. This silly yet sincere story of self discovery and finding your inner strength is perfect for sharing with preschoolers through second graders. 

GOODBYE STRANGER

Bridge’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. How could Emily do this? Emily had promised Bridge she would consult her before sending selfies to Patrick, a boy she is crushing on. Bridge, Emily, and Tabitha had a pact since elementary school that they’d be friends forever without fighting, but now that they're in junior high this pact will be tested. Can they overcome the challenges of boys and bullying and still remain friends? 

Rebecca Stead is a Newbery Award-winning author who depicts each character carefully in Goodbye Stranger in such a way that readers can't help but to relate. Stead writes from multiple points of view about the ordinary lives of junior high schoolers living in New York City. The novel acknowledges the realities of the coming of age experience in a rapidly changing world, as these 12-year-olds learn what it's like to be true to themselves.

Ages 11 and up.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Thunder Boy Jr., the first picture book from Sherman Alexie, bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning young adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian among many others, tells the story of a son and a father and their shared name. In this loving Native-American family of unspecified tribal background, beautifully depicted by Caldecott Honor recipient Yuyi Morales in bold illustrations that seem like they might leap off the page, the titular young boy feels frustration about not having a name of his own and imagines other names for himself based on his own accomplishments and life experiences. But what kind of name can at once affirm the deep love he has for his family and yet assert his own identity in the world? 

Simply but dynamically told, this lively story of identity and family is best shared with children in preschool through second grade. 

A CRAYON'S STORY

Red crayon can’t seem to do anything right. Despite his bright red factory-applied label and very determined efforts, his artistic attempts are all decisively blue: blue strawberries, blue firetrucks, blue traffic lights, blue ants, etc. And, though well-meaning, his family’s suggestions fail to engender either change or satisfaction. Soon everyone is chiming in with commentary, critiques, and counsel: tape thinks he might be broken inside; scissors wonders if his label is too tight; amber questions whether he’s really red; fuchsia suggests that he might not be very bright… Ever keen to conform to expectations, red crayon diligently follows the advice of fellow art supplies, though it’s clear to readers from the start that mislabeling is the true source of the problem. The solution, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to longtime fans of the genre, is a celebration that comes from defying labels and embracing one’s true identity. Deceptively simple, Michael Hall’s Red: A Crayon’s Story is a fantastic picture book addition to the ever popular genre of identity and self-acceptance.

For more picture books exploring identity try The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water by Gemma Merino, Zero by Kathryn Otoshi, and A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni. Or, for another imaginative crayon story that colors outside the lines, check out Drew Daywalt’s The Day the Crayons Quit.

For ages 4+

GHOSTLY HAPPENINGS

Mo, Dale, Miss Lana, The Colonel, and the whole wacky southern town of Tupelo Landing are back in this follow up to 2012 Newbery Honor book Three Times Lucky. Rising sixth graders, Mo and Dale, fresh off their last case with the Desperado Detective Agency, have a new mystery to solve and this one has a paranormal twist. When Mo’s guardian, Miss Lana, accidently buys an inn that is home to a ghostly presence Mo and Dale take it upon themselves to uncover the mystery behind the haunting and hopefully interview the ghost for their history project.

Ghost hunting isn’t as easy as Mo and Dale hope it will be and they soon discover that the ghost isn’t the only mystery at the inn. Long-buried pasts are uncovered and secrets are revealed as Mo and Dale investigate the inn’s tragic history. Who is the ghost and what is she trying to tell them? What’s the connection between the new kid in town and the mysterious happenings? The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage is a fun and slightly spooky read.  

For grades 4 and up

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SAFE

Gemma has a rough life. Going from foster parents to family she didn't know existed, she is thrown into the world of her mother, who abandoned her at a young age. She is tormented by dreams of "Redboy," has an interesting yet distant relationship with her new-found twin brother, and a strained relationship with her new family. Typical life of a young girl, right? Gemma does have hope - and she hopes to get back to her foster family as soon as possible. Her life may be upside down, but she ends up right where she should be. I'll Sing You One-O by Nan Gregory is for grades 6 and up.

August 2012

EVERYTHING IS NOT FINE

Much like Ann Dee Ellis's last book, EVERYTHING IS FINE leaves a lot to the imagination at first. Mazzy's mother has been in bed for over a month. Her father is nowhere to be found. To top it off, Mazzy, who tells the story, seems to have some serious mental issues herself. The story unravels through little windows into Mazzy's life, with a cast of characters helping the plot along. Mazzy has discovered art to help her deal with the madness of her life. She ties her different emotions to different art mediums, such as when a boy she likes is being a jerk, she calls it "chalk on paper" or if it's something she feels good about, it's "oil on canvas." Not everyone will like this book, but there is a shocking secret that explains everything. For grades 6 and up.

AUTISM FROM THE INSIDE

Many of us see people with autism, and they are different in some ways. They may scream out in school or flap their arms or bang their head against a wall. This might seem strange to some, but what must it be like for the person who has autism? How do they see themselves? What goes on in their heads? ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL by Nora Raleigh Baskin tells the story of a 12-year-old boy with autism from HIS perspective. How he feels when he starts getting wound up, what causes him to do certain things, and what it is almost like to fall for a girl online who doesn't know he's autistic. This story will show you what it is like to be autistic in a way that will keep you turning the pages until you've finished the book. For grades 5 and up.

THE DAWN OF EQUALITY?

It's the late 1950s, and Rob Garrett is off to a boarding school in Connecticut. But he's leaving his home in Virginia behind, right at an important time in history - the supposed end of segregation in the South. in NEW BOY by Julian Houston, Rob is torn between advancing himself through his educational opportunities, or furthering the role of all African Americans by participating in demonstrations going on in his home town. This year in Rob Garrett's life is an eye-opening, life-changing time, and provides a little window into a very significant era in history. The book has some pretty advanced ideas, so probably best for those reading at an 8th grade level.

A TURNING POINT IN HISTORY

There was a time when kids went outside to play, made up imaginary games evoking historical characters and aliens from the future, families went on road trips in search of gold, radiation was still a new treatment for cancer, and cancer was still mysterious. In THE LUCKY PLACE by Zu Vincent, families are becoming visibly dysfunctional through the eyes of Cassie, spanning ten years from age three to thirteen. There's Old Daddy, the drunk, and New Daddy, the one Cassie likes better. Jaime, her older brother, is not happy about New Daddy, but escapes his anger and frustration by taking as many dance classes as possible. There are complex relationships rich with emotion, told from a soft, gentle, very human perspective. This book will capture the attention of 5th grades and up.

ANASTASIA, NOT THE PRINCESS

Anastasia Krupnik is a very grown-up ten-year-old. She fancies herself to be a great poet, until her teacher gives her an "F" on one of her poems. Her best friend is her grandmother, and she is very big on keeping things organized, so she has a lot of lists. But a lot of things happen to Anastasia that make her question what she really knows about being ten and the world around her. Every day has a new lesson to learn about love, life and family. This chapter book is great for 4th grade and up.

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.

THE TRUTH BEHIND JUNIOR HIGH

It's not all fun and games. Junior high, middle school - whatever you call it - is about survival. STUCK IN THE MIDDLE, compiled by illustrator Ariel Schrag, is a collection of junior high experiences from different animators and illustrators. There's close to twenty stories, and I'd be willing to bet everyone can relate to at least two, if not more. It doesn't paint the prettiest picture of the "tween" years, but it shows a glimmer of hope in each that despite what happens, you make it out alive. For 6th grade and up ONLY.

CAUGHT BETWEEN GIRL AND GROWN-UP

Alice has turned thirteen and is in-between. In between childhood and woman-hood, that is. She and her two best friends still act silly sometimes, but more talk of boys, boobs, and bothersome brothers shows that they're not little girls any more. Alice lives with her father and brother, as her mother died of leukemia when she was five years old. Now Alice is the "woman of the house," her friends are changing all around her, and she seems stuck between being a kid and growing up. ALICE-IN-BETWEEN by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the fifth in the "Alice" series. There are over twenty books in the series, but you can start anywhere and still understand what's going on in Alice's world. For fourth grade and up.

21st CENTURY LITTLE WOMEN

When you're in middle school, friendships come and go like the passing of day to night. What's even worse is parents all of a sudden decide to become VERY embarrassing! Put the two together and you get THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB by Heather Vogel Frederick. Emma and Jess are best friends. They used to be friends with Megan until she joined up with the "popular" girls. And Cassidy has just moved into town with the force of a tornado. When the moms decide to start a monthly book club, the girls aren't thrilled at the prospect of being forced to spend time with one another. But as they read through Little Women together, they begin to notice themselves in the characters of the book they are reading, and they begin to see each other in new ways as well. A surprisingly enjoyable book that strays from the typical pre-teen girl theme in many ways. Great for 5th graders and older.

SO B. IT

I loved reading this book from the moment I opened it, from the title until the very last sentence. It is about one brave twelve years old girl who knows nothing about her family and her mentally challenged mother can not even say her own name to save her life. However, since their neighbor has helped them ever since she was a week old, things seemed to be not as bad for her. Their rent gets paid on time in a mysterious way and she can choose to live her life just the way it is. However, an old photograph prompts her to find more about her mother's past which will help her to learn more about her own self. You will go on to this journey rooting all the way until the end in hopes for her to find her identity among other things.... SO B. It by SARAH WEEKS is a book not to be missed.

For grades six and up.