SCHOOL'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Everyone always talks about how they feel about going to school, but does anyone know how the school feels? No one really knows the difficulties the school faces with waking up to noisy children.  

School's First Day of School by Adam Rex is a hilarious book describing the first day of school...from the school's point of view. The school building is the main character who shares his feelings and purpose. This is a wonderful picture book to share with young readers ages 4 through 7.  

WRITING TAKES PRACTICE, LITTLE PLANE

Little Plane is ready to learn how to write, but first he must go to school to practice. Little Plane learns writing by flying in arcs, dives, and loopity-loops.  He's excited to practice every day, but has trouble completing the loopity-loops, which make him too dizzy. How will Little Plane become the perfect writer that he so desperately wants to be? 

Little Plane Learns to Write, written and illustrated by Stephen Savage, is a beautiful picture book about learning to write the ABC's. A perfect book for airplane lovers, it also teaches children that writing takes practice... and with enough practice, you can accomplish anything.

This is a great read-aloud for children ages 3 and up.

DOUBLE THE TROUBLE

Miles and his family move to Yawnee Valley.  Miles had been known as the prankster at his previous school and hopes to maintain his reputation at his new school, the Yawnee Valley Science and Letter Academy.  Upon his arrival, Miles discovers that there is another prankster already at work.  Someone has already managed to move Principal Barkin’s car to the top of the stairs of the school entrance, where it is blocking any access into the school.  Miles is very impressed with the prank but is surprised when the principal begins to suspect that it was him.  

As Miles begins to familiarize himself at his new school, the student helper, Niles Sparks, is asked to show him around.  As the days and weeks go by, Miles is surprised that there are no signs of who the prankster could possibly be.  Even though the principal continues to suspect it’s him, he doesn’t want to take credit for something he didn’t do, so Miles gets to work on creating his own prank. 

With two unknown pranksters in the same school, this is a formula for a very interesting and unexpected school year.  Will the school pranksters reveal their identity and collaborate with one another to prank Principal Barkin and the Yawnee Valley Science and Letter Academy? Read to find out.

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, with illustrations by Kevin Cornell, is a funny book that will appeal to students grade 3-6. This is the first book of the series. 

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN!

Greg Heffley is back and he's as hilarious as ever in Old School, the newest installment of the Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. All the fun--and of course the trouble--begin when Greg's mom lobbies for a weekend of unplugging so everyone can get back to how things were in the "good old days." And so Greg is forced not to rely on his electronics--or even electricity--and get outside for some good old fashioned "fun" in the form of community service and making a lemonade stand. With his signature knack for turning the simple and straightforward into a slapstick comedy of errors, things go uproariously awry. 

And just when you think things can't get any more outrageous, Greg embarks on a field trip to Hardscrabble Farms, where he and his classmates must survive in the woods for an entire week without modern conveniences or junk food, not to mention the rumors of Silas Scratch, a creepy farmer who went crazy in the woods. Armed with just an old book of his grandpa's, a few packs of baby wipes, and his flair for the dramatically ridiculous, is there any way Greg will make it the whole week? 

Fans of the Wimpy Kid series won't be disappointed with this latest book in the series--the crazy antics and the laughs just keep on coming. Recommended for 4th grade and up. 

And don't forget: the Children's Room is having a Wimpy Kid Party this Saturday, December 5th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, and a library hunt all week. Come join us for all the Wimpy fun! 

SECRET AGENT

Darren Dirkowitz, an adventurous and spy-obsessed fifth grader, lives a double life as Dirk Daring Secret Agent. His opportunity to take on a real mission comes when his stepbrother gets a hold of his top-secret spy journal. For fear of it getting leaked to the students of Preston Middle School, Darren and his best friend “T-bone” set out to complete some spy work at the school for his evil brother. However, an unexpected turn of events occurs as Darren gets further into his mission. 


Read to find out what happens when friendships are tested and secrets are revealed in this amusing narrative filled with appealing illustrations.  Dirk Daring, Secret Agent by Helaine Becker is a perfect read for students who enjoy spy adventures. This book is for grades 4-6. 

EVA'S TREETOP FESTIVAL

Hoot Hoot! Eva’s Treetop Festival is a cute and quirky early chapter book about an owl named Eva.  Eva’s adorable; she is in Owlementary and decides she wants to organize the Bloomtastic Festival in one week.  Well, what’s an owl to do with such little time? Eva turns to her classmates for help but there’s one girl she dreads asking for help, Sue Clawson (a.k.a. Meany McMeanerson). However, Eva knows she must ask everyone, including Sue for assistance in order for the festival to go on.  Find out if Sue was willing to help out and will the Spring Festival go on? 

This book is the first book in the Owl Diaries Series by Rebecca Elliot.  The book uses a diary-approach to tell a story and it is aimed at newly independent readers.  The pages are filled with easy to read text and illustrations that complement each other.  Elliot covers topics such as friendship and helpfulness.

For grades 2-3 

GET BACK TO SCHOOL!

 

Some fun picture books to help you get back in the mood for school after all those days off. 

My Teacher is a Monster  by Peter Brown
Like the Library Dragon, Bobby's teacher is really mean in the classroom, but outside in the regular world, she feeds the ducks and play with paper airplanes.  She seems so... different.  


Dog Days of School by Kelly Dipucchio and Brian Biggs is not your usual hilarious swapping bodies fantasy because Charlie and Norman are a boy and a dog.  They swap bodies for a week because being able to go to school would be better than napping all day long, right? Right!  Would you want to swap your life with a dog?

B. Bear and Lolly Off to School by A.A. Livingston and Joey Chou
This time it's Goldilocks (Lolly) and Baby Bear in an unusual twist on the fairy tale where they attend first day of school. You'll notice a few familiar characters and moments sprinkled throughout the story.  A fun riff on the classic.

For readers from preschool through 2nd grade.

THE RIGHT THING

Fifth-grader Rose Howard loves homonyms, prime numbers, and cannot help speaking her mind if she sees someone break a rule. Despite doing well in her classes, Rose has a difficult time in school, and is not treated with much sensitivity by her classmates or teachers, and even got banned from taking the school bus after a particularly passionate outburst over the bus driver breaking a rule.

Through it all, Rose's single father refuses to acknowledge that Rose is anything but normal, or that she has no control over her anxiety or obsession with homonyms. But Rose gets along well with her uncle Weldon and her dog Rain, whose name is a homonym and adds up to a prime number. It even seems like Rain is helping Rose make friends in school. But then, Rain goes missing during a storm, and Rose has to devise a plan to find her.

Rain Reign is a candidly told story from the point of view of a girl with Asperger's Syndrome. Rose is a brave girl who tries hard to carve a place for herself in a world that does not always understand her. In the end, Rose has to make difficult choices, but they are ones that bring her closer to people around her. 

This book will appeal to readers in grades 4-6.

SCHOOL OF MAGIC

There is a new wizard boy on the block.

And his name is Callum Hunt. Raised by his magic-hating father, Call grows up thinking that all magicians are evil, and were responsible for his mother's death when he was merely a baby. So when he is called to take the mandatory exams that might lead to his acceptance to the Magisterium, he is carefully coached by his father to do everything in order to fail. But although he tries very hard to fail (to fail), Call is picked nonetheless and has to attend his first year - the Iron Year - at the Magisterium. Together with his new friends Tamara and Aaron, Callum is coached by Master Rufus in magic skills in preparation for the Iron Trial, which will signify the end of the school year. But there is more to the world of magic than Callum knows, and he slowly starts to wonder if his father was right in cautioning him against it. There is an enemy that has been hidden for years waiting to resurface - calling himself the Enemy of Death -who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

The Iron Trial is the first book of a projected five-book series from popular children's and young adult literature writers Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. Readers will find many similarities with the Harry Potter series, but whether this is a bad or a good thing is up to the reader to decide.


For grades 5 and up.

DIXIE WANTS AN ALLERGY

While getting to know her classmates on the first day of school, Dixie discovers that many of the students in class have allergies to a variety of things- peanuts, wheat, or eggs.  When Dixie hears of the special things that are offered to her classmates because of their allergies, she wishes that she was allergic to something too.  She eagerly seeks things that might cause her to have an allergic reaction, but nothing seems to work!  When she finally comes across something that does cause a reaction, she quickly becomes ill and regrets that she wished for an allergy to begin with.

Tori Corn wonderfully addresses the subject of children's allergies in this story.  Although some children are treated differently due to their allergies, others can quickly learn that it is for a very good reason- not just for special attention.  A fun book for adults and children to share together.  

For PreK-2nd grade.

MASON DIXON

Mason Dixon has completed third grade and is gearing up to start fourth grade.  However, his mother is already pressuring him to start thinking of all the extra curricula activities that he should get involved in, specifically singing.  The problem is that Mason has been traumatized so badly that singing for him would be like diving into a pool of dead frogs.  Unfortunately, the fact that he needs to remind his mother of the dreadful incident that took place couple of years ago is making him to feel even more traumatized.

Funny, cute and a charming easy chapter book, especially for boys. Mason Dixon: Fourth Grade Disasters by Claudia Mills.

Grades 3rd and up.  

JACOB'S NEW DRESS

Jacob loves to swing on the monkey bars, race toy cars, and play with dinosaurs. One of his favorite areas in the room is the dress-up corner, where he tries on different outfits.  He enjoys it so much that he requests to wear a similar outfit the next day. Although he is teased and bullied, his parents and teacher offer much support, love, and honor his curiosity and creativity. 

Sarah and Ian Hoffman offer a gentle story about a boy who wants to wear clothes outside the norm.  By doing so they thoughtfully address the topic of gender non-conformity in this picture book story. 

For families and educators to share with children Pre-K to 2nd grade.

DO OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY.

Roan has always wanted to go to the Pilot Academy, just like his dad and his big brother.  After his exams, however, it turns out Roan is not meant to be a pilot but rather a farmer - doomed to spend the rest of his life on Tatooine killing plants.  Because he sure knows he doesn't know how to grow any.  That is, until he gets a letter from the Jedi Academy inviting him to study with the elite Jedi.  Although Roan knows nothing about being a Jedi, other than most of them are recruited as younglings, he figures anything is better than farming and heads off to Coruscant to learn about Wookies, Light Sabers, and "The Force".

Join Roan as he finds his place in the world in Jeffrey Brown's novel for 3rd and 4th graders, Star Wars: Jedi Academy.

DAYDREAM BELIEVER

Gabriella always seems to be in trouble for her daydreaming.  She daydreams and forgets to do chores and homework and pay attention in class.  She daydreams and forgets everyone and everything around her.  She forgets about her parent's divorce and the fact that she has no friends in her new neighborhood.  She forgets that she rarely sees her dad and that no one seems to understand her.  That is, until her new teacher takes a special interest in helping Gabriella harness her daydreams and explore what it means to have such a vivid imagination.  Maybe her dreams of being an author will take flight.


Join Gabriella in Nikki Grimes' novel in verse, Words with Wings for students in grades 4 and up.

MATH ALL THE TIME

Who says math is only used during math class or that math is dumb? Well, Logan and Bennedict found out the hard way that math is everywhere, in every subject and it certainly isn't dumb.  In Numbed by David Lubar, the boys return from a math field trip completely unable to solve the most ordinary and mundane math problem such as adding and subtracting;  trying to figure out what time it would be 2 hrs. from 4:15 or if they have enough money for a sticky bun.  

A fun short follow up to Punished!  but you don't need to read it in order to enjoy this book.


A beginning chapter book for readers in 2nd-4th grades.  

BILLY STARTS SECOND GRADE

IS IT NEWBERY WORTHY?

Billy Miller starts the second grade year with trials and tribulations.  With a bump on his head from a fall he took during summer, the damage might have caused him to not be fit for the second grade.  He also experiences some bullying from a classmate who sits right next to him.  If that is not enough, he thinks his behavior might have caused his teacher to dislike him.  As the school year passes, Billy experiences many difficult times but throughout the book, with the help of his family and teacher, he learns how to handle certain situations better.   Along the way, he helps and impacts those who have helped him as well. 

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes is a nice story about a young boys experience in second grade.  This book would make a great second grade classroom read aloud.  This book is also a good read for children grades 2-4. 

A SUPER SECRET SCIENCE PROJECT

A secret government agency. 
Two kids on the run. 
And one ruthless killer-with a fuzzy cotton tail. 

The professor in their apartment building is missing and two men in suits and dark glasses are sure desperate to find him.  Jeremy thought he had it made, a project all ready courtesy of the professor since he hadn't started on his at all and it's due - SOON!  It turns out that the fluffy rabbit thing is a jackalope, a mythical creature,  hidden in his hamper, who loves to drink alcohol.  Only Agatha, his other neighbor, classmate and the professor's former assistant also a science genius, can help him out of this jam.

Project  Jackalope by Emily Ecton has all the elements of a great spy action adventure caper. 

For readers in grades 4th -6th.

SECRETS-- KEEP THEM OR SHARE THEM?

Dear Reader,

At this moment, there is a child grinning from ear to ear and skipping across the play yard thinking.."I have a secret! I have a secret!" And as children go about the day and interact with one another, little does he/she know that the person that they're interacting with holds an incredible secret! For Molly, in Tor Freeman's book, Olive and the Big Secret, wants to share her secret with the classmate of her choice.  Does she pick the right friend to keep her secret? A simple and gentle story about keeping secrets and sharing secrets.  

For ages 5 to 8 years.

ONE BAD APPLE IS ALL IT TAKES

Seamus was always a good kid.  He rarely got into trouble, and never for anything serious.  He was in trouble for things like not cleaning his room or trying to skip out of class 7 minutes early to be in line first for Fish Stick Tuesday.  But now, Seamus is a criminal.  It was all an accident.  He was trying to help when he threw the apple across the cafeteria at Miss Parsippany.  But now there's no bringing Miss Parsippany back, and there's no going back to the life he once knew when his parents drop him off at Kilter Academy, the best reform school in the country.

Little do Seamus' parents know, however, that Kilter doesn't punish trouble-making, they reward it, and in fact encourage and teach the trouble makers of the future.  Too bad Seamus isn't a natural-born trouble maker, despite being Kilter Academy's only Murderer.  Trouble just seems to find him.  To pass his classes though, Seamus must learn to become a trouble maker, and as he does so, he becomes Kilter's star pupil, along with is pyromaniac roommate and new best friend.  Together, they uncover and disrupt the secrets and staff at Kilter Academy in the first Merits of Mischief book, The Bad Apple by T.R. Burns.  This book is good for trouble-makers and aspiring trouble-makers in 6th grade and up.

LETTERS OUT OF HISTORY

I always love a good dog story. Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts is a GREAT dog story, even if it takes a bit of time to get to the good parts. But it's also a story about a young black girl living in a time when people were mean to her just because of the color of her skin. Can you believe that? Why would anybody do such a thing? Well, that's how it went many years ago, and Kizzy Ann wrote a lot of letters to her teacher at the "white" school talking all about her life. She especially loved writing about her Border Collie named Shag, her protector and her best friend. If you like reading books written in the format of letters to a friend, this is the book for you. And if you want to know a little more about herding dogs and a lot about history, you'll really like this book too. 

For 4th - 8th grades.

FEBRUARY 2013