SCHOOL, READY OR NOT

At home Alvin is a superhero, Firecracker Man, able to save the world, but when summer is over and he has to go back to school, the same old fears overtake him and he can't talk. You see, Alvin has lots of fears and school is only one of them.

Before entering Second Grade Alvin decides to arm himself with a PDK- Personal Disaster Kit- a box with things he might need in case of a disaster. Inside are things like a whistle, garlic, escape routes, magnifying glass, and lists. Now that he can write, he's making lists for surviving a fire, or surviving show and tell, and one for making friends.

Coming Soon, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look is a humorous tale of one Second Grader's attempt to make the best of what he considers a scary and voice numbing place...school. For 4th-6th.

HERE SHE COMES

This picture book biography about the famous designer Coco Chanel will inspire you to be as innovative and creative as she was. Coco was not afraid to be different, and her fearlessness gave her the opportunity to stand out and be admired for her uniqueness. Being from a very poor family and not having enough money to even buy food, she was able to overcome all that and become one of the wealthiest woman in the world. You will enjoy this simple book with very colorful pen and ink watercolor illustrations. You will also learn how she opened her first store and made women to want to dress up like her . DIFFERENT LIKE COCO by ELIZABETH MATTHEWS is in fashion to be read by everyone.

For grades 2 and older.

FIRE IN LOS ANGELES!

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting deals with more than just a fire. During the height of the L.A. Riots, Daniel's apartment building catches fire and his family must evacuate. In the process, Daniel worries his cat will be killed. He sees Mrs. Kim's cat, the enemy of his own kitty. He also sees looters stealing things from Mrs. Kim's store. His mother doesn't shop there because she feels she must support her "own people." Daniel is confused about everything that is going on around him, why people are angry, and worried about his family. When it turns out everyone is safe, including the cats, a lesson is learned about the importance of how you treat others. For 2nd grade and up.

CURSED ROSE!

Jackson Jones and the Curse of the Outlaw Rose by Mary Quattlebaum

Strange things start to happen to everyone and everything around Jackson Jones after he takes a cutting from a cemetery. But unlike his best friend, he doesn't believe in curses until he starts adding it all up...

1. The cleaning crew got poison ivy

2. Old Mr. K sprained his ankle

3. The bully got stung by a bee

4. Suddenly there was no rain for weeks

5. All the plants in the community garden are dying, except for the outlaw rose...

What do you think? Is the rose cursing everything around Jackson because he disturbed its resting ground?

For readers in 2nd- 3rd grade who enjoy a little ghost in their story.

A MOOSE AND HILDY STORY

Pig Pickin' by Stephanie Greene

Hildy is all dressed up to go to the fair and be the belle of the ball. Hildy thinks that she's been invited to enter a beauty contest at the fair, but really, she'll be the prize winning eat at the Wendel's barbecue. Oh, no!

For readers in 2nd-3rd grades.