FOR THE FIRST TIME STUDENT

The school year is just about to start and the following are perfect titles to share with that child that is going to be starting school this year.

In Wemberly Worried Kevin Henkes introduces the reader to a little mouse who worries about everything from the crack in the living room wall to going to school. But when she meets a new friend on the first day, Wemberly discovers that there was nothing to worry about after all.



Wow! School by Robert Neubecker tells the story of Izzy who takes a bus from her house on the mountain and discovers all kinds of new and wonderful things at her school. There is a lot to discover in this book's bright and colorful pictures of school objects and activities which offer a good opportunity for the readers to also play search games.





Meet Yellowbelly and Plum, two best friends, in Yellowbelly and Plum Go to School by Nathan Hale. On his first day at school Yellowbelly takes his stuffed bear along and they have a wonderful time meeting new friends and learning all kinds of new things until Plum disappears. Fortunately they are reunited and able to share some of the new things they learned.

For preschool through Kindergarten.

IT'S AUGUST AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING YET...

Here's another list of summer themed books for the older readers.

If you start now, you'll have plenty of time to read before you go back to school.

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen - A boy gets an old lawnmower for a present and makes a ton of money mowing lawns. If you like making money, you'll enjoy this book. A very funny and short read for mature 6th - 8th graders.

The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California by Mary Hershey - A one legged kid has to spend the summer in California with his dad and new wife who's super rich. He also learns how to swim to impress a girl he has a crush on. Note: this boy has a lot of anger issues. Fast read for mature 6th -8th graders.

My Almost Epic Summer by Adele Griffin - This girl fantasizes about having a hair salon based on her literary heroines during a boring summer of babysitting. But, the boring summer turns into a one of intrigue when she finds herself featured in the online journal of a pretty but self absorbed lifeguard. Also for mature mature 6th -8th .

Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison - A girl figures out a way to get a free trip to San Francisco by using her psychic ability to solve her distant cousin's ghostly mystery. Not so scary but good for mystery lovers. 6th - 8th.

Deep Dark and Dangerous: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn- During a summer stay at the family cabin, the sisters discover an old family secret at the bottom of the lake. If you like being scared, then this is a great book with one angry and spooky ghost. 6th-8th .

NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL CINDERELLA

In this delightful retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine, there are some funny and creative twists. Ella has been cursed at birth to always do as she is told. This becomes increasingly bothersome upon her mother's death, as her father marries an awful woman with two snobby daughters of her own. Once they discover Ella's curse, she is doomed. Ella does everything in her power to rid herself of this horrible obligation. She experiences many adventures in her quest. The prince in this story is friend's with Ella and time will tell if it ever is to become romance. For 4th - 8th grades.

WRITING WITHOUT WORDS

Juno lives with his parents and a dog named Sam. His grandmother lives far away in Seoul, Korea, but she writes him letters. Juno cannot read the words she writes as they are in Korean, but he knows what it says because of the items that accompany the letter. When Juno decides to write a letter in return, he draws pictures of his life and sends a leaf from his swinging tree. Juno learns to interpret meaning through a language outside of writing. Even though they don't speak the same language, they can still communicate with images from the world around them. DEAR JUNO by Soyung Pak is a beautiful story for pre-k through 3rd grade.

AN AUSTRALIAN LOVE STORY

Seth is in love. But not with just any girl. She's beautiful, muscular, and the daughter of the awful housing inspector who has been hounding his family ever since his dad "accidentally" splattered mud on him. It's causing so much stress on his family that his parents' relationship is in jeopardy. His brother, gorgeous and useless, flip flops from one girl to the next and one interest to another. It's up to Seth to come up with a plan to get the girl of his dreams ... and fix everything else.

I'm Being Stalked by a Moonshadow by Doug Macleod is a fun book about a "hippyish/alternative" family in Australia and a boy who will overcome anything for the girl of his dreams. For mature readers in 6th - 8th grade.

MINTY THE SLAVE

Minty, the nickname of Harriet Tubman when she was a little girl, hates being a slave. All she thinks about is getting off the plantation. She is lucky in that she lives with her family, and they do their best to make her situation more bearable. But Minty is bound and determined to leave, and her father sees it best that he train her to live off the land. When Minty finally gets a chance to escape, she hesitates too long and the opportunity slips away. While she is saddened by her inability to follow through, she is not discouraged and vows to one day escape. MINTY: A STORY OF YOUNG HARRIET TUBMAN by Alan Schroeder is great for 3rd grade and up. This book also won the Coretta Scott King Award for Jerry Pinkney's gorgeous illustrations.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

Three very bright, very spoiled sisters have their father wrapped around their little fingers so tightly that he lets them get and do whatever they wish. Sounds ideal, doesn't it? Like most things that are too good to be true this situation makes a change for the worse when their aunt arrives to take charge of everything. Thrilled? No, not these girls who do all they can to make their aunt's life as unpleasant as possible and when that doesn't work they try to marry her off. Fortunately all is resolved in Narinder Dhami's BINDI BABES. If you like this one then you won't want to miss the rest of the series.

Best for grades 5-8, this title was the July selection for the Snacktime Reader's book discussion group at the Central Library. This is a group for students in grade four and older and their parents. If you love reading and tasty snacks then this is the group for you. It meets the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Children's Room of the Central Library 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA 91205 at 7 p.m. For more information, please call (818)548-2035.

WHO IS CESAR CHAVEZ?

HARVESTING HOPE: THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Yuyi Morales is a beautifully illustrated, very wordy picture book about the life of Cesar Chavez, starting from when he was a very young boy enjoying life with his family in Arizona. The text does a good job of retelling Chavez’s history, and appeals to audiences of all ages. There are a lot of good vocabulary-building terms, and readers will come away with more than a story of Cesar Chavez's life. The illustrations were given the Pura Belpre honor, and the beautiful artwork incorporates hand-made stamps and computer generated cut-outs. The scenes are realistic and the colors have deep earth tones. Not all picture books are for small children, and this title is perfect for 3rd grade and up.

LEARN SPANISH FROM A GAME?

In PLAYING LOTERIA by Rene Colato Lainez a young boy feels inadequate when he speaks Spanish to his grandmother, bringing out a common problem for children and grandchildren of immigrants. This bi-lingual title will help readers to learn how to overcome a language barrier by working hard to learn the native language of their family members.

For readers in grades 1 to 3.

SILENT MUSIC

Ali is a young boy who lives in Baghdad where bombs and missiles are destroying everything around him. However, he is such a strong boy that he refuses to let his spirit be broken in any way. His love for calligraphy gives him the hope to try to stay alive so that he can continue to make beautiful calligraphy just like his hero Yakut.

Yakut is one of the most famous calligraphist who also happened to be living in Baghdad during the 1258 war when the Mongols attacked his county.

The illustrations in the book are just beautiful with a lot of rich earthy colors with some Arabic writing. This story is poetic, informative and heartbreaking.

SILENT MUSIC: A STORY OF BAGHDAD is written by JAMES RUMFORD.

For grades 2nd through 6th.

GHOSTLY DOINGS

A summer visit to Grandma’s is usually pretty ordinary—good food, a change of scenery and doting Grandmother, sound’s normal doesn’t it? For the most part it is but when your Grandmother owns a haunted bed-and-breakfast that might not be the case. 12-year old Travis and his younger sister Corey go off to spend the summer with their Grandmother in Vermont and are delighted when they discover that the inn is supposed to be haunted by at least one ghost. Deciding to help the ghostly reputation along and boost business they create a few ghostly effects for the guests but in the process set off a rather creepy chain of events. This one is the perfect choice for lovers of the spooky and supernatural.

REAL vs. FAKE

There are things in your life that will always offer you comfort. For Sharron, The Friskative Dog is just that. Even though it's just a stuffed animal, Sharron treats it like a real puppy dog. It sleeps with her every night, and even has a leash and special purple collar. THE FRISKATIVE DOG by Susan Straight is about a little girl who's Daddy has disappeared. Her mom and grandma hope for his safe return, but the only comfort Sharron has is her stuffed dog. She is also in the 4th grade, and she does her best to deal with the sadness of her lost dad and the ups and downs of school. Good thing The Friskative Dog is there for her every night. For 3rd - 6th grade.

WHAT! I HAVE TO READ THIS SUMMER?

School is over but your teachers said you have to read this summer ....or else

Your parents insist that you read something besides a magazine.

Well, here's a short list of reading possibilities! The kids in these books are not having quite the summer they had expected either.

Moxy Maxwell does Not Love Stuart Little - A girl has to read Stuart Little but does everything she can to avoid reading it. For those of you who like big words and weird photographs illustrating the story. 3rd -4th

Lemonade War - a really short book about a younger sister who is smarter than her older brother. They compete to see who can sell more lemonade the summer before they have to start school together in the same class. Beware, there's math involved in the story. 4th-6th

Amelia's Are We There yet, Longest Car Trip Ever - If you've ever been on a road trip stuck in a car with a brother or sister, then you'll know exactly what this book is about. Another journal in the Amelia's series. 4th-6th

Summer School: What Genius Thought That Up - A boy has to go to take summer class and get a really good grade so he can have fun. Another story in the Hank Zipzer series, the one where the boy has a learning disabilty. 4-6th

Nicky Deuce Welcome to the Family - A boy is sent to spend the summer with his grandmother in Brooklyn, where he learns about his Italian- American heritage. His uncle takes him under his wings and show him the neighborhood- so very different than the suburbs. 4th-6th

The Penderwicks - If you want to impress them with an award winning book, read this one. During their annual summer vacation,the kids in this family meet the boy from the main house. They feel sorry for him and show him how to have fun. 4th-6th

MEET PEANUT!

Did you know that the Aztecs in Mexico soothed aching gums with peanut paste?
Chances are that you have eaten a peanut butter sandwich at least once in your life time. In fact, it probably is one of your favorite things ever.
However, you probably don't know much about the crop itself. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE PEANUT by CHARLES MICUCCI is one of those books that you can read as fiction or non-fiction. It tells you all the interesting and fascinating facts about it and it also includes a timeline as well as a glossary of some difficult words.

For grades 2nd and up!

MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN ...?

More a collage of everyday items than a straight novel, we follow Ginny's hopeful first year in middle school. She wants to have the perfect hair but it doens't go quite as plan. She'd like to get the role of the sugar plum fairy but she is part of the "ensemble" instead. A really fun peek at one girl's daily life. Nothing goes as plan and everything in her life seems to be falling apart.

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer Holm, is a perfect book for someone looking to read something quirky and different.

For middle schoolers.

Ryan and Jimmy

When six year old Ryan learned in school that there are many parts in the world that don't have clean water to drink, he wanted to do something really badly. By doing chorus around his house, he was able to raise about $70 on his own to help build water wells in Africa. However, that amount would merely be what was needed to undertake such a big project. His eagerness and enthusiasm for the wells in Africa become international news and he starts collecting thousands of dollars for his fund. While doing so he begins to befriend Jimmy who happens to live in Africa and as their friendship progresses, the rebels in Africa are threatening Jimmy's school and his life becomes in jeopardy. Ryan's family who live in Canada do everything possible to bring Jimmy to Canada. You will really be inspired and motivated after reading this true story about a boy who helped build thousands of wells in Africa.
RYAN AND JIMMY: AND THE WELL IN AFRICA THAT BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER by HERB SHOVELLER.
For grades fourth and up.

100 SECRETS

Sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in Kansas after the disappearance of his parents, Henry discovers some very strange things going on at the farm. This visit gives him a chance to broaden his horizons and live a life most kids take for granted, one that includes such common place activities as baseball and bar-b-ques. But one night when the plaster starts chipping off the ceiling of his attic bedroom and part of a door is exposed, all that changes. Henry and his cousin discover another world behind those doors which they start to explore and are ultimately drawn into a major struggle to save themselves and the rest of the family. 100 Cupboards by Nathan Wilson is a well done fantasy story that is the first of a planned series.

PARIS IS ALIVE AND DOING FINE

Paris is forced to take piano lessons from Mrs. Rosen with her older brother as chaperone. Paris is sassy while Mrs. Rosen is funny and a great storyteller. The strong willed twosome form a unique friendship over stories of the Holocaust, pre-war Europe and her brother Michael. But when Paris innocently wears a yellow star, given to her by Mrs. Rosen, to school, a chain reaction is set off.

This is a beautifully written and moving novel about one young girl making sense of life. Vive La Paris by Esme Raji Codell is for mature middle school readers due to the topics presented in the novel, deaths, teenage pregnancy, etc.

WHATEVER! THE COMPLICATED LIFE OF CLAUDIA CRISTINA CORTEZ

Middle school can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you’re interested in being popular. But is it really worth it? Claudia and her good friends, Monica and Becca, don’t think so. Check out their ideas for being true to themselves, and find out how they maintain a real friendship. This slim novel is wonderful for the middle school girl who is learning to be comfortable with herself and her peers.

Best for 6th grade and up.

LIBRARY CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY

Have a great Fourth of July. The Library will be open Saturday, July 5 at 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

Fourth of July is fast approaching and your long weekend will probably be filled with many activities. Take ten minutes out of your time and read this beautiful book about America!

ACROSS AMERICA, I LOVE YOU is written by CHRISTINE LOOMIS and illustrated by KATE KIESLER. This is a small book that poetically pays tribute to this wonderful country. It tells us about it's great landscapes, rocky mountains, from the east coast to the west, from the changing of the weathers to it's oceans and rivers.

For grades 2nd and up!

SEE THE RHYTHM OF A PEOPLE

Spirituals, ragtime, blues. Jazz roots, soul expressions, gospel prayers. A wide history of music brought from Africa to the United States makes up an entire culture of life and music. Poetry intertwines with visual art to create the most vibrant, lyrical portrayal of African American music history. Literally without missing a beat, the poems rhythmic flow sound like music in your head, while at the same time describe the different musical genres that are rooted in this diverse history. i see the rhythm, written by Toyomi Igus includes vivid, colorful paintings by Michelle Wood illustrating the text. Reading this book means more than looking at words on a page - it means experiencing history, hearing the paintings, and seeing the music. For grades 4 and up.

THE SUMMER OF MILLICENT, STANFORD AND EMILY

This trilogy is set in the summer right before the start of middle school. Three kids come together in friendship, well for two of them a mutual understanding. Millicent, Girl Genius, is enlisted to tutor Stanford Wong, (who) Flunks Big Time, in English for the summer. Along comes So Totally, Emily Ebers, who just moved into the area and befriends Millicent.

Millicent is socially challenged and has never had a close friend before. Because everyone thinks she's a freak, she will do almost anything to keep Emily from finding out that she's so brilliant that she is homeschooled. Stanford can't stand Millicent but needs her to pass the class so he can play basketball next season. But, he can't let Emily, whom he thinks is absolutely adorable, know that he's being tutored! Or any of his friends for that matter. Emily on the other hand substitutes her father's absence in the wake of her parents' divorce by charging everything on the emergency credit card and buying friendships. She seriously has a crush on Stanford and doesn't get why Millicent is so hard on him.

Everyone has a secret that they want to hide, but not for long. Each have to deal with their perceived failures and shortcomings in their own way. A fantastic trio of companion books from each person's point of view. Start with Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee.

For mature readers in 6th - 8th grades.

THE BEE TREE

Since Mary Ellen is not in the mood to do much reading lately, her grandfather suggests that instead they should try to find a bee tree and taste it's sweet honey. To do anything but reading, the curious girl agrees and they go buzzing around the town following the bees in search of the bee tree.

More and more people follow them from the neighborhood as they swarm through it. The grandfather patiently tries to instill the love of reading back into his granddaughter by spooning honey in a book and asking her to taste it's sweetness.

PATRICIA POLACCO has definitely written another great and sweet book to be read by everyone.

For pre-school to 2nd grade.

FRIENDS ARE NOT GOOD GUINEA PIGS

In BULLY-BE-GONE: THE MISADVENTURES OF MILLICENT MADDING by Brian Tacang, Millicent Madding is always looking for ways to improve the lives of those around her. Being somewhat of a scientist, Millicent hangs out with many intelligent individuals - Toneisha the poet, Pollock Wong, the artist, and Juanita Alonso, a violinist. They all have a little trouble with the local bullies, and Millicent devises a concoction to scare them off. Meanwhile, the crazy Uncle who takes care of Millicent since her parents' disappearance, has many surprises and discoveries of his own. A lot is going on in this book, but it isn't hard to keep up with all the entertaining antics. Great for 3rd - 6th grades.

HANNAH WEST - SEATTLE SUPER SLEUTH

Hannah West on Millionaire's Row by Linda Johns

Look for this title in our paperback section - fourth in the series.

Another plucky sleuth who is "technically homeless" since she and her mother had to sell their house but are now house sitting for other people's homes. This time they are house sitting for a couple who owns a home on historic Millionaire's Row and five cats. All their former clients and friends come together for this installment of Hannah West, where it seems like there really isn't a crime but more of a mysterious moving of the neighboring houses' things. Weird things happen, like a toilet seat cover is closed, a toaster is moved to a different place, a bowl of fruit is placed where there wasn't one before. Is it a Feng Shui ghost? The neighborhood watch doesn't have a clue and the police aren't taking it seriously, but Hannah West, has her keen eye on the problem and is determined to solve it.

For readers in grades 4th and older.

IRON THUNDER: THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE MONITOR AND THE MERRIMAC

Tom knows more information about Captain John Ericson’s vessel than any other teen (or Confederate Spy). When his father was killed in a battle against Confederate Soldiers, Tom set out to find work with the Union Navy. As an assistant to the Captain of the U.S.S. Monitor, Tom is fascinated by his work but is also fearful of the spies in the surrounding dock.
Exciting! Informative! Engaging! Avi’s Iron Thunder will beg readers to keep on reading until the very last page.

Best for 4th grade and up.

SUMMER FUN!

Summer is here and instead of doing the usual stuff you need to get this book and start experimenting. This is not your usual boring science experiment book. It's one of those books that will entice your curiosity about science and also help you get more familiar with your surroundings in general. The book is divided in tree parts. Exploring yourself, (eyes, ears, nose) exploring interesting places (kitchen, beaches, bathroom, and playground) and exploring interesting stuff (language, money, paper, optical illusion, sound, etc).

There are plenty of pictures and illustrations as well. So you will not be bored at all. EXPLORATOPIA: MORE THAN 400 KID-FRIENDLY EXPERIMENTS AND EXPLORATION FOR CURIOUS MINDS by PAT MURPHY, ELLEN MACAULAY AND THE STAFF OF THE EXPLORATORUIM.

For grades third and up!

ALONE ON A DESERTED ISLAND

Her tribe has had to move away from their island home to a new one across the sea. Karana who was busy getting things ready for the journey boarded the boat but soon realized that her brother Ramo has been left behind. She begged the captain to wait for him but when the boat had to leave to miss an approaching storm, Karana jumped off the ship and swam ashore to join him. Thus begins her 18 year long stay on the island and the story of what she does to survive on this deserted island.

Based on a true story of a woman who had been marooned on San Nicolas Island off the coast of California, The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Award for excellence in children's literature in 1961. He also wrote a sequel, Zia.

For grades 4 and older. This title was a Snacktime Reader's selection for May, 2008.

CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY?

Solve these mysteries in Lakewood Hills along with sixth graders Hawkeye Collins and Amy Adams. Hawkeye has such a keen eye, that he often help the police with their cases, but more often he just helps people all around town. Like the Encyclopedia Brown series, readers are asked to find the clues, but here readers are given a sketch to look at as well.

If you love to solve mysteries then put your brain in gear and read this collection of mysteries in The Case of the Chocolate Snatcher by M. Masters.

For readers in 4th grade and older.

JELLABY BELLABY

Awakened by a mysterious dream, Portia discovers what she presumes is a lost purple dragon like creature in the woods behind her home. Hiding her new secret companion becomes very hard since Jellaby keeps following her wherever she goes. After seeing a photograph of a door, Portia decides that must be where Jellaby came from, and sets off on a journey to the city to take him home.


An unusual graphic adventure for readers in 4th grade and older.
Jellaby by Kean Soo.

BEFORE BARACK, HILLARY & JOHN MCCAIN

The history of the presidents has never been so fascinating as it is in SO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT by Judith St. George. Not only will you learn which past presidents had pets or facial hair, you will read about Andrew Jackson, who worked as a tailor or Ronald Reagan, the movie star, before they became president. It also talks about the perks of being president, just in case you plan on being president some day. From good to bad, you'll learn all about the presidential history of the United States. The illustrations are hilarious and do more than highlight the stories. This is definitely a book to inspire readers to look further into different presidents and their interesting lives. For 2nd grade and up.

MEET WALTER!

Why is it always the mice that get all the attention and not the rats? This is one of the questions that the very curious and intelligent Walter the Rat wonders about as he lives his days in an author's house full of books.

Hence develops the friendship between the rat and the author in this very unique and original story. Walter and Miss Pomeroy begin to correspond through letters and the more they write to each other the more closer they become. WALTER: THE STORY OF A RAT by BARBARA WERSBA and the illustrations by DONNA DIAMOND is one not to be missed.

For grades third and up.

BEAUTY IN WORD AND VISION

EMMA'S RUG by Allen Say is a cute story about how a young girl discovers art. Everyone is impressed with her young age and ability to paint and draw with amazing talent. Emma swears she just “copies” the pictures she paints, but no one believes her. Emma finds all her ideas in a rug she was given at birth. One day her mother washes the rug and Emma feels her artistic days are over. Only then does she learn she can see the same images in other things. I like this book because it impresses upon kids that art can be found anywhere. Great for Kindergarten - 3rd grades.

WAFFLE ON A WAFFLE?

Primrose Squarp's parents are supposed to be lost at sea. A memorial service has taken place in honor of her parents and yet she still doesn't believe that she is an orphan.
Primrose believes that her parents are stuck on a remote island and are waiting to be rescued. This gives her the hope and the strength to deal with all the craziness in her small hometown.
If you want to read something really entertaining, than this is the book for you. One of the coolest things is each chapter is followed by an easy recipe that will not only satisfy your stomach, but also your appetite for some good reading. This is a laugh-out-loud, funny story about Primrose’s adventures and misadventures. EVERYTHING ON A WAFFLE by POLLY HORVATH is everything a funny book should be, and you should definitely try to read it while eating waffles.

For fourth grade and older. This title is also available as a sound recording.

STEPMOTHERS HAVE FEELINGS TOO YOU KNOW

Three girls are sent off to a boarding school in New England after their fathers marry for the second time. They find their lives and relationships with their fathers changed drastically from the pre-stepmother period. Slowly the girls realize the situation they have in common and form a club to empower themselves and seek revenge on their stepmothers. The plan was simple, destroy what is most important to the stepmothers. But the plan doesn't quite work out as the girls had hoped and they begin to see their stepmothers in a different light.

Poison Apples by Lily Archer is for middle school readers and older.

SAMURAI WANNABE

Seikei can now return to his family as a samurai, but how will they treat him after all these years? In A Samurai Never Fears Death, the third book in the series, Seikei returns to his hometown but instead of a warm family reception, he finds his brother and sister at the center of several murders and a smuggling ring.

An intricate historical murder mystery for middle school readers and older.