Anybody who has immigrated to this country or has family members who are immigrants will find great escape in reading this book, and those who never had to deal with immigration will find great appreciation and empathy towards it.
Who better to be a private eye then a fly with eyes which can see almost 360 degree and therefore would have great observational skills. Joey and sidekick Sammy are hired by to find a stolen diamond pencil box. The two detectives wade through urban landscape, clues & insect suspects to track down the culprit. 
Coco, the carrot was living in a cold, small vegetable bin and she hated every minute of it. All of the other vegetables in the bin were as miserable as she was. But no one was as brave as Coco. She decides to take off and travel to Paris. Her journey takes a rocky turn when the chef of the ship decides to use her in his soup. However, she is able to escape and land to her dreamt destination. Coco the Carrot becomes an icon in the town. Designing beautiful hats for people all over the world...This is a fashionable, charming and creative story that will inspire you...COCO THE CARROT by STEVEN SALERNO is a runaway smash.
Octavio Rivera is an old man who enjoys the most beautiful dreams. At first Octavio tells no one, but as his dreams becom more vivid, he is eager to share them with somebody.... but who? He dares not to tell anyone in the family for fear they think he's going crazy, until finally he realizes that there is only one person that would understand and who loves dreams as much as he does, his granddaughter Regina.
The group met last night to talk about Norton Juster's Phantom Tollbooth. This was probably the most highly rated of title of any in the group's history. Here's what they thought:
ge turner. I could read it a hundred times and not get tired of it. 
Who is Samuel? Is he a child? Is he a Frenchman? Is he a thief? Citizens of MacOongafoondsen want to know! When a ship washes up near this small town of 21 people, many questions arise, such as why don't the people of MacOongafoondsen know how to swim and why does the bailiff have a dead sparrow on his hat? MONSIEUR EEK by David Ives is a silly yet philosophical story about perception with a clear message woven into this short but sweet tale. For grades 4 and up.
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.
This is an adapted version of the adult book for younger readers. While not as fluid as the original book of the same title, it still has the power to inspire readers with Greg Mortenson's determination to honor his promise to a village and bring schools to remote sections of Pakistan & Afghanistan. 
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.
Hannah's Winter by Kierin Meehan
If you like Star Trek, and all things space and science fiction, then you will love Julian Rodriguez. This boy believes he is from outer space disguised as a human boy and sent to Earth to learn how humans live. He's on an undercover mission and must live with these two "parents". 
Dive into the life of Jacques Cousteau who was a world famous explorer of the sea. His inspiring story is truly amazing. Being a sickly boy growing up, he had very few options. Until one day his doctor suggested him to start swimming in order to strengthen his muscles. His life as he knew it changed drastically... he fell in love with the ocean and the undersea. His attempt to create a colonized ocean fell short because people need sunlight to live a happier lives. However, he dreamt other dreams and was one of the best advocates for ocean life. This particular book called THE FANTASTIC UNDERSEA LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU by DAN YACCARINO is a beautiful book with some wonderful illustrations. It's a short, beautiful story that will make you want to run to the ocean. 
Isabel is a slave. Her mother is dead, she is sold to dreadful owners, her sister is sent away, and she suffers physical and mental punishment on a daily basis. But CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson (who also wrote the award winning novel SPEAK) is a fascinating book. Not only do you get a grueling perspective on the life of a slave, the story provides a unique window for seeing what it was like during the Revolutionary War. As Isabel struggles to decide her fate, she spies on the King's supporters and delivers food to the prisoners the British have captured. It isn't long before everything spirals out of control and Isabel must make some major decisions. This is the first in a new series. For grades 4 and up
World War II has ended and Ann Fay's back from the polio hospital and her dad is back from the war but instead of things settling down and getting everything is rapidly changing for the worse in Comfort by Joyce Moyer Hostetter. 
Snacktime Readers met last night and this is what they thought about The Secret Garden (10 being the highest possible rating):
The Youngest Templar Keeper of the Grail - Michael Spradlin
CLARENCE COCHRAN, A HUMAN BOY by William Loizeaux is a very strange boy indeed. He's not really supposed to be a boy, he's supposed to be a cockroach. In fact he comes from a fine family of cockroaches he cannot believe he's somehow turned into a tiny human boy over night! At first Clarence is humiliated, but as the story continues, Clarence learns a little more about himself and the world around him. For 4th-6th grades.
It's time to meet, eat and talk about the book and this month's is a great one. Join us for Snacktime Readers at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale 91205 on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Birthdays are always a big deal specially your first one as a teenager. In the Beaumont family the thirteenth birthday is a very important one as it is when their savvy strikes. For one of the brothers that mean that his touch produced electricity and another caused hurricanes. Not your average family is it? Savvy's birthday is approaching rapidly and she wonders what her savvy will be but when her father is seriously injured in a car accident all she wants is one that will save his life in SAVVY by Ingrid Law. This title was a Newbery Honor medalist in 2008.
FEBRUARY 2009
Dogs or cats...? This question seems to be one that never goes out of fashion for as long as I can remember. At times we judge people based on this simple personal preference. However, it seems that only dogs and cats know the real truth about themselves. 
If you like books like The Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Captain Underpants, than RAYMOND AND GRAHAM RULE THE SCHOOL by MIKE KNUDSON is for you. It's pact with funny situations about all things school related... I know, I know, only few weeks left to school, but you still have time!
The readers of the Snacktime reading group met last night to talk about Freak the Mighty and this is what they thought:
Obsessed with the cosmetic industry twelve-year old Lucy comes up with a business plan that will keep the doors to her grandmother's drug store open in My Life in Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald. Friendships, family relationships and middle school all play important parts in this sometimes serious, somtimes funny book about a young girl's dreams and ambitions.
Join the Snacktime Readers on Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Children's Room of the Central Library to talk about this month's book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. This is the story of two boys who become unlikely friends. Their disabilities, Max's learning and Kevin's physical problems, cause both of them to be harassed by their classmates but when they become friends and form a partnership they become a force to be reckoned with. Kevin opens new worlds of imagination and confidence for Max who in turn carries Kevin, aka "Freak," into the real world.
Being a trophy kid to one of the most powerful Hollywood Power couple can be a big challenge. Joe, who was only three years old when his mom and sister were killed during the war in Yugoslavia happens to be that kid. He is aware of the fact that the only reason his Hollywood parents adopted him was to show their circle of friends that they too can contribute to the well being of others. So you can only imagine how Joe felt when his parents left him all alone in order to attend a charity event to raise awareness for the orphans in the world, or when his parents threw a birthday party for him with kids Joe didn't even know. They were all for a show...
I am beginning to think that Lois Lowry can write about anything. Author of award winning books like Number the Stars and The Giver, not to mention the Anastasia Krupnik series among other greats, she's managed to pen a fabulous story for the "dark comedy" genre that will remind you of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket! THE WILLOUGHBYS is an atypical story about a miserable family with misearble parents who decide they don't like their kids anymore, hire a nanny and leave town. The oldest boy is the bossiest kid you'll ever meet, the twins have the exact same name but alternate days they can wear the one sweater they own, and the only girl is really the smartest but is too shy to say anything. Down the street lives a miserable candy bar inventor who lost his family. But the two families intertwine in very strange ways, and make for a delightful tale. For grades 4 and up.
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! 
What if someone gave you the power to change your life? Would you do it? Or would you just let things happen naturally? MAN IN THE MOON by Dotti Enderleis a story about a girl who is struggling in her daily life due to her father's unemployment and her brother's terminal illness. She goes to sleep hoping that at least in her dreams she can see the bright side of life.
The Twelve Dancing Princesses was always one of my most favorite fairy tales--the story of twelve sisters who elude their father and dance the night away wearing out their shoes every night. It has all the elements of a good story, princesses, dancing, mystery, magic and romance. In Jessica Day George's Princess of the Midnight Ball the author takes the fairy tale and further develops the story. In addition to the above elements she has included evil kings, princess and kindly old crones. The story is taken to new heights and has become something not to be missed.
In New York, The Red Blazer Girls are enlisted by an alumni's mother to decipher clues to a valuable birthday gift hidden 20 years earlier. As the intrepid seventh graders of St. Veronica's, an elite all girls Catholic school, begin to search the church and school, they realize that others are also interested in The Ring of Rocamadour. 
Snacktime Readers met last night at the Central Library to talk about Grace Lin's The Year of the Dog and the general comments about this one were very favorable.
Two robbers happen to be in love with the same woman who is hiding the fact that she is two -timing them. Both of the robbers are determined to make this woman their future wife and they will do all that is possible in their power to achieve this. However, things become more complicated and twisted when they agree to make this quest as part of a contest. Whoever wins the contest out of the two will be able to marry her. The contest is not going to be easy to win since both of them are clever and full of good ideas. However, after winning the contest, things start going in different directions. Could it be that neither of them want her anymore? Or is it just one of their clever games? THE CONTEST: AN ARMENIAN FOLKTALE by NONNY HOGROGIAN is a fun read that will be enjoyed by everyone.
The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Gallante
Come and join us at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205 on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. for the May meeting of the Snacktime Readers. This month's book, THE YEAR OF THE DOG by Grace Lin is the story a year in the life of a Taiwanese-American girl and her struggles with both cultures.
Puberty hits Eddie like a sledge hammer but when his mother finds out he's printing and looking at inappropriate pictures behind her back and lying to her on top of it, she ships him off to her uncle's farm. A farm where there's nothing to do. Nothing that is until he sees a gorgeous girl working in the store across the field. Intrigued by her but not sure how to approach her, he watches and begins to notice the things and people around him. And what he notices and finds out aren't always pretty. 
What's a girl to do when she finds a huge wad of cash in the bushes? After an internal ethical struggle, she spends it of course. A little for Grandma, a little on herself, something for a few friends. Before Sammy gets to spend it all, suspicious things start to happen. 
