A NOSE FOR MYSTERY

King the dog has been left at the P-O-U-N-D. It is such a bad thing, the dogs all spell it out! But it isn't long before a family takes King to a new home and start calling him Buddy. He just doesn't understand! His old family has disappeared, and King has to find them! While out walking around with the new family's son Connor, things get more confusing when Connor disappears! Two mysteries for one dog to solve might be too much. THE CASE OF THE LOST BOY by Dori Hillestad Butler is a quick read for most readers in 1st-3rd grades.

SPLASH IT AWAY WITH SERGIO!

Meet Sergio! He is a penguin who loves everything that is related to water…These are water sleds, baths, ice water, hot water and lakes and ponds. However, there is one thing that he fears more than all the things combined and it is swimming. He cannot even imagine swimming by himself let alone without his floaties. His teacher Mr. Waddle is not so keen on letting Sergio go home from a field trip without diving in. The question is, will he dive? Or will he be so scared of the water that he will stop even taking his favorite activity, bathing. EDEL RODRIGUEZ is the author for SERGIO MAKES A SPLASH. This is also a great book for story hour for ages 3-5.

HAPPY HOLIDAY

All of the Glendale libraries will be closed September 4-6, 2010 in honor of the Labor Day holiday. Regular hours will be resumed on Tuesday, September 7.

THE BOY SHERLOCK HOLMES IS BACK!

The third adventure of the dark and brooding young Sherlock Holmes is here. Out to prove to everyone that he's brilliant and they're not, he sets off by any means possible to find a kidnapped nobleman's daughter before she is killed. It's been weeks and her father will not give in to the blackmailers but Sherlock believes if he can solve this case and bring her back alive, no one can deny that he is the best detective in England, better than Scotland Yard.

Another great installment in the series for readers 6th and older. Vanishing Girl by Shane Peacock.

FOLD ME A POEM!

The colorful pictures in this book are so beautiful that even if the reader doesn't want to read the poems which consist of few lines that are clever ans smart, they will just enjoy the pictures. The protagonist in the story is a boy, which adds so much more to the story since poems are usually not as popular with boys. Throughout the pages of the book, he makes different origami animals. The pages are really amazing in that they illustrate the essence of what the poet is expressing and these illustrations are in origami format. It's an engaging book that not only is pleasant to read, but you can also make the origami's that are in the book as well. FOLD ME A POEM by KRISTINE O'CONNELL GEORGE and illustrations by LAUREN STRINGER.

Grades 3rd and older.

MAYTE AND THE BOGEYMAN/MAYTE Y EL CUCO

Mayte and Pepito are convinced that Don Aparicio, the grumpy ice cream seller, is really the bogeyman. Don Aparicio constantly complaints about badly behaved children who need to be taught a lesson. Mayte comes to believe that he is the Bogeyman (el Cuco) who kidnaps bad children and eats them or sells them at the market.

One day, Mayte and her best friend Pepito spy Don Aparicio carrying a bag with something strange inside. They follow him to the marketplace in hopes to rescuing the victim.
Beautifully illustrated in English and Spanish.
For readers Grades 1-2, Ages 6-7. Written by Ada Gonzalez, illustrated by Christina Rodriguez.

KIRA KIRA

Kira Kira is a Newbery Medal winning book that is told by the point of view of a Japanese-American girl who has emigrated to the United States with her family. She is having hard time adapting to her new environment and compare to her sister, Kira-Kira, is struggling in her school work. Things turn to worse when her sister gets sick and it becomes obvious that her living days are numbered. This affects her in ways that become very hard not only on her but also on the whole family. In addition, her father is also having hard time making a living. She tells her self that no matter what has happened in her life, she still needs to view the world as a glittering, shiny place, which the name Kira-Kira means. This gives her strength and courage. Kira-Kira is by Cynthia Kadohata and will be one of the most memorable books that you will read.

Grades 5th and up.

A FARAWAY ISLAND

This is a thoughtful story about two young Jewish sisters from Vienna, twelve-year old Stephie and her eight-year old sister, Nellie.

During WWII, Stephie and Nellie were separated from their parents who sent them away to an island near Sweden to escape from the Nazis during the war. The sisters expect to stay in there for about 6 months until they can reunite again with their parents in America. Unfortunately, they were separated upon arrival to the island. Nellie stays with a foster family that really cares for her. She has many friends and becomes adapted to the Swedish culture. Stephie on the other hand, has a miserable life. Her foster mother is a cold woman, she has no friends and is constantly bullied at school. She is very jealous of her younger sister. During this journey of being distant from her family, she wonders to herself if she will ever see her parents again. The sadness of familiar separation and the barbarity of Hitler is well expressed telling the story of Jewish children during World War II in Europe.

A GREAT ACTION ADVENTURE STORY

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi is an action packed Japanese mythological fantasy novel. Someone is trying to asassinate Prince Chagum, the second prince in line to the throne. While passing by a bridge, Balsa, a female bodyguard in a world of only male bodyguards rescues him from drowning. Surrounded by fear and suspicions Prince Chagum's mother begs Balsa to keep her son safe. As Balsa tries to figure out who is trying to kill the prince, she must battle dangerous soldiers from the royal court and old enemies from the spirit world.

A suspenseful story with lots of fighting, and blood. Great for readers 6th and up.

TOO MANY TOYS (Demasiados Juguetes) NOT READ

Spencer has too many toys. The house has become hazardous. His father trips over them, his Mom falls over them. Something has to be done! He needs to give some of the toys away but Spencer tries to persuade his mom to keep them all because every single toy is his favorite.

Spanish edition written by David Shannon, illus. by author. Ages 4-8

NOT SUCH A LITTLE SECRET

Life as a princess isn't always what it's cracked up to be, particularly when the Queen is mean and horrible. But when you are tricked into becoming a princess, it is even worse. Jane is whisked away to a strange castle by an odd new girl at school. Jane's summer vacation couldn't be a stranger adventure. She flies on giant bees, eats slugs and helps save the land of Staffa and her people. Though the book is quite quirky, THE LITTLE SECRET by Kate Saunders will appeal to fans of unrealistic/fantasy fiction. For grades 4 and up.

CHAVELA AND THE MAGIC BUBBLE

On Saturdays, Chavela and her grandmother would split a piece of gum and go shopping on Market Street. Chavela's abuelita would tell her stories about the quiet town of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where she grew up. Chavela chews a magic piece of chicle and flies to the Yucatan jungles. She meets the chicleros who harvest the sweet fruit from sapodilla trees to make chewing gum. Chavela goes on a wonderful adventure. Fun and colorful book.

Kindergarten Ages 5-6. Written by Monica Brown, illustrated by Magaly Morales.

THE TOOTH FAIRY MEETS EL RATON PEREZ

When Miguelito, a Mexican-American boy looses his tooth and hides it under his pillow waiting for a present in exchange. he has no idea that he is setting off a big conflict between the Tooth Fairy and her Spanish-speaking counterpart, el Raton Perez, the charming and adventurous mouse who also collects children's teeth in Spain and Latin America. The Tooth Fairy feels she is in a competition, so she claims Miguelito's tooth, "Here's my tooth!" she says, and the mouse replies "!Aqui esta mi diente!". Fortunately the conflict is resolved when both collectors learn to work together teaching a lesson about sharing and cooperation. Charming storybook full of humor and imagination. Written by Rene Colato Lainez, illustrated by Tom Lintern. Kindergarten ages 5-6.

ANOTHER PAULSEN CRACKUP

The Glass Cafe or, the Stripper and the State; How My Mother Started a War With the System That Made Us Kind of Rich and a Little Bit Famous by Gary Paulsen is the really long title of this hilarious tale of how some figure drawings of exotic dancers became part of an art exhibit and landed Tony, a budding artist and his mother, Al, in trouble. The story unfolds in the rambling way of a great storyteller who has you hooked from the first line of this incredible story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary a mother.

Short and tiny at 99 pages, it is one of the funniest thing I've read in a long time. For mature readers in 6th grade and up. Be sure to read another hilarious boy book by Paulsen, The Amazing Life of Birds: (The Twenty Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) As Discovered by Gary Paulsen. Stay tuned for more Gary Paulsen book reviews.

WEIGHTY WORDS, TOO...

Aggrandizement, surreptitious, xerphyte, lackadaisical are words that you probably don't get to hear or use everyday right? Wait!... Maybe you use the word katzenjammer? Didn't think so!

WEIGHTY WORDS, TOO by PAUL M. LEVITT with illustrations by KATHERINE KARCZ is not only unique but almost too fun, if there is a such thing. The book has 26 stories, one for each letter of the alphabet and of course each story has a key word. By now you probably have already guessed the kind of words there will be...

For grades 4th and up.

SNACKTIME READERS

A new take on a very the old tale of the Pied Piper is the focus this novel written by Jane Yolen and her son, Adam Stemple. Told from a more modern perspective it is a story worth reading and talking about. Join Snacktime Readers on Wednesday, July 29 at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale 91205 at 7:00 p.m. This discussion group is for readers in the 4-8th grades and their parents. Pick up a copy of this very quick read at the desk and come and share your thoughts!

MY DRAGON WOULD BE...

What would your dragon look like and how would it be?

Would it be beautiful, fierce, tame or carefree?

Jackie Morris' Tell Me A Dragon combines colorful illustrations and poetry to describe these mystical creatures, and at the end the reader can describe his or her own.
Tell Me A Dragon is an enchanting book of dragons to delight new dragon fans, as well as old.

For Kindergardeners or older...CHECK IT OUT!

SUMMER TRAVEL

It's summer vacation and everyone knows that means ...ROAD TRIP!!!! What else will you do do with the kids for the next two and a half months? Check out these two books about two families crossing across all fifty states.

Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America by Lynne Cheney and Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser is inspired by Cheney's experiences with her grandkids to write what is basically a history book in the guise of tour book. It's lavishly illustrated and accompanied with lots of tidbits about each state on a double page spread. Sometimes the information is too much and your eyes kind of glaze over but overall it's chockful of stuff and it's great to pore over a few states at a time with your kids.

Go, Go America: 50 States of Fun by Dan Yaccarino has a more retro feel, theYaccarino family way back when perhaps? Yaccarino also gives each state a double page introduction with his stylish minimal approach to illustration. There are kooky historical facts, obscure head scratching laws as well as the more straight forward info all rolled into one really fun book for everyone from the very young all the way up.


And if you don't get to go to all 50 states this summer, these books might inspire you to look for a fun event going on in your local town or discover an intereseting fact about your area . Start your station wagon, I mean your SUV, or maybe Prius? Well, your car. Start exploring everybody!

For readers of all ages.

THE RED UMBRELLA

This is the story of Lucia Alvarez a teenage girl and her little brother Frankie that lived in Cuba when Fidel Castro came to power in 1960. Lucia wants to be an average teenage girl, hanging out with her friends, reading the latest fashion magazines, dreaming about her crush Manuel, and planning her up-coming quinceañera with her best friend Ivette. When soldiers from Castro’s Revolution arrive in Lucia’s small town her life begins to turn upside down. After her dad gets arrested, she realizes that the Cuba she loves is changing. Family and friends become enemies. Lucia and her best friend Ivette grow apart after Ivette joins the “Jovenes Rebeldes” a communist youth movement in Cuba. Since her parents are not in favor of the new regime and fearing that their children were taken away from them, they finally make the heartbreaking decision to send Lucia and her younger brother to the United States… alone. Operation Pedro Pan, an organized exodus of 14,000 children was in effect in Miami between the 1960 and 1962. Many Cuban parents who were against the communist regime, sent their children alone to the U.S. to escape the revolution.

Parents should advise their children to read this book, so they can appreciate the freedom that we all enjoy. Beautifully written by Christina Diaz Gonzalez. Grades 4-6.

TERRIBLE LIES?

Have you ever made up stories about yourself to try and impress someone? How do you think people feel when they know you have told them a lie about yourself? What would you do to make a new kid more comfortable? It is always hard being the new kid, especially when you go to a new school right in the middle of the year. In the book HEY NEW KID! by Betsy Duffey, Cody decides he is going to be the most exciting, adventurous, brave new kid anyone has ever seen and makes up stories about how crazy and exciting his life is, when it's really not all that action-packed. In the end, it turns out all the kids like him, even though his great new image falls apart one day at a party, and they see Cody for who he truly is. It's a great book for anyone in 2nd - 4th grade.

A FOODIE MYSTERY

Who Stole Grandma's Million Dollar Pumpkin Pie? by Martha Freeman. A fourth Chickadee Court Mystery set during Thanksgiving, when all thoughts turn to pumpkin pie and other comforting family dishes. Yasmeen and Alex have to find out who stole his family's fantastic pumpkin pie recipe that's going to be featured on a television food show. But the two detectives are reluctant to investigate when they realize that all the suspects are either family members or friends who came to dinner at Alex's home. Everyone wanted their dish to be on T.V. , so everyone has a motive.

Be sure to read the others in the holiday series, like Who Stole Uncle Sam? especially with the July 4th holiday coming up. For readers in 4th grade and up.

MEET MEDUSA JONES!

If you have been enjoying Rick Riordan's books such as the Lighting Thief, than you are to sure enjoy Medusa Jones. However, one of the cool differences is that Medusa Jones is a girl... She is one feisty, smart and cool girl that has a best friend who also happens to be half horse but still, she does not understand why that would be an issue and why her school mates are mean to her.

The question arises... will she ever use her special abilities to turn people into stone or will she find more traditional ways to deal with people that are getting on her nerves. In addition, Medusa also has to deal with the occasional hair issue that every girl has, the difference though is that Medusa's hair turns into snakes, so on top of all the things that she has to deal with, now she also needs to worry about her "headsnakes" as well. MEDUSA JONES by ROSS COLLINS.

For grades 4th and up.

TURTLE IN PARADISE

Turtle is an eleven-year-old girl sent to Key West, Florida by her mother in the 1930s. When her mom gets a job as a housekeeper with an employer that can’t stand children, Turtle comes to live with her mother’s sister Aunt Minnie and three boy cousins none of whom she has ever met before. Florida is a very strange place for Turtle, much different from any place she’s lived before. It’s hot, everyone is called by a nickname, no one wear shoes and the food is strange. Her cousins have created a gang called The Diaper Gang, a “no-girls allowed club” that help them earning a bit of extra cash babysitting infants. Her adventures with the gang of cousins help her to discover family secrets. This nice and humorous adventure story was inspired by the author’s great grandmother stories that emigrated from the Bahamas to Key West in 1897. Written by Jennifer L. Holm. Ages 9-12

TUMTUM AND NUTMEG

Mice are such tidy creatures. Who knew that they were so helpful around the homes where they stow away in the walls? They don't like to stray far from their homes, and become very nervous when faced with such adventures. But Tumtum and Nutmeg, a happily married mouse couple, live simple lives, eat lots of delicious food, and take all their adventures in stride. TUMTUM & NUTMEG: ADVENTURES BEYOND NUTMOUSE HALL by Emily Bearn

is a collection of three adventures the mice lead while living in their cozy cottage. For lovers of animal stories in the 2nd-6th grades.

HAPPY FOURTH

All of the Glendale Libraries will be closed July 3 - July 5 in honor of the holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, July 6 at the regular time.

IT'S BEDTIME CUCUY! ¡A LA CAMA, CUCUY!

Cucuy is a little monster that doesn't like to go to bed. He does everything he can think of to avoid bedtime. All he just wants to do is jump around and play. Every night he kicks and screams, jiggles and wiggles, complains that he's hungry, he's thirsty, he need to go to the bathroom..... He refuses to give in but Mom also refuses to give up.... until finally Cucuy was overcome by sleep.

Bilingual picture book that touches on a subject familiar to all children and their parents. For readers K-2. Written by Claudia Galindo, illustratred by Jonathan Coombs.

WHAT IF YOUR SISTER DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW YOU?

Sunny Skyland has run away from her foster home to find her long lost twin sister, who she hasn't seen since she was three years old. Sunny's had a rough road, and think that reuniting with her twin will make everything better. Along the way across three or four states, Sunny finds a dog who teaches her a lot about love and communication, and she begins to regret leaving her latest foster parent without saying anything. When she finds her twin, Starr, things don't exactly work out like she's planned. RUNAWAY TWIN by Peg Kehret is great for 4th-8th grades.

THE PESKY BIRD

THE PESKY BIRD is not really about a bird. It's the story of a young Armenian girl who loves to climb trees. However, there was a time that girls had to conform to certain types of social standards, and believe it or not, climbing tress was not an acceptable for young girls. However, Mariam was not to take those rules seriously because she was smart and wanted to experience all that she could, including climbing trees. Once, when she was hiding on top of a mulberry tree, she got confused for a pesky bird, however when she got caught things did not turn out as bad as one would think. This is a simple story with water color illustrations that is ultimately about social acceptance. THE PESKY BIRD is by MARIANNE MARKARIAN and the illustrations are by MARGARET MARKARIAN WASIELEWSKI.

For grades 2nd and up.

THE LITTLE MOON PRINCESS

A charming little princess lives alone on the Moon surrounded by flowers and sparking jewels, but when she looks up in the blackness of the sky, she still gets scared of the dark. One day a sparrow comes to visit her, and the sparrow suggests they pick the jewels and scatter them in the sky for light. The Moon Princess then takes her most precious jewel from her crown and lets the sparrow fly it up to the last spot in the sky. Now, when the little princess looks up in the sky, she isn't scared anymore.

Good bedtime story for kids afraid of the dark and for kids who love the stars as well. Beautiful illustrations drawn by the author Y.L. Lee. Kindergarten 5-6

SUPER COOL SOCIALLY MISFIT SPIES!

Braces. That's how Jackson, a once popular kid turns into one that the popular kids pick on. He loses his identity & cool standing but this gives him the opportunity to observe his classmates, discovering that the nerds are really spies operating right from inside the school! When Jackson himself accidentally becomes a spy and is reluctantly inducted into N.E.R.D.S. he realizes that all their supposed nerdish qualities have been retooled to become their greatest weapons and that includes his wicked new braces.

N.E.R.D.S: National Espionage, Defense and Rescue Society by Michael Buckley is very funny spy book with all the great gadgets and action of Alex Ryder and the humor of The Sisters Grimm. For readers in 5th -8th grade.

MEET FERDINAND!

Ferdinand is the bull in the story that prefers to stay in the beautiful fields, smelling flowers rather than going and fighting other bulls in the bullfights. He gets picked to participate in a bull fight out of a lot of bulls because of his presents and his attitude, however all is misleading because even though he is a bull which personifies courage and bravery, he still does not care about impressing or actually fighting, he still wants to be in peace, smelling flowers and just being in the moment. The book is unique because of its fine black and white illustrations which add so much depth and character to the story. THE STORY OF FERDINAND is by MUNRO LEAF and the illustrations are by ROBERT LAWSON.

For grades pre-K.

ARE PEOPLE REALLY THIS PERFECT?

Willa Havisham lives in a small town in Cape Cod with her mom and step dad and they run a popular bed and breakfast. Her grandmother owns a candy/bookstore down the road. Willa has a cute boyfriend and goes to the local beach every day for poetic inspiration, and to check on the endangered species of birds. But her world just absolutely falls apart when her boyfriend decides to go to Florida, and her best friend is hanging out with another girl while Willa has to work, and the endangered plovers are getting shoved off their beach. But not to worry - Willa will save everything by the end of the book. FORGET ME NOT by Coleen Murtagh Paratore is a great entertaining quick read that will drag you through all aspects of teen angst including eco-footprints and wedding planning, and is part of a series. For grades 5-8.

ONCE UPON A TIME: TRADITIONAL LATIN AMERICAN TALES: HABIA UNA VEZ: CUENTOS TRADICIONALES LATINOAMERICANOS

This collection of seven Latin American folktales features is retold in English and Spanish and includes descriptions of the origins and meaning of each tale. Characters such as El Gallo de Bodas – The Wedding Rooster, La Madremonte – The Madremonte or the Mother of Forest, La Cucarachita Martina y el Raton Perez – Martina, the cockroach, and Perez the mouse, are among the classic folktales presented in enjoyable bilingual versions in this book. Tales are funny and cute and will entertain adults and children alike. Beautiful watercolor illustrations by Raul Colon appear throughout this book which was written by Rueben Martinez. An excellent resource for a Spanish storytelling session. For ages 5 and older.

WINNERS - WORTH READING STILL?

This is my third attempt at reading Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. First attempt: ran out of time, only read about 10 pages. Second attempt: I read about 50 pages and was bored by it.

Third attempt: WOW! I get why this won the Newberry in 1984. It's a boy who starts off writing letters to his favorite author as part of a class assignment who winds up unloading his thoughts about the author, his lunch, and his father in a diary (yes, there was a boy writing in a diary before Diary of a Wimpy Kid). I love the ending, because it's a happy ending, but not one that is expected. Leigh grows, befriends a classmate, learns his lessons, fields dissapointments, not all neat and tidy but we get a glimpse of his life during one year of diary entries. This is a sensitive and thoughtful look at a middle school age boy at a time in which life, his parents' divorce, is just too confusing.

This is the book group's selection for the month of June. Join Snacktime Readers on Wednesday, June 23 at 7:00 in the Children's Room of the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205, (818)548-2035.

NERDS OF THE WORLD UNITE!

It's amazing these kids get along! In THE VIEW FROM SATURDAY by E.L. Konigsburg, Noah, Ethan, Nadia, and Julian have nothing in common, except that they are all loners for one reason or another. They are as different as North, South, East, and West. Things change one Saturday when Julian, a small boy originally from India, invites them all to tea. It's not long before the four form firm friendships, which only become stronger when their teacher Ms. Olsinki, who's in a wheelchair, chooses them to compete in the Academic Bowl. This story isn't like other stories, because it jumps from one person's point of view to another, and each one sees the things happening in their lives differently. Great for 5th - 8th graders.

SUNFLOWERS/GIRASOLES

Seven-year-old Marisol, helps her Grandpa make a garden in the spring. They plant vegetables, watermelon and sunflowers for Grandpa because their blossoms make him happy. And he also likes to eat the seeds! One day, when Grandpa gives Marisol a bag of sunflower seeds to eat, she decides to plant them instead in her neighbor's yards. As days pass, Marisol almost forget about the seeds she has planted until one day she hears her neighbor exclaim at the sunflower in her yard. Tender and loving relationship between grandparent and grandchild. For readers 3-7. Author Gwendolyn Zepeda, illustrated by Ann Guadalupe Gambino

RETHINK HOUDINI

ESCAPE! THE STORY OF THE GREAT HOUDINI by SID FLEISCHMAN

Like a lot of biographies, this book also starts from the birth of the person:) The book is divided into different chapters and each chapter has some great pictures that add to the story's realness. You will find out in great detail about Houdini's many secret tricks and the reaction that he got from the public. The book also has a good message as well. That someone as unprivileged and poor like Houdini (whose real name is discussed in the book) overcame a lot of obstacles to achieve all that he did, and by doing so, he also made it possible for other people to think of magic and its many possibilites.

For grades 4th and up.

ANIMAL RESCUE

Griffin and Ben are back in another Gordon Korman adventure. Luthor, the guard dog from Swindle is now in the care of Savannah, animal lover and whisperer extraordinaire. Luthor and his best friend Cleo, a capuccin monkey, are inseparable until Cleo goes missing. All attempts to find her turn up empty handed until a class field trip to a miserable floating zoo finds Savannah and her classmates face to face with the missing pet. Mr. Nastase, the owner of the zoo refuses to acknowledge Cleo as Savannah's pet so what's a girl and her friends to do but to hatch an escape plan.

Operation Zoobreak doesn't go as planned when Savannah wants to rescue ALL the zoo animals. When her place to shelter the animals falls through, everyone has to hide them anywhere they can. Griffin, Ben and their friends are once again involved in a hilarious adventure to free not just one but forty animals.

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman is animal lovers in 4th -6th grade.

MAGIC TEACHER

THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM by Bonny Becker is about an elementary school teacher that seems to be magic. Every year, students know there is something special about Ms. Plum, but no one from the year before will tell them what it is. Every student in Ms. Plum's class has something they need to overcome, and she is just the teacher to help! Perfect beginning chapter book for 2nd-4th grades.

MY BROTHER CHARLIE

This book does a very good job describing an autistic child, showing that though they may be very quiet at times or sit and play by themselves, they are not different than other children. They have things they love to do and want to play and have fun. The book shows the sense of family togetherness and the many ways to say I love you without always using words.

My Brother Charlie will be greatly enjoyed by families with an autistic sibling and should be shared in elementary classrooms to discuss among the students. Beautiful facial expressions expressing various emotions. Ages 4-8. Written by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, illustrated by Shane W. Evans.

THIS IS MARGARET!

Margaret is in sixth grade, trying to figure life out as she also tries to understand about religion, sex, girlhood and boys. She has grown up in a family of different religions and the quest to just have one in her life makes her uncomfortable and inquisitive about her life. She tries to establish better relations with her grandparents as well, however like any other family; she does end up liking some more than the others with minor confrontations. I think that this book is a serious book and it reinforces that no matter how times have changed, the human struggle, in this case for Margaret is timeless. The inner conflicts don't necessary change with time, the story is relatable and it will connect with girls now as well. ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME MARGARET is by JUDY BLUME.

For grades 5th and up.

BASEBALL SEASON IS HERE!

Get ready to take on a journey on this amazing 'ship' to a place where dreams become reality and courage and hope triumph. The book tells the story of the Negro Baseball League, why it was created and all the hardship that they had to go through to keep on playing. The book tells the story of segregation, discrimination, the social injustice and the bravery of these men who never became famous but they kept on playing. It also reminds the reader how far we have progressed in our society as well. The paintings like illustrations are so wonderful, that at times you might just want to look at them instead of reading it, even though the writing is as great.What I liked the most about this book is the way the information was presented and composed. The pictures were as big as the characters in the book. I literally felt as though I was transformed back into the 1920's. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball is by Kadir Nelson.

For grades 4th and up.

MY SHOES AND I

Mario is informed by his father that they are leaving their home in El Salvador and moving to the United States to meet his mother. His mother has sent Mario for Christmas a new pair of shoes , and he is thrilled. He will need good shoes because the trip will be long and hard. He and his father will cross the borders of three countries. They will have to walk miles, ride buses, climb mountains and cross a river. Mario has faith in his shoes because he believes they will take him everywhere. He wants to go the United States where his family will be reunited. An immigrant story for kids, new culture, new language and new friends. Ages 6-7. Written by Rene Colato Lainez, illustrated by Tom Lintern.

A BAD CASE OF SOMETHING

This is an adorable story about Camila who loves to eat lima beans. But since none of her friends like lima beans, she is worried about not being liked or accepted. One morning she wakes up and sees that she looks nothing like herself. She goes to school and her bazaar appearance goes with her. Every time her fellow students call a name or a color, she changes into that. No matter what, nothing seems to help her, including some very good doctors. One day, one of the doctors tells her that in order to get rid of her bazaar condition, she must eat lima beans...
This story and the illustrations are beautiful and full of surprises. The idea of nonconformity will be appealing to kids who are struggling with similar situations. The story is short enough for a story time and long enough for the older kids as well. A Bad Case Of Stripes is by non other than David Shannon.

For grades k-up.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A PALETA? QUE PUEDES HACER CON UNA PALETA

A little Mexican-American girl introduces readers to the joy of a delicious, frozen, fruit-flavored popsicle, a paleta, that thrills Mexican children during the hot summer days. There is so much to do with a paleta other than make friends and paint your tongue green and purple, or give yourself a big, blue mustache or just devouring the icy sweetness of the paletas. Vibrant illustrations in every paleta. Readers 4-8. Written by Carmen Tafolla, illustrated by Magaly Morales

THE VOTE IS IN: A GREAT BOOK

Last Tuesday night, Snacktime Readers met to talk about this month's book, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit. There's lots to talk and think about in this book long after you are finished reading it.

What if you could live forever? Would you want to? Keep in mind if everyone did how would our planet support them? Also consider how it would be to stay the same even though your friends were getting older and older and really old. That's the dilemma that the author presents the reader and to a ten-year-old girl named Winnie. What did she choose to do, drink from the spring with the special water or grow up in the usual manner? What would you do?

Readers in the group really liked this one and as is our tradition gave it a rating (10 is the highest) and made a comment:
Eusenia - 10.5 - Great!
Celina - 9 - Reading good even though it felt old and I like more modern stories.
Allisyn - 9 - It's a classic and wonderfully written but just when I was really getting into it ended.

Join the group next month, May 26, 7:00 p.m. , Glendale Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205. For grades 4-8 and their parents. For additional information please call, (818) 548-2035. We are reading Pandora Gets Jealous by Carolyn Hennesy.

FIESTY FEMALES AND WEARY TRAVELERS

The Great Depression was a time when hardly anyone had any money. It was so bad in parts of the country, people would travel from town to town hoping to find something that would give them money to eat. While the strain was obvious to many of the kids, life went on, and accidents still happened. Mary Bayliss was said to be a miracle after she survived a horrible accident - one that her brother, Leo, did not survive. This story has a little bit about history, a little bit about family, a lot about dealing with the loss of someone you love. LEO AND THE LESSER LION by Sandra Forrester is a really good book. It's not too heavy on the history, and really shows how some things in life are just timeless. For 5th - 8th grades.

SUPER SCARY CHINESE GHOST STORIES

This book is so scary, it's going to put you off eating Chinese food for months. Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A Collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales by Ying Chang Compestine is a grisly yet compelling group of short supernatural tales not for the faint of heart. All the stories have an element of food, Chinese culture and each ends with a recipe related to the story.



The stories are set up as if the reader were enjoying a Chinese banquet, beginning with appetizers, main courses of meat dish, noodle, rice and of course desserts. Recommended for readers 6th & up with strong stomachs.