DEADLY WATERS

Want to read something adventures but at the same time mysterious?
Get ready to solve one situational problem after another and find yourself deeply lost in the story that you might even forget you’re reading a book.Going on a vacation with parents and friends is usually fun ; however going into the wild without your parents and without a map can become a challenge, especially in a huge forest. Now imagine all the things that can go wrong and multiply that by hundred... Than the unexpected happens, and not only now your need to find your way back, you also need to solve few great mysteries...DEADLY WATERS by GLORIA SKURZYNSKI.

For grades 5th and up.

IRENA SENDLER AND THE CHILDREN OF THE WARSAW GHETTO

This is an inspiring story of courage of Irena Sendler, a young Polish Catholic social worker that smuggled hundreds of children out of the Warsaw Ghetto.

When the Nazis invaded Poland during World War II, Irena joined the resistance movement to fight the German occupation and worked tirelessly to save the lives of hundreds of Jews, mostly children. She joined Zegota, the code name for the Council for Aid to Jews in Occupied Poland. Working undercover as a nurse, she used a medical pass to enter the Warsaw Ghetto to bring Jewish children to safety. She constantly moved the children from one home to another or placed them into Roman Catholic convents and orphanages, hiding the little ones in trunks, suitcases, or sacks under the ambulance back-seat. Sendler also arranged for babies and children to be sedated and smuggled out with merchants in potato sacks, under their loads of goods. Sometimes, she even sneaked sedated children out in body bags, telling the guards that they were dead.
She buried jars containing the children’s real names in a friend’s garden, so that they could one day, learn the names of their biological families after the war.

Called the female Oskar Schindler for her courage and daring in smuggling over 2,500 children from the Holocaust, This is an amazing story of bravery and compassion. Ages 8-9. Written by Susan Goldman Rubin, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth.

A NEW SPY ADVENTURE

Q, short for Quest, and his newly minted stepsister are quickly thrown into a world of spies and lies when their parents' honeymoon/music tour turn into an adventure in dodging agents from the Mossad, the Israeli spy agency. Angela has been led to believe that her mother, a secret Service agent, died protecting the United States. All that is being questioned now as foreign spies follow them in order to track down her mother, believed to be still alive and one of the world's most deadly terrorist.

I.Q.: Book One: Independence Hall by Roland Smith is a fast pace thrilling spy adventure for readers in 7th-9th grade. A new spy series.

NOT JUST FOR CRAZY PEOPLE

If you hear the word "asylum" it's most often preceded with the word "insane." But in the early 20th century, asylums were not just for the insane, but were also there for depressed or out-of-sorts people. Verna and Carlie, and their widowed father come to live upon the grounds of an asylum, where he serves as a resident psychiatrist. Also in tow is their dead mother's sister, Aunt Maude, who is strict and unpleasant. When one of the depressed patients, Eleanor, comes to work as their maid, the girls are whisked into the world of mental health and experience all sorts of factors contributing to what might make a person end up in an asylum. THE LOCKED GARDEN by Gloria Whelan tells a beautifully sad story about different kinds of loss and how people recover from such sadness. For 5th-8th grades.

DANCING HOME

Margie is the only child living with her Mexican-Americans parents in California. Mexico is the country of their parents, but not for Margie. She was born in Texas, feels proud to be an American and tries to convince the other kids at school that she is one hundred percent American, just like them. But all of that changes when Lupe her Mexican cousin arrives from Mexico to live with Margie’s family. Margie thinks that it would be fun to have her cousin there as she doesn’t have any brother and sisters, but she finds herself embarrassed by Lupe in school and jealous of her at home. Even though Margie’s parents were born in Mexico and speak Spanish at home, Margie has been speaking mainly English since preschool. At school the Principal insists that Lupe should join Margie in her 5th grade class. Margie tries to tell her teacher that she doesn’t really know much Spanish and will not be able to translate for Lupe, but the teacher doesn’t seem to understand the situation. From that moment the image that Margie has created for herself starts falling apart. On the other hand, Lupe situation is not easy either. She feels her home is in Mexico and learning a new language in a new school represents a great challenge for her. Lupe realizes the dilemma that Margie is living and try to find ways to help her rediscovery her heritage. Nice story about family values and friendship and the experience that the immigrant has to go through to retain its own identity. Ages 8-9.

Dancing Home by Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel Zubizarreta.

THIS TIME IT'S OKAY TO SPY!

Did you know that squirrels can deliver some very top-secret messages?

Or that way back when there were no phones, birds were used to carry important messages?

From THE BIG BOOK OF SPY STUFF by BART KING, you are going to learn how to write in codes, how to tie your shoelaces in codes and also how to break codes...

Additionally, the book has tons of information on spies, secret agents and such.

For example, did you know of the confusion agents? They are spies who do not spy. Instead, they spread misinformation to confuse enemy agents.

For grades 5th and up.

WHO DOESN'T LOVE TO READ?

From Mr. B at the Grandview:

Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide To Not Reading, written by Tommy Greenwald / Illustrated by J.P. Coovert

Middle-schooler Charlie Joe Jackson does not read books. He is so good at not reading books, he is now sharing his techniques in this great self-help send-up. Along with his techniques, Charlie Joe shares his background and experience in not reading books (which seem to stem from the year he got only books for Christmas, including the dreaded Complete Mark Twain). The intentionally short chaptered narrative (who wants to read long chapters?) includes details of his grandest scheme to avoid reading books: the successful all-school research project that he completed without reading a single book, but that cost him his girl-friend and his summer vacation. I’d reveal more, but Charlie Joe insists you read the book in order to learn how not to have to read any more books in the future. For grades 5 through 8.

FICTION SET IN THE FIFTIES

From Mr. B at the Grandview Branch: LUNCH-BOX DREAM Tony Abbott.

A prejudiced White Northern family touring Southern Civil War sites and a prejudiced Southern Black family traveling north looking for a lost child converge in the Black section at the back of a Greyhound bus. Set in 1959, the chapters use alternate voices to illustrate Jim Crow with cinematic intensity; but too many alternating voices may confuse and discourage middle school readers. It might be best read with an adult willing to discuss the nuances of Jim Crow and discrimination on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line in 20th Century America. For grades 6-8.

THIS IS JUST TO SAY...

In life, we all have probably apologized to our loved once after hurting them with words or actions. However, how cool would it be if next time, we apologize with poems? I know this might sound too boring or too weird. But you know, after reading this great book about forgiveness and apology. I am starting to think that since evidently we all find ourselves asking for forgiveness, than why not do it in a unique way which will hopefully increase the chances of you being forgiven. The book is divided into two parts, one part is the apologetic poems, and the second part is the responses to these poems. It also has has tons of cute and hilarious illustrations. THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS is by JOYCE SIDMAN and the illustrations are by PAMELA ZAGARENSKI.

For grades 3rd and up.

FAIRIES AND FIGHTING IN ENGLAND

A plague is threatening North America, and the Morgans ship their children off to England so they won't be exposed. It is here that Rowan, Meg, Silly (short for Priscilla), and James, along with friend Dickie Rhys and foe Finn Fachan (other plague-threatened children) learn all about the wonderful world of fairies. Only it's not so wonderful. The Morgan's Aunt Phyllida Ash turns out to be the ancestral protector of the fairy kingdom, and does everything in her power to prevent the children from encountering fairy life. But it doesn't take long for the Morgan children to be sucked into the Midsummer War between good and bad fairies. UNDER THE GREEN HILL by Laura L. Sullivan is a good tale of heroic gestures, a glimpse at fairy-dom, contains some moral undertones, and includes a lot of great vocabulary words! For grades 6 and up.

MYSTERY, SUSPENSE, GHOST PIRATES, MAYONNAISE !

Misty discovers that her new old glasses allows ghosts. You see her dad owns an antique store and with these special glasses, she now sees them in every item in the shop. The more she and her best friend dig into the history of the glasses' previous owner, more mysterious and frigtening things begin to happen. She discovers that the descendants of the town's founders are after three gold statues believe to hold the ultimate power and will bring their dead ancestors back to life and rule forever.

Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates by Kim Kennedy is a fun and slightly spooky ghost story for readers in 4th-6th grade.

LIBRARY LILY

Lily loves to read. when Lily learns to read, her mother takes her to the library and since then all Lily wants to do is read, read.... up to the point she forgets to do anything else. She is fascinated by the stories in her books and read wherever she goes, that's why everybody calls her "Library Lily".

Her mother keeps insisting she should be involved in other interests but Lily doesn't see this as a problem.

One day at the park, Lily meets Milly. Milly is a girl who loves climbing the trees and doesn't like to read. Milly shows Lily how to enjoy life beyond a book and Lily shows Milly how to discover adventure through reading. The girls form a friendship that creates a perfect balance between reading and playing.

Great book for the kids taht don't enjoy reading. Written by Gillian Shields, illustrated by Francesca Chessa. Ages 4-8.

ONE BOOK / ONE GLENDALE...for younger readers

Twelve-year-old Derek has his entire summer planned out. He plans to devote the entire time to water balloon wars, tennis ball tosses and other boyish pursuits. But suddenly when his mother tells him that he is going to Learning Camp instead, the summer looks bleak as the last thing he wants to do is to spend the summer improving his vocabulary and reading skills. Lucky for him though he makes some new friends, has some adventures, solves a mystery and even learns a few things during the summer in MY LIFE AS A BOOK by Janet Tashjian chosen for this year's community-wide reading book for younger readers. Copies of the book are available at all of the Glendale Libraries except the Brand Library to check out this enjoyable read and be sure to look at the illustrations drawn by the author's fourteen-year-old son Jake. For grades 4 and older.

The author will be speaking about this book and others that she has written, answering questions as well as signing books on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205. For more information, please call (818) 548-2035.

A WEALLY WEALLY CUTE WABBIT BOOK

The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett is an adorable book full of rabbit fun and mayhem. It is perfect for those who love to pore over the tiniest detail.

In January, one rabbit is feeling lonely n Fibonacci's Field until a friend comes and stays. Next month, as a result of the "friendship" between the two rabbits, two baby bunnies show up in the field and with each consecutive month the rabbits multiply until so many rabbits are in the field that it is bursting with...the rabbit problem!

For preschoolers to adults.

A BOOK FOR BLACK-EYED SUSAN

This is a touching story about a 10-year old girl named Cora and her family leaving from Missouri to head west on the Oregon Trail. Cora's mom dies in childbirth on the wagon trip, and the baby sister is given to aunt Alma to take care of. Cora name her baby sister Susan because of her black eyes and blonde hair that reminds Cora of a yellow daisy like wildflower and were also her mother’s favorite flowers.

During the long wagon trip, on a stormy night going thru her mother’s sewing box, Cora finds pieces of fabric in different colors and she starts sewing quilt squares creating images of her home back in Missouri. Eventually the wagon trains split up with some families heading towards California and some heading towards Oregon. Cora, knowing that she will never see her sister again, rushes to the wagon to finish the little gift she has for the baby. It would be her baby sister first book. Cora and her father move into Oregon Territory where in time Cora becomes a teacher. Cora is offered a position in a new school. Since the school could not provide books to the children, they’re asked to bring their own. As Cora register her new students’ names, eventually she comes to a dark-eyed blonde girl holding a fabric book who tells her, "My name is Susan and I have a book."
Beautifully written by Judy Young, illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. Ages 6-7.

LITTLE CROC'S PURSE

One day Little Croc playing kid and seek with his friends finds a large pink and white purse. Little Croc opens the purse and he finds that is full of money. His friends try to persuade him to keep it but Little Croc is determined to do the right thing by bringing the lost purse to the police station. When Little Croc found the owner, she is not concerned about the money in the purse, but is relieved to find a locket with a picture of her husband inside. She rewards Little Croc for his honesty by giving him money. He then divides the money into three envelopes: Spend, Share and Save and with it he gets a treat for himself, make a charity donation, buys lemonade for all his friends and starts saving up for a cowboy hat!

Great story to teach the value of honesty. Perfect bedtime story. Bright and cheerful illustrations. Written and illustrated by Lizzie Finlay.Ages 3-7.

THREE STRIKES, YOU ARE OUT!

Gregory and his mother, little sister Jeanine, and imaginary friend Joey USED to live on a Navajo reservation. Now they live in a motel. Only his new friend Matt, in his new school, tells him its really a shelter, not a motel, and if they're not careful, Mr. Hass will give them three strikes and they're out! Not in the baseball way! The only saving grace for Gregory and his new set of circumstances is art class, where he can escape from all the problems and worries he has to deal with. BIRD SPRINGS by Carolyn Marsden is a quick read for a reluctant reader that's complex and adventurous enough for any reading level. For grades 4 and up.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AT BOARDING SCHOOL

Another fun Pride and Prejudice redux set in a boarding school in New England. The usual misunderstandings, prejudices and snobby attitudes are had by everyone at the Longbourn and Pemberley until each romantic lead realizes that they have been at fault and have made monumental errors in judgement.

A fun and fast read for teens who wants romance, fashion, spunk and piano music. Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg is for 6th graders -high schoolers .

WEIRD, WEIRD AND MORE WEIRD!

There are some really crazy and weird things that are happening all around us, however, things such as a baby -jumping event, where men are dressed as the devil, carrying whips, leaping over them is something that I never thought would be possible. Well...I guess it is possible and in fact, there is a festival just for that and it's called El Colacho.

How about this one...in the month of September, their is a festival for air guitar players, where the competitors are given a classic guitar tune to follow by the judges...Cool ha?
If you could have a festival of any type of an event, what would it be?

Perhaps, you can start one after reading this really weird book...

WORLD OF THE WEIRD by TRACEY TURNER.

For grades 4th and up.

WORLD OF THE WEIRD by TRACEY TURNER

HUDSON HATES SCHOOL

Hudson cannot stand school especially on Fridays because that is spelling test day and Hudson has not learned his spellings. All his classmates laugh at him when he gets his spelling wrong and that makes him hates school even more. Fortunately, Hudson’s teacher recognizes signs of Dyslexia and Mr. Shapland is called in to help Hudson. He takes Hudson to the study room to give him some special tests. Mr. Shapland explains him that he has a learning difficulty called dyslexia. Soon Hudson begins taking lessons with children who also have dyslexia, and he starts to like school.Dyslexia is a learning disability in children affecting reading, writing and spelling. The last page of the book contains a short list of dyslexia disorders.Written by Ella Hudson. Beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations. Ages 4-8.

READING CENTRAL (TUESDAY, OCT. 4TH)

Have you ever told a lie in your life? What if you have never, and I mean never told a lie. You won’t tell a lie even to save your life. Your philosophy in life is to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Wallace Wallace is that person. He has never told a lie in his entire life. For better or for worse, Wallace is learning that being too honest actually might hurt some people.

Read NO MORE DEAD DOGS by GORDON KORMAN to find out what it is that finally causes such a big change of mind that he has to lie, why he lie and the many outcomes of his lies. While a book that mentions death in the title may not sound like a fun book, this one is. It will keep you reading with its elements of family drama, school drama, boy and girl drama and even book drama! You have to read to find out the very poignant observation of books about dogs!

For grades 4th and up!

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO GET IN THE MOOD...

Today is "Talk Like A Pirate Day" and here are some of your favorite authors to get you started. Also celebrate by reading a pirate story in your best pirate voice. My favorite is Mem Fox's Tough Boris a story about a very fierce brigand with a very soft spot for his pet parrot.

You can check this out along with other great pirate tales at any of the Glendale Libraries.

SILLHOUETTED BY THE BLUE

Since the death of her mother in a car accident, Serena finds herself trying to hold the family together. Her father falls into a severe depression and Serena just want to spend time with her friends and lives a normal life, but instead she has to take care of her little brother and maintain the household, cooking, cleaning, laundry, finding time for homework, does grocery shopping and all of it. Serena tries to respond to her challenges with strength and determination until they begin to overwhelm her.

Chosen for the lead in the middle school production “The Wiz” and Serena's happy because she loves to act and sing. However, things at home are getting worse. Her father spends weeks not showering or eating. He cries and sleeps all the time and she has to force him to drive her to the bank so they can buy groceries. Serena recognizes her father illness so she must find a way to get help before it’s too late. She calls the family, but her grandma has Alzheimer’s and her uncle is away on business in another country. Powerful, moving and realistic story recommended for middle school students ages 10-14. Written by Traci L. Jones.

LEAVE NO READER BEHIND!

Your school principle will dye his hair purple and spend the entire night on the school’s roof if the students end up reading 1000 books by the end of the school year! Do you think this will be possible? But what if there are some people who do not like to read at all?

Here is the story of a boy and his friends who like to spend all their free time playing with video games. Miss Malarkey, the very patient and kind teacher, tries her best to offer just the right bait – books containing jokes, poetry, fantasy, explorers, and even scary stories. One by one, the boy’s friends fall prey to Miss Malarkey’s suggestions, but not to the one boy whose stubbornness might cause the entire class to lose the bet... MISS MALARKEY LEAVES NO READERS BEHIND by JUDY FINCHLER and KEVIN O'MALLEY.

For grades k-up.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

In this sequel to Claudia Mills’ Losers, Inc. Julius Zimmerman is stuck in French class. He’s sworn never to love a girl. He’s never going to be good in school like his brother. In fact, he’s just going to baby-sit all summer and deal with being twelve. Against his wishes, he starts to like Olivia, but only because of her beautiful singing voice, and excels at caring for three-year-old Edison Blue. YOU'RE A BRAVE MAN, JULIUS ZIMMERMAN deals with a boy whose mother has huge expectations, and she pushes him to succeed in those areas without acknowledging the strengths Julius demonstrates and things he does well. Julius tries to meet her expectations while still becoming his own person, as he transitions into adolescence. For grades 5 and up.

SMALL IS ONLY SMALL TO BIG

Avon the snail is leading an uneventful life. He reads books all the time, and all the characters have GREAT BIG adventures while he has none. So one day Avon decides to have an adventure of his own, and along the way meets Edward the Ant. Avon and Edward have a very interesting adventure and make many new friends on their path. In THE END OF THE BEGINNING by Avi, both characters learn many things about themselves that might seem pretty funny to a lot of readers. The illustrations are very nice as well. For grades 2-5.

WORLDLY WOMEN WIZARDS!

Everybody needs a wizard in their life. Kit and Nita are just two new wizards in a big big world, and spend practically every waking moment together, practicing their craft. That is, until Nita's parents decide she needs a break from wizardry and ship her off to Ireland! No wizards there, right? WRONG! Turns out Nita's Aunt Annie is herself entrenched in the wizardly ways of Ireland, and it isn't long before Nita is embroiled in a great wizard's adventure. A WIZARD ABROAD by author Diane Duane is just one installment in her fantastic Wizardry series that is bound to delight most fantasy lovers. Each one has a little hint of romance which make it very appealing to that "tween" kid who's not quite ready to give up the imaginary worlds of talking trees and magic, but are still interested in a little love... For grades 6 and up.

RATFINK!

Logan had many troubles... A very humiliating photo, an embarrassing grandfather, a mysterious backpack, an experimental dog poop (yes, you read it correctly) and on top of all these, a girl named Emily from his school who is the meanest and the snottiest that he has ever met that seems to only exists to drive him crazy...

But the truth of the matter is that he really is trying to change his ways of doing things, in fact, he was hoping that the new school year in the fifth grade would permit him to showcase his mature side. Boy, was he wrong about these things...

RATFINK is by MARCIA THORNTON JONES.

FIND THE RED-HEADED FROG!

Shoe repair guy, Johnny, is so poor and desperate for money that he is willing to help a beautiful princess find her brother, a frog with red hair. Yes, that's right a frog! Really, he was a PRINCE who was turned into a frog by an evil witch and is now somewhere in Florida. She's desperate and would even marry him if he can find her brother! What sane guy would turn down an offer of money and marriage to a hottie of a princess? Not Johnny.

Cloaked by Alex Flinn is an action packed fantasy adventure chockful fairytale characters, talking animals, and of course, romance.

For readers in 6th-8th grade.

LEXIE

Lexie is an eleven year old girl that always loves her family’s summer vacation at the beach. Her parents have divorced and it's her first summer vacation away from her mother at her father's beach house. Unfortunately this year things will be a little different when she finds out that they’re having guests. Her father is inviting his girlfriend Vicky and her two children, a teenaged son and a very dirty three year old. Everything is wrong. Lexie does her best to be nice and to live up with her father’s expectations but her father is so immature and selfish that it is difficult. She just can’t take anymore and when she finds out her dad and Vicky are getting married she decides to confront her father. There is plenty of humor too that helps Lexie not to stay angry for so long. A nice book that helps parents to talk to children about divorce and remarriage and how it affects them. Ages 8-12. Written by Audrey Couloumbis.

GALLOP GALLOP GALLOP!

If you have ever tried to make a paper airplane or made an attempt to fly a kite, than you should learn about the man who by observing birds, realized that objects could also fly as well... This man's name is Leonardo De Vinci and let's just say that he was one very cool man. He is also known for his other skills, such as painting, sculpting and drawing. But, you would be surprised to learn that with all his accomplishments, what bothered him the most was his inability to sculpt a huge horse out of bronze which was commissioned to him… He never did finish the sculpture and this haunted him even on his death bed... In the year 1977, a discovery was made...The rest, as they say is history, literally... LEONARDO'S HORSE by JEAN FRITZ is definitely what I would call a work of art!

For 3rd and up grades.

HEARTWARMING NOVEL WITH SURPRISES

From Children's Librarian Vivian at the Casa Verdugo Branch Library:

ONE DAY AND ONE AMAZING MORNING ON ORANGE STREET

BY JOANNE ROCKLIN

Although the residents on Orange Street are different in character and age, they connect with one another in this wonderfully amazing story. A less than perfect day gives them a chance to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, and their neighborhood's history.

This story is as sweet as oranges!

Best for 4th thru 6th grade.

ALICE-MIRANDA IS ONE PRECOCIOUS LITTLE GIRL

Alice-Miranda can't wait to go to boarding school, so she decides to apply early and go at seven and one quarter years old instead of at eight years old like everyone else. She arrives a day early (of course) and sets everything on their ears. She's sweet and never takes no for an answer. So, she sets the poor cook off on a much needed vacation, the gardener gets beautiful flowers, and she evens meets the reclusive headmistress. But the headmisstress certainly has no desire to meet Alice-Miranda again and make plans to get rid of the upstart optimistic little girl with the bouncy chocolate curls.

A bubbly book about an irresistable girl with a whole slew of supporters and few enemies thrown in just for fun. Alice-Miranda at School by Jaqueline Harvey is for readers in 4th-6th grade.

THE ALPHABET IS ALL AROUND

From Jennifer at the Montrose Branch Library: If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk

In this picture book, McGuirk uses found rocks to introduce the alphabet. By combining art, nature, and humor, she’s created a stand-out offering in the flooded alphabet book market. “C is for couch potato,” for example, will surprise readers with its realistic imagery. Both children and parents will want to read and re-read this title. Kids will soon be pointing out letters, real and imagined. A fun, unique alphabet read. For preschool.

BUG AND BEAR

Bug and Bear are best friends. Bug really wants to play a game with Bear, but Bear is tired and all she wants to do is sleep. Bug follows Bear everywhere, and one day she tells Bug to go away and leave her alone. Bug can’t take the hint, even when Bear tries her hardest to avoid Bug entirely. Bear gets angry and tells him to go jump in the lake.

When she finally settles down for a nap she discovers she can’t sleep feeling a remorse for the sharp words she said to her friend. Bear begins a frantic search for Bug that teaches her that true friends speak kind words and treat each other with care and love. Beautifully illustrated story that carries a lesson about the effects our words can have on others. Kindergarten, Ages 5-6. Written by Ann Bonwill, translated by Layn Marlow.

MIDDLE SCHOOL DRAMA

From Kristine at Adams Square:

Annabel is looking forward to the second semester of middle school. With the Valentine dance and Science Fair coming up, she has her good friends to share the excitement with…except for one thing; she cannot tell them she has a crush. Can't tell because she has discovered that her friend has a crush on the same boy. There, begins the Middle school drama…will she finally have the courage tell her crush about her feelings and also will she tell her friends about her crush. Everybody Bugs Out! By Leslie Margolis, is part of a series but can also be read as a stand alone novel. For grades 5-8

BOWLING ANY ONE?

From Mr. B at Grandview Branch Library

How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy
By Crystal Allen

Asthmatic 13 year old Lamar Washington goes from King of the Lanes at Striker’s Bowling Paradise to community criminal despised and rejected even by his first and only girl friend, as he comes of age and to grips with what it takes to man-up. Once author Crystal Allen proves her slang creds in the first couple of chapters, her style settles down and the book becomes a well written novel about growing up in – or even outside of – the Afro-American Community. Lamar is a spirited and good hearted character, full of wit and belated wisdom. Everyman. He should make it to the screen soon – or at least to a well deserved sequel.

IF YOU LIKED THE WEDNESDAY WARS....

From Mr. B at Grandview...

OKAY FOR NOW
Gary D. Schmidt

More a stand-alone companion to “The Wednesday Wars” than a direct sequel, this well written tale is not to be missed. Doug Swieteck was a trouble-maker in “The Wednesday Wars.” In “OKAY for Now,” Doug’s own after-story in his own vibrant and direct voice, we discover the sources of his troubles and watch as they nearly overwhelm him. Despite an abusive father and generally dysfunctional family, eighth grader Doug stumbles on a part-time job, a teacher who helps him learn to read, a girl friend, and eventually self respect when his family moves from NYC upstate to “stupid Marysville.” This is a good read for middle and high school students, and for the most part, an absolute page turner for their parents.

NO PARADE FOR DODGERS GAME!

Attention families going to the Dodgers' Summer Reading game this Sunday, August 14. We have just been informed that due to logistical issues at the stadium, there will not be a parade on the field before the start of the game. We apologize for the last minute notice, but we hope that you will still have a fantastic and memorable time at the game with your families.



There's still time to pick up Chivas USA soccer tickets for the August 27th game. If you finished your 8 books earlier in the summmer and have not received your free ticket voucher, come by the Central Library ASAP!

SCIENCE FACT OR FICTION?

When a lowland gorilla is acquired by a research lab he becomes the main subject of a study being done to investigate the possibility for an ape to acquire speech. They did not use similar methods that other researchers had tried such as teaching the animal sign language. In this case a radical new method was tried and a very delicate surgery was performed grafting new vocal cords into the animal. This was successful and Ortega began to acquire language.

At the age of eleven, he was sent to school with human children and this is where the story begins. Fitting in as a new kid is always difficult but when you are a large gorilla it is even more so. In Ortega by Maureen Fegus, the author tells an unusual story of animal who has to fit into a human world and while it is a work of fiction, similar stories are taking place in laboratories around the world. Good idea or ? You, the reader, will have to decide. For grades 5-8.

If you liked Ortega, then you also might also like My Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel. This one's about a chimpanzee raised with a family with human children. The chimp is treated as if he were the youngest brother and included in all family activities. But as it turns out family life is not so easy nor is acceptance of a human/chimp hybrid. For grades 5-8

ENOLA AND SHERLOCK?

A duchess has vanished in the Underground (London's subway trains) and Enola, rather Dr. Ragostin, has been hired to find the missing woman. The only glitch is that she disappeared at the Baker Street station where her brother, Sherlock, lives.

In this sixth book of the Enola Holmes Mystery, our fearless feminist heroine and her famous detective older brother are both hired to solve the same case! All the while, she receives a coded message from her mother who has been living with the gypsies. Who will solve the mystery and find the duchess? Will Enola be reunited with her mother?

The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye by Nancy Springer holds many surprises for Enola fans. For readers in 6th-8th.

A CAT LARGER THAN LIFE

This is not a story for the squeamish. You'd think, since it starts out being about a little kitten, that it's going to be a cute, cuddly story. But I tell you, it is anything other than cuddly. David suspects there is something suspicious about this cat, especially when his family starts doing everything for the cat, including starving themselves in order to feed it! The end is not pretty, and readers should be prepared for quite a graphic scene! THE IMPROBABLE CAT by Allan Ahlberg is a riveting but scary read for grades 7 and up.

YOU ARE INVITED

The Bookmobile vehicle is retiring after 30 years of constant service. Please come to the Central Library to say good-bye on Saturday, August 6 at 3:00 p.m. You will have the chance to sign the vehicle and leave your good wishes for a happy retirement. There will also be light refreshments and a craft for the kids.

You can't miss us right out in front of the Library. We are at 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale 91205. Call (818) 548-2035 for more information.

VIOLET RAINES AND THE LIGHTNING!

Violet is an innocent young girl whose idea of having fun is to jump into a pool for a swim and hop around from tree to tree. She has planed to spend her summer with her friends, eating fresh fruits, running around and enjoying the calmness and the beauty of her town.

However, all her plans change when a new girl comes into town... Melissa is the same age as Violet, but her idea of a good time are watching soap operas, getting her hair and makeup done and gossiping about the people in her newly adopted town.

Suddenly, summer does not appeal to her anymore and she is torn about betraying her beliefs or conforming to Melissa's ideas.

VIOLET RAINES ALMOST GOT STRUCK BY LIGHTNING by DANETTE HAWORTH.

For grades 6th and up.

DR. BONES HAS A NIECE!

When Tory finds an old dog tag while dodging angry primate dirt bombs, she becomes intrigue with its owner. One thing leads to another, Tory and her friends are running late night undercover missions to root out the truth behind the disappearance of 16 year old science nerd from the 1960s.

Virals by Kathy Reichs is a new series from the author of the Dr. Temperance Breannan books (and the Bones television show). This series feature her niece living on a University owned island off the coast of South Carolina. It's an action-packed, science fiction, murder mystery novel with bits of romance and lots of suspense. Perfect for mature 6th-10th grade readers.