DEAR JOURNAL... UGH!

13 year old Henry never wanted to start writing in a journal. But then again, he never wanted any of the things that have happened to him in the past year. In fact, everything would have been fine if his brother Jesse had never…

But, Henry doesn't want to talk about that. He wants to start over at a new school, in a new town where no one has ever heard of his family. He wants to have a normal life- watching his favorite wrestlers on “Saturday Night Smash Up” and not getting noticed by the bullies who roam the halls of his new school. And he definitely doesn't want to join “Reach For The Top” – the nerdy trivia team at his new school. But, life for Henry is far from normal. Especially after “IT” happened.

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen is a powerfully moving story of  a young teen trying to make sense of tragedy and rebuild the walls that are crumbling around him. This is an important story. It touches on the devastating consequences of bullying and how much it can mean to stand up for someone else.

Grades 6 and up

ANOTHER STILTON ADVENTURE

A review from our guest reviewer Srikar:

Title: The Karate Mouse

Author: Geronimo Stilton

Geronimo Stilton and his friends Shorty Tao and Bruce Hyena take Stilton to karate class.  His teacher Yama Mouse teaches karate to Geronimo Stilton.  There will be a tournament taking place the next day so Stilton was very excited and well prepared.  

In the first round of tournament Stilton fought against this huge guy who is tough and fierce.  Stilton was ready to fight when he did a powerful side kick on this guy and the big guy fell down.  Finally, Stilton won the tournament.  His friends who came to tournament were extremely happy after Stilton won.  Now he is ready to go on another adventure with his friend Bruce Hyena.

I really enjoyed reading this book and laughing out loud.  I would definitely recommend this book to kids who are in grades 3, 4 and 5.

PEARLS OF WISDOM

A book review from Mr. B of the Grandview Branch: 

On the first day of 5^th Grade, Pearl Littlefield’s class gets homework: the dreaded “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” essay. And, it has to be outlined, in Roman Numerals. Pearl isn’t sure she wants to write about her summer. It’s the summer her father lost his job at the university. Because of that, it’s the summer her older sister Lexie had to work as a counselor-in-training at their summer camp; and she was in charge of Pearl’s group. It’s the summer she and her best friend James (JBIII) spent most of the summer not speaking. (Well, Pearl did accidentally push JBIII and break his elbow.) It’s the summer the family vacation to the Great American West had to transform into the Great New York City Staycation (well, some of that wasn’t so bad, but it wasn’t, you know, the Old West.) It’s the summer nearly everyone in the family saved money and found jobs right away, except Pearl (and her professor father). Oh, but wait, it’s also the summer Pearl and JBIII (with the healed elbow) started a business together. 

Pearl puts all this and more into her essay (the whole book except for the first chapter is that essay, with the outline attached at the end), which she calls Ten Good and Bad Things About My Life (So Far). Newbery Honor Winner Ann M. Martin has created a warm and timely solo read or read-aloud in this sequel to “Ten Rules for Living with My Sister.”

Age: 10-12

PUZZLES GALORE

Let's face it, Winston has become a puzzle addict.  He's getting in trouble and missing out on special things with his friends because all he can think about is puzzles.  Maybe it's time to give it up.  But can he?  He gets an opportunity to go away for a puzzle filled weekend at a mansion.  Will this be his last hoorah?    

While puzzling away, there's another mystery afoot.  A coveted prize goes missing and everyone is pointing fingers at the obvious suspect, but Winston and his friends think it's someone else.  Everyone is acting suspicious and more than one person has a motive.  

Come join Winston, his friends and a house full of famous guests for a weekend of puzzles and mystery in Winston Breen and the Puzzler's Mansion by Eric Berlin, the third book in the Winston Breen series.  For readers in 6th -8th grade. 

 - SPOILER ALERT - someone will die.  


  

GRADE A DETECTIVES

While some sixth graders these days don’t even get to go on one field  trip, Catalina (“Cat”), James (“Gum”), Edward (“Egg”), and Samantha (“Sam”) go on many field  trips with their sixth grade class.  To date, they have gone on at least 16 field trips (in 16 books) to such places as Yellowstone Park, New York City, San Francisco, and Mt. Rushmore.  On each of these trips, something mysterious has happened, that these four detective friends have solved.  They have found stolen payroll cash, caught a purse snatcher, unmasked a phony Native American spirit/ghost, even solved a kidnapping. 

These exciting and often dangerous adventures are written as reports from the various friends and published by Capstone Press as Field Trip Mysteries.  Author Steve Brezenoff cleverly writes these books in four different voices.  Each 80 page mystery manages to include real information about its locale or subject and there is a glossary at the end.  Such titles as The Village That Almost Vanished, The Crook Who Crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, The Burglar Who Bit the Big Apple, and The Symphony That Was Silent, can be read in any order with equal enjoyment.

RL: 3-4

READING THE YEAR AWAY

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng is a sweet book about growing up and growing apart. Fourth grade has brought all kinds of changes for Anna. When her best friend, Laura, starts hanging out with a new group, Anna finds comfort and friendship in the books she finds at the library or her classroom.  Things aren't much better at home- Anna is struggling to learn Chinese at the language classes she has to attend and thinks her mom is embarrassing.

But, Anna finds that she needs more than books to truly make her happy. Throughout the year she finds friends in unexpected places and learns that maybe she hasn't been the greatest friend herself.  Sprinkled with whimsical illustrations and directions on how to sew a lunch bag  play tangrams, and fold a won ton, this is a great story for kids who know the power of a good book.

Grades 3 and up

A DELICIOUS CAKE TALENT

Everyone has a talent.   Cady's talent is figuring out what kind of cake is right for a person.  Orphaned for what seems like forever, Cady is the only one left at the orphanage until an accident leads her to a special building, an old peanut butter factory, where one person is searching for her talent, another steals talents but where everyone seems to be tangled together somehow.  In this fantastical tale by Lisa Graff, A Tangle of Knots,  the knots become untangled as Cady finds the family she is meant to be with.  
The book includes recipes for each person's special cake.  I haven't any of them yet, but you can check out the book and try one out...maybe Miss Mallory's Peach Cake or something more unusual like Zane's Garlic Cake. 

For readers in 4th-6th grade.  

SPUD VERSUS SPIFF

Prince Puggly of the Kingdom of Spud is unfashionable to say the least.  Nothing he wears matches, and cleanliness is certainly not a priority for him.  When he's invited to a lavish, fashionable party in the Kingdom of Spiff, he's surprised and elated and excited to be included - that is until he gets there and is laughed out of the party for his clothes.  Prince Puggly is feeling pretty bummed until he meets Francesca, the bookish Princess of Spiff, who only wears pajamas and reads books.  Between the two of them, they devise a plan to get back at the other kingdoms for focusing only on fashion and not on the more important things in life.

Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff by Robert Paul Weston is a novel told in rhyme with fun surprises galore in font, graphics, and format.  This is a fun and light book with a moral for kids in grades 4 and up.

A RIGHTEOUS LITTLE BOUNTY HUNTER

Young bounty hunter, Boyd, is chasing down his outlaw father and sending him to jail, no matter what.  Boyd hasn't had an easy childhood you see.  His older sibling weren't the cuddly kind and his ma wasn't the gentle sing you a lullaby at night type either.  So, Boyd sets out to set things right by bringing his no good dad and the rest of the family.  

Warning:  
Though the atmospheric illustrations sets you up for a great western tale and the illustrations are cute and cuddly looking,  the story  contains serious and mature themes: racism, sex, violence and etc.  

This is a great graphic novel for mature readers in grades 6th-8th.  Cow Boy:  A Boy and His Horse, a Western Graphic Novel  by Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos is not for the faint of heart.  You can read an excerpt online by clicking on this link.  

MAGIC AND MYSTERY

Remember Stuart Horten? Tiny Stuart from Lissa Evans' first book Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery & a Very Strange Adventure? Well, now that he's located his Uncle's miraculous mechanisms, he's back in a new book called HORTEN'S INCREDIBLE ILLUSIONS: MAGIC, MYSTERY & ANOTHER VERY STRANGE ADVENTURE to see what those mechanisms do. As usual, his friend and neighbor April is by his side helping him unravel the mysteries that lie waiting for discovery. But danger is around every turn with these kids, and you never know what's going to happen next! This is a great continuation of an intriguing, quick-paced series. 

For 4th-8th grades.

MAY 2013

ONE BOOK ONE GLENDALE IS COMING

Our special ONE BOOK ONE GLENDALE for Younger Readers will be coming this Thursday, November 21, 2013.  This year's book is The Aviary by local author, Kathleen O'Dell.  Mark your calendar and join us for an evening with a great children and YA author. 

This book is for readers in 4th grade and up.  

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

13 year old Nate Foster is about to make it big. At least, he hopes so. Otherwise, stealing his brother’s fake id and running away to New York City to audition for the Broadway musical version of E.T. will have all been in vain. His only hope of not getting grounded for the rest of his life and having to return to his horrible small town existence as bully bait is to be cast as the lead role. Armed with passion, charisma, wit, and a little bit of naïveté, Nate sets out to conquer New York City and take Broadway by storm.

Better Nate Than Ever by Broadway choreographer Tim Federle is a hilarious story about a kid who will stop at nothing to realize his dreams. It’s a bumpy jouney, but Nate learns a lot about himself along the way. This book will have you howling with laughter and tapping your toes to show tunes as Nate finds himself swept into the crush of the big city, freeloading chips and salsa from every restaurant in Times Square and desperately searching for a place to charge his ancient Nokia phone. It’s a great read for anyone who has ever had a dream and maybe enough courage to chase it.

Grades 5 and up

HOMELESSNESS IS THE NEW VAMPIRE

Lately, I've read three or four books featuring families that fall on hard times and find themselves homeless, struggling on the streets, and ending up in shelters.  So I was curious when the great author Blue Balliett decided to cover this topic in her new book Hold Fast.  

Early and her family live in a small apartment collecting words and poetry when her father isn't off working as a library page (someone who shelves the books).  His love of language is his great connection to his daughter Early and they all fantasize about the day when they will have their own house to fill with their favorite words.  All Early's dreams are shattered one day when her father mysteriously disappears, mean men come and ransack their apartment, and her mother carts Early and her brother off to the homeless shelter.  While her mother does her own detective work, Early tries to unravel the threads cloaking her father's disappearance and keeping a cool head. 

Balliett achieves another poetic masterpiece, and is a great read for grades 5 and up. 

JUNE 2013

NOT A VACATION

LaRue Across America: Postcards From the Vacation by Mark Teague is a hilarious take on a vacation gone awry when two cats join Ike and throws his planned cruise out the window.   Ike, the irate dog, tries every which way, via postcards, to let poor injured Mrs. Hibbins that all is not well with him or the cats and he only has their best interests at heart and she should come and get them as soon as possible.  

Told with a much humor in the illustrations, the pictures tell a different story,  it's a perfect family read-aloud.  Mark Teague creates beauftiful scenic pages in a combination of color and black and white (for the fantasy/dream moments).  Great for readers in preschool and up.  

IT'S THE END...

of our Summer Reading Program, Reading Is So Delicious, but if you haven't had a chance to turn in your  completed reading log, bring it in to the Central Library, Children's Room this week and get your book.  Hope you all had fun reading with us.   

DISCOVERING LOVE WITHIN A FOSTER FAMILY HOME

Carly Conners has known only one kind of life: a difficult and impoverished one.  She was raised by a mother who was involved with different men, and who taught her that crying is for the weak.
Carly is easy going and she learns to live this way of life until tragedy strikes.  Her mother is hospitalized as a result of domestic violence.  
Carly is then sent to live with a foster family, The Murphys. 

The Murphys are picture perfect in Carly's eyes.  They live in a beautiful home, have traditional roles and routines, and they treat each other with lots of love.  Although shocked by their lifestyle at first, Carly later finds that she too deserves a life like the Murphys.  Through the course of the story, she learns that picture perfect families don't always have picture perfect beginnnings.  Lynda Mullaly Hunt brings Carly's touching experience to life in One For the Murphys.

For 5th grade and up.

ZOMBIE JAMBOREE

A review from Mr. B.  of the Grandview Branch: 

Yes, ParaNorman was a movie first, and a DVD well worth checking out from the library. Kimmel has taken Chris Butler’s witty script and turned it into a free-standing, enjoyable comic-adventure horror novel. Seventh grader Norman Babcock (whose favorite movie is Dawn of the Dead) has the ability to communicate with dead souls, animal and human. This amazing talent makes him a prime object of Middle School bad jokes, pranks, and bullying.  But, it comes in handy as the 300^th anniversary of the local Witch Trial approaches, and the spirit of their local condemned witch (an innocent 10 year old girl) returns seeking vengeance. 

Adult fans of horror and comedy-horror (think Scooby Doo) will recognize the traditional elements: ghosts and Zombies both silly and terrifying; a ghostly visit to the trial 300 years ago; the slapstick between Norman and the ghosts; Norman’s classroom bully Alvin; Norman’s glued-to-her-cell phone older sister; Norman’s insistent, persistent, insult resistant over-weight friend Neil; Neil’s “Perfection-in-a-Towel“ older brother; and a host of adults who just don’t understand. Also present are the not very subtle but very well played themes of trust, friendship, tolerance, and acceptance, all in an easy to read, funny, riveting, and sometimes moving adventure package. Read the book; see the movie; share the fun.   ParaNorman by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel.   

Reading Level 4th-8th.

DECLICIOUS CHOCOLATES ARE SPECIAL

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders have  two of my favorite elements, chocolates and cats.  Twins, Oscar and Lily, move into a new home, in a new city that their father has inherited.  Long thought to be dead, their evil great uncle wants to capture the twins' magic in order to continue his diabolical plan to make a chocolate that would make other villains immortal.   Along with a secret sector of MI6, the twins are helped by Caydon, Demera and Spike, immortal cat and rat, to stop their great uncle's evil plans.  

This is a highly improbably story, especially when Demera, the cat, turns into a giant and  binges on McDonald burgers, but a lot of fun nonetheless.  
For readers in 4th -6th grade.  

DON'T LET THE GHOST FOLLOW YOU HOME

In a small town, secrets are hard to keep.  So when Neil and his sister, Bree visit their aunts for the summer, they are almost immediately introduced to Graylock Hall, the abandoned asylum where three children mysteriously died.  People say that the Children's Ward nurse, Nurse Janet, killed them all, but the ghost that follows Neil and Bree home after their visit to Graylock Hall sure doesn't look like a nurse.  And she doesn't seem too friendly towards Neil and Bree, either.  Who is this ghost and what does she want?  

Readers in Grades 6 and up can find out in Dan Poblocki's ghost story, The Ghost of Graylock.

HELP ME I'M STUCK AT SUMMER CAMP!

For those of you who enjoy opening and pulling things out or reading other people's postcards and mail then this is the perfect book for you.  Postcards From Camp:  A Postal Story by Simms Taback is a very funny exchange of mail between a father and son, whose first time at camp is not enjoyable at all.  However, it's only for one week, and Michael is willing to try for his father's sake.  

The illustrations are fantastic and it's a good introduction for start for someone going off to camp.  

To be read aloud to someone or can be read by a 2nd grader and up.  

  

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH A CARDBOARD BOX LATELY?

Erin at Montronse is creating a LIVE ANGRY BIRDS Game this coming Monday, July 8th with her boxes.  

Lessa and Cecile has a refrigerator filled with delicious reads at the Central  Library.  Come check it out.  

SUMMER IS NOT OVER YET!  Think about you can make with a cardboard box.   USE YOUR IMAGINATION!  Send us a picture of your finished product.   

Check out what ,Caine, a boy who became famous for what he made one LA summer on this website:  http://cainesarcade.com/ . 

CHOCOLATE AND MORE CHOCOLATE

A book review by a special guest reviewer, Vikram, age 10:

Charlie Bucket lived with his family in a small cottage.  They were very poor.  For a long time, Mr. Willy Wonka‘s chocolate factory was closed. Suddenly one day, everybody heard the gears and machines in the factory running again and saw little people running around.  Now, Mr. Willy Wonka decided to let five children, finders of a golden ticket, one in each candy bar, come to tour the factory.  After the tour, each child would get a lifetime supply of candy. 

The five children were Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee and Charlie Bucket.  Augustus Gloop went up some pipes, Veruca Salt chewed some inedible gum and had to be taken away, and Violet Beauregarde got thrown down the garbage chute, until only Charlie and Mike Teavee were left.  

Mike Teavee complained, “I am getting tired." 
"Let’s use the elevator, then,” said Mr. Willy Wonka. 
Once they were in the elevator, Mr Willy Wonka said they could each choose a button and press it.  Mike Teavee chose the television room.  Mr. Willy Wonka explained that you could see chocolate being sent by television.  He said not to go near the lens because they would send you by television and make you very, very small.  After the chocolate had been sent, Mike Teavee  went near the lens and got sent by television, and he was a midget.  The workers, the Oompa-Loompas, grabbed him and had to take him and his parents so they could stretch him and make him tall.  

So, what happened to Charlie?  Read  the book to find out !  CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl.  

Recommended for readers in grades   4th & 5th.   The story is further continued in Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.           

WHO WANTS A PET?

a book review by our special guest reviewer Adarsh, age 10:

Mason Dixon is an only child, which gives Mason trouble. His parents insist on getting him a pet to keep him company, but he does not want a pet. He first gets a goldfish, because his friend Brody has a goldfish named Albert.  Mason names his goldfish, Goldfish.  But he feeds Goldfish twice a day instead of once, because he misheard the pet store owner.  So Goldfish dies of overfeeding.  His parents next get him a hamster.  Mason names his hamster, Hamster. But as soon as he and Brody dress the hamster in a homemade pirate costume, the hamster runs away.  They next get him a cat, which sits on his lap, and when he needed to use the restroom, he could not get up because of the cat.  Because Brody’s parents work he comes to Mason’s house and Brody’s allergic to cats.  

So they return the cat and get Mason a three – legged – dog, which he names Dog.  Do you think Mason started liking pets?  Read the book to find out what happens next! 

Mason Dixon by Claudia Mills is recommended for 4^th-6^th grade children.

CHRONICLES OF AVANTIA ADVENTURE

A special mask possesses the power to control the Beasts of Avantia.  But when danger nears, the mask is purposefully broken up and hidden in different places so that the evil warlord does not gain possession of them.  It is now up to two heroic young people and others to retrieve each piece.  Unfortunately, the sibling of one of the two heroes turns towards evil which makes this novel adventurous and full of surprises.

ADAM BLADE delivers a thrilling fantasy story for boys and girls to enjoy. Check out CHASING EVIL, book two in the CHRONICLES OF AVANTIA.  For 4th grade and up.

EVER WONDER WHY RABBITS HAVE SHORT, FLUFFY TAILS?



Rabbit wants leaves and flower buds to munch on during the summertime, but he can't reach them.  Couldn't they just fall down? Or, better, yet, is there some other way Rabbit could get closer to the the branches of the tree?  His growing frustration to wait for these tasty treats to fall leads him to think of a clever plan that will get him high into the trees: a song and dance that will cause snow to fall down, even during the summer time!  After delivering an entertaining amount of song and dance, rabbit is in need of much needed rest.  When he awakens, he is involved in an accident and finds that his tail now matches the length of his patience. 

JAMES and JOSEPH BRUCHAC Iroquois tale, RABBIT'S SNOW DANCE will amuse readers and may find themselves humming Rabbit's tune throughout the day.  For Kinder thru 4th grade.  
                                   

WHO STILL DOESN'T HAVE THEIR READING LOG?

We're halfway into our Summer Reading Program.  Make sure you come by one of the Glendale Public Library branch to pick up your log.  If you've already read your 8 books and filled out the log, bring it in and get your free book!

Click on the image and check out what deliciousness is going on at our Libraries.

MEDIUM WELL DONE

A review by Mr. B. of the the Grandview branch:

Joanne Levy has written a funny and tenderly haunting tale.  After being struck by lightning, seventh grader Lilah Bloom has a new and disturbing ability: she can hear and talk to ghosts, which makes her a Small Medium at Large. 

While not mean spirits (mostly), their presence can cause Lilah to behave strangely, as she can hear but not see them or control their sometimes playful behavior.  The deceased cafeteria lady saves her from eating the wrong thing at lunch; a message from a dead singer makes Lilah’s music teacher cry; and the ghost of grandmother Dora is determined to find her divorced son (Lilah’s dad) a girlfriend.  She and Lilah have to work hard at that one, as Dad has forgotten how to dress for a date as well as how to behave on one. 

Another regular drop in ghost is the mischievous Rufus, who was a student at the school when he died from cancer.  He nearly destroys the eighth grade fashion show (a cancer charity) because organizer Dolly bullies Lilah.  Lilah, her friends, and the ghosts save the fashion show, raising a lot of money.  Along the way Lilah’s dad finds a girl friend, and Lilah gets her first kiss (from a real boy, not a ghost).  

This book has some serious themes, but more laughs than tears.

RL: 4 / Ages 8-12

FIRST HALO

A book review by Mr. B from the Grandview Branch:  

It’s hard to be a perfect angel. It’s even harder when George (AKA “Suds”) is trying to win the first of the halos third grade teacher Mrs. Simms is awarding weekly to the most perfect angel in her class.  Will it count if Suds does something “angel-like” when Mrs. Simms isn’t watching?  What happens if he slips and is mean to his little sister?  How can he be better than the already perfect Darren Tapp?

 It’s an age old moral dilemma brought ever so close to home by versatile veteran children’s author Jerry Spinelli in Third Grade Angels.  This quick and funny chapter book would also make an effective home or classroom read-aloud.

RL 2-4

Age 7-10

READING IS DELICIOUS...IF YOU LIKE PICKLES

Ben had bags and bags full of plastic balls from the local pizza parlor's ball pit.  What to do? What to do?  There were so many that they could fill up his entire classroom.  That would surely put a smile on everyone's faces in the morning if they walked into a homeroom full of colorful balls!

What started out as a one time prank became a secret club officially sanctioned by the PTA, unbeknownst to the PTA of course.  And that's how THE PICKLE CLUB came to be, after all, how else would they remain secret except to make it the weirdest and most boring club so that no one but only a select few would want to be in it.  

Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School by Kim Baker is a fun romp for readers in 5th-8th grade.

I NEED A KID'S OPINION!!!

So, I read a book recently called SUMMER AND BIRD by Katherine Catmull, and I have to say I am not so sure kids will like it. The Accelerated Reader program has given it a 5th grade reading level, and I would say there aren't many words that are too difficult. But there are parts to this book that just don't make sense. It talks about a great swan who used to lead all the birds to a special place every year, kind of like when birds fly south for the winter. But the great swan hasn't been around for 13 years because a man fell in love with her, and they had two girls - Summer and Bird. One day, the parents disappear and Summer and Bird go on this strange adventure to find them. I would like to hear if any 5th graders have read this book, or maybe get some 5th graders to read this book, to see if it makes sense or if some crazy person in the land of publishing made a mistake. Is this book really for kids? Let me know... For grades 5 and up?

APRIL 2013

MIND YOUR MANNERS!

 

Mother feels that one must have good table manners at all times. You never know when you might get a dinner invitation from the Queen. When young Maya receives a surprise invitation to the Queen's palace she gets to display her idea of acceptable table manners, and the Queen's guests are in  for quite a surprise.

MAYA MAKES A MESS by RUTU MODAN is an amusing graphic novel.  For 3rd grade and up.

CAN YOU HANDLE THE SPELL?

Heidi's new classmate Melanie really doesn't like her and is now going to take her role as the lead in the play.  What to do?  Since she is learning how to casts spells from her aunt, Heidi decides to collect what she needs to cast a spell to forget so Melanie would forget her lines for the play.  That role of Dorothy should have been Heidi's instead of being a tree.

Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell by Wanda Coven is the start of a new chapter book series, with large print and illustrations sprinkled trhough out.  It's very much like Katie Kazoo series, a story with a moral.  

For readers in 2nd to 4th. 

WHEN KISSING IS A BAD IDEA

All Emerson wants is to try kissing a boy. But when she finally does, she sees into their minds! It's something she's been able to do ever since her mother abandoned her and her sister many years ago. Now, she's just trying to live as normal a life as possible. It's not easy, however, when her guardian Aunt threatens to pull her from the only school she's ever attended for getting bad grades! Emerson accidentally stumbles upon a plan that not only helps her grades, but allows her to practice kissing and meet the boy of her dreams! KISS & MAKE UP by Katie D. Anderson is not your typical realistic fiction story, with the whole reading minds thing, but it will definitely keep you reading! 

For grades 6 and up.

APRIL 2013

WHAT'S A DRAGONSLAYER?

Exactly!  A dragonslayer has not been seen for many years.  Now, the last dragon in the Ununited Kingdom is dying.  Mayhaps all magic along with it.  Orphan, Jennifer Strange, manager of wizards and all things magical at the Kazam Mystical Arts Management is treading water and keeping things together, barely, while her boss is "away".  Come to find out, she is the last dragonslayer and the previous dragonslayer has been waiting for her for a long, long time.  With no time spare, she gets a crash course as an apprentice in the history of dragons and people, and dragonslayers and of course the dragonstation.  She's had the quickest apprenticeship ever.

But now with the imminent death of the dragon, everyone, from kings to land developers, are vying for the last of the open space of Dragonland.  Jasper Fforde's first book for children, The Last Dragonslayer, is a great fantasy that takes a while to set up but ends in a fantastically unexpected way. 

For readers in 6th-8th.  

READING IS SO DELICIOUS...ESPECIALLY WITH SOUP

Jayna, or Gingersnap as her mother liked to call her, is an excellent soup maker.  She knows just the soup for every occasion and can make a soup with whatever happens to be in the fridge - even if its just a carrot and some soup stock.  Which is a good thing, since it's 1945 and food is being rationed due to World War II.  Some days, it feels like there isn't ever enough to eat - and there is never enough sugar or butter to make cakes and cookies.  Cooking and baking remind Jayna of her brother, Rob, who shipped out with the Navy as a cook and is her only family.  Jayna and Rob's parents both died in a car accident, leaving the kids to bounce from foster home to foster home until Rob was old enough to adopt Jayna.  Now that Rob is somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Jayna has to live with their landlady, Celia, who is too concerned with Jayna's manners and safety.

Jayna feels all alone in the great big world - that is until she starts hearing a ghost speak to her.  The ghost comes and goes, but tells Jayna she's there to help her find a family.  She encourages Jayna to go into Rob's closet where she finds a cookbook that Jayna believes belonged to her mother and there the adventure to find her family begins.

Kids in 4th grade and up can follow Jayna as she leaves upstate New York in search of a grandmother she never knew but desperately wants to find in Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff.

HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE

A review from Mr. B. of the Grandview Branch:

The cows on the Diddle farm overhear a certain nursery rhyme, and are instantly divided on the important issue of whether or not a cow can jump over the moon.  “So Cindy Moo raised up a hoof / and said that it was true/ ‘If that cow could jump the moon / by golly, I can too.” 

There are some hilarious attempts before Cindy Moo finally realizes the best way to jump over the Moon.  Lori Mortensen’s rhyming text and Jeff Mack’s lush art revisit an old rhyme, to find a new tale of hope, determination, and giggles. This should be a successful read-aloud.

RL: ALL AGES

READING IS SO DELICIOUS... REHASHED

These three beautifully illustrated rehashed fairy tales are hilarious and in one instance, someone is literally eaten.  Read them and see if you can figure out who it is. 

Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat have created an over the top rework of The Three Little Pigs as martial arts warriors defeating the Big Bad Pig with their moves.  The Three Ninja Pigs is worth a few chuckles while being read-a-loud to the family.  




In Goldilocks and Just One Bear, Leigh Hodgkinson sets Baby Bear on a path through the city where he becomes  lost and accidentally stumbles upon an old friend's house and their friendship is renewed, but does Baby Bear really belong in the city?    


Each two page spread has a different nursery tale character in the middle of a crime.  Now that you are familiar with the classic rhymes, you'll love reading these twists on them.  Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty? And Other Notorious Nursery Tale Mysteries by David Levinthal and John Nickle is a hilarious romp for everyone. 

A FETCHING ROMP

A review from Mr. B. of the Grandview Branch:  

Who would have thought rescuing a border collie who is about to be “put down” in a distant animal shelter could be such an adventure? Ben Duffy explains it all, from the moment his dad and their dog, Atticus, wake him up before dawn for the surprise Road Trip for the three of them (“Dad, did you tell Mom about this?” No, he didn’t) to manipulating Dad into taking Ben’s best friend, troubled-teen Theo, along for the ride; from trading the suddenly disabled truck for an old school bus (and its owner, Gus) to drag racing a cop car in that bus, with the cop driving the bus. Along the way, they add young waitress, Mia, to their ever expanding party, and are nearly defeated by a teenage gang member.  

Spoiler: yes, they arrive at the shelter in time to rescue the border collie, but that’s not the end of the story.  Authors Jim Paulsen and his famous father, Gary Paulsen, even find a voice for Atticus, who acts as a Greek Chorus from time to time on his own page, without breaking the spell. This dog-loving slapstick comedy successfully supports a serious spine about adolescence, identity, and family.

RL: 4-8

Age: 10-14

ALL LIBRARIES ARE CLOSED...

TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2013 for a staff retreat.  We will reopen on Wednesday at 10 a.m.  

DOGS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE IN SURPRISING WAYS!

Sugar Mae Cole has a father who's never there.  Her mom keeps taking him back, and then he just breaks her heart again and again. After her grandfather died, things have been getting worse for her and her mother, but at least Sugar Mae has a positive attitude and can let her thoughts flow in her writing.  The best day to come along is when Sugar Mae is given Shush, a shy puppy who's owner couldn't keep her. The worst day is when Sugar Mae, Shush, and her mother get evicted from their home and have to live in their car.  ALMOST HOME by Joan Bauer is an emotional story, with a lot of entertaining characters weaving in and out of Sugar Mae's life.  Despite all the things that go wrong, though, everyone tries to look on the bright side and make the best of things. 

For grades 4 and up.

MARCH 2013

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Middle school is full of drama- break ups, make ups, and ensuring that the show goes on!  Passionate about theater (but unable to carry a tune), 7^th grader Callie is the set designer for her school’s drama department. She thinks her biggest worry will be making a prop cannon that will really fire during their spring musical, Moon Over Mississippi. Instead, she finds herself having to deal with 8^th grade divas, growing apart from old friends, and navigating the complex waters of modern middle school romance.

Told in an engaging graphic style format, Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a funny and realistic story of what goes on behind the scenes in the lives of middle schoolers. It’s sure to appeal to fans of her earlier work, Smile, but due to some more “grown-up” subject matter, is better suited to a 7^th grade and older audience.

WHAT IS GIFTED EXACTLY?

Ungifted by Gordon Korman is a funny tale of a series of unfortunate incidents.  Unintended accidents really, according to Donovan.  You see, Donovan wasn't gifted and never even wanted to go to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction until he got in trouble again, and realized this was as good as any place to hide out from Dr. Schultz, the school district superintendent.   However, being in the gifted program isn't as easy an out as it seems and it's just a matter of time before he's discovered for the fraud that he is.  

As the robotics team, all the teachers and every single student wait for Donovan's special talent to reveal itself, the gifted students in his homeroom discover that what they really want is normalcy in the form of Donovan in their lives, not to mention being grateful to him for getting them out of summer school by way of his pregnant sister because of a missed human development class. 

What follows is a series of mishaps, subterfuge, the forging of friendships and camaraderie among the unlikeliest of eighth graders.  Told from multiple points of view in each chapter, this is another fun and fast paced winner.  For reader 6th-8th.

DON'T FORGET...

today we have CHAPTER CHAT, a book club for beginning chapter book readers.  We meet at the Central Library Children's Room at 4p.m.  We will begin to read The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron and then you can take the book home to finish.  Then, on June 17th, we'll meet up again and talk about what you have read while having a little snack. 

See you all this afternoon.  

ZOMBIES ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE THOUGHT

There's actually three levels of zombies, at least according to DEAD CITY  by James Ponti. You won't necessarily be able to tell if a zombie is a Level 1 because they look and act exactly like living humans, just with a lot more make up.  Level 2s try to be like Level 1s, but they have no soul and can't tell right from wrong.  Level 3s are pretty much like the zombies you're already familiar with - mindless, brain-eating blobs.  Of course, there's a team of kids out to save the city from the zombies.  They're called the Omegas, and are a highly secret organization, and it turns out that Molly, the newest member, is the greatest Omega since...well, since the death of someone very important to Molly. 

For grades 5 and up.

MARCH 2013