TROUBLEMAKERS

A young boy loves to imagine that he and his stuffed animal are pirates.  One day, he runs out of props for his adventures and decides to sneak off with his sister's toy.  She is not pleased, and a cat and mouse chase soon follows.  He eventually gets disciplined for his actions, but he quickly notices that something is amiss.  Different toys start to disappear, including HIS favorite stuffed toy.  If it is not the young boy who is taking the toys then who can the troublemaker be?

Lauren Castillo's The Troublemaker is a simple story about a boy who learns the value of sharing and compassion.  Ms. Castillo's pen and ink are well matched with this story, which promises to delight young children.  

For Pre-K-2nd grade.

A JOURNEY

A review by Theresa from the Children's Room: 

Based upon a real incident in the 1920’s when American children raised the funds to send dolls* to Japan to promote friendship, understanding and peace, Shirley Parenteau’s SHIP OF DOLLS gives the reader a chance to experience a slice of life from that period in time as they follow eleven-year-old Lexie through a challenging period in her life.

Sent to live with her grandparent’s in Portland, Oregon following the death of her father, Lexie is having a very difficult time settling in to a more strictly run household and life style than the one she shared with her free-spirited mother. Making friends at school is also difficult for the shy girl and the school “mean girl,” Louise, is not making it any easier. When Lexie finds out that the author of the best letter to be sent with the school’s doll for Japan gets to accompany the doll to the big send-off, she sees a way to get back to San Francisco and to rejoin her mother. Things don’t go quite as smoothly as one would hope and it takes more than a letter to get her where she wants to be.

Follow along with her journey and discover her story in this work of historical fiction for readers in grades 5-7. 

*The Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles has one of these dolls on display.

POOP FOUNTAIN!

Lyle is a middle- schooler who lives in a trailer park with his loving parents.  His days are predictable and somewhat boring.  When one of the middle-schoolers, Miranda, moves into the trailer park community and when his friend Dave comes to visits them, things change for the better.  Lyle and his new friends quickly become inseparable and decide to name their trio The Qwikpick Adventure Society.  What could their first adventure be? 

When school resumes, the trio learns that the waste water treatment facility in their area is about to undergo a major sewage upgrade: the dated "sludge fountain" is scheduled to be replaced with new equipment.  Eager to see the fountain in action, the kids make plans to check it out on Christmas Day, while Lyle's parents are working.  With a new camera in hand, they journey to the treatment facility.  Along the way they become increasingly aware of the happenings in their community and they realize what a larger treatment facility truly means; those with less means will need to make way for the coming developments. 

The Qwikpick Paper Poop Fountain was mountains of fun and is a quick read.  The trio learn to have fun without handheld, electronic devices as part of their time together- a lesson that many parents will appreciate.  Tom Angleberger's inclusion of visiting a sewage treatment facility is unique, and including the economic effects of land development gives the book more depth than expected.  The colorful descriptions of the treatment facility are not for the faint of heart.

For 4th grade and up.

BETTER OFF FRIENDS

Noah and Macallan have been friends since junior high, after Macallan takes pity on the new boy and invites him to sit with her during lunch. The two discover that they share a favorite TV show, and a new friendship is formed. But when they start high school, things get more complicated. First, things get tricky when Levi starts dating Macallan's other best friend. Then, Levi starts spending more time with the guys and having less and less time for Macallan. And through it all, they have to deal with everyone's automatic (and awkward) assumption that they are dating. Will the two manage to stay friends through the ups and downs of high school, and will they be able to prove that boys and girls can be just friends?

Elizabeth Eulberg's novel perfectly captures the transition from middle school to high school and the friendships that inevitably are made stronger or perish in the aftermath. It is a story of friendship and romance, told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Noah and Macallan that is at times heartbreaking and heartwarming, and definitely a page-turner.

For grades 7 and up.

DIXIE WANTS AN ALLERGY

While getting to know her classmates on the first day of school, Dixie discovers that many of the students in class have allergies to a variety of things- peanuts, wheat, or eggs.  When Dixie hears of the special things that are offered to her classmates because of their allergies, she wishes that she was allergic to something too.  She eagerly seeks things that might cause her to have an allergic reaction, but nothing seems to work!  When she finally comes across something that does cause a reaction, she quickly becomes ill and regrets that she wished for an allergy to begin with.

Tori Corn wonderfully addresses the subject of children's allergies in this story.  Although some children are treated differently due to their allergies, others can quickly learn that it is for a very good reason- not just for special attention.  A fun book for adults and children to share together.  

For PreK-2nd grade.

LIFT THE FLAP FOR SOME FUN FUN FUN

Hello in There!: A Big Sister's Book of Waiting by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey is a fun story of a very excited big sister who begins to imagine what the baby in the womb is thinking, doing and might look like. One side is big sister doing her everyday thing and  the left side has a flap that you open to see what baby is up to.  This book is for all those families looking for a tongue in cheek way to get their child ready for a new baby.

In Who's in the Tree? And Other Lift-the-flap Surprises by Craig Shuttlewood animals rhyme and do silly things. Kids will want to guess where the animals are hiding and lift the flap to see if they were right!  A fun book for the little ones. 

For ages 3 and up. 

LALALALALALA

HEY, KIDS!
NEVER BEEN TO THE OPERA?
Get an introduction to the world of opera presented by The Guild Opera, tomorrow.  The guild  will be performing Little Red Riding Hood in our auditorium.  For ages 4 and up.

Saturday Sept 27, 2014
2 p.m.

Central Library.
222 E. Harvard St.
Glendale, CA 91205

3 hours free parking with validation across the street in the parking structure.

NINJAS!!!!!!

Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz and illustrated by Dan Santat is a whole mess of asian stuff thrown together in the story but somehow with Santat's illustrations I just had fun reading it.  It's very reminiscent of their previous collaboration of The Three Ninja Pigs.

This visually packed story about a boy practicing to be a ninja in his home where there's danger at every turn (napping father) is a fun read for all ages. Ninja! by Arree Chung definitely understands that every child has wanted to  be a ninja or at least thought about being one at some point in their life.

For ages 3 and older.

HELLO FADDUH

Postcards from Camp: A Postal Story by Simms Taback - classic camp story told in postcards and letters about one boy's reluctant first time away at summer camp and his father's attempts to keep everything upbeat with a hang in there attitude, buddy.  As they write back and forth you see the special father son relationship and you hope and wish that the little guy will eventually have a great time at camp.
Reminiscent of the Camp Granada song, it a great book to take your time and read over every inch of it.  

For readers in 4th and up.

ALL FOUR STARS

Passionate for Food? OR Are You a Food Critic?

Gladys Gatsby, an eleven year old, found herself in the middle of her kitchen, caught by her parents who displayed a shocking, disbelief when they found the kitchen curtains on fire. How? Well, all Gladys was trying to do was bake creme brulee!  Thanks to her aunt Lydia from Paris, Gladys' passion for baking started at the age of six.  Gladys would cook and bake while her parents were at work and they were completely unaware of her active role as a "chef." Gladys' passion was so strong that she could not keep away from the kitchen. She knew that her parents would disapprove of her using any kitchen appliances; this was a big no-no. However, the creme brulee disaster revealed her baking secrets and put an end to the kitchen activities for six months. Gladys' punishment included making friends, spending time on the computer among other ridiculous activities. 

Join Gladys as she goes through a series of crazy adventures to follow her passion and find out what Gladys would become.   

Tara Dairman's, All Four Stars is a fun, light read that encourages everyone to chase after their goals. 

For readers in grades 4-7.

IS THE TRUTH ALWAYS YOURS TO TELL?

 Set in the summer of 1963, the Beatles and the Beach Boys are the hot musical groups. The country is on the verge of making what turns out to be a very unpopular decision, to go to war in Viet Nam. While the rest of the world is in the midst of either musical or political turmoil, people living in Hamilton, Missouri, population 1701, have settled in to their summer routines of barbeques and swimming at the community pool. For 13-year-old Tree Taylor, whose main goal that summer was to earn a spot as the only freshman on the high school newspaper and to get her first kiss, finds there is a lot more to worry about when the sound of a rifle firing is heard in her neighborhood. In response to those shots her father, the only doctor in town, dashes out the door while warning her to stay put. Ignoring that warning, Tree sure that this shooting is destined to be her big story, discovers instead that as with most stories there is more than one version. 

Spend some time with Tree in her small town as she grapples with the quandary of keeping a secret or exposing the truth in Dandi Dailey Mackall’s THE SECRETS OF TREE TAYLOR. 

For grades 5-8.

A review by the Central branch's librarian Theresa. 

WE'RE UP AND RUNNING

Don't forget that all storytimes and programs are up and running this week.  Pick up a monthly events flyer at each branch or check our list of events online.

DON'T FORGET

THE PRESCHOOL DANCE PARTY 
All toddlers, come dance and sing along with us Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. on September 8^th next door at the Adult Recreation Center instead of the library auditorium.  

Wave some scarves, ring some bells, jump around to some great music.  

THE MANY FACES OF HOPE

Ten-year-old Star Mackie moved to a trailer park in California from Oregon with her mother and sister. Although she sees that her sister Winter is very unhappy with their mother for making them live in a trailer and having to go to an alternative high school, Star has a more positive outlook. She tries to make friends at her school, which is not helped by the fact that her mom's hairdresser friend gave her a layered blue hairstyle which immediately gets mistaken for a mullet. But Star is not hindered. Determined to have her schoolmates understand that living in a trailer is not so bad, she decides to start a trailer park club at her school. Star encounters kindness and adversity from students and teachers, and manages to overcome all her challenges with strength and optimism.

Hope is a Ferris Wheel by Robin Herrera is a realistic fiction novel that helps its readers understand the diverse experiences of other children. Star Mackie is not so different from other ten-year-olds in her school, except for the fact that she does not live in a big house like many of her classmates. But far from focusing on the hardships of being poor, Star focuses on things in her life that make it normal. This lively protagonist is sure to capture the readers' hearts.

For grades 6 and up.

CHECK OUT THE FUN BOOKS

Under the Hood by Merlin  - Lift the flaps and find out what's wrong with Mr. Bear's car.  You'll be in for a big surprise.

 Woody Guthrie's Riding in My Car by Scott Menchin has fun movable parts and pop ups making this a happy trip for everyone.  Sing along with the dog family as they drive across the country. 

Here are two amazing movable and lift flap books available for check-out.

For readers ages 3 and older.

WE ARE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

All Glendale libraries will be closed Saturday, August 30 - Monday, Sept 1. 

Even though our libraries will be closed, you can still access the online catalog, download an ebook, download  music, get information in the databases or place books on hold.  You just need your library card and pin number.

See you all Tuesday.

FIND YOUR VOICE

Paperboy is a historical fiction novel set in Memphis, Tennessee in 1959. It is about an eleven-year-old boy who takes over his friend's paper route when his friend goes out of town. The only problem is that Victor stutters, making everyday conversation difficult. He has to pick his words carefully, because certain letters, or combinations of letters, are much more difficult for him than others. Wanting more than anything to be normal like other children his age, he does not talk too much, and only chooses words he can pronounce. However, there are two people he can talk to freely - his family's maid "Mam" who he is very close to, and Mr. Spiro, a man he meets on his paper route who is not fazed by his stuttering problem. When a local junkman Ara T. starts making trouble for Victor, he has to overcome his fears to fight back.

Paperboy  is a beautifully written short novel loosely based on author Vince Vawter's own speech impediment. It focuses on something most of us take granted - the ability to express ourselves with words - and makes us think about how we view others who talk differently. But despite its important message, this book is a quick read with a bit of a mystery and some action. It will capture the readers' hearts and make a lasting impression.

For grades 4 and up.

CATS AND MORE CATS

Mathilda's Cat likes to do whatever Matilda does, but does she really?  Another lovely story with beautiful illustrations by by Emily Gravett.  

Two new Pete the Cat books will have everyone singing along with him to these favorite ditties as one pages through the books.  Pete the Cat- the Wheels on the Bus and Pete the Cat - Old MacDonald Had a Farm by James Dean.  

For readers from toddlers through Kindergarten.

MASON DIXON

Mason Dixon has completed third grade and is gearing up to start fourth grade.  However, his mother is already pressuring him to start thinking of all the extra curricula activities that he should get involved in, specifically singing.  The problem is that Mason has been traumatized so badly that singing for him would be like diving into a pool of dead frogs.  Unfortunately, the fact that he needs to remind his mother of the dreadful incident that took place couple of years ago is making him to feel even more traumatized.

Funny, cute and a charming easy chapter book, especially for boys. Mason Dixon: Fourth Grade Disasters by Claudia Mills.

Grades 3rd and up.  

DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN?

“I have a garden” a playful dog announces on the first page of the book. And as the reader goes on to discover all the variety of the different animals that the garden has, the pages of the book become filled with more animals and flowers. Showing even more illustrations of lushes flowers and animated animals and insects.  

However, all the flowers and the animals belong to him because the garden is HIS.  But can this be possible?  Beautiful things are to be shared, so how can the dog be convinced that the garden belongs to everyone?  

This particular picture book is so colorful and vibrant that after reading it, I wanted to literally jump inside the pages and smell all the flowers and play with all the animals.   It is a fun and easy book that will even be great for a read aloud.  I Have a Garden by Bob Barner

Pre-k to 1^st grade 

ODESSA AGAIN!

Odessa is a smart, funny and a very generous person who is worried about her family, her parents’ divorce and how she is going to make it through fourth grade.  Above all else, what she really wishes is a way she will be able to turn back the time to fix all that is bothering her.  If only she could have this super power! 

Well, there is a saying which goes something like this…”be careful of what you wish for” because, your wish might come true and you might not be able to handle the outcome of those particular wishes…

One day she finds herself having that same particular power of turning back time and ‘fixing’ things…She succeeds in fixing the easer things in her life of course, and every time she fixes a smaller problem, she feels more in control of her faith… But of course, she is way too young to see that sometimes, in life you have to let nature and your own fate to guide and lead you to the right direction.   Hence, her realizing that perhaps there is a reason why her parents are divorced or why her own brother needs to be selective when it comes to finding friends. 

Literally, this enchanted story will make fall in love with Odessa and her adventures.  

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt is truly a fun read that will make your heart a little fuzzier and your smile a little brighter. 

For grades 5th and up.

ROMAN MYTHS

Imagine if you had the power to change into any shape or power.  Or if you could be in charge of the weather at all times. What would you do?  Would you become the sun or the moon?  Or would you make it rain all year long so that people would not want to leave their homes?  Legends and myths are just that, stories about gods and goddesses who possess supernatural powers. 

The most famous Gods and Goddesses originated from the Greeks; however the Romans decided to have their own so they adopted many of the Greek myths. 

In this Classic Starts series, all the stories are abridged so you don’t need to read many pages to learn about the amazing powers of these very powerful creatures.   

Roman Myths by Diane Namn is a simple and very easy read that will truly be enjoyed by girls and boys.

For grades 3 and up.      

GROWING UP!

When you wake up every morning to go to school or any other social event, the chances are that you look into the mirror and notice a variety of different changes about you.  The changes are mostly physical, like longer finger nails, or stronger arms and so forth. 

However, you are also going through a lot of changes that are not physical and it might be difficult to put in words or even to try to explain to your parents what those changes are.  Well, my friend that is called growing up.  

I think that this is one of the most important books that I’ve read in a very long time because it covers a wide range of topics that is crucial to young people who are going the emotional roller coaster of growing up. Like how to stop a bully or how to tell when friends are a bad influence instead of good?   

The book has tons of charts, illustrations and a glossary of important words that will be vital to know and understand once in high school.  Additionally, the book offers few pages of online resources that you can have access if you would like to acquire more information.  

Growing Up: Inside and Out by Kira Vermond and iIllustrated by Carl Chin.

Grades 7th and up.  

ELLRAY JAKES: THE DRAGON SLAYER!

When it comes to height or size, he is the smallest in his class.  However, when it comes to taking on more than what one can handle, Ellray Jakes is the one for you. Even though he is small in size, he also happens to be a bigger brother to his sister who seems to be in danger of bullies in her school. 

Like an older brother, he really tries hard to teach his sister to stand up for herself and protect her from others who choose to be mean to her.  His sister’s gentle personality doesn't make things easy, he decides to take things in his hands.  However, in life there are consequences for every action and even though Ellray’s intention is a good one.  

Can he take things in his own hands and make those bullies go away?  Will his actions be understood and forgiven by his parents, and more specifically his sister?  Or can he just magically make things better without having to explain to anyone…? 

Ellray Jakes: The Dragon Slayer by Sally Warner is part of a series and it will be great if you’re a beginner when it comes to chapter books.  

For grades 3rd and up. 

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Apparently, moo is the word. In this hilarious book, the cow goes on to his amazing journey and gets in trouble and expresses his troubles and his sorrows in the most beautiful way possible.  He uses the word Moo, or Moo-Moo or Mooooooooo or Mooooooooooooooo.  

This very rhythmic and repetitive story allows the reader to see what with just one word, so many different emotions can be expressed, be it excitement, sadness or pure joy.  The cow, who we have established that loves the word Moo, is always in the center of the page, always doing or saying something to make us all laugh out loud.   Even though the book literally has the word Moo, the reader will feel as though a full story was developed and written for the little once.  Really fun read and highly recommended.  

Moo!  by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

For Pre-k -1st

FLY HOME

Jewel spends a lot of time over at the cliff.  It's the only place where she ever feels truly understood and not alone.  At home, her grandfather doesn't speak and her parents keep secrets.  Secrets about the day Jewel was born.  The day her brother went missing.  The day he thought he was a bird and tried to fly off of Jewel's cliff.  Her dad tells Jewel to stay away from the cliff and the duppies that are spirits and tricked Jewel's brother into trying to fly.  Her mother tells her father to stop filling Jewel's head with nonsense.  Jewel ignores them both and doesn't question their life.  Until the day Jewel meets John.  The boy who shares a name with her brother.  The boy her grandfather is convinced is a duppy.  The boy who may be able to help Jewel and her family share their secrets and learn to be a family once more.

Follow Jewel and her family on their journey of healing in Crystal Chan's book, Bird, for tweens in grades 6 and up.

BRING IN THOSE LOGS

There is still time to turn in your reading log if you haven't yet.  The Children's Room at the Central Library is taking them for an extended week before school starts for Glendale Unified Schools.  Last day to bring them to the Children's Room is August 10.  

RICKY RICOTTA AND MIGHTY ROBOT ARE BACK!

These new republished versions pairing Dav Pilkey and illustrator Dan Santat are amazing!  I really like them both separately, but together, they are a mighty force of fun.  I am in love with Ricky Ricotta and his Mighty Robot again.

In the first installment,  Ricky and Mighty Robot find each other after some bullying action by Ricky's schoolmates and a fight against the evil Dr. Stinky, who built Mighty Robot!  

In the fight against the Voodoo Vultures from Venus, Ricky and his Mighty Robot beat them off with some spicy chocolate chip cookies and send them back to Venus!   

More hilarious and updated adventures are coming our way soon.

For readers in 2nd-4th grades. 

VENETIAN MYSTERIES

Jared, Shireen and Miranda are three kids forced to live in Venice, Italy for their Dad's job. At first, Miranda is the only one enjoying herself. But an accidental visit to a strange bookstore shines a whole new light on the city on the water. Talking animal statues and creatures jumping out of paintings are just some of the mysterious things that happen to them, and it all seems to parallel a story their Dad is reading to them in a book that is centuries old. How is it possible? 

THROUGH THE SKYLIGHT by Ian Baucom, is a very detailed mystery that has lots of danger and impossibility at every turn. You never know what is going to happen next! 

For grades 5 and up.

July 2014

INTERGALACTIC CLONES?

THE TWINNING PROJECT by Robert Lipsyte has a little bit of something for every Tween. There's bullies getting beat up, football and band practice, families that don't get along, meddling teachers. Tom and Eddie are twins, living on different Earths, 50 years apart. Sound confusing? On Earth 1, Tom spends his time moving from school to school after he avenges the many underdogs being picked on by school bullies. Tom just hasn't been very happy since his Dad allegedly died, and he is surprised to hear his intergalactic twin is having the same kinds of feelings. Eddie isn't quite the rebellious type, though. He is more of a goodie two-shoes, even if it means it goes against his own beliefs to follow authority. 

If you can get past the chapters switching back and forth between characters, you are really going to enjoy this mysterious science fiction story! 

For grades 6 and up.

July 2014 

ALL ABOUT SAND

A book review by Lilian a 4th grade library patron:

Sand by Ellen Prager

Today, I am going to write about sand and how it is made.  Different sands are different colors.  The different colors are made from different color crystals and the crystals are made out of minerals.  Sand is also made of shells, lava, and coral.  Sand is bigger than mud but smaller then gravel.  The wind can pick-up sand to make ripples.  The ice can pick-up sand and when it melts it can put the sand on land or water.  Water can take sand from one place to another.  Rocks bump next to each other and create sand.  Rivers carry rocks into seas. 

I think you should read this book because it’s interesting. For readers in 3rd to 4th grades.

LAST WEEK OF SUMMER READING PROGRAMS

DRIVE-IN CARDBOARD CAR FUN

Friday, 8/1 at 3p.m. come and decorate your own cardboard car and pretend you are at a drive-in movie just like the old days. Stay to watch a cartoon and munch on some popcorn. Afterwards  take your car creation home and have a drive-in in your living room.   For 3 years and up. 



DINOSAUR ROCKS

Saturday 8/2 at 2p.m. the dinosaur people will bring fossils and talk about all things dinosaur.  There's a space limitation, so first come first in. For 4 and up.   

HOLY UNANTICIPATED OCCURRENCES!

It all starts with a vacuum cleaner.  One summer afternoon Flora Belle Buckman is drawn to witness what could only be described as a jet plane in the neighbors’ backyard, but turns out to be  a new powerful Ulysses 2000X vacuum cleaner gone berserk. When the vacuum cleaner sucks up one very hungry squirrel, Flora puts all the knowledge she’s gained from reading comic books to use and resuscitates the poor creature. But the last thing she expects to see is the newly revived squirrel lifting the vacuum cleaner over his head. Believing that the squirrel has gained superhero powers after the vacuum cleaner attack, Flora names him Ulysses, and the adventure begins.

Flora and Ulysses by Kate diCamillo is a wacky adventure that is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny, and every bit deserving of its 2014 Newbery Medal. One lovable heroine, an even more lovable squirrel, and a slightly annoying (yet somewhat lovable) boy make a winning team against malfeasance of all kinds in a fond tribute to superhero stories and comic books. 

For grades  4 and up.

SOME RAINBOW FAIRIES

Two book reviews by Lilian our 4th grade library patron: 

Sky the Blue Fairy by Daisy Meadows

This story is about one fairy, two girls, some goblins, and their leader.  The names of the characters are Sky, Rachel and Kirsty, and Jack Frost.  The two girls are having a vacation on Rainspell Island.  The fairy got lost because Jack Frost cast a spell.  The two are trying to find a fairy named Sky, but they find a crab.  The crab leads the two girls to a tide pool, and dips its claw into the tide pool then takes it out, then goes away.  The two girls then try to find the fairy when they find the fairy it was in a bubble, in the tide pool.  Then there came some ice and froze the tide pool.  Since the fairy king and queen gave them packetful of magic they used it to un-freeze the ice.  Then they took out the fairy and popped the bubble.  At the end the fairy is found by the two girls.

Danielle the Daisy Fairy by Daisy Meadows

This story is about three girls, a fairy, a lot of goblins, and a magic petal. The names of the girls are Rachel, Kirsty, and Rebecca (they are best friends), the name of the fairy is Danielle, and the name of the goblins' leader is Jack Frost.  The goblins stole the petal from Fairyland.  The two girls and the fairy need to get it back from the goblin when they meet another girl and she helps them get the petal back.  When they get the petal back the fairy uses her wand to make a rope with daisies on it to tie a knot with all the goblins in it.  The petal was stuck on the goblin’s foot.  When the other goblins saw that one of the goblins was sitting down they got mad.  He was making something .The goblin that was sitting down was singing very noisily. I like this story because I like how the girls were making good choices.

LOOK FOR THESE AND MORE IN OUR PAPERBACK SECTIONS.  For readers in 2nd-4th grades.  

NEVER GIVE UP NED

Ned Mouse Breaks Away by Tim Wynn-Jones: A review by Lilian a 4th grade library patron: 

This is a story about Ned the mouse, the warden, the keeper and Morty.  Ned is in jail and he is very desperate to get out.  He went to the cafeteria and got a spoon to dig himself out and ended up in the warden’s dessert.  The warden called for his guards and they took him back to his cell.  Ned became more anxious to get out of jail.  

One day Ned’s friend Morty sent a note.  After that, Ned sent his different body parts to Morty’s place.  Then when Ned was sending his last body part he made a replica and a recording of himself to trick the warden.  

 I like this story, especially the part where Ned sent his body parts to Morty.

For readers in 2nd-4th grades.

TURNING TWELVE IS NOT EASY

It all starts the summer Suzy is going to turn twelve. First, her mother leaves to take care of her sick grandmother. Then, her little brother Parker saves the life of their neighbor by calling 911 after she collapses at home. Now Parker is a neighborhood hero and he is letting it go to his head. To add to her woes, Suzy is starting to think of her friend Gilbert as a little more than a friend, and her best friend is chosen for a play while she is rejected. When her brother’s hero antics ruin her twelfth birthday, it is the last straw for Suzy.  

After deciding that she has had enough of being Suzy Quinn, she tries to be like her favorite poet, the reclusive Emily Dickinson. But there is a chance that she might be taking it too far when she decides to only communicate with her friends via letters and refuses to do anything that Emily could not do.

This breezy verse novel by Eileen Spinelli is a perfect book for those leisurely summer afternoons, at home or on the beach.

For grades 4-6.

IS THIS OUR WORLD’S FUTURE?

The year is not certain but the story is set in the future where the world has become a very different one than ours. It is hot, very hot and has been that way as long as Devin can remember. He is one of the lucky ones as he and his grandfather live on a farm in a hidden idyllic oasis. While they had to work hard to keep up with the chores, life was good for them. When the grandfather suddenly dies, Devin must leave the safety of the hidden valley to find help to keep the farm going. What he finds instead is a nightmare of a society where children are left to their own devices and everyone has to lie, steal and cheat to survive. After a chance encounter with an older boy named Kit, the opportunity to escape the dark reality of the city to what sounds like paradise is offer him and he readily accepts. 

Devin soon finds out that Paradise is not all that it was promised to be in Tania Unsworth’s, The One Safe Place a thrilling adventure story for readers in grades 5-8.

THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE PAST

Thirteen-year-old Margaret O’Malley’s world is turned upside down when the corrupt Judge Biggs sentences her father to death for burning down a Victory Fuels building and killing a person trapped inside. Margaret knows that her father did not do it, and that his sentencing was in retaliation for uncovering a secret that Victory Fuels wanted to keep hidden at any cost. Desperate to save his life, Margaret decides to do the thing that she knows she shouldn’t – use the O’Malley gift to go back in time to change the events that made Lucas Biggs into the man who sentenced an innocent man to die. But Margaret will discover that changing the past means more than changing history, and that no one is beyond saving - from themselves or others.

Saving Lucas Biggs is a page-turner with lots of mystery, action, history, and a touch of science fiction, and will appeal to boys and girls in grades 5 and up.

GHOSTLY HAPPENINGS

Mo, Dale, Miss Lana, The Colonel, and the whole wacky southern town of Tupelo Landing are back in this follow up to 2012 Newbery Honor book Three Times Lucky. Rising sixth graders, Mo and Dale, fresh off their last case with the Desperado Detective Agency, have a new mystery to solve and this one has a paranormal twist. When Mo’s guardian, Miss Lana, accidently buys an inn that is home to a ghostly presence Mo and Dale take it upon themselves to uncover the mystery behind the haunting and hopefully interview the ghost for their history project.

Ghost hunting isn’t as easy as Mo and Dale hope it will be and they soon discover that the ghost isn’t the only mystery at the inn. Long-buried pasts are uncovered and secrets are revealed as Mo and Dale investigate the inn’s tragic history. Who is the ghost and what is she trying to tell them? What’s the connection between the new kid in town and the mysterious happenings? The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage is a fun and slightly spooky read.  

For grades 4 and up

GIRLS ARE SO MEAN SOMETIMES

It's summer vacation on Darcy Lane, and Julia is looking forward to a season of swimming, sitting around with her best friend Taylor, and thinking about the neighbor boy Peter. Lo and behold, the new neighbors move in with a girl Julia's age named Alyssa, and that changes everything. For some reason, Alyssa is rude to Julia from day one, steals best friend Taylor (is she such a good friend after all?), and basically makes Julia's life miserable - until the day of the great battle of Russia! 

THE BATTLE OF DARCY LANE by Tara Altebrando is your typical, tween angst novel, but is original enough to keep you reading to the very end. Questions like "will Peter and Julia become more than friends?" and "who is the mystery prank caller" intermingle throughout the story, with everything tied up in a nice neat bow at the very end.

 For 4th - 6th grades.

JUNE 2014

HURRY, SLOTH!

What happens when a sloth needs to hurry? Sloth receives a phone call informing him that he’s won a shopping spree at a store downtown. While he’s not exactly sure what a “spree” is, Sloth is very excited and knows he will have to hurry to make it to the store to claim his prize. The problem, however, is that sloths are not known for their speed. He tries various methods of getting to the store- zip-lining down the clothesline, riding an ice cream truck, and even hang gliding. Will sloth make it to the store in time? Will he have enough energy to race through the store for his shopping spree or will he need to take a nap?

Lost Sloth by J. Otto Seibold really showcases Seibold’s signature offbeat illustration style and storytelling. This is a great choice for storytimes and listeners won’t be able to help chiming in with the recurring phrase “Hurry, Sloth” on each page.

For preschool and older.

WHEN ELEPHANT MET GIRAFFE

When Elephant visits the water hole, he is excited to hang out and have a conversation with Giraffe.  But Giraffe never responds. Uncertain of his behavior, Elephant decides to read a book about giraffes.  As a result of his patience and curiosity, Elephant comes to understand why Giraffe doesn't say a word. 

In a series of episodes, Paul Gude's lovely picture book vibrantly illustrates how friends can still be friends even though there may be distinct differences between them.  

For all ages.