NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL CINDERELLA

In this delightful retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine, there are some funny and creative twists. Ella has been cursed at birth to always do as she is told. This becomes increasingly bothersome upon her mother's death, as her father marries an awful woman with two snobby daughters of her own. Once they discover Ella's curse, she is doomed. Ella does everything in her power to rid herself of this horrible obligation. She experiences many adventures in her quest. The prince in this story is friend's with Ella and time will tell if it ever is to become romance. For 4th - 8th grades.

WRITING WITHOUT WORDS

Juno lives with his parents and a dog named Sam. His grandmother lives far away in Seoul, Korea, but she writes him letters. Juno cannot read the words she writes as they are in Korean, but he knows what it says because of the items that accompany the letter. When Juno decides to write a letter in return, he draws pictures of his life and sends a leaf from his swinging tree. Juno learns to interpret meaning through a language outside of writing. Even though they don't speak the same language, they can still communicate with images from the world around them. DEAR JUNO by Soyung Pak is a beautiful story for pre-k through 3rd grade.

AN AUSTRALIAN LOVE STORY

Seth is in love. But not with just any girl. She's beautiful, muscular, and the daughter of the awful housing inspector who has been hounding his family ever since his dad "accidentally" splattered mud on him. It's causing so much stress on his family that his parents' relationship is in jeopardy. His brother, gorgeous and useless, flip flops from one girl to the next and one interest to another. It's up to Seth to come up with a plan to get the girl of his dreams ... and fix everything else.

I'm Being Stalked by a Moonshadow by Doug Macleod is a fun book about a "hippyish/alternative" family in Australia and a boy who will overcome anything for the girl of his dreams. For mature readers in 6th - 8th grade.

MINTY THE SLAVE

Minty, the nickname of Harriet Tubman when she was a little girl, hates being a slave. All she thinks about is getting off the plantation. She is lucky in that she lives with her family, and they do their best to make her situation more bearable. But Minty is bound and determined to leave, and her father sees it best that he train her to live off the land. When Minty finally gets a chance to escape, she hesitates too long and the opportunity slips away. While she is saddened by her inability to follow through, she is not discouraged and vows to one day escape. MINTY: A STORY OF YOUNG HARRIET TUBMAN by Alan Schroeder is great for 3rd grade and up. This book also won the Coretta Scott King Award for Jerry Pinkney's gorgeous illustrations.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

Three very bright, very spoiled sisters have their father wrapped around their little fingers so tightly that he lets them get and do whatever they wish. Sounds ideal, doesn't it? Like most things that are too good to be true this situation makes a change for the worse when their aunt arrives to take charge of everything. Thrilled? No, not these girls who do all they can to make their aunt's life as unpleasant as possible and when that doesn't work they try to marry her off. Fortunately all is resolved in Narinder Dhami's BINDI BABES. If you like this one then you won't want to miss the rest of the series.

Best for grades 5-8, this title was the July selection for the Snacktime Reader's book discussion group at the Central Library. This is a group for students in grade four and older and their parents. If you love reading and tasty snacks then this is the group for you. It meets the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Children's Room of the Central Library 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA 91205 at 7 p.m. For more information, please call (818)548-2035.

WHO IS CESAR CHAVEZ?

HARVESTING HOPE: THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Yuyi Morales is a beautifully illustrated, very wordy picture book about the life of Cesar Chavez, starting from when he was a very young boy enjoying life with his family in Arizona. The text does a good job of retelling Chavez’s history, and appeals to audiences of all ages. There are a lot of good vocabulary-building terms, and readers will come away with more than a story of Cesar Chavez's life. The illustrations were given the Pura Belpre honor, and the beautiful artwork incorporates hand-made stamps and computer generated cut-outs. The scenes are realistic and the colors have deep earth tones. Not all picture books are for small children, and this title is perfect for 3rd grade and up.

LEARN SPANISH FROM A GAME?

In PLAYING LOTERIA by Rene Colato Lainez a young boy feels inadequate when he speaks Spanish to his grandmother, bringing out a common problem for children and grandchildren of immigrants. This bi-lingual title will help readers to learn how to overcome a language barrier by working hard to learn the native language of their family members.

For readers in grades 1 to 3.

SILENT MUSIC

Ali is a young boy who lives in Baghdad where bombs and missiles are destroying everything around him. However, he is such a strong boy that he refuses to let his spirit be broken in any way. His love for calligraphy gives him the hope to try to stay alive so that he can continue to make beautiful calligraphy just like his hero Yakut.

Yakut is one of the most famous calligraphist who also happened to be living in Baghdad during the 1258 war when the Mongols attacked his county.

The illustrations in the book are just beautiful with a lot of rich earthy colors with some Arabic writing. This story is poetic, informative and heartbreaking.

SILENT MUSIC: A STORY OF BAGHDAD is written by JAMES RUMFORD.

For grades 2nd through 6th.

GHOSTLY DOINGS

A summer visit to Grandma’s is usually pretty ordinary—good food, a change of scenery and doting Grandmother, sound’s normal doesn’t it? For the most part it is but when your Grandmother owns a haunted bed-and-breakfast that might not be the case. 12-year old Travis and his younger sister Corey go off to spend the summer with their Grandmother in Vermont and are delighted when they discover that the inn is supposed to be haunted by at least one ghost. Deciding to help the ghostly reputation along and boost business they create a few ghostly effects for the guests but in the process set off a rather creepy chain of events. This one is the perfect choice for lovers of the spooky and supernatural.

REAL vs. FAKE

There are things in your life that will always offer you comfort. For Sharron, The Friskative Dog is just that. Even though it's just a stuffed animal, Sharron treats it like a real puppy dog. It sleeps with her every night, and even has a leash and special purple collar. THE FRISKATIVE DOG by Susan Straight is about a little girl who's Daddy has disappeared. Her mom and grandma hope for his safe return, but the only comfort Sharron has is her stuffed dog. She is also in the 4th grade, and she does her best to deal with the sadness of her lost dad and the ups and downs of school. Good thing The Friskative Dog is there for her every night. For 3rd - 6th grade.

WHAT! I HAVE TO READ THIS SUMMER?

School is over but your teachers said you have to read this summer ....or else

Your parents insist that you read something besides a magazine.

Well, here's a short list of reading possibilities! The kids in these books are not having quite the summer they had expected either.

Moxy Maxwell does Not Love Stuart Little - A girl has to read Stuart Little but does everything she can to avoid reading it. For those of you who like big words and weird photographs illustrating the story. 3rd -4th

Lemonade War - a really short book about a younger sister who is smarter than her older brother. They compete to see who can sell more lemonade the summer before they have to start school together in the same class. Beware, there's math involved in the story. 4th-6th

Amelia's Are We There yet, Longest Car Trip Ever - If you've ever been on a road trip stuck in a car with a brother or sister, then you'll know exactly what this book is about. Another journal in the Amelia's series. 4th-6th

Summer School: What Genius Thought That Up - A boy has to go to take summer class and get a really good grade so he can have fun. Another story in the Hank Zipzer series, the one where the boy has a learning disabilty. 4-6th

Nicky Deuce Welcome to the Family - A boy is sent to spend the summer with his grandmother in Brooklyn, where he learns about his Italian- American heritage. His uncle takes him under his wings and show him the neighborhood- so very different than the suburbs. 4th-6th

The Penderwicks - If you want to impress them with an award winning book, read this one. During their annual summer vacation,the kids in this family meet the boy from the main house. They feel sorry for him and show him how to have fun. 4th-6th

MEET PEANUT!

Did you know that the Aztecs in Mexico soothed aching gums with peanut paste?
Chances are that you have eaten a peanut butter sandwich at least once in your life time. In fact, it probably is one of your favorite things ever.
However, you probably don't know much about the crop itself. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE PEANUT by CHARLES MICUCCI is one of those books that you can read as fiction or non-fiction. It tells you all the interesting and fascinating facts about it and it also includes a timeline as well as a glossary of some difficult words.

For grades 2nd and up!

MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN ...?

More a collage of everyday items than a straight novel, we follow Ginny's hopeful first year in middle school. She wants to have the perfect hair but it doens't go quite as plan. She'd like to get the role of the sugar plum fairy but she is part of the "ensemble" instead. A really fun peek at one girl's daily life. Nothing goes as plan and everything in her life seems to be falling apart.

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer Holm, is a perfect book for someone looking to read something quirky and different.

For middle schoolers.

Ryan and Jimmy

When six year old Ryan learned in school that there are many parts in the world that don't have clean water to drink, he wanted to do something really badly. By doing chorus around his house, he was able to raise about $70 on his own to help build water wells in Africa. However, that amount would merely be what was needed to undertake such a big project. His eagerness and enthusiasm for the wells in Africa become international news and he starts collecting thousands of dollars for his fund. While doing so he begins to befriend Jimmy who happens to live in Africa and as their friendship progresses, the rebels in Africa are threatening Jimmy's school and his life becomes in jeopardy. Ryan's family who live in Canada do everything possible to bring Jimmy to Canada. You will really be inspired and motivated after reading this true story about a boy who helped build thousands of wells in Africa.
RYAN AND JIMMY: AND THE WELL IN AFRICA THAT BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER by HERB SHOVELLER.
For grades fourth and up.

100 SECRETS

Sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in Kansas after the disappearance of his parents, Henry discovers some very strange things going on at the farm. This visit gives him a chance to broaden his horizons and live a life most kids take for granted, one that includes such common place activities as baseball and bar-b-ques. But one night when the plaster starts chipping off the ceiling of his attic bedroom and part of a door is exposed, all that changes. Henry and his cousin discover another world behind those doors which they start to explore and are ultimately drawn into a major struggle to save themselves and the rest of the family. 100 Cupboards by Nathan Wilson is a well done fantasy story that is the first of a planned series.

PARIS IS ALIVE AND DOING FINE

Paris is forced to take piano lessons from Mrs. Rosen with her older brother as chaperone. Paris is sassy while Mrs. Rosen is funny and a great storyteller. The strong willed twosome form a unique friendship over stories of the Holocaust, pre-war Europe and her brother Michael. But when Paris innocently wears a yellow star, given to her by Mrs. Rosen, to school, a chain reaction is set off.

This is a beautifully written and moving novel about one young girl making sense of life. Vive La Paris by Esme Raji Codell is for mature middle school readers due to the topics presented in the novel, deaths, teenage pregnancy, etc.

WHATEVER! THE COMPLICATED LIFE OF CLAUDIA CRISTINA CORTEZ

Middle school can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you’re interested in being popular. But is it really worth it? Claudia and her good friends, Monica and Becca, don’t think so. Check out their ideas for being true to themselves, and find out how they maintain a real friendship. This slim novel is wonderful for the middle school girl who is learning to be comfortable with herself and her peers.

Best for 6th grade and up.

LIBRARY CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY

Have a great Fourth of July. The Library will be open Saturday, July 5 at 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

Fourth of July is fast approaching and your long weekend will probably be filled with many activities. Take ten minutes out of your time and read this beautiful book about America!

ACROSS AMERICA, I LOVE YOU is written by CHRISTINE LOOMIS and illustrated by KATE KIESLER. This is a small book that poetically pays tribute to this wonderful country. It tells us about it's great landscapes, rocky mountains, from the east coast to the west, from the changing of the weathers to it's oceans and rivers.

For grades 2nd and up!

SEE THE RHYTHM OF A PEOPLE

Spirituals, ragtime, blues. Jazz roots, soul expressions, gospel prayers. A wide history of music brought from Africa to the United States makes up an entire culture of life and music. Poetry intertwines with visual art to create the most vibrant, lyrical portrayal of African American music history. Literally without missing a beat, the poems rhythmic flow sound like music in your head, while at the same time describe the different musical genres that are rooted in this diverse history. i see the rhythm, written by Toyomi Igus includes vivid, colorful paintings by Michelle Wood illustrating the text. Reading this book means more than looking at words on a page - it means experiencing history, hearing the paintings, and seeing the music. For grades 4 and up.