SWALLOWED WHOLE

THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY by Kathryn Fitzmaurice is very well written for an author's first novel. Set in a small oceanside town, Eleanor "Groovy" Robinson witnesses her father being taken to jail. Turns out, it's her mother that's sent him there, and all of a sudden her normal world swirls into chaos. She's so upset she can't even do the one thing she loves - cooking. She discovers unlikely friends in peculiar people and places, and comes to terms with things not always being what they seem. Very easy to read, with vivid imagery and an engaging plot. For grades 4 and up.

THERE IS A DRAGON IN THE LIBRARY

One day Max visited the library. After storytime he went wandering around the library and found a large egg on the bottom of a bookcase. When he moved closer to look at the egg, surprisingly out hatched a little dragon. Max ran to to tell his mother that there was a dragon in the library, but she laughed and said that he had a great imagination. When he tried to convince everybody that there was a dragon in the library, nobody seemed to believe him. Every time he comes to the library, he finds the dragon again, and it is bigger and hungrier and it is eating more and more books. This book with a fun text and beautifully illustrations, makes an excellent read-aloud for children 4-5 years old. A list of tips on how to take care of books added at the end of the book. Written by Dianne de Las Casas, illustrated by Marita Gentry.

A DEAD HIPPO MYSTERY

The meanest and most hated hippo is floating feet up in his habitat. Shocked by Henry the Hippo's death, Teddy is determined to find out how this could have happened in the best animal research facility in the country. When he discovers that the hippo might have been murdered, the only person willing to help find the hippo killer is Summer, the owner's daughter. Something stinks at Fun Jungle, and it isn't just the dead hippo.

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs is a fast pace mystery set in a Texas where the kids seem to know more than the adults. For readers in 6th - 8th grade.

TWENTY GOLD FALCONS

Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? I am talking about hunt for real treasure, such as gold, antique objects and gold falcons in the case of this story. Most likely, you have not right? Well. Aiden who is literally bored out of her mind and is completely miserable in her fancy private school somehow(you need to read to find out) embarks on a journey that is so fun and adventurous that you might even want to buckle your seat belt while reading the book.

This is a fun and mysterious story which brings great friends togather in search of a treasure, but the joureny to find the treasure is as fun as the treasure itself. You will even meet a mouse who loves the opera, now imagine that! TWENTY GOLD FALCONS is by AMY GORDON.

For grades 5th and up.

THE TROUBLE WITH HALF A MOON

Dellie is a thirteen years old girl that lives in a project building with her mother and father. Dellie's life has been quiet and sad since her little brother’s dead. The whole family is devastated. Her mother cries all the time,and forbids Dellie to go outside on her own so nothing bad happens to her. Dellie lives with the horrible guilt that the accident that killed her brother may have been all her fault. Dellie's world begins to change when new neighbors move in on the ground floor and the once peaceful building starts to have problems hearing gunshots and men fighting in the halls. In the middle of all that trouble she meets Corey. Corey is an adorable five-year-old boy, whose mother abusing him and who's often left him at home alone and hungry. He wanders around knocking on doors asking for bread. Dellie becomes attached with this little boy who reminds her so much of her brother. They develop a very strong bond. She wonders if she can do for Corey what she couldn't do for her brother to save him. The secret of Dellie’s brother accident is not revealed until near the end of the book. Corey contributed to a significant change in Corey’s life.

In addition to Corey, the story also includes Miss Shirley, a Jamaican colorful woman that is always full of wisdom and experience. Having experienced her own loses, She I and Dellie become close and helps Dellie to learn faith and healing.

Written by Danette Vigilante. Realistic fiction for grades 5 and up.

SUMMER READING FUN

It's that time again...Summer Reading Program. You can sign-up today in any of the Glendale Libraries and get your book log, bookmark and coupon for an Aunt Annie's tasty pretzel.

Read or listen to a book a week for eight weeks, record the titles in the log and bring it back to the Library to choose a book from the prize books to take home. You have until August 6 to do the reading.

Also check the Library Events for the many scheduled special events that are taking place during the program. Puppets, magicians, silly science and balloon artists are just some of the treats for families this summer.

A BOY + A DOG = ADVENTURE

Mystery, adventure, betrayal and riches are all here in one action-packed book. At the death of his uncle, Homer inherits his dog. He seems like any other ordinary dog except that he holds the clue to this madcap adventure.

Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors is a over the top goofy adventure for readers in 6th- 8th.

A PORTRAIT OF PIA

At first, Pia might seem like your average typical thirteen years old girl who is interested in boys and doing the fun stuff. However, there is a lot about Pia that even she does not know yet. Her living in New York has enriched her life on so many levels. Being exposed to great food, art and culture in general has contributed to her good upbringing. However, Pia also has family issues that have never been resolved. For example, finding about who her father is, or why her brother suddenly quit a very prestige school. In addition to all the madness that she is going through, she is also attempting to create a self portrait. The metaphor being that until she does not find herself in life, her portrait will not be complete! A PORTAIT OF PIA by MARISABINA RUSSO is an outstanding book that has so many great elements, one which I liked the most is the idea of Pia being such an avid reader and an art lover!

For grades 5th and up.

I WANT TO DO IT MYSELF

The very independent Little Princess is determined to go camping without anyone’s help. She insists she want to do it herself! Every time someone offers her help, she replies ‘NO’ ‘I want to do it myself’’. When she finally arrives at her campsite,she discovers she has forgotten her cooking equipment, the tent, a blanket, a pillow, a towel, her toothbrush and the list goes on. Fortunately, secret hands help that everything goes well, the only problem is that on the way home, the bags are too heavy!!!! Self- Reliance is important to children healthy development , however in this book Little Princess thinks she knows everything and does not allow anyone to provide assistance. A good example to teach children that at times we also need help from others. Beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations written by Tony Ross. Ages 5 -7.

PICTURES WORTH THOUSANDS OF WORDS

Tonya Bolden, author of the book FINDING FAMILY based an entire story around a collection of very old photographs that she has collected over the years. Real history makes up a lot of the setting and plot, but the story itself is made up of ideas that the pictures told her. The main character is Delana, whose mother has died and father has disappeared without a trace. She's left to be raised by her Grandpa and her Aunt Tilly who doesn't let Delana do much of anything. Her aunt tells her many stories about the family, some of which seem crazy and unbelieveable. But when Delana's aunt suddenly dies, it is up to Delana to determine truth from fiction. Good book for advanced 4th graders up to 8th grade readers.

THE TALENT SHOW

When the tornado hit the town of Tornado Alley, a lot of the town’s residences were on their usual daily routines of cleaning houses, rehearsing for school plays, running errands, or just simply doing nothing. However, when cars started to fly like Frisbees, people realized what was happening…After the tornado, things were destroyed and buildings were ruined, such as the local elementary school. When the principal of that school suggested raising money by doing a talent show, people got excited and started to feel optimistic about the future. The talent was recruited and the roles were assigned, until that is… another tornado hit the town of the Tornado Alley… THE TALENT SHOW by DAN GUTMAN, is fun and you don't have to have a talent to read it!

For grades 5th and up.

WHAT DO YOU KEEP SECRET?

Nyssa has just been roused from her home in the dark of night, only to find out she is one of the last members of a secret tribe. She must unravel the mystery of her life, one dangerous journey at a time. She leaves her home to escape an evil band of "Shadow Keepers", seeing visions of her past last. It's not easy deciphering what it all means, but Nyssa, her uncle and an old friend traipse across many islands to save themselves and a lost culture which turns out to not be so lost after all... THE KEEPER'S TATTOO by Gill Arbuthnott is a pretty thick read, and would be best for advanced readers in 6th grade and up.

LIBRARIES CLOSED

All of the Glendale Libraries will be closed in observance of the the holiday on Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, May 31.

Happy holiday to all.

ANNIE, SLEEPING BEAUTY'S NON-MAGICAL SISTER

On her sister's sixteenth birthday, Annie helped the palace guards search for illegal spindles, but before the day ends her sister falls under the bad fairy's spell and falls asleep for who knows how long. It's up to Annie, the sister with no magical fairy gifts whatsoever to bring her family and the rest of castle back awake and break the 100 years spell, otherwise she might never see her family again.

First, she must go and recruit Gwendolyn's betrothed to kiss her awake and just in case, as many other princes as possible. But when any royal beings go near Annie they lose their magical luster. The princes don't look as handsome and lose some of their charms. Everyone looks a little older, and not as perfect, but she will do whatever it takes to bring her sister and the rest of the castle out of the wicked spell before the whole kingdom falls into ruins or... the wrong hands.

The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker writes another fun fairy tale adventure for readers in 4th - 8th grade.

THE WONDERFUL BOOK

The story of a red book found in the woods and what each animal large and small thinks it is as they come upon it. Either a hat, a bed, or a table, each animal finds a creative way to use it.
Kids would love finding out what each animal did with the book. Perfect for story time, especially for toddlers and preschoolers. Kindergarten. Written by Leonid Gore.

A FAMILY REUNION THEY DIDN'T WANT

Cecile is her mother's name, but she calls herself Nzila now that she is an artist/poet in Oakland, California. Her father insisted that Delphine and her sisters will have to spend a month of their summer with their mother. All Delphine wants is to know the truth behind why her mother abandoned the family.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is a beautiful historical novel of a non- typical family reunion. Set in the 1960s during the Black Panther movement, three girls set off for what they think will be a sunny, Disneyland, movie star filled summer of fun, but what they get is something else.

For readers in 6th-8th grade.

I AM JACK'S WORRY

Bullies are not nice. They do mean things like make up names to call you and make up lies about you and sometimes they even spit on you! Poor Jack has a bully. But he is so afraid to tell anyone. His Mom is very busy and doesn't like to be bothered, his sister is annoying, his Mom's boyfriend Rob is really nice, but Jack doesn't want to scare him off. Jack comes up with as many ways as possible to avoid the bully, but finally things just get to be too much! I AM JACK by Susanne Gervay is really great, especially if you are being bullied or you know someone who is being bullied. Check it out if you are in 3rd - 6th grades.

LULU AND THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Lulu`s brother Billy is having a birthday. As cards arrive for Billy and not for her, and her parents plan Billy's birthday party, Lulu becomes more and more jealous.
To spoil the fun, Lulu hides the ball that Billy’s best friend has given him.
Billy is very upset when he can't find it, and everyone tries to comfort him except Lulu. He and his friends has to fly his kite instead. But then Lulu can't find her favorite yo-yo and suddenly she realizes how Billy must feel.
This book provides excellent examples of childhood jealousy and sibling rivalry for parents to share with children. Ages 5-7.
Written by Belinda Hollyer and illustrated by Emma Damon.

RUTH AND THE GREEN BOOK

Ruth and her parents buy a brand new car, to take them in a road trip from Chicago to visit her grandmother in Alabama.
During the 1950's, Ruth finds pretty soon that black travelers weren’t treated very well in some towns. Ruth and her parents are turned down at gas stations and motels, who serve whites only. Fortunately an attendant at an Esso service sold them a copy of "The Negro Motorist Green Book" that lists businesses that help black who were traveling and where they would be welcome to sleep, eat, shop, etc. Although the story is fictional, the book provides an explanation of some of the humiliations and hardships that blacks had to endure as a result of Jim Crow laws in the South……..Interesting book to discuss issues with children about discrimination. Grades 3-4. Ages 7-8.

CRAZY ADVENTURES OF DODSWORTH

Dodsworth gets the travel bug and decides to chuck it all and head for New York. Unbeknownst to him, Crazy Duck decides to stowaway in his suitcase, and every attempt to get rid of him is unsuccessful. So begins the frustrating but hilarious adventure around the New York City. Don't miss the continuing travels of Dodsworth and Duck in London and Paris.

Perfect travel logs by Tim Egan for beginning readers who want something a little quirky. For readers in 1st-2nd grade.