Looking for something new to read?
Here are some of the new books we put out on the shelves this week:
All of these books are available on the shelf Right This Minute…but that may not last long! Visit us and pick one up. Or you can put any of these titles on hold, and pick them up later–either by visiting in person or by using our Curbside Pickup.
See you soon!
Continuing from yesterday’s post…favorite new books in April. Only now, I guess, it’s May.
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New titles by Favorite Authors:
(or, as they should be called, probable series)
Stolen Magic, by Gail Carson Levine
Elodie, the dragon detective Meenore, and the kindly ogre Count Jonty Um are all on their way to Elodie’s home island of Lahnt. Elodie has barely set foot on land before she learns that the Replica, a statue that keeps her island’s deadly volcano from erupting, has been stolen! If the Replica isn’t found in three days, a mountain will be destroyed. And when Elodie ends up alone with a cast of characters each of whom may be guilty, she has to use her wits to try to unravel a tangled web of lies.
The popular author of many thrilling (and award winning) fantasy titles has written another one sure to be a hit. This isn’t really a series (not yet, anyway), but the book is a sequel to A Tale of Two Castles.
The Rat with the Human Face, by Tom Angleberger
Another sequel, this will be a series before too long! Lyle Hertzog and his friends Marilla and Dave are the Qwikpick Adventure Society, three kids who seek out adventure in their seemingly quiet hometown of Crickenburg. On the hunt for their next big adventure, the kids overhear a construction worker telling his buddies about a rat with a human face he saw in the basement of an old research facility. The decision is unanimous: the next adventure for the Qwikpick Society is on! But when their trip to find the rat doesn’t go quite as expected, the trio gets in big trouble. Will the second adventure for the Qwikpick Society also be their last?
Tombquest, by Michael Northrop
A new series by the publisher who brought us 39 Clues and Spirit Animals!
Nothing can save Alex Sennefer’s life. That’s what all the doctors say, but his mother knows it’s not true. She knows that the Lost Spells of the Egyptian Book of the Dead can crack open a door to the afterlife and pull her son back from the brink. But when she uses the spells, five evil ancients–the Death Walkers–are also brought back to life. An ancient evil has been unleashed. Mummies are awakening. New York is overrun with scorpions. And worst of all for Alex, his mom and the Lost Spells have both disappeared. He and his best friend, Ren, will do anything to find his mom and save the world . . . even if that means going head-to-head with a Death Walker who has been plotting his revenge for 3,000 years! We currently have the first two books, Book of the Dead and Amulet Keepers.
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And these just look good:
(Mostly because I like the cover. But also because spot-reading a few pages made me want to read more. Lots more!)
Valiant, by Sarah McGuire
Saville hates sewing. How can she not when her father, the Tailor, loves his bolts of velvet and silk far more than he’s ever loved her? But when he is struck ill, Saville must don boy’s clothes in the hopes of gaining a commission from the king to keep them fed. The kingdom is on edge when stories spread of an army of giants led by a man who cannot be killed. No one believes that, of course!. But when Saville cunningly tricks two large men into leaving the city, suddenly the Tailor of Reggen is the hero of the kingdom! The king even promises his sister’s hand in marriage, and by the time Saville reaches the palace doors, it is widely known that the Tailor single-handedly killed giants. When it’s discovered that she’s a girl, Saville is swept into the twists and turns of court politics. The deathless man is very real, and he will use his giant army to ensure he is given the throne freely or by force. Now, only a tailor girl with courage and cunning can see beyond the tales to discover the truth and save the kingdom again.
Drive Me Crazy, by Terra Elan McVoy
Friendship can be a bumpy road, especially when two people don’t exactly start off as friends. Lana and Cassie have met only once before, at the wedding of Lana’s Grandpa Howe and Cassie’s Grandma Tess two months ago. The two girls couldn’t be more different, and they didn’t exactly hit it off–but now they’re about to spend an entire week together, stuck in the backseat of a Subaru. They’re traveling with their grandparents on their honeymoon, road-tripping from California to Maine. It’s going to be a disaster.
Woof by Spencer Quinn
Trouble is brewing in the Louisiana swamp, and Bowser , the handsome and only slightly slobbery dog detective, is on the trail with his girl, Birdie. When a prize stuffed marlin is stolen from Birdie’s Grammy’s bait and tackle shop, Birdie and Bowser start digging for clues. But what looks like a straight-forward break-in soon becomes as tangled as a tourist’s fishing line. Was Grammy hiding a treasure map in the marlin? What’s up with Old Man Straker, owner of a rival tackle shop, and his juvenile delinquent son? And most sinister of all, why does it suddenly look as if someone wants to harm Birdie? Whatever it takes, Bowser is going follow the scent and solve the mystery.
The League of Beastly Dreadfuls, by Holly Grant
Anastasia is a completely average almost-eleven-year-old. That is, UNTIL her parents die in a tragic vacuum-cleaner accident. UNTIL she’s rescued by two long-lost great-aunties. And UNTIL she’s taken to their delightful and, er, “authentic” Victorian home, St. Agony’s Asylum for the Criminally Insane. But something strange is going on at the asylum. Anastasia soon begins to suspect that her aunties are not who they say they are. So when she meets Ollie and Quentin, two mysterious brothers, the three join together to plot their great escape.
Archie Greene and the Magician’s Secret, by D.D. Everest
On his twelfth birthday, Archie Greene receives a mysterious package containing an ancient book in a language he doesn’t recognize. The gift leads him to a family he didn’t know he had and a world he never knew existed. With the help of his cousins, Bramble and Thistle, Archie tries to unravel the mystery behind his book, but he begins to realize that his gift is something more powerful than he could have imagined. And the only thing more perilous than its contents is being its owner. The book waited four hundred years for Archie Greene. Now Archie must discover why.
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So come to the library and see what’s new! There are some great choices available.
::Kelly::
It’s the end of the month, and April is ending with a bang! On this very last day of the month, we have some great additions to our collection. I haven’t had a chance to read these new fiction offerings yet, but they’re all on my TBR list. Some are new entries in popular series, some are books by popular authors, and some just look really, really good. 🙂
Check it out!
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New Series additions:
Graceful, by Wendy Mass
The newest entry in the popular Willow Falls series, following 11 Birthdays, Finally, 13 Gifts and The Last Present. Angelina, the force behind the magic in Willow Falls has left town to see the world, leaving Grace in charge. Grace does her best to use the powers, with help from the hints left behind by Angelica. Grace is supposed to come into her powers gradually, but something’s affecting the magic in the town of Willow Falls, and she needs to do something now! Luckily, she’s got friends who can help. Family, friendship, and everyday magic — what could be better!
Gone Crazy in Alabama, by Rita Williams-Garcia
The third book about the Gaither sisters, following One Crazy Summer and P.S. Be Eleven. This time, the girls aren’t in Brooklyn or L.A, but instead in Alabama, spending the summer of 1969 in the rural South. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are vistiting their grandmother, Big Ma, and her mother, Ma Charles. The girls meet Miss Trotter, who they discover is Ma Charles’ half sister They can’t understand why the two women haven’t spoken for years. As Delphine hears about her family history, she uncovers a surprising truth that’s been keeping the sisters apart. But when tragedy strikes, Delphine discovers that the bonds of family run deeper than she ever knew possible.
Evil Spy School, by Stuart Gibbs
After attending Spy School and Spy Camp Ben thought that he was all set with becoming an operative for the CIA. That is, until during a spy school game of Capture the Flag, Ben somehow accidentally shoots a live mortar into the principal’s office-and immediately gets himself expelled. Not long after going back to the boring old real world, Ben gets recruited by evil crime organization SPYDER, an offer which he accepts. As a new student in SPYDER’s evil spy school, which trains kids to become bad guys, Ben does some secret spying of his own. Working as an unofficial undercover agent, he discovers that SPYDER is planning something very big-and very evil. Ben can tell he’s a key part of the plan, but he’s not quite sure what the plan is. Can Ben figure out what SPYDER is up to-and get word to the good guys without getting caught-before it’s too late?
Gollywhopper Games: Friend or Foe, by Jody Feldman
In this third installment of The Gollywhopper Games, a new kid is ready for the Games…or is he? Zane would rather play football than compete in the Games, and he’s sure that he’s headed straight for the NFL. But when he gets his second concussion, his parents tell him, “No football for a year.” Instead, to his surprise, he gets a chance to compete in the Gollywhopper Games. Zane’s sense of strategy, his physical strength, and his competitive edge are all assets, and so is his ability to motivate his teammates and get them to work together. Zane becomes particularly close to Elijah, a young and scrawny genius who is friendly, awkward, and funny–Zane’s polar opposite. These two unlikely friends end up head-to-head in the final challenge, where Elijah’s quick thinking and Zane’s physical strength make it a tough fight. Can they win?
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Tomorrow…more great new titles coming!
::Kelly::
And they just keep coming! Here are some favorites from our latest batch…
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Picture Books:
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Sweep Up the Sun
By Helen Frost and Rick Lieder
Do you have a bird feeder? Do you enjoy watching birds as they swoop and glide through the air? Then this book is for you!
Beautiful photographs of birds in flight by RIck Lieder illustrate Helen Frost’s poem about the wonders of flight, soaring in the skies and home. You can practically count every feather and hear the chirps and tweets.
An afterword provides information on the birds photographed, all of which could be seen in any Northeastern US backyard. A stunning visual treat and companion book to Step Gently Out. Nature lovers will love both of these books.
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Winnie & Waldorf
Written and illustrated by Kati Hites
Winnie and her dog Waldorf do everything together; Winnie takes care of Waldorf, and Waldorf takes care of Winnie. And they agree on everything. Mostly. But when the two of them get in trouble with big sister Sara, they have to be on their best behavior to prove that Waldorf can’t be replaced by a cat!
I loved the expressions on Waldorf’s face as he plays with Winnie. Waldorf may not know exactly what is going on, but he definitely is focused on his best friend as she worries about his future. Young readers will love the final solution and the chaos before that comes about. Make sure you check out the endpapers for more of Winnie and Waldorf’s adventures!
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Janine.By Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Janine is one of a kind! She marches to the beat of her own drummer, and enjoys it. She listens to everybody, knows lots of facts, and she’ll even make up her own cheers, if they’re needed. When one little girl challenges Janine to be COOL, Janine knows she already is. And her classmates soon realize, she’s right!
A fun story about a little girl who unabashedly herself. I love how her individuality is expressed in the illustrations and through her actions. Everyone needs a Janine in their lives.
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Bedtime at Bessie and Lil’s
By Julie Sternberg, Illustrated by Adam Gudeon
Big sister Bessie and little sister Lil are SUPPOSED to be listening to Mama Rabbit reading them a bedtime story. But Bessie wants to stand on her head, and Lil wants to show Mama how she can skip, and both of them want to watch the moon and look for fireflies. So Mama Rabbit has to read the story to herself. And then the girls want to go and say goodnight to the baby. Poor Mama Rabbit! Will the girls wake the baby, or can they make it to bedtime?
Anyone who has tried to put two rambunctious bunnies…er, kids…to bed will see themselves in this story. And any little bunny who has resisted going to bed will too. Maybe not the best bedtime story, but one to share over and over with your bunnies. While you’re reading, check out all the bunny details in the illustrations!
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Goose
By Laura Wall
Sophie is a little girl who loves to play with her dolls, dress up and go to the park. But it’s hard to play on the seesaw and swings alone. She wishes for a friend. Soon she finds Goose, who is the perfect playmate! But mom says Goose can’t come home with them. What is a little girl to do?
This very simple story about friendship is a delightful read. It’s short, sweet and will appeal to toddlers again and again. I love the expressions on Sophie and Goose’s faces. A fun read-aloud for bedtime or anytime.
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Fiction:
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Big Game
by Dan Smith
In Oskari’s part of Finland, boys go out into the wilderness to prove themselves in the Trial. With only a knife, a fire kit and their wits, each boy faces a weekend on Mount Akka, starting at the Place of Skulls. Oskari knows that he has a lot to live up to…when his father went through the Trial, he came back with a bear. Oskari can’t pull back the bowstring to prove he’s fit for the trial, but he knows that he has other traits that will help him. And he has a map, which his father has marked with a secret hunting ground. If he can get there, he knows he can bring back a trophy that will prove him a man.
But just when Oskari has a deer in his sights, it’s frightened away by a helicopter. Oskari curses at the helicopter, then realizes that its presence can only mean one thing…poachers. And bringing back information on trespassers on the land might be even better than a deer. He follows the helicopter in his ATV, only to find a crashed plane. And inside…a man who claims to be the President of the United States.
Soon Oskari has the biggest prize of all…a President. But with men hunting them, can he get the man safely back to his village and save the world from terrorists? Up above the Arctic Circle, survival can depend on Oskari’s braveness, his wilderness skills, and his will to survive.
A thrilling adventure by a favorite author.
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Lulu and the Hamster in the Night
by Hilary McKay
At her school, Lulu is famous for animals. If anyone needs someone to care for their animals, or to learn what they need, they ask Lulu. So when Emma Pond, one of the big girls tells Lulu that she has a hamster that she will either give to Lulu or release into the wild, Lulu knows just what she has to do. She takes the hamster. Her parents don’t mind…much…but they remind her that Nan, her grandmother, really doesn’t like hamsters. Lulu doesn’t think it will be a problem, she’ll just make sure to keep Ratty (that’s the hamster) out of Nan’s sight.
But then Lulu’s parents go away with her cousin Mellie’s parents, and both girls are saying with Nan for the weekend. They can’t leave Ratty alone at home! But they can’t let Nan see him, either. Everything would have been fine, except that Mellie leaves the cage open and Ratty escapes into the walls of Nan’s house! Can the girls get Ratty back and keep Nan out of it? Maybe…maybe not!
This sixth book of Lulu and her animal adventures is delightful; a quick read with lots of adventure and love. Try the other Lulu books too.
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The Penderwicks in Spring
by Jeanne Birdsall
Batty, the youngest of the four original Penderwick sisters is now almost eleven, and is now a big sister too. Little brother Ben is seven, and baby sister Lydia is two. With Rosalind in college and Skye and Jane both in high school, Batty, Ben and Lydia rely more on each other as the younger set of Penderwicks. Batty finds it to be a big responsibility, but one she’s willing to take on.
With the arrival of spring on Gardam Street, things start changing. Some changes are good, some not so much. When the Penderwick’s car breaks down, the girls all know that money is tight. Skye and Jane are already tutoring and working, and Batty convinces Ben to help her with setting up PWTW, Penderwick Willing to Work, an odd-jobs business. She’s willing to do almost anything! But when “anything” turns out to be walking Duchess, the fat dachund next door, Batty isn’t so sure. She’s still adjusting to the loss of her beloved Hound, and doesn’t think she’s up to the responsibility of caring for another dog. That chore doubles when Duchess finds a lost dog. Cilantro’s owners love him, but they don’t have a lot of extra time to walk him, so they hire Batty too. Then Batty’s new music teacher hears her sing, and tells her her voice is spectacular. It’s a good thing that Mr. Penderwick didn’t want Batty’s earnings for a car, now she can put them toward voice lessons.
Batty’s looking forward to Rosalind coming home from college for her birthday, the Penderwick’s favorite neighbor, Nick Geiger, coming home from fighting overseas for a visit, and Jeffrey, the honorary Penderwick coming to visit for her birthday. She needs to ask them all for advice about different things. But their visits don’t go quite as planned. Nick is wonderful, but seems worried about her. Rosalind brings a detestable boyfriend with her and Jeffrey fights with Skye and leaves early, before Batty can talk to him about music. Batty’s problems get bigger and bigger. What’s a Penderwick to do?
I adore the Penderwick books. No summary can give them justice–this one makes it sound like it’s all about Batty, but each Penderwick sister (and brother!) has their own story too. And Lydia! I think she might compete with Batty for adorableness! The Penderwicks in Spring will make you laugh, frown, giggle and even cry. It’s perfect–definitely MY favorite book of 2015!
If you’ve read the other Penderwick titles, you’ll love this one too. I didn’t think anything could top the first book, but The Penderwicks in Spring might be even better. I only hope that there are more Penderwick stories coming. With Ben and Lydia still having a lot of growing to do, there’s plenty of potential!
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Non-Fiction
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Two new Reference Books (that have to be used in the library), with circulating copies to be checked out too! Not much to say about them, except that they’re good, and contain lots of information about women in the American Revolution. If you’re a Weston fifth grader, doing the Wax Museum project on a little-known woman of the American Revolution, both of these books will be perfect for your researching. And at least one copy of each will always be available to use in the Library.
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Women Heroes of the American Revolution: 20 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Defiance, and Rescue
by Susan Casey
Find out about a wide range of women who helped fight the American Revolution, from spies to resisters to soldiers to saboteurs!
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Women of the Revolution: Bravery and Sacrifice on the Southern Battlefields
by Robert M. Dunkerly
From the fields of Cowpens to Fishing Creek and Hanging Rock, these Carolina ladies helped win the battle for independence.
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All this and more…much, much more! Visit the library and check out our new books section. It’s chock-full of good new titles! As always, if you need to find something specific or need reading suggestions, ask one of our librarians!
::Kelly::
We added lots of new books in February. Here are a few of my favorites that I grabbed off the cart!
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PICTURE BOOKS:
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Naptime with Theo & Beau
by Jessica Shyba
Theo is the puppy, Beau is the little boy. When Beau was about a year old, he and his brother and sister asked for a puppy for Christmas. A few months later, Theo came into their lives, adopted from a shelter.
From the moment they met, Theo and Beau were best friends. And like all friends, they like to do things together. Like nap! Every day, Theo waits for Beau to fall asleep. When he does, Theo is sleepy too! So Beau’s mom Hoists him up on the bed, Theo plops himself on top of Beau, and they nap together for a couple hours. With simple, descriptive text, this book shows some of the best pictures of their naps together.
I have to admit, I fell in love with the pictures of Theo and Beau online, and I follow the author’s blog: Momma’s Gone City. There’s something special between this boy and his dog, and I hope to see pictures of Theo and Beau continue.
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Dear Mr. Washington
by Lynn Cullen, Pictures by Nancy Carpenter
Charlotte and James and their little brother, Baby John, have promised to be on their best behavior while President George Washington comes to sit for a portrait to be painted by their father, Gilbert Stuart. But when he comes, Baby John chews his hair ribbon, James chases their cat up Mr. Washington’s shoulder, and Charlotte is caught spying, because she just wanted to see if the president could smile.
After the disastrous first visit, Mr. Washington sends the Stuart children a copy of his book of manners, and Charlotte, being a very polite little girl, writes her thanks and apologies in a series of letters. The text of this book is those letters, with illustrations showing how things *really* went.
I love this book! The expressions on both the children and the adults’ faces; the exuberance of Charlotte, James and Baby John as they try to impress and befriend the imposing Mr. Washington, the despair of the parents as everything goes completely wrong, the illustrations of children’s interpretation of Mr. Washington’s Rules for Good Behavior, (with guest appearances from Benjamin Franklin, Martha Washington and Thomas Jefferson). Based on a true event, described in a brief afterword, this is a perfect way to meet George Washington for young readers.
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FAIRY TALES:
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Little Red Riding Hood
By the Brothers Grimm, Illustrated by Sybille Schenker, Translated by Anthea Bell
This beautiful new take on an old tale is a stunning read.
Based the tale from the Brothers Grimm, and translated from the German, the retelling of Little Red Riding Hood (called Little Red Cap in this version) is the older, traditional version of the tale. Grandma does get eaten, as does Little Red, and the Huntsman shows up to kill the wolf in a rather gruesome way and save the day.
But the illustrations! They are so beautifully done. Cut-paper illustrations allow the reader to look through the woods to try to see what is happening on the next page. And then, when you turn the page, looking back where you’ve been is almost better. Black and red feature heavily in the color scheme, which is appropriate for Little Red and the Wolf.
I wouldn’t give this to a very young child, as the pages with the cuts are quite delicate. But if you’re looking for a way to share Little Red Riding Hood with your child, this is a wonderful way to do it.
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Classic Bedtime Stories
Illustrated by Scott Gustafson
Includes favorites like The Country Mouse and the City Mouse, The Tortoise and the Hair, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Story of Little Sambha and the Tigers, and Sleeping Beauty.
Wonderful re-tellings, with even more wonderful illustrations. If you’re looking for a collection of tales to share with your child at bedtime, where they can pour over the pictures while you read the stories.
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NON-FICTION:
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Two New Series: National Geographic Kids Chapters and DK’s Eyewonder
Tiger in Trouble: And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Rescues
By Kelly Milner Halls
This series features special animals–but all of them have captured the attention of the public in one way or another! Some are great escape artists, some have poignant stories of survival, some are strong rescuers. All are unforgettable. Each book features three animals and the people who care for them.
In Tiger in Trouble, you’ll meet Nitro, a tiger kept as a pet in a small cage who no one knew was blind, Etheral, a baby albino bat whose white fur made it impossible for her to catch food, and Suzie, Bob and Caleb, three Vervet monkeys each raised as a pet who had to come together to be a family.
This series is perfect for second and third grader readers who love animals.
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Pirates
by Deborah Lock
Every fact you wanted to know about pirates for kids!
This series is similar to the Eyewitness books, but for a slightly younger audience. Well researched, with great photographs and illustrations. The Eyewonder series also features some fun activities and games, as well as a facts check-up, glossary and index at the end of the book.
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FICTION:
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Smek for President
By Adam Rex
I haven’t read it yet, but I can’t wait! A sequel to one of my favorite books (and my favorite audio book of all time) The True Meaning of Smekday.
Tip and J.Lo are apparently back for another hilarious intergalactic adventure, getting their former car/now spaceship Slushious out of mothballs and heading to New Boovworld to clear J.Lo’s name. But with J.Lo dubbed Public Enemy Number One and Captain Smek out to capture him to prove his worth as the future president, it won’t be as easy as they thought.
The True Meaning of Smekday has been adapted into a film coming out this year called Home. Read the book or listen to the audio book before you see the film though. There’s no way it can be anywhere near as good!
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If you want more information on these books, or if you want a different new book to read, visit the library and ask a librarian for help.
As always, Happy Reading!
::Kelly::
Another new cart of books…more new favorites!
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Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution, by Mara Rockliff, Pictures by Vincent X. Kirsch
Once there was a baker who lived in Philadelphia. He was a big man, with a booming laugh, and a recipe for delicious gingerbread. He also loved his country. So when the American Revolution started, this baker knew he had to help somehow. And he did!
This is a short picture book based on the life of Christopher Ludwick, a German baker who is an forgotten hero of the Revolution. There is a brief author’s note in the back that gives a few details of his life, and what he did after the Revolution. He was a very interesting person, and I wish there was more information about his life.
The illustrations are wonderful–they look like gingerbread cookies! And the book also includes Christopher Ludwick’s recipe for gingerbread.
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When Otis Courted Mama, by Kathi Appelt, Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Before Otis, Cardell had a mostly wonderful life. He had a perfectly good mama and a perfectly good daddy who adored him. Also a perfectly nice stepmama, Lulu, and a perfectly cute stepbrother, Little Frankie, who also adored him.
The only problem is that his perfectly good daddy and perfectly nice stepmama and perfectly cute stepbrother live on the other side of the desert. And his perfectly good mama, who is wonderfully busy, is quite impressed when their new neighbor, Otis, comes visiting. With flowers.
A perfectly adorable story about a growing family, with Cardell right in the middle of a lot of love. And the illustrations are wonderful!
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Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws a Picnic, by Leslie Kimmelman, Illustrated by Victor Juhasz
Eleanor Roosevelt loved hot dogs! But as the wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, her parties usually featured fancier dishes.
In 1939, the King and Queen of England were coming for a visit…the first British royalty to visit the United States since the American Revolution! Eleanor promptly decided to host an all-American picnic…with hot dogs!
This story of two special couples and their memorable picnic is both enjoyable and true. An afterword provides more details, along with the information on a 50th anniversary celebration that took place in 1989.
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Winnie: the True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, By Sally M. Walker, Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss
When Harry Colebourn looked out the train window and saw a baby bear on the station platform, he had to investigate! He bought the bear for twenty dollars, named her Winnipeg, and took the baby bear with him to his military training camp at Valcartier, in Quebec.
Harry and Winnie had a wonderful time playing games at the camp with each other and the other soldiers in training while Harry took care of the horses. When the captain received orders that the troop was to go to England, Harry couldn’t leave Winnie behind, so she joined the regiment on their long trip to England.
But a bear couldn’t be brought on the front lines, and Winnie was left at the London Zoo, where she met a boy named Christopher Robin. And a story was born… With an afterword on the lives of Winnie and Harry, and photographs!
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A Million Ways Home, By Dianna Dorisi Winget
Poppy Parker was a perfectly ordinary girl living with her grandmother. Then Grandma Beth ends up in the hospital after a stroke, and Poppy ends up in foster care. Poppy has a plan to spring Grandma Beth from the nursing home, so the two of them can go home and stay in their apartment, where Poppy can take care of her.
But Poppy’s big escape ends in disaster when she’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. Suddenly, the police have put her in protective custody, staying with Marti, the mother of Officer Brannigan, the policeman who helped her. Living with Marti is much better than the foster facility. Poppy meets a new friend, finds a dog in need of even more help than she is, and tries to come up with another plan to rescue Grandma Beth.
This is a quick read about a plucky girl. There’s a lot going on, and the resolution, while not completely happy, is very hopeful. A great middle-grade book for dog lovers and kids who like adventure and family stories.
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Other new books in this release that people will enjoy (but that I haven’t read…yet.)
Lila and Myla, the Twins Fairies, by Daisy Meadows
A Rainbow Magic Special edition.
Jack Frost has stolen Myla And Lila’s twin magic…and Kirsty and Rachel have to help them!
Sleeping Beauty Dreams Big, by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams
Grimmtastic Girls #5
Daredevil Sleeping Beauty–or Rose, to her friends–knows that she has to avoid sharp objects after her 12th birthday. But at Grimm Academy, that’s not as easy as it sounds!
Big Nate’s Greatest Hits, by Lincoln Peirce
Just what it says–Big Nate’s most popular episodes, collected together for the first time!
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As always, if you would like to find one of these books, click on the title for a link to the Minuteman Library Network Catalog, or stop by the library! In the meantime, read, read, read!
On Monday, the American Library Association will be announcing the winners of the biggest book awards for kids and teens: the Caldecott, the Newbery and the Prinz Awards, along with the Coretta Scott King, the Schneider Family Book Award, the Seibert and several more. We’re looking forward to it!
::Kelly::
We just added a cart of new books for January. Here are a few of my favorites!
Picture Books
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich, by Julia Sarcone-Roach
“By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich. But you may not know how it happened. So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear.”
Read all about this bear and how it came into a neighborhood from the woods and just happened upon the beautiful and delicious sandwich, all alone. Of course it ate it!
Or is that REALLY the way it happened..?
You may see the surprise ending coming, or you may not. Either way, this is a great story to read aloud to kids of all ages.
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Sick Simon, by Dan Krall
Simon loves school! He looks forward to going every day. Even the day when he’s sneezing, coughing, his nose is dripping green goo. He feeds the class chinchilla, shares his snacks with friends, and passes around his stuffed toy for show and tell. But by Wednesday, his classmates are running away from him. By Friday, he’s the only one on the bus.
And that’s when the germs show up, to tell him he’s their hero. Simon may have to change his thinking about some things…
A funny look at why going out in public with a cold isn’t the best idea. The illustrations may be a little hard to look at (the green goo made my stomach churn!) but the resolution will make everyone–kids, parents, teachers, librarians–happy.
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The Storm Whale, by Benji Davies
Noi and his Dad live with their six cats by the sea.
One day, when Noi’s Dad goes out in his fishing boat, Noi finds a small whale washed up on the beach.
Can he save it?
I loved the illustrations in this deceptively simple story. I think you’ll love it too.
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Non-Fiction
Earmuffs for Everyone! How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs, by Meghan McCarthy
It seems like such a simply idea…a cap to keep your ears warm in the winter. And yet…the story is a lot more complicated than that.
Every year in Farmington Maine, there’s a parade commemorating Chester Greenwood, the inventor of earmuffs. But did he really invent them? Or did he perfect an idea that was floating around out there?
Read this book and find out!
I love Megan McCarthy’s books. She finds something intriguing and investigates. Whether it’s chewing gum (Pop!) or famous individuals (Seabiscuit, the Wonder Horse) or earmuffs, her interesting facts and wonderfully funny pictures make for a great quick and interesting read.
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The Whale Who Won Hearts: and More True Stories of Adventures with Animals, by Brian Skerry
Brian Skerry is a underwater photographer with National Geographic Magazine. He grew up in Massachusetts, not far from here. The Whale Who Won Hearts book is one of the new National Geographic Kids Chapters, a series designed for second and third grade readers interested in nature.
The book contains four different underwater stories involving leatherback turtles, harp seals, a beluga whale (on the cover) and coral reef sharks. The stories are quick reads, and very interesting. The photographs are wonderful.
If you have a budding naturalist, share this book with them. And look up the other books in the series too!
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And, on a more serious note
Red Madness: How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat, by Gail Jarrow
Have you ever heard of Pellagra? I hadn’t. Apparently, it was a disease that wiped out millions of people across the world. No one really knew what caused it, and no one knew how to treat it. Some people didn’t even know it existed…until someone they loved came down with the deadly illness.
When people across the American South started appearing in their local doctor’s offices with a red rash on their hands and feet, it was worrisome. When it started spreading, and people started dying, doctors started calling it an epidemic. No one knew what caused the rash, that started small and soon spread up extremities and across people’s faces. No one could tell who would live and who would die. Nor could anyone decide why some people died and some seemed to get the disease every year, recover and come down with it again.
At first, doctors thought that corn somehow caused the disease, but through experimentation found that wasn’t true. There was a link though, and health officials were determined to find out what was going on.
From the 1900 to the 1940s, Pellagra caused thousands of deaths, along with madness and debilitating health hazards each year. Now, hardly anyone knows what it is, or even what cures it. But every day, you eat something that will keep it at bay. Find out what it is in this well-researched and intriguing book. You will be fascinated.
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And a few I haven’t read yet, but I want to, as soon as I clear some space in my TBR (to be read) pile!
Chapter Books:
Heidi Heckelbeck Is Not a Thief! By Wanda Coven
Heidi Heckelbeck’s 13th adventure! When her best friend’s special pen goes missing, what’s a little witch to do? Look in her Magic Book of Spells, of course!
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Owl Diaries: Eva’s Treetop Festival, By Rebecca Elliot
The first book in a new chapter-book series about Eva Wingdale, a little owl with big ideas!
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Fiction:
The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book One: The Case of the Missing Moonstone, By Jordan Stratford
Just look at that cover! Detectives, two girls in a hot air balloon, a spyglass…what’s not to love? A made up story about two real people: Ada Byron, the world’s first computer grogrammer and Mary Shelley, the word’s first science-fiction author. This adventurous mystery looks to be a lot of fun to read!
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Story Thieves, by James Riley
Another great cover! Owen’s a normal kid with normal problems, until he sees his classmate Bethany emerging from inside a book! Turns out that Bethany is half fictional, and she’s looking for her missing father inside probable titles. Owen promises not to tell…IF Bethany will take him inside his favorite series to meet his favorite character. Of course, things don’t work out quite as planned, and soon Owen and Bethany are in trouble and on the run.
From the author of the wonderful Half Upon a Time, Twice Upon a Time and Once Upon the End, this is a book I’ve been waiting to read since I heard it was being written!
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So…if you’re looking for something new to read, try one of these titles. I think you’ll be happy that you did!
::Kelly::
…is visiting us tomorrow–Wednesday, March 19th at 7:30!
We will have books to purchase if you’d like an autographed copy!
See you there!
::Kelly::
If you’re trying to get your summer reading done and you’re having difficulties finding the books you need on our shelves, have you tried looking at our digital download e-books? We purchased as many of the titles available to libraries as we could!
If you’d like to try, first go to the Weston Public Library Page @ WestonLibrary.org
Click on the Button for Download Audio/EBooks on the bottom left corner.
This will bring you to the Minuteman Digital Media Catalog. (or you can skip the above steps and just click on this link.)
Click the Sign In button on the top and Sign in to your account with your library card number and PIN. (This is very important if you want to see the books available only to Weston Library patrons .) Search for the title you’d like to read!
And here are the Elementary Reading List Books (and series) available to borrow digitally:
See our next post for the Middle School Reading List E-books!
Another installment on the book ideas for holiday giving…this time, picture books! Thirty-two pages of illustrated storytelling, in a variety of genres. All the books on this list are hardcovers, published in 2012.
If you don’t want to give a book alone, picture books lend themselves easily to pairing with toys, stuffed animals, fashion, craft supplies or collectibles for any age!
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Picture Books:
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Jon Klassen
This looks like an ordinary box full of ordinary yarn. But it turns out it isn’t! A monochrome town gets a change of color and attitude with the help of a box of yarn and a girl named Annabelle. From the seemingly endless box of Extra Yarn Annabelle knits clothing for everyone around her, tempering the ill-tempered, and creating beautifully patterned warmth for people, animals, and objects, alike. When a greedy clothes-loving archduke tries to buy–then steal–the box for himself, he discovers that ill-gotten gains bear no fruit–or in this case, yarn.
Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham, Illustrated by Paul Zelinsky
Z is for Zebra. Zebra is absolutely certain he’ll be able to direct everyone to appear on the correct page, at the appropriate time, without any mishaps, unnecessary drama, or hurt feelings. It’s the ABCs, for goodness’ sake. How difficult can it be?
But there is just one…small…problem.
Zebra forgot about Moose.
A Perfect Day by Carin Berger
It snowed.
And snowed.
And snowed.
After it snowed, everyone bundled up and went outside to play.
You come, too!
Carin Berger’s exquisite collages illuminate, from dawn to dusk, the perfect winter day.
Homer by Elisha Cooper
Home isn’t just where the heart is. Home is often where the dog is!
Emerging one by one from a seaside home, Homer’s family invites him along to explore the beach, the market, the field. He gently declines each offer, remaining comfortably on the porch. As, one by one, the family returns with gifts from their wanderings, Homer warmly receives their treasures and enthusiastic accounts. And for this loyal dog—who you will recognize if you have ever loved a dog—home is where you are.
Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, art by Ed Young
Late at night, when all is quiet and everyone is asleep, a ninja creeps silently through the house. Stealthy and silent, he is on his midnight mission, breaking into a house to steal some treasure. He sneaks and balances, practiced and undetectable. Soon he reaches his ultimate goal…and gets a big surprise! Will the nighttime ninja complete his mission?
Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama has new neighbors! Nelly Gnu and her mama stop by for a play date, but Llama’s not so sure it’s time to share all his toys. Maybe just his blocks? It could be fun to make a castle with Nelly . . . But wait–Nelly has Llama’s little Fuzzy Llama! The fun turns to tears when Fuzzy Llama is ripped in two, “all because of Nelly Gnu!” Mama comes to the rescue and fixes Fuzzy, but she makes it clear: “I’ll put Fuzzy on the stairs, until you’re sure that you can share.”
Oh, No! by Candace Fleming & Eric Rohmann
Young children will delight in repeating the refrain “OH, NO!” as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud. This simple and irresistible picture book by hugely popular picture book creators—Candace Fleming and Caldecott medalist Eric Rohmann—feels like a classic-in-the-making. Fans of Rohmann’s Caldecott Medal-winning My Friend Rabbit, will be thrilled to see a new book created in the same expressive and comical style.
Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills
Rocket loves books and he wants to make his own, but he can’t think of a story. Encouraged by the little yellow bird to look closely at the world around him for inspiration, Rocket sets out on a journey. Along the way he discovers small details that he has never noticed before, a timid baby owl who becomes his friend, and an idea for a story.
This is the perfect gift book for any child who loves to write. Pair it with Rocket Learns to Read for even more fun!
This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
Wilfred is a boy with rules. He lives a very orderly life. It’s fortunate, then, that he has a pet who abides by rules, such as not making noise while Wilfred educates him on his record collection. There is, however, one rule that Wilfred’s pet has difficulty following: Going whichever way Wilfred wants to go. Perhaps this is because Wilfred’s pet doesn’t quite realize that he belongs to anyone. A moose can be obstinate in such ways. Fortunately, the two manage to work out a compromise. Let’s just say it involves apples.
Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money by Emily Jenkins and G. Brian Karas
On a cold winter day as a mean wind blows and icicles hang from windowsills, Pauline and her younger brother, John-John, decide to have a lemonade stand.A lemonade stand in winter? Yes, that’s exactly what Pauline and John-John intend to have, selling lemonade and limeade–and also lemon-limeade. With a catchy refrain (Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LIMEADE! Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LEMONADE!), plus simple math concepts throughout, here is a read-aloud that’s great for storytime and classroom use, and is sure to be a hit among the legions of Jenkins and Karas fans.
This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened. . . . Who would tell?
Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue, Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Once there was a little girl who didn’t want to sleep. Her parents say she doesn’t have to but insist she put on her pj’s anyway. Once in bed (though not tired!), the girl asks about how animals sleep, and her parents tell her about cats and bats, whales and snails. When she’s still not sleepy, her parents say she can stay up all night ! She finds a warm spot like a cat, folds her arms like the wings of a bat, curls up like a snail, and falls asleep like the animal who sleeps to be strong—the tiger.
Machines Go to Work in the City by William Low
Toddlers love machines and things that go, and this book gives them everything they want, from a bucket truck to a tower crane to an airplane. Every other spread has an interactive gatefold which extends the original picture to three pages, revealing something new about each situation. The last spread diagrams each city machine, providing additional information for young readers to pore over again and again. William Low’s classically-trained artist’s eye adds a new layer to this genre, and both parents and children will appreciate the beautiful illustrations, the attention to detail, and the clever situational twists revealed by lifting the flaps.
Creepy Carrots! By Aaron Reynolds, pictures by Peter Brown
The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch in this clever picture book parable about a rabbit who fears his favorite treats are out to get him.
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. He eats them on the way to school. He eats them going to Little League. He eats them walking home. He eats them all the time! As you can imagine, the carrots aren’t too happy with this situation. And one day. the carrots start following him. What will Jasper do?
Cold Snap by Eileen Spinelli, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
It’s snowy cold in the town of Toby Mills. The thermometer is sinking toward zero, and the icicle hanging from the nose of General Toby’s statue is growing closer to the ground. The newspaper headline reads “COLD SNAP!” The people of the town are losing hope—and the feeling in their toes—until the mayor’s wife saves the day with a toasty treat. From cocoa and sweaters to hot-water bottles, Spinelli (A Big Boy Now) catalogues all the ways people find warmth in winter; despite the harsh weather!
A Home for Bird by Philip C. Stead
While out foraging for interesting things, Vernon the toad finds a new friend – a small blue bird who is curiously silent. Vernon shows Bird the river and the forest and some of his other favorite things, but Bird says nothing. Vernon introduces Bird to his friends, Skunk and Porcupine, but Bird still says nothing. “Bird is shy,” says Vernon, “but also a very good listener.” Vernon worries that Bird is silent because he misses his home, so the two set off on a journey to help find a home for Bird.
The Quiet Place by Sarah Stewart, pictures by David Small
When Isabel and her family move to the United States, Isabel misses all the things she left behind in Mexico, especially her aunt Lupita and hearing people speak Spanish. But she also experiences some wonderful new things. Even better, Papa and her brother Chavo help her turn a big box into her own quiet place, where she keeps her books and toys and writes letters to Aunt Lupita. As she decorates and adds more and more on to her quiet place, it is here that Isabel feels the most at home in her new country while she learns to adjust to the changes in her life.
If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen
In If I Built a Car, imaginative Jack dreamed up a whimsical fantasy ride that could do just about anything. Now he’s back and ready to build the house of his dreams, complete with a racetrack, flying room, and gigantic slide. Jack’s limitless creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors to imagine their own fantastical designs. Buy both books for an imagine-packed treat! Chris Van Dusen’s vibrant illustrations marry retro appeal with futuristic style as he, once again, gives readers a delightfully rhyming text that absolutely begs to be read aloud.
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go . . . someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not!
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Maya is different–she wears hand-me-downs and plays with old-fashioned toys. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her gang, they reject her. Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya. This book will resonate with readers long after they’ve put it down.
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Picture books are often the most difficult to give as gifts, because there are so many to choose from! We hope this list will give you a good starting point. And if you give a picture book to a child, may we suggest you write the date and a note to the recipient inside the book cover? The personalization will make it not only a gift, but a treasured memory.
(And even if you’re not looking for gifts, read these books. They’re some of the best of 2012! We’re talking potential Caldecott Award winners here…) 🙂
::Kelly::
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