Five Books Featuring…Tricky Twins!

Do you love the movie The Parent Trap? It was one of my favorites growing up. (Of course, I saw the original Haley Mills version, not the Lindsay Lohan one. Hard to believe that each “pair” of twins was just one kid in both parts!) Anyway, one of my favorite books was Lisa and Lottie, which is the book that The Parent Trap was based on. It was written in 1949, but it’s definitely stood the test of time!

If you loved the idea of identical twins switching places, or kids plotting to get their parents back together–or even just together in the first place–you will love these books! Check them out and see what you think.

Our “Five Books…” lists include 5 books (or sometimes more!) on a specific topic, with a short synopsis so you can decide if it sounds like something you would like. Five Books–one old, one new, one popular with kids, one well-reviewed, and one staff favorite. (But you’ll have to guess which is which)!

Let the scheming begin!

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The House Swap by Yvette Clark

Allie is British and dreams of being a spy. Sage is an only child from sunny California. They meet when their families swap houses for the summer.

Although they’re polar opposites, Allie and Sage quickly realize that they’re both dealing with family issues–Sage’s parents may be on the brink of divorce, and Allie’s struggling to feel heard in her big family. It may take a trip around the world for them to find their place at home.

The Parent Trap meets The Holiday in this heartwarming and funny story of two girls, one American and one British, who become friends and confidantes when their families swap houses.

The Sister Split by Auriane Desombre

Autumn is looking forward to summer vacation. She and her best friend plan on going to all the most-excellent ice cream places their stomachs can handle-and in NYC, the possibilities can’t get any sweeter.

Linnea is still not over the fact that her dad has found love after her parents’ divorce. Luckily, she can take out all her feelings on the tennis courts for a winning summer.

But then Autumn and Linnea discover the news- their parents are getting married. Autumn will be moving to the suburbs to live with her soon-to-be stepdad and stepsister, which means kissing the fun summer with her best friend goodbye. For Linnea, she knows her dream of getting her parents back together is officially over.

Devastated, the two of them come up with an idea- if they can split up their parents, their lives can go back to normal. As Autumn and Linnea secretly try to sabotage everything from date nights to wedding planning, the two of them discover that having a sister is not the worst thing after all . . . but will they learn about love in a whole new way? A sort of anti-Parent Trap story!

Meet Me Halfway by Anika Fajardo

Mattie Gomez feels directionless after being uprooted from her beloved Minnesota and forced to move in with her new stepfamily in California. So when she meets a girl at her new middle school who looks exactly like her, she’s not sure what to make of it.

But her doppelganger, the popular Mercedes Miller, doesn’t like it one bit.

Mercedes is used to getting what she wants, when she wants; Mattie would rather be invisible and blend into the background. Mercedes lives in a big empty house with her nanny; Mattie’s new home is packed-to-the-gills, twenty-four/seven chaos. Mercedes has a short fuse; Mattie is a planner. Though they may look alike, the two of them couldn’t be more different.

Soon enough, however, Mattie and Mercedes learn that they have at least one thing in common: a dad from Colombia that neither of them has ever met. Determined to meet the father they’ve never known, these polar opposites suddenly have to work together to fake sleepovers, evade their friends, and plot daring escapes from school field trips in an effort to track down him down.

If only they could stop bickering long enough to get the show on the road. Less Parent, more Trap…but definitely twins!

Make a Move, Sunny Park! by Jessica Kim

This is the story of Sunny Park, a seventh-grade student at Ranchito Mesa Middle who loves the K-pop band Supreme Beat, hanging out with her cool grandma, dancing when no one is watching, snacking on shrimp chips, and being there for Bailey, her best friend since third grade. When Bailey decides that she and Sunny should audition for the school dance team in a ploy to parent-trap Bailey’s divorced mom and dad, Sunny agrees even though the thought of performing in public makes her pits sweat. After all, she’d do anything for Bailey. In a twist of fate, Sunny makes the team and Bailey doesn’t, and when Sunny reluctantly joins, it’s the start of a painful and drawn-out parting of ways for the two girls. As Sunny takes her first steps out from behind her friend’s shadow, she’ll have to figure out who she wants to be when she’s in the spotlight–and who she wants dancing alongside her.

 A funny and utterly charming novel about friends–how to make them, how to let go of them, and how to be your own BFF.

Lisa and Lottie by Erich Kastner

Lisa from Vienna–bold, with a head of curls–meets Munich’s buttoned-up Lottie at summer camp. It’s dislike at first sight–the girls are too much alike and too different to get along. But then a newspaper clipping tells the tale: they’re identical twins, Lisa living a colorful, big-city life with her father while Lottie keeps house with their gentle mother. Why have their parents separated? And how can they get to the bottom of the mystery? They decide to switch hairstyles, manners, and addresses–and that is where the adventure begins.

The book that spawned the beloved movie The Parent Trap…and all the books on this list!

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca

Maya is the pragmatic twin, but her secret anxiety threatens to overwhelm her.

Chaya is the outgoing twin. When she sees her beloved sister suffering, she wants to tell their parents–which makes Maya feel completely betrayed. With Maya shutting her out, Chaya makes a dramatic change to give her twin the space she seems to need. But that’s the last thing Maya wants, and the girls just drift further apart.

The once-close sisters can’t seem to find their rhythm, so they make a bet: they’ll switch places at their summer camp, and whoever can keep the ruse going longer will get to decide where they both attend high school–the source of frequent arguments. But stepping into each other’s shoes comes with its own difficulties, and the girls don’t know how they’re going to make it.

An evocative novel in verse about identical twin sisters who do everything together–until external pressures threaten to break them apart.

Bhai for Now by Maleeha Siddiqui

Ashar is busy with the ice hockey team, studying to get into the best school, and hanging out with his friends.

Shaheer and his father are always moving, following his dad’s jobs. Shaheer has given up hope of finding a place where he can put down roots, a place that feels like home.

The two boys have nothing in common.

But when they meet on Shaheer’s first day at his new school, it’s like looking in a mirror.

They quickly figure out that they’re twins, separated as babies. And they are determined to do whatever it takes–including secretly switching identities–to get to know the parent they’ve been separated from.

This is the story of two long-lost brothers who, while they might not like each other, just might need each other. Bhai for Now is by turns heartwarming and hilarious, and with an unforgettable Muslim family and friendship story at its core.

To Night Owl, From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer

Avery Bloom, who’s bookish, intense, and afraid of many things, particularly deep water, lives in New York City. Bett Devlin, who’s fearless, outgoing, and loves all animals as well as the ocean, lives in California. What they have in common is that they are both twelve years old, and are both being raised by single, gay dads.

When their dads fall in love, Bett and Avery are sent, against their will, to the same sleepaway camp. Their dads hope that they will find common ground and become friends–and possibly, one day, even sisters.

But things soon go off the rails for the girls (and for their dads too), and they find themselves on a summer adventure that neither of them could have predicted. Now that they can’t imagine life without each other, will Bett and Avery (who sometimes call themselves Night Owl and Dogfish) figure out a way to be a family? No twins, but some major parent-trapping!

Revenge of the Flower Girls by Jennifer Ziegler

One bride. Two boys. Three flower girls who won’t forever hold their peace. What could go wrong with this wedding? Everything!

The Brewster triplets, Dawn, Darby, and Delaney, would usually spend their summer eating ice cream, playing with their dog, and reading about the US Presidents. But this year they’re stuck planning their big sister Lily’s wedding. Lily used to date Alex, who was fun and nice and played trivia games with the triplets, and no one’s quite sure why they broke up. Burton, Lily’s groom-to-be, is not nice or fun, and he looks like an armadillo.

The triplets can’t stand to see Lily marry someone who’s completely wrong for her, so it’s up to them to stop the wedding before anyone says “I do!” The flower girls will stop at nothing to delay Lily’s big day, but will sprinklers, a photo slideshow, a muddy dog, and some unexpected allies be enough to prevent their big sister – and the whole Brewster family – from living unhappily ever after?

Did you know there was a 1980s Parent Trap 2 and a Parent Trap 3 featuring the original “twins” from the first movie and one of the twin’s triplets? They were made for Disney movies, and may still be found to watch.

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So…do any of these sound good to read? I want to read them all! Check one or two or three out, and let us know which one is your favorite!

Happy Reading!
::Kelly::

5 Books Featuring…Chicken Fun!

It’s the classic question: which came first…the chicken or the egg? In these five books–(okay, maybe a couple more)–you’ll find out that it really doesn’t matter. Whether they’re raising chicks from eggs or find a fully grown chicken to care for, what’s more important is the fun these kids have with chickens in their lives!

Our Five Books feature is a booklist of five books (occasionally with a few extras) on a specific topic, with a short synopsis so you can decide if it sounds like something you would like. Five Books–one old, one new, one popular with kids, one well-reviewed, and one favorite. But you’ll have to guess which is which!

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Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood

Prairie Evers is finding that socialization isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She’s been homeschooled by her granny and has learned the most from traipsing through nature. But now she has to attend public school, and feels just like her chickens–cooped up and subject to the pecking order. School is a jolt for Prairie until she meets Ivy, her first true friend. But while raising chickens and the great outdoors have given Prairie wisdom and perspective, nothing has prepared her for the give and take of friendship. When Prairie finds out that Ivy’s home may not be the best place for Ivy, Prairie must corral all her optimism and determination to hatch a plan to help.

Just Right Jillian by Nicole D Collier

It’s hatching season and Jemison Elementary is buzzing about the arrival of the baby chicks. Jillian will do just about anything to blend in, including staying quiet even when she has the right answer. After she loses a classroom competition because she won’t speak up, she sets her mind on winning her school’s biggest competition. But breaking out of her shell is easier said than done, and Jillian has only a month to keep her promise to her grandmother and prove to herself that she can speak up and show everyone her true self. 

Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Sam the Man needs a job. So when Mrs. Kerner asks if Sam would like to watch her chickens, Sam jumps on the task. You can count on him, yes indeed. Watching chickens is more fun than he expects, and comes with an added bonus: it turns out that visiting the chickens is the one thing that can coax his other neighbor, Mr. Stockfish, out of the house! But what does a seven-year-old do with all the money he’s earning? It’s too little for a bike, and too much for candy. But wait! It’s just enough for a chicken of his own–the kind that lays BLUE eggs! Soon he has a whole waiting list of kids who want to buy a blue egg. And what does Sam plan on doing with his new fortune? Buy Mr. Stockfish his own chicken, of course! Read about Sam the Man’s other plans too!

The Becket List by Adele Griffin

Everything is changing for Becket Branch. She is a city kid born and raised, but now the Branch family is moving to help Gran on Blackberry Farm. Now Becket has to make sense of new routines, from feeding animals to baling hay. But Becket makes her own “Becket List” for How to Be a Country Kid. Things don’t always work out the way she planned, but whether it’s selling mouth-puckering lemonade, feeding hostile hens, or trying to make a new best friend, Becket is determined to use her city smarts to get a grip on country living. The first book in a fun series.

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones

Sophie Brown feels like a fish out of water when she and her parents move from Los Angeles to the farm they’ve inherited from a great-uncle. But farm life gets more interesting when a cranky chicken appears and Sophie discovers the hen can move objects with the power of her little chicken brain–jam jars, the latch to her henhouse, the entire henhouse…. And then more of her great-uncle’s unusual chickens come home to roost. Determined, resourceful Sophie learns to care for her flock, earning money for chicken feed, collecting eggs. But when a respected local farmer tries to steal them, Sophie must find a way to keep them (and their superpowers) safe. Read the sequel too: Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken?

The Chicken Doesn’t Skate by Gordon Korman

The South Middle School Rangers hockey team is in a serious slump until a wayward chicken named Henrietta, who belongs in a cage in Mrs. Baggio’s science room, finds itself sitting on the Rangers’ bench. A mascot is born. But Henrietta, the key ingredient in Milo Neal’s science-fair project, The Complete Life Cycle of a Link in the Food Chain, has a date with destiny. Feelings escalate when the students–including hotshot hockey star; an animal-rights activist steeped in pop psychology; a computer nerd who writes slimy, bloody screenplays; and a young scientist trying to fit into a new school as well as impress his scientist father–all realize that Milo’s plan for completing the link in the food chain actually involves fried chicken. In their attempts to save Henrietta, a series of highly improbable but very funny events occur.

Kate Walden Directs: Night of the Zombie Chickens by Julie Mata

Night of the Zombie Chickens is supposed to be Kate Walden’s breakout film. But her supporting actresses – her mother’s prize hens – are high maintenance, to say the least. Thank goodness Kate’s best friend Alyssa is the star. But when Alyssa turns into a real-life soulless zombie and ditches Kate, she suddenly finds herself both friendless and starless. Kate hatches the perfect revenge plot against her former best friend, but even though her screenplay is foolproof, Kate soon realizes that nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Also read the sequel, about Kate’s follow-up movie: Bride of Slug Man!

The Hoboken Chicken Emergency by Daniel Pinkwater

Though no one in Arthur Bobowicz’s family cares much for turkey, when the butcher loses the family’s Thanksgiving turkey order, Arthur frantically searches Hoboken for another fowl to take home to dinner. Unfortunately, it looks like every bird in town is spoken for — until Arthur happens to find a mad inventor who offers to sell Arthur one of his superchickens at a bargain price of six cents per pound (and NO REFUNDS). When Arthur returns home with Henrietta, his mother refuses to cook a sixfoot, 266-pound chicken, which is fine because Arthur has started to grow fond of her. But then Henrietta accidentally wanders off alone, and dreadful rumors of a dangerous monster running amok through the city spread like wildfire, causing panicky townspeople to cower in their homes. With Henrietta on the loose, the city of Hoboken will never be the same.

Don’t Chicken Out by Shawn K. Stout

Fiona is tired of hearing “no” from everyone. Especially when it is followed by: “You’re not old enough.” So Fiona sets out to prove that she is, in fact, old enough to do things on her own–and ends up babysitting chickens in the fair’s poultry pavilion. It’s not easy being trustworthy and mature, especially when nobody is paying attention. But when the feathers start to fly at the Great Ordinary Fair, Fiona sticks her neck out for a new friend (and a bunch of chickens) and learns a few things about herself and what it means to take responsibility, even when things go really, really wrong. Be sure to read all of Fiona’s adventures as a Not-So-Ordinary Girl!

Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles

Ruby Lavender and Miss Eula are a pretty good team, for a couple of chicken thieves. What other granddaughter-grandmother duo could successfully drive the getaway car for chickens rescued from a journey to the slaughterhouse, paint a whole house shocking pink, and operate their own personal secret-letter post office? So when Miss Eula leaves for Hawaii to visit her new grandbaby, Ruby is sure that she will have a lonely, empty, horrible summer in boring old Halleluia, Mississippi. What happens instead? She makes a new friend, saves the school play, writes plenty of letters to her favorite (and only) grandmother . . . and finally learns to stop blaming herself for her grandfather’s death. Not too bad, for a nine-year-old.

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So there you have it…a handful (plus!) of chicken fiction. Does it make you want to run out and get a chicken for a pet? If so, maybe you could write about your own adventures! You probably won’t get chickens with ESP, or want to film a movie with a cast of chickens…but maybe you will. It would definitely be interesting, and probably fun too!

As always, if you need help finding these or any other books on our shelves, just ask one of our librarians. We always love matching books and readers!

Happy Reading!
::Kelly::

Booklist…Awesome Memoirs (with a touch of humor!)

You think your life is tough? Read about the kids growing up in these books. Of course, all of them became authors, so they just seem to have a way with words telling their stories…getting readers to laugh and cry with them, and making even sad memories relatable. You may already know some authors in this category–Raina Telegemier, Jack Gantos, Tomie dePaola, Shannon Hale, Terri Liebenstein–but there are quite a few you may have missed. (and if you haven’t found those authors yet, please ask for help finding them!)

From growing up in the Depression to growing up with something that marked you as different to growing up in a boisterous family…all of these books will make you laugh, maybe cry, and definitely appreciate your life.

Check out these great true memoirs about some of your favorite…or soon-to-be-favorite…authors!

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A Girl from Yamhill by Beverly Cleary

Generations of kids have read Beverly Cleary’s books. From Ramona Quimby to Henry Huggins, Ralph S. Mouse to Ellen Tebbits, she has created stories with both humorous tales and heartfelt anxieties. But this book is her own personal story of what adolescence was like. In warm but honest detail, it’s relates what growing up was like in Oregon during the Great Depression, includes her difficulties in learning to read, and offers a slew of anecdotes that were, perhaps, the inspiration for some of her beloved stories. For everyone who has enjoyed the pranks and schemes, embarrassing moments, and all of the other poignant and colorful images of childhood brought to life in her books, here is the fascinating true story of the remarkable woman who created them. A must for older fans of Ramona, Henry and Beezus.

Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland

Cindy has just dipped a toe into seventh-grade drama–with its complicated friendships, bullies, and cute boys–when she earns an internship as a cub reporter at a local newspaper in the early 1970s. A (rare) young female reporter takes Cindy under her wing, and Cindy soon learns not only how to write a lede, but also how to respectfully question authority, how to assert herself in a world run by men, and–as the Watergate scandal unfolds–how brave reporting and writing can topple a corrupt world leader. Searching for her own scoops, Cindy doesn’t always get it right, on paper or in real life. But whether she’s writing features about ghost hunters, falling off her bicycle and into her first crush, or navigating shifting friendships, Cindy grows wiser and more confident through every awkward and hilarious mistake. A laugh-out-loud graphic memoir!

Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

Presents humorous anecdotes from the author’s childhood which includes summer vacations in Norway and an English boarding school. In Boy, Roald Dahl recounts his days as a child growing up in England. From his years as a prankster at boarding school to his envious position as a chocolate tester for Cadbury’s, Roald Dahl’s boyhood was as full of excitement and the unexpected as are his world-famous, best-selling books. Packed with anecdotes — some funny, some painful, all interesting — this is a book that’s sure to please. If you loved Matilda or Charlie, you’ll want to read this book.

No Map, Great Trip: a Young Writer’s Road to Page One by Paul Fleischman

Author Paul Fleischman considers how growing up with a father who was an award-winning author helped to shape and inspire his own career. Paul and Sid Fleischman are the only father-son Newbery Medalists in history (so far), and life in the Fleischman home was extraordinary. Readers will feel like part of the family in this humorous and aspirational chronicle. Part memoir, part travelogue (young Paul travels from California to New Hampshire by himself), part writing book, and part reflection on art and creativity, this inspirational book includes black-and-white photographs, as well as writing tips and prompts just right for budding authors.

The Dumbest Idea Ever! by Jimmy Gownley

What if the dumbest idea ever turned your life upside down? At thirteen, Jimmy was popular, at the top of his class, and the leading scorer on his basketball team. But all that changed when chicken pox forced him to miss the championship game. Things went from bad to worse when he got pneumonia and missed even more school. Before Jimmy knew it, his grades were sinking and nothing seemed to be going right. How did Jimmy turn things around, get back on top at school, and land a date with the cutest girl in class? Could the dumbest idea ever be the best thing that ever happened to him?

Ugly by Robert Hoge

When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes.  Amazingly, he survived–with a face that would never be the same. Strangers stared at him. Kids called him names, and adults could be cruel, too. Everybody seemed to agree that he was “ugly.” But Robert refused to let his face define him. He played pranks, got into trouble, had adventures with his big family, and finally found a sport that was perfect for him to play. And when Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart. This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are. Kids who loved Wonder will love this book.

Small Steps: the Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret

In a riveting story of courage and hope, author Peg Kehret tells of months spent in a hospital when she was twelve, first struggling to survive a severe case of polio, then slowly learning to walk again. She describes the disease, the diagnosis, the severe symptoms, treatments, physical therapy, slow recovery, and return home with walking sticks—and how she was forever changed. A simple, direct, and sometimes self-deprecating style of writing tenderly draws readers into her experiences and the effects of the disease. Her powerful account is also full of the humor that she and four spunky roommates found in daily hospital life. Read her follow up memoirs of how clipping coupons led to publishing books and how writing and animal rescue complement each other.

Chewing the Cud by Dick King-Smith

A candid and very funny memoir from beloved children’s book author Dick King-Smith. Before he was a children’s book author, Dick King-Smith was a soldier, a farmer, a salesman, a factory worker, and a teacher. But he was always a devoted family man who loved the countryside he lived in and the animals he kept. In this insightful memoir, Dick King-Smith recounts the joys and failures of his life with equal humor and candor. And he remembers a delightful cast of animal characters–from Anna, the dachshund who turned out to be just stubborn, not deaf, to the 600-pound pig Monty, who liked to be scratched on top of his head, to Wilhelmina, a pet badger who was fond of love bites. As readers delight in recognizing the inspiration behind many of Dick King-Smith’s books, they’ll also see how a collection of experiences made a man a writer.

Normal: One Kid’s Extraordinary Journey by Magdalena & Nathaniel Newman

In this uplifting and humorous memoir brimming with black-and-white comic illustrations, Nathaniel and his mother, Magda, tell the story of his growing up with the same craniofacial syndrome as the boy from Wonder–from facing sixty-seven surgeries before the age of fifteen, to making friends, moving across the country, and persevering through hardships. How they tackle extraordinary circumstances with love and resilience is a true testament to Nathaniel and Magda’s extraordinary family, and to families everywhere who quietly but courageously persist. The Youth Reader’s Edition.

This Side of Wild: Mutts, Mares and Laughing Dinosaurs by Gary Paulsen

A series of surprising true stories about the author’s relationship with animals, highlighting their compassion, intellect, intuition, and sense of adventure. Gary Paulsen is an author and adventurer who competed in two Iditarods, survived the Minnesota wilderness, and climbed the Bighorns. None of this would have been possible without his truest companion: his animals. Sled dogs rescued him in Alaska, a sickened poodle guarded his well-being, and a horse led him across a desert. Through his interactions with dogs, horses, birds, and more, Gary has been struck with the belief that animals know more than we may fathom. His understanding and admiration of animals is well known, and in this memoir, he proves the ways in which they have taught him to be a better person. Make sure to read his more serious biographical tales as well.

Bill Peet: An Autobiography by Bill Peet

An enthusiastic and heart-felt autobiography about a beloved illustrator. Beginning with a traditional Midwestern town and country boyhood, this autobiography follows Bill Peet through high school, into art school, on to local prizes for his paintings, and eventually to an invitation to “audition” for the Disney studios, where he eventually worked on Snow White , Dumbo , Sleeping Beauty , and many more films. At the same time, he struggled at home with the picture-book format for his art, finding himself with reams of picture stories but at a loss for words to accompany them. Every page of this oversized book is illustrated with Peet’s unmistakable black-and-white drawings of himself and the people, places, and events described in the text. Artists and readers alike will enjoy this memoir, full of art and behind-the-scenes stories.

The Odd 1s Out: How to Be Cool and Other Things I Definitely Learned from Growing Up by James Rallison

Like any shy teen turned young adult, YouTube star James Rallison is used to being on the outside looking in. He wasn’t partying in high school or winning football games like his older brother. Instead, he posted comics on the Internet. Now, he’s ready to share his hard-earned advice from his 21 years of life in the funny, relatable voice his fans love. In this illustrated collection, he tells his own stories of growing up as the “odd one out”: in art class with his twin sister (she was more talented), in the middle school locker room, and up to one strange year of college (he dropped out). Each story is filled with the little lessons he picked up along the way, serious and otherwise, like: How to be cool (in seventh grade); Why it’s OK to be second-best at something, and How to survive your first, confidence-killing job interviews. Filled with fan-favorite comics and never-before-seen material, this tongue-in-cheek take on some of the weirdest, funniest parts of life is perfect for both avid followers and new converts. Make sure to read the sequel too!

Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories about Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka

How did Jon Scieszka get so funny, anyway? Growing up as one of six brothers was a good start, but that was just the beginning. Throw in Catholic school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows, jokes told at family dinner, and the result is Knucklehead. Part memoir, part scrapbook, this hilarious trip down memory lane provides a unique glimpse into the formation of a creative mind and a free spirit. You might even find out how the heck someone thought to come up a story of a little man made of smelly cheese! (And definitely don’t miss the disgustingly funny chapter about bringing the cat on a car trip.)

Her Own Two Feet: A Rwandan Girl’s Brave Fight to Walk by Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze

Through her eyes, the moving story of a young Rwandan girl born with clubfeet and the risk she takes for the chance to walk on the bottoms of her feet for the first time. Rebeka Uwitonze was born in Rwanda with curled and twisted feet, which meant she had to crawl or be carried to get around. At nine years old, she gets an offer that could change her life. A doctor in the US might be able to turn her feet. But it means leaving her own family behind and going to America on her own.Her Own Two Feet tells Rebeka’s inspiring story through her eyes, with the help of one of her hosts. She travels from Rwanda to Austin, Texas, to join the Davis family, despite knowing almost no English. In the face of dozens of hospital visits and painful surgeries, Rebeka’s incredible bravery and joyful spirit carry her to the opportunity of a lifetime. A stunning debut about hope, perseverance, and what becomes possible when you take a risk.

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchin

Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in his own kitchen! How will Yevgeny ever fulfill his parents’ dream that he become a national hero when he doesn’t even have his own room? He’s not a star athlete or a legendary ballet dancer. In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything. With equal amounts charm and solemnity, award-winning author and artist Eugene Yelchin recounts in hilarious detail his childhood in Cold War Russia as a young boy desperate to understand his place in his family.

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And there you have it. Some great auto-biographies of authors…who write really, really well. Check one out the next time you visit the library. Whether you love their style of writing already, or if you’re looking for a true story about what growing up is like for someone in a different place or time…there’s sure to be something you’ll like.

As always, if you need help finding these books–or any other–just ask one of our librarians for assistance. We love helping to match books and readers!

Happy Reading!
::kelly::

Book and Audio Review: Level 13

It’s almost summer, so it’s time to travel! What better to bring along on a trip than a book…or a book on CD? Here’s one the whole family will enjoy!

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Level 13: a Slacker Novel
By Gordon Korman
performed by Jessica Almasy, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Christopher Gebauer and Jonathan Todd Ross
5 CDs, 5.75 Hours

Cameron Boxer is a dedicated student. Dedicated to beating online video games, that is! His grand goal in life is to make a living (and a fortune!) streaming online for other gamers. So his whole being is wrapped up in besting his last score and learning all the cheats and hacks for his favorites. Someday, he wants to be like Draja Dubrovnik, his online gamer hero. School? Who needs it! Cam knows he can get enough of an audience to become famous.

His friends don’t really seem to know that through. No, they think he’s some kind of hero for coming up with the P.A.G.–the Positive Action Group. What is the P.A.G.? Only the best thing to happen to Sycamore Middle School in, like, forever! (according to the Daphne Leibowitz anyway, one of the girls in the school). Cam actually came up with the idea to get his parents off his back about spending too much time online. It wasn’t supposed to be a REAL club! But now there are 874 group members, and Cameron is the head of it. The club has done all kinds of community service–from walking old ladies across the street to painting orphanages to picking up garbage. The funny thing is, everyone thinks Cam is some kind of genius for coming up with the P.A.G., although he mostly wants to slither out of those responsibilities.

So when Cam is invited to a party when he would rather be gaming, he has no idea that it’s the first step in a slippery slope leading to more P.A.G. stuff. He was just going to make an appearance! But no, cool kid Jordan is asking him–Cam Boxer!–for advice. Xavier, the school delinquent, has brought him cookies for some bake sale he seems convinced Cam knows about, and worst of all, he discovers that know-it-all Daphne Leibowitz is dating one of his two best friends–Chuck.

Things go downhill from there. Daphne has decided that the P.A.G. need to raise funds to repair the Library. Not only does that suck up all Cam’s gaming time, but the Awesome Threesome–Cam, Chuck and Pavel, their third best friend–now have responsibilities! But at the first event for the Library Fund Raiser, Cam finds a discarded copy of Guardians of Geldorf. And it’s not the ordinary version, but the very first version of the game. A first edition with the secret level–Level 13–that was banned in 47 states. The game was pulled from the market and an updated version re-released with Level 13 deleted in future editions because of “inappropriate content.” But Cam has the original right in his hands.

Can he use Guardians to become famous?

Take one slacker gamer, add a few classmates with no clue, one annoyed sister who does have a clue, and two best friends, one of whom is part of the new ‘ship Duckne. Add a suspicious teacher, a video-obsessed beaver named Elvis and a suspected stalker. The problems pile on, and Cam is soon running himself ragged trying to be famous. Not everyone is on board with his plan, but he’s going to make a valiant effort! It’s a lot of work to be a slacker in Level 13!

The audio recording of Level 13 is absolutely, hysterically wonderful! The chapters in the book alternate between Cam, Chuck, Pavel, Daphne, Mr. Fanshaw, Melody Boxer and brief appearances from other characters in the book. This means that different voice actors provide each character, making it much easier to distinguish between points of view. The kids sound like kids, the teacher sounds like a teacher, and everyone is spot on with their characterizations. I loved all their voices.

This is an extremely funny book. It’s the sequel to Slacker, and although it would probably be best to read that first, it’s not necessary. Slacker is basically the story of how the P.A.G. got started, and where Elvis came from. You can enjoy Level 13 without that background knowledge, but of course, it is better with it.

Cam Boxer reminds me of a younger Ferris Bueller. He’s spends more energy trying not to expend energy. His schemes to more good than harm, and he has the unknowing support of an entire school behind him. Even his “enemies” are annoyed with him because he’s successful. But in Level 13, you can see the scheming from inside…and figure out why things fall the way they do. Plus, there’s the added viewpoint of all Cam’s friends and acquaintances.

Level 13 is probably best for kids grades four through seven, who like humor and wacky plots. It’s classic Gordon Korman at his scheming best. The audio would be good for all ages. If you haven’t, you could also read or listen to Slacker, the first book in this set.

Some read-alikes are all the MacDonald Hall books by Gordon Korman, the Charlie Joe Jackson series by Tommy Greenwald, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger, Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson, The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea, The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon, and Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage.

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So is Cam Boxer an over-achiever or a slacker? You’ll have to read the book and decide for yourself.

I think he would be an interesting friend to have though. And he makes me want to go find my really old Gordon Korman books to see how his characters evolved. Cam is a lot like Boots and Bruno, Bugs Potter and Rudy Miller. Don’t know who those people are? Maybe it’s time to shop Canadian bookstores!

As always, if you need help finding these, or any other books, ask one of our librarians for help. We love matching books and readers!

Happy Reading!
::Kelly::

Audio and Book Review: Lions & Liars

Are you tired of the snow? Ready for some summer fun? Then you’ll love today’s audio book!

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Lions & Liars
by Kate Beasley, Illustrations by Dan Santat
Read by Robbie Daymond
5 CDs, 5 Hours, 41 Minutes

Frederick Frederickson has the kind of life you’d think someone named Frederick Frederickson would have. He’s usually picked in the last batch for sports, he’s not even on the radar of the cool kids, and if there’s a wrong place to be at the wrong time…that’s where you’ll find him. His friend Joel has a theory–some kids are lions, some kids are gazelles. And some kids are the fleas on a meerkat’s butt. Joel think’s Frederick is a flea. Frederick doesn’t agree.

The one thing Frederick feels he has going for him is his annual family vacation. Every year, they go on a 7-day cruise, and Frederick can drink fancy drinks with fruit impaled on little swords and sit by chocolate fountains and just enjoy life. In fact, he’s only a day away from the family cruise trip, so getting his nose flattened by a dodgeball isn’t going to bother him. Except he didn’t count on Hurricane Hernando. And his mother getting worried enough to cancel their trip. But that’s exactly what she does. Frederick has been bragging for weeks about the cruise to his friends! How will he be able to face them knowing that this will be a week of regular school–no drinks, no fountain, with a whole other year before he can go again?

His mother’s idea of a consolation is going to Joel’s birthday party. Well, consolation and dinner…since the family has already cleaned out their cabinets and refrigerator due to thinking they were going to go on a cruise. Frederick would rather sit at home than face Joel and Raj, his other best friend, after the way he has thrown the cruise in their faces, but his mother forces him and his sister Sarah Anne to attend.

Joel is not the type to let it go, and Raj is sticking to his side. They bring Frederick down to the dock, where Joel’s father’s new boat is tied up. Frederick feels like a loser, he doesn’t need Joel rubbing it in. But then Joel goes a step too far, and Frederick snaps. He’s going to PROVE to Joel that he, Frederick Frederickson, is a Lion. He’s not going to be a flea anymore. Frederick gets into the boat, intending to prove to Joel and Raj that he has a great sense of adventure, that he can be as enterprising as the next guy. That he can face life straight on, and operate a stupid little motorboat just fine!

Except the motor falls off the boat. And the anchor line isn’t tied to the anchor. And there are no oars. And before Frederick can jump off and swim to shore, and alligator swims up beside the boat. Frederick Frederickson, despite the best efforts of his friends and his sister, floats downstream.

After a cold and lonely night (with the alligator pacing his free-floating boat) Frederick lands on the beach of a disciplinary camp for troubled boys. Of course, he doesn’t really know this at the time. All he knows is that the counselor who finds him thinks he’s a boy called Dashiel Blackwood. And because he’s tired of being a Frederick, he decides to be Dashiel. A boy he imagines is a real lion. Someone who he can practice on, and see if he can apply some new techniques when he returns to being just Frederick.

Except after the first night, no one–well none of the counselors anyway–believes that Frederick is NOT Dashiel. Some campers are dubious, but Frederick has convinced them all with his lies! But a day of straight lying is harder than Frederick thought, even to be a lion. He wants to go home. Unfortunately, part of life at Camp Omigoshee is to sever connections to the outside world for the duration. There are no phones and no computers–and no way to alert his family that he’s okay. There’s also no way for the counselors to know that there’s a hurricane coming. With Hurricane Hernando headed straight for Camp Omigoshee, can Fred–er, Dash, help his bunk mates Ant Bite, the Professor, Specs and Nosebleed to survive a category five hurricane? Will the boys survive? Are they lions…or fleas?

Lions & Liars is a wonderful book. It’s humorous, but there’s a good deal of truth behind the humor. The characters are maybe slightly exaggerated, but that’s what makes them fun characters! I love all the backstories of the campers. Frederick too. I was a little hard on Joel and Raj, but even they come around in the end. The story covers quite a few topics–friendship, finding yourself, survival and adventure!

The audio of Lions & Liars is funny. Not slapstick funny, but situation-ally funny. The scrapes the boys get into are on point and the way things escalate without control just make it funnier. Even though Frederick is trying his best, his good intentions often cause more trouble than would ever be thought possible. The narrator does a wonderful job of bringing each character to life through their voices, as well as bringing to life their behaviors. Lions & Liars truly sounds like it’s recorded by a full cast, with all the differences between the voices. It’s not surprising that the reader is a professional, and does may other audio titles. I may have to look up more of his work!

Lions & Liars would be a great book for kids in fourth through seventh grades, boys especially. The audio is accessible to kids in third grade and up, and it would be a great discussion book for families. Some similar read-alikes are Holes by Louis Sachar, Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly, 24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling, and Restart by Gordon Korman. The audio is wonderful, but if you listen, make sure to check out the print book too–Dan Santat’s illustrations are hysterical, and add so much to the story.

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So there you have it! A funny book to read, and maybe to share with a family or friend. I’ll tell you a secret–this book wasn’t really on my radar. Last year, a fifth grader told me it was the BEST book he’d ever read, and then his mom told me it was the funniest book their family ever listened to. With a recommendation like that, well, of course I had to read it too! (And now you know–if you tell me about a book you loved, I will find it and read it too…and it might even end up here!)

As always, if you need help finding this or any other book in the library, just ask one of our librarians. We always love to match kids and books! We’re excellent at recommendations too…if you’re looking for something new.

Happy Reading!
::kelly::

Five Books Featuring…Chickens!

Cluck-cluck-cluck!   So I was walking along, trying to decide what topic to pick for this entry…and all of the sudden, one of my neighbor’s chickens caught my eye!  It made me think of a new book that had just come in a few weeks ago, and thus…chickens!

There are lots of books about chickens, roosters and chicks in the picture book section–not so many in fiction for older kids.  But there are at least five good ones!  So…on with the list.  Five Books Featuring…Chickens!

Our Five Books feature is a short booklist of five books on a specific topic, with a short synopsis so you can decide if it sounds like something you would like.  Five Books–One Old, One New, One Popular with Kids, One Well-Reviewed, and One Favorite. (But you’ll have to guess which is which)!

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Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood
Prairie Evers is finding that socialization isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She’s been homeschooled by her granny and has learned the most from traipsing through nature. But now she has to attend public school, and feels just like her chickens–cooped up and subject to the pecking order. School is a jolt for Prairie until she meets Ivy, her first true friend. But while raising chickens and the great outdoors have given Prairie wisdom and perspective, nothing has prepared her for the give and take of friendship. When Prairie finds out that Ivy’s home may not be the best place for Ivy, Prairie must corral all her optimism and determination to hatch a plan to help.

Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O’Rourke Dowell
Sam the Man needs a job. Even his sister gets twenty bucks a pop for mowing people’s lawns!   When Mrs. Kerner asks if Sam would like to watch her chickens, Sam jumps on the task. You can count on him, yes indeed. Watching chickens is more fun than he expects, and comes with an added bonus: it turns out that visiting the chickens is the one thing that can coax his other neighbor, Mr. Stockfish out of the house! But what does a seven-year-old do with all the money he’s earning? It’s too little for a bike, and too much for candy. But wait! It’s just enough for a chicken of his own–the kind that lays BLUE eggs! Soon he has a whole waiting list of kids who want to buy a blue egg. And what does Sam plan on doing with his new fortune? Buy Mr. Stockfish his own chicken, of course!

The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story by Adele Griffin
Everything is changing for Becket Branch.  From subways to sidewalks to safety rules, she is a city kid born and raised. Now the Branch family is trading urban bustle for big green fields and moving to help their gran on Blackberry Farm, where Becket has to make sense of new routines, from feeding animals to baling hay.  But Becket is ready! She even makes her own “Becket List” for How to Be a Country Kid. Things don’t always work out the way she planned, but whether it’s selling mouth-puckering lemonade, feeding hostile hens, or trying to make a new best friend, Becket is determined to use her city smarts to get a grip on country living.

Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken? by Kelly Jones
Sophie Brown is finally settling into her new home and her new role as keeper of some highly unusual chickens–chickens with secret superpowers!  But the arrival of two new magical chickens for her flock and some unusual eggs to be incubated and hatched (what will their superpowers be?), plus an impending inspection from the Unusual Poultry Committee (who even knew this existed?) has Sophie feeling pretty stressed out. Her older cousin, Lupe, is coming to stay with her family, which is great–but will Lupe like chickens too? And on top of it all, Sophie’s first day at her new school is rapidly approaching!

The Chicken Doesn’t Skate by Gordon Korman
Milo Neal is the favorite to win first prize at the science fair. But his project, which involves a chicken, sets off the a conflict with a star hockey player, a first-class dweeb, and an animal rights activist!  The South Middle School Rangers hockey team is in a serious slump until a wayward chicken named Henrietta finds herself sitting on the Rangers’ bench, and a mascot is born. But Henrietta is the key ingredient in Milo’s science-fair project, “The Complete Life Cycle of a Link in the Food Chain” as well as being the team’s only chance at winning the championship.  Feelings escalate when the other kids realize that Milo’s plan for completing the link in the chain actually involves fried chicken, and a series of highly improbable but very funny events occur.

Cake by Joyce Magnin
Wilma Sue seems destined to go from one foster home to the next–until she is sent to live with sisters and missionaries, Ruth and Naomi. Do they really care about Wilma Sue, or are they just looking for a Cinderella-style farmhand to help raise chickens and bake cakes?  As Wilma Sue adjusts to her new surroundings and helps deliver “special” cakes, Wilma Sue realizes there’s something strange going on. She starts looking for secret ingredients, and along the way she makes a new friend, Penny.  When Penny and her mother hit a rough patch, Naomi decides to make her own version of cake–with disastrous results. Then tragedy strikes the chickens, and all fingers point to Wilma Sue–just when she was starting to believe she could at last find a permanent home with Ruth and Naomi. Will the sisters turn her out, or will she discover what it feels like to be truly loved?

Kate Walden Directs: Night of the Zombie Chickens by Carol Mata
Night of the Zombie Chickens is supposed to be Kate Walden’s breakout film. But her supporting actresses – her mother’s prize hens – are high maintenance, to say the least. Thank goodness Kate’s best friend Alyssa is the star. But when Alyssa turns into a real-life soulless zombie and ditches Kate, she suddenly finds herself both friendless and starless. Kate hatches the perfect revenge plot against her former best friend, but even though her screenplay is foolproof, Kate soon realizes that nothing ever goes exactly as planned!

The Hoboken Chicken Emergency by Daniel Pinkwater
Though no one in Arthur Bobowicz’s family cares much for turkey, when the butcher loses the family’s Thanksgiving turkey order, Arthur frantically searches Hoboken for another fowl to take home to dinner. Unfortunately, it looks like every bird in town is spoken for — until Arthur happens to find a mad inventor who offers to sell Arthur one of his superchickens at a bargain price of six cents per pound (and NO REFUNDS). When Arthur returns home with Henrietta, his mother refuses to cook a sixfoot, 266-pound chicken, which is fine because Arthur has started to grow fond of her. But then Henrietta accidentally wanders off alone, and dreadful rumors of a dangerous monster running amok through the city spread like wildfire, causing panicky townspeople to cower in their homes. With Henrietta on the loose, the city of Hoboken will never be the same!

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And there you have it!  These chickens are everything from sports stars, to magical egg layers, to problem solvers to movie stars.  The one thing they all have in common–they make for great reads.

So try a chicken book today, and see if you ever think of them the same way…

Happy Reading!
;;kelly::

5 Books Featuring…Dark Lords and Villains…maybe?

Villains are evil, vile and horrible beings who want nothing more than to rule the world, right?  Maybe…and maybe not.  The kids in these books are designated to be villains, but maybe they don’t want to be!  And maybe they do.  Villain or hero; which would you choose?

Our Five Books feature is a short booklist of five books on a specific topic, with a short synopsis. Five Books–One Old, One New, One Popular with Kids, One Well-Reviewed, and One Favorite. (But you’ll have to guess which is which)!

So on with the show!  It’s time to read Five Books Featuring…Dark Lords of Villainy.  Maybe?  Is it a misunderstanding or deliberate evil?   Read and find out.

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Monstrous by MaryKate Connolly
The city of Bryre suffers under the magic of an evil wizard. Because of his curse, girls sicken and disappear without a trace, and all live in fear. No one is allowed outside after dark. Night is when Kymera comes to the city, with a cloak disguising her wings, the bolts in her neck, and her spiky tail. Her mission is to take the girls of Bryre. Despite Kym’s caution in going secretively, a boy named Ren sees and befriends her . . . but what he knows will change her world forever.

The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Horowitz
Dastardly deeds aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind when one hears the name “Clementine,” but as the sole heir of the infamous Dark Lord Elithor,  Clementine Morcerous has been groomed since birth to be the best (worst?) Evil Overlord she can be. But everything changes the day her father is cursed by a mysterious rival.  Now, Clementine must not only search for a way to break the curse, but also take on the full responsibilities of the Dark Lord. But when it’s time for her to perform dastardly deeds against the townspeople–including her brand-new friends–she begins to question her father’s code of good and evil. What if the Dark Lord Clementine doesn’t want to be a dark lord after all?

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
Cadel Piggott has a genius IQ and a fascination with systems of all kinds. At seven, he was illegally hacking into computers. Now he’s fourteen and studying for his World Domination degree, taking classes like embezzlement, forgery, and infiltration at the institute founded by criminal mastermind Dr. Phineas Darkkon. Although Cadel may be advanced beyond his years, at heart he’s a lonely kid. When he falls for the mysterious and brilliant Kay-Lee, he begins to question the moral implications of his studies. But is it too late to stop Dr. Darkkon from carrying out his evil plot?

Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones
Blade knows that his father Derk doesn’t want to be The Dark Lord.  But it’s Derk’s turn.  His commitment to taking the role upsets the whole family.  Blade’s human sister Shona wants no part of it.   His Griffin siblings mostly agree to play a part.  Their mother is disgusted, and leaves to meet with her former magic teacher.  It’s not like Derk wants to be evil!  But their whole worlds economy depends on playing a role.  Everyone– from the humans to the talking horses to the griffins and the magic users– hates being under the thumb of Mr. Chesney, who operates the Pilgrim Parties, a tour group that visits every year and expects a grand battle between good and evil.  Blade and his whole family find themselves wrapped up in all kinds of trouble from misunderstandings and good intentions.  The time has come to end the staged madness . . . but can it really be stopped?

Vordak the Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World by Scott Seegert
Slip on your acid-free gloves, make sure you have a duplicate copy of How to Grow Up and Rule the World (just in case something should happen to this one), and try to follow along as the incomparable, superior-in-all-ways Vordak the Incomprehensible teaches you a thing or two about villainy. Now you, too, can try (and fail) to attain Vordak’s level of infamy.  From selecting the most dastardly name, to choosing the ideal henchmen, to engaging in witty repartee with disgustingly chipper superheroes, experienced supervillain Vordak the Incomprehensible guides readers step-by-step toward the ultimate goal of world domination (from his parents’ basement in Trenton, New Jersey).  In return for this wealth of knowledge, Vordak requests nothing more than an honored place in the evil regime of he who achieves control of the world. (And, of course, the opportunity to assume command, should things not work out.)

The Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy by Serena Valentino
The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the maiden finds out that she is a princess-a princess who has been cursed by a dark fairy to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into an eternal sleep. Though her three good fairies try to protect her, the princess succumbs to the curse. But the power of good endures, as her true love defeats the fire-breathing dragon and awakens the princess with true love’s first kiss. The two live happily ever after.  And yet this is only half the story. So what of the dark fairy, Maleficent? Why does she curse the innocent princess? What led to her becoming so filled with malice, anger, and hatred? Many tales have tried to explain her motives. Here is one account, pulled down from the many passed down through the ages. It is a tale of love and betrayal, of magic and reveries. It is a tale of the Mistress of All Evil.

Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon
When Molly shows up on Castle Hangnail’s doorstep to fill the vacancy for a wicked witch, the castle’s minions are understandably dubious. After all, she is twelve years old, barely five feet tall, and quite polite. (The minions are used to tall, demanding evil sorceresses with razor-sharp cheekbones.) But the castle desperately needs a master or else the Board of Magic will decommission it, leaving all the minions without the home they love. So when Molly assures them she is quite wicked indeed (So wicked! REALLY wicked!) and begins completing the tasks required by the Board of Magic for approval, everyone feels hopeful. Unfortunately, it turns out that Molly has quite a few secrets, including the biggest one of all- that she isn’t who she says she is.

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And there you have it!  Tales of vile villainy.  Well…maybe.

Let us know what you think, and enjoy these stories.

Happy Reading!
::kelly::

 

Old Favorite: Sideways Stories From Wayside School

The tallest and most mixed-up school you’ll ever visit.  Thirty kids, each with their own story.  A teacher who thinks cute kids are monkeys, super sticky gum, mosquito bite math and a nonexistent nineteenth floor.  You never know what you’ll find here.

It’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar!

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Wayside School was accidentally built sideways.  Instead of thirty classrooms, side by side on one level,the builders made it with thirty classrooms, one right on top of the other, thirty stories high.  The builders apologized.  The kids like it that way though…it means they have an extra big playground.

The thirtieth floor holds thirty stories.  The first story starts with Mrs. Gorf, who has pointed ears, a long tongue, and is the meanest teacher in the school.  She is doesn’t like children, but she loves apples.  So, when children misbehave, she turns them into apples.  All she has to do is wiggle her ears–first her right one, then her left–and stick out her tongue.  Apple.

At the beginning of the week, Mrs. Gorf has twelve apples on her desk.  By mid week there are twenty-four apples on her desk, and three children in her classroom.  By the end of the week, there are only apples, and she decides to retire.  But the apples attack, and Mrs. Gorf is forced to turn them back into children.

That could have been that, but the children threaten to get Louis, the yard teacher.  Mr. Gorf tries to turn them back into apples,  but Jenny has a mirror, and Mrs. Gorf turns herself into an apple.  None of the children know what to do.

But Louis heard the commotion and comes up to see what’s going on.  When he doesn’t see Mrs. Gorf, he decides to take the apple. After all, he saw two dozen on Mrs. Gorf’s desk just the day before—surely she wouldn’t miss one!  He polishes the apple on his shirt, and eats it.

And that’s the end of the first story, but not the end of the book!  Mrs. Jewels, Joe, Sharie, Todd, Bebe, Calvin, Myron, Maurecia, Paul, Dana, Jason, Rondi, Sammy, DeeDee, D.J., John, Leslie, Miss Zarves, Kathy, Ron, the three Erics, Allison, Dameon, Jenny, Terrence, Joy, Nancy, Stephen and Louis each have their own story to tell…

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Sideways Stories from Wayside School is certainly not an easy book to summarize! It’s offbeat, a little crazy, very much tongue-in-cheek…and very popular with kids for the last forty plus years.  Louis Sachar said he wrote Sideways Stories based on experiences he had in college, working as a playground supervisor–Louis, the yard teacher.  Of course, he also said his life was boring, so he added several elements to make it more exciting.  Sideways Stories was his first book, but certainly not his last!  In fact, he won a Newbery Medal in 1998 for Holes, which is also popular with young readers.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School was originally published in 1978, there are several sequels:  Wayside School is Falling Down and Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger written in 1989 and 1995.  There were also two companion books Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School and More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School, also written in 1989, are Wayside stories interspersed with math and logic puzzles.

And guess what?  This month, a NEW Wayside School book came out!  Wayside School Beneath a Cloud of Doom.  (Which is certainly appropriate, given the circumstances.)  I haven’t read it yet, but it’s definitely on my TBR pile.  It certainly looks and sounds like it should be a worthy successor!  Maybe there will even be more…

Sideways Stories from Wayside School is a fun book to read aloud.  It’s quirky and unpredictable and laugh-out-loud funny…and kids just don’t know quite what to expect.  If I’m reading aloud, the looks on their faces when they hear what happens to Mrs. Gorf…no one knows quite how to react!  Is is supposed to be funny, or horrifying?  The first chapter definitely sets the tone for the rest of the book.

So many kids who read the book just want to share it with an adult or another kid.  It’s one of those books that passes from reader to reader through word of mouth.  The short chapters and unpredictable elements lend itself to kids transitioning from beginning chapter books to fiction. So Sideways Stories can be enjoyed by good second grade readers right through fifth graders.

Some read alikes might be My Weird School by Dan Gutman, The Classroom 13 series by Honest Lee and Matthew Gilbert, The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candice Fleming, and Punished! by David Lubar.

So check out Sideways Stories from Wayside School and see what you think.  Would you like to be trudging up thirty flights of stairs each day to get to your classroom at the top of the school?

Happy Reading!
::Kelly::

Book & Audio Review: Who Let the Gods Out?

Making up for lost time…two in one week!

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Who Let the Gods Out?
by Maz Evans, narrated by the author
6 CDs, 7.5 Hours

Elliot Hooper is an ordinary kid with some extraordinary problems.  It all started when he wished upon a star to change his life.  Well, no…it all started during a horrible day at school when he fell asleep at his desk and his odious teacher Boil tried to force the headmaster, Call-Me Graham, to expel him.  Elliot does have several reasons for losing sleep–his Mom is ill, and he’s trying to hold both of them together while trying to save the farm that’s been in his family for generations, there’s a Scary Letter with a deadline hanging above his head–but it would do no good to tell the school that.  It’s enough that their suspicious neighbor, Mrs. Porshley-Plum has been prowling about.  If any of them figured out that Elliot is taking care of everything, they would just send him away and he’d lose the farm and Mom.  So Elliot wishes.

Elsewhere, Virgo is trying to show the other constellations that even though she’s the youngest by several thousand years, she can still be responsible.  And she sets off to prove it by bolting during a confrontational meeting and taking over a mission that none of the other constellations want.  So she didn’t get the details.  So she doesn’t know anything about the mortal realm.  So she doesn’t know how to maneuver her constellation form well.  So what–she can still do it!

Elliot and Virgo come together when Virgo crash-lands through Elliot’s cowshed and into a pile of manure.  After Virgo realizes that Bessie is not a Bovinor but a cow, and Elliot is actually the person representative of Earths main life-form, the two form a reluctant partnership.  It takes a bit of time for Virgo to accept Elliot’s help, but once Elliot is convinced that Virgo isn’t just a strange girl, but instead an immortal with a mission, he thinks they can help each other.  And if Elliot can help with her mission, then Virgo will help save the farm.

But things don’t work out quite the way they’re planned when Virgo and Elliot botch the mission and release Thanatos, the evil Daemon of Death.  Suddenly Elliot’s farm is full of Virgo’s family–Gods like chubby Zeus and his noble high horse Pegasus, Hermes, who is obsessed with social media, and Hestia, who starts immediately renovating and redecorating .  But it’s good that the gods have come to help, because Thanatos has discovered that Elliot is the one person who might be able to cause his downfall…and he’s on the hunt.

The audio for Who Let the Gods Out? is narrated by the author.  It’s always an enjoyable experience to listen to an author read their own work; obviously, they already know the characters inside and out.  This book is no exception; it’s a great narration.  I love all the various accents for the characters. I couldn’t tell you which type of English accent they’re supposed to be, but I can tell that they’re all different!  And the humor of the situation and the characters definitely comes out in the reading.  What’s not to love?

Who Let the Gods Out? is both heartwarming and hysterical.  I love the silly names for the characters in the mortal realm, as well as Elliot’s nicknames for some of the more outrageous individuals.  (It’s definitely reminiscent of Roald Dahl.)  The gods are over-the-top funny.  Each god and goddess (as well as the non-god immortals) take their mythological background into account, but give it a modern and unexpected twist.  And they are funny!  Elliot’s care of his mother and his desire to save her and the farm make him a admirable character, even when he lets his impatience get in the way.  Virgo is clueless and a bit rude, but her heart is in the right place.

I would recommend Who Let the Gods Out? to readers who enjoy a little humor (well, a lot of humor) with their adventure and mythology.  If you like the Goddess Girls, Beasts of Olympus or the Myth-o-Mania series, you’ll definitely like this book as well.  Some listen-alikes are Thor’s Wedding Day, Hatched, and Pip Bartlett’s Guide to Magical Creatures.  While the audio is enjoyable for all ages, the book is probably best for fourth through seventh grade readers.

Who Let the Gods Out? is the first book in a trilogy, so I’m hoping the others will be just as much fun to read.  They’ve been published in the UK, but the next book–Simply the Quest is coming out in the US in 2019.

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So there you have it!  Another great audio book to listen to.  Percy Jackson fans–you should try this one.  It’s an adventure, and an interesting take on characters you already know.  Not Percy, of course, but the gods and goddesses in his family tree.

As always, if you need help finding this or any other book or audio in our library, just ask one of our librarians.  We love to help you find your best book!

::Kelly::

 

Old Favorite: Romeo and Juliet Together (and alive!) At Last

It’s the rare book that will make a variety of readers unexpectedly laugh out loud.  But when you do find one, it’s a book to treasure.  The Vicar of Nibbleswicke and The BFG always make me laugh, (especially the chapter called Frobscotters and Whizzpoppers in The BFG.  I challenge anyone to read that aloud without completely cracking up.)  Actually, most Roald Dahl books have a few LOL chapters!  There are moments with Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins that make me chuckle, and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Fudge-a-Mania always make me grin foolishly.  But nothing has ever caught me off guard and made me laugh out loud (in my dentist’s office, no less!) than Romeo and Juliet Together (and alive!) At Last, by Avi.

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Peter Saltz likes Anabell Stackpoole. It’s a new thing (only two days old, in fact) but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s in love.  Ed Sitrow has been Peter’s best friend for forever, and when Peter confesses his love to Ed, Ed knows he has to do something to get them together.  The idea hits him in English class, where they’re studying Shakespeare.

Have Peter and Anabell act out the greatest love story of all time: Romeo and Juliet.

Ed gets together his friends Hays, Radosh and Lucy, then asks Priscilla Black to join them because she’s Anabell’s best friend. Hamilton, the kind of obnoxious kid every class has, overhears their “secret meeting” and manages to butt his way into the group.  Together, Ed and his friends decide that the best way to get Saltz and Stackpoole together is to put on a play of Romeo and Juliet, with Peter and Anabell in the starring roles. It will be a lot of work, but for Saltz, they’re willing to do it.  They figure they can get costumes, build some sets, write an abridged script and have enough after school rehearsals in to present a polished performance in, well…two weeks.  Their teachers seem a little doubtful that they can pull it off, but the kids know they can do it. Of course, they still have to talk Peter and Anabell into the lead roles.  And come up with the costumes.  And the script and sets.  And find time for rehearsals.

Easy, peasy!  Er…maybe?

Between sets that feature ice-covered log cabins, fight scenes between mortal (for middle school, anyway) enemies, wobbly balconies and extremely shy lead actors (who know they’ll have to, eventually, kiss) the production is soon underway.  Nobody quite knows what is going to happen, but it will definitely be THE most memorable production of Romeo and Juliet ever put on by an eighth grade class!

* * *

Romeo and Juliet Together (and alive!) At Last is the sequel to S.O.R. Losers, which is also about Ed and Peter…and their not-so-winning soccer team.  You don’t need to read that book to enjoy this one, but  S.O.R. Losers is another Old Favorite  which is definitely worth reading.

I loved Romeo and Juliet Together (and alive!) At Last when I first read it (and laughed in the dentist’s office) and each and every time I’ve read it again since then.  Avi has the voice of his eighth-grade characters down pat, as well as their well-meant but bumbling efforts as matchmakers, playwrights, actors and stuntmen.  If you know Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, it adds an extra element of fun to the book, but it’s not necessary.  I guarantee you’ll laugh out loud at least one time, and probably throughout the whole performance of the play.

When I read this book, it made me wish that I had friends like Ed and Lucy and even Hamilton when I was in middle school.  Even if their efforts didn’t produce exactly the result they were intending, they certainly made an impression on everyone involved.

I often wish Avi had written a few more books featuring the kids at the S.O.R Middle School, but instead he went on to win several notable children’s literature prizes with other books instead, like Newbery Honors for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth, as well as a Newbery Medal for Crispin: The Cross of Lead.  I guess he can’t be faulted for that!  Still, if he’d like to revisit Saltz, Sitrow, Stackpoole and the other kids of S.O.R. Middle School, I’d be cheering!

Romeo and Juliet Together (and alive!) At Last is a short book…only 123 pages. It features eighth graders, but the story is accessible to kids in fifth grade and up. And anyone who has ever loved Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet seriously owes it to themselves to read this book.

(and let me know if you laughed out loud too.)

::Kelly::

LOL!