Children's Books
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This Newbery Award winning novel, written by Katherine Paterson, is an excellent read. This is the story of Jess, a 10 year old boy, who struggles with being the only boy in a houseful of girls. It is interesting, then, how he becomes best friends with Leslie, a new neighbor from down the street. Leslie is a tomboy and she can run as fast and even faster than Jess. She and Jess are good for each other, and often challenge each other. Neither one has many friends, and so they become best friends. Leslie is a good reader, who has read all of the Narnia books, and so she and Jess, who are loners, set off to retreat to their "Narnia," kingdom. Their kingdom is a place so remote, that they can only get to it by swinging on an old rope over the gully of the creek bed. Jess and Leslie are the rulers of their kingdom. They can be the king and queen and fight off all kinds of enemies. In this kingdom, there are no school bullies, no teachers, no younger brothers or sisters. It is a safe refuge for these two lost souls, where Leslie can play and Jess can draw. In this kingdom, Jess and Leslie can tell each other all of their hopes and dreams. Jess and Leslie often play in "Terabithia," until one day, something awful happens to Leslie. It is a tragic accident. This accident changes how Jess feels about "Terabithia." However, he is able to return to "Terabithia," and to be it's ruler. This is a very good story, that will be read often. It is a story that will touch your heart. There will be a renewed interest in this story, with the new feature film coming out next month.It will be interesting to see how the movie compares to the book. Recommended for grades 4-6. 
The John Newbery Medal is given for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. The 2007 award went to The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. 
Mercy Watson is quite a girl! Well, she isn't actually a girl, not a human girl, she is a pig! Mr. and Mrs. Watson, her owners, like to refer to Mercy as a "porcine wonder!" Mercy is quite a wonder, especially as she can capture criminals and alert fire fighters to an emergency. Mery also is a fan of toast, with lots and lots of butter on it. It is her favorite food. In this story of "Mercy Watson to the Rescue," Mercy, Mrs. Watson, and Mr. Watson are all sleeping in bed, when they hear the floor moan and groan, and feel the bed falling. Mercy wakes up thinking of toast. As she can not make toast, she goes out the door and to the neighbors, where she can smell sugar cookies. The elderly neighbors, Eugenia and "Baby" Lincoln are amazed that they have a pig in their house. Eugenia immediately calls the fire deparment. As the fire department come to the aid of the Watsons and the falling bed, everyone congratulates Mercy and gives her lots of buttered toast! This is a delightful series that will be sure to please some of our younger beginning chapter book readers. These books are written by an award-winning author, and boys and girls alike will delight in Mercy's adventures. These books are also very nicely illustrated. Children who like this story will also like "Mercy Watson Fights Crime." Recommended for children in grades Kindergarten through second grade. 
This award-winning book by Kate DiCamillo chronicles the journey of a china rabbit, named Edward Tulane. The story begins on Egypt Street, where Abilene Tulane takes immaculate care of her beloved toy rabbit. She dresses him in the morning and clothes him in pajamas at night. Edward loves being loved, but that is it, as he does not know love in return. An unfortunate accident lands Edward in the muck in the depths of the ocean. As Edward is discovered and handled by different owners, he learns of fear, longing, and even love. Eventually reunited, years later, with Abilene, this story is sure to warm the heart, even the breakable one, as this story illustrates the importance of learning to love again. This story has beautiful illustrations and is appropriate for readers in grades 3 and up. Kate DiCamillo is also the author of Newbery Award winner "The Tale of Despereaux" and "Because of Winn-Dixie." 
Toby Steiner is looking toward a summer of freedom and fun just as any other eleven-year-old boy would. But Toby is not just any boy. He has been battling cancer for most of his young life. Thoroughly fed-up with hospitals, chemo, and drugs, he decides not to tell his over-protective parents about the new lump on the side of his body. While out bike-riding one day he becomes acquainted with Blossom, an elderly cow, and her owner, Pearl, a "retired," almost-blind poet in her nineties. Despite the age difference the two become friends as they share their determination not to lose their freedom by giving in to the well-meaning but onerous demands of their families. This is an enjoyable, quickly-read, cross-generational book suitable for grades 4-6. 
This is an unusual beginning chapter book for first and second grade children. It takes a serious issue and sensitively develops each character's reaction to a tragic event. The main event happens outside Jackson Magnet Elementary School at dismissal. A student is struck by a van accidentally. Though sad, the story brings a hard issue in a cautious way to younger children. This book is one that first and second grade children could relate to in the grieving process. A beautiful, multi-cultural element of diversity is woven throughout the characters to reflect how children of all backgrounds still have the common ground of human emotion. Mrs. Fennessey's class will never be the same. The children work though their feelings in a very positive way. I recommend this book for young children especially in regards to grief and loss. 
Are you looking for a humorous, easily read series of early chapter books for a young beginning reader - perhaps one who was captivated by the art of Tomie de Paolo as a preschooloer? Start with the Newbery Honor Book, 26 Fairmount Avenue, continue with Here We All Are, What a Year, and Things Will NEVER Be the Same, and conclude with I'm Still Scared. Peopled with well-drawn characters (his family and friends), they charmingly and realistically recount the early years of Tomie's life. Although set almost a century later in the late 1930's and early 1940's, they call to mind the simplicity yet cultural accuracy of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. Will appeal to grades 1-3. 
If you have read any of the other adventures of Stanley Lambchop, you know there are some funny and creative events to unfold in the story. This book will not let you down. Yes, Stanley is back. In a previous story, Stanley became flat. In this book, Stanley became invisible. Does he stay invisible? You will have to read the book and find out what happens. There are some interesting advantages to being an invisible person. There are things you can find out and ways you can help without other people knowing it was you. This is an easy chapter book for first and second grade children that will tickle your funny bone! 
This is the fourth book in Stine’s newest series “Rotten School”. Very humorous and full of that toilet humor young boys are so fond of, this book will appeal to fans of Captain Underpants or the books by James Marshall. The fourth grade football team at Rotten School known as the “Rotten Apples,” has never won a football game. At least not until Jennifer Ecch joins the team, wanting to be close to her boyfriend Bernie Bridges. He refers to her as the Nightmare Girl, but if she can get the team to win with her large size and blocking abilities, that’s just fine with him. In fact, if she can lead the team to the National Championship he will even wear the 10 sweaters she plans to knit for him that read, “Bernie loves Jen” and he’ll get a date with the beautiful cheerleader April-May June. Unfortunately after winning every game Bernie realizes that the last game must be played against the roughest team, the “Bone Breakers” and he sets out to find a way to sabotage their winnings. Illustrated in black and white line drawings with washes of gray and includes a map of the Rotten School campus. The book is chock full of stereotypical characters – the cheerleader, the rich kid, the athlete, the geek – which fit perfectly with the style of the book. Humor abounds with names like R.U. Dumm Football Field and Headmaster Upchuck, illustrations of the Hammerhead Sharks showing their helmets in the shape of hammerhead sharks, and puns throughout. What boy is not going to love this? 
Another book in the All Aboard Reading series, this story follows a large group of pioneers as they make a 2,000 mile journey by wagon train in 1848. Their final destination is California where they have heard it is green and beautiful, and where they may make their fortunes. The covered wagons filled with all of their belongings are discussed, as is what happens to the wagons when it becomes necessary to cross a river or climb a mountain. The scenery and the weather and what that means to the pioneers is also revealed. The pioneers meet Indians along the way and trade. The holidays are celebrated with contests and music. After six months the pioneers finally reach California. This is a very informative book about life in a wagon train and a nice map showing the various routes and destinations of pioneers is provided at the back of the book. This would be good for children in grades 1-3. 
An adventure story with a hint of the supernatural. When his paternal grandmother falls ill, Corby Hill and his mother travel to the family farm in Berry Hill, WI, leaving his father behind in California, unable to take time off from work. The boy's mom is preoccupied and his grandfather pays little attention to him since he is small, timid, and has no perceivable skills. Then he meets Buck Miller, a bit of a bully with a penchant for adventure. They share exploits and embark on the ultimate adventure, a midnight trek to the Wish Master, whose "body was a rough column of rock covered with strange markings; its head was a mammoth skull-shaped boulder-it-was smiling hideously." After making his wishes, things begin to happen that can only be attributed to the Wish Master - Or can they? This one should appeal to boys in grades 3-5, and is easy-to-read. 
Set in the 1930's, an unusually large mermaid's purse is found along a Scottish shore following a storm by an 8-year old Kirstie. Along with her younger brother Angus, it is carried home and placed in the family bathtub where it hatches the following night. But an unusual creature is born that has the head of a horse, the body of a turtle and the tail of a crocodile. Needing to find a place that would allow the water horse to grow, while still keeping its existence a secret, the children along with their not so grumpy grandfather, Grumble, decide to move it to the family goldfish pond. As it continues to grow, "Crusoe" is coaxed to the loch one winter, "at tortoise speed", by having him crawl somewhat in the manner of a turtle. The only thing that saved this experience from turning into an all day affair was the luck of finding the road covered with ice that the water horse could slide the remainder of the way down. Here Crusoe is taught to come only when his name is called and to remain out of sight all other times. Three years later when the water horse has again outgrown his surroundings the family again coaxes Crusoe out of his loch and is transported, this time by cattle truck. His new home…Loch Ness. This was written by the same author of "Babe: The Gallant Pig". Interesting in that the story is told from the human perspective, as well as through the eyes of the water horse. It is very readable and an enjoyable story about the legend of the Loch Ness monster. The occasional black and white illustrations are just enough to give flavor to the story while still allowing for plenty of imagination. The water horse is shown to be extremely friendly and lovable. This is a heart warming story that just may make you want to travel to Loch Ness to visit Crusoe yourself. This has a fairly high vocabulary, but would be of interest to children in grades 2-5. 
Part of the American Adventures series. Thomas, along with his mother, brother, and sister, relocate to Philadelphia to await his father’s return from the Revolutionary War after the Tories and Indians destroy their home in Frontier Pennsylvania. The family begins a new life when they open Peach Tree Inn which takes in and serves meals to soldiers. While serving dessert one evening Thomas recognizes and is recognized by a Tory spy who later kidnaps him. Thomas is taken by wagon train to New York and then left with some Mohawk Indians during the winter. Through it all Thomas looks for a way to escape the Tories and Indians that he hates so deeply. He never manages to and eventually comes to understand the Indians’ way of life. Thomas eventually is left to return home after the Mohawk village evacuates to escape approaching Continental armies. The army finds Thomas and it is assumed that they will return him to Philadelphia. The ending is left open with Thomas thinking that people need to learn to live together and respect each other’s differences. A short explanation of actual events in the book are detailed following the story. Very exciting and believable historical fiction. Black and white line drawings accompany the text which help the reader visualize the action. This is a sequel to Thomas. Good for middle school children. 
Thomas, 11, and his father, Patrick, have lived a seemingly ordinary existence in the cozy northern English village of Belthorp for 5 years with their next door neighbor Stella working as their nanny/cook. In reality, however, Thomas and Patrick are Tonitheen and Vateelin, aliens from the planet Ormingat sent to Earth on a mission to record the doings of this planet's inhabitants. Thomas has kept a journal of his observations since he first arrived. Now their five-year stint is nearly over, and father and son expect to return to their planet the day after Christmas, even though neither one is happy to leave. On their way to recover their golf-ball-size space ship, stowed in Edinburgh, a dramatic traffic accident separates the pair. Patrick cannot be located and the truck driver involved in the accident is positive that he hit the man in the sheepskin coat. Thomas is left unidentifiable in a hospital, in a state of shock. By the author of The Mennyms. I couldn’t put this book down…Until the final countdown for Tonitheen’s and Vaeelin’s departure back to Ormingat, the ending is hard to predict. Will the pair meet up with each other in time for take-off? Will they decide to stay on Earth? Will Thomas decide to return to Stella and Mickey in Belthorp if his father is not found? Emotions of love, friendship, doubts, and loyalties between family and friends is a strong theme throughout. I consider this to be one of the better science fiction books that I have read, especially in terms of explaining Ormingat science of the workings of the spaceship. The mission on Earth was explained extremely well. I also found it interesting that the religious references made by the Ormingatites were similar to what an Earthling might use, for example about God and having faith. The attention to detail is evident and the story is plausible. Good for grades 4-6. 
The newborn Prince is kidnapped from a secret entrance at Platform 13 that opens into a magical kingdom by a wealthy woman who has been unable to have a child of her own. This entrance is only open for nine days every nine years, and as soon as it reopens a rescue team including an invisible giant, an old wizard, a fairy, and a hag travel through to snatch him back. After the most well-laid plans are foiled and mistaken identities are unraveled the true prince is returned to the King and Queen and his rightful home. This fantasy is full of every type of creature that has ever been associated with English, Scandinavian, and Irish folklore making it incredibly magical. The character development is very good matching the equally good story. The illustrations are wonderful too! A good read for middle school children. 
“Biscuit Butt” Arthur Woodbury responds to an ad promising that the user of the REM Sleep Device will miraculously lose weight while he sleeps. Immediately upon receiving the black helmet Arthur retires on a workbench in the basement and begins an incredible journey in which he must save Everything in the universe from the Nothing. In REM world Arthur is surrounded by various creatures eager to help him in his mission. Morf, who can change shape upon demand, acts as his guide through REM world. They all aid in the mission in various ways…the Frog People reveal to Arthur that he is really in two places at once causing the Nothing to enter through a crack in the universe, the giants Grog and Droll act as transportation at various times, the Cloud People teach him to fly in order to be able to enter Vydel’s mouth which will lead him to the River under the World and to the End of the World and Beyond, and Mr. Pockets lends him a boat to get to the island where the demon Vydel lives. Arthur does eventually complete his mission earning him the name of Arthur Courage and he returns safely home. And surprise, surprise…after all that activity, he does lose some weight. This is fast paced adventure with cliffhanger chapters. This fantasy/science fiction enforces the belief that anything can be accomplished if one tries hard enough. The weight problem is never an issue in REM world, but the fact that Arthur was continuously exercising and eating little was evident. Character development and setting were not as developed as they could have been, yet the story was interesting and kept my attention throughout. This is a good choice for middle school readers. 
This is a science fiction story about middle schooler Gib Finney who has just had the worst day of his life. He has been in fights with schoolmates, his science experiment went poorly, and his sister’s babysitter has canceled requiring he and his best friend Ash to take her with them to the carnival that night. He is given an “Unner” that evening by a strange man who looks like he might be from the future. An Unner is used to do things over…like if you make a horrible mistake, it can be undone by the Unner and the user is given the chance to redo it...just like on a computer. But Gib is given very little instruction on how to use the strange device and only knows that it is very important that he take it with him that night to the carnival. Unfortunately, he drops it in the woods on his way home and it has become too dark for him to find it again. Very well done science fiction that explores more than just time travel. All the details are woven together perfectly to make a believable story. Fast paced and full of emotion and anticipation. The ending is not what you would expect. Middle school readers will enjoy this one. 
Owen desperately needs money in order to purchase some life essentials from the “Junk You Never Knew About” catalogue such as plastic vomit and dog poop. Getting money is the problem. His toilet demonstration business proves to be fruitless almost immediately and the attempt to make a best-selling fishing video becomes hazardous as Owen hooks his own ear with the hook. Allowance is out of the question since his parents have this cockeyed idea that not only should he should earn it, but he should probably be expected to do chores simply because he was part of the family! He informs his father that he will rake leaves at a rate of a penny a leaf. “Twenty dollars for one pile of leaves?” said Mr. Foote. “Is that a bargain?” “It’s a big pile,” said Owen. “I know it is, Owen. I raked it,” said his dad. Then Mr. White, Owen’s neighbor, asks for some advise on building a pond as a surprise for his wife. Owen has quite a bit of knowledge on the subject and heads out with his book about ponds to help Mr. White. If there’s one thing about Owen, he knows a lot of stuff. They work together to successfully complete the pond project and Owen, to his surprise, is paid $20. This book is extremely well-written. Its’ fast-paced, realistic style will be a hit with young readers and the dialogue is something one would imagine occurring in their own home. There are lessons to be learned but it is not didactic. In fact, although there is some change in Owen’s behavior by the end of the story, there is still room for improvement. For example, when he finally agrees to clean his room in exchange for his allowance, he ties up his “treasures” from the floor in his sweatshirt and stuffs it all in a drawer. There are three other “Owen” titles in our collection just in case you enjoy this one. Good for grades 2-4. 
Part of the Unsolved Mystery from History series. A true account of a ship named the Mary Celeste which was found abandoned 600 miles off the shores of Portugal in 1872. A crew of 10, including the captain’s wife and 2-year-old daughter, vanished without a trace leaving the ship and its contents undisturbed. The story is revealed by a young girl aspiring to be a detective who studies the clues from this “open” case and attempts to solve the disappearance. Her theory is never revealed and her hope is that the reader has devised his own theory. This intriguing story allows the reader the chance to study the clues and come up with a theory to explain this unsolved mystery. The text is accompanied by a “notebook” that provides additional information to help explain the circumstances as well as definitions to the sea terms and other unfamiliar words used. A time line and map show the progress of the Mary Celeste, and the six most popular theories of the time are examined. The illustrations are watercolor and pencil and clearly enhance the story by graphically explaining any questions the reader may have concerning the account. The text and illustrations work beautifully together. Includes a bibliography for further reading. This would be a great read-aloud and discussion starter. Although it has a picture book format, this book would be of interest to children in grades 2-5. 
Emily Clark moves to a new town and begins to attend a new school. In order to fit in, she tells the kids in her class that her parents have bought her a horse rather than a bicycle, which seems to be the norm in this town. Well, she did have a horse visit her on her first night didn’t she? She didn’t have to mention that it appeared to be a ghost horse. When the ghost horse continues to visit her at night Emily realizes that it is trying to tell her something and she sets out to discover the mystery. With the help of her new friend Julie, the two discover that the horse is trying to locate its owner from long ago. A good story with situations that include peer pressure, lying and moving that kids can relate to. The black and while line drawings are a very good accompaniment to the text. This book would appeal to children in grades 2-4. 
Bug Muldoon, a beetle private investigator, is hired by the ants to check out some oddities in the colony. In particular he is to follow an ant by the name of Clarissa who can be identified by the white spot on her head. Apparently some of the ants have become “individualists” who it is believed are not working for the good of the nest. And while it is true, Bug discovers, that some ants were sprayed by the Man’s repellant causing them to now pursue individual hobbies, something even stranger is going on in the garden. Between Bug Muldoon and a news reporter grasshopper by the name of Velma, the secrets are uncovered. A cast of characters is introduced from “Shaky Jake”, a housefly with a sugar addiction, Eddy the earwig who has gone missing, Krag, the commander of the ant colony, Billy, a caterpillar who dreams of becoming a detective one day, Dex and Dax, a set of worms that used to be one, Leopold the ant who has discovered his poetic abilities, and Clarissa the ant who has discovered her beautiful voice. This is a mystery set in the garden behind one man’s house that will entertain middle school kids as they follow Bug’s adventures of solving his case. The battle between the ants and the wasps and the rest of the insects is the climax that will have readers rooting for our hero. An epilogue at the back of the book allows kids to see how the insect characters end up following the battle. Finding out that Billy the caterpillar has become a beautiful butterfly is a nice touch at the ending. The plot is well developed and the characters are interesting. Bug Muldoon adds humor and, of course, uses the typical detective cadence in his speech. And, there is a hint of romantic interest between Bug and Velma. 
When the science fair is announced to the fifth grade at Kennedy Elementary, Emma decides to prove scientifically that girls are superior to boys. Her aunt Marion advises her on scientific method and being objective, but after conducting experiments on things like politeness and good grades she is having a hard time proving her hypothesis. To make matters worse two boys team up to prove that boys are superior to girls, and Kennedy Elementary becomes a divided population of kids not speaking to each other and generally leads to a gender war. Working with her best friend Louise and joining efforts with the boys, the four still have inconclusive results and agree that the gender of the Young Inventors Contest winner will determine the superior gender for their project. An unusual number of participants enter the Young Inventors Contest attempting to win and get their gender deemed the superior. Humorous story with real-life situations including some fifth-grade crushes. This would be a good story to read prior to a science fair since research methods and ethics and consequences of inaccurate reporting are discussed. How the science fair project dilemma will be resolved remains a mystery until the last pages. Accompanying illustrations are pretty comical and add to the story. Middle school readers will enjoy this one. 
This book presents excerpts from American aviator Charles Lindbergh's diary that he kept from age eleven to fourteen and includes childhood photos of him as well as information on life in midwest America during the early twentieth century. His entries detail passenger train travel, camping along the Mississippi River, and an automobile trip around rural Minnesota. It is supplemented by sidebars, activities, and a timeline of the era. My one complaint about this very complete book is that the print is very small. The information provided, however, is something that is not available in the other Lindbergh books we own. It will probably be of interest to middle school kids to read Lindbergh’s own diary and to get that additional information about this interesting historical figure. The photos are excellent and the additional sidebars on things such as tracking animal prints and starting your own diary make this a worthy biography. It is a thin book, only 32 pages, but with a fairly high vocabulary. 
Part of the “An I Can Read” chapter book series this is based on a story from the early 1880’s thought to be factual about a young schoolgirl who must unexpectedly replace the First Mate at the wheel of a small freight boat after he becomes ill. Her father, Captain Bates, takes over the wheel of a sailing ship recently damaged in a collision with another boat and has the ship towed to Pier 42 up the Hudson River. Through rough waters and navigating her route through the busy New York harbor, Abigail manages to deliver the injured sailing ship safely to the pier, along with the help of her younger brother, while still arriving in New York City in time for school. She becomes heroine of the day and is given new rank of Captain Abigail. Written by popular author Avi, the action-packed story is filled with watercolor and line illustrations that add to the drama. It also includes a map showing the 20 mile route Abigail takes from New Jersey to New York. This would be a good choice for readers at about the 2nd grade level. 
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