Ok, I must admit. I was not a huge fan of Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda series. In fact, I never read the second book. But I decided to try again and picked up " The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee". I LOVED it! I was a little confused at first by all the different storylines and characters, but soon I was hooked! The humor is great and the characters endearing! I didn't want the book to end -- and now I have to wait for the sequel. I guess I can always go back and read the first 2 books again. Thank you Tom Angleberger for great stories about super powers!
"What to do if an Elephant Stands on your Foot" should probably be called "What NOT to do...". A fun journey through the jungle that will have you guessing what will appear next.
I love this new series by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee! Bink and Gollie aretha best of friends. Their adventures are hilariously illustrated by Tony Fucile. I will recommend this to readers who like Henry and Mudge or Frog and Toad.
I know I have neglected the picture books this summer - it was just too heavy to bring them all home in my bag. So now that I'm back to work & setting up the library, I'm trying to make up for lost time.
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I had never read a Mo Willems book until I became a librarian. This is something I had to fix! Everyone rants and raves about his books, and for good reason! What fun they are! Here's a few I've really enjoyed. I can definitely see why so many readers love these great books.
NOW for some brand new books! Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad is the new "Read for the Record" book that will be featured in October''s reading celebration. I love the imagination these children have. The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins is a beautifully illustrated book that celebrates everything about beetles. I like how the book is completely illustrations and captions, and I especially love the life-size pictures of beetles like the Goliath beetle and the larva of the Hercules Beetle. This is a great book for learning new things! A Hen for Izzy Pippik by Aubrey Davis is about a spunky girl who finds a hen and is determined to keep it save until it's owner returns. Many, many, many chick later...Izzy Pippik finally shows up! Read to find out what happens.The Hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers is a wordless picture book that includes many panels like a comic strip. I must admit, I will need to read this one several times to catch the full story! LIfe in the Ocean: the Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola is an inspiring story of a woman pioneer. After reading this beautifully illustrated biography, I definitely want to learn more about Sylvia Earle. I was also thrilled to see that this book is written by the author of Planting the Trees of Kenya, the inspiring story of Wangari Maathai. Another must read for leaders today!
Finally, a few more chapter books I've really enjoyed... Hound Dog True by LInda Urban (the author of A Crooked Kind of Perfect writes a sensitive story about growing up and facing your fears. This is a great book for readers who love to enter the character's life and journey with them as they grow up. If you love adventure and Andrew Clements, you may want to check out his series Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School. I only suggest you start with the first book, I found it a little hard to understand since I started with book 3! The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee T. Frazier is the touching story of two twins who face a unique challenge - one of them is white like her dad & one is black like her mom - yet they are twins! This story talks about their close relationship, and the discrimination they both face as they struggle to find their own identity. Peg Kehret does it again - she writes a story with suspense and heart. I loved Ghost Dog Secrets! I've always loved a good dog story, and this measures right up there with Lassie, Shiloh, and Because of Winn Dixie. Angel Spreads her Wings by Judy Delton is part of a series that is just right for 2nd/3rd grade readers. I loved this book because Angel moved to Greece with her family for the summer, to live with her new grandparents. Ida B by Katherine Hannigan is best summed up with the subtitle for this book "...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World". Ida B is a character I wish attended our school, so we could help her learn to love school. Here's one for the girls - The Kissing Diary by Judith Casely. Rosie Goldglitt is a hopeless romantic who can't seem to catch the attention of the cutest boy in 7th grade. This is a funny story about growing up and facing the challenges of middle school. Finally, here's one for the boys - Dead Guy Spy: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie by David Lubar. Can you imagine what your live would be like if you were a living zombie & no one but your best friend knew? You wouldn't need to eat or sleep, but then again, you might get broken very easily. This is hilarious!
Just spent a week up at Gran-Gran's in the Texas Panhandle - leisurely days spent visiting around the kitchen table, listenint to memories of her 92 years on this earth. Can you imagine how life has changed since 1920? She can...she's lived it! Of course, there was time for reading & listening to books. For the older reader - really middle/high school - If you loved Hunger Games, you must check out the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. The action is intense & the premise of the books is fascinating. People are sorted by their dispositions, rather than economics or race.
For elementary-age readers - Capture the Flag by Kate Messner is an adventerous read that takes place in an airport! The original Star-Spangled Banner has been stolen & three children who have only recently met decide that they hold the key to finding the flag. Well actually, Anna decides they must solve the mystery... Jose wants to be left alone to reread Harry Potter and Henry just wants to play his video games. The action is fast-paced and the characters are enjoyable too! Click on the picture to visit Kate Messner's website.
Hamster Magic by Lynne Jonell is a short, magical tale. Celia and her brothers and sister have just moved out to the country. Unfortunately, the hamster they discovered in their basement has disappeared - how will they prove to their parents that they can be responsible for any pets? When they do find this furry friend again, he promises to grant their wish if they promise not to lock him up into a cage again. Read this book to find out the hilarious results of Celia's wish!
This book is a Bluebonnet nominee for 2012-2013 & a 4th grade Battle book! Click on the picture to visit Lynne Jonell's website.
If you enjoy The Diary of a Wimpy Kids series and are looking for something new to read, you must try Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything. This book is like sitting in a room with Mack as he tells you his story - he keeps interrupting himself to tell you bits of trivia, ask you silly questions, and encourage you to visit his website (click on the picture here) for more information and crazy contests. Mack is definitely the kid I would like to sit next to in class - it would never by boring! Find out what happens with the mouse plot gone wrong, the mysterious old coin, and the not-so-boring 5th grade graduation.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull is a fantasy at it's best! Imagine visiting grandparents who you hardly know, shrouded in mystery. Your grandpa shows you to your room in the attic at the very top of the house & strictly sets down the rules for ALL the things you cannot do. Of course you would want to break these rules! But breaking the rules at Fablehaven can lead to dangerous and fantastic results!
A few more reads: If you enjoy a book that will make you cry, Julia's Kitchen by Brenda Ferber, might be for you. I found myself sniffling through most of the book. Cara's mother and sister have died in a house fire & only Cara and her dad have survived. Cara's dad hardly talks to her anymore, her best friend is tired of Cara feeling sad, and her friends at school don't understand. Read to find out how cookies help turn Cara's life back around. But have your tissues handy! A quirky little read, Mr. Karp's Last Glassby Cary Fagan, is the story of Randolph who loves to collect odd items and the strange old man who moves into their attic with his own mysterious collection.
Wendy Howk, Librarian
Above all, I LOVE books! I've always loved to read, since discovering the magical worlds that you can discover in a book. I love getting lost in the Hundred Acre Woods with "Winnie the Pooh", exploring the magical world of "Harry Potter", or riding horses with Marguerite Henry. Hopefully you will join me in reading this blog and find some books you might enjoy reading too!