Below are some new and noteworthy books that have been added to the MCS Library. Come check one out today!
The Terrible Two Get Worse by Mac Barnett (Grades 3-6)
On their own, pranksters Miles and Niles were pretty devious. Now that they’ve formed a pranking duo, they’re terrible! But their powers will be tested when their favorite nemesis, Principal Barkin, is replaced by his stern and cunning father, Former Principal Barkin. Now Miles and Niles will do just about anything to get their old antagonist back—including pranking alongside him. Authors and friends Mac Barnett and Jory John “are in perfect comic harmony” (Publishers Weekly) in this series that celebrates inventiveness, friendship, and the power of teamwork—for good, or for terrible. ~Amazon Review
Aqualicious by Victoria Kann (Grades K-3)
Pinkalicious loves the beach, especially when she finds a miniature mermaid named Aqua tucked inside a shell! Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, promise to help Aqua the merminnie find her way home—after they show her all of the pinkamazing things to do at the seashore. From building sand castles to surfing in the ocean, the trio has a ton of fun, but at the end of the day they realize home is not always what you think it is. This splashy addition to the bestselling Pinkalicious library makes a day in the sun absolutely Aqualicious! ~Back Cover
A Bunny in the Ballet by Robert Beck (Grades K-3)
This charming story, illustrated in the style of Ludwig Bemelmans, is a celebration of following your passion, even if you are a bunny. It is no coincidence that since Désirée loves ballet, she wants to join the best ballet school in Paris. While the lady who runs the school insists, there are NO BUNNIES in the ballet, Mr. Cloud, the ballet master, sees something special in Désirée. And sure enough, she becomes an example to others: because of her hard work, she has a chance to shine. Beck’s illustrations, relying heavily on minimal lines, swirl across the page when we see Désirée enthusiastically leaping and pirouetting, and they create unique faces and personalities when presenting characters. While the setting is understated, with lots of white space on the page as the backdrop to Désirée’s dance moves, the use of soft pastels adds warmth to the surroundings. Young readers will become fans. ~Edie Ching, Booklist
Mango, Abuela and Me by Meg Medina (Grades K-3)
Mia is unsure of what to think when her grandma, Abuela, comes to live with her. She must open up her room to share with Abuela, even though the two don't even share a common language. "Abuela and I can't understand each other" Mia confides to her mom. "Things will get better," she tells her, and indeed they do. Through some trial and error, persistence and even a feathered friend, Mia and Abuela find new ways to communicate. "Now, when Abuela and I are lying next to each other in bed, our mouths are full of things to say." In this tale, Medina blends Spanish and English words together as seamlessly as she blends the stories of two distinct cultures and generations. Dominguez's bright illustrations, done in ink, gouache, and marker, make the characters shine as bright as the rich story they depict. The glowing images of Mango, the parrot, a nearly silent star of the book, will win over audiences of all ages but the real magic is in the heartfelt tale of love. Everything about this book will make readers want to share it with someone they love. VERDICT A timeless story with wide appeal.—Megan Egbert, School Library Journal
Drum Dream Girl by Rafael Lopez (Grades K-3)
Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule—until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream. Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere. ~Amazon Review
The Hunt for the Secret Papyrus by Geronimo Stilton (Grades 2-4)
There was a mystery in New Mouse City's Egyptian Mouseum! The Black Papyrus, an ancient document that reveals the secret of eternal youth, had disappeared. The mouseum's director asked me to help him find it. Yikes -- those Egyptian artifacts freak me out! Luckily, a secret agent came to our aid... but could we trust him? It was up to us to recover the precious scroll! ~Amazon Review
No Ordinary Sound by Denise Lewis Patrick (Grades 3-5)
Melody is an optimistic, enthusiastic girl growing up in Detroit, Michigan during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. She is excited and proud to share a special surprise with her family. She's been chosen to sing a solo for Youth Day at her church! But what song will she choose? She gets advice from her big brother, and is also inspired by her older sister, but it's the inspirational words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that help her pick the perfect song. There are many unfair things happening during Melody's time, even to people in her own family. But it's an unimaginable tragedy in the South that leaves Melody silent. Who can help her lift her voice and sing? Who will inspire her to keep stepping? ~Amazon Review
The Map to Everywhere by Carrie Ryan (Grades 4-6)
Fin is so forgettable, no one can remember him for more than a few minutes. Left by his mother at an orphanage in the pirate city of Khaznot Quay at the age of four, he's been on his own ever since. Fin uses his curse to his benefit by becoming a master thief. When he receives a letter directing him to steal a key in exchange for treasures and a promise to show him the way home, he accidentally releases the Oracle, an insane wizard who had been carefully guarded for centuries. Meanwhile in another world, adventurous Marrill, stuck in suburban Arizona, finds an enormous ship in a parking lot. Soon she's traveling the pirate stream, a waterway connecting all worlds, joined by a wizard on a quest for the Map to Everywhere, which they will need to get Marrill home. Fin and Marrill's paths intersect and they set about stealing and reassembling the map—each piece located in a different world. The task becomes further complicated when they realize the Oracle is also after the map. Alternating between Fin and Marilll's points of view, a slower beginning allows for compelling character development in the first quarter the book. When the plots merge, the pacing picks up, mirroring the urgency of the characters, though readers may wish for more time to digest and appreciate the various worlds before racing on to the next. Husband and wife team Ryan and Davis have created wholly original settings, and the juxtaposition of Fin and Marrill's backgrounds and personalities is enjoyable and humorous. This is an ambitious undertaking, and strong readers who enjoy adventure fiction and fantasy will inhale the first book in what has the potential to be an extraordinary series.—Juliet Morefield, School Library Journal
The Riverman and The Whisper by Aaron Starmer (Grades 5-6)
When Fiona Loomis shows up at Alistair’s door asking him to pen her biography and begins to tell him of a strange land she’s visited called Aquavania, Alistair isn’t sure he believes any of it. But he’s intrigued and can’t stop himself from wanting to know more. Fiona warns Alistair that the Riverman is stealing the souls of children and that she is next. Alistair, drawn into Fiona’s story, wants to protect her—if only he can discover the full truth. In this dark, twisting tale, readers are never sure if Fiona’s story is true or not, and they won’t want to stop reading until they find out. Alistair is a relatable hero, struggling with what to believe while growing up and moving on from old friends. While the ending is left a bit up in the air, this magical tale is sure to please readers of urban fantasy, and with its theme of missing children and changing friendships, it will be perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Charles de Lint, too. ~Sarah Bean Thompson
How to Speak Dolphin by Ginny Rorby
Lily has little time for friends or activities since her life seems to revolve around her half-brother, Adam, who has autism. Life has not been easy. Her stepfather, Don, doesn't acknowledge that Adam needs to attend a special school, and Lily has yet to get over the grief of losing her mother in a car accident two years ago. When Don, an oncologist, receives a call about assisting with a young dolphin who has cancer, he eagerly agrees to help. Adam has a strong attachment to dolphins, and Don thinks this will be the panacea to cure all his troubles. Adam quickly bonds with the dolphin Nori, but Lily begins to suspect that life in captivity in a marine mammal park is not the best scenario for Nori. Rorby paints a vivid picture of life with a child with autism and the struggles a family can face. VERDICT This book will raise questions about the ethics of marine life attractions and leave readers rooting for Lily, an appealing narrator.—Beth Cuddy, School Library Journal
