October Picks

Here are some new non-fiction titles that have been added to the library collection. Come and check one out today! :)


Fly Guy Presents by Todd Arnold (Grades 1-3) 

Sharks 

Fly Guy is buzzzzing on over to the nonfiction genre! Award-winning author/illustrator Tedd Arnold brings nonfiction to life with the help of his very popular main character, Fly Guy! This engaging nonfiction reader combines the kid-friendly humor of Fly Guy with the high-interest topic of sharks! Fly Guy and Buzz introduce young readers to sharks with straightforward fun facts, humorous asides, and full-bleed photographs throughout.

Space 

Fly Guy and Buzz are back with another great nonfiction book! Award-winning author/illustrator Tedd Arnold brings nonfiction to life in this engaging nonfiction reader! During a visit to a space museum, Fly Guy and Buzz learn all about planets, space crafts, space suits, and even dirty snowballs (i.e. comets!)! With straightforward fun facts, humorous illustrations of Fly Guy and Buzz, and vivid photographs throughout, this book is sure to be a hit with budding astronauts everywhere!

Dinosaurs 

Learn all about dinosaurs with Fly Guy and Buzz! Fly Guy and Buzz are ready for their next field trip! And in FLY GUY PRESENTS: DINOSAURS they visit a natural history museum to learn all about dinosaurs. With straightforward text, humorous asides, and kid-friendly full-bleed photographs throughout, young readers will learn lots of fun facts about these prehistoric creatures. Award-winning author/illustrator Tedd Arnold really brings nonfiction to life in this fun nonfiction reader!


The World's Greatest Artists (Grades 3-6) 

Claude Monet by Katherine Kreig 

Introduces Claude Monet as one of the greatest Impressionist artists by exploring the techniques he used to create such masterpieces as Impression, Sunrise and his many studies of light, color, and shadow.




Vincent Van Gogh by Linda Cernak 

Introduces Vincent van Gogh as one of the most unique Impressionist artists by exploring the techniques he used to paint masterpieces such as Starry Night.

Pablo Picasso by Darice Bailer

Introduces Pablo Picasso as one of the greatest modern artists by exploring the many styles and techniques he used to create such masterpieces as Guernica and works from his cubist, Blue, and Rose periods.

Unstable Earth (Grades 4-6) 

What Happens When an Ice Cap Melts? by Angela Royston

This book looks at the effects of global warming and asks what will happen to people, animals and the environment if the Earth's thick masses of ice melt. It imagines scenarios at varying stages in the future and examines whether and how disaster can be averted.

What Happens if the Ozone Disappears? by Mary Colson 

Using an inquiry approach, this title explores the serious issue of the disappearing ozone layer. The book offers accessible scientific explanations that reveal how the Earths processes are interlinked and how one event can trigger a chain reaction throughout the planet that can have consequential effects on both humans and nature. The volume includes fascinating case studies, critical thinking questions, and projected future outcomes and potential solutions to this important global issue.

What Happens if We Overfish the Oceans? by Angela Royston 

Using an inquiry approach, this title explores the serious issue of overfishing the ocean. The book offers accessible scientific explanations that reveal how the Earths processes are interlinked and how one event can trigger a chain reaction throughout the planet that can have consequential effects on both humans and nature. The volume includes fascinating case studies, critical thinking questions, and projected future outcomes and potential solutions to this important global issue.

Wanted: Famous Outlaws by Time Cooke (Grades 4-6) 

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 

Robert Leroy Parkers transformation into Butch Cassidy wasnt immediate. He worked on ranches as a cowboy, was a butcher for a time, and finally chose a path of crime in the American West in the late 1800s. Cassidys involvement with the band of outlaws known as the Wild Bunch and later partnership with Harry Longabaugh, the Sundance Kid, resulted in a crime spree and a life on the run. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fled to South America, where their fate remains a mystery. This lively, well-researched volumefilled with fascinating photographs and fact boxes provides a gripping account of a fugitives life and legend.

Jesse James 

Jesse Jamess rise as a notorious outlaw was concurrent with the upheaval the West experienced before, during, and after the American Civil War. In fact, Jesse and his brother Frank became heroes to many who viewed them as Confederates battling the Union more than murderers and thieves. This thought-provoking volume tells the story of Jesse, from childhood to violent death, as well as relates valuable information about events in the United States that cultivated outlaws like the James brothers, including Bleeding Kansas and Reconstruction. The infamous man comes to life through photographs, illustrations, and an exciting narrative.

Ned Kelly 

Ned Kelly, famous outlaw and folk hero, grew up in Australia in the late 1800s. His life of crime began as a teenager stealing horses and later escalated to murder. Kelly soon had a price on his head, which could be collected through his capture or death. This high-interest volume relays the events that led to Kellys hanging in 1880 and why he became a hero to many Australians. Photographs of Kelly and his accomplices, additional information in sidebars and fact boxes, and direct quotations from those involved reveal much about Australias history and culture.

Billy the Kid 

Though born in Manhattan in 1859, William Henry McCarty, Jr.also known as Billy the Kid became a legend of the Wild West. Focusing on Billy as a horse thief, cattle rustler, and gunfighter, this stirring biography examines both the hard facts and what may be fiction about the infamous outlaw. His association with the Regulators, pursuit by Pat Garrett, and eventual demise are all included in this fast-paced volume. Historical photographs, intriguing quotations, and other appealing design features including a Rogues Gallery of criminals bring the era of the gunslinger to life.

Bonnie and Clyde 

Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, the notorious Bonnie and Clyde, ruled the front of newspapers and the publics imagination in the 1930s. While most of the nation suffered under the Great Depression, the duo and their gang pulled off a string of robberies, leaving many dead in their daring escapes. Readers will learn why these two famous figures have been romanticized by so many, even today, and follow Texas Ranger Frank Hamer as his posse tracks down and ambushes the outlaws. Primary sources, historical photographs, and revealing quotations shed more light on the dramatic true story.

Blackbeard 

Edward Teach, otherwise known as the pirate Blackbeard, was a terror of the seas in the 1700s. Merchant ships had little choice but to surrender to his 40-cannon Queen Annes Revenge. At one point, Teach accepted a pardon but couldnt retire from piracy for good. This adventurous volume takes readers into the background of the famous figure, explains the origins of his striking monikor, and describes the bloody skirmish that ended his life. Sidebars and fact boxes offer more information about both pirates and privateers and the perils of each chosen path. Beautiful illustrations and photographs further enhance this high-interest book.

Superheroes of Science (Grades 3-6)

Sir Isaac Newton by Angela Royston 

Most people know the story of Sir Issac Newton discovering gravity. An apple fell from a tree, hitting him on the head. However, Newton is also responsible for articulating the laws of motion and many early studies on light and color, including work with prisms. Learning about Newtons life during his discoveries engages readers with the curiosity and hypotheses involved in scientific inquiry. Colorful photographs and historic images highlight important events and scientific fact as readers discover Newton and his many breakthroughs.

Stephen Hawking by Robert Snedden 

One of the most important physicists of all time, Stephen Hawking isnt only a brilliant scientist hes an inspiration. Hawking was diagnosed with a muscular disease as a young adult, making movement and later speech very difficult. However, he still was able to make discoveries about space and time that no one could have imagined. In this detailed biography, readers learn about Hawkings life, including his childhood, schooling, and writing of A Brief History of Time. Full-color images and sidebars help readers understand Hawkings research as well as the inner workings of a legendary scientist.

Rachel Carson 

Rachel Carson loved nature since childhood. It was only natural for her to become one of the first conservation advocates and environmental scientists in the United States. Through detailed biography, the main content introduces readers to Carson as well as her work, including Silent Spring and its incredible influence on the United States and the pesticide industry. Sidebars complement understandable scientific content by adding interesting and illuminating information about each topic. Full-color photographs of Carson and accounts of work in the field encourage readers to care for the world around them even if its not popular to do so.

Mary Anning 

In 2010, the Royal Society named Mary Anning one of the 10 British women most influential in the history of science. Though she wasnt appreciated in her time because she was a woman, Anning certainly earned this distinction. Readers are introduced to one of the premier fossil hunters of 19th century England through biography, historic images, and detailed sidebars. Anning learned how to find and clean fossils from her father and began doing so when she was a child. With this in mind, readers can find inspiration as well as interesting scientific content in her story.

Galileo 

Questioning established knowledge isnt usually a popular course of action. Galileo learned this throughout his life as he tested scientific theories using mathematical calculations. He challenged the Catholic Church and Aristotle, which got him into trouble, but also added him to the pantheon of great scientists. Readers learn all about Galileos most important discoveries through the story of his life, complete with historical images. Sidebars add detail and understandable explanations to the main content, including concepts such as the scientific method and the planets orbiting the sun.

Louis Pasteur 

The number of scientific discoveries by Louis Pasteur is astounding. From his work on fermentation that led to the process of

pasteurization to the rabies vaccine, Pasteur made a huge impact on industry, medicine, and scientific theory. Detailed biography takes readers through Pasteurs life as he makes these incredible discoveries, uncovering the original use for pasteurizationin wine! Interesting sidebars enhance the main content with understandable explanations and surprising details. Full-color photographs and historical images highlight Pasteurs triumphs as a hardworking, influential scientist.

What Is? (Grades 3-6)

The Battle of Gettysburg by Jim O'Connor 

"Four score and seven years ago..." begins Abraham Lincoln's beautiful speech commemorating the three-day battle that turned the tide of the Civil War. The South had been winning up to this point. So how did Union troops stop General Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North? With black-and-illustrations throughout and sixteen pages of photos, this turning point in history is brought vividly to life.

The Alamo by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso 

"Remember the Alamo!"" is still a rallying cry more than 175 years after the siege in Texas, where a small band of men held off about two thousand soldiers of the Mexican Army for twelve days. The Alamo was a crucial turning point in the Texas Revolution, and led to the creation of the Republic of Texas. With 80 black-and-white illustrations throughout and a sixteen-page black-and-white photo insert, young readers will relive this famous moment in Texas history.

The March on Washington by Kathleen Krull 

On August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 people gathered in Washington, DC, to demand equal rights for all races. It was there that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, and it was this peaceful protest that spurred the momentous civil rights laws of the mid-1960s. With black-and-white artwork throughout and sixteen pages of photographs, the March is brought to life!

The Boston Tea Party by Kathleen Krull 

"No Taxation without Representation!" The Boston Tea Party stands as an iconic event of the American Revolution—outraged by the tax on tea, American colonists chose to destroy the tea by dumping it into the water! Learn all about the famed colonialists who fought against the British Monarchy, and read about this act of rebellion from our history! With black-and-white illustrations throughout and sixteen pages of photos, the Boston Tea party is brought to life!

The Underground Railroad by Yonna Zeldis McDonough 

No one knows where the term Underground Railroad came from--there were no trains or tracks, only "conductors" who helped escaping slaves to freedom. Including real stories about "passengers" on the "Railroad," this book chronicles slaves' close calls with bounty hunters, exhausting struggles on the road, and what they sacrificed for freedom. With 80 black-and-white illustrations throughout and a sixteen-page black-and-white photo insert, the Underground Railroad comes alive!

The First Thanksgiving by Joan Holub

The history of the feast! After their first harvest in 1621, the Pilgrims at Plymouth shared a three-day feast with their Native American neighbors. Of course, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag didn’t know it at the time, but they were making history, celebrating what would become a national holiday.

The Gold Rush Joan Holub 

In 1848, gold was discovered in California, attracting over 300,000 people from all over the world, some who struck it rich and many more who didn't. Hear the stories about the gold-seeking "forty-niners!" With black-and white illustrations and sixteen pages of photos, a nugget from history is brought to life!

The Family Romonov by Candance Fleming (Grades 5-6) 

History comes to vivid life in Fleming’s sweeping story of the dramatic decline and fall of the House of Romanov. Her account provides not only intimate portraits of Tsar Nicholas; his wife, Alexandra; and the five Romanov children, but it also offers a beautifully realized examination of the context of their lives—Russia in a state of increasing social unrest and turmoil. The latter aspect is shown in part through generous excerpts from letters, diaries, memoirs, and more that are seamlessly interspersed throughout the narrative. All underscore the incredible disparity between the glittering lives of the Romanovs and the desperately impoverished ones of the peasant population. Instead of attempting to reform this, Nicholas simply refused to acknowledge its presence, rousing himself only long enough to order savage repression of the occasional uprising. Fleming shows that the hapless tsar was ill equipped to discharge his duties, increasingly relying on Alexandra for guidance; unfortunately, at the same time, she was increasingly reliant on the counsel of the evil monk Rasputin. The end, when it came, was swift and—for the Romanovs, who were brutally murdered—terrible. Compulsively readable, Fleming’s artful work of narrative history is splendidly researched and documented. For readers who regard history as dull, Fleming’s extraordinary book is proof positive that, on the contrary, it is endlessly fascinating, absorbing as any novel, and the stuff of an altogether memorable reading experience. Michael Cart, ~Booklist 

The Bubonic Plague by Gail Jarrow (Grades 5-6) 

In March 1900, San Francisco’s health department investigated a strange and horrible death in Chinatown. A man had died of bubonic plague, one of the world’s deadliest diseases. But how could that be possible? Bubonic Panic tells the true story of America’s first plague epidemic—the public health doctors who desperately fought to end it, the political leaders who tried to keep it hidden, and the brave scientists who uncovered the plague’s secrets. Once again, acclaimed author and scientific expert Gail Jarrow brings the history of a medical mystery to life in vivid and exciting detail for young readers. This title includes photographs and drawings, a glossary, a timeline, further resources, an author’s note, and source notes.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to school! Below are some new and noteworthy books to get your year started. Come and check them out! 

Quest by Aaron Becker (Grades K-3) 

Aaron Becker, creator of Journey, a Caldecott Honor book, presents the next chapter in his stunning wordless fantasy. A king emerges from a hidden door in a city park, startling two children sheltering from the rain. No sooner does he push a map and some strange objects into their hands than he is captured by hostile forces that whisk him back through the enchanted door. Just like that, the children are caught up in a quest to rescue the king and his kingdom from darkness, while illuminating the farthest reaches of their imagination. Colored markers in hand, they make their own way through the portal, under the sea, through a tropical paradise, over a perilous bridge, and high in the air with the help of a winged friend. Journey lovers will be thrilled to follow its characters on a new adventure threaded with familiar elements, while new fans will be swept into a visually captivating story that is even richer and more exhilarating than the first.

Frog and Friends by Eve Bunting (Grades K-2)

Welcome to Frog and his world. He enjoys nothing better than spending time floating in his pond or visiting with his friends. He appreciates the simpler things in life and would prefer that things stay just the way they are - nice and peaceful. From acclaimed children's writer Eve Bunting comes a new beginning reader series featuring the delightful Frog and his friends Rabbit, Possum, Raccoon, and Squirrel. In the first book Frog is alarmed when he finds a strange object in his pond, he tries to re-gift a scarf, and he makes friends with a runaway hippo. In Party at the Pond Frog is busy with his autumn party, he is overseen dancing around the pond, and he narrowly escapes being turned into a prince. Retro-style artwork by illustrator Josée Masse gives a fresh, distinctive look to this new series.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (Grades K-3) 

A girl decides to make something magnificent with the help of her assistant—her dog, but they "are shocked to discover that the thing isn't magnificent. Or good. It isn't even kind-of-sort-of okay. It is all wrong. The girl tosses it aside and gives it another go." From her efforts, children see the importance of planning, gathering supplies, building, and not giving up when a good idea doesn't initially work out. Ample use of white space makes the digital artwork pop. The text consists mainly of one- or two-line captions for the pictures, and the layout and design are spot-on, building action with a smart use of vignettes, boxed illustrations, and spreads. Clever use of artwork conveys the youngster's spectrum of emotions as she "saws and glues and adjusts," "smashes," "pummels," and "explodes" ("It is not her finest moment."). Then, finally, the girl finishes, and her scooter really is "the most magnificent thing." This is a solid choice with a great message that encourages kids not to quit in the face of disappointment but rather to change their perspective and start over.—Melissa Smith, School Library Journal 

The Night Gardener by Terry Fan (K-3)

With spare text and a simple palette, The Night Gardener tells the story of a depressed town's transformation with the help of a nocturnal gardener. The book begins on Grimloch Lane, a street where every head hangs down and an orphan boy, William, is down in the dumps. A dapper elderly man with a green leaf shining in his pocket passes him, and the magic begins. Every night, a new fantastical topiary appears in a tree on Grimloch Lane, to the neighborhood's delight. People begin playing outside, drawing, playing the tuba, and looking up in wonder: it's an urban planner's delight. William gets to tag along one night, and as the season changes, the work of creating community-revitalizing topiaries is passed to him. The illustrations look like a more cheerful Edward Gorey, done with a blend of fine-tip ink and pencil work and watercolor, with the night portrayed in pearly monochromatic blues. While most of the characters are white, a few background characters wandering through the trees are people of color. VERDICT An elegant picture book that celebrates creativity and community; for first purchase.—Lisa Nowlain

Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith (Grades 2-4)

Claude is a small, plump dog who wears a beret and a lovely red sweater. He has a best friend, Sir Bobblysock, a striped sock who is grubby and smells a bit like cheese. In the first episode in Smith’s debut chapter-book series, Claude shops for berets before inadvertently preventing a crime at an art museum. The second episode sees Sir Bobblysock feeling rather unwell. Claude roller-skates him to the hospital and, while Sir Bobblysock is wheeled away for tests, Claude pretends to be a doctor and solves a mystery illness. The tiny trim size and duo-tone artwork, all shades of black, gray, red, and pink, give this UK import a distinctly retro feel (it appears to be set in the 1960s), and Claude—mostly head and snout—is an amiable, unintentional hero. The sentence structure here varies, from short and declarative to more complex, and the stories are longer than in typical books for transitioning readers. It’s cool and hip-feeling and, at times, quite funny. Kids who dig quirky Claude will await his next adventures. Ann Kelley, Booklist 

Mercy: The Incredible Story of Henry Bergh, Found of the ASPCA and Friend to Animals by Mancy Furstinger (Grades 3-6)

Tackling the life of Henry Bergh (1813–88), the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Furstinger provides a satisfying account of an interesting, albeit little-known, figure whose contributions to animal and human rights were substantial. Although he never owned animals himself, Bergh felt a strong compassion for creatures that could not defend themselves. He spent many years of his life searching for a calling without finding a career path that suited him, until he learned of the animal rights work being done in England and decided to replicate a similar organization in the United States. Bergh's creation of the world's first child protection agency is also covered briefly but does not overshadow his work for animal rights. Furstinger creates tension as she describes the vile conditions of animal treatment in the United States and worldwide in the mid-to-late 1800s. Never overly graphic, the full-color illustrations do an effective job of depicting the injustices toward animals, enhancing the story, and evoking empathy in readers. While Bergh's story is engaging, Furstinger occasionally interjects sidebars of relevant information, creating possibly distracting interruptions. VERDICT This suitable biography about a somewhat obscure figure will find many interested readers and is unlikely to duplicate existing collection offerings.—Ellen Norton, School Library Journal 

Little Cat's Luck by Marion Dane Bauer (Grades 3-6)

From Newbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer comes a heartwarming novel in verse that’s a companion to the “wholly satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) Little Dog, Lost. When an indoor calico cat named Patches spots a golden autumn leaf fluttering past her window, she can’t help but venture outside to chase it. But soon, Patches feels something tugging at her, telling her to find a special place—one she won’t know until she sees it. Why must she go on this search? She doesn’t know yet. Along the way, Patches finds herself in dire circumstances, but with the help of the other neighborhood animals, she faces off against the scariest dog in town and continues on her journey to her special place. Beautifully told in verse and accompanied by adorable illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell, this heartwarming novel from Newberry Honor­–winner, Marion Dane Bauer, is a timeless, touching, and fulfilling story about finding your way home.

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 by Lauren Tarshis (Grades 3-6) 

Could an entire city really burn to the ground? Oscar Starling never wanted to come to Chicago. But then Oscar finds himself not just in the heart of the big city, but in the middle of a terrible fire! No one knows exactly how it began, but one thing is clear: Chicago is like a giant powder keg about to explode. An army of firemen is trying to help, but this fire is a ferocious beast that wants to devour everything in its path, including Oscar! Will Oscar survive one of the most famous and devastating fires in history? Lauren Tarshis brings history's most exciting and terrifying events to life in this New York Times bestselling series. Readers will be transported by stories of amazing kids and how they survived!

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan (Grades 4-6) 

At the end of the term, Emerson Elementary School will be bulldozed to make way for a shopping center and students will be reassigned to other schools in the district. This change is particularly hard for the 18 fifth graders in Ms. Hill's class. She tasks them with keeping a poetry journal throughout the year; their poems will be placed in a time capsule at the end of the year. The students write about their feelings, the project, the imminent changes to their community, and their worries about middle school through alternating poems divided into four quarters. One girl's mother is being deployed, a boy's father recently left the family, and another boy's beloved grandfather is ailing. With the gentle guidance of their teacher, who may have been arrested in the 1960s protesting the Vietnam War, they become socially aware and organize a movement to protest the school closure. The distinct personalities of the students shine through in a variety of poetic forms. Sadness, humor, anger, and hope are expressed in authentically young voices. The poetic forms are discussed in further detail in the back matter, making for a great teaching resource. VERDICT This gently evocative study of change in all its glory and terror would make a terrific read-aloud or introduction to a poetry unit. A most impressive debut.-Brenda Kahn, School Library Journal 

Two Miserable Presidents: The Amazing, and Totally True Story of the Civil War by Steve Sheinkin (Grades 5-6)

May 22, 1856: A MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WALKS INTO THE SENATE CHAMBER, LOOKING FOR TROUBLE. That Congressman, Preston Brooks, was ready to attack Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts over remarks Sumner made slamming senators who supported slavery in Kansas. Brooks lifted his cane to beat Sumner, and here the action in the book stops, so that Steve Sheinkin can explain just where this confrontation started. In the process, he unravels the complicated string of events – the small things, the personal ones, the big issues– that led to The Civil War. It is a time and a war that threatened America's very existence, revealed in the surprising true stories of the soldiers and statesmen who battled it out. 

Booked by Kwame Alexander (Grades 5-6)

Twelve-year-old Nick loves soccer, and he and his best friend Coby have big plans for winning the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup, the renowned world youth soccer tournament, even though they will be playing on opposing teams. Besides the big game, Nick has a lot of other things on his mind. For one thing, his mother wants to move away to pursue her dream of training race horses, and his linguistics professor father is pressuring him to improve his vocabulary by reading the dictionary. Throw in the twin eighth-grade tyrants who relentlessly want to pound him and weekly lessons at Miss Quattlebaum's School of Ballroom Dance & Etiquette, and his life at Langston Hughes Magnet School of the Arts is pretty hectic. But school is also where "the Mac" can be found, Langston's resident rapping, dragonfly-loving, red mohawk-wearing librarian and Nick's favorite adult. And then there's April, Nick's current crush. Newbery-winning poet Alexander once again brings to life a novel in verse that equally captures the rapid-fire excitement of a soccer match and the palpable pain of a young boy whose family is falling apart. Peppered throughout are useful and amusing vocabulary words as well as wise-cracking yet sage life lessons from a beloved librarian. Authentic characters and amusing situations abound, making this story one that will be welcomed by readers of all levels. VERDICT Another winning goal for Alexander and middle school readers alike.-Carol Connor, School Library Journal