December Picks - Award Predictions

One of the best parts about my job is choosing quality children's literature. Although I buy lots of books that I know students will eat up (i.e Babymouse and BeastQuest), I also try to chose books that have the potential to be on the awards circuit. Below are my predictions for the Newbery and Caldecott winners of 2013, to be announced at the ALA conference in January.

Newbery

Wonder by R.J Palacio 

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. 

 

Crow by Barbara Wright 

The summer of 1898 is filled with ups and downs for 11-year-old Moses. He's growing apart from his best friend, his superstitious Boo-Nanny butts heads constantly with his pragmatic, educated father, and his mother is reeling from the discovery of a family secret. Yet there are good times, too. He's teaching his grandmother how to read. For the first time she's sharing stories about her life as a slave. And his father and his friends are finally getting the respect and positions of power they've earned in the Wilmington, North Carolina, community. But not everyone is happy with the political changes at play and some will do anything, including a violent plot against the government, to maintain the status quo. One generation away from slavery, a thriving African American community—enfranchised and emancipated—suddenly and violently loses its freedom in turn of the century North Carolina when a group of local politicians stages the only successful coup d'etat in US history.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate 

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all. Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line. Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better. Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. 


 Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin  

The moon is missing from the remote Village of Clear Sky, but only a young boy named Rendi seems to notice! Rendi has run away from home and is now working as a chore boy at the village inn. He can't help but notice the village's peculiar inhabitants and their problems-where has the innkeeper's son gone? Why are Master Chao and Widow Yan always arguing? What is the crying sound Rendi keeps hearing? And how can crazy, old Mr. Shan not know if his pet is a toad or a rabbit? But one day, a mysterious lady arrives at the Inn with the gift of storytelling, and slowly transforms the villagers and Rendi himself. As she tells more stories and the days pass in the Village of Clear Sky, Rendi begins to realize that perhaps it is his own story that holds the answers to all those questions. Newbery Honor author Grace Lin brings readers another enthralling fantasy featuring her marvelous full-color illustrations. Starry River of the Sky is filled with Chinese folklore, fascinating characters, and exciting new adventures.

Caldecott

And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano

Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they've had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way. Julie Fogliano's tender story of anticipation is brought to life by the distinctive illustrations Erin E. Stead, recipient of the 2011 Caldecott Medal. And Then It's Spring is one The Washington Post's Best Kids Books of 2012. One of Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2012

Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff

Baby Bear has so much to learn about the world! From the moment he wakes until it’s time to curl up and go to sleep, he explores outside with his mama. They see green leaves, blue jays, brown trout, and—best of all—a patch of yummy red strawberries. From bestselling picture book creator Ashley Wolff, here is a clever concept book that combines engaging and intricate linocut illustrations with a story that enthusiastically encourages children to identify a variety of vibrant colors. Young readers will delight in this chance to join Baby Bear as he discovers the colorful wonders of his lively, leafy forest home.




Oh, No! by Candance Fleming 

"This picture book reads like an instant classic.... Oh, yes!" raved Kirkus Reviews in a starred review. Young children will delight in repeating the refrain "OH, NO!" as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud. This simple and irresistible picture book by hugely popular picture book creators—Candace Fleming and Caldecott medalist Eric Rohmann—feels like a classic-in-the-making. Fans of Rohmann's Caldecott Medal­-winning My Friend Rabbit, will be thrilled to see a new book created in the same expressive and comical style.

Extra Yarn by Marc Barnett

A monochrome town gets a change of color and attitude with the help of a box of yarn and a girl named Annabelle. From the seemingly endless box of Extra Yarn Annabelle knits clothing for everyone around her, tempering the ill-tempered, and creating beautifully patterned warmth for people, animals, and objects, alike. When a greedy clothes-loving archduke tries to buy--then steal--the box for himself, he discovers that ill-gotten gains bear no fruit--or in this case, yarn. Mac Barnett’s elegant and clever story is complemented by Jon Klassen’s illustrations, and fans of I Want My Hat Back will enjoy the familiar faces that show up in this picture book about the magical properties of kindness and generosity

November Picks

Check out these new and noteworthy books in the MCS Media Center!


Scream Street by Tommy Donbavand -- Books 1-6 (Grades 4-6)

When Luke Watson turns into a werewolf for the third time, the Government Housing of Unusual Lifeforms (G.H.O.U.L.) moves his family to Scream Street — a frightful community of vampires, zombies, witches, and sundry undead. Though Luke quickly makes friends, he vows to find a way to take his terrified parents home. The secret to opening the exit, he learns, is collecting six powerful relics the founding fathers left behind. But with a sinister landlord determined to thwart Luke at every turn, will he even get past the first hurdle alive?



An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo (Grades 4-6)  

Lizzie and Karl’s mother is a zoo keeper; the family has become attached to an orphaned elephant named Marlene, who will be destroyed as a precautionary measure so she and the other animals don’t run wild should the zoo be hit by bombs. The family persuades the zoo director to let Marlene stay in their garden instead. When the city is bombed, the family flees with thousands of others, but how can they walk the same route when they have an elephant in tow, and keep themselves safe? Along the way, they meet Peter, a Canadian navigator who risks his own capture to save the family. 


 

The Moon Over High Street by Natalie Babbitt (Grades 4-6) 

Joe Casimir needed help with the choice he had to make. But how do you choose the person who will help you choose? Mr. Boulderwall, the millionaire, knew exactly what he wanted Joe to choose. And millionaires are experts at making choices. Well, aren't they? But Vinnie, the number-two man down at Sope Electric, didn't much approve of millionaires. He said to Joe, "Listen, kid, all of 'em act like they're the only ones with a ticket to the show!" But he didn't have any real advice to offer. Joe's Gran didn't either, as it turned out, and neither did Aunt Myra.  




The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng (Grades 4-6) 

In Chinese, peng you means friend. But in any language, all Anna knows for certain is that friendship is complicated. When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot—constant companionship and insight into her changing world. Books, however, can’t tell Anna how to find a true friend. She’ll have to discover that on her own. In the tradition of classics like Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy books and Eleanor Estes’ One Hundred Dresses, this novel subtly explores what it takes to make friends and what it means to be one.


 
Bad Kitty for President by Nick Bruel (Grades 3-6)

The votes are in--it's a Bad Kitty landslide!

It's time to elect a new president of the Neighborhood Cat Coalition! Who will win the election? The candidate chosen by the kitties on the right side of the street or the candidate chosed by the kitties on the left side of the street? When election time rolls around, one candidate (guess who?) will discover that she never bothered to register to vote and the entire election will be decided by a surprise, last minute absentee ballot sent by Old Kitty.




Treasury of Inspirational Stories for Children by James Herriot (Grades 3-6 or a great read aloud for all grades!)

James Herriot's Treasury of Inspirational Stories for Children collects all of the beloved veterinarian's delightful tales for young readers--all of them perennial favorites.
This complete edition is a wonderful addition to the libraries of all readers, great and small. From the moving holiday miracle of The Christmas Day Kitten to the adorable, rascally antics of Smudge, the Little Lost Lamb, here are Herriot's masterful stories for children gathered together in one classic volume for the entire family to share and treasure. Features: Moses the Kitten * Only One Woof * The Christmas Day Kitten * Bonny's Big Day * Blossom Comes Home * The Market Square Dog * Oscar, Cat-About-Town * Smudge, the Little Lost Lamb



And the Soldiers Sang by J. Patrick Lewis (Grades 5-6)

You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees. So said Kaiser Wilhelm II to his German army in August 1914. But World War I would rage for more than 4 years, taking the lives of nearly 10 million soldiers. Some of the most unrelenting combat was waged along the infamous Western Front, where, for one unforgettable Christmas in 1914, enemies set guns aside and came together in friendship. And the Soldiers Sang, written by J. Patrick Lewis, recounts this unlikely truce through the perspective of a young soldier named Owen Davies, who travels from the green country of Wales to the muddy battlefields of Belgium.




Clarice Bean, That's Me by Lauren Child (Grades 1-3)

When your annoying little brother shares your room, your older brother is in the tunnel of adolescence, your dad hides in his office swaying to Frank Sinatra, and your mother listens to foreign language tapes in the bathtub, what can you do to get away from it all? Meet the irrepressible Clarice Bean on her search for a little peace and quiet amid the wonderfully wacky chaos of a large extended family. 

October Picks

After weeding through many of our old VHS tapes I have begun to replace many with new DVDs. I started replacing VHS tapes last year, so scroll down to see even more new DVDs we have this year to be check out. Also, I have worked hard to complete or add new series to our collection. Come to the Media Center and check them out today!


DVDs

Really Wild Animals, by National Geographic
DVDs in the series:
Deep Sea Dive
Dinosaurs and Other Creatures
Farmyard Friends
Awesome Animal Builders
Swinging Safari
Polar Prowl



Secrets of the Titanic, by National Geographic
 
In Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard, Dr. Ballard revisits the ship in an entirely different way from the perspective of those who set sail on her some 100 years ago. Traveling to the shipyards of Northern Ireland to retrace the path of the doomed ship from her very incarnation, Ballard is driven by one personal question throughout his journey--will the Titanic survive another 100 years? As evidence mounts that the ship is under siege by natural forces, careless visitors and even rogue salvage operators, the man who found her teams up with the families of victims and survivors to protect the legacy of history's most famous ship.

Great Migrations, by National Geographic

Three years in the making, and from award-winning National Geographic cinematographers, Great Migrations takes viewers around the world on the arduous journeys millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species.  Shot from land and air, in trees and cliff-blinds, on ice floes and underwater, Great Migrations tells the formidable, powerful stories of many of the planet's species and their movements, while revealing new scientific insights with breathtaking high-definition clarity. Narrated by Alec Baldwin.

Sunnylands Seminars 

DVDs in the Series
Key Constitutional Concepts
Mandate: The President and the People
Our Constitution: A Conversation


The Sunnyland Seminars are funded by the Annenberg Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to education through electronic media. This entire DVD series clips right along in top-quality TV documentary fashion. It will interest people from about ten to ninety years of age. 

Books

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo: Book 1-- We now have books 1-5! (Grades 5-6)

Two teens, a small, furry "sycophant," and a talking toothpick try to prevent evil forces from destroying two worlds in this lighthearted fantasy. "Foo" is the world from which all dreams come, and the villainous Sabine wants to find the gateway from there into our world. This would destroy both worlds, so the reluctant title hero and his magical companions try to prevent it. The complicated plot unwinds through a playful narrative that tries, often unsuccessfully, to mix humor and suspense. There are some funny moments, but many attempts at comedy seem forced or distracting. An urgent race to Germany includes some clever plot twists, as when Leven's friend Winter uses her ice-creating power to turn an ocean into a road, but their quest never becomes truly exciting. When it turns out that the ominous "Shadows" under Sabine's command can be dismissed by a simple hand clap, it's mildly amusing, but detracts from the sense of true danger that makes an involving adventure. Leven's self-doubts and changes of heart are almost tedious, and there's little chemistry between him and Winter. Adult characters are mean, dull, and unattractive, which results in some Dahl-like humor, but soon gets repetitive. Despite some solid humor and an occasionally intriguing plot, there's not enough cohesion or consistency here to make this a rewarding fantasy.–Steven Engelfried, School Library Journal

Summary is for book 1: Lone Wolf

Wolves of the Beyond by Kathryn Lasky -- We now have books 1-4! (Grades 4-6) 

A wolf mother has given birth, but the warm bundle snuffling next to her brings only anguish. The pup, otherwise healthy, has a twisted paw, and the mother knows what the harsh code of the pack demands. Her pup will be taken from her and abandoned on a desolate hill. The pack cannot have weakness - the wolf mother knows that her pup is condemned to die. But alone in the wilderness, the pup, Faolan, does not perish. This his story - a story of survival, of courage, and of love triumphant. This is Faolan's story, the wolf pup who rose up to change forevever the Wolves of the Beyond. 

Summary is for Goldie 

Puppy Place, by Ellen Miles -- We now have 25 books in this series! (Grades 3-5)

Welcome to the Puppy Place! This new Little Apple series stars a lovable new puppy in every book! And it's Charles and Lizzie Peterson's job to find every puppy the perfect home. Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. They want a puppy of their own more than just about anything. They know dogs are a lot of work. But their mom still doesn't think their family is ready for a puppy. Then, Goldie arrives. She is a sweet golden retriever that needs a home. Goldie is very young. She doesn't know how to be a good puppy yet. Will Charles and Lizzie be able to help her? 

Ballpark Mysteries, by David Kelly--we now have all 4 books in this series! (Grades 2-4)

Summary is for book #1: Fenway Foul-Up

 

Now leading off the line-up—book #1 in a brand-new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark!

Thanks to Kate's mom, a sports reporter, cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins have tickets to the Red Sox game and All Access passes to Fenway Park. But as they're watching batting practice before the game, the lucky bat of Red Sox star slugger Big D is stolen . . . right in front of dozens of people. Without the bat, Big D can't seem to hit a thing. Can Kate and Mike figure out who pinched the babe before Big D and the Sox chalk up a loss?

Llama, Llama Home with Mama, by Anna Dewdney -- we now have 5 Llama, Llama books! (Grades K-3)

Amazon's Best Book of August 2011: Llama Llama is feeling crummy, sneezing, achy, head all stuffy. No school today for Llama, he’s sick at home in his red pajamas. As the day wears on and Llama starts feeling better, boredom sets in--along with Mama Llama’s coughs and sneezes. Llama Llama knows just what to do, bringing Mama tissues, a fluffy pillow, and books to read. Anna Dewdney’s latest is a welcome addition to her bestselling Llama Llama picture book repertoire, perfectly capturing the challenges of a little one home sick from school and the big dose of love that makes the best medicine. --Seira Wilson

 

September Picks

It's that time of year again! As summer changes into fall, we are changing our routines and getting into the back-to-school mode. Here are some new materials in the library that your students (or you) might enjoy. Take a look and come check them out!

With a Name With Like Love by Tess Hilmo (Grades 4-6)
Grade Stone Face Nominee

One of School Library Journal’s Best Fiction Books of 2011
When Ollie’s daddy, the Reverend Everlasting Love, pulls their travel trailer into Binder to lead a three-day revival, Ollie knows that this town will be like all the others they visit— it is exactly the kind of nothing Ollie has come to expect. But on their first day in town, Ollie meets Jimmy Koppel, whose mother is in jail for murdering his father. Jimmy insists that his mother is innocent, and Ollie believes him. Still, even if Ollie convinces her daddy to stay in town, how can two kids free a grown woman who has signed a confession?  Ollie’s longing for a friend and her daddy’s penchant for searching out lost souls prove to be a formidable force in this tiny town where everyone seems bent on judging and jailing without a trial. ~Goodreads

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier (Grades 4-6)
Great Stone Face Nominee 

What begins Dickensian turns Tolkien-esque in this quest replete with magic and mystery. Peter Nimble is an orphan. Blinded by ravens in infancy and made to steal for the town’s beggar-monger (think Fagin), Peter becomes an expert thief and pickpocket. His wretched existence changes when he steals a box containing eggs that are actually three pairs of magical eyes. When Peter drops the first pair into his eye-sockets, he’s instantly swept away. Thus begins a perilous adventure wrought from a riddle found in a bottle. After much travail, Peter learns that the mysterious eyes are not always dependable. He seeks and eventually finds a vanished kingdom, where he faces a tyrannical king. The king has brainwashed all the adults and enslaved all of their children, who are controlled by a horde of bloodthirsty apes. Solving the riddle and embracing his destiny are just the beginning of Peter’s problems. In the end it’s Peter’s true talents, not magic, that prove most reliable. ~Kirkus Review

Theodore Boonne: The Accused by John Grisham (Grades 5-6)

Theodore Boone is back! And he's ready for his next big case. Theo Boone might only be thirteen, but he's already uncovered key evidence in a groundbreaking murder trial and discovered the truth behind his best friend's abduction. Now with the latest unfolding of events in Strattenburg, Theo will face his biggest challenge yet.Filled with the intrigue and page-turning suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone's adventures will keep readers enthralled until the very last page. ~Amazon

From Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian / Book 8-we now have them all! (Grades 4-6) 

Seemingly nothing in this world daunts the young criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl. In the fairy world, however, there is a small thing that has gotten under his skin on more than one occasion: Opal Koboi. In The Last Guardian, the evil pixie is wreaking havoc yet again. This time his arch rival has reanimated dead fairy warriors who were buried in the grounds of Fowl Manor. Their spirits have possessed Artemis’s little brothers, making his siblings even more annoying than usual. The warriors don’t seem to realize that the battle they were fighting when they died is long over. Artemis has until sunrise to get the spirits to vacate his brothers and go back into the earth where they belong. Can he count on a certain LEPrecon fairy to join him in what could well be his last stand? New York Times best-selling author and comic genius Eoin Colfer will leave Artemis Fowl fans gasping up to the very end of this thrilling finale to the blockbuster series. ~Amazon 

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (Grades 3-6)
Great Stone Face Nominee 

Zita’s life took a cosmic left turn in the blink of  an eye.

A headstrong young girl makes a hasty decision and finds herself in a galaxy far, far away in this graphic-novel shining star. Confident Zita finds a strange device in a meteor crater while playing with her more timorous best friend, Joseph. Impetuously, she accidentally activates the device, and before they can say “lift off,” the duo ends up on an ill-fated planet, with Joseph about to be sacrificed by an alien doomsday cult and Zita determined to save him. Hatke’s skill shines: His characters are richly imagined and portrayed, from the loyal, bumbling Strong-Strong (resembling a cross between a golem and an Uglydoll) to the menacing Screeds, an arachnid-like mechanized device that serves an evil purpose. The giant speechless Mouse, who communicates via ticker tape, is especially ingenious. Hatke takes a page from epic adventures like Jeff Smith’s Bone and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet and throws in a dash of intergalactic zest for a winning combination, sure to captivate young graphic-novel aficionados. Be prepared to blast off; this debut is truly out of this world. ~Kirkus Review

Bink and Gollie: Two for One by Kate DiCamillo (Grades 2-4)

The state fair is in town, and now Bink and Gollie — utter opposites and best friends extraordinaire — must use teamwork and their gray matter while navigating its many wonders. Will the energetic Bink win the world's largest donut in the Whack-a-Duck game? Will the artistic Gollie wow the crowd in the talent show? As the undaunted duo steps into the mysterious tent of fortune-teller Madame Prunely, one prediction is crystal clear: this unlikely pair will always be the closest of pals. Get ready for more laughs in this wry, warmhearted sequel to the New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book Bink and Gollie.  ~Amazon

Cork and Fuzz: Finders Keepers by Dory Chaconas/ Book 5- we now have 6 books in the series! (Grades 2-4)

Cork is a short muskrat who likes to find things. Fuzz is a tall possum who likes to keep things. Fuzz wants to keep Cork's lost stone when he finds it. But a chipmunk runs away with it. Who will say "finders keepers" now? ~Amazon

Ivy and Bean: No News is Good News by Annie Barrows/ Book 8- we now have the whole series! (Grades 2-4)

Ivy and Bean need some money. Ten dollars, to be exact. Never mind what for. Okay, it's for low-fat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for-one serving size. Don't ask why. But how are Ivy and Bean going to make ten dollars? Hey, maybe they should write a newspaper about Pancake Court and sell it! Great idea! And easy, too. All they have to do is nose around the neighborhood. Wow—it's interesting what comes out when snoops start digging. It's even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper. ~Amazon

Animal Masquerade By Marianne Dubuc (Grades K-3)

For kids who never tire of driving one joke into the ground, this is the perfect book -- and for their adults, there are enough surprises to make that one joke tolerable for repeated readings. There are fifty-three animals headed for a costume party, each one disguised as the next animal in line. Six additional party guests/disguises include Little Red Riding Hood, a three-headed monster, a unicorn, a poppy, and a chocolate cake. Of course, it s funny to see a mouse disguised as a flamingo, a flamingo disguised as a giraffe, and a giraffe disguised as a millipede -- suffice it to say that none of the disguises are going to fool anyone -- but a little of this goes a long way. Just when you think you've had enough, the text breaks the pattern: for example, the bear chases Little Red Riding Hood (disguised as a chocolate cake) before he puts on his own snail costume. The dromedary is roundly criticized for disguising himself as a camel (too easy!), and the hen is simply too stupid to participate. The pencil crayon illustrations show each animal before and after they don their disguises, and they all march from left to right across the page, headed to a party that's shown in a final wordless double-page spread. 'Welcome to the masquerade!'" --The Horn Book Magazine (starred review)

 

Barnums Bones by Tracey Fern (Grades 1-3)

Barnum Brown's (1873-1963) parents named him after the circus icon P.T. Barnum, hoping that he would do something extraordinary--and he did! As a paleontologist for the American Museum of Natural History, he discovered the first documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as most of the other dinosaurs on display there today.An appealing and fun picture book biography, with zany and stunning illustrations by Boris Kulikov, Barnum's Bones captures the spirit of this remarkable man. ~Amazon

Cloudette By Tom Litchenheld (Grades K-3)
Ladybug Picture Book Award Nominee 

Reminiscent of the determination and courage of The Little Engine That Could, this title delivers its message with charm. A petite cloud believes that she is not big enough to accomplish what the big clouds can: provide enough rain to water crops or replenish a flowing waterfall or river. She is inspired by the accomplishments and "good-natured" acts of her larger kin and wants to have a positive effect on the Earth. She floats over a dried-up pond with one little frog hoping for enough rain to revive it. Can Cloudette move beyond what she believes are her limitations and do great things? Lively illustrations in ink, pastels, colored pencils, and watercolors create engaging spreads and characters that tell a story above and beyond the narrative. For example Cloudette's eyes and mouth grow tighter and her color changes from white to gray to black as she builds up enough steam to form that much-needed cloudburst. A few themes emerge for discussions in this multifaceted book, and there are plenty of details for children to discover. An excellent choice for a storytime or classroom. Well done.-Anne Beier, School Library Journal

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by James Dean (Grades K-3)

Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books. ~Amazon

May Picks

April is over (along with vacation, sadly) and May is finally here! This month I will highlight some new technological materials in addition to new books. Come to the library and check out something new!

AV

Wireless Keyboard

A wireless keyboard is exactly the same as a normal computer keyboard except for one major difference: Wireless keyboards transfer typing data to the computer via infrared beams. A beam of information is sent from the keyboard, as you type, to a receiver, which is plugged into the computer. This allows for a cordless experience, which eliminates the potential for another tangled cord behind your computer. ~wisegeek.com

Belkin Rockstar Splitter (all iPods, iPhones, and iPads)

Connect up to five headphones and your iPod—then start sharing or adding another iPod to mix songs and listen together. Five jacks for attaching headphones or an iPod. One hard-wired connection for your MP3 player. Mixing and fade-ins controlled by each player's standard controls. Also works with all MP3 and portable DVD players. ~apple.com

iPad Camera Connection Kit

The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card. iPad and the Camera Connection Kit support standard photo formats, including JPEG and RAW, along with SD and HD video formats, including H.264 and MPEG-4.  ~apple.com

Books

The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier and Rebecca Dautremer (Grades 2-6)

One thing is certain: these ain't no Disney princesses! Au contraire, this French import features about 30 royals who are quirky to a fault. There's Princess Hot-Head, a study in fiery red, who “prefers brandishing a sword to practicing the piano.” And Princess Molly Coddle, cousin to the fussy girl of “Princess and the Pea” fame, who “never hesitates to demand the impossible.” A detailed, imaginative guide—more akin to titles like Wizardology (2005)—this novelty book also features pages devoted to elaborate, witty commentary on proper cradle etiquette; each character's coat of arms; and various palace types. Dautremer's illustrations are perfectly attuned to the mood of each princess' prose portrait, by turns sophisticated and witty and full of odd angles and bizarre details. Princess Do-Re-Mi has the body type of a curvy violin; Princess Oblivia (“She forgets everything”) wears a hat full of holes that leaves blow through. A book to pore over.  ~Karen Cruze, Booklist

Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep! by Mo Willems (Grades PreK-2)

A progressively dark and soothing nighttime blue backs up Willems’ cartoon critters in this get-ready-for-bed picture book starring Cat the Cat, with cameos by among others, Pig the Pig, Giraffe the Giraffe, Crab the Crab, etc. Cat tells each of the animals, who are engaged in various nighttime pursuits (reading a book, washing up, brushing teeth, going potty), that it’s time to sleep. A perfectly well-timed joke arrives courtesy of the pop-eyed owl one assumes to be Owl the Owl. He definitely isn’t ready for bed, but his arrival caps off this smiles-all-around, understated tour of pre-bedtime activities. ~Ian Chipman, Booklist

The Last Apprentice: Clash of the Demons (Book 6) (Grades 5-6)

The Last Apprentice series continues to be one of the best written of the last several years. Here, in the sixth entry, Tom, the Spook’s apprentice, must face up to several things he’d rather not: his friend Alice being the daughter of the Devil, his mother returning to her feral roots, and the notion that sometimes you must form alliances with enemies. As in previous books, the writing is direct, and the plotting and characters, most not of the human variety, are smart and believable. Naturally, fans of the series are the best audience, but this is accessible even to those just jumping in. ~Ilene Cooper

I Survived Series (5 titles) by Laren Tarshis (Grades 3-6)

I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005

I Survived the San Fransisco Earthquake, 1906

I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1914

History's most terrifying moments are brought vividly to life in this exciting historical fiction series. Nonstop action, occasional illustrations, and relate-able characters. Each title includes two pages of nonfiction extras and will inspire kids to find out more about the disasters and the history of the times. ~Amazon

April Picks

I am starting to, "turn over," our AV collection to include more DVDs and weed out some of those pesky VHS tapes! This issue picks up where the last one left off and highlights some new AV materials in our library. Also, it showcases some new and noteworthy books added to the library within the last few months.

Reading Rainbow DVDs

*How Much is a Million?

*If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

*The Wall

*Perfect the Pig

*Ox-Cart Man

*Little Nino's Pizzeria 

*Amazing Grace

*The Purple Coat

*The Paper Crane

*Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport

*Desert Giant: The World of the *Saguaro Cactus 

*Bugs

*Berlioz the Bear

*Barn Dance

Other Videos (all DVDs!)

*Swimmy...and More Classics  by Leo Lionni

*So You Want to Be President?...and More Stories to Celebrate American History

*Mr. Popper's Penguins

*Follow the Drinking Gourd 

*Making the Thirteen Colonies (3 video set: The Middle Colonies, New England Colonies and Southern Colonies)

*Where the Wild Things Are...and More Stories by Maurice Sendak

*King Lear

*All About Health and Hygiene

*All About Magnets

*All About Electricity 

Books

 Fireflies at Midnight by Marilyn Singer (Grades preK-4)

A robin cheerfully greets the day at dawn.

A horse nibbles grass under the heat of the midday sun.

A rabbit stands still, disappearing into the grass at dusk.

As evening falls, a frog tells the world that he's the king of the pond.

During one summer day, these and other creatures tell their tales, celebrating their ordinary -- but extraordinary -- lives in verse. Young readers will be entranced by the many voices created by renowned poet Marilyn Singer. They will be encouraged to look more closely at the surprising world around them -- morning, noon, and night. ~Amazon

The Sea Chest by Toni Buzzeo (Grades 1-4)

Aunt Maita tells her great-grandniece about her wonderful but lonely young years as the only child of a lighthouse keeper and his wife on a rocky Maine island. Then comes a terrible storm that frightens the family and bodes disaster for any ship at sea. The following day, Maita and her father find a bundled mattress, obviously washed ashore from a sunken ship. Unfolding it, they discover a leather sea chest with a baby inside, accompanied by a note from her despairing parents. The family adopts the child and they raise her as their own. Together Maita and Seaborne spend their days together-first on the island and later on the mainland where they live close by. At the end, readers learn that Aunt Maita, now an old woman, is telling the story to her niece as the child is waiting for her own adopted sister to arrive from overseas. ~Barbara Buckley, School Library Journal

Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea by Tony Johnston  (Grades 2-6)

What’s a California miner to do when gold dust sifts right out of his holey pockets? With such a raggedy wardrobe, he may as well be mining in the vanilla (that is, his birthday suit)! Good thing Levi Strauss is out west, ready with his needle and a head full of bright ideas. With some quick thinking, quicker stitching, and handy arithmetic, Levi keeps all the gold rushers clothed—and becomes a modern American hero. A Wild West tall tale, Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea celebrates creativity, innovation, and the ubiquitous item that fills the closets of grateful jeans wearers worldwide.~Amazon

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban (Grades 4-6)

Do not let a mop sit overnight in water. Fix things before they get too big for fixing. Custodial wisdom: Mattie Breen writes it all down. She has just one week to convince Uncle Potluck to take her on as his custodial apprentice at Mitchell P. Anderson Elementary School. One week until school starts and she has to be the new girl again. But if she can be Uncle Potluck’s apprentice, she’ll have important work to do during lunch and recess. Work that will keep her safely away from the other fifth graders. But when her custodial wisdom goes all wrong, Mattie’s plan comes crashing down. And only then does she begin to see how one small, brave act can lead to a friend who is hound dog true. ~Amazon

King of the Mound by Wes Tooke (Grades 4-6)

Nick was going to be a star baseball player, no doubt about it. People for miles around talked about the twelve-year-old boy with the golden arm. And then Nick is diagnosed with polio—a life-threatening disease in the 1930s. Everyone is devastated, especially Nick’s father, who copes by closing off from his son. When Nick finally leaves the hospital he wants nothing more than to get back in the game, but he seems to be the only one who thinks it’s possible. But after he begins working for Mr. Churchill, the owner of a minor league team, Nick meets Satchel Paige, arguably the best player in baseball. Satchel faces obstacles of his own—his skin color prevents him from joining the major leagues—and he encourages Nick to overcome the odds and step out of the dugout. ~Amazon

Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park (Grades 4-6)

Park opens this thoroughly researched novel in Brooklyn with the 1951 baseball season half gone. Nine-year-old Maggie likes to hang out at the fire station, where she listens to Dodgers games with the firemen. The new guy, Jim, teaches Maggie how to score a game, and after Jim is drafted and sent to Korea, Maggie writes him letters. When she learns that he has been traumatized and sent home unresponsive and unable to function on his own, Maggie works on a plan to bring Jim back to himself and his old life. To her credit, Park doesn’t make Maggie’s goal seem easy or even realistic. The involving story spans several years with only a glimmer of hope for Jim’s recovery. Still, readers will find plenty to root for as they get to know determined, persistent Maggie, who feels that the first words she ever learned must have been “Wait till next year.” ~Carolyn Phela, Booklist

Come to the library and check them out today!