December Picks

Prince Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold (Grades K-2)

Everyone's favorite buzzing fly is back in a delightful tale about developing a new story. Buzz has to create a fairy tale for his homework and he uses his trusty friend Fly Guy as inspiration. Fly Guy quickly rejects stories portraying him as a troll or smelly pig herder, but takes flight with a story of him as a handsome prince rescuing a damsel in distress. Together the pair must maneuver around flyswatters and battle giants in hopes of finding the happy ending to their story. There is great attention to detail which deftly captures the delightful expressions of Fly Guy and his companions throughout the book. Although the text is brief and often contains one word sentences, the story is still very charming and is complemented by quirky art which will appeal to young readers. VERDICT An excellent addition to the series for fans and newcomers alike.—Maria Alegre, School Library Journal 


Bear Counts by Karma Wilson (Grades K-2)

Following on the heels of Bear Sees Colors (S. & S., 2014), this concept book introduces the numbers from one to five. As Bear and Mouse's day unfolds, the friends have various encounters that allow Bear to count. A pattern of set-up and reveal is used throughout the book. "Bear hears funny sounds coming/from an aspen tree./ It is Raven, Owl, and Wren,/and the bear counts… [next page] "three!" Wilson's easy-to-read rhyming text is enhanced by Chapman's acrylic paint illustrations which feature bright colors, apt expressions, and perfect detail. The set-up page is a full spread with many grouped items of the number to be revealed—great for close inspection. The reveal page contains four of those items (with text) and plenty of white space between to make it easy to spot and count the items. —Catherine Callegari, School Library Journal 


Little Dog Lost by Monica Carnessi (Grades K-3) *Mrs. Greenbaum's Pick!*

This dramatized version of a true story involves a little brown dog that was spotted in 2010 floating on a chunk of iceberg down Poland’s Vistula River toward the Baltic Sea. Children summon firefighters, and a human chain is made to try to save the animal, but the current pulls too quickly. Night comes but yet the mutt survives: “Dog’s thick fur keeps him warm. But Dog is wet and tired and hungry. And he is scared. Don’t be scared, Dog!” Finally a research vessel spots the dog and, despite a tense moment when Dog slips into the water, succeeds in bringing him aboard, where, to this day, he remains a happy crew member. Though delivered simply, this tale is intrinsically powerful—kids know how slippery ice can be, and Dog’s loneliness and helplessness is similarly relatable. Carnesi’s soft, comforting watercolors make great use of wide tableaux of tiny Dog almost lost among the huge sea of blue water and white icebergs. A short but informative author’s note closes out this inspirational, heart-tugging offering. --Daniel Kraus, Booklist


High Time for Heroes by Mary Pope Osborne (Grades 2-4)

Magic Tree House #51: High Time for Heroes features Jack and Annie back in Egypt, still seeking the secrets of greatness for Merlin. This time they will meet the great nurse, Florence Nightingale, on her trip to Egypt that served as the inspiration for the choices that made her both famous and beloved. -Amazon 






The Incredible Twisting Arm by Kate Egan and Eric Wight (Grades 3-5)

I can twist my arm all the way around.Want to see something incredible?

All it takes is a little magic…

Life is a little easier for Mike now that he's found The White Rabbit magic shop. But after missing a special show from a visiting magician, Mike realizes h needs a way to get to the shop by himself. Unfortunately, he's exhausted after only a week of being a model student, and Nora, his magician assistant and expert on good behavior, is distracted by a new friendship. Convincing his parents he's responsible enough to ride his bike downtown alone will take a miracle…or maybe, magic. -Amazon 


Firefly Hollow by Alison McGhee (Grades 3-6)

The denizens of Firefly Hollow deal with loss, maturation, and friendship in this gentle novel. Firefly wants to fly to the moon. Cricket wants most to be the catcher in a baseball game like his hero, Yogi Berra. The miniature giant Peter (a human child) wants his best friend back. These three youngsters help one another to cope with various losses and fears. Watching over them is Vole, an elderly creature who has his own quest to follow. McGhee sensitively portrays the pains of growing up as well as themes of prejudice, death, overcoming fears, and the power of friendship. It is a lot to juggle but the author does it gracefully, effortlessly interweaving the characters' stories. Young readers may not grasp some of the nuances, such as what happened to Peter's best friend. However, readers will root for the appealing characters and enjoy their world. Denise's illustrations are lovely, adding tremendously to the charm of the book. VERDICT Fans of Kate DiCamillo and E.B. White will enjoy this charming tale of unlikely inter-species friendships.—B. Allison Gray, School Library Journal 


The Fog Diver by Joel Ross (Grades 4-6)

It's been years since the formation of the deadly Fog that drove the last people from the surface of the Earth. The only remaining humans live in towns high in the mountaintops. With few resources, it's a hard life. For a slum kid like Chess, working on a salvage airship is the best way to keep from starving. As his ship's tetherboy, Chess must dive into the Fog and recover relics from Earth that can be traded for food for his crew. Most tether boys don't last a year. Those who avoid the Fog sharks eventually succumb to Fog sickness in the end. All except Chess. For Chess, the Fog never hurts. Chess's deepest secret is that he was born in the Fog, and it has marked him. His whole life, Chess has kept his head down and avoided notice. Now things are changing. Mrs. E., Chess's guardian, is dying of Fog sickness, and Chess and his friends must race against the clock to get her to the cure. Unfortunately, the greedy Lord Kodoc has found out about Chess's affinity for Fog and has made other plans. With plenty of action, and characters who are as precocious as they are prodigious at their airship duties, this is a fun beginning to a unique new series. An abundance of pop culture references gone hilariously wrong add appeal for reluctant readers. Oh, and there are air pirates! VERDICT A solid choice for fans of adventure series or speculative fiction.—Liz Overberg, School Library Journal 


Old Wolf by Avi and Brian Floca (Grades 4-6)

Two stories, one animal, one human, set in early spring in the Lodgepole National Forest and environs, converge dramatically in this brief, engaging novel. The opening line "It was the starving time" prefaces the fight between Nashoba, elderly leader of the Iron Mountain wolf pack, and Garby, the young wolf seeking to replace him. Victorious but wounded, Nashoba sets out to find food, reluctantly following the direction of a raven. He heads into the lower Bend Valley, dangerous to wolves because of its human population, and finds a field of elk cows and calves, then returns to persuade the pack to follow him back to this food source. Meanwhile, Casey Seton greets his 13th birthday excited to apply skills from his new archery books and eager to encounter a live wolf reputed to be in the area. His parents' gift is a longbow and arrows, along with soon-to-begin archery lessons to ready him for the fall hunting season. But, left on his own the following day, Casey succumbs to the temptation of trying out his new equipment unsupervised. The narrative's alternating points of view create tension, and the anthropomorphic portrayal of the animals (they think, decide, speak to one another), found in many of Avi's previous books, heighten the drama as wolf and boy come face to face. VERDICT Fast paced and exciting, this accessible novel will appeal to those who enjoy adventure stories.—Marie Orlando, School Library Journal 


Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (Grades 4-6)

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he barely knows-a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .- Amazon

November Picks

Where is Pim? by Lena and Olof Landstrom

A sweet story for young children who believe that stuffed animals have thoughts and feelings—and that adventure is just around the corner. On the very first page, readers cannot suppress a smile while watching a small child, Pom, gleefully toss a pink, four-legged stuffed animal into the air with the simple line, "Pim wants to fly." Before the toy can fall back into Pom's loving arms, a stick and dog interrupt Pim's return trajectory. Pom and a dog begin a determined search for Pim, crawling beneath a park bench and some bushes to find a pink bag and a crumpled can. They even search the fountain, only to find a wet, pink sock—but no Pim. Eventually, a second dog returns carrying the stuffed animal, reuniting Pim and Pom and leading to the simple conclusion: "Pim doesn't want to fly any more today." Young children will enjoy searching the pages for Pim and will be surprised to discover that the story contains two dogs that are mirror images of each other. The illustrations are unique and childlike, effectively conveying Pom's varying emotions as well as the single-minded focus, good nature, and wild abandon of the dogs. ~Sally James, School Library Journal 


The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein

The shadows of a summer night sing the promise of morning to a boy and his cat as they venture out into the dark yard surrounding their house. In the introductory scene just before the title page, the redheaded boy, tucked in bed in his darkened room, addresses the black cat curled above him, gazing through the window at the dusky world. "Good-night, Sylvie." Sylvie, it soon appears, is not ready for sleep and meows insistently until the two tiptoe through the sleeping house and out into the nighttime shadows. Gerstein's roughly sketched scenes with well-chosen detail are done on gray art paper, a fine choice for these shadowy night views. The early indoor scenes are boxed against the outer page. Heading for the open door, Sylvie hints, "It's coming…hurry." The dark outside opens fully on a spread and is soft and comfortable with shadows everywhere. "Are those shadows roses? Are those lilies and sunflowers? Where are their colors?" Soon the shadows reveal a great variety of animals that begin to echo Sylvie's hint. "It's on its way…here it comes…It's almost here." Eventually a glow appears above the trees, the shadowy animals slip away, and the world gathers color, leading to a full burst of sun. Boy and cat rush into the house to announce the beautiful day. Gerstein adds a personal note about his early childhood discomfort with the outer night world and his lifelong love of sunrise. Children will surely respond to his simple scheme, beautifully crafted with spare text and with much to enjoy in the homely views of house and yard.~Margaret Bush, School Library Journal 


The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski

A sweet-faced girl in a red hood borrows a special book from her teacher. As she runs home, oblivious to what is happening, the words escape. While a fox nets the jumbled letters, readers can discern "once upon a time," "wizard," "bears," etc. At home, the child is disappointed, thinking the book lacks a story. Then she hears the whisper: "You can imagine the words…the stories….There are never any rules…imagining just is." She develops an approach, looking more closely at the pictures and asking herself questions from her vantage point at the border. Ironically, this is not a wordless experience for readers; the girl develops opening sentences for the next seven magical compositions. Zagarenski's signature wheels, teacups, crowns, and tigers populate these richly layered, golden scenes, full of texture and mystery: an elephant and lion float by on a quest, a wizard blows bubbles that become real creatures. During the girl's return trip to school, the fox requests help reaching grapes. Those familiar with Aesop may be surprised that no trickery is involved. The endpapers reveal the edited fable; the listening fox has also learned about imagining and reimagining. Stories about storytelling can be hard sells to children, who generally prefer the familiar arc of a sustained narrative. However, the mixed-media art is so stunning in this Caldecott-honor artist's first foray into writing that they will make an exception. ~Wendy Lukehart, School Library Journal 


I Am Jazz  by Jessica Herthel 

From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz's story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers. ~Amazon 



Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon by Kate DiCamillo

Welcome back to the world of Mercy Watson and friends! In this installment, the fearless and unflappable Francine Poulet, animal control officer extraordinaire, is called upon by the bejeweled Mrs. Bissinger to capture a screaming, ghostly raccoon. When Francine faces the raccoon, she unexpectedly panics and ends up in the hospital. Her self-confidence lost, she resigns her position because she no longer knows who she is. "She was not an animal control officer. And she was not a Poulet, because Poulets never panic." Then she meets Frank, an observant boy who not only knows the whereabouts of the still-at-large raccoon but encourages her to face her fears and live up to her true calling, to remember "she was the genuine article…solid as a refrigerator." Encouraging readers to believe in themselves, this short chapter book pairs illustrations on almost every page with brisk dialogue and short, descriptive sentences. With plenty of white space and a large font the title is tailor-made for young readers transitioning to chapter books and will be enjoyed by "Mercy Watson" (Candlewick) fans and new readers alike. ~Ramarie Beaver, School Library Journal 


Road Trip and Field Trip by Gary and Jim Paulsen

Father-and-son writing team Gary and Jim Paulsen pick up where their Road Trip left off. Ben has been invited to try out for a special hockey academy. But Dad wants Ben to catch up to the school field trip instead. So Ben, Dad, and their dogs, Atticus and Conor, jump into their truck. Ben concocts a secret plan to make the tryout, but Atticus and Conor are on to him. Ben and Dad’s road trip turns into a wacky adventure full of new friends and surprises. ~Amazon 



The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabenstein

What if your favorite characters came to life? Billy’s spending the summer in a lakeside cabin that belongs to the mysterious Dr. Libris. But something strange is going on. Besides the security cameras everywhere, there’s Dr. Libris’s private bookcase. Whenever Billy opens the books inside, he can hear sounds coming from the island in the middle of the lake. The clash of swords. The twang of arrows. Sometimes he can even feel the ground shaking. It’s almost as if the stories he’s reading are coming to life! But that’s impossible . . . isn’t it? ~Amazon 


Starring Jules (as Herself) by Beth Ain

Readers who can't wait for the next Clementine, Gooney Bird, or Judy Moody will be pleased to meet feisty seven-year-old Jules Bloom. She and her family are in a restaurant when a casting director invites her to audition for a mouthwash commercial. Jules works hard to learn her lines and worries about all the things that could go wrong. She tries to make new friends while inadvertently patching things up with her ex-best friend. Her greatest challenge comes when she learns that the mouthwash has an orange flavor, which she detests. Of course everything works out, and Important Lessons about friendship and life are learned. The child's lively voice will hold the attention of young readers, but she often sounds older than seven. The large-print text is interspersed with cheery line drawings; Jules's lists, such as "Things I will NOT do at my audition: 1. Burp into the microphone when I mean to sing into the microphone"; and playful chapter titles like "Take Six: promising playdates, spaghetti with peanut butter, and other distractions."~Amelia Jenkins, School Library Journal 


The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

When Alex and Conner's father unexpectedly dies, the twins lose the person who always had the perfect story to cheer them up. Then, on their 12th birthday, their grandmother gives them the book of fairy tales he used to read to them. Suddenly it seems to come to life, and the youngsters find themselves falling into the Land of Stories, seemingly with no way to get out. Desperate, they follow instructions in a mysterious journal: if they gather eight items from various residents in the kingdoms of the Land of Stories, they can complete the Wishing Spell and have one wish granted. After scaling castle walls, diving deep into the home of mermaids, and meeting characters from all of the beloved fairy tales, they are stymied by the Evil Queen, who has escaped from Snow White's dungeon. With the hope of using the spell gone, the twins appear to have no way home until they meet Fairy Godmother, their own grandmother. In a way, they find comfort from their grief over their father's death when they realize that they have been following his journal and that he grew up in this land. The writing quality in this adventure is inconsistent and detracts from the fast-paced story. The deep sadness of the twins comes through, but they are somewhat one-dimensional, since Alex is so much the nerd and Conner, the class clown. The plotline, however, pulls readers in and is entertaining, and Colfer's passion for fairy tales shines through. Turn to Adam Gidwitz's A Tale Dark & Grimm (Dutton, 2010) for higher-quality writing in a recent fractured fairy-tale novel. ~Clare A. Dombrowski, School Library Journal 


Plunked by Michael Northop 

When a young slugger gets hit by a pitch, he needs more than practice to get back his game. Jack Mogens thinks he's got it all figured out: He has his batting routine down, and now that he's in sixth grade, he has a lock on a starting spot in Little League. (Well, almost. Okay, not really. It's a two-man race, though, so he has a shot.) And if he can manage to have a not-totally-embarrassing conversation with Katie, his team's killer shortstop, he'll be golden. But when a powerful stray pitch turns his world upside down, Jack discovers it's going to take more than a love of baseball to get back his game. ~Amazon 

October Picks

Below are some new books that have been added to the MCS library collection. Come and check one out!

This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne (Grades PreK-2)

This book gives new meaning to pictures being lost in the gutter. Bella takes her dog for a walk across the spread. She makes it to the next page, but her pet doesn't—he begins to disappear into the middle of the book. Bella tells her friend Ben what happened, and he tries to investigate but gets lost himself. A dog rescue car, a fire truck, and a police car all come to help but vanish into the middle as well, so the child finally goes in to check it out herself. A note then appears from Bella, telling readers to turn and shake the book. Everything and everyone come out, and all is set right again—almost. Byrne's comical play on the book's gutter will entertain kids and adults. The subtle background is done in a muted palette so the focus remains on the action and the vivid characters in the foreground. This book will make for a good one-on-one reading, giving children an opportunity to save the day. Pair it with Hervé Tullet's Press Here (Chronicle, 2011) to afford children the chance to participate actively with the story.—Emily E. Lazio, School Library Journal 

 
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld  (Grades PreK-6)

Some books are about a single wish. Some books are about three wishes. The infallible team of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have combined their extraordinary talents to create this exuberant book of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. Whether celebrating life's joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age. --Amazon 

The North Star by Peter Reynolds (Grades 1-4)

This well-meaning and thoughtful book showcases charming ink and watercolor illustrations; it is also somewhat derivative. The narrative opens, "A sweet breeze met the boy as he awoke to his journey. He traveled on all fours for quite some time…and he grew. And he paused." These lines are very soothing and accompanied by pictures that show a baby staring out from under a tree, crawling through some grass, and sitting cross-legged meditatively. Then the lengthy story meanders as the boy follows a rabbit down a path, wonders about a leaf and the stars, and meets a cat who advises him to start his journey so he won't "be left behind." The child replies, "Oh, but I have been on a journey…I've seen many wonderful things. Some I understand, and some I don't…like how that leaf floats on the water." The child continues his travels, meeting other animals who give advice and make pronouncements about the journey of life, a frog concluding that he is content to stay in his bog where he swam as a tadpole and grew into an adult. These philosophical musings, while simply stated, are unlikely to find a wide audience.—Kirsten Cutler, School Library Journal 

 Boris on the Move by Andrew Joyner (Grades 1-3)

Meet Boris, an anthropomorphized warthog who dreams of adventure. He longs to travel and perform acts of derring-do, just like Captain Clive, the hero of his favorite book. He lives in a bus with his parents in Greater Hogg Bay, but the bus never goes anywhere, and neither does Boris. Until one day, it does. Part of Scholastic’s new Branches line, this aims to fill the gap between leveled readers and chapter books by combining elements of the two formats, with heavily illustrated pages supporting a simple and direct plot. There is even a comic-book element, as all dialogue is presented in speech bubbles. Readers won’t be aware that they are being gently guided between reading levels, but they will certainly enjoy this tale of wanderlust. Boris is a relatable fellow, and the disconnect between his idea of adventure and his parents’ is amusingly communicated by the illustrations.-- Kara Jean, Booklist 



AV2 State Books  (Grades 2-6)

 

Calling All Pets! (Pet Hotel Series) by Kate Finch (Grades 2-4)

Twins Meg and Charlie have moved with their parents into the Diamond Hotel, which is owned by their great-great-aunt. They are there to help run the business so their aunt does not need to sell the hotel and move into a retirement home. The family arrives to find a building, although architecturally interesting, in need of repair, and the business faltering. When a neighboring business owner is injured, the twins volunteer to take care of his puppy. That leads another neighbor to ask the twins to take care of her pet rabbit while she is away at a family function. Both pet-sitting jobs go well, and when another neighbor asks for them to take care of her pet, the idea comes to the family to convert the floundering Diamond Hotel into a pet hotel. Simple and engaging, this title and others in the series should appeal to most children, especially animal lovers.  --Suanne Roush, Booklist 

Angus and Sadie by Cynthia Voigt (Grades 4-6)

Mister and Missus go to the animal shelter to choose a dog and come home with two mixed-breed puppies (part border collie, part shepherd, part unknown) that they name Angus and Sadie. The pups explore Mister and Missus' farm in Maine and quickly settle into their routine. Larger than his sister and quick to learn, Angus becomes the leader; Sadie, the runt of the litter and burdened by a cast on her leg, is more timid than her brother. As they grow over the next year, Angus trains hard and participates in dog trials, while Sadie shows her mettle by saving a sheep and standing up to the cats. Children who love dogs may find it fascinating to read a novel that so vividly imagines their thoughts and their communications with each other. Innocent in spirit and illustrated with several small drawings per chapter, this book will also suit younger children who are reading beyond their grade level. Carolyn Phelan, Booklist 

The Only Game by Mike Lupica (Grades 4-6)

On the official opening day of baseball in his small town, Jack Callahan, superlative seventh grade shortstop and arguably the best pitcher in town, surprisingly quits at the end of an outstanding first practice. Jack and his best friend Gus had expected to be strong contenders in the Atlantic League with aspirations of playing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Believing that an earlier tragedy involving his older brother Brad was all his fault, Jack takes a break from the only game he ever loved. This hiatus is short-lived, and he soon finds himself back at the diamond coaching girls softball. Slowly, he makes it back to his own team. Loyalty, friendship, courage, and teamwork are key components in the novel. Jack and his teammates have a falling out after Jack's decision to quit the team before the season even starts. This leads to new friendships with Cassie, a strong female character, and Teddy, an overweight, friendly guy whom Jack protects from bullying. Various acts of courage are displayed by Cassie, Teddy, and Jack. Lupica lays the foundation for a great sports series where friendship carries the characters through tribulations. Middle-grade readers will easily identify with the four friends. Although the story is sports related, this is more than a baseball book and will appeal to a wide variety of readers. —Glynis Jean Wray, School Library Journal 

Serafina's Promise by Ann E. Burg (Grades 4-6)


Serafina is an 11-year-old Haitian struggling to keep her dream of becoming a doctor alive. Living in a desolate mountain village, Serafina toils at her daily chores while planning to attend school in the requisite uniform and shoes. Serafina has a warm family, a true friend in Julie Marie, and an encouraging woman doctor, who all come to support her vision. Then a flood washes away the family home, and the roaring stampede of an earthquake devastates the city of Port-au-Prince, where Serafina’s father works and Julie Marie lives. In this novel in verse, the author of the acclaimed All the Broken Pieces (2009) uses a lush narrative bouquet, filled with blooms of quiet verse, rhythmic Creole, and Haitian proverbs and sayings that capture life’s poignancy and hardships, including a message that Serafina has learned from an early age: “If you want your eggs to hatch, sit on them yourself.” In Burg’s lyrical tale, Serafina is a force of nature in her own right who carries her family, friends, and dreams to safe ground. --Gail Bush, Booklist 

September Picks

Welcome back to school! Below are some new books to check out!


Red: a Crayon's Story, by Michael Hall  (Grades PreK-2)

Step inside the life of a crayon in this funny and poignant picture book. The star of the show is Red, a blue crayon who mistakenly has a red label. His teacher tries to convince him to draw strawberries, but they show up blue. He tries on a red scarf, but it just does not match. His mother suggests he mixes with other colors, but the results are not what he expects. No matter how hard Red tries, his efforts just keep coming out blue. His other crayon friends try to help him reinvent himself, but no matter what they do, Red is still a blue crayon. After much self-doubt and denial, Red makes a new friend, a Berry-colored crayon, who asks him to complete his drawing by adding a blue ocean for his boat. Red gives it a go, and suddenly, he finds his true self and discovers what his other art-supply friends knew all along. The rest of his crayon friends are impressed with his new style, and Red comes to embrace his true identity. Hall's latest picture book is all about staying true to oneself, no matter what others say. The illustrations emulate children's artwork, giving readers a great opportunity to identify colors and new vocabulary. Large, clear text make this perfect for a read-aloud, as well as independent reading. VERDICT Reminiscent of Drew Daywalt's The Day the Crayons Quit (Philomel, 2013), this witty and heartwarming book is sure to become a favorite for children and adults alike.—Natalie Braham, School Library Journal 


Sky Color, by Peter Reynolds (Grades K-2)

Marisol is an enthusiastic artist who doesn't hesitate to share her creations "with the world"-on the refrigerator, through the mail, even on posters. So when the class prepares to paint a mural for the library, she is right there shouting, "I'll paint the sky!" But she is flummoxed when she can't find blue paint. "How am I going to make the sky without blue paint?" The problem gnaws at her until she watches a sunset. That night she dreams she is flying "through a sky swirling with colors," and next day, she mixes paints into "an all-together new [sky] color." Reynolds's familiar fluid drawings, executed in watercolor, ink, and tea, reveal a young girl filled with personality, squiggly hair flying, clothes adorned with contrasting patterns. The burst of color on the front endpaper is the only hint of the delight in store since the artwork to follow is almost devoid of color except for Marisol's creations. Only when readers get to the final spread that reveals the mural with Marisol's dazzling sky as backdrop for the multicolored fish leaping from the water below are they treated to a surprising display of the girl's creativity. This story, along with Reynolds's The Dot (2003) and Ish (2004, both Candlewick), carries the important message that there is an artist inside everyone and that sometimes finding that creative spark means doing the unexpected. In these days of filling in circles on tests, it's an important message to share with youngsters.--Marianne Saccard, School Library Journal


My Bus, by Bryon Barton (Grades PreK-2)

Joe, a bus driver, takes readers on his route through the rolling hills to a little town. Full spreads with minimal text show him picking up dogs or cats at each stop. When the bus is packed with five dogs and five cats, it's time to drop them off at either a boat, train, or plane. Happily, Joe still has one passenger left at the end of the trip: his own dog. The beautiful, bold colors produced in Adobe Photoshop are attractive, while the use of simple, childlike shapes and few words will make it easy for student to concentrate on the new skills of reading and counting. The large, square format is clean and inviting. This book is perfect for independent readers but can also be shared one-on-one or with a group. Parents can encourage youngsters to count the number of pets on or off the different types of transportation.—Diane McCabe, School Library Journal


Hidden: a Child's Story from the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier (Grades 3-6)

Worried that her grandmother has had a nightmare, a young girl offers to listen to the story, hoping to ease her grandmother’s mind. And for the first time since her own childhood, the grandmother opens up about her life during WWII, the star she had to wear, the disappearance of her parents, and being sent to the country where she had to lie about her name and her beliefs. Every year, more stories set during the Holocaust are released, many for children, and this one is particularly well done. Dauvillier doesn’t sugarcoat the horrors of the Holocaust; instead, he shares them from the perspective of a girl young enough to not quite understand the true scope of the atrocities. Set in occupied France, the story told is honest and direct, and each scene is revealed with care. The frankness of the storytelling is tempered by appealing cartoonlike illustrations that complement the story and add a layer of emotion not found in the narration. A Holocaust experience told as a bedtime story? It sounds crazy, but here it works. --Eva Volin, Booklist  


Nurse, Solider, Spy: the Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero, by Melissa Moss (Grades 3-6)

In ink-and-wash illustrations, Hendrix again displays his knack for visual narrative. The aerial view of Edmonds approaching the Confederate camp is particularly effective. This large-format picture book illustrates Edmonds’ courage and determination while conveying a good deal of information in a highly readable way. –Booklist




Cow Boy: a and His Horse, by Nate Cosby (Grades 3-6)

Ten-year-old Boyd Linney is a bounty hunter, primarily focused on bringing righteous law and consequences to his various family members gone wrong. His hobbyhorse morphs into a double-barreled shotgun when needed, and Boyd demonstrates an unforgiving will that begins as satirical but changing into something grimmer and unresolved. Five short interstitial stories appear between chapters of Boyd's ongoing story, and these are truly comic, brief sketches with unambiguous punch lines. Eliopoulos's art is slightly less clean than his work in the "Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius" (Marvel) series, but it suits the excellent color and design work he's done to make the book feel scruffy, textured, and temporally appropriate. The spare, essentialist facial cartooning is still able to convey subtlety of emotion, but the linework and loose layouts fully support any sense of dramatic tension in the enjoyably ludicrous action sequences. The closing chapter in which Boyd is able to stop being so serious and relate to his grandfather like an ordinary kid is the most successful, but it also highlights the strange morality at the heart of the narrative. --Benjamin Russell, School Library Journal


Stella by Starlight, by Sharon M. Draper (Grades 4-6)

Coretta Scott King Award winner Draper draws inspiration from her grandmother's journal to tell the absorbing story of a young girl growing up in Depression-era, segregated North Carolina. One frightening night Stella and her brother Jojo witness a meeting of the Ku Klux Klan, practically in their own backyard. This meeting is the signal of trouble to come to the black community of Bumblebee. The townspeople must come together to find strength and protection to face the injustices all around them. This is an engrossing historical fiction novel with an amiable and humble heroine who does not recognize her own bravery or the power of her words. She provides inspiration not only to her fellow characters but also to readers who will relate to her and her situation. Storytelling at its finest.—Tiffany Davis, School Library Journal 


Fort, by Cynthia DeFelice (Grades 5-6)

Two best friends build a fort in the woods and defend it from bullies in this fun, old-fashioned story that manages to be fresh and familiar. Wyatt is enjoying the freedom of a summer with his dad in upstate New York. His friend Augie lives there year-round and has many useful skills that include killing squirrels with a slingshot and cooking them over a fire. There are the expected bullies, two older boys named J.R. and Morrie, and an unexpected friend named Gerard, a socially isolated teenager with developmental disabilities. The two friends spend rapturous days building their fort, looking at a car company's girlie calendar, and other country-boy activities unimpeded by smartphones or YouTube, since Wyatt's father doesn't want him plugged into a screen all day. In a low-stakes climax, the two bullies try to destroy the boys' fort but are foiled by an ingenious series of booby-traps. The moral center of the novel revolves around Wyatt and Augie discovering how J.R. and Morrie are mistreating Gerard and how after some hesitation, they find in him a valuable ally. There is a touch of burgeoning sexuality, mostly as Wyatt notices and appreciates Augie's aunt's figure, but otherwise the tone of the novel is remarkably innocent without being cloying or unrealistic. There is a good balance of action and description and well-developed characters, though the bullies are a tad two-dimensional. VERDICT A boy-centered adventure with heart, appealing to a variety of readers.—Kyle Lukoff, School Library Journal 


Listen, Slowly, by Thanhha Lai (Grades 5-6)

 The summer before she turns 13, Mai is planning to spend her time going to the beach and finally talking to her secret crush. She's less than thrilled when her parents make her escort her grandmother to Vietnam instead. New information may have surfaced about her long lost grandfather, who disappeared over 40 years ago in "THE WAR." Mai doesn't know the culture or speak the language, and everything she knows about Vietnam is from a PBS documentary on the Fall of Saigon. While her parents are excited for her to learn more about her roots, the teen doesn't even know the details of her own parents' escape because "random roots are encouraged, but specific roots are off-limits." Stuck in a village with limited internet access, a sulky Mai slowly makes friends due to lack of better things to do and bonds with her grandmother, with whom she was very close as a small child. Mai's character growth is slow and believable, coming in small increments and occasionally backsliding. The sights, smells, and tastes of Vietnam's cities and villages come alive on the page, without overwhelming a story filled with a summers-worth of touching and hilarious moments, grand adventure, and lazy afternoons. With a contemporary time setting, this compelling novel shows the lingering effects of war through generations and how the secrets our parents keep can shape us.—Jennifer Rothschild, School Library Journal

Summer Reading List 2015

Below is a list of good books to read this summer for grades K-6. All books will be available at the Moultonborough Public Library. Click on the images to view the lists in a larger format.

 

Spring 2015

Awards have been announced! The American Library Association announced the winners of the Caldecott and Newbery awards in February at the 2015 Mid Winter meeting.  Read below for some of the winners that can be checked out at MCS! For a FULL list of the awards, visit the ALA Website.


Caldecott - for the most distinguished American picture book for children

*Coming soon* The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat - Winner

This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle. New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world.




Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett - Honor

Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary — and finding it in a manner you’d never expect.




*Coming soon* Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo- Honor

In this magical picture book, a young boy spends an overnight visit with his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. But then Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave, and soon the everyday sights, sounds, and smells of the city are not scary—but wonderful. The succinct text is paired with watercolor illustrations that capture all the vitality, energy, and beauty of the city.



*Coming soon* The Noisy Paint Box: The  Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Mary GrandPré and Barb Rosenstock

Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist. But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to hear brilliant colors singing and see vibrant sounds dancing. But was Vasya brave enough to put aside his proper still lifes and portraits and paint . . . music? In this exuberant celebration of creativity, Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPré tell the fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the very first painters of abstract art. Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors—and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box. 




*Coming Soon* The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Melissa Sweet and Jen Bryant

For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions -- and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time. Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget’s life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.


Newbery - for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature
 
 *Coming soon* The Crossover by Kwame Alexander- Winner

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I’m delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander (He Said, She Said 2013). Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.




El Deafo by Cece Bell - Honor

Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear—sometimes things she shouldn’t—but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.



Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson- Honor

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.


Schneider Family Book Award- for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience

 *Coming Soon* A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz and Catia Chien- Winner

Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion—their voice—but he stutters uncontrollably. Except when he talks to animals…Then he is fluent. Follow the life of the man Time Magazine calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation"as he searches for his voice and fulfills a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves. This real-life story with tender illustrations by Catia Chien explores truths not defined by the spoken word.




Reign Rain by Ann M. Martin - Winner

Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She's thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose's obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different - not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single father. When a storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose's father shouldn't have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story, brilliantly told from Rose's point of view.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award- for the most distinguished beginning reader book

*Coming Soon* You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyan

Two fuzzy creatures can't agree on who is small and who is big, until a couple of surprise guests show up, settling it once and for all! The simple text of Anna Kang and bold illustrations of New Yorker cartoonist Christopher Weyant tell an original and very funny story about size—it all depends on who's standing next to you.




Mr. Putter & Tabby Turn the Page by Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard- Honor

Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, love reading their favorite books over and over. So when Mr. Putter sees a sign at the library that says “Read

Aloud with Your Pet at Story Time,” he signs up! But then Mr. Putter's friend and neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, wants to join. If Mrs. Teaberry brings her good dog, Zeke, to the library, who knows what will happen? With Zeke up to his usual tricks, story time might get too exciting! This volume in the beloved Mr. Putter and Tabby series was named a Geisel Honor Book by the American Library Association.





Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems- Honor

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In Waiting Is Not Easy!, Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but he is going to have to wait for it. And Wait. And wait some more...