Found
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
One fateful day an airplane arrives at the airport undetected by radar or airport staff. It contains no pilot. It contains no flight attendants. However, 36 infants are found within its seats. Thirteen years later, two of the adopted children from the mysterious plane, Jonah & Chip receive messages that they are one of the missing! What's even more intriguing is that one of the messages says "Beware, they're coming back to get you." It makes the two boys all the more interested in their hazy past and unknown identities. Will the boys be found? Who is looking for them? Why did the airplane appear out of thin air without a pilot? To find out the answers to these questions and enjoy an exciting adventure, read "Found." This is the first book of The Missing series that is bound to be as exciting as Haddix's Shadow Children or Korman's Chasing the Falconers. Sky K.
Art
by Patrick McDonnell
Many of us love nothing better than spending a few hours drawing and painting. So does Art, an enthusiastic boy who lets his imagination soar as he energetically scribbles, squiggles, and doodles. This charming story in rhyme, from the creator of Mutts, is a celebration of art and young artists everywhere; readers of all ages will enjoy it. Bonina G.
Flush
by Carl Hiaasen
Noah Underwood's dad is sure that Dusty Muleman, the owner of the Coral Queen casino boat, is dumping raw sewage into the harbor waters of the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, his dad (Paine Underwood) can’t prove it, so he decides to sink the boat to solve the problem. When the boat is pumped out and back in business within days Noah’s dad goes to jail. Now, Noah is determined to help his dad somehow and prove this boat is involved in illegal dumping. With the help of his sister Abbey, his friend Shelly and a mysterious old man dressed up like a pirate (his Grandfather), Noah comes up with a plan to expose the casino’s boat owner. Galo Z.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
by J. K. Rowling
Enjoy this collection of short stories revealed in Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Some stories are followed with insightful commentary from Albus Dumbledore and Hermione Granger, which add value and wit to the stories. These classic wizarding fairy tales share basic truths to be learned about magic, similar to muggle fables shared by Aesop. Lovers of the Harry Potter series will like this book and be delighted by the illustrations drawn by the author herself. Sky K.
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
Ten-year-old Opal moves with her father to Naomi, Florida. Opal feels lonely until she meets and adopts a stray dog she encounters in the local Winn-Dixie supermarket. The dog, named after the supermarket, becomes a trusted companion, whom she can share her thoughts, fears and emotions. At the same time, with a little help from Winn-Dixie, Opal meets a whole new group of unusual friends who become like a family to her. Galo Z.
The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
Fifth-grader Brenton is a computer genius who has invented a machine that does his homework for him. When he reveals this fact quite incidentally to his tablemates in class; Kelsey, Sam, and Judy, they taunt him until he agrees to demonstrate the machine for them. The machine really works and they convince him to let them use it too. In the beginning, it is everything they ever dreamed a life without homework would be; but all that changes and soon they see their happy-go-lucky days dwindle down to paranoia and trouble especially when the law gets involved. This story will stimulate conversation regarding integrity and friendship. Katherine S.
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein; art by Ed Young
The cat, Wabi Sabi, begins a search to find the meaning of her name. Traveling through and out of the Japanese city of Kyoto, the cat learns that the meaning of wabi sabi is “hard to explain.” More of a feeling than a definition, wabi sabi is humble and simple, yet beautiful and comfortable. Younger children will enjoy the cat’s curiosity and the characters she meets on her journey. Older readers will appreciate the beginning and end notes as they contemplate deeper meanings presented in the story. Japanese haiku are found throughout the book, both in English and Japanese, adding a flow from page to page. The vertical orientation and illustrations of mixed media collage and watercolor give life to the story and will delight children and adults alike. Kristen W.
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
What would you do if you lost everything in the world? That’s the crisis Rosa and her family face when a fire destroys their apartment. Rosa, her mother, and grandmother decide to save their money to buy a very soft, very special chair to make their new house feel like home again. With hard work and a little help from relatives and their entire neighborhood, everyone pitches in to collect enough coins to fill up the big glass jar. Will Rosa’s family ever get their comfy chair? Read this beautifully illustrated picture book to find out! Deidra G.
Nim at Sea
by Wendy Orr; illustrated by Kerry Millard
Nim is upset it is her fault that her friend Alex has left the island. Her friend Selkie, a sea lion, tries to cheer her up by doing tricks but when Selkie dives into the water, a man sees Selkie from a small boat and uses a gun to tranquilize it. Nim is so busy crying she doesn’t see it happen. When she comes out of her cave, she sees the boat carrying Selkie to a huge cruise ship and promptly dives into the water. Read the book to see if she is able to save her friend. Irene S.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
The awesome detailed pictures and mysterious story of this book will keep anyone turning the pages until the very end. Hugo is an orphan who lives within the walls of a Paris train station in secret fixing and maintaining the many clocks in the station. It seems Hugo is full of unanswered secrets like the mysterious museum fire that maybe killed his father, his uncle's disappearance and the robot that he is attempting to fix that may contain a secret message from his father. However when Hugo is caught stealing from a toymaker to repair the robot, his life is turned upside-down and all his secrets may come to light. Sky K.
Eggs
by Jerry Spinelli
David was angry. His grandmother had tricked him into going to an Easter Egg hunt. He did not want to spend time with other people. David found one egg and a big kid made him give it to him. David decided to look in the trees even though the person who started the hunt said that no eggs had been hidden there. There he saw an egg. It was yellow. It was standing us in a clump of leaves. David picked it up. He noticed that it had a red marking that circled it. He noticed that it left a dark hole when he lifted the egg. He moved more leaves and saw lips. He moved more leaves and found a chin, nose checks and eyes. It was a girl or woman’s face. The eyes were not open. He asked the person if they were sleeping. She did not answer. Later he returned to the spot no one was there. He could find nothing about a body in the local paper. Who was it? Where had they gone? To find out what happens read Eggs. Irene S.
Olive’s Ocean
by Kevin Henkes
Just before twelve-year-old Martha Boyle leaves with her family for their annual summer visit to her grandmother (Godbee) at Cape Cod, New England, she receives a page from a journal. The page is given to her by the mother of a classmate she hardly knew, Olive Barstow, who was killed in a car accident a month earlier. Upon reading the girl's entry of her journal page, Martha realizes they could have been friends, because the two of them were so much alike. They were in the same grade and they kept the same secret -without knowing it- of becoming writers. Now, she cannot stop thinking about Olive. And this year’s visit to her grandmother is going to be kind of crazy because she has a lot of stuff on her mind, like the four Manning brothers, her grandmother, her father’s unhappiness and her own dream of becoming a writer. Galo Z.
Wangari’s Trees of Peace
by Jeanette Winter
Wangari, a native woman of Kenya, returns to her country after six years to find that all of the beautiful green trees are gone. Instead of accepting the near desert conditions of the land, she decides to plant tree seedlings. She then convinces the women in her village to plant seedlings and they spread the word to women in other villages about this blooming project. Deirdre G.
Underwear: What We Wear Under There
by Ruth Freeman Swain
Did you ever wonder where the idea of underwear came from? Well wonder no more! Underwear: What We Wear Under There chronicles the history of this very private garment and how it has evolved over the centuries. From no sew loincloths to very intricately woven corsets and petticoats, from its controversy to its worldwide recognition, underwear is certainly a necessity. Dee L.
Airman
by Eoin Colfer
He was born in the sky and destined to soar through the clouds. Life could not be more perfect for Conor Broekhart. He was growing up in a respected family, exploring his interests with a charismatic teacher, and falling in love with a beautiful young princess. But when an evil mastermind plots to overthrow the king and turns Conor into a criminal, soon he finds himself in prison for a crime he did not commit. Now the only way for him to escape is to fly. Will Conor finally take to the skies and bring justice back to his homeland? Arnold C.
A Birthday for Cow
by Jan Thomas
Pig, Mouse and Duck want to make a special cake to celebrate Cow’s birthday. This book follows the fun steps they take to make the cake and even Duck’s silly suggestions to add an extra ingredient at every turn. The tables are turned when Cow shows up and goes crazy over Duck’s silly suggestion. Can you guess what it is? If not, check out A Birthday for Cow. Leellen L. and Sky K.
Savvy
by Ingrid Law
Mississippi, Mibs for short, is about to turn thirteen; her birthday is coming up. Mibs brothers found their savvy on their thirteenth birthday (a savvy is a magical power unique to that family member). Her brother Robert creates electricity and her brother Fish causes hurricanes. Mibs family has always tried to make sure no one but the family attends their birthday parties. But something happens to Mibs father and the minister’s wife invites an entire church to her birthday party. What will Mibs magical power be? Will she find out at her party? Irene S.
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!
by Mo Willems
Nearly every little kid wants a puppy and fun-loving Pigeon is no exception. When the playful puppy finally arrives, Pigeon isn't so sure he still wants a puppy. Will Pigeon decide to keep his puppy who loves to cause trouble? Read "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy" to find out. This story is great for new readers and will garner a few laughs along the way. Sky K.
My Chocolate Year
by Charlotte Herman; illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Chocolate lover, Dorrie Meyers, is excited about the Sweet Semester baking contest at school. However, she can't decide what to make. One thing is for sure: she won't be making chocolate-covered gum. Yossi G.
Cat Skidoo
by Bethany Roberts; illustrated by R.W. Alley
Join two funny kittens as they play outdoors before naptime. This colorfully illustrated picture book contains fun onomatopoeic prose, making it great from which to read aloud. You’ll purr with delight after reading this book. Sky K.
My Nana and Me
by Irene Smalls; illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson
This book is a poetic celebration of love between a grandmother and a grandchild. A beautifully illustrated story, it follows both of them as they have a truly grand day in which every activity they engage becomes an opportunity to show the immense affection this grandmother and granddaughter feel for each other. Bonina G.
Who was the worst dinosaur in the land? It was Gorgonzola. Gorgonzola did not know the real reason other creatures ran away from him. Was he the worst because of his size? Was it because of his scary looks? Read this book and find out! Irene S.
A cub reporter, Lesley, is sent to interview a famous violinist but is told not to ask him "The Mozart Question." After Leslie inadvertently mentions "the question," the violinist tells her a story of how his parents survived imprisonment in a concentration camp by providing music and why he can never listen to the music of Mozart ever again. Yossi G.
Long ago, a big dinosaur went for a walk in a swamp. A very tiny pollywog also lived in the swamp and his name was Tadpole Rex. How did Tadpole Rex fare in a world with dinosaurs? Find out by reading this book! Irene S.
Marjorie the cow tells her chicken friends that she is sad because she doesn’t have any special talents like the other cows she knows. The chickens hatch a plan to cure Marjorie of her blues and the following day, Marjorie miraculously lays an egg. Delve into this cute and funny story to discover what comes out of the egg and its amazing first words! Sky K.
What is the very best best present for the very best friend? Toot and Puddle, two piglet buddies who are different in many ways, try to decide what to get each other for the holidays. They find out the best presents come from the heart. Mary M.
Would you like to be able to make your friends weightless? Perhaps it would be more fun to make them go as fast or as slow as you want? Or maybe you would like to zap things with your own electricity? All these things and more happen to three kids in Simon Bloom, the Gravity Keeper by Michael Reisman. Read to find out if they live to tell about it. Jennifer S.
Thirteen year-old Brian Robeson is flying on a single engine plane to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness when the pilot has a heart attack and dies. The plane drifts off course and Brian tries flying the plane but he knows the plane is running out of gas and he needs to find a place to land. Finally, he crashes into a small lake and miraculously he is able to swim free to shore from the plane with his ached body, shredded clothes, and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present. Will he manage to survive alone in the wilderness? Galo Z.
Do you know who Shakespeare was? How would you like to be named after one of the characters in one of his plays? Hero, a character from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and this is also the name of the main character in this story. Hero’s family has just moved and her mother wants her to go next door to return Mrs. Roth’s hedge clippers. While there, Hero finds out that last year a expensive diamond had gone missing in her new house and no one had found it. Not even the police. Will Hero find it? Irene S.
Stanley Yelnats knows about a curse that has been in his family for several generations. When he is wrongly accused of stealing some famous baseball player’s sneakers, Stanley is send to a juvenile detention facility in Texas called Camp Green Lake. There, his adventure begins and he learns more about his family past. Galo Z.
When her mom leaves the family abruptly, Sal is left with many unanswered questions. Determined to find closure, she and her grandparents travel to find her mom. On their journey, they encounter challenging and unforeseen events, but they continue onward. Along the way, Sal enthralls her grandparents with stories about her friend Phoebe, whose life in many ways mirrors her own. Doris A.
Three little dragons tell their good friend the old, old wizard that they will be happy to take care of his cats while he goes away for a few days. The wizard has left them detailed instructions -complete with explanatory drawings- but there is one little, tiny problem: the dragons cannot read the instructions. But of course, that is not really a problem because surely they can guess what the cats need by looking at the pictures. Or can’t they? Follow the three little dragons, the wizard’s cats and their friend, the Good Knight, as they embark on a hilarious pet-sitting adventure full of unexpected twists and turns. Bonina G.
A little boy badly wants to get a dog for a pet, but, despite asking his mother again and again if he can have one, she always says no. However, when the little boy gets creative and asks his mother if he can have a dragon, she tells her son that if he can find a dragon, he can have a dragon. Imagine her surprise when her little boy finds a dragon at the drugstore and convinces him to come home and become the family pet! Unfortunately for the little boy and his mother, the dragon turns out to be a terrible pet, engaging in mischievous activities like roasting hot dogs in the living room and eating spaghetti in the bathtub! When mother asks the dragon to leave and he refuses, what can the family do? Since dragons are terrified of dogs, is a new pet dog the answer? “The Best Pet of All” is an entertaining and humorous story with beautiful retro-style illustrations that will appeal not only to young children, but also amuse their parents as well. Ryan L.
In this fourth episode of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Percy has grown up a little bit more and is having troubles with girls. Two girls to be exact - one mortal and one half-blood well known to fans of Percy's adventures. And then there's the pesky problem of Kronos, the Titan lord determined to bring about the end of the world. Percy and his friends must learn to navigate the mythic Labyrinth in a race to save the world, but will they be able to survive this ancient maze that has been known to turn heroes insane? Claudia O.
Toys Go Out
by Emily Jenkins; illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.
Toys Go Out is a good beginner chapter book for children who love their toys. It tells the story of three toys and their adventures living in the bedroom of a seven year old girl. They stay up all night and play, teaching each other about the world as seen through reading the girl's books and watching television. The little girl takes the toys out in her backpack and they like to go to the beach and the park, but they don't like to get dirty because then they have to be cleaned in the washing machine, and they fear the spinning and tumbling! Lori Z.
A mother bakes a dozen cookies for the children to share. Each time the doorbell rings someone new arrives, and the cookies are divided and shared with the new arrivals. The pictures illustrate the characters’ anticipation each time the doorbell rings and the story teaches the value of sharing. Doris A.
Everyone has experienced the jitters for one reason or another on that very first day of school. Maybe you didn’t know anyone. Or you thought you were different from everyone else. No matter! Miss Mingo and the First Day of School puts even the most doubting child’s mind to rest. The title page shows Miss Mingo writing the words, “What makes YOU special?” Then she starts by telling something special about herself. (She always eats upside down.) Naturally this breaks the ice and the class begins to open up and gets to know what makes each one of them special. Ms. Harper blends fiction with fact in a story that helps us all to remember that we are all special in our own way. First time school children will appreciate the lively illustrations and the amazing facts mixed in with an imaginative story. Karyn A.
Cabin at Trouble Creek by Jean Van Leeuwenis is about two brothers age nine and eleven who must survive the wilderness of Ohio in the 1800s while their father returns to Philadelphia for the rest of the family. What was supposed to be a six week ordeal turns into a life changing event when after several months on their own they have no idea if they will ever see their family again. This is a great book for readers who enjoy books such as Touching Spirit Bear and Where the Red Fern Grows. Katherine S.
After his parents go to sleep, Oliver begins to enjoy his night drawing, painting, doing magic, reading and traveling to…. Mars. After being there, he feels nostalgic looking at his house from so far that he returns and finally, finally… falls fast asleep. This is a very good book to read aloud before going to sleep and with repetitive images; it is appropriate for young children ages 2 to 6. The illustrations are, according the theme, very imaginative. Alfredo T.
In this colorful book, cute jungle animals with their babies discover what to do with different parts of their bodies, and invite the children to do the same. The elephants say: “We’ve got ears, and you do too. We can pull them. Can you?” Finally, all the animals gather in the same place and discover that everybody got bellybuttons, and you do too. And when they’re tickle, tickle, tickled … we giggle! Do you? With this book we can invite kids to mimic the movements of the animals and have lots of fun. Renee M.
Farmer Dale is going to town and along the way he picks up an assortment of bossy, boisterous farm animals who ask for a ride in his fire-red truck. The truck becomes so crowded that eventually it just stops running. Will they ever make it to town? Find out in this comical story with fantastic illustrations that bring alive what is sure to be an entertaining read aloud. Mooove over! Bonina G.
Why is Sam scared of the number 11? Why is there a newspaper clipping with Sam's picture--but another boy's name on it? If only Sam could read better, maybe he could solve the mystery of his own life. Can Caroline, the new girl at school, help? Find out how building a model castle points Sam and Caroline to the answers. Jennifer S.
Milo the magician is not a very good magician. One day, he meets a unique bear, who teaches Milo a new trick that will improve his magic performance. However, when Milo loses the bear and his hat, the magic show is in jeopardy. Milo worries about whether he will be able to perform his new trick. Milo’s Hat Trick is a funny story with a hint of suspense for a young reader. Each page has a surprise. Doris A.
Roy Eberhardt has just recently moved to Florida from Montana with his family. He becomes the target of a school bully called Dana Matherson and he also meets a homeless boy called Mullet Fingers, who is on a mission to protect a group of miniature owls. When Roy discovers all this, he figures out a plan to help his new friend and get rid of the school bully. Galo Z.
Imagine that the sky is the limit and you could build your own car that could do nearly everything. Jack imagines a fantastical car that has a pool, fireplace, fish tank and can fly. Don’t even mention the instant snack bar and the many more cool and amazing things. Read If I Built a Car to rediscover the breadth of children’s imaginations. Sky K.
Igraine twelfth birthday was coming soon. Her magician parents, Fair Melisnade and Sir Lamorak the Wily, were busy making her birthday present in their workshop. They used the Singing Books of Magic to cast many of their spells. These magic books had caused her family many problems. Many powerful people wished to own them. Betram the next door neighbor, Master of Horse, came to visit from Darkrock the castle next door. Betram thinks Osmond the Greedy has plans to attack Pimernel, Igraine’s castle, and steal the Singing Magic Books for himself. Read this compelling adventure fantasy to find out more. Irene S.
Ginny Davis documents her life in middle school through notes, report cards, comic strips and newspaper clippings. With collage illustrations on each page giving a glimpse into Ginny's life at home or at school, this book offers an interesting break from your typical chapter book. Claudia O.
No Talking
by Andrew Clements; illustrations by Mark Elliot
The fifth-graders of Laketon Elementary haven’t stopped talking since kindergarten. They are so out of control that the principal uses a bullhorn in the cafeteria. Then one day the boys challenge the girls to a two-day no talking contest. The principal hates it. The teachers don’t know what to do. Can the boys stop talking? Can the girls? Read this book and see what difference a little silence can make. Jennifer S.
A young girl goes to the zoo and receives very strange requests from a very smart group of residents. Everywhere she goes, they call Pssst! Pssst! and they all have something quite unusual to ask for. Find out what’s really up at the zoo! Bonina G.
The beautiful Martina, who lives in a "cozy street lamp in Old Havana", is 21 years old and ready to get married. Following her grandmother's advice, "spill coffee in his shoes and see how he reacts," she interviews a number of suitors, all of them failing the coffee test. After many failed attempts, seeing the unpleasant reactions of her suitors, she finally finds the gardener Perez, a sweet little brown mouse, who successfully passes the test. This witty and humorous retelling of the traditional story will delight children and adults, who will fall in love with the beautiful Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha. Martina the Beautiful Cockroach is the winner of the 2008 Pura Belpre Award. Ana B.
Your mission should you decide to accept it is to read this awesome book on making top secret codes and breaking them. Have fun and see if you can stump your friends with these codes. Sky K.
Humphrey the hamster enjoys his life as the class pet of Room 26—until rodent-hater Mrs. Brisbane becomes the new teacher. She sends Humphrey home each weekend with a different student so she won’t have to take care of him. Finally, the worst happens. He must go home with Mrs. Brisbane. Will he survive the weekend? Will she? Read this humorous story to find out what a visit from a hamster can do for both kids and grownups. Jennifer S.
Join Sunny Meerkat as he takes an adventure around the world and check out his flip-up postcards that he sends his family from his different daring destinations. Share with Sunny as he discovers that there's no place like home. Sky K.
A little boy promises not to be afraid when his grandmother tucks him to bed at night. Every night she asks him “Tonight, when I turn off the light and it’s dark and I close the squeaky door to your room, are you going to get scared and jump under the bed and start to cry?” The little boy always replies, “No, not me.” But every night when she turns off the light he cries. Grandma starts allowing live animals to sleep with him. To see if he ever sleeps through the night, read The Squeaky Door. Irene S.
A young boy named Thomas leaves his poor family to find a job to help them out. He is told by a fellow traveler about an abandoned house that no one is able to spend the night in. It is supposed to be haunted by a ghost. The person who stays in the house will get the house and a treasure. Does Thomas have the courage to stay in the house the entire night? To find out if he stays in the house and finds the treasure read “The Boy and the Ghost.” Irene S.
For Trixie and her parents today will be a special day, one they will remember for a long time. On her way home from a fun outing with Dad something very important happens and Trixie becomes terribly upset because she cannot quite explain what is wrong. Total chaos ensues. What is happening? Will everything be all right? Find out by reading this wonderfully illustrated story by Mo Willems. Bonina G.
Meet Skippyjon Jones, a playful kitten who has been sent to his room. This funny, partially bilingual English-Spanish story follows this imaginative kitten, "El Skippito," on an adventure to rescue a pack of puppies from a bean-eating bee. Sky K.
Winning the school science fair for two best friends, Matt and Eddie, means getting a $50 prize, but a mishap causes tension between the two boys. Can they mend their friendship in time to complete their project and enter it in the contest to compete for the $50 prize, or will they lose the science fair competition, and their friendship? Clearly, an easy read and believable characters makes this an enjoyable story about friendship and working together. Essie R.
A boy named Eddie has lost his teddy. He has to go back into the forest to find it. He finds his teddy but something is wrong: the teddy is too big. You will be surprised at what else he finds. Read this large story about Eddie's teddy. Irene S.
by Pete Seeger; illustrations by Michael Hays
A boy who plays a clink clonk ukulele, and his father who does magic, annoy the town’s people with their antics. There are legends about giants in the land. Will giants come and bother the people? Will the town people ever accept the boy and his father and their annoying habits? Irene S.
Lily B. and her classmates from Mulgrew Middle School go on a summer trip to Paris. Lily expected Paris to be like the Madeline books that she read as a child. She believes that the French eat frank and beans. Lily keeps a diary about all that happens. Her friends are determined that Lily, with her limited knowledge of France, never becomes separated from her fellow classmates. Lily accidentally takes the wrong train and cannot remember what stop she boarded the train at or the name of her hotel. Does Lily ever return back to the United States? Irene S.
Danny is a loyal Sluggers fan who believes that his superstitious acts will help his team come out of their losing slump. In fact before each game Danny devours two hot dogs to improve the team’s odds. However, the Sluggers have only won one championship in the last 108 years. Danny and his friends make a trip to the mysterious team founder’s home to try to figure out how to break the curse. A little bit of magic is found and the season picks up. Will the Sluggers win? Does Danny somehow affect the outcome with his rituals? Two Hot Dogs with Everything is a home-run of a book! Sky K.
Patricia, Winston and Stewart are determined to surprise Miss Eula with the beautiful Easter bonnet she has always wanted from Mr. Kodinski’s hat shop. Their plans get off to a difficult start after they are mistakenly accused of throwing eggs at the shop’s window. Will they be able to prove their innocence and still surprise Ms. Eula? Find out if they do in this beautifully illustrated book by Patricia Polacco. Bonina G.
Join brothers Danny and Walter for a thrilling adventure as their house travels through outer space towards planet Zathura and they battle with meteors, robots and space pirates. They thought they were only going to play some silly board game. If you like this book, you'll love the DVD of the same name. Sky K.
Santa’s Stuck
by Rhonda Gowler Green; illustrated by Henry Cole.
After stuffing the stockings and putting the presents under a tree, Santa finds a treat, “One more cookie? Couldn’t hurt,” but instead his belly bulges and even pops a button from his suit, but worst of all he gets stuck in the chimney! Read this rhyming adventure and you will find out who saves Santa’s day! Monica M.
Imagine learning that you can look at a picture and hear conversations of the people in the photograph at the time the photograph was taken. That's what Charlie Bone discovers about himself while attending a special school for magically enhanced kids. Charlie uses this special ability with the help of talented friends to survive the evil plans of school administrators and to discover what happened to his missing father. “Harry Potter” fans will really dig this exciting series. Sky K.
Anya is a ten year old girl with alopecia. While the disease is not life threatening, it does cause you to lose your hair. Throughout the book, Anya must deal with her own feelings, as well as those of her parents and friends. While she is scared of what will happen when everyone finds out, she is pleasantly surprised at the understanding and support she receives. Susan C.
Snowmen at Night
by Caralyn Buehner; illustrated by Mark Buehner.
Have you ever wonder why a snowman looks droopy the morning after it was made? This rhyming story will describe the secret life of snowmen, from going out to the park and sipping some cold cocoa, to snowman races and snowmen sledding. And to add more fun to this story, illustrator Mark Buehner has even hidden some pictures of a rabbit and Santa, see if you can find them! Monica M.
Read the exciting start of the series "The Dark is Rising" (the explosive movie version premiered this fall). Will Stanton discovers he is the last of the Old Ones, destined as the Seeker to find six magical symbols to enable their triumph over the Dark's evil forces. This is a great story to read or listen to on audiobook. Sky K.
Clementine
by Sara Pennypacker; illustrated by Marla Frazee.
Clementine looks like she's not paying attention, though it so happens she is closely observing everything around her (except what the teacher is saying). She spends so much time in the principal's office that she can anticipate when she needs to go again. She tries to be friends with her neighbor, Margaret, but they always end up in trouble. It's not her fault: she just has a unique perspective on life. Fans of Beverly Clearly's Ramona series will love this charming heroine. Lina C.
Winner of the Eisner Award for best children's book, this is a sweet story. It's an almost completely wordless graphic novel, which conveys a truly amazing amount of ideas with its expressive artwork alone. A lonely Owl befriends a little worm in the first of many sweet stories. It manages not to be cloying. The wordless book allows the reader to make up their own story and is suitable for all ages. Nancy M.
When an evil toy store owner brings crime to Tokyo, Sumo Mouse saves the day. Share in the exciting illustrated adventures of this unlikely super hero. Sky K.
Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering.
Watch how a tiny little mouse by the name of Despereaux, who is despised by all the mice in the castle because of his love for the Princess Pea, becomes a hero to all as he saves Princess Pea from a horrible rat who tries to steal her from everyone. See how love can make the tinniest weak mouse into a brave knight. Cynthia S.
Having a hard time falling asleep? Well, here is a book that will help with long, funny, rhyming lyrics. This is a book that is both great for children and adults and one that you will never grow tired of but will make you tired when reading. Cynthia S.
