Plymouth Staff Choices

DON'T MENTION PIRATES by Sarah McConnell
Youth New Book Shelves Lower Level - MCC
Scarlet Silver may be the granddaughter of famous pirate Long Joan Silver. And she may live in a ship-shaped house. But she still has to conceal her talents for making people walk the plank and searching for treasure, because the only rule in the Silver family is, “Don’t mention pirates!” Then one day, she finds gold in her yard, and it looks like Scarlet might not be the only Silver with piratical leanings. This silly story with light-hearted watercolor and ink illustrations will delight the pirate lovers in your family.

HEAT by Mike Lupica
Youth Fiction: LUPICA. Teen Zone Fiction: LUPICA

This heart-warming, come-from-behind sports story will have you cheering from the first chapter right through to the exciting conclusion. Michael and Carlos Arroyo came to New York from Cuba with their father to pursue a better life. When their father dies, the brothers must find a way to stay together until Carlos comes of age. Complications arise when Michael’s talent as a pitcher brings him some unwelcome notoriety and unfounded accusations from an opposing team. Michael is benched just when the team needs him most. The story ends with a baseball dream come true, it’s just a different one than Michael expected. (Journalist and sportswriter Mike Lupica, has written many novels about sports for adults and children.)

The Trouble with Wishes by Diane Stanley
Youth New Book Shelves Lower Level – STA

Elementary school-age readers will be delighted with the clever illustrations and subtle humor in Diane Stanley’s off-beat version of Pygmalion. The story begins when Pyg (short for - you guessed it – Pygmalion) creates a sculpture of his ideal, perfect goddess. When his wish is granted and the statue comes to life, Pyg discovers that his perfect creation is perfectly rude and cold-hearted. Pyg’s friend, Jane watches with growing dismay as Pyg pursues his goddess and then she decides to create her own ideal companion. The story ends with everyone finding happiness in unexpected places.

WHEN OWEN’S MOM BREATHED FIRE by Pija Lindenbaum. Youth New Book Shelves - Lower Level - L

Imagine waking up one day to find your mother turned into a dragon! That is exactly what happens to young Owen in this delightful new picture book by Pija Lindenbaum. Owen and his mother often share hectic mornings of making breakfast while trying to get ready for school and work. During these mornings, Owen always wears a dragon mask over his head which seems to match his mother’s frequent bad moods. One day, Owen wakes up to find his mother has turned into a pink dragon that doesn’t know how to cook breakfast or how to work! Owen and his mother share a hilarious day of visiting the zoo, the doctor, the local park, and Owen’s grandmother. At first Owen finds this predicament kind of funny, but he soon begins to miss the mother that knew he needed nutritious food and rules. The next day when Owen awakens, his old mother is back in the kitchen making breakfast and ready to spend the day with him. Was Owen’s day with his dragon mother all a dream or did his mother really turn into a dragon? To find out and share a few chuckles along the way, pick up a copy of When Owen’s Mom Breathed Fire by Pija Lindenbaum!

LITTLE BEAR’S VISIT by Else Holmelund Minarik Easy Reader Shelves - Lower Level M

This is a sweet book for the beginning reader to enjoy. It displays the special bond that many grandparents and grandchildren share with one another. In this short and compact read, Little Bear visits Grandfather Bear and Grandmother Bear for a day filled with good food, fun stories, and playful moments. At the end of his fun day, Little Bear drifts off into a peaceful sleep as his parents return to take him home. The illustrations within the text are sweet and truly show the love between Little Bear and his grandparents. Your little ones will enjoy this book, whether reading it by themselves or sharing it with you. Little Bear’s Visit is a Caldecott Honor Book and is truly a classic piece of children’s literature to be shared and enjoyed!

SLUGS IN LOVE by Susan Pearson Youth New Book Shelves Lower Level - P

Who knew slugs could fall in love? That is the premise of this wonderful engaging new picture book which is beautifully illustrated by Kevin O’Malley. Sweet Marylou writes loving poems to her crush Herbie in slime. Herbie reads these messages, but unfortunately, his answers to her poetry and requests of getting to know one another are either erased or not seen by Marylou. This situation makes Marylou sad, and it also makes Herbie ponder who is this wonderful Marylou that loves him so much? Herbie tries to find her, but to no avail. Finally one day, Herbie decides to write a message to her in a place she cannot miss! Luckily his idea works, and alas Marylou and Herbie meet and fall in love. This is a wonderfully sweet and well-written picture book that is sure to bring joy to readers of every age!

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Youth Fiction Shelves – Lower Level - Sorensen

Ten year old Marly is very aware of her family’s troubles. Her father is depressed and seems angry much of the time ever since he got back from the war. Set in the era after World War II, Miracles on Maple Hill is a touching and sweet story of a family who begins to heal in a magical place called Maple Hill. Maple Hill is in the countryside of Pennsylvania and is surrounded by many hills, trees, and wildlife. After living in Pittsburgh for many years, the family moves to Maple Hill. Slowly they begin to enjoy many “miracles” in their new home. They learn to enjoy the sweet and simple pleasures of gardening, farming, and sugaring for maple syrup. Watching animals come close to their surroundings and spending more time together begins to heal this family as they make amazingly loyal friends such as the Chris family and Harry the hermit. Marly and her older brother Joe learn how to live off of the land and spend some hilarious adventures together. Their parents grow closer as they realize how healing nature can be to the spirit, mind, and soul. Speckled with lovely illustrations by Beth and Joe Krush, this novel is so wonderfully captivating for young readers interested in chapter books set in a past era. However, this novel transcends age and will appeal to many adults as well because its messages of hope, healing, and goodness are universal to all human beings. The winner of the 1957 Newbery Medal, Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen is a can’t miss read that will warm your heart!

The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
Youth Fiction- Lower Level- Konigsburg
Teen Zone Fiction- Main Level- Konigsburg
CD Book- Lower Level

Margaret Rose Kane’s summer at Camp Talequa is not going as planned. She had hoped to stay with her two great-uncles during her parents’ trip to Peru, and she finds that camp is a difficult place to express her freewill and individuality. Eventually Uncle Alex and his dog Tartufo arrive to rescue her and bring her back to 19 Schuyler Place, familiar and beloved to her with its looming clock towers in the backyard. The uncles have spent decades constructing the sculptures from bits and fragments of whatever they can find, and have decorated them with paint and shining, smooth pieces of glass. Margaret adores them.

However, some of the neighbors do not. The towers are scheduled to be taken down in the name of property values, and the uncles are resigned to this fate. Can one twelve-year-old girl save three tall towers from destruction? Not alone- she’ll need all the help she can get. Check this out for an entertaining read on individuality and art from an award-winning author.

Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt
Youth New Book Shelves - Lower Level - Babbitt

Long-time favorite Natalie Babbitt (Tuck Everlasting) returns with this delightful collection, sure to be a hit. Cutting the microphone, Jack Plank is a retired pirate, looking for a new career. Every day, he heads out with his landlady’s daughter to try to find a job. Every night, he returns unsuccessfully, but with a tale to tell of why that particular career could never work for him. He couldn’t possibly do work that involved crossing a bridge, for example, because of the experience that a shipmate had with something closely resembling a troll in Nova Scotia, and another shipmate had an experience that put him off wigs forever. Jack Plank does find a job in the end, of course, but by that time, all we want is more stories. The stories belong to that wonderful variety, which are entertaining for an adult without being too scary for the beginning chapter book reader.

The Thief of Always by Clive Barker
Youth Fiction Shelves - Lower Level - BARKER

Harvey Swick is like any other ten-year-old boy stuck in the “great gray beast of February,” he’s bored out of his mind. With the wonders of the holiday season fading and the promise of the summer far away, slushy treks to school and piles of homework await Harvey. However, this all soon changes when a smooth talking man named Rictus flies through his window and tells Harvey of a magical place known as the Holiday House. Within this realm the seasons of the year span like hours, where one can enjoy a spring morning, a long summer day, the eerie twilight of Halloween, and a Christmas night where any gift you wish will be yours. With these possibilities too tantalizing to resist Harvey sets off to the Holiday House and for the first few days he almost forgets about his home completely. However, he soon realizes that there is a darkness hidden under the house's façade of wonder and getting back home might be harder than he thinks.

The Thief of Always is Clive Barkers first youth oriented novel and he succeeds in both capturing the voice and perspective of a child, while crafting a story that would intrigue a more mature reader. The cast of characters are both fascinating and frightening, and the world is one that most of us have probably imagined ourselves as kids. No matter what age you are, The Thief of Always will sweep you up in its spell and you may not want to leave the world yourself.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch – Picture Book Shelves – Lower Level – MUN
This is a touching yet simple picture book that celebrates the unconditional love between parents and children. A young mother has a baby and rocks him to sleep singing “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.” As he grows up, her little boy gets into trouble, and she feels the normal frustrations of many parents. Yet she still sings him the “I’ll love you forever” lullaby. In fact, she sings it to him until he is a grown man. Finally, when she is old and sick her son returns the favor and lovingly cradles her as he sings the familiar lullaby. Sheila McGraw adds beautiful illustrations to the text that portray just the right emotional touch. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a classic picture book for all generations to cherish!

Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo: Anyone But Me Written by Nancy Krulik. Illustrated by John & Wendy. Easy Reader Shelves – Lower Level – K
Are you looking for a fun series that your young reader can enjoy? Well, you won’t have to look much further than Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo by Nancy Krulik. This series follows 3rd grader Katie Carew and her best friends Jeremy and Suzanne as they experience normal every day childhood experiences such as school, friendships, and teasing.

Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo: Anyone But Me is the first book in this fun and relatable series. Katie is a typical 8 year-old with two best friends, homework, and fun hobbies. In this story, Katie and all of her classmates are picked on by a new kid named George. George teases everyone mercilessly, and it makes getting through the day at school difficult. One night Katie wishes she wasn’t herself, and the next day when a wind appears she magically turns into a hamster. Interestingly enough this switch teaches George a lesson, and by the end of the story the children have learned to be kind to one another.

The illustrations by George & Wendy have a vibrant cartoon-like feel to them and are sure to be enjoyable for young readers. Children in the early elementary grades will feel great satisfaction that they can read a full chapter book by themselves. Furthermore, they are also sure to find a fun friend in Katie Carew who can magically turn into anyone or anything!

Rain Makes Applesauce by Julian Scheer. Illustrated by M. Bileck.
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - SCH

Somehow this book stuck in my head from reading it when I was four or five – but it turns out that it was a Caldecott runner-up in ’64. Marvelously detailed pen-and-ink with watercolor drawings accompany the rhythmic hand-lettered text: “The stars are made of lemon juice” or some other “silly talk” with a repeated chorus of “and rain makes applesauce.” Every so often the response, “Oh you’re just talking silly talk” is thrown in. The big double-spread picture illustrates the silly talk, while a tiny inset on each page follows a boy and girl in the rain planting an apple tree, watching it grow, and finally making the apples into applesauce. “I know I’m talking silly, silly talk, but rain makes applesauce.” It’s as delightful now as it was over forty years ago.

Kira-kira by Cynthia Kadohata. Youth Cd Books - Lower Level - KADOHATA

This is the story of two incredibly close sisters, Katie and Lynn Takeshima. They are Japanese-American sisters growing up together in Iowa and Georgia during the 1950s. Katie adores Lynn and feels she can do anything. Sometimes the girls are shunned by their white classmates, but these occurrences only bond the sisters together more tightly. The two girls love to stare at the stars in the night sky and chant “Kira-kira Kira-kira” which is the Japanese word for glittering. In fact, Katie starts using the word to describe anything she finds beautiful even colored Kleenex! Their parents are so busy with work that often the children, which includes a younger brother named Sammy, are left alone or in others care. Still the children know that their parents are working hard to make the family’s life better, and the children admire and love them deeply.

The girls’ idyllic life starts to change when Lynn is 14 and Katie is 10 and a half. Lynn gets more and more fatigued during her 14th year. She also starts to hang out with a popular girl named Amber. Suddenly, Lynn is interested in boys and making her posture straight, while Katie still wants to play games with the neighborhood children. Thus, they experience a slight drift in their closeness. As Lynn grows more ill, the family struggles to cope with her suffering and her mood swings. Through it all though, Lynn and Katie remain extremely close.

Elaina Erika Davis acts out all of the character parts in this audio version of Kira-kira. She does a very good job at portraying their different emotions. Listening to the unfolding of the sister’s close bond should draw many listeners into this touching story—which is essentially a love story between two sisters. The book won the 2005 Newbery Medal Award and while this is a youth fiction selection, it could and should be enjoyed by people of all ages!

Dealing with Dragons
Youth Fiction - Wrede

This is not your usual fairy tale. Princess Cimorene (smart, adventurous & bored with princess duties) runs away from home, seeks employment with a dragon and refuses to be rescued. Yes, there is a fairy godmother, but the Princess ignores her advice, listening instead to an ordinary frog (well… a talking frog… not an enchanted prince, though). Enjoy numerous references to ordinary fairy tales as the Princess ignores expectations, overcomes the mantra “it just isn’t done”, and works on a fireproofing spell to protect herself and other princesses from over-emotional dragons. Keep in mind Princess Cimorene has “always been more interested in what the knights and dragons were supposed to say than in memorizing the places where she was supposed to scream.”

Mama, I’ll Give You the World by Roni Schotter.
Picture Book Shelves – Lower Level - SCH

Young Luisa adores her mother, and her mother loves her very much as well. That is the main truth found within this beautiful picture book Mama, I’ll Give You the World by Roni Schotter. Luisa’s mother is a single mom trying her best to make ends meet and be a good mother. She works as a beautician at a place called “Walter’s World of Beauty.” After school, Luisa comes by, does her homework, and helps her mother style the customers. Their days are long, but their hearts are filled with warmth and love.

Mama is saving money for a special college fund for Luisa so that she can have the world someday. However, Luisa is determined to give her mother the world for her birthday.

Read this lovely and touching picture book and experience the everlasting bond these two share as mother and daughter. The illustrations are lush and gorgeous, and the text is lovingly written for all generations to enjoy!

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden.
Youth Fiction– Lower Level - Selden
What will Chester Cricket do? He is from the country in Connecticut, but accidentally finds himself in bustling New York City after jumping into a picnic basket! While there he is taken in by a young boy named Mario Bellini whose family owns a non-profitable newsstand above the subway station. Mario is a kind and caring young man, but his mother doesn’t like having a pet cricket live in her newsstand. Luckily, Chester is kept company by Tucker the Mouse and Harry the Cat, and the three spend many nights talking, laughing, and eating together.

One night there is a terrible fire in the newsstand, and Mama Bellini is fed up with Chester whom she blames for the fire. However, something magical occurs that not only softens Mama Bellini’s heart, but the hearts of all those in New York—Chester’s singing.

Will Mama ever grow to accept Chester? Will Chester be able to help the Bellini’s out of their financial despair? Most importantly, will Chester stay in New York City with his new friends or return to his country home? If you want to find out the answer to these questions and read a funny and touching children’s classic, you should pick up a copy of The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden!

Sorcery and Cecilia, Or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
This book (and two sequels) are set in just post-Napoleonic War. Our little tagline might be something like "Jane Austen's World Meets the Society of Wizards with Nail-Biting Yet Hilarious Consequences." Both novels were written as actual letters sent from one author to the other. Sorcery and Cecilia consists of letters between two cousins used to carrying on adventures together. Cecy, at home in the country, begs for news of the city from her cousin Kate, who is coming out and having her first London Season. Kate starts out bored and awkward, until a witch mistakes her for a rival wizard and tries to poison her, using the enchanted chocolate pot of the title. Her hairpins still won’t stay in, but now she needs to find the other wizard to warn him. Meanwhile, someone keeps spying, very badly, on the social events that Cecy is attending. Should she report him or give him tips? The girls might be in over their heads, but at least they’re having a fabulous time. The writing is snappy in a nicely authentic-sounding way, the fashion impeccable and the characters intrepid.

The Linden Tree by Ellie Mathews.
Youth New Book Shelves – Lower Level - Mathews

Ten year old Katy Sue Hanson draws pictures. These pictures remind her of the life she once had and the life she has now. In March of 1948, Katy Sue and her family lose their beloved Mama to meningitis. The family tries to make sense of this tragedy while turning to each other for support. Along the way they learn to understand that life has its ups and downs, but that a new day is always around the corner. A few months after Mama’s death, their Aunt Katherine comes to live with them. At first Katy Sue struggles with accepting her aunt while still grieving for her mother, but she soon learns to appreciate Aunt Katherine for who she is as does the rest of the Hanson family.

Told in lyrical and lush language, this book is truly heart-warming. There are a few books out there that leave a lasting impression, and I believe The Linden Tree by Ellie Mathews is one of those novels. It’s a timeless piece of art with deep symbolism, meaning, and hope. This book is the winner of the Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature 2007. Milkweed Editions present works that will touch the human spirit. To find out more about them please visit Milkweed Editions.

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level FLE

A winner of numerous awards including the New York Public Library’s 100 best Children’s books of the year, A “School Library Journal” best book of the year, and a “Child” best books award, Weslandia deserves the praise. Weslandia tells the story of a unique boy named Wesley who loves reading, hates pizza, and is tormented by his classmates. However instead of changing himself to meet the needs of his family and classmates, he creates a civilization of his own.

The thing that stands out the most with Weslandia is the art work. Kevin Hawkes illustrations are lush, vibrant, and full of color. Spreading each illustration across two full pages really helps capture Wesleys world. One particular piece, that of Wesley lying in a hammock under the stars playing his flute could stand on it’s own in any art gallery. Of course the artwork isn’t the only thing that’s great about Weslandia.

Fleischman paints a picture with his words that serves as hope to any child who feels like they might not belong. Instead of caving to peer pressure and following someone elses path, Wesley follows his own. In fact most of the events that occur within Weslandia follow the theme of self preservation. This can be seen when Wesley is building furniture, clothes, and even farming his own crops. The fact that learning how to do all these things can not only be fun, but can also serve as confidence building makes Weslandia a great picture book.

The Secrets of Droon: The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet by Tony Abbott.
Youth Early Chapter Books – Lower Level - SECRETS

Who wouldn’t want to find a magical world in their basement? That is just what three best friends Eric, Neal, and Julie discover one day. When a soccer ball goes missing, they enter the magical world of Droon and nothing is ever the same! In Droon, the three kids encounter the evil Lord Sparr, his servants who are called Ninns, sweet and beautiful Princess Keeah, wise wizard Galen Longbeard, and a friendly spider named Max. In a soaring fantasy, Eric, Neal, and Julie join forces with Princess Keeah and her friends to try and stop the mean Lord Sparr from spreading evil.

Written with intensity and great description, The Secrets of Droon series is a wonderful choice for those just starting to find interest in chapter books. There are detailed illustrations throughout the text, and the storyline is sure to entice the younger set to keep reading all 31 titles plus the 5 special editions!

Atherton: the House of Power by Patrick Carman.
Youth Fiction– Lower Level - CARMAN

Atherton is a planet that has been created in an attempt to live in a peaceful, problem free world. The planet is divided into three levels: the highest level inhabited by the ruling upper class, the middle level inhabited by common workers, and the lower uninhabited level. Edgar, an orphan, is one of Atherton’s inhabitants who harvests figs. Edgar rebels and tries to escape his tedious daily life and embarks on the adventure to uncover Atherton’s buried secrets. Instead of living in the utopia that they imagined, all of the inhabitants, Edgar included, find themselves living in a nightmare as the world begins to collapse beneath their feet.

The hero is 12 years old, and the book is written for older children. However, many of the problems in the societal structure of Atherton are not all that dissimilar to our own, making it appropriate for older readers as well. Carman’s novel is an excellent choice for reading for pleasure or as a starting point for discussing differences in classes within a civilization.

Up in Heaven by Emma Chichester Clark.
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - CLA

Arthur and Daisy are best friends who do everything together. Daisy is old, and one day she passes away. Arthur desperately misses her, but through touching dreams Daisy is able to convey to Arthur that she is happy and wants him to be happy too.

Up in Heaven by Emma Chichester Clark is a sweet story of love between a young boy and his beloved dog. Losing a pet is never easy, but this book will provide comfort, hope, and peace to the grieving child. The illustrations are bright and emotional--the perfect touch to this memorable picture book!

The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.
Youth Fiction - Lower Level - SPIDERWICK

Young Mallory, Simon, and Jared Grace have just moved into their old Great Aunt Lucinda’s home, and strange situations are occurring. For example, one night Mallory’s hair is tied to her bed. Another time, the kitchen is turned upside down during the middle of the night. While their mother blames Jared, he and his siblings soon find out that these mysterious circumstances can be explained by the magical world of faeries. This world is “closer than you think” and sets the intriguing The Spiderwick Chronicles series into motion.

The first of the five books in The Spiderwick Chronicles series, The Field Guide, is written in simple yet wonderfully descriptive prose and is an enjoyable read for all ages. Moreover, the books in the series are uniquely packaged with black and white photos and riddled passages. Who doesn’t feel intrigued or excited by the idea of a magical world all around you? If you want to enter this world, then you should pick up a copy of The Field Guide and get lost in all things imagination!

Every Day and All the Time by Sis Deans.
Youth Fiction - Lower Level - Deans

If you are in the mood for a touching story of love, faith, family, and healing, then Every Day and All the Time by Sis Deans is a good choice. This novel tells the story of Emily Racine, a 12 year old ballerina who grapples with the death of her brother Jon while trying to emotionally and physically heal. Her brother dies in the car accident in which her leg is badly injured. This leg injury threatens to thwart Emily’s dancing career.

In the year after the accident, Emily and her parents begin to heal in different ways. Emily’s parents want to sell their home because it is a reminder of their son Jon. However, Emily is against this move because she feels her brother's spirit so powerfully within the cellar of the home. However, after many therapy sessions, dancing practices, and conversations with Jon, Emily realizes that Jon will always be with her and the family no matter where they go.

A touching novel of inpiration and hope in spite of grief, Every Day and All the Time will leave an imprint upon your heart!

Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp by Denise Fleming
Youth New Book Shelves Lower Level - FLE

Filled with fun “Cowpoke Words” (and a glossary in the back), this story will appeal to kids going off to summer camp and dog lovers alike. Buster the dog is sent to Cowboy Camp when his owner Brown Shoes takes off for a weekend trip. While he is scared at the thought of leaving everything behind, there is no time for worries at Sagebrush Kennels with Red Boots to show him around. The pups laugh and play buckaroo ball, make messy paw print paintings, build a campfire, and sing along while Red Boots plays the guitar.

Author/illustrator Denise Fleming is a Toledo, Ohio native. Her unique sandpaper-like paintings are created using cotton fiber ground into colored pulp and pressed through screens, bringing Buster and friends to life in vivd colors. Round this book up around the campfire with some S'mores!

Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard.
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - ALL

The students in room 207 are constantly misbehaving and treat their sweet teacher, Miss Nelson, terribly. One day a substitute teacher who looks like a witch, Miss Viola Swamp, appears. She’s mean and cruel. The kids are so afraid of her that they start to listen and do their lessons. However, they soon grow tired of her nasty ways and mountains of homework. They begin to long for Miss Nelson, but where is she?

A classic children’s picture book that is sure to tickle your funny bone, Miss Nelson is Missing! is the perfect book to check out in the weeks before school starts!

The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman.
Youth Fiction - Gutman

Every kid's dream becomes a reality in this story of a 5th grader who invents the homework machine. All he has to do is scan his papers into the computer, and the computer searches the Internet for the best answer. Out comes a completed homework assignment. But that’s not all; the computer knows his handwriting and can reproduce it perfectly. Not only his, but also the handwriting of several of his classmates. As people become suspicious of their perfect papers, Brenton begins to sabotage his own efforts.

Although the students love the freedom of not having to complete their homework, they begin to question their choices and soon realize that they are entrapped in their lies, spiraling deeper and deeper into the consequences for their actions. Maybe the homework machine wasn’t the best thing after all.

The Homework Machine uses short monologues of each and every character involved to tell the story. Gutman fills in the blanks without becoming overly repetitive through the different narratives. Students will be able to relate to the characters, as well as their opinions and worries. Great for group discussions or to read on your own!

Goose Chase: A Novel by Patrice Kindl
Youth Fiction - Lower Level
Teen Zone Fiction - Main Level – KINDL

Alexandria Aurora Fortunato is a Goose Girl in a small village in the country of Dorloo. She lives by herself with her twelve Geese until one day she meets a hungry old lady. Once she feeds this old lady, Alexandria is given special powers. For instance, when she brushes her hair, gold dust falls to the ground. Furthermore, when she cries, her tears turn into diamonds.

Upon learning about her powers, she comes to the attention of two suitors: the Prince of Dorloo and the King of Gilboa. Both decide that they want to marry her. However, Alexandria is 14 years old and is not interested in marriage especially with these two men.

Soon however Alexandria finds herself unwittingly thrown together with the Prince. Together they battle evil ogresses and the greedy King and his girlfriend who are determined to keep power over Gilboa. What will Alexandria do? Well if she follows her deceased mother's decree that she take care of her twelve Geese, she may just be able to triumph over anything!

Goose Girl by Patrice Kindl is an extremely engaging and light fantasy. It's the perfect book to cozy up with after a long day of work.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.
Lower Level -Youth Fiction - Selznick

Everyone in Hugo Cabret’s family is in one way or another connected to clocks. After a series of events, he moves in with his uncle in the train station. One of the few items that Hugo brings to his new home is a broken machine that his father invested a lot of time trying to fix. Convinced that his father programmed it with a secret message for him, Hugo invests hours upon hours trying to fix the machine. Hugo knows that he has to stay off the radar of the station inspector to keep his secrets. This becomes increasingly difficult after his uncle mysteriously disappears one day. Can he answer his own questions before he is discovered?

Like all of the gears in his secret machine that have to work together for the machine to function as it was designed, Hugo learns that there are many aspects of his life that are intertwined that need to come together properly for him to find meaning and purpose in his life.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a work of fiction, however, Selznick incorporates factual material about film history throughout the story as well. Readers will learn about early motion picture and how with one of Georges Méliès’s first films, Arrivée d'un train gare de Vincennes (Arrival of a train at Vincennes), viewers ran out of the theater terrified.

Don’t let the length of the book discourage you from reading the book. Selznick relies on graphics as well as text to tell the story. Approximately half of the book is full-page detailed black and white drawings. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a quick, exciting read that will captivate both kids and adults. A great read for reluctant readers as the pictures help pull the story along . . .a picture is worth a thousand words after all . . .

Halloweena by Miriam Glassman.
Youth Holiday – Lower Level - G

Halloween season is upon us, and if you are looking for a fun and clever Halloween book, Halloweena by Miriam Glassman will do the trick!

Halloweena tells the story of a witch named Hepzibah who decides to raise a human baby and names her Halloweena. Halloweena is quite the challenge to a potion brewing witch, but the two become very close. Halloweena even learns to fly on a broom and conduct various magic tricks. Still she notices that she is different, and not the typical witch. She even sometimes longs to (ghast!) play with human children. How can these two very different worlds combine?

Written well and adorably illustrated by Victoria Roberts, Halloweena is a fun Halloween picture book that will delight all ages!

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke
Youth Fiction – Lower Level - Funke

This novel from German favorite Funke seems closer to her light-hearted feminist picture books than the deep and complex Inkheart series. Igraine is the youngest child of powerful magicians, the Fair Melisande and Sir Lamorak the Wily. They live in the small, dilapidated but cozy Pimpernel Castle. Her older brother Albert is studying to be a magician, too, but Igraine has always wanted to be a knight. It’s just days away from her twelfth birthday when they receive news that their neighbor the Duchess has been taken over by her greedy nephew. He wants the Singing Spellbooks that have always belonged to Igraine’s family at Pimpernel Castle. Just as the castle is besieged, Igraine’s parents accidentally turn themselves into pigs. And they’re out of the red giant hairs that they’ll need to turn themselves back again. It’s up to Igraine to save the day, with the help of a gentle giant and the Sorrowful Knight, who teaches her the rules of chivalry. It’s a light, quirky and exciting book perfect for nine- to twelve-year-olds, and possibly younger for reading aloud.

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller.
Youth New Book Shelves – Lower Level
Teen Zone Fiction – Main Level

Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller live in American history as strong young women who faced adversity and rose above it all to become very successful people.

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller tells the story of how Annie worked extremely hard to reach Helen not just intellectually, but also emotionally. While the novel is fiction, Sarah Miller conducted rigorous research to make certain her story was based upon facts. The result is a very compelling and inspiring story of human strength triumphing over physical and emotional weaknesses.

The novel is on many best lists including the 2008 ALA's Best Books for Young Adults.

Lyddie by Katherine Paterson.
Youth Fiction Shelves - Lower Level - PATERSON
Teen Zone Paperbacks - Main Level - PATERSON

Lydia (Lyddie) Worthen and her family live on a small farm sans their father in 1843 Vermont. Their mother is mentally unstable and as such, Lyddie and Charlie, the two oldest children, take care of the farming and the cooking. Eventually, their mother leaves the farm with the two youngest children and sends Lyddie and Charlie to work in a tavern and mill to pay off family debts. The pay is very poor at Cutler’s Tavern, and soon, Lyddie starts a new life as a higher paid “factory girl” in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Although Lyddie earns more money in her new position, life in Lowell is not an easy one for any of the girls that work in the mill factories. For instance, they work very long shifts in bad conditions without long breaks in between. While working in the mills, Lyddie learns lessons about life. For example, she learns that working hard brings a great sense of self-accomplishment. Likewise, she also learns that people must stand up for their rights whether it is young mill workers demanding ten hour days with better working conditions or young women standing up to sexual harassment. Most importantly, Lyddie learns to trust herself and believe in her strengths.

Lyddie by Katherine Paterson is an uplifting novel that gives power to young women and their voices. It is also a great historical account of how mill life was in 1840s America. Having been listed on many "Best" lists including the ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Lyddie by Katherine Paterson is an exceptional piece of literature.

The Faceless Fiend
Lower Level – Youth Fiction - Whitehouse

Princess Purnah comes from a country where violence and thievery run amuck. In the previous book, she manages to escape the horrific life at a girl’s boarding school. She now lives with Aunt Lucy, an eccentric woman who serves dandelion and slug cakes. Also residing at the house is a professor who enjoys blowing things up; perhaps that is the reason that so many of his inventions fail to work. Unfortunately, the faceless fiend has discovered of her escape and will stop at nothing to ensure her return. However, his relentless pursuit is what makes the story so unforgettable.

From an out of control motorized wagon that is not supposed to exceed the speed of a walking man, to a bunch of minions smashing through a window to kidnap the princess (who wields a dangerous butter knife), to people throwing bricks at rubberbone’s head, to flying over London in a small basket with a handful of helium balloons, and being attacked by a prehistoric bird, the silliness and action abound throughout the entire book.

Although geared toward slightly more advanced readers, the action in the story The Faceless Fiend resembles the unusual activities of Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking. Even the main character, Princess Purnah, is adorned with long pigtails. Similarities to Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events are also evident. Perfect for those who are looking for more bizarre adventures, The Faceless Fiend will not disappoint.

Joshua’s Song by Joan Hiatt Harlow.
Youth Fiction - Lower Level - HARLOW

Joshua Harper has always lived a privileged life in a nice neighborhood of Boston. However it’s 1919, his father has passed away from the terrible influenza epidemic, and now Josh must find a job to help support his family.

Josh does find a job as a newsie (a newspaper delivery boy), but he fears his mother’s disdain for such a mediocre job. Furthermore, Josh has to answer to a young bully known as Charlestown Charlie because he controls much of the newspaper delivery within the neighborhoods of Boston. On top of all of that, Josh cannot find solace in singing for the Boston Boys’ Choir anymore because his voice has changed. Can life get anymore difficult? When tragedy strikes the poor neighborhoods of Boston, Joshua finds the strength from within to carry on and realizes that tribulation builds character.

A short historical fiction novel for the elementary and middle school grades, Joshua’s Song by Joan Hiatt Harlow is a quick and enjoyable read. It is also historically accurate in its description of the “Great Molasses Flood” of Boston in January of 1919.

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos.
Youth Cd Books - Lower Level - GANTOS

Joey Pigza is a hyper little boy who means well, but sometimes he can’t control his impulses. Joey lives with his mother so when he has the opportunity to spend a summer with his father, Joey thinks nothing could be better! He is excited to get to know the man who is “just like him only bigger.” The summer starts off good with visits to Story Book Land, baseball practice, and man to man talks. However, soon Joey realizes that his father, Carter, needs help. As an alcoholic, Carter has uncontrollable mood swings and makes many irrational decisions. For instance, one day Carter decides to take young Joey bungee jumping. Furthermore, he discards all of Joey’s medication which helps keep the young boy calm. Finally, and most hurtfully, Carter turns the fun activity of playing baseball into a nightmare by berating Joey's performances. Soon Joey is wondering why he ever wanted to visit his father in the first place. Can he get back to his mother safely? Does his desire to leave his father mean he doesn’t love him? Can Joey take control of his own life without medication like his father says he can? These are some of the issues that Joey grapples with during his eventful summer.

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos delves into serious issues, but it does so with much laughter. Read expertly by Mr. Gantos, the cd book which received an AudioFile Earphones Award, will have the reader laughing and feeling sorrow almost in the same breath. It is a true treat and is the second book in the Joey Pigza series. The other books are: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key , What would Joey do? , and I am not Joey Pigza.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
Picture Book Shelves – Lower Level - KEA

One snowy day, little Peter’s imagination runs wild as he finds unique wonders within the freshly fallen snow. He can make snow angels, snowmen, and fun tracks in the white fluffy snow. He even pretends to be a mountain climber and slides down the big snow banks. At the end of the day his new friend, a snowball, melts. However, magic awaits him the very next day because it has snowed again!

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a classic picture book that captures the innocence of youth and the universal childhood joy of playing in the snow. The winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, The Snowy Day has stood the test of time and with the Michigan weather of late, there doesn’t seem to be a more appropriate story to read aloud with your little ones!

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Picture Book Shelves – Lower Level – KIM
Holiday Books – Lower Level – K
Youth Nonfiction – Lower Level – J398.2924 K

I’m not anywhere close to Jewish, and I know that Hanukkah is a pretty minor Jewish holiday as such things goes. Still, I’ve always loved both the holiday and this cracking good story, which I first read when it was published in Cricket magazine in the early 80s, with small black-and-white illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. Her full-color, full-size illustrations here are a delight (as well as winning a Caldecott Honor). Though I brought my son all sorts of holiday books home, this is the one that he wanted to read every day.

Oh, wait, you wanted to hear about the story? Ok, then. Hershel – the traditional Jewish trickster – is wandering out alone on the first day Hanukkah, hoping to find a warm house and some potato latkes. Imagine his surprise when he comes to the village and find neither candles nor latkes. The rabbi tells him that the village is plagued by goblins. They’ve taken over the synagogue and refuse to let anyone celebrate Hanukkah. The only way to stop them is to trick them into keeping the candles lit for the first seven nights on Hanukkah. On the eighth night, the Goblin King must light them himself. Hershel volunteers, and faces goblins each more comically grotesque than the last until the final, truly scary, King of the Goblins arrives. It’s a little wordy for the very young – I tried and failed to read it to a three-year-old once – but from four or five up, the combination of great storytelling, humor, drama and fabulous pictures are unbeatable.

Octavius Bloom and the House of Doom by Erik Brooks.
Lower Level – Picture Books – BRO

It’s a good thing that Octavius Bloom moved to town. A shed at the edge of town frightens all of the local children. When one person observes “puppy ears” being delivered to a house at the edge of town, the kids become even more nervous. Perhaps all of Octavius’s practice as a junior detective will come in handy in figuring out all of the scary sights and sounds that surround this mysterious place. Pencil and watercolor illustrations make the suspenseful picture book story come alive. Help Octavious solve the crime by reading the book!

Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes.
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - HEN

Lilly is so excited for her new baby brother, Julius, until he arrives. Then she suddenly finds him "disgusting" especially as her parents ooh and awe over his "wet pink nose," "shiny black eyes," and "sweet white fur." Lilly wonders if her brother will ever leave, but her parents shoot down her hopes of his departure. Thus, Lilly tries to find ways to upset her little brother and parents. As a result, she finds herself spending so much time in the "uncooperative chair!" However, as much as Lilly "dislikes" Julius what will be her reaction when someone from the outside family finds Julius "disgusting?"

Kevin Henkes, an award winning children's book author, has created a funny and relatable tale that should bring smiles to children and adults alike. The illustrations are so relatable and often have added dialogue that enhances this delightful little tale.

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child.
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - CHI

Little Lola hates mushrooms, cauliflower, carrots, peas, fish sticks, potatoes, and most of all tomatoes. How will her brother Charlie feed her dinner tonight? He comes up with a clever way of getting Lola to believe that carrots are orange twiglets from Jupiter, and peas are green drops from Greenland. Likewise, fish sticks come from an undersea market, and mashed potatoes are really cloud fluff from Mount Fuji. Soon Lola is happily eating all of her supposedly least favorite foods. The biggest shock is when Lola herself comes up with a way to enjoy the dreaded tomatoes.

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child is a funny and enjoyable picture book for all those fussy eaters out there. The illustrations mix different styles including real photography which makes this book a truly "delicious" treat!

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Youth Fiction – Lower Level – Barry

For anyone looking for a story of magic and adventure, may I suggest Peter and the Starcatchers? This fast-moving adventure with a sense of humor takes us back to a time when Peter Pan was just Peter, an orphan with a dismal and probably short future. Peter, still the leader of a small gang of orphans, is being sent to a barbarian king on a faraway island, onboard a small and dingy ship. Also onboard is young Molly, apprentice Starcatcher. Apparently, when stars fall on earth, the starstuff causes magical mutations, often harmful, so that it must be removed from earth by the Starcatchers before it can cause too much damage. Sure enough, a large and leaky chest of starstuff features prominently in the plot, as does the evil Captain Stache and his pirate crew. The plot will keep you on the edge of your seat and the characters are charming and believable. The book, for me, restored the magic of Peter Pan that was missing when I reread the original, with its old-fashioned mores. It's an origin story well worth reading.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Youth Fiction – Lower Level – Barry

For anyone looking for a story of magic and adventure, may I suggest Peter and the Starcatchers? This fast-moving adventure with a sense of humor takes us back to a time when Peter Pan was just Peter, an orphan with a dismal and probably short future. Peter, still the leader of a small gang of orphans, is being sent to a barbarian king on a faraway island, onboard a small and dingy ship. Also onboard is young Molly, apprentice Starcatcher. Apparently, when stars fall on earth, the starstuff causes magical mutations, often harmful, so that it must be removed from earth by the Starcatchers before it can cause too much damage. Sure enough, a large and leaky chest of starstuff features prominently in the plot, as does the evil Captain Stache and his pirate crew. The plot will keep you on the edge of your seat and the characters are charming and believable. The book, for me, restored the magic of Peter Pan that was missing when I reread the original, with its old-fashioned mores. It's an origin story well worth reading.

Moving Day by Meg Cabot
Youth Cd Books - Lower Level - CABOT

Nine year old Allie Finkle is happy with her life in a nice predictable suburb and steady, yet slightly boring, friends. Thus, when her parents inform her that they plan to move to another part of town into an old fixer-upper, Allie is not pleased. First, she’ll have to change schools. Second, she won’t get to hang out with her best friend, Mary Kay Shiner, very much anymore. Finally, and most importantly, the Finkle’s new home is haunted! All of these reasons plus more make Allie certain that “moving day” should never happen.

Moving Day, the first book in Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls series by Meg Cabot, is truly an interesting and funny book. Allie will stop at nothing to prevent her family from moving into the run-down home that her parents so desperately love. After seeing a scary movie with her “fun” Uncle Jay, Allie is convinced that a “zombie hand” lives in the Finkle’s new attic. In her eyes, she has to protect her family from a terrible fate. In the meantime, Allie gets into a bad fight with her best friend Mary Kay and soon faces the wrath of Mary Kay and Mary Kay’s new best friend Brittany Hauser.

Hmmm . . . maybe moving won’t be so bad after all?

Read by Tara Sands, the audio book version of this novel is truly delightful! Tara has a wonderful way of making Allie and all of her pluckiness come to life. This is a winning series because it is relatable and very humorous. The other books in the series are: The New Girl and Best Friends and Drama Queens.

Timothy and the Strong Pajamas by Viviane Schwarz
Youth New Book Shelves – Lower Level - SCH

There is a stage in the preschool years when many children become obsessed with superheroes. What three or four-year-old doesn’t long for the power to fly and to beat bad guys ten times his or her size? Yet good books for this age on the topic are surprisingly difficult to find. Poorly written easy reader books based on big budget films inappropriate for the age abound, as do picture books of similar quality but much denser text-per-page levels. Even using my librarian-fu on the catalog has had very limited success. I have seen a few good books (and alas, not written them down!), but here is a good recent entry:

Timothy Smallbeast, a young boy of indeterminate species, is not a superhero. But he really wishes he was! When his mother fixes his favorite pajamas, he finds that they make him superstrong. He promptly goes out and saves scads of people with his new powers, before disaster strikes and he finds that his powers have deserted him in his hour of need. This is a book aimed squarely at kids rather than all ages. However, for parents who want a good story for their superhero-loving young fry, one that won’t instill in their offspring a desire to see R-rated movies, one that they can read several times in a row without getting sick of, Timothy and the Strong Pajamas fits the bill just perfectly.