Just the Thing!

Just the Thing! by Damian Harvey E HAR—Big Gorilla tries everything he can think of to relieve his itchy back, until he comes up with “just the thing.”

I am Invited to a Party!

I am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems ER WIL—Piggie is invited to her first party.  What will she wear?  She goes to her elephant friend, Gerald the party expert, who will know just how to help . . . or will he?

My One Hundred Adventures

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath J HOR—Twelve-year-old Jane lives in a house by the sea with her poet mother and younger siblings. Hoping for more than just another average summer, she wishes for one hundred adventures. Jane gets what she hoped for – and more – in all sorts of unexpected events during her summer.  Whether she’s riding in a stolen hot air balloon or meeting a supposed psychic, adventures seem to find her.  But, most importantly of all, Jane discovers that it’s not what happens to you that matters, but what you learn about yourself.

For the Kids

For the Kids by Various Artists J CD COLL FK—A CD full of fun songs for kids by popular musical artists for adults (including Cake, Five for Fighting, Darius Rucker and Tom Waits). Some of the tracks are updated versions of classics (“Mahna Mahna” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”), but others are fresh and fun (“Snow Day” and “The Hoppity Song”). Adults and kids alike will find themselves tapping their feet to the musical beats.

Green Glass Sea

Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages J KLA—It is 1943, and Dewey Kerrigan is traveling west to live with her scientist father—but no one will tell her exactly where he is. When she reaches Los Alamos, New Mexico, she learns why: he's working on a top secret government program although no one there ever speaks about what that top secret program is.  For historical fiction fans!

Lost at Sea

Lost at Sea by Jonathan Neale J NEA—In this intense adventure at sea, a brother and sister use every bit of strength and sailing skill to save themselves, the rest of their family, and their sailboat during a ferocious storm.

How I Became a Pirate

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long  E LON—For the little pirate in your life, this cute storybook shows the ups and downs of what being a pirate really entails.

The Sixty-Eight Rooms

The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marriane Malone J MAL—During a sixth-grade field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago, Ruthie and her best friend Jack find a magic key that shrinks them! They are able to explore and discover the secrets of the Thorn Rooms – the collection of sixty-eight miniature rooms from various time periods and places.

Ivy’s Ever After

Ivy’s Ever After by Dawn Lairamore J LAI—Ivy is a princess, but has never acted like a princess. When she learns that she will be locked in a tower on her 14^th birthday, she is angry.  And then she finds out that whoever slays the dragon gets to marry her.  Ummm, I don’t think so.  She soon finds that the dragon is actually very nice.  They decide to stop this insanity once and for all so they go off to find a solution. 

Hachiko Waits

Hachiko Waits by Leslia Newman JP NEW—Hachi accompanies his owner to the train station every morning then returns at three o’clock to welcome him back.  After his owner dies suddenly at work, the dog continues his afternoon vigil for the rest of his life.  This book is based on a true story.

Mother Goose Rocks!

Mother Goose Rocks! Volume 5 by Mother Goose Rocks J CD COLL MGR V.5—Celebrate the greatest musical hits of today with nursery rhymes for lyrics, sung by your favorite “pseudo” pop stars! It sounds silly & it is. Rock out with your kids to P-Nut Emanem’s “Five Little Monkeys,” “Teddy Bear Picnic” by the Green Eyed Fleas and “My Bonnie” by Norah Keys and Alicia Jones.

Chalk

Chalk by Bill Thompson E THO—One rainy day, three children find a bag of special chalk in a park. Take an adventure along with them as their drawings magically come to life. This wordless picture book is a real treat!

Doll People

Doll People by Ann Martin J MAR—A family of porcelain dolls that has lived in the same house for one hundred years is taken aback when a new family of plastic dolls, the Funcrafts, arrives and doesn't follow The Doll Code of Honor.  What follows is an exciting story of adventure and mystery as Anabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft go on a risky mission to find Anabelle’s Aunt Sarah, who disappeared without a trace 45 years ago.

Jungle Animals

Jungle Animals by Jinny Johnson J 591.734 JOH—An interactive book where children flip the flaps and meet jungle animals of all shapes and sizes.  When the readers turn the pages, the scenes change and they find fascinating answers to questions about the colorful creatures.

Flush

Flush by Carl Hiaasen Audio CD J HIA—You have got to love the vivid descriptions of Florida’s wildlife in all of Carl Hiaasen’s books, and this one will not disappoint.  Noah and his sister Abbey find themselves defending their father’s honor (and questionable sanity) while taking action against the Coral Queen in an effort to help preserve the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys.

Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine J LEV—If you haven’t listened to any audio books yet this one is a great one to start with.  The story is based on the story Cinderella.  Ella was cursed as a baby and must obey any order given to her.

Fablehaven

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull JP MUL—Kendra and Seth are staying with their grandparents while their parents go on a cruise.  Almost from the first day, the brother and sister know that something is different about where they are.  They soon find out that their Grandfather is the caretaker of Fablehaven, a sanctuary for magical creatures.  But while this is fascinating, it is also dangerous, and all too soon, Seth angers the faeries and bears the consequences.

The Great Wide Sea

The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong  J HER—A great story for the older reader (gr. 6 and up). Soon after their mother’s death, 15-year-old  Ben and his two younger brothers are stunned when their father sells their home, buys a sailboat,  and announces that they will live onboard and cruise the Bahamas for the next year.   When their father suddenly disappears overboard, the boys find their way to an island where they are stranded with little food, little water and little hope of rescue.  Lots of adventure here!

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass JP MAS—One month before his 13^th birthday, Jeremy Fink receives a mysterious, securely locked box in the mail.  It is engraved with "The Meaning of Life: For Jeremy Fink to open on his 13th birthday," on top. Unfortunately the keys to the box are missing and cannot be replaced. Jeremy and his adventurous best friend Lizzie find themselves meeting intriguing people who introduce them to a whole different side of life during their one -month journey to find keys and the meaning of life.  This refreshingly-original novel teaches you that the world is full of small, every day wonders if you look for them.

Bee-Wigged

 

Bee-Wigged by Cece Bell E BEL—No matter how hard he tries, Jerry can’t seem to make friends. He’s helpful, smart and super-friendly – but he’s also the biggest bee anyone’s ever seen! The day he finds a wig on the sidewalk, his life starts to change forever.

The Day the World Exploded

The Day the World Exploded: the Earthshaking Catastrophe at Krakatoa by Simon Winchester J 363.3495 WIN—A fantastic picture of the destruction and human suffering caused by the explosion of the volcano Krakatoa in 1883 as well as a look at the science and culture of the time.

Journal of Brian Doyle

Journal of Brian Doyle: a Greenhorn on an Alaskan Whaling Ship by Jim Murphy  J MUR—In this 1874 survival adventure set in the brutal cold of the far north, young Brian Doyle runs away from home and joins a crew on a whaling ship.  This is based on true stories left in journals by young whalers during the time in history when the United States was one of the world’s greatest killers of whales

Cold in Summer

Cold in Summer by Tracy Barrett J BAR—If you enjoy ghost stories, read about how Ariadne and her family move to a Tennessee town near a former farming community that was submerged by a man-made lake. 

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill J B DAV—This simple, elegantly illustrated biography details the life of Dave the Potter, a slave with extraordinary skills as an artist, potter and poet.

Dog’s Colorful Day

Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd E DOD—When dog decides to take a walk, he gets very messy from all the wonderful things he sees, smells and tastes.

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Birthday, America! by Marsha Wilson Chall E CHA - This delightful picture book articulately describes the typical American’s 4^th of July celebration from the viewpoint of a nine year-old girl who tries to memorize the names of her relatives from pictures because she has not seen them in so long and they are coming from all over the country to celebrate together.  Collectively they attend a parade at city hall, then have a picnic with a red, white and blue United States shaped jello and lemonade.  After all that they race off to the lake for a swim but Grandpa reminds them to let their food digest before jumping off the dock.  Once the watermelon comes out there is, of course, a seed spitting contest.  No 4^th of July would be complete without fireworks over the lake, the perfect way to say Happy Birthday America!

Diary of a Worm

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin E CRO—One of the funniest books ever!  Look at the world from a worm’s point of view.   The red-capped main character tells us, “It’s not easy being a worm.”  We learn that one of the bad things is that worms can’t chew gum, but then a good thing is that they can never get cavities.  This is just one among other facts of “worm life!”

The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum

The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum by Kate Bernheimer E BER—There is a young girl who lives inside a castle, inside a glass globe, inside a museum.  Children who visit this museum spend their time searching for the little girl living inside this castle. Can you see her?  She can see you. This book features beautiful, enchanting illustrations and will draw children and adults alike into its magical world.

Always in Trouble

Always in Trouble by Corinne Demas E DEM—Emma’s dog Toby is always in trouble, and Emma knows he needs training…or else! So she takes him to Ms. Katz’s Dog Training School, and even though Toby is the best dog there, he’s still bad at home. Finally, an extra week with Ms. Katz sets him straight. But can a dog really be good all the time?