Runaway Twin

Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret J KEH—Twins Sunny and Starr are separated just before they turn 13.  At thirteen, Sunny finds a canvas bag containing $800, with no claimant.  An experienced runaway, she decides to go cross-country to be reunited with her twin.  Find out how her journey goes and if she gets her happy reunion.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling J ROW—These tales are absolutely delightful.  Short and quick, Beedle the Bard is a perfect introduction to fairy tales from the world of witches and wizards.  Rowling does an introduction that explains the tales a bit including letting muggle children know that in these tales, magic is not strange and wonderful as it is in their tales, but is instead standard fare.  This would be a great book for those not yet old enough to delve into the world of Harry Potter, but who still want to read something similar to it. 

Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World

Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E.L. Konigsburg J KON—Amedeo Kaplan seems just like any other new kid who has moved into the town of St. Malo, Florida, a navy town where new faces are the norm. But Amedeo has a secret, a dream: more than anything in the world, he wants to discover something  a place, a process, even a fossil some treasure that no one realizes is there until he finds it. And he would also like to discover a true friend to share these things with.

Hiccup Snickup

Hiccup Snickup by Melinda Long E LON—Did you ever get the hiccups and have everyone offering advice on how to get rid of them? That is exactly what happens in this story with some very funny results. The characters in this book are just as silly as their suggestions to cure this poor girl of those pesky hiccups! Read it to find out the best cure, and if the hiccups really stay away!

Where’s Tumpty?

Where’s Tumpty? by Polly Dunbar E DUN—Tilly and her friends all live together in a yellow house. Tilly’s friend Tumpty the elephant decides he wants to play hide and seek. It’s not the easiest thing to hide an elephant in a little yellow house. Hiding upside down with his eyes closed doesn’t make him disappear. When his friends laugh at his silliness, they discover that suddenly their friend is missing. Where is Tumpty? Simple, adorable illustrations make this book a treat for young readers and their grownups.

A Visitor for Bear

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker E BEC—Bear’s efforts to keep out visitors to his house are undermined by a very persistent mouse. Will they ever be true friends or will Mouse remain as annoying as Bear thinks he is?

Too Many Toys

Too Many Toys by David Shannon E SHA—What does a mom do when her child has too many toys? Negotiate and haggle. And then, if lucky, all well be resolved.  But what if there is that one toy that absolutely cannot be parted with?

The Prince of Mist

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruis Zafón J ZAF—The Carver family moves to a small coastal village.  The minute they arrive, strange things begin to happen.  Lurking inside their new home is the spirit of Jacob, the previous owner’s son.  This story has all the perfect elements of a ghost story.

Over at the Castle

Over at the Castle by Boni Ashburn E ASH—This cute counting story is set to the classic folk melody “Over in the Meadow,” and I can’t help but sing the story. 

No Passengers Beyond This Point

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko J CHO—India, Finn, and Mouse must move to Colorado to live with their uncle after their mom loses their house to foreclosure. Their trip to Colorado goes all wrong when they land in a strange place called Falling Bird. Falling Bird seems too good to be true when they arrive and everyone, and I mean everyone, is cheering and so happy that the three kids have arrived. After staying one day in their “dream house,” they find that their house is literally breaking apart and they are thrust into homelessness. Falling Bird isn’t what it seems.  Find out if they can escape Falling Bird and make it to their uncle’s place in Colorado.

Mercy Watson Fights Crime

Mercy Watson Fights Crime by Kate DiCamillo J DIC—Mercy Watson is just your average pig except for a few things: she lives inside and sleeps in a bed, and she loves hot buttered toast.  One evening after Mercy has been tucked into bed, she hears a noise down in the kitchen that turns out to be a thief.  Mercy ends up as a hero, and her reward…..hot buttered toast.

The Lemonade War

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies J DAV—Evan Treski is people-smart. He is good at talking with people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart but not especially good at understanding people. She knows that feelings are her weakest subject. So when their lemonade war begins, there really is no telling who will win and even more important, if their fight will ever end. Here is a clever blend of humor and math fun. As it captures the one-of-a-kind bond between brother and sister, this poignant novel subtly explores how arguments can escalate beyond anyone’s intent.

Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again

Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again by Juliana Hatkoff J 599.53 HAT—When Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was three months old she was rescued from a crab trap with her tail seriously damaged. A group of experts helped Winter by making her a prosthetic tail. Amazingly, she is doing great and has learned to swim very well with her new tail! This is the true story on which the movie Dolphin Tale is based.

Someday

Someday by Eileen Spinelli E SPI—Someday she is going to make friends with a dolphin, but right now she is feeding her pet goldfish. The possibilities are endless and she can be anyone or anything she dreams of. This is the perfect book for a young girl who dreams big and believes that one day she’ll spend the night in Egypt, but still loves being tucked in by Mom and Dad for tonight. Filled with beautiful, bright colored illustrations.

Sylvie

Sylvie by Jennifer Sattler E SAT—A flamingo who is tired of being pink decides to eat other things to turn her feathers different colors. But what happens when she overdoes it?