Novel Ideas:

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!

This week's found novel is:

Rules by Cynthia Lord

New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J LOR, JP LOR

Everybody's got to follow rules, but for 12-year-old Catherine, rules are even more important. She's got a younger brother who is autistic. Autism is a developmentally disability that makes communication harder for people who have it, so Catherine and her family have to give her brother David very specific rules for behaving. Catherine loves her brother, but as she tries to fit in, she gets frustrated that David is so much different than everyone else. When she befriends another "different" kid named Jason, she sees that differences make people special.

This is a great read for anyone who knows someone with autism, but also for any kid who gets frustrated with siblings, families, or all the rules we have to follow every day.

If you want to read more about autism, feel free to ask staff members for more information.

Novel Ideas: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!





This week's found novel is:
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

New Lenox Library Call Number: J KIN

Greg Heffly does NOT keep a diary. He keeps a journal, and a funny one at that, telling all about the ins and outs of middle school, his best friend Rowley, his brothers and his parents. Greg draws pictures to go along with his journal entries, and these are funnier (sometimes) than the stories he tells! When he tells about the "cheese touch," you will be laughing out loud.

Like the book? Check out the new live-action movie, and let us know which one you liked better!

Novel Ideas: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!This week's found novel is:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
New Lenox Library Call Number: J RIO


Lots of kids are getting excited about the Percy Jackson movie that's coming out this month. If you haven't read the series, it's an excellent time to start!

The first book in the series, The Lightning Thief, sets up the story for us. Percy is just a typical kid, but he's got some pretty un-typical problems. Like, his dad is Poseidon. The Poseidon. Which means Percy is a hero, a half-human, half-god hybrid. After a ... situation develops at Percy's school, he is whisked away to Camp Half-blood to learn how to use his power. But being a half-blood isn't all swords and shields and cool tricks. Percy has to deal with angry gods, crazy situations, and the typical teen drama.
This is a great series for anyone who is interested in Greek mythology, likes adventure or loved the Harry Potter series.

Novel Ideas: The Graveyard Book

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!

This week's found novel is:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

New Lenox Library Call Number: J GAI

Nobody (Bod for short) is not like a lot of other kids. For one thing, he is the sole survivor of a murder plot that took his parents. But Bod's new caregivers aren't the typical foster parents - they're ghosts.

Bod ended up toddling into a graveyard on the night of his parents' murder. Only 18 months old, the inhabitants of the graveyard took pity on the child and decided to raise him as one of their own. Bod gets food, shelter, clothing and all the useful information his new "family" can give him. He lives a happy life, until his parents' murder shows up again...

This book is a great twist on the traditional orphan story, with spooky, funny and mysterious elements. Sometimes the story is a bit dark - it does start with Bod's family being murdered - but there are uplifting moments as well. It's fun to see what all the different ghosts have to say about Bod's education. This is a great read for anyone who liked Neil Gaiman's Coraline, or who are looking for something a bit different to read.

Monday Means ... Novel Ideas!

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!

This week's found novel is:
Wild Things by Clay Carmichael
New Lenox Library Call Number: J CAR

Eleven-year-old Zoe doesn't get attached to grownups. In her life, they have just been temporary blips on her radar. When her mentally ill mother dies, Zoe is sent to live with her only remaining relative, her reclusive uncle Henry. Henry was once a world-class doctor, but traded medicine for art. Henry is a loner like Zoe, and the two of them have a hard time adjusting to life together.
While staying with Uncle Henry, Zoe meets - and begins to care for - a strange cast of characters, including a wild cat and a boy who seemingly lives in the woods. Zoe's beliefs about loyalty and family are turned upside down, and soon she has to decide what matters most.