New Book Review: The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

By Jeanne Birdsall
Pages: 295
Best for Ages: 8-13 (and younger for read-aloud!)
Call Number: J Birdsall, J.

The Penderwicks are back! But this time torn apart—Mr. Penderwick has flown off to England with the lovely Iantha for their honeymoon, Rosalind is going on a much needed vacation to New Jersey with a school friend, leaving soccer and science loving Skye as the Oldest Available Penderwick (or OAP) for the first time to take care of younger sisters Jane and Batty as they visit Main with Aunt Claire.

This is the longest that the sisters have ever been apart and Skye isn’t sure she’s up to the challenge—Can she keep Jane from falling in love head over heels (literally) for the first boy who rolls by on his skate board? Can she keep Hoover, the small dog next door from terrorizing their own dog Hound? Can she keep Batty from blowing up? Luckily the Penderwicks good friend Jeffery is back and loving his music more than ever (especially when the next door neighbor lets him play his piano). But Jeffery has some discoveries of his own to make…

What I like best about the Penderwick series is that each sister gets to tell part of the story—Not only do we know the stress that Skye is under, but also how much Batty misses Rosalind, and what motivates Jane to learn all about love for her writing. While this third installment will make most sense if you’re already familiar with the Penderwicks from their first or second book, each character is fully developed and important points are revisited so even if you jump in with number three you’ll enjoy the vacationing sisters as their lives change at Point Mouette.

The perfect start to Summer Vacation!

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

New Fiction Book Review: Small Persons With Wings

(They hate to be called fairies)

By Ellen Booraem
302 pages
Best For Grades 4-8
J Booraem

When Mellie Turpin was in kindergarten she had a fairy friend named Fidius. Only they don’t like being called “fairies” they are “Small Persons with Wings” and they speak Latin. But when Mellie tried to take Fidius to school for show-and-tell he got mad and left. When she showed up at school without a fairy her classmates call her “Fairy Fat.” Not very nice, right? The bullying gets so bad that Mellie herself even starts to believe that Fidius never existed.

This continues for years until the summer after 7th grade when Mellie and her parents receive a phone call that her Grand-père had passed away and they have inherited his Inn. They move to away, far from the mean classmates and people who called her “fairy fat.” Mellie is excited to make a new life for herself and is just about ready to settle to the hard work of cleaning the Inn with her parents when what do they uncover but another Small Person With Wings.

This starts all the Turpins on a great adventure involving a whole colony of Small Persons, a missing magical ring, a grandfather clock that doesn’t tell time, and a walking store front mannequin that enchants men. All the Turpin’s lives are at stake until Mellie can come up with a plan to save them.

What I liked most about Small Persons with Wings is how Mellie grows into her grandeur and makes a few real friends along the way. Told entirely in her voice this fun read gets more exciting with each chapter as more secrets of magic are reviled.

Just a few weeks of school are left! Time to get into the mood of summer with a fast paced fun book full of adventure, magic, and fun.

Click here to view this title in the catalog

-JW-

New Book Review: Moon Over Manifest

By Clare Vanderpool
Pages: 351
Call number: J Vanderpool, C.
Best for grades 5-8

As soon as I heard that Moon over Manifest won the Newbery Medal this year I added my name to the hold-list and just finished reading it. This historical fiction novel alternates between over two time periods in the small fictional town of Manifest, Kansas. We start in the depression—the summer of 1936 with Abilene Tucker, 12, who’s father sends her to Manifest while he works on the railroad.

Abilene stays with Pastor Shady who is, well… shady, and has been the interim Pastor/bartender for the last 14 years, and much to her dismay she has to go to school, even if it is just the last day. Assigned with the summer homework of writing a story and a couple of cousins to help, Abilene visits Miss Sadie, the fortune teller who begins to tell her stories of Manifest in 1918, during WWI when her father was in town.

Miss Sadie tells her the stories of Jinx and Ned and all the trouble they get into. While is starts with the predictable hijynx of small-town boyhood we soon learn that there’s more to the story than meets the eye, and that these boys could not only bring terrible trouble to Manifest, but also could become the town’s salvation. Not only during WWI, but also 18 years later during the depression.

Moon over Manifest brings to life the fact that everyone has a story, and there is more to every story than can ever really be told. This is a book you can read again and again and always find something new.

Click here to view this title in the catalog
-JW-

2011 Award Winners

The committees have spoken and the winners were announced this morning! For a complete list of winners and honorees check out the Press Release. Meanwhile, take a peek at the books we have that you can check out or put on hold...

Newbery Medal

"Moon Over Manifest," written by Clare Vanderpool. Click here to view this title in the catalog

Newbery Honor Books
"Turtle in Paradise" written by Jennifer L. Holm. Click here to view this title in the catalog

"Heart of a Samurai" written by Margi Preus.Click here to view this title in the catalog

"Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night" written by Joyce Sidman. Click here to view this title in the catalog

"One Crazy Summer" written by Rita Williams-Garcia. Click here to view this title in the catalog

Caldecott Medal

"A Sick Day for Amos McGee" illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead. Click here to view this title in the catalog

Caldecott Honor Books

"Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave" illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Laban Carrick Hill. Click here to view this title in the catalog

"Interrupting Chicken" illustrated and written by David Ezra Stein. Click here to view this title in the catalog

Sibert Medal

"Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot" written by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Nic Bishop. Click here to view this title in the catalog

Sibert Honor Books

"Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring" written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Brian Floca. Click here to view this title in the catalog

"Lafayette and the American Revolution" written by Russell Freedman. Click here to view this title in the catalog

Geisel Award

"Bink and Gollie" written by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile. Click here to view this title in the catalog

Geisel Honor Books

"Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!" written and illustrated by Grace Lin. Click here to view this title in the catalog

"We Are in a Book!" written and illustrated by Mo Willems. Click here to view this title in the catalog . Click here to see our review of this title.

-JW-

New Book Review: Mockingbird

by Kathryn Erskine
235 pages
Best for 4th grade and up
Call number: J Erskine

This year’s National Book Award winner, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is one of the best (and fastest) books I have read in a long time. Aimed at 4th-6th grade readers, Mockingbird deals with issues that even adults and teens struggle with. It is a great read for late elementary and middle school book clubs, as well for teens and adults to discuss.

Caitlin, 11, is a wonderful artist that only draws pictures in black and white—it’s easier than using colors, because colors are messy. Caitlin could very well be the best artist in the state, at least her brother and dad think so. That is, until "The Day Our Life Fell Apart" when her brother is a victim of a shooting at his middle school. Now Caitlin, her father, and the rest of their small town have to deal with the aftermath and attempt to find closure. A tragic event told through the eyes of a child with Asperger’s, we can see how Caitlin views her classmates and how they treat each other. We see her interact with her councilor, her teachers, and try to make friends in the wake of tragedy all the while remembering her brother’s favorite movie “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Click here to view this title in the catalog

-JW-

New Fiction Book Review: The Dancing Pancake

By Eileen Spinelli
Best for grades 3-6
Call number: J Spinelli, E.
Copyright 2010


Bindi's whole life is changing. First her father, after months of frusterating unemployment moves out, then her aunt has a great idea to open a pancake restaurant with her mother as a partner. What follows is a novel in verse with a colorful cast of characters, from her little cousin and Inky, his pet rubber spider, to Grace a regular at the restaurant who pushes a cart with all the stuff she owns inside. Bindi must come to terms with her feelings about her parents, having to move, and the new responsibilities and relationships she finds herself in.

The Dancing Pancake is a first-person realistic fiction story set in short free-verse poems so it is easy to start and stop. It is a great choice if there is a reader in your life who only has a few minutes to read here and there, or who prefer short reading sessions, or anyone wanting to experiment with a novel in verse with a excellent storyline.

The following box contains notes to parents/guardians and teachers about The Dancing Pancake. Because it contains spoilers you must select (or "highlight") the box with your mouse to read the following text.

Parents and Teachers be advised: This book deals with the feelings of both the children and the parents when parents try separation. At the end of this story Bindi's Dad comes back to town, and while he's not quite ready to move back in with the family, it is implied that Bindi's parents will remain married and work out their problems. Because not every separation ends this way, children may want to talk about how theirs or their friends experiences are similar or different to the ones in The Dancing Pancake.

There's just enough time before school starts to sneak in a few more fun reads!

Check our catalog for this title.

-JW-

New Book Review: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

By: Maryrose Wood

Best for: 4th grade and up or as a read aloud for 2nd grade and up
Copyright: 2010
Call number: J Wood (also in J Holiday: Christmas)

Miss Penelope Lumley has recently graduated from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females and has just landed her first job as a governess for three children at the Ashton Place. But these are no ordinary children. In fact Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia Incorrigible were found in the woods and believed to have been raised by wolves.

Not only must Miss Lumley teach the children English, how to wear clothing, and not to chase squirrels, she must also get them ready to be the guests of honor at Mrs. Ashton’s Christmas party with all the dancing and small talk that even some grown-ups have trouble with. It’s a good think Miss Lumley is a Swanburne Girl and able to handle it all!

The Incorrigible Children of the Ashton Place is what I imagine Jane Eyre would be had it been written by Lemony Snicket. I can’t wait for the second book in the series to see how the mystery unfolds!

To view this in our catalog click here

-JW-

New Book Review: It’s Raining Cupcakes

By Lisa Schroeder (Oregon Author)
Best for Grades: 4-7
Call Number: J Schroeder

Twelve year old Isabel has a lot on her plate… literally! When her mom, who suffers from what her grandma calls a 'lack of gumption,' decides that what will make her most happy is opening a cupcake shop, the family packs up and moves to an apartment above what will soon be ‘It’s Raining Cupcakes’-- the newest confectionery in fictitious Willow, Oregon.

That’s right—I said Oregon. Isabel has never been out of our very own state, and she spends the summer watching her friends and neighbors go on their fascinating vacations. She takes notes of what she’ll do when she can travel, and tries everything she can to see the world, from earning money babysitting twins to entering a baking contest.

In addition to scrumptious chapter titles, the most fascinating part of the book is Isabel’s often strained relationship with her mom and best friend, especially in the face of the famous national chain--Beatrice’s Brownies--moving a few blocks away and offering stiff competition.

Be sure to flip to the back for a couple delicious cupcake recipes you can try yourself.
If you’re looking for fun quick read to make you drool, check out It’s Raining Cupcakes.

Click here to view this item in our catalog.
-JW-

Falling In

Falling In

by Frances O'Roarke Dowell (Children's New books)(J Dowell)(2010)

Isabelle Bean is no ordinary 6th grader. She's a dreamy girl, whose thoughts are rarely on the matter at hand. She's just eccentric enough that the other kids keep their distance. To Isabelle, life is too mundane, there's just not enough magic.

Her ordinary life suddenly changes when she follows a mouse and subsequently "falls in" to another realm. Tales of a witch in this new place send her on the trail to find this so-called witch. All the other children are running away, but not Isabelle. She and a girl she befriends along the way, wind up at an old woman's house, who lives in the woods. She and the other girl, Hen, stay with the woman and learn herbal healing techniques.

It's not long before Isabelle discovers that the woman IS the witch, except she's not really a witch. It's up to Isabelle to dispell the rumor that there is a witch-which then leads to everyone thinking that she is the witch!

You'll have to read the book to find out if she can persuade everyone that there is no witch! -SC-

Check our catalog for this title.

Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominees for 2011

The 2011 nominees for the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award have been announced. This award is for books aimed at second and third graders and is named after the beloved children's author. Children vote for their favorite from the list of nominees. So get started reading and you will be ready to cast your vote next year.

The Homerun King by Patricia McKissack

Check our catalog for this title.









Frogs by Nic Bishop

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Bed, Bats and Beyond by Joan Holub

Check our catalog for this title.






Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Stuff by Lenore Look

Check our catalog for this title.








Puppy Power by Judy Cox

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Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel

Check our catalog for this title.

-gw-

The Witches Guide to Cooking With Children

The Witches Guide To Cooking With Children
by Keith McGowan (Children's New Books)(J McGowan, K.)(2009)
For ages 9-12


Sol and Connie Blink are new in town. Eleven year old Sol is very intelligent, and his eight year old sister Connie is cunning. They rely heavily on each other and are adjusting to life with their dad and his new wife. Things start to get weird when they notice the neighbor's dog knawing on a human leg bone.


Next their dad leaves them in town and does not come back for them. A friendly but cryptic shopkeeper tries to give them clues to solve the mounting mystery. They spend a lot of time in the library trying to gather information about their new neighbor and find some disturbing facts.


This story has a lot in common with Hansel and Gretel, but it takes place in the suburbs, not the forest. It is a thoroughly modernized version that sometimes explains things from the children's viewpoint, and sometimes through the witch's. It is a quick read that is engaging and amusing, particularly the witch's comments.
-SC-
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New Book Review: Tollins: Explosive Tales For Children

Tollins: Explosive Tales For Children

by Conn Iggulden

(J Iggulden) (2009)

For ages 10 and up.

A tollin is not a fairy. Tollins are bigger and not very delicate. They have wings to get them from flower to flower, but not much farther than that. They can wrestle bees. They cannot be seen by humans, that is, until humans realized they could see a tollin if they wore specially filtered glasses.

These particular tollins live near a human Fireworks Factory. One day a tollin accidentally gets shot off in a firework experiment. Gradually humans deduce that the here-to-fore unknown tollins are what give the fireworks that extra "bang." With the invention of special glasses the humans can find and collect tollins for their fireworks. One clever tollin stumbles upon a way to save his kind, but he must break their number one rule to do it.

This book has three stories about tollins: How To Blow Up Tollins, Sparkler and the Purple Death, and Windbags and Dark Tollins. The illustrations, part photograph and part drawing are exceptional. The book starts off with a cast of characters and a map, a la J.R.R. Tolkein. It is a humorous tale that is sure to catch children's attention and keep them intrigued and amused. It is at a 3rd-4th grade reading level.

-sc-

Alvin Ho: Allergic To Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters

by Lenore Look (J Look)(2009)
Alvin Ho is afraid of many, many things. In the first Alvin Ho book, he was afraid of girls, school and other scary things like the dark and elevators. Alvin has now moved onto second grade, after mastering his first grade fears. He is an Asian-American boy, who is just a bit different from other boys. He lives in Concord, Massachusetts, where they love fireworks. He has an older brother Calvin, and a younger sister Anibelly.
Alvin's latest fear is going camping with his dad. He might see bears, or have to use a pit toilet! He brought a PDK (personal disaster kit) to school and he's got one for camping, too. He'll need night goggles, a flashlight, and water purifying tablets. Along the way he has many silly adventures, like getting stuck in a box while trying to be Houdini. Alvin includes a "Very Scary Glossary" for us in at the end of the second book.
This is a silly, fun read about being a little bit different. Cute illustrations sprinkle the pages.SC
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