The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley

I hope you are all having a great summer vacation. Are you looking for a good summer read? I found some, the new mystery series by Michael Buckley: The Sisters Grimm.

Two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, are shuffled between foster care homes after their parents disappear. One day, they are sent to live with a relative who turns out to be their Grandma, Relda Grimm. This is very odd for the girls since they thought she was dead – at least that is what their parents told them. As the story unfolds the sisters discover that they are actually descendants of the original fairy tale writers, the Brothers Grimm – or as their Granny tells them, “they were history writers”. The little town that their Granny lives in, is full of “Everafters”, all the fairy tale characters that we all know and love. The girls are quite confused by everything that is going on around them – including Jack (the giant killer), Snow White (school teacher), the Three Pigs (police officers), Mayor Charming (aka-Prince Charming, who isn't so Charming anymore); add to the mix the Granny that the girls are not even sure is their Granny. How can this town exist? The girls learn that if the Grimms die, the “Everafters” will be allowed to leave the little town of Ferryport. The mystery of Book One begins when the girls discover their Granny Relda has disappeared and they have to kill a giant (from Jack and the Beanstalk) to get their Granny back – enter Jack-the giant killer. Book Two proves to be just as intriguing when the girls try to solve the mysterious murder of one of their teachers. Read and enjoy all four books in this series, there will be eight when the series is completed. Look for Book five-The Sisters Grimm-Magic and Other Misdemeanors due out December 15, 2007.
The Sisters Grimm. Book one, Fairy-tale Detectives
The Sisters Grimm. Book two, The Unusual Suspects
The Sisters Grimm. Book three, The Problem Child
The Sisters Grimm, Book four, Once Upon a Crime
Can't get enough of the Sisters Grimm? Check out their website- http://www.sistersgrimm.com/newsite/index.html

Harry Houdini by Vicki Cobb

You may already know the name Houdini as a master escape artist. Read this book and learn about Houdini's childhood and international stardom. The author, Vicki Cobb, has written this book to read as a story which makes it a book you won't easily put down. Harry Houdini was born Ehrich Weiss in Hungary. His poor parents moved the family to the United States and as a teenager Ehrich worked in a tie factory. It was there that he began to practice tricks with coins that he learned by reading books about magic. Ehrich was one who always worked hard and practiced often to become the best. He knew that quickness was the secret to successful magic. As you read this book you'll be mesmerized by the many authentic photographs included. There are pictures of Houdini doing his escapes, the many handcuffs he used, and posters announcing his shows around the world. Unlike some magic books that don't reveal how the tricks are done, Harry Houdini by Vicki Cobb does let you in on some of Houdini's secrets. To find more books like this, search our library catalog for the series title DK Biography. You'll find biographies of other notable and interesting people.

Stanford Wong Flunks Big-time by Lisa Yee

He's the best basketball player in the sixth grade and next year he will be playing on the A-Team. He's planning to attend a prestigious summer basketball camp BUT he's flunked English! His dad makes it clear that Stanford will NOT be going to basketball camp. Instead it's summer school for him. He can't let his friends know that he's off to summer school instead of camp. How can he possibly keep this change of plans a secret from his basketball friends? How can he put up with Millicent Min as his tutor? She's such a geek! He's sure the beautiful Emily Ebers will never like him because she'll know he's stupid when she learns that her friend Millicent is his tutor. If you read Stanford Wong Flunks Big-time you'll enjoy the laughs and identify with either Stanford, his basketball buddies, or Millicent and Emily. This is a story a girl or boy would find fun to read. The author, Lisa Yee, already has written other books starring these characters : Millicent Min, Girl Genius and her latest, So Totally Emily Ebers. Just be sure you find something to read this summer. Summertime is for playing and relaxing in the shade with a great story to read!

Hook, Line, & Seeker by Jim Arnosky

If you've ever read a nature book that taught you all about an animal, the seasons, nature or the outdoors and you loved the pictures and illustrations, chances are good that it was written by Jim Arnosky. He has been writing and illustrating nature books for children for many years. In Hook, Line, & Seeker: A Beginner's Guide to Fishing, Boating, and Watching Water Wildlife, you will find exactly what the title states. Jim has experienced fishing, small craft boating, and animal watching, photographing and drawing and in this book he shares his best tips with you, the reader. His photographs are crisp and colorful; his drawings help with understanding and some are taken directly from his journals. If you like being outdoors, you'll want to read this book. Take a copy with you as you travel Up North this summer. See you on the water!

Hockeytown Hero : The Steve Yzerman Story by Shelley Lazarus

If you are a Detroit Red Wings fan you are not too worried yet about their chances in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They are down 2 games to 1 to the San Jose Sharks, but it's not over yet! If you are like me, you are missing "our captain" Stevie Y. Pick up the recent biography about our very own Hockeytown Hero written just for you - the elementary student! You will be able to follow Stevie Y. from his early years (he started playing hockey at the age of 3) through the 2000 season. Last year Steve retired and became the Vice-President of the Detroit Red Wings.

Stevie Y. was the captain of our Wings when they won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years in 1997! They won again the following year and again in 2002! Steve was named captain of the Red Wings when he was only 21 years old, he was the youngest captain in the NHL (National Hockey League), 20 years later he was the longest serving captain in the NHL! Pick up Hockeytown Hero : The Steve Yzerman Story today, you will love every story, interview, statistic and photo. I am just bummed that it is only 112 pages long!

The ABCs of Detroit Red Wings Hockey by Ann Jacobs-Mooney

As the Detroit Red Wings begin their second round in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs tonight, I am happy to share a new book from Olympia Entertainment, about our favorite Hockeytown team. This ABC book covers the Wings from A to Z. Each letter of the alphabet has its own page. Colorful illustrations fill the entire book along with many hockey facts sprinkled into the mix, and plenty of Red Wings trivia. The book includes new Wings as well as old timers, like P is for Production Line, Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel and "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe. From A is for Assist all the way through to Z is for Zamboni this book will entertain any true (or new) Red Wings' fan. "Let's GO Red Wings!"

The Big Bad Wolf and Me by Delphine Perret

ROARRRRR! Watch out for the BIG BAD WOLF! He just might EAT YOU! But, wait a minute. This big bad wolf is neither big nor bad at all. He’s actually quite small, sad and can’t scare anyone. So sad. :-( Perhaps some milk and cookies would help to fatten him up. Maybe having a best friend to take care of him will give him the confidence to really be a BIG BAD WOLF! Wait until you see what happens when he shows up at school!

The Big Bad Wolf and Me was written and illustrated by a young French artist, Delphine Perret, shortly after graduating from art school. She was inspired to create books for young readers. This is her first to be published in the United States and there are more to come. Her drawings are done in simple pen and ink but the expressive details are perfect for this simple story. ROARRRRR! Here comes the BIG BAD WOLF! Better run!!!

Rainstorm by Barbara Lehman

Since the old saying says, "April showers bring May flowers," now is the perfect time to read Rainstorm. What can you do when you are all alone in a big house on a rainy day with only the quiet to keep you company? Maybe if you find a mysterious key you will be transported to marvelous places...

In this wordless story book, similar to Flotsam, the pictures follow a little boy on his quest to find what the mysterious key opens and the adventures that happen once he does. Ladders, tunnels, secret doors, winding staircases, lighthouses, and new friends await. First graders at Hawkins were mesmerized by the pictures in this book and you will be too!

Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans

This alphabet book is anything but ordinary. David McLimans has created a unique and captivating book about endangered animals. Each letter forms the silhouette of an endangered animal that begins with that letter. For example, take a look at the spotted owl below for the letter "o." Neat!

The drawings are all in black and white and a sharp red picture of the animal included along with some facts about the animal on the opposite page. The drawings are simple and elegant. So much so, that this book received the Caldecott Honor Medal this year for great artwork in a children's book. Go wild, and check out this book!

The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil by Wiley Miller

While I am not in Michigan in the cold and snow (see review below), I am in Florida on Spring Break in my hotel room as the rain comes down on the beach. As Mrs. Boehm said, it is a great day to cozy up with a good book. I am pleased to tell you that I found another good one, especially for those of you who have enjoyed Lemony Snicket's-Series of Unfortunate Events.

In his first children’s book, Wiley Miller expands his comic strip, Ordinary Basil into a full story at the request of his readers, parents and children alike. His colorful illustrations visually enhance his story.

Basil is a 12 year old boy who lives a very ordinary life, a life that he considers to be very boring. Basil lives in a lighthouse along the Maine coastline with his parents. One day as he is whistling a tune, a flying boat (yes, I said-"a flying boat") appears out of the clouds. Since the year is 1899, and air travel is still just a dream, Basil is sure he is seeing things. The man in the flying boat summons Basil to climb aboard. As Basil boards the flying boat, the two fly off into the clouds to a wonderful city called Helios. When Basil questions how this city in the clouds is even possible, the pilot of the flying boat, Professor Angus McGookin, tells Basil, “Wherever there is life dear boy, there are endless possibilities. Our only limitations are those of our imaginations.”

While enjoying every moment of this wondrous city, Basil meets a young girl named Louise, who would like to go to Basil's world because she finds Helios extremely boring! Basil does not understand how she could possibly find this place boring. Louise offers to give Basil a ride on Beatrice if he will take her to the ground with him when he returns home. Beatrice is Louise's pet pteranodon!

Basil soon finds himself on an exciting adventure with Louise and Beatrice. While they are out riding Beatrice, they accidentally drop below the clouds where they are spotted by the evil genius, Dr. Euric Von Rottweil. Dr. Von Rottweil was banished from Helios when the High Council found out his evil plan take over the world. Since he had no way back to Helios, Dr. Von Rottweil had been waiting for an opportunity to return. His opportunity came when Beatrice dipped below the clouds and allowed Von Rottweil to capture the three of them.

Can Basil and Louise stop him from returning to Helios and taking over the world? Will the Professor be able to save them and Helios? How does a boat fly? What is it like flying on a pet pteranodon? Do Basil and Louise still feel their lives are boring? Read The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil and join the adventure.

Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm

It's the second day of Spring Break, tomorrow is Easter, and it's snowing here in Michigan. It's April and snowing! I know very well that we still get snow in April but when we're on vacation it seems like it should be sunny and warm. I decide to take it as a great day to get cozy indoors and read a book! I had started reading Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm about two months ago and never finished it. Readers do that, you know. It's okay to put a book down and try something else. Today was different. I wanted to read it because it had won a Newbery Honor award this year so I knew there must be a good story inside. I was not disappointed. I began all over again from the first page and finished it in one day - it was that good!

When you read about Penny you will know her just like any other real girl. The author, Jennifer L. Holm, tells her story so well that you are convinced she could be your friend or any other girl you know. Even her many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents seem like folks you'd want to spend a day with. There are sad things that have happened to Penny and do happen in this book. Her father is not alive but Penny does not know what happened to him. Her mother never talks about him. Her Italian family, her dad's family, treats her like a princess because they are sadly missing her dad so much. The setting is the early 1950's and the aftereffects of World War II still trouble Penny's two families. But don't let the sadness keep you from reading this book. There are also many funny characters and plots to keep you reading along. Yes, there is a happy ending. When I finished this book I was so happy for Penny that my eyes were full of tears. You see, she had become a real person that I cared very much about. I had happy tears knowing that Penny was going to be alright and so was her loving family.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

The Wayside School was supposed to be one story high, with 30 classrooms side by side; instead, it was built sideways, with 30 one-classroom stories. The tales that happen in this school are stranger than fiction, quite humorous, and enjoyable. You won't believe it when the teacher turns her students into apples!

Mr. Yates, principal at Hawkins Elementary was kind enough to share a few chapters with students at first grade library card sign-up night at Brighton District Library last week. Take a peek below! *This video may not be compatible with all computers and browsers. If you do not see an image below, this is the case. We hope, in the future everyone will be able to view the videos.*

April Foolishness by Teresa Bateman

Happy April Fool's Day! Grandpa is in for some silly surprises in Teresa Bateman's April Foolishness when Grandma and their visiting grandchildren try to fool him. Grandpa will not be fooled by their trickery and just keeps making his breakfast. The farm is in turmoil because the cows, pigs, sheep, and goats are running wild! Grandpa will not believe a word knowing it is all an April Fool's Day joke. You won't know who gets the last laugh until you read April Foolishness. Oh, one more thing - your ears are in for a treat if someone reads this story to you. It's all in rhyme!

Barnstormers, Game One by Phil Bildner and Loren Long

Three kids, a mystery and a magic baseball…..that is the cover of Barnstormers, Game 1. Set in the late 1800’s this is the first book in a series, each book detailing one game of the Travelin’ Nine baseball team. Griffith, Ruby, and Graham Payne travel with the team that is made up of their father’s war buddies. Their father was catcher for the Travelin’ Nine, but he was killed in the war. The team is now traveling across the country to help their buddy’s family raise money. The Payne’s mother is now the catcher for the team, but no one can know she is playing, women are not allowed to play baseball. To help disguise this, she goes by her husband’s name, Guy.

Strange things happen during their first game. There is a train signal that keeps popping up on the field; fog, tracks and a locomotive appear and disappear. As if this isn’t strange enough, the opposing team and fans do not see any of it! The Travelin’ Nine try to play the game, but with all the distractions can they win? Griffith feels responsible because the night of his father’s funeral his uncle gave him some advice and a warning. Can Griffith, figure out what is going on, can his siblings help and what does their father’s beat up baseball have to do with the mysterious happenings? We get a few clues, in Game 1 of the series. The biggest problem for the reader is Game 2 does not come out until May!

Throughout the book the author uses baseball phrases from the late 1800's. To help the reader understand, he gives definitions in the margins. Loren Long's illustrations help bring the story to life. If you love baseball or mysteries, this series could be for you!

Grady the Goose by Denise Brennan-Nelson

Poor Grady. He was the last gosling born of twelve and has been a bit behind the rest ever since. He also loves to wander off on his own adventures causing Momma and Papa to stop and count their babies often. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11... Where is Grady? When he wanders too far while the family is flying south, Grady luckily is found by a caring farmer. Grady learns the lesson that the family needs to stick together always. That's one reason why geese fly in a V formation - to stick together!

You can spot Grady among the other goslings because he has a very cute tuft of feathers on the top of his head. In each illustration the eyes of the geese seem to be looking right at you. The lake water has ripples and reflects the shore nearby. You can thank Mr. Michael Glenn Monroe for his beautiful artwork. He grew up and lives right here in Brighton and it's very likely you've had a visit by him at your school. His paintings in Grady the Goose were one of the favorites of the first and second graders at Hornung and Lindbom elementary schools during their Mock Caldecott Vote this year. Thank you Mr. Monroe!

Who Were The Beatles? by Geoff Edgers

Depending on how old you are, you might not know who the Beatles were. Or you might know about the Beatles because you hear their music on the radio or when your parents play Beatles CDs. If you're really lucky, you remember when the Beatles were very popular musicians, you are still a HUGE Beatles fan, and you own many of their albums - records, tapes and CDs! It was called Beatlemania and they were the Fab Four - John, Paul, George and Ringo. When they appeared on TV or a live performance, the audience screamed with excitement! They produced hundreds of songs most of them written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Who Were The Beatles? by Geoff Edgers covers their start as a band to when they broke up. A brief biography of each individual Beatle is also included. The information is accurate but there are no actual photographs of the Beatles, only illustrations by Jeremy Tugeau.

There are other titles in this series of biographies. Search our library catalog for the series title, Who Was, to find them all.

Hey Batta Batta Swing! by Sally Cook & James Charlton

Spring training has just started and soon the Detroit Tigers will be taking the field again at Comerica Park. It's an exciting time!
Get in the mood by reading this fun baseball book. Hey Batta Batta shares the history of baseball, interesting facts, and clever vocabulary. Learn how Babe Ruth got his nickname, why Brooklyn's team was called the Dodgers, and what Roger Clemens had to give up to keep his lucky number 21 when he traded teams.
The colorful text and illustrations make this book even more enjoyable. This is one for true baseball fans!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

It won! The Invention of Hugo Cabret is the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner! (January 14, 2008)
It's quite exciting when teachers start talking about a new book that is as amazing as The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I'd been hearing about this book from my sister, also a teacher, and then from Ms. Beckett, a third grade teacher at Lindbom. She thinks it could be the first book to win both the Newbery and Caldecott Medals next year and she may be right! I asked her to write the posting for our blog and she did! Read on to see what Ms. Beckett had to say about The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I'm sure you'll want to read it soon!

by Ms. Beckett --
Imagine if you will - a heart-shaped key, a blue mechanical mouse, a journal, a machine that can draw, and clocks. Add to that a filmmaker, a sad old man, a bookish young girl, and an orphaned boy with a talent for machines and magic. These objects and characters come together to create a beautiful and thrilling story.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a long time. It tells the story of a twelve year old orphan named Hugo, who, when his uncle disappears, takes over his job of fixing clocks at a train station in Paris. He lives at the station and has to steal food and sneak around to avoid the Station Inspector. Hugo is also trying to fix a broken mechanical man, called an automaton, which has a secret message for Hugo, if he can repair it. Hugo has high hopes that the secret message will be from his father who recently passed away. Hugo also has to deal with a nosey girl named Isabelle, who hangs out in Papa Georges’ toy store, which is also located in the train station. She eventually holds the “key” that will allow Hugo to make the automaton produce its message.

The book would be fascinating to anyone who is interested in the movies, or magicians, because both movies and magic become very important to the story - but I won’t say how! The best part of the book, though, is the style in which the author tells it. The book has almost three hundred pages of pictures that help tell the story just as much as the words. Brian Selznick, the author and illustrator of this book, does a brilliant job of creating pencil drawings that look so real, you might think they were old black and white photographs from the 1930s, which is the time period of this story. During the Saturday afternoon I spent reading the book, I was constantly torn between wanting to look at each picture carefully and wanting to get to the next part of the story! I kept wondering, “Can Hugo manage to keep his secret safe from the Station Inspector and find out the secret message? Will I ever find out how all of the characters are connected?”

After finishing the book, I now know the answers to these questions, but I don’t want to spoil it by telling you more. If you’re curious, and I bet you are, you’ll have to read and watch this book! I can hardly wait to hear what you think.

You may also want to visit the website The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

How many of you have used a plain box and made it into a spaceship? The bunny in the story turns his box into many items using his imagination. The very simple text makes this an engaging story for most readers. Find out why the bunny constantly says, "It is not a box!" throughout the entire story.

Not a Box won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor award for children's literature January 22, 2007 at the American Library Association's annual meeting.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

We all live with rules and 8 year old David is no exception. David's older sister, 12 year old Catherine, writes down rules for David so he will remember them, some of David's rules are:

If the bathroom door is closed, knock! (especially if Catherine has a friend over).

Say thank you when someone gives you a present (even if you don't like it).

Don't stand in front of the TV when other people are watching it.

Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't.

No toys in the fishtank!!

David is autistic and has to be reminded of the rules often. Catherine loves her little brother, but is sometimes embarassed by him. Besides writing rules for David, Catherine also loves to draw anything that she sees. Catherine's best friend spends the entire summer in California, so Catherine is used to spending the summer by herself. However, this summer will be different! Catherine is excited because her new next door neighbors are moving in soon, and they have a daughter who is Catherine's age. Catherine hopes that they will become friends quickly and have a summer full of memories. Then Catherine meets 14 year old, Jason. Jason is one of the patients at the Occupational Therapy office where David goes every Tuesday and Thursday. Catherine soon finds herself helping Jason who can only communicate through a communications book full of word/picture cards. What interesting word/picture cards will Catherine create for Jason? Read this touching story about how Catherine's friendship with her new neighbor Kristi, her new friend Jason and her little brother, David, develop throughout the summer.

This is Cynthia Lord's first novel and it won her a Newbery Honor Medal AND the Schneider Family Book Award

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

This classic story will be in movie theatres next week. Enjoy the book first, before you're tempted to only see the movie. Jess and Leslie are fifth grade classmates and neighbors yet their home lives are so very different. Jess is from a poor family with several children, Leslie is the only child of an educated family looking to leave the fast pace of city life. Together they share a world they've created where their personal troubles and school conflicts are forgotten. They call it Terabithia. Katherine Paterson won the Newbery Medal in 1978 for Bridge to Terabithia yet if you read it now it still seems like a brand new story. You'll never forget the special friendship and imaginations of Jess and Leslie and what they shared and taught each other during their short time in Terabithia. Click here to visit the author's website. Ask yourself -- What kind of bridge did Jess and Leslie have to cross to reach Terabithia? Why did they become such fast friends? Can their friendship help you to become a better friend to someone? Once you've read the book, be sure to go out and enjoy the movie! :-)
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Scholastic Book of World Records 2006 and Sports Illustrated for Kids Year in Sports 2006

Are you someone who would rather read about real things? Do you like to discover interesting bits of information that few people know about? Will great photographs make you want to read a book even more? Then you should be reading the Scholastic Book of World Records. Each year a new edition is published with the world records from that year. Some records are broken, some remain the same. Either way, you'll find something strange but true inside these pages. Would you like to live in the world's richest country? Do you own the world's most valuable comic book? Want to ride the biggest Ferris wheel? How would you like to celebrate "Wiggle Your Toes" day? You'll find all those answers each year in the Scholastic Book of World Records.

Calling all sports fans! And I mean NASCAR, tennis, hockey, Olympics, snowboarding and bike stunts. All the others are here, too - football, baseball, basketball and soccer. If you want stats on sports for men and women, ask for this book at your library. Of course it must be published each year because all those stats are changing each year. Don't miss the live action photos when you read Sports Illustrated for Kids Year in Sports 2006 - a name you can trust to cover sports!

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Wow!! We just found out this is the Newbery Medal winner for this year! (January 22, 2007)
Lucky is not so sure her name is a good one. She is 10 years old, her mom died, she doesn't really know her dad and she now has a guardian named Brigitte who came to Los Angeles from France to take care of Lucky. Brigitte was married to Lucky's dad a long time ago and he called her to come take care of Lucky. Lucky feels that Brigitte would rather be back in France instead in the tiny town of Hard Pan, California - population 43. 43 people, that's it! The town is so small that everyone knows everybody else's business. Join Lucky as she searches for her "higher power", something she heard about while eavesdropping on the twelve step programs outside of the community center where she works, when she is not in school. Will Lucky find her higher power? Does Lucky get help from her best friend Lincoln or their "tag along", five year old Miles? Read The Higher Power of Lucky and find out.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

The "bucket man" inspired this story for leading a happy life for both children and adults. The concept in the story is simple: everyone in the world has an invisible bucket that we carry with us always. A full bucket is best and an empty bucket is not good. We can fill our buckets and others with kindness, support, and appreciation. We dip into our buckets and others when we are not kind, supportive, and appreciative.
This book helps encourage positive behavior and character development. Read it over and over and feel the love!

Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins

Join Stingray (a stuffed stingray), Lumphy (a stuffed buffalo), and Plastic (who is not sure what she really is) as they journey out of the coziness of their owner's room into the world. Their owner "the Little Girl in the high bed" first takes the toys to school for show and tell, then Lumphy goes on a picnic, Plastic journeys around the house to find anything that will tell her what she really is and Stingray, whose tag says "Dry Clean Only", fills the bathrub to see if she is a "floater" or a "sinker". The Toys enjoy wonderful adventures. Pick up Toys Go Out: being the adventures of knowledgeable Stingray, a toughy little buffalo, and someone called Plastic and join their adventures.

Edwina : the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems

Mo Willems (author of the Pigeon books) is back with a new book. What would happen if there were a dinosaur living today even though she was suppose to be extinct? Edwina lives happily in a town where everyone knows and likes her ... everyone except Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. Edwina does favors for the people; like changing street light bulbs, helping little old ladies cross the street (she picks them up and carries them across the street) AND she bakes chocolate chip cookies for everyone! But what happens when Reginald tries to convince Edwina that she is extinct? What will become of Edwina?

Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland

Did you ever start reading a story and the characters seem to jump off the page? Well, in Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook that is exactly what happens everytime Miss Smith starts to read a story to her class. The characters all come to life during the story and then return to the storybook when the story is finished. But what happens when Miss Smith is "stuck in traffic" and Principal Rittenrotten opens the storybook to read to the class? Check out Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook and find out. What a great adventure!

Max's Words by Kate Banks

Max has two brothers. One collects stamps and one collects coins. Max really wants to collect something too! So he decides to collect words. He begins with small, familiar words, and then starts to find bigger, unfamiliar words. Before you know he has enough words to make some very creative stories. His brothers can't help but get involved too! This story in one word: captivating! Do you think you collect enough words to make a story?

Spy X : Hide and Seek by Peter Lerangis

Their mom disappeared a year ago – on their birthday. They wonder if she might be a spy. Their father also has to move often for his secretive work. Twins Andrew and Evie worry about their mom often as they struggle to unlock the coded packages she sends to them. Now father is moving them to San Francisco and they fear their mother will never find them again. The Spy X series of mystery adventure books will leave you on the edge of your seat as you are moved along from one cryptic message to another. You can trust no one in this exciting story!

Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss and Mrs. Claus Takes a Vacation by Linas Alsenas

Looking for unique holiday stories? Look no further than these two quirky Christmas stories.

In Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss the main character Noelle lives in a city where it is Christmas everyday. She gets bored with opening gifts and posing for pictures each day. Could you imagine if it was Christmas everyday? The one day she looks forward to most is "Un-Christmas Day." On this day her family undecorates the tree, she gets to go to school, and the mail is delivered. The colorful illustrations add character to this already charming story.

Mrs. Claus is tired of Santa always being the only one who gets to see the world in Mrs. Claus Takes a Vacation by Linas Alsenas. She decides that she needs a vacation too. She takes the reindeer and sleigh off on her own world tour promising to be back before Christmas Eve. Santa worries about Mrs. Claus the entire time she is gone and as time passes he wonders if she will make it back. You'll have to read the story to see if she does...

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Yes! It did win! Flotsam is the 2007 Caldecott Medal winner! (January 22, 2007)
I can't recommend that you read this book, there are no words! For sure go to your library and LOOK through this book just as quick as you can. Inside you will find the magic of a wordless picture book as you create your own story when you 'dive' right into David Wiesner's Flotsam. The pictures are awesome and could most likely win David another Caldecott medal. Those will be announced Monday, January 22, 2007 beginning at 8:00 a.m. For me, the excitement is building - this could be the winner! Share Flotsam with a friend, a grandparent, a brother or sister. Create a story together then 'read' it again to create a new story. The possibilities are endless!

Gifts From the Sea by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

Aquila Jane MacKinnon is like any other 12 year old in 1850, where she lives is not so common. She lives on an island, in a lighthouse! Quila, which is what her parents call her, enjoyed helping her Mama around the lighthouse and helping Papa tend to the light. Mama actually dies before this story takes place, but there are many references to their life together. Papa and Quila are saddened by Mama's death and are learning to live their lives without her. One day Quila finds something washed up on shore, it is two mattresses tied together with something sandwiched in the middle! Read Gifts From the Sea to find out what Quila found, and how she and Papa adjust to their new life without Mama.

Mercy Watson Fights Crime by Kate DiCamillo

The pig is back! Mercy and the Watsons are back in their third adventure. Mercy wakes up when she hears a SCREEEEECHH!! coming from the kitchen. Mercy knows that sound, it is the sound of her beloved toaster being dragged across the counter, someone is making toast! Mercy loves toast with butter! When Mercy gets out of bed she hears the Watsons snoring, so who is downstairs making toast? Mercy heads down the steps only to find the toaster missing and a strange little man standing in her kitchen. Who is this man and what happened to the toaster? Read Mercy Watson Fights Crime and find out. Also check out the first two books - Mercy Watson to the Rescue & Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride. Kate DiCamillo is an award winning author - check out her web site.

Horns and Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson

Do you love fantasy and adventure? Then this is the perfect story for you. Join Clare and her cousin Duke as they venture into the world of river trolls, rock trolls, and blue-wing fairies along the stretch of the Mississippi where Clare lives. They get sucked into the adventure when Duke falls in the river and comes out with a horn instead of a nose! This story is the right parts fantasy, adventure, and humor. Check it out!

The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli

Four characters, four lives, four library cards. Read how they are changed by having a library card. Mongoose. Brenda. Sonseray. April Mendez. One homeless and always causing trouble. One new to a rural town and missing walking to the neighborhood library. Another hanging with the wrong crowd doing petty crime. One a TV fanatic struggling through Great TV Turn-Off week. Four short stories. Four intriguing outcomes. Waiting for you to read. Use your library card today and discover what awaits you like these characters in Spinelli's The Library Card.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

This is a summertime story of four sisters. I don't know if you'll like to read it in the summer as I did or if it's better to read it now just as snow flurries are beginning to fly. Either way, you'll be taken on all the sisters' adventures when you read The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. The girls are with their widowed father on summer vacation at an elaborate estate. Of course the estate has a mansion and huge, award-winning gardens and an owner who is not very pleasant and is most annoyed by the girls. Her son, Jeffery, is enjoying every minute of time because he's usually not allowed to do many things. Join the Penderwick sisters and Jeffery while they have a wild summer vacation! Although this book did not win a Newbery Medal or Honor, it has been included on several best and notable book lists.

Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven

As we watch our Detroit Tigers play in the World Series, boys and girls are imagining themselves as great baseball players - some in T-ball, others in Little League. Read Let Them Play and learn about a time in our history when all people could not play. In 1955, an all-black Little League team in Charleston, South Carolina had no teams to play against because the white teams would not play them. The white teams left the Little League in protest. Sad isn't it? Hard to believe that could ever happen, yet it did. The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars, as the black team was called, were invited to the Little League Baseball World Series but only to watch! They hadn't officially earned the right to play because they had never played against other Little League teams. Check this book out at your library and find out how the crowd reacted during the 1955 Little League World Series and what happened when the boys returned home to Charleston. This story of hope, sadness, and happiness is rich with beautiful illustrations by Chris Ellison.

I'm Dirty by Kate and Jim McMullan

Clank! Rattle! Bang! Who's making all that noise? Backhoe Loader, reporting for duty. Cleaning up a mess? Easy as pie. Make that MUD pie. RRRRRRRM! RRRRRRRM! Who wants to be clean when it is so much fun to be dirty? Clunk! I love my job!
The words on the inside cover of I'm Dirty are enough to make you want to dive right into this messy book and follow the Backhoe Loader on a fun, muddy adventure. Be sure to check out the other books by these authors - I Stink! and I'm Mighty! Kate McMullan also writes the wildy popular Dragon Slayer's Academy. Visit Kate and Jim online. Well, as the Backhoe Loader says, "Have a dirty day!"

Oh No, Not Ghosts! by Richard Michelson

What scares you? With Halloween around the corner, this picture book brings all the scary characters of Halloween to life. The older brother in the story tries to convince his little sister to stay quiet and go to sleep...they promised their dad that they would not wake him up. They hear a noise! The brother tries to comfort his sister by telling her, "It's only the wind. Ignore that sound. You're safe. There are no ghosts around". His little sister screams "Ghosts? Oh no, not ghosts!" and on it goes. Everytime the big brother tries to calm his little sister by telling her how he will protect her, she screams even louder. Check it out and see what scary creature appears at the end of the book!

The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter

Our Detroit Tigers just won the AL Division in the fourth game against the New York Yankees. They are on their way to the AL Championship series! If you're not already a baseball fan, you will be after watching the Tigers or reading The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter.

A small rural town in California may lose its historic baseball field to big developers unless the local team can beat their rival in one all important game. This page turner is full of colorful characters, baseball heroes, local superstitions and folklore. The play-by-play baseball action will make you a fan if you aren't already.

Be sure to check out the John H. Ritter website to discover other baseball books he's written just for you! Oh, and don't forget to keep cheering on our Detroit Tigers. Go Tigers!

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems

He's back! Mo Willems' lovable Pigeon is back for his third adventure. This time the reader is asked to keep an eye on Pigeon while the bus driver from Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! brushes his teeth. Pigeon gives every excuse NOT to go to bed, including "First of all, I'm not even tired!" and "It's the middle of the day - in China!". The reader soon sees pigeon yawning and fighting to stay awake. This is a wonderful addition to the Pigeon books. Enjoy all three, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!; Pigeon Finds a Hotdog; and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! Willems' Knuffle Bunny also makes its way into the story as the Pigeon's stuffed animal!

Duck and Goose by Tad Hills

In this colorful story Duck and Goose both think that a polka-dot ball is an egg. First, they fight over who it belongs to and then finally decide that maybe they can care for it together. Then a little bird flies along to inform them that the "egg" is not really an "egg," it is a ball. Even though it is just a ball, Duck and Goose decide that they will play with it together. This delightful tale is bound to become a classic and is perfect for conflict resolution.

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Wow! If you're looking for an adventure story that is extremely suspenseful, you need to read this! Alex Rider is just fourteen years old when he's asked to continue the spy work that his uncle was doing when he mysteriously died in a car accident. Alex finds out that his uncle Ian Ryder, who he thought was working as a banker, was really a British intelligence spy for MI6. Just like the James Bond stories and movies, Alex is equipped with several spy gadgets that will help him escape from many tight situations. This book is a thriller to the very end. You'd better get reading it fast, this one will soon be released as a movie October 6th! You can keep reading more of Alex Rider's spy adventures because Stormbreaker is just the first in the series of six titles.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Have you ever loved a toy, doll or stuffed animal very much? Did you ever wonder what you would do if you lost that special toy? Or what your special toy would do without you? Then you'll want to read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit loved by ten year old Abilene. Edward has the most elegant of clothes and lives a fanciful life with Abilene. His life changes when he falls overboard into the ocean after two boys grab and toss him around while the family is traveling on a ship. His miraculous journey begins from the bottom of the sea and ends with a change from the bottom of his heart.

If you're a fan of author Kate DiCamillo, you will not be disappointed reading about Edward. It could easily earn her a third Newbery Medal or Honor. She has won the Newbery Honor for her first book, Because of Winn-Dixie and the Newbery Medal for her third book, The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Be sure to check out the video of Kate DiCamillo and illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline discussing The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at the Edward Tulane website.

Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty Birney

After learning about the Seven Wonders of the World, Eben McAllister wanted to leave his small town, Sassafras Springs, MO, to see the World. When he informs his Pa of his plan, Eben’s Pa challenges him to find Seven Wonders right in his own small town. If Eben can find seven wonders in seven days in Sassafras Springs, his Pa will buy him a train ticket out West to visit his cousins and see mountains. This story takes place in small town Missouri in 1923. This is a wonderful, wholesome story about the wonders that surround us in our own town. Join Eben on his journey around Sassafras Springs and see what he discovers.