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