The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden

I rarely devour sequels as I did the original.  This was an exception.  Karina Yan Glaser's Great Stone Face nominee, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street was one of my favorite reads this year.  This one picks up shortly after that ended.  You do not have to read the first, however, to understand this one.  (But please do!  You can thank me later.)  The Vanderbeeker children try secretly to build a community garden on their block.  When a neighbor gets sick, and a greedy land developer descends on the land, the children need to find a way to save it.  These stories make me an occupant of that brownstone in Harlem...part of their extended family... and I am so very grateful for it.  (FIC GLA)

Louisiana's Way Home

In this latest story from Kate DiCamillo, we revisit the character of Louisiana, whom we met in DiCamillo's Raymie Nightingale.  (You do not have to read that one, though, to follow this story.) Louisiana and her Grammie leave Florida to end a curse put on their family by her Grannie's father, a magician who left his partner and wife in two pieces on stage - "sundered" in 2.  I liked the story very much and I loved the character of Louisiana, with her manner of speaking like a grandmother.  Since an older woman raised her, it made sense to me that she would talk like that.  I was sucked in by the climax and enjoyed the resolution of the story, but I found it hard to believe.  (FIC DIC)

Ghost Boys

Holy cow. What a powerful book.  It is unsettling and uncomfortable, but important.  Jerome is a young black boy killed by a white policeman while running away with a toy gun.  As a ghost, he sees how his family struggles, but he also sees the hundreds of other boys, from his era and before, who have suffered the same fate.  He learns why he has still not "crossed over" from Emmitt Till, the ghost of the boy whose death helped start the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.  This is timely and tragic and, unfortunately, true-to-life.  There is hope for change.  We can all be a part of it if we change our thinking and our prejudices.  (FIC RHO)

The Incorrigible Children Of Ashton Place: The Hidden Gallery

I liked the first one in this series well enough to read this sequel, despite the fact that the first had more questions than answers.  I had assumed this second installment would answer some of them.  It did not.  It only left me with more.  I found that it did not really develop the mystery enough in this story.  They went to London from the countryside and met some interesting people - one gypsy woman who scared them with something she said.  The guide book that was given to Miss Lumley which was the core of this installment was not well-explained.  I found it disappointing.  I will not read  more.  (FIC WOO)

The Night Diary

This is a historical fiction story set just after WWII, after the nation of India received its independence from England but was divided into India and Pakistan.  Muslims were to have Pakistan.  Hindus were to live in India.  But in a country where all religions basically got along before the line was drawn, this was confusing to the main character, Nisha.  She did not understand why they had to move and why people all of a sudden hated each other.  The story of her dangerous journey, loosely based on the author's father's experience, is told in a diary format in a letter to her deceased mother.  (FIC HIR)

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

I enjoyed this story very much.  The main character is a 15-yr-old young lady, raised in a boarding school for girls.  She applies for a job a a nanny.  The Ashtons are all too eager to hire her, for the children are like nothing they have seen...found in the woods and apparently raised by wolves.  Penelope has the perfect demeanor to help these poor children.  But do the Ashtons really want her to?  Strange things are going on in that house, and it feels as if Lord Ashton hopes she fails.  The book is set a long time ago, and is the first in a series.  The last chapter leaves the reader wanting more questions answered.  I wish there was a bit more of a resolution in this one, but will read the next to see what happens.  (FIC WOO) 

Red Kayak

This book was so good.  But I hesitate to post it here because it was very mature in its content.  I would not carry it in my elementary libraries but it would be a perfect addition to a middle-school or high-school library.  Brady is pulled out of school one day to help his father patrol the waters when a mom and her young son tip their kayak in the waters off Maryland.  Brady saw the kayak go out that morning and worried that whoever was in it would have a tough go of it with a storm moving in.  When Brady finds the young boy and works to save his life, he is touted as a hero.  But a tragedy happens and Brady is rocked by it.  In addition, he discovers information that tests his courage and his conscience.  (FIC CUM)

George

In this story, George is a boy on the outside.  However, she knows that is not what she really is.  Her desire to be Charlotte in her school's adaptation of Charlotte's web could be her way to let everyone know who she really is.  Is she ready?  Are they ready?  I enjoyed this story and I especially loved her best friend Kelly and her willingness to accept George for who she is, no matter what.  Gay and transgender students need to see themselves in literature.  Due to its mature content, I think its best home would be a middle-school library.  (FIC GIN) 

Molly Mac Tooth Fairy Trouble

This is the first in a beginning-chapter book series by Marty Kelley.  Molly is a curious little girl who tends to get herself into trouble.  "Don't ask." she often tells her parents and teacher.  When her first tooth is about to come out, Molly's imagination runs away with her.  She tries to prevent it from happening because she is nervous of the tooth fairy.  Once it does fall out, she asks her best friend to sleep over so they can catch the tooth fairy and ask her questions.  I loved the ending with the little brother.   (E KEL)

The Secret Keepers

From the author of The Mysterious Benedict Society comes this fantasy story about a boy who finds a pocket watch.  He soon discovers it has a certain power and that a family has been tasked with protecting its secret for generations.  The evil ruler of his town has been looking for it his whole life and will stop at nothing to get it.  Reuben needs to use the watch's power to defeat the Smoke and will need his new friends to do it.  This was a long, but exciting and wonderfully original story.  (FIC STE)

Restart

I loved this story so much!  Students should really read this story about getting a fresh start on your life.  The book opens with Chase, the main character, recovering from a fall and being told he has amnesia.  He remembers nothing before the fall.  The chapters are told from various characters' viewpoints, and the reader learns that Chase was the biggest bully in the school.  But that was the old Chase.  Can the others trust that he is different?  Can they forget all he has done?  Woven in is a bit of a mystery that keeps you hooked and resolves itself beautifully in his redefining who he is.  A must-read!  (FIC KOR)

What If...?

I adored this beautiful picture book by Samantha Berger.  The illustrations are gorgeous and its message is powerful.  A creative girl imagines what she would do if her creative tools were taken away from her.  What would she do?  She would find something else to accomplish it, because, "As long as I live, I will always create."  (PIC BER)

The Explorer

In this survival fiction story on the Great Stone Face list this year, we meet four children who are in a plane crash in the Amazon rainforest.  The find clues that they are not the first to live there.  They follow a map to what they hope will be the way home and find the owner of the things they found - The Explorer.  I enjoyed the story, although I found it took a bit too long to get to the meat of it.  I also would have very much liked much more backstory on the children.  I found the lack of it kept me from connecting and really liking any of them.  If you like adventure survival stories, you will like this.  It started out very much like Hatchet, which I was unhappy about, but it blazed its own trail (pun intended) in the genre.  (FIC RUN)

A Boy Called Bat

Bixby Alexander Tam prefers to be called Bat.  He loves animals and he will be a veterinarian one day.  When his mother, also a veterinarian, brings home a baby skunk one day because its mother was killed, Bat falls in love with it, despite the fact that his mother warns him not to get attached because they will only be keeping it for a month.  It is a quick, sweet story about a boy on the autism spectrum, and how he sees the world.  I adored his teacher, Mr. Grayson, who understands Bat and helps him navigate school in small but important ways.  (FIC ARN)

Front Desk

I loved this realistic fiction story about an immigrant family and their struggles in America.  Based on the author's real-life experiences, it chronicles Mia and her family's new job at a hotel, running it for a very mean and prejudiced man.  Through their experience, they see how America can be for people who struggle - especially people of color.  Mia wants her family to get off the wrong roller coaster - the one that only takes them on a ride of struggle their whole lives.  Through her kind heart, and her improving writing skills, she is able to help them (and others) get out of the poverty cycle and make it in America.  I loved the message of standing up in the face of intolerance and speaking your voice.  The content in areas was a bit mature, but an important book for kids to read.  (FIC YAN)

Brands We Know: Lego

I became familiar with this nonfiction series from other librarians who said this series FLIES off the shelves.  I am hoping they do.  From this one I can see that they would.  The series focuses on one wildly popular brand, or company, and tells of its history and major products.  In this one, you learn who created LEGOs and why.  The reader also sees a timeline of how the company progressed.  Bold-faced words are defined in a glossary, and there is an index as well.  I think this would be readable for a student in third grade or higher.  (338.7 GRE)

Dragon Masters: rise of the Earth Dragon

A student suggested this series to me and I am glad he did!  I enjoyed this first installment very much.  In it, we meet our main character, Drake.  He is taken from his home by the King's soldier and brought to the castle where he discovers that he has been chosen by the Dragon Stone to become a Dragon Master.  He learns that three other children are also dragon masters, ordered by the king to keep their job secret.  Drake must figure out what power his dragon has before an evil force threatens the kingdom.  You will love this!  It is from the branches series of beginning chapter books, perfect for 2nd and 3rd grade.(E WES)

If You Were A Kid In A Medieval Castle

This is a terrific nonfiction series to get children started in learning about significant time periods in history.  Through a story of fictional people living then, real life experiences and facts are presented using text boxes on the side for support.  For younger students, it is a great series to start their research.  Important words are bold and the book contains both a glossary of terms as well as an index.  (940.1 GRE)

Eerie Elementary - The Locker Ate Lucy

This is the second in a terrific Scholastic series written for early readers.  It is a short chapter book with many images to facilitate reading.  In the series, the main character, Sam, becomes a hall monitor in the school.  Because of this, he is entrusted with a secret: the school is alive!  His two friends, Lucy and Antonio, are the only ones (other than the janitor) who know this secret and they must keep the students safe.  In this 2nd book, a locker swallows Lucy up and Sam and Antonio have to save her.  While doing so, they discover HOW the school became possessed and who is behind it.  I think students will LOVE these spooky stories!  (E CHA)

You Go First

This book appealed to me with its theme of friendship and being true to yourself.  However, I felt it fell flat and was not very eventful.  It centers around 2 middle-school children, living in two different states.  They know each other because they play an online game of Scrabble together.  Each battling his/her own problem, they reach out to each other and yet do not share their problems.  Charlotte's Dad has had a heart attack.  Ben's parents are getting a divorce.  I never felt like the stories connected in a real way.  I was happy with their choices at the end, but I was not invested emotionally in either character.  (FIC KEL)

Amal Unbound

This was a fresh, unique story written by Aisha Saeed set in present day Pakistan.  There, education is not a given, especially for girls.  There, greedy landlords can turn your life around in a minute with their power.  Twelve-year-old Amal loves school and her family.  However, Amal made a mistake one day and was taken away from her family to work off her father's death in the corrupt landlord's house.  Her strength and courage in this fictitious story mirror that of real-life education advocate Malala Yousafzai.  (FIC SAE)

Wish

This was a sweet book about a young girl who, because of sad circumstances in her family, has to move to a different town to live with an aunt and uncle she doesn't know.  She meets a boy next door who is kind and confident and a great friend.  She gets a dog as a pet who she loves immensely.  Her aunt and uncle are quirky and wonderful and love her dearly.  But she keeps wishing her same wish.  Maybe she already has what she is wishing for. 
I found this book to be a bit unoriginal.  I felt like I had read this same story before:  misfits finding each other and growing confident in that new friendship.  I did not think the author brought anything new to the table with this.  (FIC OCO)

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

This was a very entertaining read, full of heart and NUMBERS!  Lucy was struck by lightning when she was 8 and ever since, she has been gifted with incredible number sense!  She can do math faster than a calculator!  Her Nana has home-schooled her and Lucy was fine with that.  But Nana is making her go to middle school for one year, to be a normal kid for a while.  But how can a genius be a normal kid?  (FIC MCA)

The Trail

I adored this Great Stone Face 2018-19 nominee.  It was a beautifully touching story about a young boy who sets out alone to hike the Appalachian trail from Vermont to Maine.  He is doing it as a promise to his best friend, who was supposed to hike with him but can not. Toby's journey of self-discovery on the trail is mixed with flashbacks of the tragic story of what happened to Lucas. Can he do this without Lucas?  Along the difficult journey, he meets people who show him that others are broken in their own ways, like him.  He grows on the trail and learns to be confident and brave, to be a good friend, and to be responsible.   (FIC HAS)

Jake the Fake: Keeps It Real

This book did not appeal to me until its conclusion.  A Great Stone Face nominee this year, its main character is a 6th-grader who cheated and faked his way into an Arts School as a piano player.  The entire book, he is nervous about fitting in.  He decides to call himself The Dentist and has everyone else do it, just so he fits in, because in this school, "Let your freak flag fly."  In other words, be yourself.  By the end, he realizes he is not a piano player and he does find his true talent.  It is silly and many students will like its humor.  I was not a fan.  (FIC ROB)

Wedgie and Gizmo

This funny story about a guinea pig and a dog is on the Great Stone Face list this year - 2018-19.  Kids are going to love it.  Told from each of the animals' perspective, it chronicles the first few days of a new blended families' situation.  Gizmo the guinea pig, owned by Elliot, has an evil plan to take over the world.  Wedgie, the Welsh Corgie owned by Jasmine, is all energy and it quite dim but lovable and keeps thwarting Gizmo's plan. This is the first in a series that I will be putting on my shelves.  It is sure to be a hit with its humor and silly pets.  (FIC SEL)

Marty Pants

This series by Mark Parisi is sure to be a hit with my upper grade students.  Like Wimpy Kid and Big Nate, it is an illustrated novel with a lot of humor.  The main character, Marty, has a VERY active imagination, and it leads him to jump to conclusions that get him in quite a bit or trouble.  The conclusions he makes are hilarious, and I enjoyed the humor very much.  He believes his teacher is an alien and he must save the world from his destructive plan.  Meanwhile he is being followed around by a girl, Analie N., who he kind of likes.  (Look at her name again. What does it spell?)  I will be adding this series to my libraries.  (FIC PAR)

The Summer of Broken Things

I was intrigued when I saw this novel, written by children's author, Margaret Peterson Haddix.  She writes a lot of fantasy, science-fictiony (is that a word?) books.  This was a realistic fiction one about two young girls and their summer trip to Spain.  Both discover a secret there that connects them and they spend the summer growing and learning how to handle the news.  The book goes back and forth between chapters told from both Avery and Kayla's perspectives.  I was not a fan of Avery - a spoiled brat who judges others and thinks she is better than everyone else.  Although, as a 14-yr-old rich girl, it was probably a realistic portrayal.  Several things in the story make it too mature to put on my shelves, but it would be a great addition to a middle school library. (FIC HAD)

La Princesa and the Pea

In this version of the classic fairy tale in which a girl must prove herself worthy of a prince by feeling a pea in a bed with 20 mattresses, the author has added some South American flavor with some Spanish vocabulary and illustrations inspired by textiles found in Peru.  I enjoyed the fact that it was a rhyming story, even with its Spanish words.  This is a 2018-19 NH Ladybug Contest nominee.  (PIC ELY)

A Small Thing...But Big

The sweet and simple illustrations in this 2018-19 NH Ladybug nominee help tell the tale of a girl who is somewhat afraid of dogs.  An old man in the park helps her get over the fear bit by bit.  Each victory for the girl is a small thing, but big to her - petting, walking beside, holding the leash.  Young students will identify with her successes and I look forward to discussions about small things that might have seemed big a the time.  (I loved the twist ending!!!!)  (PIC JOH)

Bunny's Book Club

On the NH Ladybug Contest list for 2018-19, this sweet story about a bunny who can not get enough books will be a hit with the kiddos.  Bunny loves eavesdropping on storytime outside with the librarian.  But when the weather changes and they have to move indoors, Bunny finds a way to get inside the library and get her own books.  Soon her friends get jealous and all want to do it.  But the librarian catches them.  Her solution for them is surprising and encouraging.  Gotta love a book about the love of books!  (PIC SIL)

Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Gorilla

This is a great new nonfiction series from a contributor to Ranger Rick, Jr magazine and the National Wildlife Federation.  It is an early reader for students who can read simple sentences.  Kids love reading about animals and these engaging nonfiction books let them imagine themselves being an animal.  What would I eat?  Where would I sleep?  These will be very popular for both students for sure, and teachers will also love them for research purposes.

A Long Walk to Water

One of the  many things I like about children's literature is that sometimes, an author uses his/her book to highlight other great books.  This summer, I read Andrew Clements' Losers Club and it did just that.  In it, I came across a title that I had heard before, but Clement mentioning it again made me go read it.  Am I glad I did!  It was a quick read, but powerful.  It is a novel based on the true story of a young boy in Sudan, an African country torn apart by war and poverty.    He escapes and loses his family, as many of these "lost boys" did.  His story is one of tragedy, but also of hope and promise.  It is important for our students to see a global picture when they read.  It also made me think of one of this year's Ladybug nominees, The Water Princess.  In both stories, the tragic situation of Africa's lack of fresh water and how that impacts education and growth there are highlighted.  (FIC PAR)

The Science of Breakable Things

This book was a bit heavy in its content, but refreshing in its willingness to tackle the topic of depression.  Natalie's mother is battling depression.  At the same time, Natalie has a science experiment she needs to complete.  An egg drop contest becomes a way by which Natalie can earn money to get her mom to a place that will fix her.  But "you can't always protect breakable things...but you keep going anyway.  Because science is about asking questions.  And living is not being afraid of the answer."  I loved Natalie's teacher in this story as well as  the author's infusion of the scientific method into its chapter format.  (FIC KEL)

Jabari Jumps

I loved this sweet picture-book story about courage.  Jabari has never jumped off the high board before.  He thinks it will be easy.  But then he finds all sorts of funny excuses to not go up.  His patient, understanding Dad waits below.  Many students will identify with Jabari and his willingness to overcome his fears, and discover "the surprise" that awaits him,  This is a 2018-19 NH Ladybug nominee.  (PIC COR)

Pocketful of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire

This biography is on the 2018-19 Ladybug nominee this year.  Mary Blair was an artist fascinated with color.  She was one of the first women to be hired at Walt Disney Animation Studios.  In the 1940s, most of her male coworkers thought her colors were too vibrant, abstract, and bold.  She stayed true to her passion and Walt Disney himself saw her genius.  She is the artist behind the It's A Small World ride in Disney World and many Disney films.  (BIO BLA)

Girls Who Code - The Friendship Code

In this first installment of a new series, the reader is introduced to a group of middle school friends who are all interested in coding.  They join an after school club, and soon they are involved in a bit of a mystery.  Someone is leaving them notes using strange language and symbols.  They realize it is language that computers speak, and using some new coding skills, together they figure it out.  This series will be popular with fans of realistic fiction friendship stories as well as anyone who is interested in computer science and coding.  (FIC DEU)

Ghosts

This was the NH 2018 Great Stone Face winner.  It is a graphic novel.  The author, Rena Telgemeier, is very popular with young students.  I generally find her books a bit too mature for a K-5 library.  This was perfect.  It is a touching story in which a family needs to move in order to improve the health of the main character's sister.  They move to a town which has ghosts, and on The Day of the Dead, ghosts are all supposed to come back and visit their families!  Cat is petrified while her sister is excited.  Getting excited is not good for her health, though, so Cat tries to keep them away.   (GN TEL)

Calvin Coconut: Hero of Hawaii

This is a beginning chapter book by Graham Salisbury.  It is a realistic fiction adventure story.  Calvin and his family live in Hawaii.  A hurricane occurs and Calvin is enjoying every second of the exciting storm.  But the next day, he and his friend head out to see the damage the storm caused and his friend gets in a very dangerous situation.  Calvin's bravery is put to the test.  Students will love this exciting story.  (E SAL) 

Malala's Magic Pencil

I do not think a library can have enough books about this young woman.  This is her autobiography, written in picture book format.  She starts the story reflecting on a television show she watched as a child in which a young boy had a magic pencil to change things that went wrong.  Malala always wished she could have that pencil to help make the world a better place.  In her world, girls do not have the same rights and freedoms as boys.  She decided to use her voice and make things better.  She suffered a terrible price for doing that, but it only made her stronger.  (BIO YOU)

After the Fall

What happened after Humpty Dumpty fell?  This beautiful book takes us there.  He is scared and nervous, and "There were some parts that could not be healed with bandages and glue."  Students will relate to his anxiety after a trauma, and hopefully gain courage like he did to get back up, try again and face your fears.  I loved the twist ending.  This is on the 2018-19 NH ladybug Award nominee list this year.  (PIC SHA)

Hello Goodbye Dog

Poor Moose does not like it when Zara goes to school.  He LOVES "hellos" but does not like "Goodbyes".  He sneaks away and finds her at all times of her school day and grownups make him say goodbye every time.   Until Zara comes up with a solution.  Now he never has to say goodbye!  This is on the NH Ladybug Award Nominee list for the 18-19 school year.  (PIC GIA)

I am Albert Einstein

I LOVE THIS SERIES by Brad Meltzer!  What a terrific way to engage students in learning about how "Ordinary People Change the World" - the name of the series.  The illustrations by Christopher Eliopoulos are wonderful and whimsical.  The stories are told from the famous person's viewpoint.  I thought this one was perfect in boiling down Einstein's potentially complicated science contributions to something a child could understand.  I can't wait to read the others and for my students to get their hands on them.  (BIO EIN)

When Andy Met Sandy

I adore anything by Tomie DePaola.  Here he has ventured into very early readers, much like Biscuit or Dick and Jane.  Students will enjoy his wonderful illustrations and simple words as they make their way through the book on their own.  In this one, two children alone on a playground become friends by reaching out to each other.  This has other books in the series as well.  (E DEP)

I Walk With Vanessa

In this wordless picture book by husband and wife illustrator team, Kerascoet, a simple act of kindness can change one person's world.  A new girl is being bullied.  A witness to this is troubled by it and thinks of a way to help her.  It has a wonderful message for young people that one little thing can have terrific consequences.  (PIC KER)

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

I can not say enough about this book.  It was THAT GOOD.  It reminded me of Little Women... a beautiful family who welcomes you in and does not let you go...each character bringing something different to the story.  It wrapped me up and held me tight.  It was so beautiful and touching in its story about a family trying to save their home.  Their landlord is kicking them out, so they try to convince him they should stay.  They learn why he is such a grump.  Their kindness and the touching story hit me hard.  I cried.  Please read it.  You will not be sorry.  (FIC GLA)

The Losers Club

In this realistic fiction story by Andrew Clements, Alec just wants to read.  He loses himself in stories.  He prefers them to his real life.  But in the after-school program he is not allowed.  He is forced to participate in the Activities or one of the Clubs.  He decides to make his own club - a reading club.  But he doesn't want to be disturbed and have a ton of kids in it, so he calls it the Losers Club.  He soon realizes that there are kids just like him - bookworms - and his club becomes more popular than he ever imagined.  And he also realizes, that books can not be a substitute for really living.  There was a bit of middle-school crushing happening in this book, but other that that, it was perfectly suitable for 4th and 5th graders.  It is on the Great Stone Face list this year.  (FIC CLE)

The Real McCoys

This is a cute, easy mystery story written in a popular new format - illustrated novel.  It is not a graphic novel, but the pages are heavily and whimsically illustrated to keep students' interest.  Moxie is a kid detective whose case is to find her school's missing owl mascot.  Her best friend and partner has moved away.  She finds help in her little brother.  It is a Great Stone Face contender for this year.  (FIC SWA)

Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Big Screen

This is a fictionalized version of a true story.  It is on the 2018-19 Great Stoneface nominee list.  Back in the 1920's, when movies did not have sound, animals were sometimes the main characters.  Strongheart was such a dog.  He starred in six real movies that were huge hits.  He became a movie star.  This is based on many of the events of his life, with some extra things added to make it a fun and exciting read.  The illustrations by Caldecott Award medalist Eric Rohmann are beautiful.  In the final pages of the book, the reader will find the true facts of the dog's life with some photos.  (FIC FLE)

The Magic Misfits

I LOVED THIS!  Read it in one sitting.  It is written by Neil Patrick Harris, one of my favorite actors - yes, I said actors.  He also loves magic.  This is the first in a series which I will definitely continue to buy for my libraries.  It felt to me like a cross between Lemony Snickett's A Series of Unfortunate Events (at the beginning) and Mysterious Benedict Society, with its special kids.  Carter, a boy whose parents disappeared, runs away from an "uncle" who wants him to use his skills as a magician to steal from people.  He ends up in a small town where he finally makes friends and fits in, and they stop a horrible criminal!  It is full of magic tricks you can learn, codes to decipher on the pages, and a great message about what magic really is.  (FIC HAR)