Fairy Tale Detectives (Sisters Grimm #1)

 

Written by Michael Buckley, this fantasy series centers on two sisters who have moved in with their grandmother after the disappearance of their parents.  They soon discover that the town is a barrier between the fairy tale realm and the real world and that their ancestors, the Brothers Grimm (the authors of the fairy tales) were actually detectives who kept the peace betweent he two realms.  Now it's the girls' turn!  (FIC BUC)

Magyk

 

This is the first in the Septimus Heap series.  Septimus was declared dead on the day of his birth.  The seventh son of a seventh son, he was actually stolen by the midwife.  That same night, the family takes in an infant girl they name Jenna.  They finally realize Spetimus did not die and they journey to find him.  Full of spells and magic and adventure, it is a wonderful fastasy read. (FIC SAG)

Tale of Despereaux

 

I adored this Newbery Award winner book by Kate DiCamillo.  I read it as a read aloud every year I taught.  It features three stories:  a mouse in love with a princess, a mean rat plotting revenge on the princess, and a poor serving girl.  Their stories weave together brilliantly to tell a tale of betrayal and redemption.  The theme of good and evil and the struggle between light and dark is one that is familiar to students and it makes this very fun to teach, with the Harry Potter or Star Wars comparisons.

Candy Bomber

In this nonfiction book, we learn about an amazing man who dropped candy and treats from his plane to children in Berlin, Germany after WWII.  It is an amazing story of the power and contagious effect of kindness.  (Michael O. Tunnell)

I Survived: the Sinking of the Titanic (Graphic Novel)

                                              

Your wait is over!  The insanely popluar historical fiction series is now coming to the graphic novel shelf, one edition at a time.  This was the first release.  George and his siter are traveling to NYC when the unthinkable happens.  WIll the be among the few survivors?  (Lauren Tarshis and Haus Studio)

Owl's Outstanding Donuts

                                                  

This Great Stone Face nominess this year is a great mystery.  One night, Maddie is alerted by an owl that a crime is being committed.  No one believes her.  But when her aunt is charged with the crime, her and her friends (and the owl!) have to figure out who is doing it so her aunt's donut business can re-open.  (Robin Yardi)

Explorer: Mystery Boxes

                                              

  

What a fun concept!  One idea - seven different takes on where it can take you!  In this graphic novel, the editor gave a theme to 7 graphic novel illustrators.  They each have a short story depicting their take on it.  This book's them was MYSTERY BOXES and the author, Rena Tegelmeier tackles her idea, the author of Amulet (who edits the book) does another.  Each author/illustrator's take is so different from the next!  What fun!  This is the first book in a new series, each following that same model.  (editor Kazu Kibuishi)

The Rhino in Right Field

                                          

This story, set in the 1940's America, highlights a young boy named Nick.  He is the son of hard-working, Greek immigrants parents.  When the new owner of the local baseball team announces a contest to be a batboy for a day, Nick knows he can't compete.  He has to work on Saturdays with his Dad.  When he decided to forge his Dad's name on the paperwork, and then lie to his parents so he can try out, his guilt is measurable.  But when he makes it to the final round and might actually win, how can he keep the lie going?  

Richard Byrne picture books

 

These are such fun!  This Book Just Ate my Dog, This Book Just Stole my Cat, This Book is Out of Control are a few of his in this great series in which the characters know they are in a book and the book is the antagonist or problem - swallowing the dog in the spine, for example.  Kids will LOVE these silly, interactive books.

The Sweetest Sound

 

This was a sweet, realistic fiction by Sherri Winston story about a shy girl with a beautiful gift.  But she is too shy to share it with the world.  When a good friend threatens to steal the spotlight she THOUGHT she didn't want, she does the right thing and decides to own it.  I liked this story about being yourself.  I found her struggle believable and real, and I felt like I hadn't read it a million times in other stories' themes.

Time Jumpers: Stealing the Sword

 

Wendy Mass writes this new series for the Branches collection from Scholastic.  It is an early chapter book about a brother and sister who find a suitcase.  In the suitcase is a random collection of items.  When they touch one of the items, it takes them back in time.  I found this A LOT like Magic Treehouse.  Almost too much like it for me to enjoy the story.  There were a few differences... this one has a villain right off the bat, and it was quite fast-paced.  

All The Wrong Questions

 

This is a first in the prequel mystery series to A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Much like that one, this series is narrated by Lemony himself and has quirky characters, like "S", his mentor.  They are hired to find an tiem that was allegedly stolen and return it.  But in doing so, a larger scheme is developing, and a villain appears who will play a major part in the other books in the series.  

House of Robots

 

In this funny and heavily illustrated novel by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, we meet Sam.  Sam is not very populr at school so he is terrified when his computer-engineer mom makes him bring one of her robots to school with him.  Sam knows it won't go well and it will make things worse for him.  He is right.  But with a little tweaking, "E" soon steals the show.  Is that a good thing?  (FIC PAT)