Enginerds

 

Jarrett Lerner has found the key to tempting reluctant readers.  This short, fantasy novel will be devoured by my students. Ken receives a box on his doorstep.  In it, he finds some metal pieces.  He and his friend try to put it together, but give up.  When they return, it has built itself.  It's a robot... an insanely HUNGRY robot that poops out waste cubes at an alarming rate.  And it is not the only one unleashed on the town.  The boys need to put all their science skills to the test to save the town.  This is a funny and entertaining book.  (FIC LER)

Squint

 

I loved this unique story about a boy named Flint.  He has an eye disease but that doesn't stop him from pursuing his passion for creating comics.  He thinks that if he wins the comic book contest, that his life will change.  He will have friends.  He will be cool.  McKell is a cool girl who has a talent of her own, but like Flint, is afraid to show it.  Her brother has challenged her to be brave and do scary things.  Will they both listen to his message?  This is a beautiful story about being yourself and the power of a kindness.  Step back and see what is important.  I loved its message as well as its comic book subplot.  (FIC MOR)

Amy Wild, Animal Talker

 

Kids will love this early-reader series about a young girl who moves to live with an aunt.  She gives Amy a necklace that lets her talk to animals! The animals on the island have not had a Talker for years and they do not want Amy to lead the clan. In this first one, she helps rescue a baby kitten who is lost and earns her way into the Clan.  (E KIM)

The One and Only Bob

 

This is a touching sequel to Katharine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan, a Newbery Award-winning novel.  Fans of Ivan will be thrilled to hear Bob the dog's story after all the animals are transferred from the mall to a zoo.  Bob has found a home with Julia, and he is getting a bit used to a posh life.  But the scrappy dog will not admit it.  He still visits his best friend Ivan all the time and gives Julia a hard time, just for good measure.  But a storm is brewing and it threatens all his friends, and even a family member he thought was long gone.  Bob may end up being a hero with a soft side after all.  We knew it all along.   (FIC APP)

Notorious

Gordon Korman is the author of this Great Stone face nominee this year.  It is sure to be a hit with the older students.  It is a mystery set on an island on a border between Canada and the U.S.  Keenan just moved there.  ZeeBee has lived there all her life.  When ZeeBee introduces her spunky self to Keenan, she sounds a bit crazy to him.  She starts talking about her enormous, destructive dog - who she insists was murdered.   And she is obsessed with the old gangsters that used to live on the island.  When the two friends realize that the dog's death is linked to a stash of hidden gangster gold, they find themselves in danger.  (FIC KOR)

Stay

If you believe in the unbreakable bond between a dog and his owner, this is the story for you.  Piper and her family are struggling.  They relocate to a new town after they lose everything.  They are able to find a place in a homeless shelter.  While waiting in line or dinner, Piper meets an older woman with a sweet dog named Baby.  Pets are not allowed in a shelter or a soup kitchen, so Jewel and Baby have to live outside and find food by other means.  When Jewel is taken to the hospital, Baby is left alone.  Piper and her new friends put aside their own struggles and work to reunite Baby and Jewel.  This Great Stone Face nominee this year was a touching story about giving of yourself to help others, the bond between a dog and his owner, and "seeing the doughnut, not the hole".  I also think this glimpse into homelessness is important and timely.  (FIC PYR)