Monday, August 29, 2016

School Time!

It's that time of year again!  School is starting up.  Here are some great picture books are school . . .

Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea
Fearless Dinosaur takes on new challenges as he starts preschool, from meeting new friends to pasting glitter and googly eyes, but one task requires assistance from everyone.

You Can't Go to School Naked! by Dianne Billstrom
A little boy's parents warn him of the dangers of going to school naked, and he eventually agrees to wear clothes, but only if he can pick his outfits.

Moses Goes to School by Isaac Millman
Moses and his friends enjoy the first day of school at their special school for the deaf and hard of hearing, where they use sign language to talk to each other.

Score One for the Sloths by Helen Lester
Sparky, a new energetic student at a sloth school, saves her lazy classmates when a wild boar from a government agency tries to shut the school down.

Turtle's Penguin Day by Valeri Gorbachev
After hearing a bedtime story about penguins, Turtle dresses as a penguin for school and soon the entire class is having a penguin day.


More School Stories --
Axle Annie by Robin Pulver
Baloney (Henry P.) by Jon Scieszka
Charlie Goes to School by Ree Drummond
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale
David Goes to School by David Shannon
A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech
Flight School by Lita Judge
The Frog Principal by Stephanie Calmenson
Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray
I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child
If an Elephant Went to School by Ellen Fischer
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School? by Bill Martin Jr.
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard
Mr. George Baker by Amy Hest
Mr. Tanen's Ties by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
My Creature Teacher by Laura Leuck
The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing
Not This Bear by Alyssa Capucilli
Picture Day Perfection by Deborah Diesen
Ruth's Pink Pajamas by Julie Gassman
School's First Day of School by Adam Rex
Snow Day! by Lester Laminack
The Spelling Bee Before Recess by Deborah Lee Rose


Check out these books on display at the Arnold Branch through September 16, 2016.


Thursday, August 18, 2016

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier

Peter Nimble is an blind orphan that has been forced into a life as a thief by his guardian Mr. Seamus.  One afternoon after picking the locks on a mysterious carriage, Peter is spirited away on an adventure to save the Lost Kingdom.  It is an adventure involving talking animals, a desert full of traitors, an evil king, and a box full of magical eyes.  It is an adventure that can only be taken by the greatest thief in the world . . . Peter Nimble!

This is a fantastic book for everybody to read.  The character of Peter Nimble is the perfect hero who is unsure of himself while still wanting to save the day.  It would be a great read for those who enjoyed the Peter and the Starcatchers books.

This book is also available on audio.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Plugged In: Books About Gaming & Computers

Do you have a computer obsessed kid?  They only want to play video games?  Try one of these books about gaming or computers . . .

Game Over, Pete Watson by Joe Schreiber
When videogame obsessed Pete Watson discovers his dad is not only a super-spy but has been kidnapped and is now trapped inside a video game, he has to use his super gaming skills and enter the game to rescue him.

Secret Coders by Gene  Luan Yang
Attending an elite school where enterprising students are challenged to solve a variety of clues and puzzles using computer programming, Hopper and her friend, Eni, resolve to crack the school founder's most elusive mystery together.

Trackers by Patrick Carman
Adam, Finn, Lewis, and Emily use their computer coding skills and high-tech equipment to catch criminals, but when they begin to track Shantorian, a dangerous hacker, things do not play out as easily as the four Trackers predict. Includes passwords for Web content.

Saving Thanehaven by Catherine Jinks
Set in a computer game, a knight is swayed away from the game's rules by the promise of winning the affections of a princess and ending his life of torment.


More Books --
Brainboy and the Deathmaster by Tor Seidler
Herbert's Wormhole by Peter Nelson
Into the Labyrinth by Rod Townley
Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain by Jarrett Krosoczka
The Nerdy Dozen by Jeff Miller
Seriously, Norman! by Christopher Raschka
Slacker by Gordan Korman
The Tapper Twins Got to War (With Each Other) by Geoff Rodkey
The Time Hackers by Gary Paulsen
Virtual Fred and the Big Dip by Vincent Courtney


Check out these books on display at the Arnold Branch through September 2, 2016.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

It's been nineteen years since the Battle of Hogwarts when Lord Voldemort was defeated.  It's been nineteen years of peace for Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and their families.

But things are about to change . . .

For the first time since Lord Voldemort died, Harry's scar is causing him pain.  He's having dreams of Voldemort coming back.

Meanwhile, Harry's son Albus is starting at Hogwarts and things are not going well.  The Sorting Hat puts him into Slytherin and his magic doesn't seem to be working at all.

Now Harry and Albus must face a darkness that threatens them and their worlds.


This is the script of a theater play currently running in London.  I think that the promotions for this book did not stress that enough.  Most people I have talked to did not realize that this was a script and not an actual story book.  However, those who are true Harry Potter fans will still want to read this book to see what has become of their favorite characters.  It is a very quick book to read as it is mostly just the dialogue with a little bit of stage direction.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Reading Olympics

Looking for some good books to read to tie-in with the Olympics?  Here are some great summer sports books to check out . . . .

Olympig! by Victoria Jamieson
Pursued by Mr. Hamstring, a reporter who is sure he will fail, Boomer becomes the first pig ever to compete in the Animal Olympics and demonstrates that attitude can be more important than winning.

This is the Game by Diane Shore
Celebrates the history of baseball, from makeshift pick-up games in city alleyways to professional baseball games in stadiums, detailing the famous players, games, and teams from the sport's history.

Wonder Goal by Micheal Foreman
A boy describes what it feels like to score a goal that makes his soccer teammates stop teasing him.

Maisy's Field Day by Lucy Cousins
Maisy and her friends celebrate their first field day at school, where they participate in a ring toss, a relay race, and a hoop contest.

Dino-Swimming by Lisa Wheeler
Plant-eating dinosaurs compete against meat-eating dinosaurs at a swimming meet.


Nonfiction Sports Books --
Balls by Michael Rosen
Beginning Golf by Bruce Curtis
Competitive Skateboarding by Holly Cefrey
Fishing by Robyn Hardyman
Girls' Softball by Brian Howell
Goal! The Fire and Fury of Soccer's Greatest Moment by Mark Stewart
Gymnastics by Bobbie Kalman
A Horse Named Funny Cide by Barry Moser
Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends by David Stabler
Lacrosse by Don Wells
Odd Ball: Hilarious & Bizarre Baseball Moments by Timothy Tocher
Olympics by Chris Oxlade
Playing Pro Basketball by Marty Gitlin
Swimming by Bernie Blackall
Tennis by Bernie Blackall
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Greek Athlete! Races You'd Rather Not Run by Michael Ford


Check out these books in display at the Arnold Branch through August 31, 2016.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island by Dana Alison Levy

The Family Fletcher is back!

This time they're spending the month of August on Rock Island -- just like they do every summer.

The boys are looking forward to all of their favorite things about Rock Island -- playing soccer on the beach, going for ice cream in town, and most of all the lighthouse.

But this year, change is coming to Rock Island!

For the first time ever, there are people staying in the big house next door with children.  There is an ice cream that comes out to their house.  And worst of all, the lighthouse is closed due to safety concerns.


This is the second book about the Fletcher family.  It's a lot of fun to catch up with the four boys during the summer.  Those who read the first book -- The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher -- will definitely want to read this book.