Take a Trip Around the World

This week, I am sharing teen fiction that takes place in other parts of the world.  Travel the world by reading one of these great books. 

The Head of the Saint by Socorro Acioli
Having arrived in Candeia, Brazil, starving and footsore, after walking sixteen days to fulfill his dying mother's last wishes, young Samuel takes up residence in an enormous, broken statue of Saint Anthony and finds that he can hear the prayers of the townspeople, despite his lack of faith.

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
After eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung, a nine-tailed fox surviving in modern-day Seoul by eating the souls of evil men, kills a murderous goblin to save Jihoon, she is forced to choose between her immortal life and his.

Mother Tongue by Julie Mayhew
A story set in Russia, about the aftermath of a terrorist attack in which the 18-year-old narrator, Darya, loses her young sister Nika. Darya escapes to Moscow where she eventually realizes that running away is no cure for grief.

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
After her mother dies, Lina travels to Italy where she discovers her mother's journal and sets off on an adventure to unearth her mother's secrets.

Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier
In 1932, in Sydney's deadly Razorhurst neighborhood, where crime and razor-wielding men rule, two girls with contrasting lives who share the ability to see ghosts meet over a dead body and find themselves on the run from mob bosses.


More Books --
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
Almost Autumn by Marianne Kaurin
Asking For It by Louise O'Neill
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins
Buried Beneath the Baobob Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Die For Me by Amy Plum
Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork
Freshman by Tom Ellen
A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
Girl Mans Up by M.E. Girard
A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer
Girls on the Line by Jennie Liu
The House of One Thousand Eyes by Michelle Barker
Love A La Mode by Stephanie Strohm
On the Edge of Gone by Corinee Duyvis
Someday We Will Fly by Rachel DeWoskin
Troublemakers by Catherine Barter
White Rose by Kip Wilson
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson

Check these books out at the Arnold Branch.

Great Read Aloud Books

With the holidays approaching, it is a great time to read a story together as a family.  So this week, I'm sharing some great chapter book read alouds.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
An epic fantasy about a young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, who must unlock the powerful magic buried deep inside her.

A Long Way From Chicago: A Novel in Stories by Richard Peck
A boy recounts his annual summer trips to rural Illinois with his sister during the Great Depression to visit their larger-than-life grandmother.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
Relates the adventures of a family with two fathers, four adopted boys, and a variety of pets as they make their way through a school year and deal with a grumpy new neighbor.


More Great Read Alouds --
Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Buckle and Squash: The Perilous Princess Plot by Sarah Courtauld
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Mr. and Mrs. Bunny -- Detectives Extraordinaire by Polly Horvath
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will Mabbitt
The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through January 3, 2020.

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

Nikolas must find his father. 

His father traveled to Elfhame to find proof that elves exist.  But he's been gone too long. 

Now, Nikolas must travel to Elfhame to try to find his father.  Along the way, he'll deal with starvation, the cold, mountains.  He'll be imprisoned by elves and attacked by a troll. 

But he'll also make a lifelong friends with a flying reindeer, a pixie, and others as he journeys towards finding his father and ultimately, his purpose in life.


This is a great book for those looking to get into the holiday spirit.  It's basically the story of the events that lead up to Nikolas being Santa Claus.  I would highly recommend listening to the book on audio.  It is narrated perfectly by British actor Stephen Fry.

Bedtime Stories for Children

Just one more story?  Please? 
This is a common question at night before bedtime.  So this week, I'm sharing some great bedtime reads.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

I Dare You Not to Yawn by Helene Boudreau
A comical cautionary tale for bedtime-resistant youngsters which challenges them to avoid yawning, from a dozing dog and a cuddly blanket to endearing baby orangutans who stretch out long arms for a nighttime hug.

Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban
Frances finds it difficult to go to sleep with the strange noises and menacing shapes that seem to fill her room after dark.

Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson
After wandering out at night to watch a magical star shower, a polar bear cub returns home to snuggle with her mother in their warm den.

Thank You and Good Night by Patrick McDonnell
During a fun pajama party, three animal friends dance and play, but at last everyone is getting sleepy. Is it time for bed yet? Not before taking the time to say thank you for the day, the night, and good friends.


More Bedtime Stories --
10 Little Ninjas by Miranda Paul
All the Awake Animals Are Almost Asleep by Crescent Dragonwagon
Bears in Beds by Shirley Parenteau
Beautiful Moon: A Child's Prayer by Tonya Bolden
Bedtime for Little Bulldozer by Elise Broach
Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep by Barry Saltzberg
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed by Eileen Christelow
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed by Candace Fleming
Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton
Hello, Moon! by Francesca Simon
I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed by Lauren Child
I Just Want to Say Good Night by Rachel Isadora
In the Sky at Nighttime by Laura Deal
Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest
Let's Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas
Little Night by Yuyi Morales
Naamah and the Ark at Night: A Lullaby by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta
No Sleep! by Kate Feiffer
The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House by Eric Litwin
Peekaboo Bedtime by Rachel Isadora
Sheep 101 by Richard T. Morris
Shhhh! Everybody's Sleeping by Julie Markes
Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue
Sleep Train by Jonathan London
When Sheep Sleep by Laura Numeroff
Who Will Tuck Me in Tonight? by Carol Roth

Check these and more bedtime stories out on display at the Arnold Branch through December 27, 2019.

Frau Faust series by Kore Yamazaki

The legend of Dr. Faust who made a deal with the demon Mephistopheles is famous throughout the land.  What people don't realize is that Dr. Faust was really a woman Johanna.  Now she is searching for the pieces of Mephistopheles who has been dismembered with his various body parts hidden away by the church.


This is an excellent manga series for teens.  It shares the story though the viewpoint of teen Marion who decides to travel with Johanna after she rescues him from a life of crime.  The story moves quickly in only five volumes.  Try this series if you enjoyed Bungo Stray Dogs or The Ancient Magus' Bride.

An Now For Something Completely Different

Sometimes you're just in the mood for something new . . . something different.  So this week, I'm sharing some teen stories that are quirky and different.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

The Year of the Beasts by Cecil Castelucci
Tessa tries to be happy when her crush, Charlie, falls for her younger sister, Lulu, and it becomes easier after she begins a secret relationship with Jasper, a social outcast who lives next door to Tessa's best friend. Alternate chapters are in graphic novel form.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl .

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Seventeen-year-old Cullen's summer in Lily, Arkansas, is marked by his cousin's death by overdose, an alleged spotting of a woodpecker thought to be extinct, failed romances, and his younger brother's sudden disappearance.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
The best friend of a kid with superhuman qualities endeavors to have a life of his own that is both normal and extraordinary in the face of constant world-shaking challenges, threats against his school, and an elusive pretty girl.


More Books --
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schrieber
Away We Go by Emil Ostrovski
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky
Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Paper Towns by John Green
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Spontaneous by Aaron Starmer
Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer
There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff
Wax by Gina Damico
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doescher


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through December 20, 2019.

Robot Reads

This week, I am sharing chapter books featuring stories about robots . . . .

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Fuzzy by Tom Angleberger
When Max (Maxine Zealster) befriends her new robot classmate Fuzzy, she helps him navigate Vanguard Middle School and together they reveal the truth behind the Robot Integration Program.

Brother From a Box by Evan Kuhlman
Sixth-grader Matt Rambeau finds out what it is like to have a brother when his father, a computer genius, creates a robot kid that goes to school with Matt, shares his feelings and ideas, plays, does chores, fights for his "life" when chased by spies, and becomes a part of the family.

The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi
Living in isolation with a robot on what appears to be an alien world populated with bizarre life forms, a twelve-year-old human girl called Eva Nine sets out on a journey to find others like her. Features "augmented reality" pages, in which readers witha webcam can access additional information about Eva Nine's world.


More Robot Stories --
The Boneshaker by Kate Milford
A Boy and His Bot by Daniel Wilson
Cats vs. Robots: This is War by Margaret Stohl
Eagar by Helen Fox
The Fran with Four Brains by Jim Benton
Frank Einstein & the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka
Geeks, Girls and Secret Identities by Mike Jung
How Lunchbox Jones Saved Me from Robots, Traitors, and Missy the Cruel by Jennifer Brown
Janitors by Tyler Whitesides
Monstrous Devices by Damien Love
Tin by Padraig Kenny
Under Their Skin by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through December 5, 2019.

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Comfort Snowberger has attended more funerals that anyone else her age as her family owns the local funeral parlor.  But when Great Aunt Florentine dies it is different.  Comfort not only has to deal with her grief for Aunt Florentine but also her annoying cousin Peach and her best friend who has suddenly turned away from her.


This book is loosely connected to the Aurora County novels by Deborah Wiles.  I enjoyed this book.  It was entertaining and funny even while dealing with the various forms grief can take.  I would recommend this book to all kids.

A Long Line of Cakes: An Aurora County Novel by Deborah Wiles

Emma Lane Cake belongs to a family of traveling bakers.  They arrive in a new town every few months to set up a bakery and leave after helping the town with their problems.

Now they've arrived in Halleluia.  Emma is afraid to make another best friend that she'll have to leave again soon.  But she soon meets Ruby Lavendar and can't help becoming her friend.

Now Emma and Ruby must come up with a plan to keep the Cakes in Halleluia forever.



This is the fourth book in the Aurora County series by Deborah Wiles.  While it isn't the first book, you don't need to read the others to enjoy it.  This book is filled with family and friends with a hint of the mystical. 

Haunted Tales

As this is the week of Halloween, today I am sharing ghost stories for teens.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
When Jeremy Johnson Johnson's strange ability to speak to the ghost of Jacob Grimm draws the interest of his classmate Ginger Boltinghouse, the two find themselves at the center of a series of disappearances in their hometown

The Invisible by Mats Wahl
A Swedish teenager is assaulted and killed, but returns as a ghost to find his killer.

Jade Green: A Ghost Story by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
While living with her uncle in a house haunted by the ghost of a young woman, recently orphaned Judith Sparrow wonders if her one small transgression causes mysterious happenings.


More Ghost Stories --
The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
The Agony House by Cherie Priest
Bleeding Earth by Kaitlin Ward
The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington
Defriended by Ruth Baron
The Fade by Demetria Lunetta
The Gone Away Place by Christopher Barzak
The House of Dead Maids by Clare B. Dunkle
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
Invisible Ghosts by Robyn Schneider
The Lonely Dead by April Henry
Nightspell by Leah Cypess
Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
Paranormalcy by Kierstin White
Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin
The Poe Estate by Polly Shulman
The Rattled Bones by S.M. Parker
Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier
Ruined: A Novel by Paula Morris
Spirit and Dust by Rosemary Clement-Moore
The Suffering by Rin Chupeco
Teeth in the Mist by Dawn Kurtagich
The Things She's Seen by Ambelin Kwaymullina
Thirteen Chairs by Dave Shelton
White Moon of the Road by Rachel Neumeier

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through November 15, 2019.

Dare To Be Scared

This week, I'm sharing scary chapter books for kids in grade school.  Here are a few of my favorites . . .

The Seer of Shadows by Avi
In New York City in 1872, fourteen-year-old Horace, a photographer's apprentice, becomes entangled in a plot to create fraudulent spirit photographs, but when Horace accidentally frees the real ghost of a dead girl bent on revenge, his life takes a frightening turn.

Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan
Two boys who are best friends visit an illegal freak show, where an encounter with a vampire and a deadly spider forces them to make life-changing choices.

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
Irish orphans Molly, fourteen, and Kip, ten, travel to England to work as servants in a crumbling manor house where nothing is quite what it seems to be, and soon the siblings are confronted by a mysterious stranger and secrets of the cursed house.


More Scary Stories --
The Book of Bad Things by Dan Poblocki
The Boy Who Cried Werewolf by J.H. Reynolds
Case File 13: Zombie Kid by J. Scott Savage
Charlie and the Grandmothers by Katy Towell
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Darkness Creeping: Twenty Twisted Tales by Neal Shusterman
Doll Bones by Holly Black
The Doll Graveyard by Laura Ruby
Guys Read: Terrifying Tales by Jon Scieszka
Literally Disturbed: Tales to Keep You Up at Night by Ben H. Winters
Mothman's Curse by Christine Hayes
Nightbooks by J.A. White
Strange Star by Emma Carroll
Whisper in the Dark by Joseph Bruchac

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through November 8, 2019.

Top Ten by Katie Cortugno

Ryan and Gabby have been best friends since freshman year.  No one really gets their friendship.  They are complete opposites.  Ryan is the popular hockey player which Gabby has crippling social anxiety.  Yet somehow their friendship works. 

Now it is graduation and they are looking back at the top ten moments of their relationship -- both the good moments and the bad . . . .



This book shares the top ten moments that make up Ryan and Gabby's relationship told from both their points of view.  It jumps through time as it shares those moments.  This would be a great book for fans of Jennifer E. Smith or Morgan Matson.

Take Home a Dog (Book)

October is Adopt a Dog Month.  So today, I'm sharing picture books stories featuring dogs.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Ivan the Terrier by Peter Catalanotto
A terrier named Ivan keeps interrupting story hour.

I Got a New Friend by Karl Edwards
A little girl and her new puppy get to know one another.

Dog in Boots by Greg Gormley
After reading "Puss in Boots," an adventurous dog sets out to find the perfect pair of shoes to suit his every need.

Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton
George finds it hard to be a good dog when there are cats to chase, flowers to dig up, and a delicious cake sitting on the kitchen table.

Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh
Problems arise when Martha, the family dog, learns to speak after eating alphabet soup.


More Dog Books --
10 Little Hot Dogs by John Himmelman
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear by Matthew J. Baek
Build, Dogs, Build: A Tall Tail by James Horvath
Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond
Circle Dogs by Kevin Henkes
Dog Blue by Polly Dunbar
Dog in Charge by K.L Going
Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
Dogku by Andrew Clements
Dogs by Emily Gravett
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio
Good Dog, Fergus! by David Shannon
If Dogs Had Wings by Larry Dane Brimner
My Father, the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle
Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer
One Two That's My Shoe by Alison Murray
Pug Meets Pig by Sue Gallion
Pugs in a Bug by Carolyn Crimi
Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook by Anne Vittur Kennedy
Rrralph by Lois Ehlert
Simon's New Bed by Christian Trimmer
Some Dog by Mary Casanova
Stanley's Party by Linda Bailey
That's My Dog! by Rick Walton
Traffic Pups by Michelle Meadows
Wet Dog by Elise Broach
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby

Check these and more dog books out at the Arnold Branch on display through October 25, 2019.

Boomerang by Helene Dunbar

Michael Sterling disappeared five years ago.  Everything thought he had been kidnapped.  They've been searching for him for five years.

Now he's returned home.

They didn't know that he wasn't kidnapped . . . instead he ran away.  He changed his name to Sean Woodhouse.  He found a new family and a new best friend -- Trip.

They don't know he only returned to get the inheritance from his grandparents.  Then he plans to once again disappear -- this time with Trip.


This was a very interesting book to read.  You grow to care about Sean and his difficulties returning to his past and determining what to do in his future.  This would be a good book for those who enjoy mysteries or suspense.

Classics for Children

The Jefferson County Library is excited to be sponsoring author visits by Pulitzer Prize winning-author Caroline Fraser later this month.  She won the Pulitzer Prize for her book Prairie Fires about the life of children's author Laura Ingalls Wilder.  So this week, I am sharing some classic books for children.  Here are a few of my favorites . . .

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls
Sometimes farm life is difficult, even dangerous, but Laura and her famlily are kept busy and happy with the promise of their new life on the prairie.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson travel to the bleak wastes of Dartmoor to solve the mystery surrounding the late Sir Charles Baskerville and a ghostly hound.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Chronicles the joys and sorrows of the four March sisters as they grow into young ladies in nineteenth-century New England.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
As life on Mars becomes impossible, Martians and their terrifying machines invade the earth.


More Classics --
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
White Fang by Jack London
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through October 11, 2019.

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

Elaine is not thrilled to be starting her junior year at a new high school just because her professor parents are on a sabbatical. 

That's before she meets Will.  Will is quarterback of the football team, senior class president, and friend to nearly everybody.  When Will becomes her friend, Elaine decides this move might not be so bad.

But something strange is going on at Avalon High.  Will's best friend and girlfriend are hooking up in secret.  His brother hates him.  And the English teacher thinks Will is the reincarnation of King Arthur.

Will Elaine be able to save Will?  And what's her part in this story?



This is a retelling of the King Arthur story set in a modern-day high school.  It was a fun book to read with a little bit of everything for everyone.  There's fantasy, romance, suspense, and mystery.

Story Time Favorites

We are often asked for recommendations of books to read to classrooms and group settings.  So this wee, I am sharing some of our favorite books to use for story time.  These are great books to use in group settings for kids of all ages.

Bunnies!!! by Kevan Atteberry
A monster searches everywhere to find the things he loves: bunnies!!!

Moo by David LaRochelle
When Cow gets her hooves on the farmer's car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country.

Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas
Chicken's cow visitors try to jump, dance, and wiggle on his couch, which is much too tiny for such exuberant activities.

The Croaky Pokey by Ethan Long
Frogs sing and do their own version of the Hokey Pokey.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
The carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field are the fattest and crispiest around and Jasper Rabbit cannot resist pulling some to eat each time he passes by, until he begins hearing and seeing creepy carrots wherever he goes.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
In this book with no pictures, the reader has to say every silly word, no matter what.


More Books --
Bear on a Bike by Stella Blackstone
Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere
Birds by Kevin Henkes
A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan
Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper
Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio
Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin
The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss
Hugless Douglas by David Melling
If You're Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre
It's a Tiger! by David LaRochelle
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
Let's Count Goats by Mem Fox
Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Mosquitoes Can't Bite Ninjas by Jordan P. Novak
Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog by Jon Agee
Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman
My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck
My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee
Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton
A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis
Plankton Is Pushy by Jonathan Fenske
The Police Cloud by Christoph Niemann
Press Here by Herve Tullet
Snow by Uri Shulevitz
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Still a Gorilla by Kim Norman
There's a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins
Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Check these and more story time favorite books out on display at the Arnold Branch through October 4, 2019.

Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones

Cat has always clung to his sister Gwendolen . . . especially after their parents die and they are orphaned.  When Gwendolen gets invited to Chrestomanci Castle to further her magical training, Cat goes along.  Gwendolen is sure the Chrestomanci will be impressed with her magical abilities.  When he ignores her and refuses to teach her magic, she vows vengeance.  She casts a new spell each day, each one more terrible than the one before.  Then she decides she has had enough and casts the biggest spell of all.  She disappears to another world and pulls her "twin" to take her place.  Now Cat must help the replacement while fixing all the trouble Gwendolen has caused.

Diana Wynne Jones was an inspiration to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.  I can tell why.  Her books are wonderful.  I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a new fantasy book to read.

Would You Survive?

This week, I am sharing stories of survival for teens.  Here are a few of my favorites  . . . .

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter
Six years ago Maddie lived in Washington D.C. with her father, a Secret Service agent assigned to the President's family, and her best friend was Logan, the President's son; but after her father was wounded in an attempted kidnapping the two of them moved to a remote cabin in Alaska and Logan never replied to her letters--but now he has suddenly turned up on her doorstep.

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Plain Kate's odd appearance and expertise as a woodcarver cause some to think her a witch, but friendship with a talking cat and, later, with humans help her to survive and even thrive in a world of magic, charms, and fear.

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

Icons by Margaret Stohl

After an alien force known as the Icon colonizes Earth, decimating humanity, four surviving teenagers must piece together the mysteries of their pasts--in order to save the future.

More Survival Stories --

Damselfly by Chandra Prasad

Deadfall by Stephen Wallenfels

The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry

The Fury by Alexander Gordon Smith

I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl

Last Star Burning by Caitlin Sangster

A Map for Wrecked Girls by Jessica Taylor

Mayfly by Jeff Seat

On the Free by Coort Voorhees

Ruthless by Carolyn Lee Adams

The Special Ones by Em Bailey
Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Time Bomb by Joelle Charbonneau
The Truth Beneath the Lies by Amanda Searcy
Unnatural Disasters by Jeff Hirsch
Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
When I Am Through With You by Stephanie Kuehn
Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen
The Wild Ones by Paul Greci
The Wreckers by Iain Laawrence

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through September 27, 2019.

Reading Is (NOT) for the Birds!

This week, I'm sharing chapter books featuring stories about birds.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
The unexpected delivery of a large crate containing an Antarctic penguin changes the life and fortunes of Mr. Popper, a house painter obsessed by dreams of the Polar regions.

Thundercluck! by Paul Tillery
Thundercluck is a powerful chicken favored by the gods and, with the help of the goddess Brunhilde, undertakes a dangerous mission to defeat the evil Cook and other villains who are threatening the kingdom of Asgard.

Funny Frank by Dick King-Smith
Gertie the hen is appalled when her son Frank wants to swim with the ducks, but Jemima and her mother, the farmer's wife, make him a special outfit so that his dream can come true.

Frightful's Mountain by Jean Craighead George
As she grows through the first years of her life in the Catskill Mountains of New York, a peregrine falcon called Frightful interacts with various humans, including the boy who raised her, a falconer who rescues her, and several unscrupulous poachers.


More Books --
The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell
Benny Bensky and the Parrot Napper by Mary Borsky
Captain Tweakerbeak's Revenge by Charles Haddad
The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
Gay-Neck by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
Pablo and Birdy by Alison McGhee
Poppy by Avi
Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Scarlet Ibis by Gill Lewis
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt
The Wheel on the School by Meindert de Jong
Zack and the Turkey Attack! by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through September 13, 2019.

Half Bad by Sally Green

Nathan lives in a cage. 

Everyday he is beaten, shackled, and trained to kill. 

He is the weapon that the White Witches want to send against the Black Witch Marcus.

But Nathan doesn't want to kill Marcus.  He simply wants to meet the witch who is his father and receive his gifts from him.



This is the first book in a trilogy by fantasy author Sally Green.  The book keeps you guessing as to who the truly evil are.  It is a great book for those who enjoy stories of survival and magic.

School Time!

The school year has started (or is about to) for most kids.  So this week, I'm sharing some of my favorite picture books about school . . . .

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it.

I'm Smart by Kate McMullan
Depicts a super-smart school bus that uses its savvy to navigate the roads in super-safe ways while transporting kids to and from school.

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.

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.

Here Comes Teacher Cat by Deborah Underwood
Cat is not so keen on stepping in as substitute teacher at Kitty School, but he's surprised by how much he's able to teach the kittens--and how much he learns from them.


More School Stories --
ABC School's for Me! by Susan B. Katz
Baloney (Henry P.) by Jon Scieszka
Carmen Learns English by Judy Cox
A Day at School by Severine Cordier
A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech
Fiona's Little Accident by Rosemary Wells
Flight School by Lita Judge
Hands Off, Harry! by Rosemary Wells
I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child
If an Elephant Went to School by Ellen Fischer
If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School? by Bill Martin Jr.
The Miss Nelson Collection by Harry Allard
Mission: Back to School by Susan Hood
Not This Bear by Alyssa Capucilli
On the First Day of First Grade by Tish Rabe
One Happy Classroom by Charnan Simon
The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems
Shrinking Violet by Cari Best
The Smushy Bus by Leslie Helakoski
Teacher! Sharing, Caring, Helping by Patricia Hubbell
Too Shy for Show-and-Tell by Beth Bracken
Turtle's Penguin Day by Valeri Gorbachev
When You Go to Kindergarten by James Howe
You Can't Go to School Naked! by Dianne Billstrom

Check these and more school stories out on display at the Arnold Branch through September 6, 2019.

New Fantasy for Teens

Fantasy is one of my favorite genres to read.  This week, I'm sharing some new fantasy novels that have been published in the past year for teens . . . .

Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
When the scary, magical world in her grandmother's book of dark feminist fairy tales becomes real, seventeen-year-old Alice, partnered with Ellery, an obsessed fan of the fairy tales, must enter the world to rescue Alice's kidnapped mother.

Blood Leaf by Crystal Smith
Aurelia, the first princess born in Renalt in 200 years, is destined to marry the mysterious prince of Achelva, Valentin, but her treacherous lady-in-waiting, Lisette, plots to take her crown.

The Afterward by E.K. Johnston
In the aftermath of a successful quest, Apprentice Kalanthe and Olsa-the-thief-of-the-realm must cope with their newfound fame and find a way to overcome the forces that would drive them apart.

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria
Cassa, the orphaned daughter of rebels, and friends Alys, Evander, and Newt, fight back against the high council of Eldra, which has ruled for centuries based solely on ancient prophesies.

Mirage by Somaiya Daud
Amani is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place


More New Teen Fantasy --
Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene
The Assassination of Braingwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson
The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi
Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
The Boneless Mercies by April Geneviewve Tucholke
The Cerulean by Amy Ewing
The Crescent Stone by Matt Mikalatos
Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst
Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis
Half-Witch by John Schoffstall
Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton
Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao
Onyx & Ivory by Mindee Arnett
The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez
Tarot by Marissa Kennerson
The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 30, 2019.

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

The story goes that her father told the butcher, "This is my beloved Katarina . . . but I just call her plain Kate."  So Plain Kate she is called by the town.

Plain Kate is a woodcarver with exceptional talent.  She carves charms to protect people from evil.  But now, the people are looking for someone to blame for all that is going wrong.  Plain Kate is in danger as they have decided she must be a witch.

The only escape Plain Kate can see is to make a deal with the mysterious Linaywho just came to town.  In exchange for her shadow, he will gift her the secret desire of her heart.

But Plain Kate soon discovers that being without a shadow is nearly as dangerous as being considered a witch.  Then she finds out what Linay is planning with her shadow . . . .


This book was suspenseful.  You couldn't help but feel for Plain Kate as her situation keeps growing worse and worse.  I would highly recommend this book to teens who enjoy fantasy or stories of witches.

Go On One Last Summer Adventure . . . With a Book

School will soon be starting.  There's still time to take one last adventure by reading a book.  Here are a few of my favorite adventure chapter books . . . .

Thomas and the Dragon Queen by Shutta Crum
When the princess is kidnapped by a dragon queen, Thomas, a new--and very small--squire-in-training boldly sets out on a quest to rescue her.

Masters of Disaster by Gary Paulsen
Twelve-year-old Henry's grand adventures spell disaster for best chums Riley and Reed, who always seems to land in a pile of "smelly goo."

Baker's Magic by Diane Zahler
Bee is an orphan in the poor kingdom of Aradyn, and when she is caught stealing a bun from a bakery, the lonely baker offers to take her on as an apprentice--but when she meets Princess Anika, and the evil mage Joris who is her "guardian" she embarks on a journey to save Anika, and restore the kingdom its rightful ruler.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Gen flaunts his ingenuity as a thief and relishes the adventure which takes him to a remote temple of the gods where he will attempt to steal a precious stone.


More Adventure Stories --
The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes by Wade Albert White
The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loren Clark
The Adventures of Henry Whiskers by Gigi Priebe
Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr
The Big Book of Adventure by Alissa Heyman
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
My Near-Death Adventures: 99% True by Alison DeCamp
Raven Quest by Sharon Stewart
The Several Lives of Orphan Jack by Sarah Ellis
Trundle's Quest by Allan Jones
The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will Mabbitt
Where the Mountain  Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
The Wrinkled Crown by Anne Nesbet

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 23, 2019.

Summer Reads

Summer is nearly over.  However, you still have time to read one of these great summer picture books.  Here are a few of my favorites . . .

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman
Wesley's garden produces a crop of huge, strange plants which provide him with clothing, shelter, food, and drink, thus helping him create his own civilization and changing his life.

The Big Bad Wolf Goes on Vacation by Delphine Perret
When Bernard, the Big Bad Wolf, joins Louis and his grandfather on their annual trip to the beach, getting there is half the fun.

The Day We Danced in Underpants by Sarah Wilson
When Papa's pants--worn thin from dancing on his visit to France--split as he sits down to picnic with the king, the embarrassing moment provides both cooling and comic relief for the guests, prompting them to take off their hot clothes and dance.

My Garden by Kevin Henkes
After helping her mother weed, water, and chase the rabbits from their garden, a young girl imagines her dream garden complete with jellybean bushes, chocolate rabbits, and tomatoes the size of beach balls.

Honey by David Ezra Stein
A young bear wakes from hibernation craving honey, but soon recalls the many things he can enjoy while waiting for his favorite food to be ready.


More Summer Picture Books --
At the Boardwalk by Kelly Ramsdell Fineman
Beach Feet by Kiyomi Konagaya
The Best Place to Read by Debbie Bertram
Canoe Days by Gary Paulsen
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
Day at the Beach by Tom Booth
Don't Splash the Sasquatch! by Kent Redeker
Flip Flop Bop by Matt Novak
Garmann's Summer by Stian Hole
Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Green Beans by Elizabeth Thomas
Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin
Hot! Hot! Hot! by Neal Layton
How to Build a Sandcastle by Josh Funk
If I Were a Jungle Animal by Amanda Ellery
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw
Louie's Goose by H.M. Ehrlich
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming
Pictures From Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins
See You Next Summer by Andrew Larson
Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
Six Sandy Sheep by Judith Ross Enderle
Sunflower House by Eve Bunting
Surfer Chick by Kristy Dempsey
Summer Stinks by Marty Kelley
Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman
Uptown by Bryan Collier
Wave by Suzy Lee
The Whale in My Swimming Pool by Joyce Wan
When Cows Come Home by David L. Harrison
Yes, Let's by Galen Goodwin Longstreth

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 16, 2019.

Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, Kelly Link and Robin Wasserman

The Shadow Market is a place for Downworlders to meet, socialize, and purchase magical items.  Shadowhunters are not usually welcome there.  However, Brother Zachariah is on a mission to search for a missing Shadowhunter and haunts the Shadow Market for information family.

This is a collection of short stories set in the world of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunters series.  The tying theme between the stories is Brother Zachariah and the Shadow Market.  This is a definite must-read for those who enjoyed the Shadowhunters series as it fills in the back story and history of several characters and events.

Road Trip!

This week, I'm sharing books for teens about road trips.  Here are a few of my favorites . . .

Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Cameron Smith, a disaffected sixteen year-old who, after being diagnosed with Creutzfeld Jakob's (aka mad cow) disease, sets off on a road trip with a death-obsessed video gaming dwarf he meets in the hospital in an attempt to find a cure.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
A young British lord embarks on an unforgettable grand tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush in this eighteenth-century romantic adventure for the modern age.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith
Sixteen-year-old Emma Healy has never felt that she fit in with the rest of her family, so when she discovers that she had a twin brother who died shortly after they were born, she takes off on an impulsive road trip to try to discover who she really is.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
After the death of her father, Amy, a high school student and Roger, a college freshman, set out on a carefully planned road trip from California to Connecticut, but wind up taking many detours, forcing Amy to face her worst fears and come to terms with her grief and guilt.


More Books --
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott
Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi
Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith
First Love by James Patterson
Four Three Two One by Courtney C. Stevens
The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Nowhere Near You by Leah Thomas
Paper Hearts by Ali Novak
The Perfect Escape by Jennifer Brown
Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Road Tripped by Pete Hautman
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
When Elephants Fly by Nancy Richardson Fischer
Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 2, 2019.

The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky

Eleven little school girls and their teacher went to the park quite often to think, to draw, and to write.

Eleven little school girls and their teacher met the poet Morgan who showed them an aboriginal cave.

Eleven little school girls returned to school without their teacher.


What happened to their teacher Mrs. Renshaw?
Where did she go?
And will she ever return?



This is a great look at secrets and what keeping those secrets will do to people.  Although the story is set in Australia in the 1970s, it is a very relatable book for kids and teens.  I would suggest listening to this book on audio.  The narrator does a great job of telling the story.

Aliens

This week, I'm sharing chapter book stories about aliens.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Aliens on Vacation by Clete Barrett Smith
Unhappy at being sent to stay with his grandmother at the inn she operates, The Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, Scrub discovers that each room is actually a portal to space and the inn's visitors are aliens who are vacationing on Earth.

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space.

Froonga Planet by Bryan W. Fields
Earth is in danger from evil extraterrestrials and it is up to Lunchbox, the super-intelligent basset hound, his boy Nate, and two hapless aliens to stop them from destroying the Earth and its neighboring orbs, while also dealing with great-aunt Nelly's monstrous fruitcake.

Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka
Michael K. tries to save the world amid aliens, kindergartners, and an agent hunting for the SPHDZ.


More Books --
Alien Feast by Michael Simmons
Escape from Planet Yastol by Pamela F. Service
Herbert's Wormhole by Peter Nelson
How to Sell Your Family to Aliens by Paul Noth
Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Johnny Marciano
Mars Evacuees by Sopha McDougall
My Life Among the Aliens by Gail Gauthier
Space Case by Stuart Gibbs
Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
Unbelievably Boring Bart by James Patterson

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 26, 2019.

Friends Come in All Shapes and Sizes

This week, I am sharing picture books featuring stories about friendship.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

My Friend Bear by Jez Alborough
Eddie is feeling sad, and so is the bear. They both wished they had a friend to talk to, All they have are their teddies, and teddies can't talk. or can they?.

Waiting for Goliath by Antje Damm
While waiting for his friend Goliath, Bear ignores the suggestion made by other animals that Goliath will never arrive.

Ribbit! by Julie Folguiera
When a pig visits a frog pond, sits on a rock, and says only "Ribbit!", news spreads fast but only the wise old beetle has an explanation.

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable--he sets out on a quest to find his perfect match in the real world.

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
Stick and Stone are both lonely until Pinecone's teasing causes one to stick up for the other, and a solid friendship is formed.


More Friendship Stories --
And to Think That We Thought We'd Never Be Friends by Mary Ann Hoberman
Boom, Snot, Twitty by Doreen Cronin
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman
Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play With Your Food by Bob Shea
Don't Need Friends by Carolyn Crimi
Don't Worry Bear by Greg Foley
Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends! by Jill Esbaum
Four Friends Together by Sue Heap
Good Night Bat! Good Morning Squirrel! by Paul Meisel
He Came with the Couch by David Slonim
Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores by James Howe
How I Found a Friend by Irina Hale
I Got a New Friend by Karl Edwards
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
The Lonesome Polar Bear by Jane Cabrera
My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
My Friends Make Me Happy by Jan Thomas
Pug & Doug by Steve Breen
Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear by Monica Carnesi
A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
Squid and Octopus: Friends for Always by Deb Pilutti
Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie
A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
Waddle! Waddle! by James Proimos
We Forgot Brock! by Carter Goodrich


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 19, 2019.

2019 Summer Reading List for Teens

This week, I'm sharing some recommended books for teens to read this summer . . . .

Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks
In her debut novel, cartoonist Faith Erin Hicks pens a sensitive and funny Romeo and Juliet tale about modern romance, geek royalty, and what it takes to heal the long-festering scars of the past (Spoiler Alert: love).

White Rose by Kip Wilson
Tells the story of Sophie Scholl, a young German college student who challenges the Nazi regime during World War II as part of the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group.

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl
After an alien attack devastates the Earth, pilot and future astronaut Clover Martinez bands with seven other teens in a struggle to survive.

The Unfortunates by Kim Liggett
After getting away with murder, Grant Tavish plans his own form of justice, but before he can act upon it a cave system collapse traps him and four other teenagers miles below the surface, where they soon discover that they aren't alone.

Dig by A.S. King
Five white teenage cousins who are struggling with the failures and racial ignorance of their dysfunctional parents and their wealthy grandparents, reunite for Easter.


More Books --
And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness
The Book of Pearl by Timothee de Fombelle
Dive Smack by Demetra Brodsky
Girls on the Line by Jennie Liu
I, Claudia by Mary McCoy
Inventing Victoria by Tonya Bolden
Isle of Blood and Stone by Makila Lucier
Mapping the Bones by Jane Yolen
Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton
Now You See Her by Lisa Leighton
Pride by Ibi Aanu Zoboi
Relative Strangers by Paula Garner
Soul Keepers by Devon Taylor
The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotick by David Arnold
To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin
We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza Bartlett
When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas
White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlay

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 12, 2019.

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

Alec and Magnus are on a romantic European vacation when Magnus' past comes knocking.  It seems that at some point Magnus founded a cult and doesn't even remember it.  Now that cult is trying to raise a greater demon.  Alec and Magnus must stop them before the other Shadowhunters find out.

This is the first in a new Shadowhunter series by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu -- The Eldest Curses.  It focuses on the adventures of Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane.  It was great to discover their romance as it developed.  It was also interesting to discover more of Magnus' past.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the previous Shadowhunter series.

Happy Father's Day (A Little Late)

Yesterday, we celebrated Father's Day.  Here are a few of my favorite chapter books featuring dads ....

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
Relates the adventures of a family with two fathers, four adopted boys, and a variety of pets as they make their way through a school year and deal with a grumpy new neighbor.

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleray
The family routine is upset during Ramona's year in second grade when her father unexpectedly loses his job.

Road Trip by Gary Paulsen
A father and son embark on a road trip to a distant animal shelter to save a homeless border collie puppy.


More Books --
100 Days and 99 Nights by Alan Madison
Blind Mountain by Jane Resh Thomas
Diary of a Monster's Son by Ellen Conford
Knightley & Son by Rohan Gavin
Lexie by Audrey Couloumbis
Like Jake and Me by Mavis Jukes
The Most Important Thing: Stories About Sons, Fathers, and Grandfathers by Avi
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
Space Race by Evelyn Waugh
Squirm by Carl Hiaasen
Tracking Daddy Down by Marybeth Kelsey
Weekends With Max and His Dad by  Linda Urban
Younguncle Comes to Town by Vandana Singh


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 12, 2019.

Nursery Rhymes: Old and New

This week, I'm sharing picture books featuring nursery rhymes.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock by Jim Aylesworth
Completes the classic nursery rhyme about the mouse that ran up the clock.

This Little Piggy by Tim Harrington
Expands on the traditional counting rhyme, revealing exciting things the second set of toes does which inspire the first set to try more "fun stuff" too.

Old Mikamba Had a Farm by Rachel Isadora
The inhabitants of Old Makimba's farm in Africa, including a baboon, an elephant, and a lion, are described, verse by verse.

My Mother Goose by David McPhail
An illustrated collection of nursery rhymes and songs, interspersed with concept pages on such themes as "going places" and "colors and shapes".


More Nursery Rhyme Picture Books
The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon by Mini Grey
The Cheese by Margie Palatini
Five Little Ducks by Denise Fleming
Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow
Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox
Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray
The House That Zack Built by Alison Murray
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani
Jack and Jill by Daniel Kirk
Jack B. Ninja by Tim McCanna
Just Itzy by Lana Krumwiede
Little Miss Muffet by Iza Trapani
Mary Had a Little Lamb by Mary Ann Hoberman
Moonstruck: The True Story of the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon by Gennifer Choldenko
The Neat Line: Scribbling Through Mother Goose by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Gus Grimly
Old Mother Hubbard by Jane Cabrera
Over at the Castle by Boni Ashburn
The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear
Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin
Rock-A-Bye Romp by Linda Ashman
Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera
This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Car by Kate Dopirak
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass
Who's Who? by Ken Geist

Check these and more nursery rhyme books out on display at the library through July 5, 2019.

Judy Moody and Stink: The Big Bad Blackout by Megan McDonald

Hurricane Elmer is coming!

The Moody family, including Judy, Stink, their parents, Grandma Lou, and several pets, are hunkering down as Hurricane Elmer approaches.  They've prepared for the coming storm, including stocking up on marshmallows, but what will they do when the electricity goes out?


This is a great story for kids -- whether they've read previous Judy Moody and Stink books before or not.  The creative ways they pass the time are fun to read about.  I would definitely recommend this book to kids.  You can also listen to it on audio.

Crime Scene

This week, I am sharing crime stories for teens.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando
Eleven years after six kindergarteners were taken, five come back--with no idea of where they've been and no memory of the sixth victim, Max, but Avery, Max's sister, is determined to find her brother.

Nothing to Lose by Alex Flinn
A year after running away with a traveling carnival to escape his unbearable home life, sixteen-year-old Michael returns to Miami, Florida, to find that his mother is going on trial for the murder of his abusive stepfather.

The Invisible by Mats Wahl
A Swedish teenager is assaulted and killed, but returns as a ghost to find his killer.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Sixteen-year-old Gemma, a British city-dweller, is abducted while on vacation with her parents and taken to the Australian outback, where she soon realizes that escape attempts are futile, and in time she learns that her captor is not as despicable as she first believed.

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
Followed everywhere by the ghost of her recently deceased best friend, Hannah investigates the serial murders of young girls in her community.


More Teen Crime Stories --
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn
Gentlemen by Michael Northrop
Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
Jude by Kate Morgenroth
Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
The Lost Causes by Jessica Koosed Etting
The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude
Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn
The Murderer's Ape by Jakob Wegelius
Panic by Sharon M. Draper
Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier
Ruthless by Carolyn Lee Adams
Shine by Lauren Myracle
There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
We Now Return to Our Regular Life by Martin Wilson
Who Killed Christopher Goodman? by Allan Wolf
Wild Blues by Beth Kephart

Check these books out at the Arnold Branch.

Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl

Have you ever REALLY thought about the story of Goldilocks?  She's not quite the sweet little girl everyone thinks she is.  She's really a criminal who has no problem ruining other people's lives.

And what about Cinderella?  Is the Prince REALLY such a great guy?



This audio book includes two of Roald Dahl's books -- Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts.  Both are rhymed retellings of popular fairy tales to tell the real story.  I would highly recommend this audio book for all kids who enjoy fractured fairy tales and Roald Dahl's unique sense of humor.

Me & My Mom

This week, I'm sharing chapter books for children featuring moms.  Here are a few of my favorite books . . .

This Would Make a Good Story Someday by Dana Alison Levy
Sara's summer plans are upended by a surprise cross-country train trip with her moms, her sisters, and her sister's boyfriend, an adventure shaped by a group of Texans, the diverse landscape, and her mom's book about the journey.

Bringing the Boy Home by N.A. Nelson
As two Takunami youths approach their thirteenth birthdays, Luka reaches the culmination of his mother's training for the tribe's manhood test while Tirio, raised in Miami, Florida, by his adoptive mother, feels called to begin preparations to prove himself during his upcoming visit to the Amazon rain forest where he was born.

The Glass Cafe by Gary Paulsen
When twelve-year-old Tony, a talented artist, begins sketching the dancers at the Kitty Kat Club where his mother is an exotic dancer, it sparks the attention of social services.

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb and Anna are captivated by their new mother and hope that she will stay.


More Books --
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor
Confessions from the Principal's Kid by Robin Mellom
Digging Up Danger by Jacqueline West
The Door by the Staircase by Katherine Marsh
Fairy Mom and Me by Sophie Kinsella
Graylings Song by Karen Cushman
Jack and the Seven Deadly Giants by Sam Swope
Johnny Swanson by Eleanor Updale
The Kazillion Wish by Nick Place
More Perfect Than the Moon by Patricia MacLachlan
The Mummy's Mother by Tony Johnston
My Life Starring Mum by Chloe Rayban
Road Trip with Max and His Mom by Linda Urban


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through June 7, 2019.

Learning Is For All Ages: Non-Fiction Picture Books

This week, I'm sharing informational picture books.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

A Beetle Is Shy by Dianna Aston
Introduces the world of beetles, describing their life cycle, colors, sizes, and why they are important to the world's ecosystems.

Eight Days Gone by Linda McReynolds
Depicts, in brief verse and illustrations, the 1969 Apollo 11 mission when man first walked on the moon.

Up! Up! Up! Skyscraper by Anastasia Suen
Invites readers to watch workers dig, pour, pound, and bolt a skyscraper into existence.

What Is Science? by Rebecca Dotlich
Introduces young readers to the world of science and all it encompasses.

We March by Shane Evans
Illustrations and brief text portray the events of the 1963 march in Washington, D.C., where the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a historic speech.


More Informational Picture Books --
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
Apples, Apples Everywhere! Learning About Apple Harvests by Robin Koontz
Big and Small, Room for All by Jo Ellen Bogart
Born and Bred in the Great Depression by Jonah Winter
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs by Kate Messner
Cold, Crunchy, Colorful: Using Our Senses by Jane Brockert
Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar by Bob Barner
Earthrise: Apollo 8 and the Photo That Changed the World by James Gladstone
Fabulous Frogs by Martin Jenkins
Gravity by Jason Chin
Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Numbers by Sarah C. Campbell
Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? by Rita Gray
Hey, Hey, Hay! by Christy Mihaly
Hippos Can't Swim and Other Fun Facts by Laura Lyn DiSiena
How Did That Get in My Lunchbox: The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth
How Tall, How Short, How Far Away by David A. Adler
I Don't Like Snakes by Nicola Davies
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate
Life in the Boreal Forest by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Magnets Push, Magnets Pull by David A. Adler
The Marvelous Things That Came from a Spring by Gilbert Ford
Masterpiece Mix by Roxie Munro
One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh
Punctuation Celebration by Elsa Knight Bruno
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni
A Second Is a Hiccup: A Child's Book of Time by Hazel Hutchins
Subtraction Action by Loreen Leedy
Things That Float and Things That Don't by David A. Adler
Tugboat by Michael Garland
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins
The Wing Wing Brothers Math Spectacular by Ethan Long
Yak Yak: Animal Word Pairs by Linda Sue Park

Check these and more books out on display at the Arnold Branch through May 31, 2019.