Summer Stories

 This week, I'm sharing chapter book stories of summer . . . .

Morgy's Musical Summer by Maggie Lewis
To encourage his talent for playing the trumpet, Morgy is sent to a music camp over the summer, where he has the displeasure of meeting Damian, an advanced student who likes to tease "promising beginners."

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation by Tom Greenwald

Charlie Joe Jackson is at academic summer camp trying to convert all the other kids to non-academics.

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath

Twelve-year-old Jane, who lives at the beach in a run-down old house with her mother, two brothers, and sister, has an eventful summer accompanying her pastor on bible deliveries, meeting former boyfriends of her mother;s, and being coerced into babysitting for a family of ill-mannered children.

The Summer Experiment by Cathie Pelletier

A boring summer vacation turns unexpectedly interesting when mysterious lights appear over Roberta's hometown in northern Maine. 

More Summer Stories --

The Forget-Me-Not Summer by Leila Howland

Fort by Cynthia DeFelice

The Great Good Summer by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon

The Green Dog: a Mostly True Story by Suzanne Fisher Staples

Melonhead and the Big Stink by Katy Kelly

Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen

Rules of the Ruff by Heidi Lang

Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor

Summer According to Humphrey by Betty Birney

Summer at Meadow Wood by Amy Tan

The Summer I Saved the World -- in 64 Days by Michele Weber Hurwitz

Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway

Summer Science by Katie Coppens

Summer with Elisa by Johanna Hurwitz

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 30, 2021.

Time for a Summer Vacation

This week, I'm sharing chapter books about going on vacation . . .

The Vacation by Polly Horvath

When his parents go to Africa to work as missionaries, twelve-year-old Henry's eccentric aunts, Pigg and Mag, take him on a cross-country car trip, allowing him to gain insight into his family and himself.

The Merman by Dick King-Smith

While on vacation in Scotland on her tenth birthday, Zeta meets a wise, kindly old merman who teaches her not only to swim, but also many, many more fascinating things.

This Would Make a Good Story Someday by Dana Alison Levy

Although not thrilled when her summer plans are upended for a surprise cross-country train trip with her family and embarrassed because one of her moms is writing a tell-all book about the trip, twelve-year-old Sara Johnston-Fischer finds herself changing along with the landscape outside the train windows.

Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynne Rae Perkins

When her parents take the family to the beach for a vacation, Alix is nervous about leaving home.

More Books --

Abigail Iris: The One and Only by Lisa Glatt

Aliens on Vacation by Clete Barrett Smith

Calvin Coconut: Man Trip by Graham Salisbury

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation by Tommy Greenwald

Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret

Lexie by Audrey Couloumbis

A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck

Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman

Paddington Abroad by Michael Bond

Roxie and the Hooligans at Buzzard's Point by Phyllis Naylor Reynolds

The Savage Fortress by Sarwat Chadda

Summer with Elisa by Joanna Hurwitz

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 3, 2018.

Bunny Tales

A couple years ago, I created a display of chapter books about mice.  I was surprised how many children's books there were featuring mice.  So this year, I created a display of chapter books featuring rabbits.  Again, I was surprised how many books there are with bunny characters.  So here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny -- Detectives Extraordinaire! by Polly Horvath
Middle-schooler Madeline's hippie parents have been kidnapped from Hornby Island, Canada, by foxes, and Madeline, upon discovering that she can understand animal languages, hires two rabbit detectives to find them.

Bunnicula by Deborah Howe
Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies by Andrea Beaty
 At Camp Whatsitooya, twins Joules and Kevin and new friend Nelson face off against large, rabbit-like creatures from the Mallow Galaxy who thrive on sugar, but are not above hypnotizing and eating human campers.

Emmaline and the Bunny by Katherine Hannigan
 Everyone and everything in the town of Neatasapin is tidy, except Emmaline who likes to dig dirt and jump in puddles, and wants to adopt an untidy bunny.


More Bunny Tales --
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Great Rabbit Rescue by Katie Davies
Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny by Jan Karon 
Kenny & the Dragon by Terry DiTerlizzi
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
Sensible Hare and the Case of the Carrots by Daren King
Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman

Check these books out on display through May 26, 2017 at the Arnold Branch.

Who-Dun-It? It's a Mystery!

This week, I'm sharing some of my favorite mystery chapter books for kids . . .

Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger
Horton, an upstanding kitchen boy in a castle in nineteenth-century England, becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding a series of thefts, which is also connected to the pursuit of a very eligible and wealthy young lady's affections.

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny -- Detectives Extraordinaire by Polly Horvath
Middle-schooler Madeline's hippie parents have been kidnapped from Hornby Island, Canada, by foxes, and Madeline, upon discovering that she can understand animal languages, hires two rabbit detectives to find them.

Below by Megan McKinlay
On the day Cassie was born, the mayor flipped a lever and everyone cheered as Old Lower Grange was submerged beneath five thousand swimming pools' worth of water and now, twelve years later, Cassie is drawn to the mysterious manmade lake.


More Mysteries for Kids --
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
The Forgetting Machine by Pete Hautman
The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarity
Knightley & Son by Rohan Gavin
Madhattan Mystery by John H. Bonk
Murder Is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens
The Mystery of Meerkat Hill by Alexander McCall Smith
Ruby Redfort: Look Into My Eyes by Lauren Child
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
Sensible Hare and the Case of Carrots by Daren King
Snowize & Snitch: Highly Effective Defective Detectives by K.H. Briner
The Trouble with Chickens: A J.J. Tully Mystery by Doreen Cronin
Walls Within Walls by Maureen Sherry
Who Could That Be at This Hour? by Lemony Snicket

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through January 13, 2016.