New Kid's Books September 28, 2011

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke

Flung from across the universe, from star

to star, faced with Monsters//magician//and maybe new 

friends...an earth girl named Zita must find a way home.

Redwall: The graphic novel by Brian Jacques

Redwall.  The classic first book in the

Redwall epic, now available as a graphic novel.

All the heroes, all the villains, all the battles - as never before seen.

Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu by Charise Mericle Harper

Terrible and tutu both start with a T.

Here are some other T things: 1. Tarantulas

2. Tortillas 3. Twist ties 4. Tornadoes

If you really like these things, then you will be disappointed

in theis book, because this is not a book about any of those things.

But if you are maybe a little curious about

1. Someone called Gary the Great 2. How a normal best

friend can suddenly turn into a crazy pink-loving best friend

3. Unicorns, mermaids, and white rocks. 4. Cursive writing

5.Getting a little sister

then this is the book for you. Plus, this book is filled with words that use

the letter T, and at the end of reading it maybe you will

even say, "That was terrific!"

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Ham

Meet Clara Lee.  Likes: her best friends, her grandpa,

her little sister (when she's not being annoying, which is almost

always), candy necklaces, and the Apple blossom Festival.

Dislikes: her little sister (when she's being annoying, which

is almost always), her mom's yucky fish soup, and bad

dreams (even though Grandpa says they mean good luck).

After a bad dream, Clara Lee has a whole day of good

luck.  But when her luck changes, she upsets

her friends and family.  Will Clara Lee have good luck

again in time to try out for the Little Miss Apple Pageant?

New Kid's Books September 21st

Charlie Joe Jackson's guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald

Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant

reader ever born.  And so far, he's managed to get 

through life without ever reading an entire book from

cover to cover.  But now that he's in middle school, avoiding

reading isn't as easy as it used to be.  And when his friend

Timmy McGibney decides that he's tired of covering for

him, Charlie Joe finds himself resorting to desperate measures

to keep his perfect record intact.

The Second Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart by Kristiana Gregory

We join Abigail Stewart half a year after The

Winter of Red Snow ended, in January of 1779.  Her

father has enlisted in the Continental Army, and when a

devastating fire destroys Abby's home, she, her mother, and

siblings must make their way to Philadelphia, then on to the

Continental Army camp to be near Abby's father.  They follow the 

soldiers from one battleground to the next, dodging the British troops, and

narrowly escaping danger time and again.

The winters are brutally cold, food is scarce, and the anguish of

war is ever present.  But not all is desperate.  Abby meets many new

friends, including a young soldier named Willie Campbell. As

romance blooms, Abby wonders if the war will ever end.

Hooper Finds a Family by Jane Paley

Here comes Hooper, one plucky, spunky dog whose

warm spirit and goofy personality are irresistible.  Hooper tells

his own dramatic rescue tale after being left homeless in the wake

of Hurricane Katrina and taking a daring trip from New Orleans to New York 

to meet his new family.  He tells of the terrifying force of Katrina,

his trials in the shelter, and being the new dog on the block in a

city far from home.  As Hooper struggles to find his place, he learns

to overcome his fear of water and faces down feisty squirrels

as well as the resident bully and top dog in his new neighborhood.

In a moving tale of adventure and triumph based on a true

story, meet this tenacious puppy who makes an incredible

journey in search of home.

Lives of the Presidents by Kathleen Krull  & Kathryn Hewitt

Which President barked like a dog - and why did another

bark like a seal? Who threw lavish dinner parties with twenty-nine

courses - and who was so disliked that his parties were boycotted?  Which president 

had eight pairs of pants? And which liked to remove his pants (and everything else)

for a dip in the pool, expecting everyone around him to skinny-dip, too?

The presidents of the United states have been different not only

in politics, but also as people.  Kathleen Krull and Kathryn Hewitt look 

at our nation's fearless leaders with the eye of a gossipy

neighbor, dishing the dirt on bad habits, bad fashion, and

bad manners (and more than a few good thing in between).

Lives of the Presidents has long been a favorite in this popular and

solidly researched series of collective biographies.  Updated to 

include Barack Obama and George W. Bush, this acclaimed

volume is perfect for presidential buffs and trivia lovers of all ages.

New Kid's Books September 14th

Missing on Superstition Mountain  by Elise Broach

The three Barker brothers - Simon, Henry, and Jack - just

moved to Arizona and their parents have repeatedly warned them not to 

explore Superstition Mountain, which is near their home.  But when their cat

Josie goes missing, the boys see no other choice.

There's something unusually creepy about the mountain, and when

the boys find three human skulls, they grow determined to uncover

the mystery.  Have people really gone missing over the years and

is there someone or something lurking in the woods? Together

with their new neighbor Delilah, the Barker boys are dead-set

on cracking the case even it it means putting themselves in harm's way.

The Lemonade Crime by Jacqueline Davies

Fact: One week ago, two hundred and eight dollars disappeared

from the pocket of Evan Treski's shorts. Fact: Evan and Jessie

had worked extremely hard over the summer to earn that money

-mixing lemonade, hauling it all over town, standing in the hot

summer sun for every nickel of business. Fact: Scott Spencer

just bought something very, very expensive.  Accusation:

Scott Spencer stand accused of the crime of stealing the

lemonade money.  Class 4-0 hereby calls him to stand trial before a judge,

witnesses, and a jury of his peers.  Will the truth come out in

court? And if it does, will justice prevail?

Lucky for Good by Susan Patron

For eleven year old Lucky, the universe is full

of questions.  Is that mysterious woman at the Cafe Miles's mom?

Does Lucky's father not talk to her because he hates her? Will

the health department ruin everything? Is she really going to go to hell?

The answers are, in no particular order: nearly, no, yes, and a big

fat "who knows?"

But answers, like every little thing in the whole universe, are constantly

evolving, and sometimes the biggest questions have no answers at all.

The best Lucky can do is never give up on maybe - maybe- understanding

things a little better before she turns twelve.  It will take a punch in the

face (not her face), a near-Cafe disaster, a trip to the principle's office,

and both male and female sofas - but in the end, she'll see that there

are loopholes in life and, thankfully, in county health codes!

Nerd Camp by Elissa Brent Weissman

Pack your sleeping bag, adjust your headgear, and

get ready for summer at nerd camp!  Ten-year-old Gabe

has just been accepted to the Summer Center for Gifted

Enrichment.  That means he'll be spending six weeks at sleep away camp,

writing poetry and perfecting logic proofs.  SCGE has been a summer 

home to some legendary middle-school smarty-pants (and future

Jeopardy! contestants).  It also has a reputation for being, well, a nerd camp.

SCGE=Smart Camp for Geeks and Eggheads.

But is Gabe really a geek? He's never thought about it much - but that was

before he met Zack, his hip, LA-cool, soon-to-be stepbrother. Now

everything about Gabe suddenly seems geeky-squared.  What if

Zack thinks that Gave is not only a nerd, but just a nerd?

Lucky for Gave, a wild summer at camp is the perfect way to test his

new hypothesis on nerdiness.

New Graphic Kid's Books Sept. 7th

Squish: Super amoeba by Jennifer L. Holm

In the battle between good and evil, there's only one who

has the courage to do what's right...squish!  Saving

the world..one cell at a time!

Chi's Sweet Home by Konami Kanata

Take this kitty home.  Chi is a mischievous newborn American

short hair who, while on a leisurely stroll with her family, found

herself lost.  When we found Chi it was clear to us she was 

completely distraught as she longed for the warmth and protection of 

her mother.  Feeling sympathy for the little fur ball, we quietly whisked

her away inviting her into our small apartment home...where pets are strictly

not permitted.  While we dread parting with her, there is no way she can stay.

Little Chi is a happy and healthy litter-box trained kitten.  And while she can

be a little bit of a handful, she has been a great source of joy in our lives and

a wonderful companion to our young son.  Living with Chi has completely

changed our lives, and we are sure she will have the same impact with 

whomever gives her a good home.

The adventures of Daniel Boom aka loud boy by  J. Steinberg

Hi! Daniel Boom here.  Wait-don't cover your ears! I know I'm

loud, but we all have problems, right?  Well, I have a whole list.  Try 

moving to a new town and making friends with no volume control on your voice!

Luckily for the world, my loud boy powers come in hand when

foiling an evil plot for global domination.  What can i say?

It's not easy being loud.

Sherlock Holmes and a scandal in Bohemia 

Are you a detective?  Get on the case with Sherlock

Holmes and Dr. Watson to solve an impossible mystery.

See if you can figure out how Holmes pulls the facts together

so quickly.  Clues at the back of the book will reveal

his process of reasoning - and how he solved the crime.

New Kid's Books August 31st

Big Wig: A Little History of Hair  by Kathleen Krull

History is one hair-raising subject.  And there's no more 

hair-brained historian than Kathleen Krull to tease out the funniest highlights 

from the dawn of time to the present day.

Meet centuries of women with hair issues in these pages,

from the first blonde cave woman to the bearded queens

of Egypt.  From the ladies of the court of Queen Marie Antoinette

(whose hairstyles involved the weaving in of items such as a

birdcage with live birds, or a wooden ship), to the 1960's

girl groups like the Supremes with their elevated beehives.

From the ill-fated locks of Joan of Arc to the infamous

unibrow of Frida Kahlo.

And in case you thought men didn't have their own hair stuff to

deal with:Did you know that the philosopher Aristotle rubbed goat 

pee on his head to cure his baldness? Or that Hippocrates preferred

a mixture of wine, olive oil, horseradish, and pigeon poop? (Julius

Caesar had his own method too, but Cleopatra taught him a new one;

read on to find out what!)

It's gross, it's fashion, it's outrageous, it's history, it's...hair!

Fabulous! : A Portrait of Andy Warhol by Bonnie Christensen

You might recognize Andy Warhol's famous paintings of

Campbell's Soup cans and Coke bottles.  But do you know

about the artist who created these images?

Andy Warhol was often sick as a child, yet found comfort

in reading comic books and most especially in drawing.

Starting with his early days in Pittsburgh in the 1930s and progressing

to the height of his glory in the 1060s when he blurred the line

between commercial art and fine art, this book chronicles

an artist's remarkable path to becoming a renowned Pop Art icon.

Star of the Sea by Janet Halfmann

With the ocean her home, an ochre sea star hunts for her

morning meal.  She folds over her rays and grips the rocky

shore with sticky feet as she feasts on shellfish.  When

she takes too long, the tide flows back without her, and Sea Star

becomes easy prey for a seagull.  But she is built to survive and

returns to the sea, although with one less ray.

Through inspiring words and stunning pictures, the

fascinating world of a small but mighty sea creature in brought to light.

Manners Mash-Up 

Should you eat nachos at the opera? What about

wearing your birthday suit to a birthday party? And

just where do you put that napkin?  These etiquette questions have

been puzzling kids for ages. Now, fourteen hilarious and well-loved 

illustrators show you all the answers and many, many more, right inside this book!

New Kid's Books August 18th

School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School by Kate  McMullan

Welcome to the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School.

Meet Ron Faster and his tippy-toppy friends: Adam Up,

Viola Fuss, Sid Down, ChuckieUpkins, the principal, 

Miss Ingashoe, and the school secretary, Miss Celia

Seeyalater.  Join them as they go through adventures on a

hotsy-totsy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and

Friday at a most unusual school.

The Unseen World of Poppy Malone  by Suzanne Harper

Evidence: 1. A snicker: soft but clear. 2. The mess.

3. White teeth gleaming in the shadows.  

Possibilities: 1. Vampires. 2 Ghosts. 3. Goblins. 

4. Werewolves. 5 Fairies.

To do: 1. Record evidence in logbook. 2. Do not tell

Mom and Dad! 3. Read (again!) The Little People:

A comprehensive History of Hobgoblins, Pixies, Brownies, and Sprites.

4. Set a trap. 5. Set up motion-sensor camera. 6. Ask Will and Franny

for help? 

Ellie McDoodle: Have pen will travel by Ruth McNally Barshaw

Ellie McDougal (better known to her friends as Ellie McDoodle because she loves to draw)

 is a nearly-twelve-year-old prisoner . . . of her aunt, uncle,

 three annoying cousins, and her baby brother, Ben-Ben. 

Sentenced to a week-long camping trip with them while her parents

 are out of town, Ellie is absolutely, positively determined 

to hate every single minute of the experience. 

Thank goodness she at least has her sketch journal,

 in which she records all the excruciating (and okay, very funny) details.

 Mosquito bites and trips to the Fred Moose museum she can handle.

 But how will she keep her journal from falling into Er-ick the Enemy's hands? 

And what will happen when--gasp--she actually starts having fun?

 Part graphic novel, part confessional journal, 

part wilderness survival guide, 

Ellie's story is a treat for young campers,

 vacationers, or anyone looking for a great summer read. 

Ellie McDoodle: New kid in School by Ruth McNally Barshaw

Moving to a new house? Bad. Being the new kid? Worse!

When Ellis's family moves to a new town, she's sure she won't fit in.

Nobody else like to read as much as she does, the other kids at 

school play "new kid bingo" behind her back, and even the teachers

can't seem to remember her name.  But when the students need

someone to help them rally against long lunch lines (and bad food),

Ellie is on the case. And with shorter lines and better food in sight,

can friendship be far behind? For any kid who's ever felt like an

outsider looking in, Ellie's journal captures the frustration, the

nervousness, and, yes the occasional happy surprises of

making a fresh start.

New Kid's Books August 10th

Hooray for Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke

Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa.  Amazing Africa.  She

loves singing to her two baby brothers, Double and Trouble.

But when she is chosen to sing for her school in front of

the president, her throat runs dry, and her bones turn to

stone.  Can Double and Trouble save her?

Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation by Matt Myklusch

Jack Blank doesn't know who he is or where he

comes from.  He doesn't even know his real last name.  All

Jack knows is his bleak, dreary life at St. Barnaby's Home

for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten and Lost.

Everything changes one morning when Jack receives

two visitors.  The first is a deadly robot, straight out of one

of Jack's favorite comic books, that tries its best to blow

him up.  The second is an emissary from a secret country called

the Imagine Nation, where all the fantastic and unbelievable

things in our world originate-including Jack.  Jack soon

discovers that he has an amazing ability-one that could make 

him the savior of the Imagine Nation and the world beyond,

or the biggest threat they've ever faced.

The Immortals by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Nate Quarter is a lowly lamplighter in the

phrazmines of the Eastern Woods, until treachery

forces him to flee for his life- to the might city of

the Great Glade.

But these are turbulent times.  In Far-off Hive-the spectacular

city founded by the goblin tribes- the clan leaders are preparing for war.

And out beyond the dread Nightwoods, in the fabled gardens

of Riverrise, a one-eyed waif jealously guards the

life-giving waters of the mystical Riverrise spring...

Swept up in the maelstrom that follows, Nate and a small

band of intrepid friends must set off on an epic journey that

will lead them into terrible peril.

And all the while, from over the Edge cliff itself, a storm

unlike any every seen before is building-a storm that is

to roll across the land, bringing both echoes of the past and

the promise of a new beginning....

Real Princesses by Valerie Wilding

Can any girl become a princess?

Are all princesses rich?

Where do they get their dresses and jewelry?

Do all princesses become queen one day?

Discover the answers to these questions and many more

while reading about the privileged lives of princesses.

You'll get the scoop with real-life examples of what princesses'

lives are like, how they dress, what special events they attend,

where they go to school, and whether there are any downsides

to being royal.