Book Talks

DRAGONS DON'T COOK PIZZA

2009-04-11T10:34:00.001-07:00

by Debbie Dadey (2nd+)

After visiting Jewels Pizza Castle on a field trip with his class, Howie becomes convinced that the pizza chef is actually a dragon who has been captured and tamed by none other than St. George, the owner of Jewels Pizza Palace. But can he convince his friends that they need to help the dragon and if so, how can they help? Read Dragons Don’t Cook Pizza to find out.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS

2009-04-11T10:33:00.001-07:00

by Judi Barrett (3rd+)

Have you ever heard a great tall-tale bedtime story? Well, now you can. One night a grandfather tells his grandkids a story about a place called Chewandswallow where food came with the weather, three times a day at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can have pancakes falling from the sky for breakfast with a drizzle of syrup coming down. You could have burgers for lunch with a drizzle of ketchup and mustard and for dinner you could have spaghetti and meatballs falling from the sky with a drizzle of sauce. But what would happen when the towns people could not keep up with the eating of all this food? Find out when you read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.

TACKY THE PENGUIN

2009-04-11T10:32:00.001-07:00

by Helen Lester (2nd+)

Tacky is the strangest penguin you will ever meet. But that’s okay! Just because he is different doesn’t make him fun and a good friend. The other penguins laugh at him and think he is strange because he does everything different from them including marching in time and the way he does cannonballs in the water instead of swimming like a nice gentleman. Tacky doesn’t care though! He’s having fun! But what happens when hunters find his island and are looking for penguins they heard were there. Can he prove there are no penguins on the island and save his friends? Find out if you read Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester.

SQUIDS WILL BE SQUIDS

2009-04-11T10:31:00.001-07:00

by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith (1st+)

Have you ever read any traditional fables? Well, just like Jon & Lane’s strange and funny fairytales in The Stinky Cheese Man now they have come up with several traditional fables which they have added their comical twists too in this book. Titles of the fables include Grasshopper Logic, Elephant & Flea, Piece of Toast & Froot Loops, Duckbilled Platypus vs. BeefSnakStik, and many more.

THE BEARS' PICNIC

2009-04-11T10:30:00.001-07:00

by Stan Berenstain (1st+)

Papa Bear decides that today would be a great day to go on a picnic. But each time they pick a spot to picnic it seems there is something wrong and they have to keep moving around. From smoke and mosquitoes to trash and overcrowding they can’t seem to find any good spots. Will they find a good spot to picnic or will they be very hungry instead? Read the Bears’ Picnic by Stan Berenstain to find out.

THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES

2009-04-11T10:29:00.001-07:00

by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith (1st+)

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales takes some of the traditional fairy tales and puts a spin on them. Fairytales that are included are Chicken Licken, The Princess and the Bowling Ball, The Really Ugly Duckling, The Other Frog Prince, Little Red Running Shorts, Jack’s Bean Problem, Cinderumpelstiltskin, The Tortoise and the Hair, and the Stinky Cheese Man. Read this book of great stories for some laughs and fun.

GREEN WILMA

2009-04-11T10:28:00.001-07:00

by Tedd Arnold (K+)

Wilma wasn’t feeling well one morning and she woke up green. But that isn’t the only strange thing. At school she hops around the room, she is trying to chase down flies and eat them at lunch. What is going on? Is she turning into a frog? Then when she falls into the lake a giant fish tries to get her. But something very fishy is going on and there is a surprise ending that will make you giggle. Read Green Wilma by Tedd Arnold for a fun and enjoyable story.

FANTASTIC FROGS!

2009-04-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

by Fay Robinson (K+)
E 597.8 R

Fantastic frogs of all kinds. This book tells about all kinds of frogs and their unique qualities. It also talks about how frogs develop from a tadpole into a full grown frog describing the colors they can be and what shapes or sizes. To find out more about frogs read Fantastic Frogs! by Fay Robinson.

MY FRIEND RABBIT

2009-04-11T10:26:00.001-07:00

by Eric Rohmann (K+)

Rabbit and mouse are the best of friends. Mouse knows that his friend rabbit means well but everything that rabbit does ends up in a mess. When they take their plane out to play it ends up in a tree and rabbit has a great plan for getting it down. But just a mouse says, rabbit means well but everything he does turns out bad. Find out what happens with rabbit, mouse, their plane, and their friends when you read My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann.

**This book has a few words but is mostly pictures where children can tell there own story and use the pictures to explain what is happening on each page.

WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT

2009-04-11T10:25:00.001-07:00

by Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury (K+)

A family sets out on a bear hunt, stomping across big grass fields, muddy swamps, and water. When they finally find a cave what do you think they need find? Well, to find out read We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury.

DRAWING LESSONS FROM A BEAR

2009-04-11T10:24:00.001-07:00

by David McPhail (1st+)

One day a young bear begins his lessons on how to be a bear. While listening to his mother he begins scratching in the dirt and soon realizes that he really likes doing it. He loves to draw and any time he gets some free time that is what he will do. Do you like to draw pictures? Well, bear can help you learn how to draw and enjoy it. Read Drawing Lessons From a Bear to find out what you can do if you enjoy drawing too.

THERE'S SOMETHING IN MY ATTIC

2009-04-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

by Mercer Mayer (K+)

A little girl moves from the city to the farm with her family and now every night she hears loud sounds coming from the attic above her room. Her parents say it is probably just mice but she thinks it is a nightmare. In order to convince her parents she is going to catch and drag it downstairs to show them. Will she be able to do this or are nightmares more tricky then she thought? Read There’s Something in My Attic by Mercer Mayer to find out.

VAMPIRATES: BLACK HEART

2009-03-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

by Justin Somper (book 4) 5th+

Grace and Connor have just met the one person they never thought they would meet—their mother. Grace is thrilled at how things are going and at finally meeting their mother but Connor is not so sure about it and does not like being around the Vampirates. So, Grace stays and Connor goes back to pirating with the newly appointed Captain Cheng Li and her crew. But when Captain Li’s ship and crew are appointed the secret mission of Vampirate Assassins Connor has a choice to make. Can he assassinate Vampirates when he knows they are not all bad and that his sister has become very close to them? Also, lurking in the shadows is a secret hidden from them since they were born which is about to come to light and which may change the rest of their lives. Find out how Connor and Grace fare in the war that is about to take place and what will happen when this secret becomes known by reading Vampirates book 4: Black Heart by Justin Somper.

NIGHT FRIGHTS

2009-03-13T14:44:00.001-07:00

by Judith Bauer Stamper (3rd+)

Have you ever been really scared of something? Well the kids in this book have. They’ve been hunted by graveyard ghosts. They have been chased by scary looking monster people, turned into mummies and disappeared without a trace. Would you like to read more about what scary things have happened to these kids? Then read the thirteen scary stories in Night Frights by Judith Bauer Stamper.

TRACKER

2009-03-12T11:59:00.001-07:00

by Gary Paulsen (4th+)

John is a thirteen-year-old boy who loves to do chores on his farm and who loves to hunt with his grandfather. But when his grandfather is diagnosed with cancer and only given a couple of months to live he tells John that it is time for him to go out hunting by himself. When he does he follows this doe but his idea of hunting has changed. He’s struggling to decide whether or not he actually wants to shoot her or not. What will he decide? Read Gary Paulsen’s Tracker for a great story of hunting.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

2009-03-11T16:35:00.001-07:00

by Matt Faulkner (K+)

When Jack sells the family cow for five supposedly magic beans his mother is furious. But when those beans prove to be magic and a giant beanstalk grows, Jack climbs up to investigate. What does he find at the top of the giant beanstalk? Giants, of course! Giants with all sorts of riches. But when Jack begins to start helping himself to those riches the giant gets very angry. Find out what happens in Jack and the Beanstalk by reading.

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

2009-03-11T16:34:00.001-07:00

by Brian Wildsmith (K+)

Hare thinks he is more clever than tortoise and is faster too. So tortoise challenges him to a race, which Hare knows for sure he will win. When the race begins Hare takes off while Tortoise slowly keeps on going. But when Hare comes upon food he eats and eats until he feels sleepy, laying down to have a rest. Will tortoise with encouragement from friends be able to win the race even though Hare is faster. Find out when you red Brian Wildsmith’s The Hare and the Tortoise.

GRANDPA'S TEETH

2009-03-11T16:33:00.000-07:00

by Rod Clement (2nd+)

Oh, my goth! Grandthpa’s teeth hath been stholen! In this small town, this is the biggest mystery of all. The police have been brought in to investigate and everyone is a suspect because grandpa says their teeth look just like the ones that were stolen from him. Everyone in town begins smiling all the time because if you aren’t you are thought to be a suspect in the robbery and get taken into the police station for questioning. This in turn makes business in town go down because all of the tourists find the non-stop smiling to be a little creepy. They have got to find grandpas teeth and soon. Will they locate the thief before it’s too late? Read this comical story of Grandpa’s missing teeth and the most unlikely thief you’ve ever met.

FALLING FOR RAPUNZEL

2009-03-11T16:32:00.002-07:00

by Leah Wilcox (2nd+)

In this funny rhyming spin-off of the fairytale Rapunzel the prince tries to get Rapunzel to throw down her hair so he may climb up but the princess is a little hard of hearing and the prince is so far away that she mistakes his requests for other items. He asks her to throw down her “silky tresses,” she throws down “silky dresses.” He asks her to perhaps throw down a “rope,” she throws down a “cantaloupe.” Will he ever get Rapunzel to understand and make it up the tower to marry her? Read Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox to find out.

RAPUNZEL

2009-03-11T16:32:00.001-07:00

by Paul O. Zelinsky (2nd+)

A young girl is born named Rapunzel but since her father stole an herb from a sorceress’s garden the sorceress comes and steals her away. She is taken into a clearing and locked in a tall tower with no doors and only one window way at the top. The only person to visit is the sorceress who will call for Rapunzel to throw down her long hair so that she may climb up. But when a prince witnesses this one day and does the same thing he marries Rapunzel in the tower. When the sorceress finds out she cuts Rapunzel’s hair and sends her away in order to trick the prince. Will her devious plan work? Will Rapunzel ever see her prince again? Read Paul O. Zelinsky’s Rapunzel to find out.

RAINBOW CROW: A LENAPE TALE

2009-03-11T16:31:00.001-07:00

by Nancy Van Laan (1st+)

When winter hits the land the animals are not sure what to do. The snow is getting so deep that soon it will bury them all. They make a decision to send one animal to the Sky Spirit to ask him for help but who will it be? They can’t decide until Rainbow Crow comes to see them. He volunteers to go and brings back something to help the other animals but in the process something happens to his beautiful feathers. Will he ever be the same? Read Rainbow Crow to find the true fact about crows in the legend.

THE LION AND THE RAT

2009-03-11T16:30:00.001-07:00

by Brian Wildsmith (1st+)

One day in the jungle a lion meets a rat and does him a favor. The rat tells the lion that someday he will repay the favor. But how could such a small creature as the rat do a favor for the lion, king of the jungle. But when lion gets caught in a hunters trap and the other animals think themselves to weak who do you think comes to the lions rescue? Read The Lion and the Rat by Brain Wildsmith to learn of the heroic rat and the friendly lion.

THE GINGERBREAD MAN

2009-03-11T16:29:00.001-07:00

retold by Eric A. Kimmel (1st+)

An old woman baking a gingerbread man made the mistake of opening the oven too soon to see if he was done baking. Out of the oven popped the gingerbread man and he ran away. He was able to run from the old woman, the old man, and many of the farm animals. But when he reaches the lake he can’t cross he meets the fox. The fox says he will take him across and the gingerbread man hops on his back . As they swim across, the water gets deeper and pretty soon the gingerbread man finds himself on the foxes snout. What will happen? Read The Gingerbread Man retold by Eric Kimmel to find out.

THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG

2009-03-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

by Eugene Trivizas (3rd+)

In this hilarious modern twist of the fairytale The Three Little Pigs, the wolves are the ones being hunted by the pig. The wolves set out to build a home and they begin with building a brick house. Soon, along comes the Big Bad Pig who huffs and puffs and tries to blow their brick house down. When this doesn’t work he brings in his sledgehammer to take down the house and the wolves have to start over with their building. From concrete to steel, no matter what the wolves use to build their house the pig finds a way to destroy it. Will the wolves build a house that the Big Bad Pig can’t destroy? Find out when you read the comical spin-off The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas.

I CAN READ WITH MY EYES SHUT

2009-03-11T16:27:00.001-07:00

by Dr. Seuss (3rd+)

Dr. Seuss can read books all sorts of ways. He can read with his eyes shut, he can read in a circle and he can even read upside down. Read along with him and see if you too can read many different ways.

AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET

2009-03-05T14:56:00.001-08:00

by Dr. Seuss (5th+)

A young boy walks to and from school every day and every day when he gets home his father asks the same question, “What did you see on your way home from school today?” The boy doesn’t want to answer something boring about what he actually did see so he tells his father what he imagines could happen. What types of things can he imagine? Well, find out when you read Dr. Seuss’s And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street.

IF I RAN THE RAINFOREST

2009-03-05T14:55:00.000-08:00

by Bonnie Worth (2nd+)

In this tale of the rainforest, Dr. Seuss takes you on a tour telling you the facts. He explains about the different levels of the rainforest as well as which animals, plants, and trees can be found there. Tag along with Dr. Seuss as he has an adventure in the rainforest learning everything there is to know about rainforests.

MR. BROWN CAN MOO! CAN YOU?

2009-03-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

by Dr. Seuss (K+)

Mr. Brown can moo and make all kinds of sounds. He can do thunder and lightning and even a cat drinking. Mr. Brown can even make the sound of a goldfish kiss or a hippopotamus chewing gum. Can you make these sounds? Read Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? and find out.

MCELLIGOT'S POOL

2009-03-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

by Dr. Seuss (4th+)

While fishing in McElligot’s pool one young boy dreams of what might be in there. He knows that there might only be tin cans and old boots at the bottom of McElligot’s Pool. But he dreams instead that McElligot’s Pool breaks into an underground river that goes all the way under town and out to sea where all kinds of strange fish can swim through the river and end up in McElligot’s Pool. Now using his imagination he comes up with all kinds of fish that might swim up including an eel type fish with two heads, Eskimo fish who have parkas, a kangaroo fish with a pouch, a grouchy fish who looks like the Grinch, and even a dog fish with collar who would chase all of the cat fish to McElligot’s Pool too. To find out what other strange fish this young man has imagined, pick up and read McElligot’s Pool by Dr. Seuss.

JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES

2009-03-03T21:23:00.000-08:00

by Paul Fleischman (4th+)

Joyful Noise is a book of poems about insects in which two people read. You can read these poems with a friend, a family member, or anyone else you can think of. Using two voices to read the poems makes them sound even better. In some poems you may start a sentence while your partner finishes it. Some sentences you and your partner may read at the same time. Enjoy this fun book of partner poems and have a good time with a friend.

MY MANY COLORED DAYS

2009-03-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

by Dr. Seuss (2nd+)

Have you ever had a day where you maybe felt like a color? Well, in My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss you can take a journey with a little boy who tells us each color and with that color how he feels. He has days that are black and he feels mad or angry. He has days that are green when he feels like a fish, cool and quiet. He even has days when the colors get all mixed up and he feels like he doesn’t know who he is. Find out what other feelings this boy has with certain colors when you read My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss.

FOX ON THE JOB

2009-03-03T21:21:00.000-08:00

by James Marshall (2nd+)

Fox has broken his bike and thinks that his mother will just give him money to buy a new one. But he gets a big surprise when his mother tells him that if he wants money for a new bike he will have to get a job. Even his little sister won’t help him out. Soon, he can’t stand not having a bike and decides to begin looking for a job. Each job he tries however he has trouble with. He either quits or gets fired for not doing what he is supposed to. He finally finds the perfect job and you won’t believe what it is. To find out read Fox on the Job by James Marshall.

DOM DELUISE'S HANSEL & GRETEL

2009-03-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

by Dom DeLuise (2nd+)

This is a comical spinoff of the original Hansel & Gretel. When Hansel & Gretel lose their mother to a sickness the mean old Ms. Brown from next store starts coming by a lot to visit their father. Pretty soon Ms. Brown and their father get married and they hear Ms. Brown plotting to get rid of them. She wants to take them out in the woods and leave them there for some other family to find and take care of. But when Hansel & Gretel hear this they know they must do something. So when it comes time for their picnic in the woods the two children leave behind a trail of beans to follow home. When they return to the beans though they find they have been eaten by the forest animals. They think they will be stuck in the forest forever until they come upon a gingerbread house with so many sugary treats that they think they are in candy heaven. But they are soon to find out that Mrs.’s Glut Annie who lives in the house has a secret and does not intend to let the children leave. Will they find out before it is too late? Read Dom DeLuise’s Hansel & Gretel.

THERE'S A NIGHTMARE IN MY CLOSET

2009-03-03T21:18:00.000-08:00

by Mercer Mayer (1st+)

One little boy does everything he can to keep the nightmare from getting out of his closet at night when he goes to bed. He makes sure the closet door is shut tight and then climbs into bed with his toy gun and hides. But one night when he gets brave and decides to peek what does he find? When you read There’s a Nightmare in my closet you will surely find out.

GREAT DAY FOR UP

2009-03-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

by Dr. Seuss (1st+)

Everyone and everything are up! The animals are up, kites are up, feet are up, and even elevators are up. Everyone that is except one, can you guess who it is? Well, in order to find out you will need to read Dr. Seuss’s Great Day for Up.

ICE-COLD BIRTHDAY

2009-03-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler (1st+)

Some people have all the luck! Others have all the bad luck! What would you do if you had bad luck all the time? What if your birthday party was cancelled because of a huge snowstorm, would your birthday be ruined? Find out what one little girl does when this happens to her and whether or not her birthday is ruined when you read Ice-Cold Birthday by Maryann Cocca-Leffler.

THE GREAT KAPOK TREE

2009-02-27T15:24:00.001-08:00

by Lynne Cherry (1st+)

Two men enter the rainforest and one of them points at the Kapok tree then leaves. The other man begins to chop at the tree with his axe. Pretty soon he begins to get tired and decides to take a break under the tree and have a little nap. While he is dozing the rainforest animals who call the Kapok tree their home whisper facts into his ear hoping to get through to him that the Kapok tree is important to them and that he should not chop it down. When he wakes up, what will he do? Will he leave it alone or continue chopping? Find out when you read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry.

AFTERNOON ON THE AMAZON

2009-02-27T15:23:00.001-08:00

Magic Tree House #6 (2nd+)
by Mary Pope Osbourne

Jack and Annie are on another adventure to find something for Morgan. This time they find themselves in the rainforest and eventually on the Amazon river fighting snakes, crocodiles, and pirahnuas. Can they get Morgan’s item and still be able to find the tree house hidden among the 150 feet tall trees? Find out when you read Magic Tree House book #6, Afternoon on the Amazon.

THE SECRET SHORTCUT

2009-02-19T15:01:00.000-08:00

by Mark Teague (3rd+)

Floyd and Wendall are the best of friends who always walk to school together in the morning. They have one problem though, they can never make it to school on time. When Wendall suggests taking a shortcut, they find that they go through quiet an adventure but are finally able to make it to school on time. Now, every day they try a new shortcut which gets them to school on time but find out what they go through to do so. Read The Secret Shorcut by Mark Teague.

THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF

2009-02-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

retold and illustrated by Glen Rounds (2nd+)

There are three billy goats by the name of Gruff. One is small, one is medium, and the third is large. One day they come upon a bridge which they must cross in orderto get to the nice fresh grass on the other side, but hidingunder the bridge is an ugly mean troll who wants to eat them. Can they get across the bridge and if so, how canthey do it? Read the Three Billy Goats Gruff retold byGlen Rounds to find out.

PRINCESS FROWNSALOT

2009-02-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

by John Bianchi (1st+)

Princess Frownsalot has never been happy and makes everyone around her unhappy too. She always has a frown on her face and when it gets stuck that way, her family brings in Dr. Helmut Von Katzinbottin to try and help her. His solution is to do a smile transplant with the cat. What happens when this goes wrong though? Find out when you read Princess Frownsalot by John Bianchi.

THE LONG-TAILED BEAR AND OTHER INDIAN LEGENDS

2009-02-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

by Natalia M. Belting (1st+)

Do you believe that at one time bears had long tails like a squirrel until the fox tricked the bear and his tail was frozen off? Do you believe that the turtle ended up with a shell like the one he has because his shell was broken by a rock and then magically glued back together? These and more legends can be found in this story of The Long-Tailed Bear and Other Indian Legends by Natalia M. Belting.

LIFT THE SKY UP: A SNOHOMISH INDIAN LEGEND

2009-02-19T14:57:00.001-08:00

retold by Richard Vaughan (K+)

This is the legend of how the sky became the sky with twinkling stars called the Big Dipper. At one time the sky was so low that the people were hitting their heads on it and decided that it would not do to have the sky so low. The people decided to get long poles and push the sky up further. When they did this however, they did not realize that some of their boys had chased deer into the sky and they were still in it when they pushed it up higher. The legend says that those boy and the deer who were in the sky became the bright stars known today as the Big Dipper. To read this legend and find out about the lifting of the sky read Lift the Sky Up retold by Richard Vaughan.

SPOTTED BEAR: A ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOLKTALE

2009-02-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

by Hanneke Ippisch (1st+)

All of the animals of the woods are coming from near and far for a meeting. This isn’t just any meeting however, they are all coming together to honor the brave bear. Read this wonderful tale, Spotted Bear: A Rocky Mountain Folktale, to find out how the spotted bear earns and receives his spots.

EARTHQUAKE IN THE EARLY MORNING

2009-02-17T09:47:00.000-08:00

Magic Tree House #24 (2nd+)
by Mary Pope Osbourne

Jack and Annie are on a new mission to find the last piece of writing they need to locate for Morgan in order to help someone again. This time they are headed to the year 1609 in San Francisco. When they arrive they find themselves in the middle of the great earthquake of San Francisco in which the town was completely destroyed and had to be rebuilt. Will they be able to locate this writing they need and get back to their time? Find out when you read Earthquake in the EarlyMorning.

GO TO SLEEP, GROUNDHOG!

2009-02-02T12:31:00.001-08:00

by Judy Cox (1st+)

Groundhog is supposed to be asleep until February 2nd when he will step outside and see what the whether is like. But this time he just cannot sleep, he keeps tossing and turning. Soon he decides to take a walk and see if it might help him become tired. While out walking he finally gets to see Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas being celebrated but when he finally makes it to sleep it doesn’t seem like he gets to sleep very long. What will he find when he steps out of his burrow, will he see his shadow and hide leaving six more weeks of winter or will it be Spring time. Find out when you read Go To Sleep, Groundhog!

GRIZZWOLD

2009-02-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

by Syd Hoff (K+)

Poor Grizzwold! His home is being destroyed as the trees are being cut down but there is nothing he can do about it. So, Grizzwold sets out to find a new home but as he finds each new place he is told that he is not wanted there. Can he find a new home where he is wanted and can be safe? Find out when you read Grizzwold by Syd Hoff.

IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PARTY

2009-02-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

by Laura Numeroff (K+)

What happens if you promise a pig a party? Well, she is going to begin asking for more things. Find out what else pig asks for in order to throw her grand party when you read If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff.

MISS SMITH READS AGAIN

2009-02-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

by Michael Garland (1st+)

Miss Smith is the best storyteller ever. Her students can’t wait to get to class each day to just hear the stories she reads from her Incredible Storybook. Her stories come to life and take them on all kinds of adventures. The one rule is that you cannot interfere or do anything that might change the story. If this happens then the story and all of the characters will not be able to return to the book, and they must. So, when Miss Smith reads the story of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World her students find themselves in the Amazon among dinosaurs. But what happens when one of her students breaks the rule and interferes? Find out when you read Miss Smith Reads Again by Michael Garland.

BASGHETTI SPAGHETTI

2009-02-02T10:54:00.002-08:00

by Susanne Bettiger (1st+)

Oscar, the crab gets so nervous when he is around others that his tongue gets all twisted and his words come out jumbled together. One day when he reads a favorite poem to the class and he gets the words jumbled, the class laughs at him. Oscar runs away from school where he finds Doctor Octopus who is a speech fixer. Oscar works with Doctor Octopus on his word jumbling and eventually is able to speak with others without getting all tongue twisted. Read this story of confidence and follow along with Oscar as he defeats his problem of getting tongue twisted.

VERDI

2009-02-02T10:52:00.001-08:00

by Janell Cannon (2nd+)

Verdi, is a young spry snake who can’t understand the other snakes who all just lay around during the day. He believes them to be old and lazy. As the other snakes explain, he will one day be just like them and they were not always like they are now. Verdi is yellow colored and the older snakes are green. They try to tell him that he will begin to grow and will turn green also but he does not believe them. He soon realizes though that they are correct and he does everything he can to try and rub the green off because he does not want to become a big lazy snake like the others. Does he succeed or does he injure himself in the process? Read Verdi to find out.

PENGUIN PETE'S NEW FRIENDS

2009-01-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

by Marcus Pfister (K+)

Penguin Pete is upset that he cannot go fishing with the older penguins. So he decides that he is going to go out fishing by himself and show all the other penguins just what he can do on his own. Along the way he has many mishaps but stumbles among many new friends. Who are these new friends? Find out by reading Marcus Pfister’s Penguin Pete’s New Friends.

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

2009-01-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

by Tony DiTerlizzi (1st+)

There once was a small fly who was beautiful indeed and a nasty spider who was very good at using his words and cunning to invite dinner guests into his house. The one problem was that they never left his house after dinner. So, can he convince this pretty little fly to enter his home for dinner, or will she listen to her the voice that is telling her NO!!!! and make it back home safely. Read Tony DiTerlizzi’s The Spider and the Fly to find out.

MINNIE AND MOO AND THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

2009-01-28T17:49:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

The farmer might lose the farm but Minnie and Moo are not going to let that happen. They come up with the idea to charge the other farm animals to see the seven Wonders of the World found on the farm. This journey begins with wonder #1, the bunion on Moo’s hoof that resembles the face of a president and progresses to wonder #7, the infamous Big Hoof, who lives in Wilkerson Woods and no one has yet to see. Join this crazy duo and their friends on a comical tour when you read Minnie and Moo and the Seven Wonder of the World by Denys Cazet.

MINNIE AND MOO GO TO THE MOON

2009-01-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

What have the two cows gotten themselves into this time? Well, Moo has convinced Minnie that if they only had the farmers boots and hat that they too would be able to drive the hay baler. And they do…but where exactly do they end up? Is it really on the moon with monsters that look like chickens, as Moo thinks? Read Minnie and Moo Go to the Moon.

MINNIE AND MOO GO DANCING

2009-01-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

Moo wants to dance but believes you have to have thumbs in order to do so. Minnie is determined to show Moo that you can indeed dance without thumbs. They get themselves all dressed up nicely and head over to the farmers birthday party. But the party ends pretty suddenly for them when they find out what the food is that they are serving. What were they serving for dinner at the party? Read Minnie and Moo Go Dancing by Denys Cazet.

MINNIE AND MOO: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

2009-01-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

Minnie and Moo have really done it now. They’ve robbed a bank! They didn’t mean to but they came up with an idea of asking the bank very nicely for some money so the farmer could pay his bills. It’s not their fault that in disguise they happen to look a lot like the dangerous Bazooka sisters who are bank robbers, right? Well find out, when you read Minnie and Moo: Wanted Dear or Alive.

MINNIE AND MOO AND THE THANKSGIVING TREE

2009-01-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

There is a lot to be thankful for on the farm but as Moo is trying to tell Minnie about them they are interrupted by the turkeys. All of the turkeys are worried about it being Thanksgiving and ask for Minnie and Moo to hide them. When they do, they soon find the other animals coming to them worried because the turkeys are gone and they are next on the food chain. What can Minnie and Moo do but hide them. Can all of the animals stay safe for Thanksgiving? Find out when you read Minnie and Moo and the Thanksgiving Tree by Denys Cazet.

MINNIE AND MOO: THE CASE OF THE MISSING JELLY DONUT

2009-01-28T17:44:00.001-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

Moo’s jelly doughnut is gone. Where could it be? There is a thief among the farm animals. When Minnie and Moo set out to discover who the thief is they get more than they bargained for. In the process they end up saving the chickens from another thief, though they had to go undercover as chickens themselves. Read about this hilarious theft, when you check out Minnie and Moo: The Case of the Jelly Donut.

MINNIE AND MOO AND THE HAUNTED SWEATER

2009-01-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

It’s the farmers birthday and Minnie and Moo want to do something nice for him. What could they get him? At the same time the chickens and the sheep have a small problem and out pops an idea. Moo can use the wool from the sheep to make a sweater for the farmer and at the same time help Elvis the rooster out of a jam. But do they get a surprise when it turns out the sweater Moo creates can walk, talk, and fly. Read about Moo’s haunted sweater by reading Minnie and Moo and the Haunted Sweater by Denys Cazet.

MINNIE AND MOO: THE ATTACK OF THE EASTER BUNNIES

2009-01-28T17:40:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

The farmer doesn’t want to have an Easter Egg hunt this year. Minnie and Moo hear this and are devastated. What about his grandchildren? They will be so sad if they don’t get an Easter Egg hunt this year. But who can they get to be the Easter Bunny. The chickens maybe. No…the pigs. Too small. How about the sheep? Find out who becomes the Easter Bunny in Minnie and Moo: The Attack of the Easter Bunnies and whether or not they save Easter.

MINNIE AND MOO AND THE POTATO FROM PLANET X

2009-01-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

What do Minnie and Moo do when a spaceship falls at their feet and out pops Spud, the potato UPS driver. Well, they do what any other farm animal would do. They help, of course. Spud has a problem. He was supposed to deliver a very important package, Anti-Bump Cream, but he ran out of fuel and crashed to Earth. If he does not get it delivered, then Earth and the other planets will bump each other into pieces. What can they do? Minnie and moo have an idea but it will involve the farmers tractor. Can they pull it off? Read Minnie and Moo and the Potato From Planet X to find out.

MINNIE AND MOO: THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

2009-01-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

Uh-Oh! The farmer has forgotten again this year where he has hidden the Christmas presents. Minnie and Moo know though and Moo has been reading again so she has an idea. What has she been reading? Twas the Night Before Christmas, of course. Moo decides that her and Minnie are going to dress up as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to deliver the presents but they will need help. How about a wheelbarrow, eight chickens as reinder, and one rooster with a red painted beak. There off to see if they can deliver these presents and save Christmas. Will they succeed? To find out read about their comical scheme in Minnie and Moo: The Night Before Christmas by Denys Cazet.

MINNIE AND MOO: WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?

2009-01-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

Moo has been reading love poems for Valentine’s Day. But when she looks around the farm she sees fighting and animals ignoring each other. Where’s the love? She determines that she will write love poems and dressed as cupid her and Minnie will deliver them by bow and arrow to the other animals, spreading the love around the farm. But what happens when they begin sending the wrong love notes to the wrong animals. Find out when you read this hilarious tale of Valentine’s Day by Denys Cazet, Minnie and Moo: Will You Be My Valentine?

MINNIE AND MOO MEET FRANKENSWINE

2009-01-10T08:46:00.001-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

On this night there is a great storm with thunder and lightening and strange noises. When lightening hits the barn all of the animals come running to the tree where Minnie and Moo sleep. The rooster claims he saw a monster and everyone agrees that the monster has gotten Olga, one of their pig friends. Minnie and Moo don’t believe what the other animals are telling them and decide that they must investigate for themselves. What will they find in the barn? Find out when you read Minnie and Moo Meet Frankenswine.

GINGERBREAD FRIENDS

2009-01-07T21:14:00.001-08:00

by Jan Brett (K+)

The Gingerbread Baby is so sad—he has no friends. But when he sets out to find one he finds an adventure like none he has ever taken. All of the others he meets at the cookie and candy shop don’t seem to want to be his friend—they won’t even talk to him. But soon the Gingerbread Baby finds himself in trouble and being chased by all kinds of animals. He races for home where his little boy—Mattie—has a wonderful surprise for him. What surprise does Mattie have waiting for the Gingerbread Baby? Well, to find out you will have to read Jan Brett’s The Gingerbread Baby.

BATS AT THE LIBRARY

2009-01-07T21:13:00.001-08:00

by Brian Lies (K+)

Bats, both young and old, come swooping in to behold….what is it that has these bats all in a stir…well of course, it’s the library. Someone has left a window open for them to roam. And roam they do! Whether it’s splashing in the water fountain, making shadow puppets on the walls, or enjoying story time, every one of those bats is having the time of their lives. Oh, but what’s that they see, oh no—it’s the sun. For now they must leave, but they hope that one day soon, someone will leave the window open once again. Read this enchanting and beautifully illustrated book by Brian Lies.

PEAK

2009-01-04T09:44:00.001-08:00

by Roland Smith (5th+)

Peak Marcello is a fourteen-year-old boy who was just arrested for illegally climbing the skyscrapers in New York City, where he lives. Now his options are to go live with his father or to go to juvenile hall. To save his family any more heartache he goes to live with his father. Besides, his father is a climber and will surely take him on some climbs. When his father tells him that he wants to take Peak to the summit of Everest to make him the youngest climber to make it, Peak jumps at the chance. He begins to wonder though if his dad is doing it for him or for himself and his companies publicity. Does this really matter to Peak? Can Peak make this grueling and dangerous climb on the adventure of a lifetime? Read PEAK by Roland Smith to find out.

THE GIFT OF THE PIRATE QUEEN

2008-12-27T22:13:00.001-08:00

by Patricia Reilly Giff (4th+)

Grace O’Malley has been taking care of her father and her sister Amy ever since her mother died. Now she finds out that her cousin Fiona will be coming to stay with them and help her out in taking care of the family. She doesn’t need Fiona’s help and she certainly does not want her around. Even with her sisters diabetes and her own problems at the school, she still does not feel that she needs help with the family. But, Fiona shows up anyway, and from her Grace learns of the brave pirate queen named Grace O’Malley. Can Grace actually be brave like the great pirate queen in order to help her family and herself through the tough times. To learn about the O’Malley family and the brave pirate queen, read The Gift of the Pirate Queen by Patricia Reilly Giff.

MONTANA GHOST STORIES

2008-12-25T22:26:00.001-08:00

by Debra D. Munn (5th+)

Here are the ghosts of Montana from miners and cowboys, to murderers and even Native Americans. These stories span a long range of places including Bannack, the University of Montana in Missoula, the Big Horn Battlefield, the Big Sky Ski Resort, the Grand Theatre in Helena, mining mansions in Butte, a house in Great Falls, Montana State University theatre in Bozeman, Chico Hot Springs, the town of Garnet, and Virginia City. The stories have to do with silent apparitions, strange noises, footsteps that are heard when no one is there, doors that are locked and unlocked, the feeling of a presence or being touched by a bedside visitor when no one is there, and items moving on their own. For scary and spine-tingling tales of Montana’s ghosts, read Montana Ghost Stories by Debra D. Munn.

HOSTAGE

2008-12-25T09:19:00.001-08:00

by Willo Davis Roberts (4th+)

Have you ever wanted more adventure in your life? Well, that’s how Kaci feels. Everyone in her family is really good at something but her. But, as her grandma always says, “be careful what you wish for.” Kaci and her family are moving into a new house and one day she finds herself at home alone while the house is being robbed. She tries to hide but the robbers find her and decide the best way to deal with her is to use her as a hostage and get rid of her later. She tries to leave clues so her family can find her but will they be in time? Can she survive and outsmart the robbers until her family and the police can find her? For a fast-paced action story, read Hostage by Willo Davis Roberts.

GHOST STORIES OF MONTANA

2008-12-24T11:04:00.001-08:00

by Dan Asfar (5th+)

There are many spine-tingling and strange stories that come from Montana locations. These stories and tales have been put together as a collection in this book. There are stories of haunted houses, the Little Big HornBattlefield and surrounding area, the Old West and mining towns, the Montana wilderness, and even of Montana colleges. Spine-tingling events include apparitions, mischievous ghosts, strange deaths, phantom hitchhikers, and scary mining ghosts missing limbs. If you are interested in scary stories and enjoy reading of places that perhaps you may have visited, then you will want to read these tales. Places that strange tales and stories have come out of range from large cities like Great Falls, Butte, Helena, and Billings, to less known areas perhaps such as Conrad, Valier, Virginia City, Nevada City, and even Montana highways. For a spine-tingling good read and interesting stories of Montana tales from the Old West to today, read Ghost Stories of Montana by Dan Asfar.

THE LIBRARY CARD

2008-12-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

by Jerry Spinelli (4th+)

What is so great about a library? Well, we are about to find out. Come along on a journey with Mongoose, Brenda, Sonseray, and April Mendez, four pre-teens who discover changes in their lives after a mysterious blue library card shows up among their possessions. It begins with Mongoose who finds his library card in his pocket among the stuff he has just stolen from a store. He makes the decision to check out the library and finds his life changing for the better. Brenda is a TV addict, she just can’t get enough of it. But when the school has a Great TV Turn-Off week she thinks she may go crazy. That is until she finds the mysterious blue library card. Curious about the library she visits and also finds her life has changed and she has missed so much of it already. Sonseray lives out of a car with his uncle and he is always so angry with anything and anyone no matter what is done. He finds his library card and one day discovers himself in the library looking for air conditioning. He leaves with much more than he bargained for however, and his life is set on a track for the better. Lastly, April Mendez loved to read and spent every waking hour possible in the New York City library, that is until her family moved to a mushroom farm. Now what is she going to do. She has no friends and she has no library anymore to keep her happy. She has this useless library card that she soon finds will help her in many ways and make her life seem complete. To find out more about how this special library card helped these pre-teens in their sometimes scary and uneventful lives, read The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli and take an adventure of your own through reading.

YELLOWSTONE GHOST STORIES

2008-12-23T23:09:00.001-08:00

by Shellie Larios (5th+)

Do you enjoy ghost stories? Do you like reading about places you know about or have visited? Then this may be the book for you. Yellowstone National Park was the worlds first national park and these 20 or so spooky tales come from there. The tales in this collection include ghosts haunting inns with noises and appearances, mysterious disappearances and circumstances, as well as tragic stories of death, murder, and loss. Many of the ghost stories and tales in this collection happened in hotels and areas that are still around in Yellowstone National Park today. So, if you would like to hear of the headless bride who haunts the Old Faithful Inn or of the little ghost boy who wanders lost through the same hallways or perhaps learn of the whispers ofthose who have drowned in Yellowstone Lake and of the mysterious woman who hitchhikes in the rain trying to get to work at a hotel that no longer exists, then read Yellowstone Ghost Stories by Shellie Larios.

BOLD NEW HORIZONS

2008-12-23T21:32:00.000-08:00

Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow Series #12
by Rob Kidd (2nd+)

Captain Torrents is now in possession of Poseidon’s trident. With it he has captured Captain Jack Sparrow and his former crew, who are now crew to Captain Laura Smith, Arabella’s mother. Torrents has them all trapped in the caves of the Merfolk where he has punctured holes in the cave walls in which sea water has begun pouring in and will soon fill the cavern. They must escape in order to get the trident back from Torrents and help the Merfolk gain the freedom they so desperately want. But Jack eventually finds himself fighting alone against Torrent and the Trident when the rest of his crew has become incapacitated in battle. Can he defeat Torrents and if he does can he handle the task of becoming the new leader of the free Merfolk? Read Bold New Horizons, the last book in the Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow series by Rob Kidd.

DAY OF THE IGUANA

2008-12-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

by Henry Winkler (3rd+)

Book 3 in the Hank Zipzer series

Hank and his friends, or the Magik 3, have gotten the job of putting on a magic show for Hank’s twin three-year-old cousins at their birthday party. But Frankie has a dilemma. The birthday party happens to be at the same time as the one monster movie he has wanted to see all of his life. He really does not want to miss it, even if they are getting paid to do the magic show. So, Hank comes up with a plan that they can tape the movie using his uncles recorder and after the birthday party they can watch it. But something goes wrong and Frankie ends up really mad with Hank? Can they work it out and become friends again? Hank really hopes so, and soon, because he has just gotten himself into another mess, which requires the help of Frankie in order to fix. To find out what it means to have a real friendship and someone who is there for you no matter what, read Day of the Iguana, book 3 in the Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler.

I GOT A "D" IN SALAMI

2008-12-23T18:26:00.000-08:00

by Henry Winkler (3rd+)

Book 2 of the Hank Zipzer series

Hank Zipzer has done it again. He’s is bound to be grounded for the rest of his life for this latest stunt that he has pulled. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here’s what happened. Hank got to school feeling really good about his spelling test that day. As it turns out though he doesn’t do so well and then he gets even worse news, it’s report card day. When he gets his, he knows he is in deep trouble. Hank makes his problem even worse when he tries to hide his report card from his parents and some how it ends up in a batch of salami his mother is making as a taste test for a very important man that might buy a lot of her salami, that is if the taste test goes well. Now Hank has to come up with a way to get the “report card contaminated” salami back without his mother losing her order and hopefully without his parents finding out what he has done. Can he do it? Read about this hilariously fun adventure in I Got a “D” in Salami by Henry Winkler.

DaWILD, DaCRAZY, DaVINCI

2008-12-23T15:22:00.000-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 14 in the Time Warp Trio

Sam has come up with an idea that because everything in The Book has to do with inventions that perhaps an inventor created The Book. Many of the inventions in The Book are from the famous artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. The boys go on an adventure, this time on purpose, to find Leonardo da Vinci and ask him questions about how The Book works exactly. But after they find him they have to deal with the army soldiers and generals for whom Leonardo is working for creating military inventions. Is da Vinci the inventor of the book and if so can he help them learn how to use it? To find out, read DaWild, DaCrazy, DaVinci by Jon Scieszka.

ME OH MAYA

2008-12-23T15:20:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 13 in the Time Warp Trio

Mayans, oh my! Here’s a fact you may not know, Mayans are big into making sacrifices to their gods. Well, the boys find themselves among the Mayans on their newest adventure trying to not become one of these sacrifices to the gods. To do this, the boys must beat the high priest— Kakapupahed—at a game very similar to basketball. The boys think no problem until they see the players on the high priests’ team and learn that the losers of the game lose more than just the game but also their heads. Yikes! What can they do but win. Find out what happens when you read Jon Scieszka’s Time Warp Trio book #13, Me Oh Maya.

VIKING IT AND LIKING IT

2008-12-23T15:19:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 12 in the Time Warp Trio

Knowing about Vikings and meeting them are definitely two separate things. Fred, Sam, and Joe know about Vikings but are very surprised when they end up on a beach where they meet them for real. This is all thanks to one special and magic book. They travel along with the Viking called Leif Erikson, who discovered North America, and help him in a battle against his nasty cousin. Then it is time for them to find the book and return home just in time to battle Fred’s brother for his NFL smash game. Read Viking It and Liking It to enjoy a tale of Vikings and their fierce fighting.

HEY KID, WANT TO BUY A BRIDGE

2008-12-23T11:38:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 11 in the Time Warp Trio

The boys still have not figured out how to work the book. Lately, it has been time-warping them when they say anything around it. They also have not yet figured out how to hang onto it, though they have tried many ideas. But when The Book takes them back to the time the of the Thomas Alva Edison and the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, they find they have a lot to fix or they will have messed up the future for everyone. They are not alone this time though. Somehow they seem to have brought their great-granddaughters back from their time in the future also. Working together can they fix the future so that all of the inventions they so enjoy in their time are still invented in the time they find themselves now. Read Hey Kid, Want to Buy a Bridge, book 11 in the Time Warp Trio series.

SAM SAMURAI

2008-12-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 10 in the Time Warp Trio

Once again the boys have accidently opened the book or said something that has brought forth the green spiraling mist from The Book and transported them into trouble. In the 1600’s the greatest fighters in Japan were called Samurai and these warriors carried to weapons called the Katana or long knife and the Wakizashi or short sword. Each samurai was very skilled with both of these swords and could easily defeat and kill their enemy. Well, the boys are about to find out just how skilled samurai are when they land in 1600 Japan surrounded by samurai and battles. Can they get out of this sticky situation and will they heed the advice of some new found friends as well as ones they’ve met on another adventure. Read Sam Samurai to find out.

SEE YOU LATER, GLADIATOR

2008-12-23T11:36:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 9 in the Time Warp Trio

The trio is once again swept into the past. They must fight as gladiators in Rome against other gladiators as well as some strange creatures. The only weapons they have are the wooden swords that came along for the ride. They must survive in order to locate the book and get home. In order to survive they must get a thumbs up from the crowd and the emperor for their fighting skills. If they get a thumbs down they will be killed. Can they display great fighting skills and be set free or will they be killed instead. To find out, you must read See You Later, Gladiator by Jon Scieszka, book 9 in the Time Warp Trio series.

IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME

2008-12-23T11:35:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 8 in the Time Warp Trio

This time the boys are off on an adventure into the world of gods and goddesses. A play that the boys were putting together and staring in for school ends up becoming real when The Book gets brought into it. The whole thing soon becomes a battle between the gods/goddesses and the monsters of Greek mythology such as Medusa, Cyclops, and the Minotaur. Will they find the book in time to change the history of the gods back and save their own lives in time for opening night? Find out by reading It’s All Greek to Me.

SUMMER READING IS KILLING ME

2008-12-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
book 7 in the Time Warp Trio

Have you ever read a book and one of the characters scared you? Well, imagine if you ended up in a story with every scary and mean character from every book on your summer reading list. This is what happens to the Time Warp Trio. They find that in order to get back they have to defeat all of the evil characters who are taking the nice characters prisoner and in order to do that they again have to find the book. Can they free the good characters and get back home, making everything right again. Find out when you read Summer Reading is Killing Me.

TUT, TUT

2008-12-04T21:05:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
Book 6 in the Time Warp Trio

On this new adventure the boys are off to the land of the Pharoahs. Joe’s sister, Anna, has stumbled across The Book and in trying to make a point that there were woman Pharaohs, she opens the book and ends up sending all three boys, herself, and her cat Cleo to Egypt on a green mist. But once there they are accused of being grave robbers by the Pharoah’s priest, Hatsnat. The boys know something about Hatsnat that he doesn’t want the Pharoah to find out about and so will do anything to keep them quiet. What do they know and will he succeed in keeping them from talking with the Pharoah. To find out, read Tut, Tut, book 6 of the Time Warp Trio series.

2095

2008-12-04T20:06:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
Book 5 in the Time Warp Trio

What do you think you would find in the future? Well, this is the question Joe, Sam, and Fred are asking themselves. Joe has found a page in The Book in which you can type in a year you wish to visit instead of wishing for a certain place. So, the boys decide to travel to the future this time, 100 years into the future, to 2095. It is quite different but what thing that is the same is that the boys again find themselves in trouble. They are running from “killer” robots, secret police, and the woman in charge of the museum of the future. What they didn’t count on were some allies in the future who are going to help them find the book and get back to their time. Who are these special allies and why do they want to help the boys get back? Find out when you read 2095, book 5 in the Time Warp series by Jon Scieszka.

YOUR MOTHER WAS A NEANDERTHAL

2008-12-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
Book 4 in the Time Warp Trio

Joe, Fred, and Sam are still trying to figure out how the book works. This time they have determined that when they go back in time they are going to take tools and weapons with them. Each boy gets loaded down with what things they believe they will need and they are on their way to the time of cavemen. But they are in for more than they bargained for. First of all, they thought that if they just held on tight to the book they would land in the Neanderthal with it this time. It doesn’t work out that way and they are forced to again find the book in that time in order to return to their time. What they didn’t count on were the crazy Neanderthal women, the strange cavemen, and the giant saber- tooth cat or wooly mammoth who try and get them. Will they make it home this time or will this be there last trip? Read Your Mother was a Neanderthal by Jon Scieszka.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE GOOFY

2008-12-03T21:55:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)

Book 3 in the Time Warp Trio

This time, Sam accidentally takes himself and his buddies on a trip into the old West. They still have not figured out how The Book works. Sam was making fun of the magic in the book and made up a rhyme that ended up taking them back to the time of cowboys and Indians. At this time, it is the battle of Custer and the Seventh Cavalry. But when the Indian chief and the warriors that they meet turn out to be more than the cowboys have portrayed can they stop Custer and the seventh cavalry from doing harm to them. To find out read Time Warp Trio book 3, The Good, the Bad, and the Goofy.

THE NOT-SO-JOLLY ROGER

2008-12-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
Book 2 in the Time Warp Trio

When Fred, Sam, and Joe get together one day to take another look at the book they find that they are not quite sure how it works. Their idea is that you open it and make a wish on one of the pictures. As it turns out, they are wrong. While trying to figure out The Book, they end up on their next adventure. Fred wants to go looking for buried treasure and Sam wants to go back in time to meet a historical figure. Well, as it turns out, when the green mist appears they both get their wish. The boys find themselves on a deserted island stuck in some coconut trees. That is the island was deserted until the pirates showed up to bury their treasure. Now Fred, Sam, and Joe are in big trouble because their magic tricks aren’t working the same way they did last time in getting them out of trouble. In fact, their magic has gotten them in more trouble this time. Read The Not-So-Jolly Roger to find out if the boys escape the pirates and make it home without any bullet holes or cutlass wounds.

KNIGHTS OF THE KITCHEN TABLE

2008-12-02T21:55:00.001-08:00

by Jon Scieszka (3rd+)
Book 1 of the Time Warp Trio

Three boys find themselves in a strange land being attacked by what looks like, but can’t possibly be, a large tin can. It all began at Joe’s birthday party when he opened a present from his magician uncle. It turned out to be a book and when Joe’s friend Fred opens the book they find the tale of King Arthur’s court with knights and dragons. Fred makes a wish that he could be in a place like that with adventure and suddenly the boys find themselves surrounded by green smoke. When the smoke finally clears, they find themselves fighting the tin can, which turns out to be a knight. After defeating the knight, King Arthur believes them to be great sorcerers and has asked for their help in defeating a dragon and a giant that are terrorizing his kingdom. All Joe, Fred, and Sam want to do is get home. Can they find a way home and get there before they are scorched by the dragon or stomped on by the giant. Find out when you read Knights of the Kitchen Table, the first book in the Time Warp Trio series by Jon Scieszka.

ELEPHANT RUN

2008-12-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

by Roland Smith (5th+)

During the time of World War II a young boy named Nick lives with his mother in England. But when there apartment is destroye in a bombing raid, Nick’s mother decides that he may be safer living with his father in Burma, Southeast Asia. When Nick arrives he meets some very interesting and wonderful people and is determined to learn how to run his fathers teak plantation and how to be a mahout training the timber elephants in the area. But when the war follows him to Burma and the Japanese attack there Nick finds himself alone but for his one friend Mya. Both have been taken prisoner on the teak plantation, forced to do anything the Japanese wish. Nick’s father and Mya’s brother are taken to a different camp where they are also forced to work. Nick and Mya are determined to get free, to escape, and find their families. Many obstacles stand in their way. Besides the angry guards and the treasonous mahout who are out to get them they also have dangers of the jungle to worry about such as poisonous snakes and the angry timber elephants. Can the two of them escape the Japanese unharmed and make it through the jungle of Burma to find their families? To find out read this exciting and exhilarating tale, Elephant Run by Roland Smith.

NIAGRA FALLS, OR DOES IT?

2008-12-02T21:08:00.001-08:00

by Henry Winkler (3rd+)
Book 1 of the Hank Zipzer series

Henry Zipzer, also known as Hank, just started the fourth grade and already he is feeling stupid. His teacher, Ms. Adolf, just assigned them a five paragraph essay on what they did over the summer vacation. How can this be happening? He is a terrible writer, a terrible speller, in fact, there is not much he feels good at, except perhaps creativity. Everyone seems to think he has a lot of that. Can he use that to his advantage? Hank has an idea that will top all of the creative ideas he has had so far this year—a living essay of Niagra Falls. He just can’t write a paper essay for many reasons including he is allergic to lined paper, if he sits too long his butt falls asleep, and his handwriting looks like a chicken stepped in tar and ran across the page. But when things go hilariously wrong with his Niagra Falls “living essay” he gets sent to detention as well as grounded. Detention turns out to be one of the best things for him though. He meets Mr. Rock, who helps him to find that he is not stupid he just learns differently than others. Can Hank find the best way of learning for him and can he do it without any more “living essay” incidents. Read Niagra Falls, or Does It by Henry Winkler and look for the rest of the Hank Zipzer series to find out what other creative things Hank can come up with to cause mischief.

EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS

2008-11-20T20:37:00.000-08:00

by Deborah Wiles (4th+)

Comfort Snowberger is a ten-year-old girl who has grown up in a funeral home run by her family. Comfort spends her time in her closet-her favorite place-writing what she calls “Life Reports,” otherwise known at the town paper as obituaries. She has been to over 247funerals since she was four year old. She is used to death and thinks she understands it. That is until her great-great aunt Florentine passes away and everything seems to go downhill from there. Her best friend Declaration has turned mean towards her and her annoying, sobby cousin Peach has come to town for the funeral. He just will not leave Comfort alone and she can’t stand him. As Comfort soon comes to find she doesn’t know everything about death and grieving but she learns a great lesson within a tragedy. Read Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles and find how Comfort copes with death and tragedy.

SNAKEHEAD

2008-11-20T07:02:00.001-08:00

by Anthony Horowitz (5th+)

Alex thought he was alone in the world with only his friend and housekeeper Jack Starbright. But when he finds out that there is one person who can tell him more about his parents he goes looking for him. As it turns out, when he finds this person, whose name is Ash, he also finds himself back into trouble and another mission, this time with the Australians and their ASIS team. Fighting against the Scorpia once again, Alex must stop them from destroying half of Australia with a giant tsunami. But what he finds out from this man, Ash, might not be what Alex wants to hear. Read Snakehead and follow Alex on this new adventure into his parents past and into his future.

MINNIE AND MOO GO TO PARIS

2008-11-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

Moo has been reading again. This time she has been reading magazines and dreaming of all the places she could go and visit. She convinces Minnie that they need to go and see Africa, Paris, and China. So, off they go on their new adventure. Along the way they meet new friends who are interested in seeing America, where Minnie and Moo are from. So, Minnie and Moo invite them on the trip to see Paris and China and finally America, back at the farm. Join Minnie and Moo and their new friends on this hilarious adventure through what they believe are Africa, Paris and China. Read Minnie and Moo Go to Paris by Denys Cazet.

MINNIE AND MOO SAVE THE EARTH

2008-11-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

One night Minnie and Moo are relaxing in the farmers hot tub when Moo begins thinking about the stars. She sees a shooting star and it looks to have landed on the hill under their tree. When she tells Minnie though, Minnie says she thinks to much. But Moo sees two more shooting stars fall right at the same place. Could they be UFO’s? Moo wants to check it out but Minnie says she thinks to much. Were they UFO’s and if so what will happen to the farm? Find out when you read Minnie and Moo Save the Earth.

MINNIE AND MOO AND THE MUSK OF ZORRO

2008-11-16T09:41:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet (1st+)

Moo has been reading about heroes such as Zorro. When she tells Minnie about what she has read, about how heroes like Zorro used to save others from those who were bad, they decide that they should be heroes. So, dressed in clothes they have found in the barn, they set off through the farm to stop evil-doers. Find out who they help and what weapons they use to defeat the bad ones when you read Minnie and Moo and the Musk of Zorro.

MINNIE AND MOO: THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING BED

2008-11-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

by Denys Cazet

Minnie and Moo are two of the strangest cows you will ever meet. One night while sleeping, Minnie has a horrible dream about a giant rat who eats the last of the chocolate. Minnie awakens Moo and begins to explain what happened in her nightmare. While they are talking their bed begins to roll down the hill. They catch it but it is already going to fast to stop. As they roll along they pick up a few friends. When they finally come to a stop a ghost walks up to them and says the strangest thing, “Trick or Treat.” They decide that in order to save the chocolate they must go from house to house and do tricks in order to get treats. Read Minnie and Moo: The Night of the Living Bed to find out what comical tricks they play and what happens when they run into the giant rat!

ARK ANGEL

2008-11-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

Book 6 of the Alex Rider Adventures (5th+)
by Anthony Horowitz

Once again Alex finds himself in trouble and with another mission when he is supposed to be on vacation getting some much needed rest and relaxation. After being injured from his last mission, Alex is in a hospital where he meets another boy his age named Paul Drevin. When some men try to kidnap Paul, Alex steps in and takes his place. Paul’s father, billionaire Nikolai Drevin, asks Alex to join them in watching the launching of a rocket that is going up to the Ark Angel, the first hotel in space, which Nikolai with the help of the British government has created. But when the CIA again approach Alex, he soon finds that maybe Nikolai isn’t the great guy that everyone thinks he is. Alex has come upon another dangerous plot-this time to destroy Washington. Can Alex stop it and what about his new friend Paul? Find out when you read Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz.