25
Jul
Looking for your next magical adventure?
Wizards, Greek mythology, and tales of princesses long ago… The most popular fantasy requests for middle grade readers this summer. Harry Potter and Percy Jackson rule and Ella Enchanted is still holding her own. Continuing the Summer Book Hook marathon, these are a tried and true read-a-likes that will keep kids coming back for more!
If you’re crazy for Harry Potter…
Magyk (Septimus Heap series) by Angie Sage
The Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist series) by R.L. La Fevers
Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark is Rising series) by Susan Cooper
The Lives of Christopher Chant (Chestomanci series) by Diana Wynne Jones
Midnight for Charlie Bone (Charlie Bone series) by Jenny Nimmo
The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus Trilogy) by Jonathan Stroud
If you read Rick Riordan like he’s going out of style…
The Akhenaten Adventure (Children of the Lamp series) by P.B. Kerr
Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl series) by Eoin Colfer
The Sea of Trolls (Sea of Trolls series) by Nancy Farmer
Odysseus in the Serpent Maze (Young Heroes series) by Jane Yolen & Robert J. Harris
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (Theodosia Thockmorton series) by R. L. LaFevers
Secrets of the Sirens (Companions Quartet) by Julia Golding
My fair maiden! You like Ella Enchanted, Fairest, and other Gail Carson Levine books?
Try these…
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
Dealing with Dragons (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles) by Patricia C. Wrende
Once Upon a Marigold (Once Upon a Marigold series) by Jean Ferris
Princess Academy (Princess Academy series) by Shannon Hale
The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern series) by Shannon Hale
24
Jul
Summer Book Hook: Season’s Readings
For the latest edition of the Summer Book Hook, I’m going to direct you to the Summer 2012 issue of Lawrence Kids Magazine featuring picks from Lawrence Public Library’s youth librarians. You can see this summer reading feature and the magazine in it’s entirety HERE!
(Psst… Also check out the Sturdy for Common Things feature of this butterfly craft in the back of the issue!)
Books mentioned in Lawrence Kids Magazine’s summer reading article “Season’s Readings”:
Preschool
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean
You Are a Lion! And Other Fun Yoga Poses by Taeeun Yoo
Easy Readers
Chicken Said, “Cluck!” by Judyann Ackerman Grant, pictures by Sue Truesdell
Frog and Friends by by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Josee Masse
Beginning Chapter Books
Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon
Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Middle Grade
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
Teens
Ripper by Stephan Petrucha
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
A BIG THANK YOU to LAWRENCE KIDS for supporting the library and childhood literacy!
image sources: Lawrence Kids Magazine
19
Jul
Mr. & Mrs. Bunny–Detectives Extraodinaire!
Mr. and Mrs Bunny–Detectives Extraordinare! by Polly Horvath, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Published: Schwartz & Wade (Imprint of Random House), February 2012
Recommended Age: 8 & up
In a Nutshell: Dear Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom, The Royal Tanenbaums), Please, please, PLEASE pick up this book, do your magic, and make it a movie. What you did for Fantastic Mr. Fox was genius, and if you ever consider converting a beloved children’s book onto the screen again, this is it!
A hilariously divine story about girl, Madeline, who behaves like an adult and her ridiculous, hippie parents who were abducted by looney capitalist foxes are in search of Madeline’s Uncle Runyun, a secret decoder scientist employed by the Canadian government. Frantic to find her disappeared parents, she seeks the help of two rabbits whom she has the ability to converse with (she can speak rabbit!) AND who just so happen to be detectives (fedora-wearing, amateur detectives!). Teaming up for the search, the reader is launched into the journey of Madeline and Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit on a comical adventure, with a cast of characters you’ll never forget.
I listened to the audio version which was such a treat. I usually only listen to audiobooks in the car and after a few days of listening, my two-year old would request, “Bunnies? Listen to bunnies?” My husband listened to a little as well, but decided to stop because he’d like to read it cover to cover in it’s entirety. Needless to say, it was a hit with the whole family.
This was my first time reading Polly Horvath, and certainly not my last.
Perfect For: Roald Dahl junkies, as well as Wallace & Grommit watchers. A family road trip must-listen.
Don’t Take My Word For It: Washington Post, Confessions of a Bilbliovore, That Blog Belongs to Emily Brown!
17
Jul
Summer Survival Guide for the Wimpy Kid Fan
Haven’t been able to get the Summer Book Hook posts out the past couple weeks, so this week there will be TWO Summer Book Hook editions. Whaahooo! Additionally, the next few Summer Book Hook editions will be devoted to Middle Grade Books (i.e. 3rd – 7th grade reading level), specifically current favorite series. Double Whaahoo!
Today’s Summer Book Hook topic… Summer Survival Guide for the Wimpy Kid Fan. Or, what do do when the library is (gulp) out of Wimpy Kid books.
Daily scene at the library: Kid walks in as quick as (s)he can without it being a full out sprint. Gets to the children’s room reference desk and out of breath asks, “Do you have Diary of a Wimpy Kid?!!”
New York Times Bestseller for 5 years and counting, and June’s featured NPR Backseat Book Club selection, kids can’t get enough of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid. But being the summertime with kids out of school, the chances that a copy of this popular series is available is slim to none. So, to avoid panic and chaos, I’ve compiled a list of awesome alternatives Greg Hessey fans will surly love almost as much, if not just as much, as Wimpy Kid to keep them reading over the summer months.
Same hypothetical child: “You don’t have any of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books?!!!!! What about the movies? The guide books? Feeling faint… might… internally… combust… ”
Me: “Take deep breaths. Inhale, exhale, everything is going to be alright.”
If you enjoy reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you might like:
Big Nate books by Lincoln Peirce
The Popularity Papers series by Amy Ignatow
Justin Case books by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Dork in Disguise series by Carol Gorman
N.E.R.D.S: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society series by Michael Buckley
Wonkenstein: The Creature from my Closet by Obert Skye
Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renee Russell
Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder series by Jo Nesbo, illustrated by Mike Lowery
Knights of the Lunch Table graphic novel series by Frank Cammuso
I hope one or two of these books will help satisfy the Wimpy Kid addiction. Need more suggestions? Send me an email!
Happy Summer Reading!
Previous Summer Book Hook posts:
10 Tips to Get Kids Reading This Summer
Week 2: Graphic Novels for All-Ages
Week 4: Beginning Chapter Books
image source: wimpy read
13
Jul
The Year of the Book
The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng, illustrated by Abigail Halpin
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2012
Recommended Age: 7 & up
In a Nutshell: 4th grader Anna Wang prefers the comfort of a book to that of other people… or anything else really. As an ABC (American Born Chinese), Anna feels she’s teetering between her mother’s traditional Chinese world and life growing up in the American midwest. That is until she opens up to classmate Laura who has growing pains of her own, looking for comfort in someone she can call, “friend”. Anna learns that sometimes stepping outside a book and making friends can be an adventure in itself.
Really enjoyed this excerpt:
“I’m almost done with My Side of the Mountain but I don’t like this last part. Sam’s family is going to find him and he’ll go back and lead a normal boring life. I try to think of another way that the story could go. He could never be found and just keep on living in the woods by himself, but that’s unrealistic. His family would keep looking for him until they found him. Or he could be attacked by a bear or he could freeze to death, but those are endings that don’t usually happen in kid’s books. Adult books are probably different because they don’t worry about terrible endings.”
I don’t know about you, but I really like when kids, teen, and adult books reference specific music, movies, and books. In this case, A Year of the Book name drops some children’s literature heavy weights including:
Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Hush by Jacqueline Woodson
My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
I also want to add that the illustrations by Abigail Halpin are darling, especially the covers. I thought it was a nice touch to include an illustration of “How to make a drawstring bag”, main character Anna’s sewing specialty, on the back cover for interested readers.
Overall, The Year of the Book was an enjoyable read with depth and a unique personality all of it’s own.
Perfect For: Introverted and extroverted bookworms alike, fans of books like Clementine, and for teachers, would also make a great classroom read-aloud.
Don’t Take My Word for It: Kirkus Review, Sommer Reading, Book Dragon
12
Jul
Reading Together
Been very, very busy reading a lot of great new, and a few not so new, books over the summer.
This one’s a long one!
Here’s what we’ve been reading together…
Where’s Walrus by Stephen Savage
This wordless book is such a treat. Walrus escapes from the city zoo and goes off on an adventure dodging the zookeeper. L reads this book to herself daily. We read it together regularly before bedtime.
Backseat A-B-See by Maria van Lieshout
On the go with kids this summer? This alphabet book takes you on a ride in reading the street signs from A to Z.
One Two, That’s My Shoe! by Alison Murray
We own Alison Murray’s Apple Pie ABC. In fact, I read it for my 2nd storytime at the Lawrence Public Library. So, both being fans of her work, we had to snag her latest picture book.
Going to bed is quite the adventure. This little knight tells the tale of his nightly, or should I say knightly, ritual.
The Monster Returns by Peter McCarty
The sequel to Peter McCarty’s Jeremy Draws a Monster (read at Art Storyime). We enjoy this one more than we already enjoyed reading the first!
Maisy’s Sleepover by Lucy Cousins
Perhaps you’re already familiar with L’s Maisy Mouse obsession. This is Lucy Cousin’s latest Maisy book. If I kept track of how many times we’ve read this book, it’s probably pushing 70 times.
Anton Can Do Magic by Ole Konnecke
A brand new book by an author/illustrator I’m not very familiar with. It’s a darling book and has a Charlie Brown-esqe appeal to it.
A Leaf Can Be.. by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija
Gorgeous illustrations. A very sweet and poetic story about the cycle and importance of trees and leaves.
Batty by Sarah Dyer
It’s always better to just be yourself. Batty has to learn that the hard way in this fun story about a bat who lives in a zoo.
Eggs 1, 2, 3 by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Betsy Thompson
A clever fold-out about eggs and the animals they become intertwined with a lesson on counting.
A Bear and His Boy by Sean Bryan, illustrated by Tom Murphy
I fell in love with A Girl and Her Gator when I worked in a bookstore, but this is L’s preference from the same author/illustrator duo.
Sweet Dreams by Rose A. Lewis, illustrated by Jen Corace
Love, love, love everything Jen Corace illustrates. This is no exception.
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrations by Bruce Degen
This is one read to me as a wee one. It’s a classic kids read over and over again today.
Big fans of Larf the sasquatch and his bunny rabbit, Eric. I see Larf in a future storytime appearance for sure.
Dog and Bear by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Two best friends, a dog and a stuffed animal bear, and their tales of friendship. Bright, simple colors and easy to follow story lines.
Who Took the Farmer’s Hat? by Joan L. Nodset, illustrated by Fritz Siebel
This book was introduced to me awhile back by another children’s librarian. Has been a staple bedtime story for quite some time now.
I Want to be Much More Bigger Like You by Lauren Child
Starting to get into a new obsession: Charlie and Lola. This is only one of the many Charlie and Lola books occupying our reading time of late.
Watch Your Step, Mr. Rabbit! by Richard Scarry
This is such a silly book, but L loves it and could read it to herself all the live long day. Kinda reminds me of what happens to people walking while texting on their cell phones (because I would never do such a thing..)
Another goodie. Hint: Be sure to keep an eye out for the chameleon when reading…
Night’s Nice by Barbara and Ed Emberley
The retro illustrations and the calming text is very nice; very nice indeed.
Bunnies on the Go: Getting from Place to Place by Rick Walton, illustrated by Paige Miglio
Another referral from a fellow co-worker, this is a great book for summer vacationers and those fascinated with things that go.
Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner
Really enjoy Augustus’ story and all character creations of Catherine Rayner including The Bear Who Shared and Ernest, the Moose Who Didn’t Fit.
The Pirate-Cruncher by Jonny Duddle
Or what L refers to as PIRATE CRUNCHERS!!! This book is a really long book to read to a 2-year-old. Like most kids, she has a fascination with pirates.
***’Reading Together is a sampling of picture books I’m currently reading aloud to LBD (also known as L or Little L), my toddler daughter. As a children’s librarian, I’m always bringing home stacks and stacks of books to share together. Old and new. These are our favorites. Some of which have been read over and over and over again…. Times thirty. To the tenth power.***
10
Jul
A Tale Dark and Grimm
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Published: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin Group for Young Readers), 2010
Recommended Age: 10 & up
In a Nutshell: Ooooohh this book is too good!
“Once upon a time, fairy tales were AWESOME!”
This quote from the opening sequence had me thinking this would be another fun fractured novel like The Sisters Grimm, but as in A Tale Dark and Grimm, first appearances are hardly what they seem. Multiple Brothers Grimm tales laced together with thrills and wit, adventure and intrigue. With regular interjections from the narrator (Gidwitz), the reader is taken on a journey with twin brother and sister, Hansel and Gretel, who seem to never get a break in their quest to find a happy and honest home in which to live. In the first few pages their father chops off their heads. Did you just have to go back and reread that last sentence? It’s true.. their father chops off their heads, but that isn’t the end of the twins. They learn that the world is dark, but with courage, perseverance, and one another, they can light the way to their own destiny.
Two reasons why I loved this book:
The first— it’s actually quite modern! Too often in contemporary society children end up taking the role of care taker, looking after their parents, attempting to fix the problems in the household, etc. Gidwitz’s brilliance shines through by linking this modern dynamic to tales from centuries ago (I believe they were written in the 1800’s, no?) into an exciting, relatable novel kids want to read.
Reason number two— It trusts the reader. There’s no doubt that the original Grimm stories are… well… grim. They are gory. They don’t all have “happy endings” for everyone. And that is okay. Kids can handle a lot more than we give them credit for. Like Hansel and Gretel, readers are capable to endure more than the sugar-coated side of life. In fact, they actually rise to the occasion, or in this case the reading level.
Perfect For: Fairytale fans unafraid to delve into the real Grimm tales, or thrill seekers that don’t mind reading something a little more scary before bedtime. If you’re looking for heart’s true love and shimmering rainbows, this probably isn’t your cup of tea.
Don’t Take My Word For It: Kid Lit Frenzy, Wicked Awesome Books, Guerilla Librarian
Trailer:
28
Jun
Summer Book Hook: Beginning Chapter Books
It’s Week 4 of the Summer Book Hook: 10 Weeks of Recommended Reads for Kids! This week’s focus is beginning chapter books. This category of books has been annihilated by the kids at the library so far this summer. The shelves are almost completely bare.
Beginning chapter books, young fiction readers, early chapter books… all are similar terms to define books for readers ready to graduate from early reader books, but not quite ready to tackle middle grade fiction. The average age is 6-9 years old, or 1st – 3rd Grade. The selection below are books with kid and parent stamps of approval, and give kids both the confidence as independent readers and the fun factor to keep them wanting to read more.
Summer Book Hook Beginning Chapter Books:
Zelda and Ivy series by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Frankie Pickle series by Eric Wight
Stink series by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
Katie Woo series by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Tammie Lyon
Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon, illustrated by Tony Ross
Just Grace series by Charlise Mericle Harper
Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Silton
Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillio and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile
Stuart’s Cape by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by martin Matje
Bad Kitty series by Nick Bruel
Cam Janson by David A. Adler
Franny K. Stein series by Jim Benton
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett
The Magician’s Boy by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Serena Riglietti
Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon
Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows
Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
The Knight’s Tales series by Gerald Morris, illustrated by Aaron Renier
A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy
Ricky Ricotta series by Dav Pilkey, illustrated by Martin Ontiveros
“Adventures in Non-Fiction” is what’s coming up next on the Summer Book Hook. Previous Summer Book Hook features (so-far) are listed below!
Happy Reading!
21
Jun
One for the Murphys
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Published: Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Group for Young Readers), 2012
Recommended Age: 10 & up
In a Nutshell: Carly Conners finds herself in the hospital after surviving a violent attack from her stepfather. While her careless mother, who was also attacked, remains in critical condition at the hospital, Carly is forced to live as a foster child with the most normal family she’s ever met- the Murphys: three energetic boys, a firefighter father, and a mother who is determined to help Carly know normalcy, feel self-value, and find strength through unconditional love.
It only took me a couple of afternoons to read this heartwarming, middle grade novel. I just couldn’t put it down. Really looking forward to reading more from the talented Lynda Mullaly Hunt.
Perfect For: The Joan Bauer or Linda Urban fan. Smart, sensitive, tween who enjoys reading realistic fiction with a strong female character.
Don’t Take My Word For It: Reviews from The Story Siren, There’s A Book!, and I Read Banned Books
19
Jun
Three Times Lucky
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
Published: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
Recommended Age: 10 & up
In a Nutshell: It’s summer in Tupelo Landing, population 148 minus one (murder) where quick wit, sixth-grader Mo LeBeau is about to have a summer she’ll never forget. Found as a baby by town restaurant owner Coronal and Miss Lana after a wild hurricane, Mo has always been on the lookout for her “upstream mother” by sending messages in a bottle in hope of receiving one back. Life of helping the Coronal and Miss Lana in the restaurant and palling around with best friend Dale Earnhart Johnston III all seems same ol’ same ol’ until local restaurant patron Mr. Jesse ends up dead…. by murder! Everyone in Tupelo Landing is a suspect and it’s up to Mo and Dale to find the mystery killer. This is a book that stays with you once you’ve finished. Especially, the wonderfully warm and entertaining characters of Tupelo Landing.
Perfect For: The girl who has read everything in her bookshelf twice over, especially her tattered Nancy Drew books, ready for a book filled with action, mystery, and a group of characters they’ll never forget.
Don’t Take My Word For It: Starred review from Kirkus Review.
