Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann

It's that time of the year again, isn't it? Time for New Year's Resolutions, like cleaning out the dust bunnies from under the bed or spending more time with your baby brother or sister.  What about a resolution about not eating so many pink frosted cupcakes? In Pinkalicious, Victoria Kann writes about a little girl who should have made just such a resolution. She eats so many cupcakes that she turns PINK.  This book is funny because we all sneak in one more cookie or snack than we should.  At first the girl is cool with being pink but after she turns bright red she’s not so enthused.  I think the author comes up with creative consequences.  I enjoyed the illustrations and sparkly cover too.

Book reviewed by Renee N., Youth Services Library Assistant.

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Did you ever get a warm, friendly feeling that a riding mower “spoke” to you?  In Lawn Boy, Gary Paulsen relates how this happened to a twelve-year old boy one summer when his grandmother gave him the mower that used to belong to his grandfather.  The boy was able to start the mower, so he decided to cut his family’s lawn.  His neighbors saw him working and asked if he could do their lawns, too, as the person who used to do them had left town.  That’s how it all started, and soon his profits were being invested in the stock market by one of his clients—and you’ll never believe what happened!!

Book reviewed by Mary Lou H., Youth Library Assistant

The Theft and the Miracle by Rebecca Wade

Do you like Christmas stories that are also mysteries?  I hope so because you're going to enjoy reading The Theft and the Miracle by Rebecca Wade! Overweight, suffering from acne, and feeling insecure, Hannah Price does not have many friends.  But what she does have is talent.  She's a wonderful artist. When a wooden statue of baby Jesus is stolen from the cathedral after she sketches it, Hannah becomes a suspect. This wasn't just any statue but one that people felt had a special power.   When a terrible illness travels throughout the city, people are sure that this is because of Hannah. No, the illness isn't the Bubonic Plague, it's more like colds, but it spreads like a plague!  Will people stop getting sick? Will Hannah find the statue?  Will she make more friends? And who exactly was the thief?  This is a mystery that will thrill you!

Book reviewed by Anne W., Youth Library Assistant

Courage of the Blue Boy by Robert Neubecker

Do you like the color blue?  I do, even if it isn't my favorite color, which is green.  There's plenty of blue in the picture book Courage of the Blue Boy by Robert Neubecker.  Blue is a blue boy who lives in a blue land where everything is blue.  He imagines there must be more out there, and sets off to find all the colors of the world.  He finds a yellow land, a purple village, and a red town, but he keeps thinking there must be more.  Finally he finds a multi-colored city and moves right in.  He happily takes in all of the wonderful colors until one day he notices something strange.  There is no blue in the city!  Blue becomes scared of the city and locks himself up in his room.  Feeling safe (and bored) inside his room, Blue comes up with an idea that will change himself and the city.

Book reviewed by Erin E., Youth Programming Coordinator

Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury

In Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury, weird things keep happening to Dylan when his scout troop goes camping on an ancient lava flow.  First, he sees Pele, a ghost dog who comes to warn of danger.  Then he encounters Fred, the friendly shark with a hole in his fin.  Finally, the danger arrives.  One night Dylan is shaken awake by a terrible earthquake, and he must track down the other members of his scout group.  Will they all survive? 

This book is a page turner.  It is loosely based on an incident that happened to the author’s cousin.  There’s even a picture of the cousin with his scout troop on the volcano. Imagine living through an earthquake! What an adventure!!

Book reviewed by Mary S., Head of Services

MVP*: Magellan Voyage Project by Douglas Evans

MVP*: Magellan Voyage Project by Douglas Evans is a 2008 Rebecca Caudill nominee that was very clever and action packed.  Adam Story is dared to the be the first boy to go around the world in 40 days, and he takes the challenge.  This book is a fast paced, adventurous trip, with a mystery thrown in too. All of the word play was hilarious! Even though girls would like this, it's definitely a great recommendation for boys.  Do you think it will win the Caudill Award this year?

Book reviewed by Julie D., Elementary School Liaison