Strong Man: the Story of Charles Atlas by Meghan McCarthy

Strong Man: the Story of Charles Atlas by Meghan McCarthy

Over one hundred years ago Angelo Siciliano traveled on a steamship from Italy to Ellis Island in New York.  Even though Angelo didn’t know it, he was destined for great things.  Angelo was a smaller kid so growing up in Brooklyn, New York was tough!  He was teased and beat up by bullies.  Even as he grew older, Angelo was harassed and humiliated by others.  He decided it needed to stop, and after seeing a statue of Hercules, he came up with a plan!  Angelo decided to start lifting weights.  The weight lifting didn’t work so well, but a lion at a zoo gave him a new idea.  Angelo came up with own fitness routine.  As he exercised, he began to grow stronger and stronger until he was as strong as an OX!! 

Once his friends started noticing his new muscles, they commented that he looked like the statue of Atlas holding the heavens on his shoulders.  From that time on Angelo, whose nickname was already Charlie, became known as Charles Atlas.  Wanting to show his body off, Angelo became a strongman at a Coney Island sideshow. What famous feats did Charles Atlas complete? How did the world react to him?  Come check out Strong Man to find out!

Book reviewed by Renee N., Youth Services Library Assistant

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra is a clever book about manners.  The characters are from fairytales and the setting is the library!  B.B. Wolf gets invited to the Annual Storytime Tea at the Library.  Crocodile encourages him to go and consults a book on etiquette to help him get ready.  While at the tea, B.B. Wolf forgets what he is supposed to say if he burps and quickly consults the computer catalogue, types in the word E-T-I-Q-U-E-T-T-E, finds the book and looks through the pages to find the magic words, “Excuse me.” It is fun to look at the illustrations and see references to other fairytale characters.

Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Programming Assistant

No Talking by Andrew Clements

Two whole days without talking--at school and at home--do you think you could do it?  Only answering questions with a maximum of 3 words?  In No Talking by Andrew Clements, Dave comes up with this idea after reading that Mahatma Gandhi did not speak at all one day each week.  Gandhi believed this was a way “to bring order to his mind.” Dave’s idea turns into a contest between the talky boys and girls in three fifth grade classes, known by the teachers as “The Unshushables.”  The principal, teachers, and parents all react to the silence in different, surprising ways.  This book is about language and thought…and the power of words. After reading it, you might choose your words more carefully.

Book reviewed by Mary Lou H., Youth Services Library Assistant

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.  Just the title makes me want to find out more.  I don't like being left out of a good secret, and neither does gifted orphan Renyie Muldoon, the hero of this post's book.  He takes a test at the urgings  of his tutor only to find out that he has been recruited by a narcoleptic genius to infiltrate an isolated school.  He, along with three other talented children, must attend the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened and find the cause of hidden messages being broadcast around the world by its strange founder, Mr. Curtain, all without anyone catching onto their secret mission or being brainwashed. 

Book reviewed by Keary D., Youth Collection Specialist Librarian