The Last Rider: The Final Days of the Pony Express by Jessica Gunderson

The Last Rider: The Final Days of the Pony Express by Jessica Gunderson

Matt Edgars longs for his life the way it used to be when he lived in Kansas and helped his dad with the horses and the farm.  Since his dad had died, he and his Mom moved to San Francisco, but as he got older, he eagerly watched for ways to fill his life with new adventures.  When he saw a poster advertising for boys his age to become riders on horseback to carry the mail between San Francisco, California and St. Joseph, Missouri, he was thrilled to get a job as a Pony Express Rider.  He worked hard getting the mail delivered, with the added challenges of wild animals, dangerous snakes, and desert heat -- even keeping ahead of someone who was setting fire to the Express stations!  Delivering President Abraham Lincoln's Inaugural Address took seven days and seventeen hours -- the fastest piece of mail delivered by the Pony Express riders.  If you like historical fiction, you'll enjoy this story about the last days of the Pony Express, which helped make quick communication possible between the new Western States and the East before the telegraph was invented.

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

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil. E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil. E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg is considered a classic by many and is also a Newbery award winner from the 1960’s.  I'd heard it was a story about two kids who run away from home in an unusual way.  I was intrigued.  So I picked it up and found out that the story is just as clever and cute as I’d hoped, and the characters are realistic and lovable.  Claudia Kincaid, a 12-year-old straight-A perfectionist, does not want to pull off that "old-fashioned kind of running away... in the heat of anger with a knapsack on [your] back," so instead she arranges to run towards something.  So she recruits her brother, Jamie, mostly because he has money saved up, and they go to a large, comfortable, beautiful place- the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  Between keeping their residency a secret and trying to solve the mystery of a controversial statue, the two have plenty to keep them busy.  This book kept me guessing ‘til the end!

Book reviewed by Erin E., Youth Programming Librarian

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Loreen's parting thoughts about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Spoiler alert:  If you haven't already finished the last of the Harry Potter books, this next post has some plot elements you might not want to know about yet.

Excellent, satisfying finish to this wonderful series! Just one small critique: I wish so many of the “loose ends” had not been tied up in the long conversation between Dumbledore and Harry in the Hallows. I think it would have been a better book (though much longer!) if Rowling had not depended on this literary technique so much.  However, I loved Dumbledore’s reply to Harry’s question on whether their meeting was real or just happening in his mind. “Of course this is happening in your mind, Harry. But why would you think that means it isn’t real?” Also the epilogue was on the trite side (maybe written with a future movie in mind?)

Review posted by Loreen S., Library Assistant

Wings by William Loizeaux

Wings by William Loizeaux takes place back in the 1960's, probably when your parents were kids. Nick is a fatherless 10-year-old who happens upon an abandoned baby mockingbird in the middle of the road.  Although it is very tiny and weak, Nick is determined to save it. He and his best friend care for this little bird they name Marcy. As it grows up, Nick also matures as he faces some hard decisions about family and friends. The true test of friendship between Nick and his bird happens when Nick goes on vacation and must decide what to do with Marcy.

Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Programming 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

Blackbringer by Laini Taylor

Blackbringer by Laini Taylor is the first book in a new series called The Faeries of Dreamdark ("faeries" is a fancy fantasy way of spelling the word "fairies"). In a world where once they were powerful, magical creatures, faeries have forgotten most of their history. Magpie Windwitch, devil hunter and granddaughter of the West Wind, is the only hope of saving the world and restoring the faeries  to their former glory.  Magpie must fight an ancient evil creature, the Blackbringer, who escaped from his bottle, before he unmakes all of creation ("Unmakes all of creation" is a fancy fantasy way of saying "Destroys the world").  To do this she must awaken the great Djinn, who created the world, and she must outsmart an evil queen.  She is aided by a group of crows, a faerie prince who can’t fly, and other magical creatures. This is a fun read for any fantasy fan.  Watch for others in the series, too!   

Book reviewed by Keary D., Youth Collection Specialist Librarian

Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach

In Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach, a sixth grade girl named Hero moves with her family into a Maryland house that has a secret of its own. Her school year begins with a bumpy start, but she makes friends with Danny Cordova, the cutest and most popular boy in the eighth grade.  Things take an interesting turn when Hero befriends her eccentric next door neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who reveals to her that a centuries-old million dollar diamond might be hidden in the girl’s house. The plot thickens as the search for the precious jewel unearths a link between the diamond’s original owner and a nobleman believed by some to be the original author of Shakespeare’s plays. This book is a great mystery!

Book reviewed by Darice C., Youth Library Assistant

Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist continues the saga of half-human/half-mermaid Emily, first introduced in The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler. Long ago, King Neptune and his wife Aurora (a human), got beautiful wedding rings at their marriage. When Aurora drowns, King Neptune buries the two rings forever. When Emily finds Aurora’s ring, King Neptune gets angry and threatens to change her permanently so that she will only be a mermaid, or only be a human. Will Emily be able to find  the matching ring before King Neptune changes her? Will she have to give up one of her parents?

Book reviewed by Anne W., Library Assistant.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi

Could you ever imagine yourself living in 14^th century England, in a land of lords and bishops, knights and pilgrims, a  strange place eloquently landscaped with medieval castles and  cathedrals, small  towns  and....devastated by The Plague?  Avi's mystery, Crispin: The Cross of Lead, begins with a 13 year-old boy who lives in a poor peasant village. Soon after his mother’s death, the evil village steward, John Aycliffe, falsely accuses the young orphan of stealing and even murder. Afraid and  alone, Crispin flees for his life, through the vast wilderness to a nearby town, where he meets a large, gruffy street juggler who calls himself "Bear." Crispin, in fear for his own safety, reluctantly swears to become Bear’s servant. The mystery grows, as Crispin learns his friend is involved with an underground society and this digs them into a more dangerous plot.  Off they go together, anxiously in pursuit of freedom: Crispin, searching for his real identity, and Bear, defending his new friend and his own life as well. Terror at every corner, filled with complicated turns and twists, this adventure story is guaranteed to be a page turner for all ages.

Book reviewed by Darice C., Library Assistant

Cowlick by Christin Ditchfield

Cowlick! by Christin Ditchfield is a hilarious story in rhyme explaining one person’s theory on how children get cowlicks.  For those of you who don’t know, a cowlick is a name for an area of hair on someone’s head that tends to stick up or look all crazy, sometimes defying the laws of gravity.  Some people often find they have cowlicks after they wake up and can never figure out why.  Well, ask no more because this book explains that while you are sleeping, cows sneak in and lick your head, causing your hair to end up in all sorts of positions.  The pictures are funny and the cover even looks like a cow has taken a big lick on the book itself.  I hope you laugh as much reading this book as I did. And I also hope you don’t wake up to find cows in your bedroom!!

Book reviewed by Michelle T., Youth Outreach Coordinator

Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

Gregor and the Marks of Secret is the fourth book in the Gregor series by Suzanne Collins. It begins a little slowly, as Collins brings her readers up to scratch on previous events in the series, but the pace quickly reverts to the excitement readers have come to expect from this author. Once again Gregor returns to the Underworld, for the purpose of visiting his ailing mother (who is still recuperating from the plague of book three), and is soon carried into Underworld events as the Gnawers attempt to eliminate the Nibblers. There are allusions to yet more prophecies, so the Gregor series will be continuing!

 

Posted by Loreen S., Library Assistant

I, Jack by Patricia Finney

I, Jack, by Jack the dog as told to Patricia Finney, tells the story of Jack, a yellow Labrador who lives with a family of 5 humans and 3 cats.  Jack has written a book (all by himself except for little help from the cats who provided the footnotes).  It is about his adventures with the next door neighbor's dog Petra.  When Jack meets Petra, it is love at first sight.  Now Petra is getting fat and her owners have put on a diet so Jack is forced to hunt for her food.  He invites Petra into his house, and they go into his big white cold cupboard where they find chicken, pizza, and lamb.  Oh yum!   Jack is such a clever packleader, he thinks but no, his owner are very, very mad.  They call him a bad dog and tell him he can't have any dinner.  Jack is so sad.  And now Petra is acting weird.  Is she sick?  She is smelling very strange and even threatens to bite him.  "GRR," she says, "Go away or I will eat you."  What will Jack do?

This a great book for kids in grades 3-5.  Jack's antics will tickle your funnybone.  As a pet owner, I enjoyed reading about life from a dog (and the cats') point of view. 

Reviewed by Mary S., Head of Youth Services

Out and About at the Baseball Stadium by Bitsy Kemper

Out and About at the Baseball Stadium by Bitsy Kemper is a cool book. First, it talks about different parts of the ballpark, including parts you wouldn’t normally think about, like that there's a hot tub for the players to soak their aching muscles.  Our guide Pete takes us through the training rooms, the concourse, the dugout, and many other places found in the ball park.  Exciting facts are highlighted on a pad of paper in the corner of every page. Did you know that new baseballs can be too slippery so players rub dirt on them to make them easier to handle?  This book is a great read for any baseball fan. 

Review by Renee R., Youth Services Library Assistant

Ginger and Petunia by Patricia Polacco

Patricia Polacco, author of dozens of children's picture books, often bases her stories on events in her own life.  She uses the life of a friend in her latest book, Ginger and Petunia.  Ginger is a an elegant woman, and Petunia is her pet pig.  When the pig is left alone one day, it puts on Ginger's clothes and make-up, accidentally discovers a forgery in a museum, goes out to parties, and dances the tango.  The funny thing is, nobody even knows the difference!  This is a cute, funny picture book for kids ages 6 to 8.

Submitted by Barb M., Youth Programming Assistant

Yankee Girl by Mary Ann Rodman

Did you ever wonder what it was like for kids during the civil rights movement in 1964?  In Yankee Girl, by Mary Ann Rodman, a white sixth-grader named Alice Ann Moxley moves to Mississippi from Chicago.  She is surprised and dismayed at how she is treated by the people in the South because of her accent and her ideals.  It is very difficult for her to make friends.  When the first of two black students at her school arrive, she ends up in the midst of racial turmoil, especially because her dad is an FBI agent sent to Mississippi to help keep peace.  She has a hard decision to make—whether to follow the crowd or to follow her heart.  As you're reading the book, see if you would make the same decisions that Alice did.

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

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Accents and Southern custom, it turns out, are the least of Alice Ann Moxley's troubles in her new Mississippi hometown in the novel Yankee Girl by Mary Ann Rodman.  The year is 1964, and Alice's FBI-agent father has been reassigned from Chicago to Jackson to protect black people who are registering to vote.  Alice knows from the news that down South the Ku Klux Klan has burned down Negro churches and that civil right workers have been murdered.  She is torn between reaching out to the one black girl in her class in a newly-integrated school and doing what it takes to hang out with the popular crowd.  And when you're finished reading the book, I'm sure you'll be wondering, "What would I have done in her place?"

--Book reviewed by Julie D., Elementary School Liaison

Whatever by William Bee

"Billy can be very difficult to please.”  Well, that’s an understatement.  In the picture book, Whatever, by William Bee, all that ever comes out of Billy's mouth is, “Whatever.”  Billy’s dad spends the length of the book trying to get some sort of reaction out of Billy.  He shows him something very tall, and something very small.  He shows him the world’s smokiest train and the world’s curliest trumpet, and even flies with Billy to the edge of outer space.  “Whatever,” Billy keeps saying.  Then, Billy’s dad tries to scare him with the world’s hungriest tiger and, well… I won’t give away the ending.  But even if you think you can guess what happens, I’m sure the ending will still make you smile.  I love this book!  I also have to wonder if William Bee got his inspiration from Maurice Sendak’s Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters and a Prologue.  I read Pierre a few months ago, after a friend of mine recalled reading it when he was young.  I’d never heard of it, but was interested because of the author.  Published in 1962, the library's copy isn't so pretty anymore, but the story hasn't lost its charm.  For everything Pierre’s parents try to do to please him, all he will say is, “I don’t care!”  And just like Billy, Pierre has a little encounter with a lion.  Both of these books are great for a chuckle.

Submitted by Erin E., Youth Programming Coodinator

The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha by Uma Krishnaswami

One of the most recognizable Hindu gods is the elephant-headed Ganesha.  But who is he?  Why does he have an elephant’s head rather than a person’s?  Uma Krishnaswami tells you why in The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha.  One day the Goddess Parvati was lonely and made a doll out of clay, breathed life into it, and called it Ganesha.  She sent the boy to guard the door while she took a bath and her husband, the God Shiva, came home and found this boy not letting him pass.  After a great battle, Shiva got past the boy, but the boy lost his head, literally.  Parvati was so upset about the loss of her son that Shiva went and found the head of the first living thing in his path.  It was an elephant.  So now Ganesha has the head and temper of an elephant.  And that’s just one of the many stories you’ll learn in The Broken Tusk.

Books reviewed by Steve B., Youth Services Technology Librarian