This is the Game by Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander. "Let's play ball!" Baseball is what this new poetry book is all about. Each poem highlights a different aspect of the game and makes you feel like you are there experiencing it in person. It definitely "hits a home run"!
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Sixth-grader, Clay Hensley, has been a troublemaker in school since the middle of kindergarten following right in his older brother’s footsteps. His most recent trip to the principal’s office involved a picture he drew in art class of a donkey with an amazing resemblance to Principal Kelling. When Clay’s older brother makes him promise to change his ways Clay learns that it is much easier to get into trouble than it is to stay out of trouble. Troublemaker is another great book you’ll love from favorite author, Andrew Clements.
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
The Secret Science Alliance and the Copy Cat Crook by Eleanor Davis. If you like mysteries, science and graphic novels you will love this book. Three middle school students who call themselves, “The Secret Science Alliance” work in a secret lab have their gadget blueprints stolen by an evil scientist who wants to use them to steal artifacts from the local museum. You'll love the comic book pages and the gadgets they use to try and capture the evil scientist before it’s too late. (Bluestem Award 2011 nominee.)
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Can dogs learn how to read? In How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills Rocket, a lovable dog, happens upon a tree that little bird has chosen for her school. Since Rocket is sleeping under the sign that says, “Class Starts Today” the little bird figures he is there to learn how to read. Rocket is not interested in the least until the bird starts to read him a story and he can't wait to hear how it ends. Read this book and find out if Rocket learns to read!
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Watch this video to see how other kids liked How Rocket Learned to Read:
My Hippo Has the Hiccups and Other Poems I Totally Made Up by Kenn Nesbitt. This new poetry book is filled with funny poems that you will enjoy like, My Dog Likes to Disco and My Elephant is Missing! It also includes a DVD with the author reading many of the poems and a web address for more fun activities.
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Guess what?! Kenn Nesbitt put his book online so you can totally read this whole book on your computer and listen to the poems too! Just click here to go to the book, click the arrows at the top to turn pages, and click where it say "Track..." in the corner of a page to hear that poem. Cool! Thanks, Mr. Nesbitt!
In A Small White Scar by K. A. Nuzum, Will wants to win a rodeo competition but his father won't allow him to compete because he needs to cares for his twin brother who is disabled. His mother died when they were younger and his father is still struggling with her being gone. Will decides to run away to fulfill his dream of winning a rodeo and his brother Denny follows him. They run into many adventures along the way.
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Click here to read a few pages of A Small White Scar.
Click here to visit the author's website.
If you like middle school drama and cooking then this series is for you. Twins, Molly and Amanda Moore along with their friends decided to take a cooking class because they are tired of eating "carry out." Everything was great until nasty Natasha showed up at the cooking class. The books have great cooking tips and recipes!
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Click here to read a few page of Dish: Stirring it Up.
Bea Rocks the Flock by Victoria Jamieson. The rule in Sheepdom is: Sheep are not UNIQUE. Bea couldn’t stand it any more so she packed her backpack and left her flock for the big city. Everyone in the big city was unique and Bea could be anything she wanted to be but she missed her friends terribly. When she returns to her flock she makes a big discovery about being unique.
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Watch Out for Wolfgang by Paul Carrick. Do you like robots and fractured fairytales? You will love this new twist to an old fairytale “The Three Little Pigs”. Mother robot sends her three very different young robots out to seek their fortunes. She warns them to watch out for Wolfgang the Recycler who would love to recycle all their parts. Read this book to see if Wolfgang captures a robot.
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Click here to look at a few pages from Watch Out for Wolfgang.
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