Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

What would it be like if you could not walk, talk, or write? What if you had so many ideas and words you wanted to express but could not communicate with other people? In Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, Melody is an 11 year old girl who wants to have the same experiences as other people. She wants to be a part of the things her classmates are doing. She is very smart, but she is also in a wheelchair and can't walk, talk, or write. She figures out a way to communicate with her class and the other people around her, and enters a competition for her school. Will her team win? Will she get to make friends with her classmates? Read this book and find out!

Book reviewed by Anne W., Youth Services Assistant

The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon

I listened to the audiobook of The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon and really enjoyed it. The story takes place in Chicago in the 1960’s. Thirteen-year-old Sam’s father is very involved in the Civil Rights Movement; the family has even had Dr. King over for dinner! Sam’s older brother and best friend, “Stick,” gets involved with the Black Panthers, a group that seems at odds with the non-violent protests that Stick and Sam have grown up with. After the assassination of Dr. King, things around the city start to heat up, and Sam gets more involved.

Book reviewed by Erin E. Youth Services Programming Coordinator

Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor

Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor. It's so odd--really! For no good reason that Raine can figure out, her mom decides all of a sudden the two of them have to leave their home in Milwaukee and move to creepy old Sparrow Road, an artist retreat out in the middle of nowhere. Turns out, there are secrets everywhere in and around Sparrow Road, and Raine makes some very personal discoveries about friendship, family, forgiveness and love.  If you like stories that tug at your heart a bit, you'll like this one. 

Book reviewed by Mary Ann S., Assistant Head of Youth Services

The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron R. Hawkins

In The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron R. Hawkins, Jackson is only 14 years old when he makes an unusual deal with the neighbor lady next door.  She owns an orchard with 300 apple trees, but since her husband died a few years ago, no one has taken care of it.  If Jackson could get the orchard to produce apples again and make over $8,000, he could “maybe” become the owner.  He has no idea how to grow apples or how much money the apples would make if he did get to sell them.  He talks his cousins into helping him, and it is amazing what they go through to get the trees to produce apples.  After all their hard work, will he really get to keep the orchard, or was he being tricked by the neighbor lady and her son? 

Book reviewed by Mary Lou H., Youth Services Assistant

Greetings from Nowhere by Barbara O’Connor

Most people send postcards from fun and exciting places they have visited such as Florida, Hawaii, or Australia.  In the book entitled Greetings from Nowhere by Barbara O’Connor, you probably wouldn’t find anyone sending a postcard from the Sleepy Time Motel in the Great Smoky Mountains.  Even the name sounds dull! 

It is a run-down motel in the middle of nowhere, and there has not been a visitor there in almost three months!  But something very interesting happens when four families meet under somewhat unusual circumstances.  Read this book to find out how sometimes with a little bit of hope, you can find exactly what you need even in the middle of nowhere. 

Book reviewed by Carol C., Youth Services Assistant

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

If you loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick’s latest novel Wonderstruck--told as two stories, one in words and one in pictures--will keep you reading until the very last page.  In 1977, twelve-year old Ben first loses his mother and soon after his hearing when struck by lightning. Discovering some clues in his mother’s belongings he runs away to New York in search of his father.  Fifty years earlier a deaf girl named Rose departs to find the movie star Lillian Mayhew who we learn is her mother.  Each child’s personal quest leads them to an adventure at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.  The two stories weave back and forth until they form a special connection in the conclusion.
A wonderful comparison can be made if you read an earlier classic, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg where two children run away to the Metropolitan Museum in New York, then plan your own scavenger hunt uncovering similarities that Selznick had included in Wonderstruck.

Book reviewed by Marsha D., Youth Services Assistant

Troublemaker by Andrew Clements

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

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm. "Everyone thinks children are sweet as Necco Wafers, but I've lived long enough to know the truth:  kids are rotten," says 11-year-old Turtle.  It is 1935.  Turtle's mom is a live-in housekeeper so she has had plenty of experience with mean kids like the ones who set her cat's tail on fire.  Turtle's opinion of kids seems unlikely to change after she is sent to live with her aunt, uncle, and three cousins in their crowded house in Key West, Florida.  But before she knows what has happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of her "shell" as she hangs with the Diaper Gang and looks for buried pirate treasure.  Turtle is smart, feisty, and lots of fun.  I hope you enjoy her adventures as much as I did. 

Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko

After Dad died, life became hard for the Tompkins. Then the day came when Mom could no longer even afford to keep their home. India, Finn, and Mouse would have to go and live with their Uncle Red. Despite their misgivings, the three set off on a plane to Denver, Colorado. But their plane lands in the strange town of Falling Bird instead. And what a mysterious place that is! Riding in a feather covered taxi seems almost normal in Falling Bird. They have to decide whether to stay in Falling Bird or not, and when they decide to leave, they’re in real trouble! No Passengers Beyond This Point is an engaging mixture of realistic fiction and fantasy.

Book reviewed by Loreen S., Youth Services Assistant

One-Handed Catch by M.J. Auch

One-Handed Catch by M.J. Auch. One thing that I thought was really interesting about this book was that it is loosely based on the childhood experiences of the author’s husband.  The setting for this book is just after the end of World War II and the main character is an 11-year-old boy named Norm, whose family owns a meat market.  On the fourth of July, while helping his dad in the store, his hand got caught in the meat grinder and he lost it.  Shortly after he was released from the hospital, there were a few times when Norm felt sorry for himself and he was tempted to use his new disability to try and get special treatment from people.  However, his mom quickly put a stop to that when she found out because she wanted him to learn to become independent.  His dad felt terribly guilty about the accident so he suddenly didn’t spend time or joke with Norm the way that he used to.  Luckily, his best friend Leon still stayed friends with him and once he knew what it was like to be teased, Norm also ended up befriending Carl, the quiet, new kid in town. However, he still had to face several other challenges.  How would he ever fulfill his lifelong dream of being a professional baseball player?  What instrument would he be able to play in the school band?  How would he ever re-learn how to do a simple thing like tying his shoes? You will have to read this inspirational story (and 2012 Rebecca Caudill Award nominee) to find out!

Book reviewed by Julie D., Elementary School Liaison