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Double Dog Dare by Lisa Graff (J)
Francine Halata is the backbone of the fourth-grade Media Club at Auden Elementary, doing every job needed, and then some. Kansas Bloom is new to the school and the Club. When the News Anchor position comes up for grabs, Francine feels that she’s earned it. However, Kansas is also nominated. The Club decides on a series of dares that Kansas and Francine must complete, with the winner getting the job. The dares are very inventive and the rivalry gets a little nasty as the competition continues. But both Francine and Kansas have more going on in their lives than dares, and more in common than they know. This is a great story with lessons on friendship, family, and conflict. Recognizable characters and middle-grade humor will have instant reader appeal. |
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The Island Horse by Susan Hughes (J)
Ellie moves with her widowed father to a small island off the coast of Canada when he gets a job with island rescue. At first she is very unhappy to leave her old home, her best friend, and her mother’s final resting place. However, Ellie loves horses and when she discovers there are wild horses on the island and a young stallion tentatively approaches her, she begins to change her mind about her new island life. When the horse’s life on the island is in jeopardy, Ellie relies on the help of a new friend and her loving father to help her protect “her” horse and his herd. This short historical fiction book is sure to please young horse lovers. |
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Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Tween)
“I know I’m not an ordinary ten year-old kid…I know ordinary kids don’t get stared at wherever they go,” states August (Auggie) Pullman. Born with a facial deformity that has kept him out of public school, he suddenly finds himself about to start the fifth grade at Beecher Prep. If being the new kid wasn’t hard enough, try being the new kid with an extraordinary face. Can Auggie convince his new classmates that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover? Avoiding the trap of too much sentimentality, Palacio paints a realistic look at the life of someone who’s used to being labeled as “different.” Told intermittently from the perspectives of Auggie, his friends, and his family, the reader learns how Auggie’s condition affects those around him. This is a great story to read with children about friendship and acceptance. |
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The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco (jE)
The powers of art and good teaching are celebrated in this autobiographical picture book by acclaimed author and illustrator Polacco. After spending a summer with her artist grandmother, Trisha decides she will be an artist as well, but her school doesn’t have an art class. With the help of a sympathetic teacher, she enrolls in a special art class at another school with Miss Chew, who teaches her the language of art that inspires a young girl to become an artist.
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Food Revolution (series) by Dana Meachen Rau
Going Organic (j613.2 Ra)
Going Vegan (j613.262 Ra)
Going Vegetarian (j613.262 Ra)
In this new series comprised of the titles Going Vegetarian, Going Vegan, and Going Organic, these three diets are explored in a kid-friendly way. Many people are making lifestyle changes to integrate one or more of these practices into their everyday nutritional regimens, and children are no exception. The author presents both the benefits and challenges of these choices with facts, tips, and recipes – helping to make these choices understandable and achievable. Kids are given meaningful information to consider, such as the impact their choices may have on the world, even if only “one plate at a time.” There is also discussion of how to translate these choices into the affected areas of our eating lives, including grocery shopping, meal preparation, and eating out. Don’t miss this insightful series, an opportunity for healthy discourse about you and the planet alike. |
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Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs by Michaela Muntean (j636.7 Mu)
What do a circus performer and ten homeless dogs have in common? Well, step right up and be amazed by Michaela Muntean’s new book, “The True Story of Ten Dogs”.
Luciano Anastasini grew up in the circus. At twelve, he was performing as a juggler and an acrobat. A life threatening fall ended his acrobat career but the circus was all Luciano knew. Enter ten problematic and homeless dogs and we now not only have a new circus act, but also a story about love, hope, and the life changing power of second chances. This is a spectacular non-fiction selection! |
