Little Klein
by Anne Ylvisaker
Published 2007 by Candlewick Press (MA)

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780763633592

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Set in 1949, this compelling portrait of a spirited family features a colorful cast of characters in a rural river town, including a boy and his loyal dog who leads them from one adventure to the next. A boy and his loyal dog roam freely and make mischief in a compelling portrait of a spirited family in bygone America.

Born Harold Sylvester George Klein, Little Klein can't seem to measure up to the "Bigs." His older brothers are a boisterous gang held together by the bustling, bighearted Mother Klein. Try as he might to stand tall and be heard above the din, Harold often feels little and left out -- until one day when a stray named LeRoy answers his whistle and the two become inseparable, with LeRoy's nose leading them from one adventure to the next. Join a cast of colorful characters in a rural river town circa 1949 where boys wrestle and fish, swipe pies, brave perilous waters on homemade rafts -- and sometimes quietly become heroes.

01/01/2008 School Library Journal

Gr 36Set in a small mid-20th-century town, this novel follows the exploits of nine-year-old Harold Sylvester George Klein, known to everyone as "Little Klein" ("his body seemed to grow at the rate of a blade of grass in the shade"). Harold's father, a traveling salesman, is largely absent, leaving the child's mother overwhelmed with her four sons at home. Mrs. Klein has fretted over her youngest since he was a sickly, frail baby. Meanwhile, the "Bigs"his brothers Matthew, Mark, and Lukeare strapping, boisterous, and known for their antics. The somewhat episodic chapters follow the boys as they adopt a stray dog, attempt to build a doghouse, fight, fish, and generally cause a ruckus. Readers will appreciate the protagonist's growth from the beginning of the novel when he finds his family's coddling both irritating and reassuring to the end, when he insists on being called "Harold." A gentle read for fans of Eleanor Estes's "The Moffats" (Harcourt, 2001), John D. Fitzgerald's "The Great Brain" (Dial, 2000), and Jeanne Birdsall's "The Penderwicks" (Knopf, 2005)."Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

I, Lorelei
by Yeardley Smith
Published 2009 by HarperCollins

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780061493447

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Smith, the Emmy Award-winning actress who gives Lisa Simpson her voice on "The Simpsons," delivers a comic and powerful debut novel about an 11-year-old girl who begins a journal after her favorite cat dies, so he can follow her rise from sixth grade to fame and fortune. Lorelei Connelly is no ordinary eleven-year-old. She's practical and a forward thinker. When her favorite cat, Mud, dies, she starts a journal to him, chronicling her daily life as a sixth grader so that he can continue to follow her rise to fame and fortune as a beloved actress, celebrated chef, and/or bestselling author. She figures it's also a good way to make sure her future biographers don't get anything wrong about her. But when her parents' marriage starts to unravel, Lorelei's lighthearted daily log becomes a poignant and defiantly humorous account of a family in distress as Lorelei grapples with the ground shifting under her feet. Yeardley Smith engages the reader with wit, candor, and authenticity.

Publishers Weekly 10/27/2008

Moments of offbeat humor raise this novel by the actress best known as the voice of Lisa Simpson above the typical story of divorce. Smith adopts a diary format, with 11-year-old Lorelei writing a series of letters to her recently deceased cat, Mud. Tart observations, like Loreleis assertion that her brother can be dumber than a bag of string, balance her pain at discovering her fathers infidelity and other family problems. Smiths characters are the best thing about the book: theyre always slightly off the wall, even such minor players as the school bully who threatens to spread your guts on your front porch so the alley rats can choke on you. There are missteps (e.g., Lorelei too easily brushes off snubs from her supposed best friend), but the family dynamics are on target, and readers will enjoy watching the heroine develop her own strength as her family reshapes itself. Ages 812. "(Jan.)" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 57In the form of a diary addressed to her recently deceased cat, Mud, and any future biographers wishing to write about her, Lorelei Lee Connelly, 11, chronicles her life as a sixth grader at a private school in Washington, DC, and as the middle child and only girl in a family in crisis. Trying out for the part of Wendy in the school's production of Peter Pan; navigating relationships with schoolmates, including moody best friend Jennifer, bully Matt, dreamboat Bo, and outcast Saylor; and grappling with the confusion and fear surrounding her parents' disintegrating marriage, Lorelei gives spirited accounts of her days. Thanks to the insight of Mr. Blair, a teacher who recognizes her comic talent, she lands the part of Tiger Lily (to the disappointment of her self-absorbed mother, who played Wendy at Princeton) and throws herself into preparation for the play. Lorelei's dramatic and social success can't alleviate the feeling of rejection when her mother barely notices her achievements, and of disillusionment with her father when he decides to move to Massachusetts with his girlfriend, but the wisdom of Mr. Blair, her love for her brothers, and her indomitable spirit carry her through. The complexity of human behavior, nuanced character development (even in minor characters), and, above all, Lorelei's authentic and endearing voice provide a richly layered reading experience. This funny, poignant story of self-centered parents and appealing, resilient children is a winner.Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.Gr 57In the form of a diary addressed to her recently deceased cat, Mud, and any future biographers wishing to write about her, Lorelei Lee Connelly, 11, chronicles her life as a sixth grader at a private school in Washington, DC, and as the middle child and only girl in a family in crisis. Trying out for the part of Wendy in the school's production of Peter Pan; navigating relationships with schoolmates, including moody best friend Jennifer, bully Matt, dreamboat Bo, and outcast Saylor; and grappling with the confusion and fear surrounding her parents' disintegrating marriage, Lorelei gives spirited accounts of her days. Thanks to the insight of Mr. Blair, a teacher who recognizes her comic talent, she lands the part of Tiger Lily (to the disappointment of her self-absorbed mother, who played Wendy at Princeton) and throws herself into preparation for the play. Lorelei's dramatic and social success can't alleviate the feeling of rejection when her mother barely notices her achievements, and of disillusionment with her father when he decides to move to Massachusetts with his girlfriend, but the wisdom of Mr. Blair, her love for her brothers, and her indomitable spirit carry her through. The complexity of human behavior, nuanced character development (even in minor characters), and, above all, Lorelei's authentic and endearing voice provide a richly layered reading experience. This funny, poignant story of self-centered parents and appealing, resilient children is a winner.Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Nellie Oleson Meets Laura Ingalls
by Heather Williams
Published 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780061242489

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilders Little House books remember Nellie Oleson as Lauras mean nemesis. Now readers can relive the events of the Newbery Honor Book "On the Banks of Plum Creek," as seen through Nellies eyes, and see a whole different side of Walnut Grove. Nellie Oleson does not like living in Walnut Grove. It's dirty and dusty and full of poor farmers. One day a new girl, Laura Ingalls, comes to school. Laura's dress is too short, she doesn't wear shoes, and she lives out on the lonely prairie. But everyone wants to be Laura's friend. Nellie doesn't understand: If "she's" the prettiest and richest girl in Walnut Grove, shouldn't she be the most popular? Nellie will do anything to get Laura Ingalls out of her life, and one day her wish comes true. Something terrible does happen, but not just to Laura Ingalls--it happens to the entire town of Walnut Grove. Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic story "On the Banks of Plum Creek" introduced readers to Nellie Oleson. Now readers will see events unfold from Nellie's perspective in "Nellie Oleson Meets Laura Ingalls," which is an enchanting and eye-opening look at Laura Ingalls's prairie foe.

Seeing Sky-Blue Pink
by Candice Ransom
Published 2007 by Carolrhoda Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780822571421

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Plenty of things make eight-year-old Maddie nervous: her too-small feet, climbing high places, not always knowing what to say, and especially her new home in the Virginia countryside with Sam, her mom's new husband. To her surprise, Sam turns out to understand all those things and more?like how to learn the weather from a cat, what kind of treasure you can find at the dump, and where to find a color called sky-blue pink. Through her growing bond with Sam, Maddie finds the courage to face many of her fears and the wisdom to see things she never believed could be real.

10/01/2007 School Library Journal

Gr 24Maddie has had to leave the bustling town of Manassas, VA, to move to the country with her mother and new stepfather. Hesitant about this unfamiliar lifestyle, the eight-year-old is afraid of losing the "Perfect Days" spent alone with her mother, which involved the cherished ritual of sharing a maple-walnut sundae at Rudy's, visiting the library, and rubbing the hoof of the horse statue in the park for luck. Fortunately, kind and playful Sam is eager to reassure Maddie and help make her transition smooth and positive. He builds her a tree house, makes her a basement swing, and helps her rescue her lost stuffed animal, slowly proving to Maddie that she can have Perfect Days in her new home. As she grows in maturity at handling her circumstances, she also discovers the beauty and wonder of nature in her rural surroundings. Ransom makes it clear that although both Sam and Maddie have insecurities about forming a new family, these fears are natural. With well-drawn characters, honestly expressed emotions, and a genuinely childlike perspective, this is a gentle, soothing story about trust and acceptance."Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Plenty of things make eight-year-old Maddie nervous: her too-small feet, climbing high places, not always knowing what to say, and especially her new home in the Virginia countryside with Sam, her mom's new husband. To her surprise, Sam turns out to understand all those things and more?like how to learn the weather from a cat, what kind of treasure you can find at the dump, and where to find a color called sky-blue pink. Through her growing bond with Sam, Maddie finds the courage to face many of her fears and the wisdom to see things she never believed could be real.

Poppy and Ereth
by Avi
Published 2009 by HarperCollins

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 9780061119705

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Poppy, a deer mouse, and Ereth, a grumbling porcupine, have been the best of friends for as long as the animals of Dimwood Forest can remember. An unstoppable pair ever since they defeated the tyrannical owl, Mr. Ocax, Poppy and Ereth have enjoyed many happy adventures together. But when a swirl of bitter winter storms buries Dimwood Forest in snow and Poppy's husband, Rye, dies suddenly, all Poppy wants is some privacy. "Dancing doorknobs," Ereth mutters to no one in particular, "how can she not want to see me?" As he waddles back to his log, Ereth fears he may have lost his dear friend forever. But Ereth has not lost Poppy, at least not yet. As the ground begins to thaw, life returns to Dimwood Forest and Poppy ventures out in search of excitement. Suddenly, swooped up by Luci the bat, Poppy is flying high over the forest and unexpectedly embarks on her greatest adventure. Meanwhile, Ereth, left to his own devices, manages to convince himself that Poppy has died and, as only the old porcupine can do, sets about to give her the best memorial service the forest has ever known. The last episode of the Poppy stories, poppy and ereth is a rousing adventure befitting one of the great heroines of children's literature as well as a final, heartwarming celebration of the life, love, and friendship of two most unlikely companions.

Sallie Gal and the Wall-A-Kee Man
by Shelia P Moses
Published 2007 by Scholastic Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780439908900

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

In this immediate and exciting child-sized adventure, Moses tells a heartwarming story about a cotton sharecropper family on a North Carolina farm in the 1960s. Illustrations.

09/01/2007 School Library Journal

Gr 35Cousins Sallie Gal and Wild Cat live near each other on Cumbo Road in North Carolina. Sallie Gal's father is serving in Vietnam. Although the eight-year-olds spend many of their summer days chopping cotton, they also play and scheme together. Sallie Gal's greatest desire is to have hair ribbons just like Wild Cat's, but money is tight and Momma is proud and self-sufficient. The girls try several ways to earn enough for the coveted ribbons and run into trouble along the way. Customers are few at their lemonade stand, and disaster strikes when Sallie Gal breaks her mother's glass pitcher. When the Wall-a-Kee Man, a salesman with a whole store in his station wagon, gives Sallie Gal ribbons, she knows Momma will make her return them, so she hides the gift and struggles with her conscience. Appealing black-and-white illustrations in various sizes embellish the text. Moses takes a fond look at strong family ties and the values of honesty and hard work. Short paragraphs and peppy dialogue make this easy chapter book a candidate for reading aloud."Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Fortune's Magic Farm
by Suzanne Selfors
Published 2009 by Little, Brown Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780316018180

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

In the dank village of Runny Cove, orphaned Isabelle works at the umbrella factory, struggling to support herself and her grandma. That is, until Isabelle discovers that she has inherited Fortune's Farm, the last place on Earth where magic grows. Now Isabelle must use the magic to save the people of Runny Cove. Suzanne Selfors is back with another a humorous light-fantasy adventure that is sure to appeal to anyone who has ever dared to dream.

This story takes place in the dark, dank village of Runny Cove. There, orphan Isabelle works her fingers to the bone at the Magnificently Supreme Umbrella Factory, struggling to support herself and her Grandma Maxine. That is, until Isabelle discovers that she has inherited Fortune's Farm, the last place on earth where magic grows. Now Isabelle must use the magic to save the people of Runny Cove without spilling the secret of Fortune's Farm to the world-or worse, to the greedy factory owner, Mr. Supreme, who wants to exploit the magical fruit for his own selfish purposes.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 46Ten-year-old Isabelle, who was found on a doorstep when she was a baby and adopted by an elderly woman, lives in a dreadful boardinghouse in a town in which it never stops raining. She works long hours at Mr. Supreme's Umbrella Factory labeling boxes to support herself and her ailing grandmother. One day she is told that Grandma has passed away, and she decides to escape from Runny Cove. Upon running away, she meets Sage, a 12-year-old boy who tells her that she is not an orphan, but rather a tender, a member of the family who lives in hiding in the last place on Earth where magic grows. Sage takes her on a journey across the ocean to Fortune's Farm. Isabelle finds her new home to be a sunny place filled with fruit trees and magical seeds that immediately change her pale, prunelike appearance into a healthy body. Isabelle is faced with some tough obstacles and challenges to her loyalty but ultimately she wins her grandfather's approval and is able to bring about change in Runny Cove. The story gets off to a slow start, but upon arrival at Fortune's Farm, the descriptions of this magical land make it worthwhile. Readers will cheer for Isabelle throughout the story and despise Mr. Supreme and Mama Lu, the despicable owner of the boardinghouse.Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

The Last Polar Bears
by Harry Horse
Published 2007 by Peachtree Publishers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781561453795

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Grandfather is off on an expedition to the North Pole to find the Last Polar Bears. Accompanying him is Roo, a remarkable little dog with strong views and a short attention span, and a golf cart full of equipment. The intrepid explorers set sail on the good ship Unsinkable and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Grandfather and Roo endure storms, high seas, a temperamental sea captain, and seasickness until the ship reaches Walrus Bay. In the primitive coastal town of Walrus, Grandfather gets in a game of golf but unscrupulous wolves plague him and Roo. Finally, Grandfather and Roo and a penguin companion head off on foot to find the Great Bear Ridge, home to the Last Polar Bears.

Publishers Weekly 10/15/2007

In this amusingly quirky chapter book, the late Horse (the Little Rabbit series) tracks an oddball expedition to find polar bears at the North Pole. Comprised of letters a grandfather sends to his grandchild, the story starts aboard a creaky ship (the "Unsinkable"), which carries him and his opinionated talking dog, Roo, from Aberdeen to the town of Walrus. Grandfathers missives describe storms at sea, a malfunctioning engine that Roo inadvertently fixes and Roos farfetched yarns about her own seafaring grandfather (She told us one in which he was swallowed by a whale and lived inside it for two years, writes Grandfather. He at last escaped by climbing out of the blowhole, and swam all the way back to his ship. He later got a medal for it). On land, the two encounter drunken wolves, a loner who makes animal sculptures from snow and an Arctic-dwelling penguin whom Grandfather adoptsall before the bear-seeking mission begins. Horses droll wit extends to his delicate pen-and-ink illustrations, which keep the spotlight trained on the emotive Roo and her animal co-stars. Ages 6-10. "(Oct.) " Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Grandfather is off on an expedition to the North Pole to find the Last Polar Bears. Accompanying him is Roo, a remarkable little dog with strong views and a short attention span, and a golf cart full of equipment. The intrepid explorers set sail on the good ship Unsinkable and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Grandfather and Roo endure storms, high seas, a temperamental sea captain, and seasickness until the ship reaches Walrus Bay. In the primitive coastal town of Walrus, Grandfather gets in a game of golf but unscrupulous wolves plague him and Roo. Finally, Grandfather and Roo and a penguin companion head off on foot to find the Great Bear Ridge, home to the Last Polar Bears.

My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright: My History of the Second World War 1939-1945
by Marcia Williams
Published 2008 by Candlewick Press (MA)

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780763641115

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Marcia Williams follows a young girl's coming of age during World War II in a moving fictional journal that includes the author's own family mementos.

The year is 1939, and Britain is about to declare war on Germany. After Flossie's father joins the army, the nine-year-old girl is left to care for both her baby brother and her great-uncle. In a collage-style diary merging photos, postcards, and other memorabilia, Flossie relays events ranging from the arrival of evacuees to the wrenching news that her cousin has been killed. Her vibrant first-person narration reveals a humor and a fihting spirit that sees her through many a hardship until she welcomes her dad home at last.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 36Following Archie's War (Candlewick, 2007), a fictional scrapbook of World War I, Williams offers an intricately designed and intimate look at World War II, as seen through the eyes of Archie's daughter. In her "secret war diary" that chronicles the years 1939 through 1945, motherless Flossie shares her thoughts in entries filled with humor and angst. She lives in the Dorset countryside in the gardener's cottage on a small estate with her great uncle and younger brother while her father is serving in the British army. Children will quickly come to enjoy Flossie's energetic delivery and endless doodling. They will love poring over the extrasasides, sidebars, and letters found under flaps and in envelopes, that Williams has compiled to give the book the feel that one has stumbled into a real girl's private keepsake. The book's fontcalled Flossieis a mix of printing and cursive that adds to the authenticity but may pose a challenge for some readers. While many American children will not be familiar with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and singer Vera Lynn, they will come away with a great appreciation for the sacrifices of the English people as well as their resolve to carry on until peace reigns again. Children who enjoy history will be fascinated by Flossie and will undoubtedly be inspired to learn more about the events she describes.Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Marcia Williams follows a young girl's coming of age during World War II in a moving fictional journal that includes the author's own family mementos.
The year is 1939, and Britain is about to declare war on Germany. After Flossie's father joins the army, the nine-year-old girl is left to care for both her baby brother and her great-uncle. In a collage-style diary merging photos, postcards, and other memorabilia, Flossie relays events ranging from the arrival of evacuees to the wrenching news that her cousin has been killed. Her vibrant first-person narration reveals a humor and a fihting spirit that sees her through many a hardship until she welcomes her dad home at last.

Tricking the Tallyman
by Jacqueline Davies
Published 2009 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780375839092

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

This fascinating story explains how the 1790 census was tabulated (or "tallied") and how the country's new citizens came to understand (after much misunderstanding) how the census helped them and the country. Full color. Are kids interested in learning about the very first American census? "Probably "not. Do young readers clamor for stories set in the very, very olden days of the late 18th century? Uh, not "really." Okay, but do they like nutty cat-and-mouse trickery, wacky slapstick, and animals disguised as people? You bet! So let them have all that, and if they end up learning a thing or two about our country, its history, and the ways our government works, "shhh ." . . we won't tell!

"Tricking the Tallyman "accomplishes the tricky task of showing kids the way the 1790 census was tabulated (or "tallied") and how the country's new citizens came to understand (after much misunderstanding) how it worked to help them and the country. Excellent for classroom use or to put in the hands of bright kids with a taste for the quirky and irreverent, young readers may enjoy this story so much they might not even notice how much they've learned!

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 14This lively, engaging picture book is an outstanding introduction to the concept of census taking and its role in the implementation of the new United States Constitution. One day in 1790, Phineus Bump rides into Tunbridge, VT. He is an honorable man who takes his duties seriously, yet he wishes to return home to his loved ones, whom he hasn't seen in three months. His job is to count every man, woman, and child in town and report back to the government. But folks are skeptical: Will the numbers be used to establish taxation or conscription, or, as rumors are saying, representation in the new government? They aren't taking any chances and set out to trick the Tallyman, going from one extreme to the other and delaying his completion of the task. Finally, a real understanding of the man's mission allows them to be counted "fair and true." Schindler's exceptional illustrations, mainly in earth tones, depict indoor and outdoor scenes that are full of activity. Children will delight in finding hidden treasures in the pages. Especially noticeable is a look of consternation on a turkey whose feathers have recently been turned into writing quills. Charming and humorous, this book is certain to appeal to childrenand to educators.C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.Gr 14This lively, engaging picture book is an outstanding introduction to the concept of census taking and its role in the implementation of the new United States Constitution. One day in 1790, Phineus Bump rides into Tunbridge, VT. He is an honorable man who takes his duties seriously, yet he wishes to return home to his loved ones, whom he hasn't seen in three months. His job is to count every man, woman, and child in town and report back to the government. But folks are skeptical: Will the numbers be used to establish taxation or conscription, or, as rumors are saying, representation in the new government? They aren't taking any chances and set out to trick the Tallyman, going from one extreme to the other and delaying his completion of the task. Finally, a real understanding of the man's mission allows them to be counted "fair and true." Schindler's exceptional illustrations, mainly in earth tones, depict indoor and outdoor scenes that are full of activity. Children will delight in finding hidden treasures in the pages. Especially noticeable is a look of consternation on a turkey whose feathers have recently been turned into writing quills. Charming and humorous, this book is certain to appeal to childrenand to educators.C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Squirrel World: A Park Pals Adventure
by Johanna Hurwitz
Published 2007 by Chronicle Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780811856607

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Award-winning author Johanna Hurwitz is back with a new addition to the charming Park Pals Adventures series. Squirrels Lexington (Lexi) and Lenox decide to visit the New York City streets they were named after. Lexi is worried about leaving Central Park, but Lenox is confident that their streets will be beautiful places, maybe even better than the park! When the two squirrels venture into the city, they soon realize that the human world is stranger and more dangerous than they'd ever imagined. This fourth exciting Park Pals tale brings back the fun, adventure, and favorite furry characters that this award-winning series is known for.

12/01/2007 School Library Journal

Gr 24In this installment in the series, squirrels Lexington and his cousin Lenox venture outside of Central Park in search of the New York City streets for which they are named. They discover a very harsh city quite different from their tree-filled home and, after an adventure in Bloomingdale's, end up being captured for a clothing-store window display, until they are saved by Lexi's guinea pig friend, PeeWee, and the rest of the squirrel relatives. The story, narrated by Lexi, is set in large type, and line drawings are sprinkled throughout, making this a suitable read for children transitioning into chapter books. It is a solid read, but the plot lacks excitement at times. It's likely to resonate most with Manhattan residents or those very familiar with the city since there are many details specific to it. Hurwitz does a good job of filling readers in on what happened in the previous books, so the story can be enjoyed on its own.Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Award-winning author Johanna Hurwitz is back with a new addition to the charming Park Pals Adventures series. Squirrels Lexington (Lexi) and Lenox decide to visit the New York City streets they were named after. Lexi is worried about leaving Central Park, but Lenox is confident that their streets will be beautiful places, maybe even better than the park! When the two squirrels venture into the city, they soon realize that the human world is stranger and more dangerous than they'd ever imagined. This fourth exciting Park Pals tale brings back the fun, adventure, and favorite furry characters that this award-winning series is known for.

The Mousehunter
by Alex Milway
Published 2009 by Little, Brown Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780316024549

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Emiline dreams of becoming a famous mousehunter, who collects the rare and special breeds of mice all over the world. So when she is given the opportunity to join the hunt for the legendary pirate Mousebeard, she sets off on a dangerous, swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime. Illustrations. In Emiline's world, there are thousands of species of mice, some rarer than others. Mousehunters travel the world collecting the rarest and most special breeds, from the wily and deadly Sharpclaw Mouse to the dog-sized Elephant Mouse and the quick-as-lightning Comet Mouse.

For Emiline, a mousekeeper in the employ of wealthy Isiah Lovelock, there is no greater dream than becoming a famous mousehunter. So when she is given the opportunity to join the hunt for the legendary pirate Mousebeard, she sets off on the most dangerous, most thrilling, most swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime.

The Mousehunter is an extremely accessible, dark and thrilling story, featuring original black & white illustrations, maps and character portraits.

Publishers Weekly 01/12/2009

In a world of pirates, spies and greedy mouse collectors, 12-year-old Emiline knows she must fiercely protect what's most important: her pet mouse, Portly; the assortment of mice she tends as mousekeeper; and her friend, Scratcher. Then Emiline gets caught in the middle of a dangerous feud between the most feared pirate on the Seventeen Seas and a wealthy, underhanded mouse collector. Suddenly, everything she holds dear is in danger. Before each chapter, debut author Milway amusingly introduces different species of mice (the Magnetical Mouse, a must for sailors, has a bulletlike nose that always points due north). Although some questions remain unanswered (Where are Emiline's parents? Why are mice the animals du jour?), they are easily disregarded as the adventure unfolds and Milway's colorful if unlikely heroes encounter sea serpentlike Graks, Howling Moon Mice and prized but forbidden Golden Mice. Emiline is feisty, clever and loyal, while the pirates she befriends are all bark and little bite. More adventures seem to await Emiline in future books, and readers, having gotten to know the hard-nosed, softhearted pirates and their unusual mice, will be glad. Final illus., also by Milway, not seen by "PW." Ages 10up. "(Feb.)" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 46Twelve-year-old Emiline Orelia works for Isiah Lovelock, one of the richest and most powerful mouse collectors in the world. While she tends to his extensive menagerie, she dreams of becoming a mousehunter, traveling the world in search of rare and exotic species. When Lovelock hires Captain Devlin Drewshank to capture the pirate Mousebeard, who sank his merchant ship, Emiline runs away and joins his crew. She and her new friend, Scratcher, find themselves in the midst of Lovelock's plot against Mousebeard. Emiline grows throughout the story in her awareness of the other characters and their motivations, and in her perceptions of the shades of gray between good and evil, as she sees Lovelock as a scheming traitor and finds redeeming qualities in the notorious Mousebeard. Milway has created an atmospheric and engaging world filled with hundreds of varieties of mice with different coloring, temperaments, and abilities. New creatures are introduced both within the text and in pages with information and illustrations from The Mousehunter's Almanac interspersed between chapters. Readers will enjoy the action, chases, and plot twists, and will look forward to the sequel that's sure to follow.Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Night of the Spadefoot Toads
by Bill Harley
Published 2008 by Peachtree Publishers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781561454594

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 36Fifth-grader Ben Moroney has just moved from Arizona to Massachusetts. While struggling to adjust to his new home, he becomes unlikely friends with his science teacher, Mrs. Tibbets. She introduces the young nature enthusiast to the wildlife inhabiting her rural property, including the fascinating, rarely seen spadefoot toad. Despite his initial loyalty to his previous home, Ben finds himself increasingly interested in his new environment, and when he learns that the spadefoot toad's habitat will soon be sold to developers, he makes it his mission to save the threatened species he has grown to love. This title does not contain the same level of mystery, action, and suspense as Carl Hiassen's "Hoot" (Knopf, 2002), but the narrative does move along at a quick enough pace to keep the book interesting, and the main character is a well-developed, realistic "child hero." An additional purchase with a positive message that may appeal to readers interested in science and nature."Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Mudville
by Kurtis Scaletta
Published 2009 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780375855795

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

It's been 22 years since the rain began right in the middle of Moundville's big baseball game against rival town Sinister Bend. And it's still pouring. But when a strange kid arrives, the sun finally comes out. It's time to get a Moundville team together and finish what was started 22 years ago. Welcome to Moundville, where it's been raining for longer than Roy McGuire has been alive. Most people say the town is cursed--right in the middle of their big baseball game against rival town Sinister Bend, black clouds crept across the sky and it started to rain. That was 22 years ago . . . and it's still pouring.

Baseball camp is over, and Roy knows he's in for a dreary, soggy summer. But when he returns home, he finds a foster kid named Sturgis sprawled out on his couch. As if this isn't weird enough, just a few days after Sturgis's arrival, the sun comes out. No one can explain why the rain has finally stopped, but as far as Roy's concerned, it's time to play some baseball. It's time to get a Moundville team together and finish what was started 22 years ago. It's time for a rematch.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 68Vandals have crossed off the "o" and the "n" from the welcome sign outside the town of Moundville, and appropriately so, as it's been raining there continually for 22 years. Shortly after 12-year-old Roy discovers that he'll be sharing his bedroom with Sturgis, a scarred foster child about his age, the rain stops. What better opportunity to organize some baseball? In short order Roy finds himself captaining a ragtag team with himself as catcher, Sturgiswho has a wicked fastballon the mound, and position players of both sexes with wildly varying levels of skill. Scaletta takes nearly 80 pages to trot out his varied, well-drawn supporting cast and to fill in the town's history (a necessity: that rain interrupted an important baseball game that some adults, at least, still regard as unfinished business), but he balances perceptive explorations of personal and domestic issues perfectly with fine baseball talk and (eventually) absorbing play-by-play. Readers will cheer Roy on as he struggles to get his team in shape, clicks with a girl who is new to the game but turns out to have an unhittable natural screwball, and weathers some rough waters with moody Sturgis on the way to a rousing climax and a fitting resolution.John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.Gr 68Vandals have crossed off the "o" and the "n" from the welcome sign outside the town of Moundville, and appropriately so, as it's been raining there continually for 22 years. Shortly after 12-year-old Roy discovers that he'll be sharing his bedroom with Sturgis, a scarred foster child about his age, the rain stops. What better opportunity to organize some baseball? In short order Roy finds himself captaining a ragtag team with himself as catcher, Sturgiswho has a wicked fastballon the mound, and position players of both sexes with wildly varying levels of skill. Scaletta takes nearly 80 pages to trot out his varied, well-drawn supporting cast and to fill in the town's history (a necessity: that rain interrupted an important baseball game that some adults, at least, still regard as unfinished business), but he balances perceptive explorations of personal and domestic issues perfectly with fine baseball talk and (eventually) absorbing play-by-play. Readers will cheer Roy on as he struggles to get his team in shape, clicks with a girl who is new to the game but turns out to have an unhittable natural screwball, and weathers some rough waters with moody Sturgis on the way to a rousing climax and a fitting resolution.John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

No Girls Allowed (Dogs Okay)
by Trudi Strain Trueit
Published 2009 by Aladdin Paperbacks

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781416975922

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Fourth-grade inventor Scab McNally is determined to not let anything get in his way--especially his twin sister Isabelle. When his newest invention, a sister-repellant spray, becomes a hit with the kids at school, Scab hatches a plan--with unfortunate consequences. Illustrations. "This chapter has nothing to do with my pants."So begins the story of Scab McNally, a fourth grader with a mission. Part inventor, part daredevil, Scab is determined to let nothing get in the way of convincing his parents to let him buy a dog -- especially his "smart times ten" twin sister, Isabelle.When his newest invention, a sister-repellent spray (aka Isabelle's Smell), becomes a hit with the guys, Scab hatches a plan. He'll earn enough selling Isabelle's Smell to buy a dog, and then his parents will have to say yes, right? But one broken bottle of the mega-stinky concoction brings major disaster, not to mention a hazmat crew.In the midst of his self-pity, Scab realizes that his drive to get a dog has hurt the people he cares about most. Will Scab be able to set things right? Find out in author Trudi Trueit's laugh-out-loud novel introducing the irrepressible Scab McNally to the world.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 35Nine-year-old Scab McNally has an overactive imagination and is on a mission, which is a worrisome combination. He enjoys dabbling in his homemade science lab in his basement and is ecstatic when he develops a particularly obnoxious-smelling sister repellent. Scab and his "smart times ten" twin do not get along at all, hence the need for the repellent. When Isabelle refuses to help him convince their parents to get a dog, he decides to sell his repellent to his friends; with the money, he plans to buy a puppy on his own. Unfortunately, his plans hit a bump when he and his best friend have an argument and his latest batch of repellent, which is in his backpack, is accidentally squashed. At the same time Isabelle has decided to help Scabuntil she learns why kids have been teasing her at school. Scab is a likable, free-thinking boy who is full of charm and humor. He leaps before he thinks and that gets him into more trouble than he can handle. His many tips, diagrams, and facts scattered throughout are entertaining, as are the numerous comical black-and-white illustrations. This is the first book in a series, and kids are sure to be wondering what kind of trouble Scab will brew in his lab next."Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Greetings from Nowhere
by Barbara O'Connor
Published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780374399375

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Aggie isn't expecting visitors at the Sleepy Time Motel in the Great Smoky Mountains. Since her husband died, she is all alone with her cat, Ugly, and keeping up with the bills and repairs has become next to impossible. The pool is empty, the garden is overgrown, and not a soul has come to stay in nearly three months. When she reluctantly places a For Sale ad in the newspaper, Aggie doesn't know that Kirby and his mom will need a room when their car breaks down on the way to Kirby's new reform school. Or that Loretta and her parents will arrive in her dad's plumbing company van on a trip meant to honor the memory of Loretta's birth mother. Or that Clyde Dover will answer the For Sale ad in such a hurry and move in with his daughter, Willow, looking for a brand-new life to replace the one that was fractured when Willow's mom left. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that Aggie and her guests find just the friends they need at the shabby motel in the middle of nowhere.From an author long recognized for her true Southern voice and heartfelt characters, "Greetings from Nowhere," with its four intertwining stories, brings Barbara O'Connor's work to a new level of sophistication.

03/01/2008 School Library Journal

Gr 58Aggie Duncan cannot muster the energy to fix up the Sleepy Time Motel since her husband died, and with no visitors stopping by on North Carolina's Smoky Mountains back roads, she reluctantly concludes that it's time to sell. Within days of placing an ad, she has an offer from Clyde Dover, who is eager to make a new life for himself and his daughter, Willow, after his wife's desertion. They are soon joined by Loretta and her parents, who are on a journey to learn more about Loretta's birth mother, and Kirby and his mother, whose car broke down en route to a last-ditch reform school. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Aggie, Willow, Loretta, and Kirby as the four family units get to know one another and form unlikely friendships. While Clyde is eager to improve the motel, Willow shows him the wisdom of keeping some of Aggie's traditions. Angry Kirby, who has spent a lifetime living up to his label as a troublemaker, is initially irritated by Loretta's bubbling optimism, but he comes to appreciate the value of her trust. And Aggie learns that even the emptiness of her husband's absence cannot seal her heart from a girl who misses her mother. O'Connor's knack for well-developed characters and feisty protagonists is evident, as is her signature Southern charm. While the format increases the distance between readers and characters, the author's fans will find much to enjoy in this examination of family in the 21st century."Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Scrubs Forever!
by Jamie McEwan
Published 2008 by Darby Creek Publishing

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 9781581960693

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

This is the fourth and final book in the Scrubs series. Dan, the quotable man, struggles with his own scrub-ness as he questions the basics of his beliefs about what it takes to be a winner. Rock climbing is the backdrop sport that shows Dan that being too competitive can get in his way to the top.

06/01/2008 School Library Journal

Gr 24Dan and his friends call themselves the Scrubs. They know they aren't among the school's top athletes, but they try hard, have fun, and "go for it, no matter what." Dan, however, is beginning to think he has outgrown his friends' mindset. He spends extra time training and worries more about winning than enjoying himself. He even starts hanging around with superjock Biff, the Scrubs' arch nemesis. When the gang begins rock climbing instruction, Dan is determined to be the best-no matter who gets in his way. But is he willing to trade friendship for championship? Like the previous installments, which began with "Willy the Scrub" (Darby Creek, 2004), this short, breezy chapter book emphasizes good sportsmanship and individuality. The Scrubs are a cohesive, supportive group who encourage one another, cheering effort as well as achievement. The dialogue is lively and realistic, with lots of humorous banter, and there's plenty of action. The large type, sports theme, and amusing cartoon vignettes make this an attractive choice with special appeal to reluctant readers, especially boys."Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Under the Mishmash Trees
by Dick King-Smith
Published 2008 by Roaring Brook Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781596433250

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

NONSENSE IS THE BEST SENSE! A silly starter novel!"Thank you, madam, thank you from the bottom of my heart and the bottom of my stomach and the bottom of my bottom!" Wollycobble, a slobbadunk, has been a martyr to indigestion for as long as he can remember, so when Ut, a compassionate gombrazil cures him of his burps and belches, she makes a lifelong friend. Dick King-Smith, master of animal stories, creates a wonderfully silly, nonsense world filled with memorable animals of his own creation.

08/01/2008 School Library Journal

Gr 25Mishmash is the appropriate name for this assemblage of wacky characters who look like amoebas on steroids and have outlandish names. Add unimaginative dialogue and a meandering story line and you end up with this book. Readers are introduced to Og and his wife Ut, both multilegged gombrizils, and Tumblerum Wollycobble, the slobbadunk, a one-eyed blob that is both male and female. Ut cures Tumblerum's chronic indigestion and the genial slobbadunk helps Og and Ut hatch their egg. What follows is a story about friendship and family but the overuse of made-up words weakens the presentation. Fans of the prolific author and talented illustrator might be interested in this offering, but they'll need a high tolerance for nonsense to embrace it."Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.