Alexander, William. A FESTIVAL OF GHOSTS

Alexander, William.
A FESTIVAL OF GHOSTS
New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 4.9
ISBN 978-1-48146-918-0

Rosa has been raised in libraries -- literally. Her mother is a well-known ghost appeaser and every library has one. But now her mother is telling her that she must start school in the fall. What? She has never been to school. She is becoming an appeaser herself and would rather work on that than go to school. But her mother insists that the school needs Rosa. So, along with her best friend Jasper who is also studying to become an appeaser, off to school they go. But from the very start, we just know something is wrong with the school. It tries to keep Rosa out but Jasper is able to get the door open. When students start losing their voices, Rosa knows she is up against some strange haunting.

Simon, Coco, CRACKS IN THE CONE

Simon, Coco,
CRACKS IN THE CONE
New York : Simon Spotlight, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 5.2
ISBN  978-1-53441-750-2
The Sprinkle Sundays Sisters are back at the ice cream shop. This time, Tamiko is telling the story. She is looking forward to working at Allie's mom's ice cream shop with Allie and Sierra. But something is off.  Allie seems to be in a bad mood and is not very nice to Tamiko.  When she gives a boy a sample of an ice cream flavor, Allie is cross and tells Tamiko not to do that because it is wasting money. Tamiko is just trying to get the customers to try new flavors.   Nothing she does seems right.  When she accidentally drops a sundae, Allie is upset and reminds Tamiko that the ice cream costs money and she can't be dropping things and giving away large samples. Even Allie's mother doesn't appreciate Tamiko's efforts.  Maybe she should just quit.

Simon, Coco, SUNDAY SUNDAES

Simon, Coco,
SUNDAY SUNDAES
New York : Simon Spotlight, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 5.0
ISBN  978-1-53441-747-2


Allie is looking forward to coming home after summer camp. Sure she enjoyed her time at camp but she misses her friends and family. But things have changed in ways she could never have imagined. And it all happened while she was away. Her parents tell her they are getting divorced. She can barely believe it. And that is not all. They are selling the house and moving away. Her mom has bought a house in a nearby town and her dad will be living in an apartment in town. And she will have to go to a new school and make all new friends.  Can this get any worse? Well it can when the mean girls target her from day one at the school.

Guglielmo, Amy. HOW TO BUILD A HUG : TEMPLE GRANDIN AND HER AMAZING SQUEEZE MACHINE

Guglielmo, Amy.
HOW TO BUILD A HUG : TEMPLE GRANDIN AND HER AMAZING SQUEEZE MACHINE
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL K-3,
ISBN 978-1-53441-097-8

As a child, Temple Grandin was different from most kids. The things that didn't bother other kids, were like torture for her. Even wearing socks or a hug from her mother was a horrible experience. At school, she couldn't handle the sound of the school bell or the fan, or the loud cafeteria.  You see, Temple has autism. We hear the term all the time now but back in the 1950s when she was in school, people didn't really know about it. Temple was sent to a private boarding school that specialized in children who were different. Here Temple blossomed. She was very bright and loved the animals. But she still wondered why a simple hug was so awful for her. She watched others enjoying hugs but still could not stand the thought of people hugging her. One summer, she finally discovered a way to enjoy hugs.

Boldt, Mike. ATTACK OF THE 50-FOOT FLUFFY

Boldt, Mike.
ATTACK OF THE 50-FOOT FLUFFY
New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2018
IL K-3, RL 1.7
ISBN 978-1-48144-887-1

When Claire is happy, so is Fluffy.  When Claire is sad, so is fluffy. But you don't want to see Claire or Fluffy when she is angry. And today is not going well. There is no Super Choco Puff cereal left. A button fell off Fluffy's dress and there is a long line at the swings.  And Claire got angry. And so did Fluffy!

Weatherford, Carole Boston. BE A KING : DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S DREAM AND YOU

Weatherford, Carole Boston.  
BE A KING : DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S DREAM AND YOU
New York : Bloomsbury, 2018
IL K-3, RL 1.7
ISBN 978-0-8027-2368-0 

You have probably heard Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I have a dream" speech. He dreamt of equality. When there was no walls between the races. Where children of any color or creed could work together to make the world a better place. Can you be like that? Can you work towards equality? Can you be a King?

You can be a King. Stamp out hatred. Put your foot down and walk tall.

You can be a King. Beat the drum for justice. March to your own conscience.

Wilson, Jamia. YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK : MEET 52 BLACK HEROES FROM PAST AND PRESENT

Wilson, Jamia. 
YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK : MEET 52 BLACK HEROES FROM PAST AND PRESENT
New York : Wide Eyed Editions, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 8.9
ISBN 978-1-78603-158-7



 “All children deserve to see themselves represented positively in stories. That’s why we’re highlighting the talent and contributions of black changemakers from around the world—for readers of all backgrounds to discover”



This book introduces us to 52 people from the past through today. Some of these people are well known but other may be new to you.  They are scientists, inventors, artists, singers and athletes. And they all have made a difference in the world.

Ness, Patrick. THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE

Ness, Patrick.  
THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE
New York : HarperTeen, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 978-0-06-240316-2

Mikey and his friends just want to get through the next few weeks.  Prom and graduation and then off to college. But things are happening in the town that are going unnoticed by many. If you aren't the Chosen One, it's easy to ignore things. But the Indie kids are there to help. All Mikey wants to do is go out with Henna. The story is told in separate narratives -- one about the Indie kids and the coming of the Immortal Ones. And then the rest of the kids who just live there.

DiPucchio, Kelly. SUPER MANNY CLEANS UP!

DiPucchio, Kelly.
SUPER MANNY CLEANS UP!
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL K-3, RL 3.3
ISBN 978-1-48145-962-4

Every weekend, Manny and Gertie put on their capes and saved the planet from danger. They tame the giant lions at the library. They fight the fierce veggie monsters. And they even calm the giant yeti. But when they see the turtle caught up in plastic, they decide to change their game. How can they really save the world from danger?

Florian, Douglas. FRIENDS AND FOES : POEMS ABOUT US ALL

Florian, Douglas.
FRIENDS AND FOES : POEMS ABOUT US ALL
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL K-3
ISBN 9781442487956
"What are best friends for/For sharing/For caring/For giving/Forgiving."  

Do you have a good friend?  What about someone you don't like? You may find a poem here that shows just how you feel.

Hellman, Blake Lilane. SOMETHING SMELLS

Hellman, Blake Lilane.
SOMETHING SMELLS
New York : Simon & Schuseter, 2018
IL K-3
ISBN 978-1-48148-864-8

When he wakes up in the morning, Elliot smells the most terrible smell.  Where can that awful smell be coming from? His pets? His Dad? The baby?  No, they all smell fine.  It takes awhile but Elliot finally figures out where the smell is coming from. Can you figure it out?

Night, P. J. TRUTH OR DARE

Night, P. J.
TRUTH OR DARE
New York : Simon Spotlight, 2018
IL 3-6
ISBN 978-1-53441-657-4

The party is going to be so much fun. Abby, Leah, Chloe and Nora plan to have a great night -- complete with a game of Truth or Dare. The girls settle in and dig into the snacks and then the game begins.  Abby is already a bit freaked out since she thought someone was watching them from the woods. But she tires to ignore the creepy feeling.  When it is her turn for the game, she chooses truth and soon wishes she didn't. She has to tell the girls who she has a crush on.  That's when then the text comes. "Leave him alone. He's mine!!! Don't make me tell you twice!"

Strasser, Todd. PRICE OF DUTY

Strasser, Todd.
 PRICE OF DUTY
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-48149-709-1

Jake Liddell has been sent home to recover from his wounds. And he has come home as a hero. He is probably going to be presented the Silver Star. Jake comes from a tradition of military heroes so it makes sense that he is now also considered a hero. His grandfather is a retired general and has lined up lots of events to honor Jake. But Jake cannot shake the horrors of war. Nor can he shake his doubts about the war.  The forever war that has no end.  Thinking about all his training in JROTC and the promises of the recruiter just make him angrier. All the promises that lure boys into the military with hefty signing bonuses and thoughts of college after service. If they live through it.