Haddix, Margaret Peterson SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS

Haddix, Margaret Peterson
SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 978-1-48141-764-8


Told in two voices -- Avery, a rich, spoiled 14-year-old who is used to getting her way and Kayla, a 16 year old who is known as "butt-girl" in school. These two have very little in common and are now thrown together for the summer.  Avery wants to go to soccer camp with her friends but her father has business in Spain and has decided she will go with him for the summer. He asks Kayla to come along to be a companion to Avery. Neither girl can fathom why. They hardly know each other. And they have very different backgrounds. Kayla is excited as she has never traveled but she is worried that Avery won't accept her.  Avery can't believe she is stuck with this girl for the summer.  What they don't know is that there is a secret that binds their families together. When it comes out, will it tear everything apart?

DePaola, Tomie. STREGA NONA'S MAGIC RING

DePaola, Tomie.
STREGA NONA'S MAGIC RING
New York : Simon and Schuster, 2018
IL K-3, RL 2.4
ISBN  978-1-48147-761-1

Spring has sprung and Strega Nona suggests that Big Anthony go into town and have some fun. A little night life is what he needs. He doesn't believe anyone would dance with him.  Strega Nona decides she too needs a little night life and finds her magic ring that turns her into a beautiful woman. Big Anthony has secretly seen her do this and wants to try it himself. When Strega Nona is away, Big Anthony finds the ring and indeed turns into a very handsome man. At the dance, all the women want to dance with him and won't leave him alone. He decides to take the ring off and go home.  Uh-oh. The ring is stuck! What will he do?

DePaola, Tomie IN A SMALL KINGDOM

DePaola, Tomie
IN A SMALL KINGDOM
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL K-3, RL 1.7
ISBN 978-1-48149-800-5

In a small kingdom far away, a beloved king has died. Before he died, he named his youngest son as the next king. The older son was angry and jealous of his brother. He knew that the king could not rule without the magic robe that his father wore.  So, the older son secretly stole the robe, ripped it up into pieces and threw it away. Now the young king had no power. Or was there a way to change that?

Campbell, Sarah C. WOLFSNAIL : A BACKYARD PREDATOR

Campbell, Sarah C.
WOLFSNAIL : A BACKYARD PREDATOR
New York : Boyds Mills Press, 2008
IL K-3, RL 4.4
ISBN 978-1-59078-554-6

Have you ever heard of a wolfsnail?  Sounds scary, doesn't it? Well, they are actually tiny snails that eat slugs. There are some great closeup photos of this little creature in this book. There is a lot of information about the wolfsnail packed into this book.

Buckley, James. BONNIE AND CLYDE

Buckley, James.
BONNIE AND CLYDE
New York : Aladdin, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 6.4
ISBN 978-1-48149-549-3

Have you ever heard of Bonnie and Clyde? If you lived in the 1930s, you probably would have known everything about them. They were notorious criminals who captured the public's attention and made front page news wherever they went. They were young, good looking and bold. The country was in a deep economic depression and people were looking for something to distract them from their day to day lives. Romanticizing the lives of these two outlaws filled that need. As their crimes grew more violent, the country turned against them and when they were finally caught, the story did not end. Read about another of History's Worst.

Barnes, Derrick D. CROWN : AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT

Barnes, Derrick D.
CROWN : AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT
New York : Bolden, 2017
IL K-3, RL 3.3
ISBN 978-1-57284-224-3

How do you feel when you get a great haircut? Do you feel on top of the world? Invisible? Well, this book is a celebration of that great haircut. Go to the barber shop and sit in that chair. Let him work his magic on you. And strut your stuff in your fresh cut crown.

An, Na. THE PLACE BETWEEN BREATHS

An, Na.
THE PLACE BETWEEN BREATHS
New York : Atheneum, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 9781481422253

Grace King is smart and very mature for her 16 years. Having grown up with a father who was studying schizophrenia and trying to find a cure, Grace has had the opportunity to work in a lab that was doing genetic research. She is a quiet young lady and takes her internship seriously. Her mother left the family many years ago suffering with schizophrenia and Grace is determined to help her father find a cure.  Her attention to detail uncovers a coding mistake in some of the testing. Could this lead to the breakthrough the lab needs to find the cure?  And will Grace be able to find her mother to offer the cure? Full of twists and turns, and told in first, second and third person, this is a story that will keep you wondering what is really going on.

Sima, Jessie. HARRIET GETS CARRIED AWAY

Sima, Jessie.  
HARRIET GETS CARRIED AWAY
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL K-3, RL 2.5
ISBN 978-1-48146-911-1


Harriet loves wearing costumes.  She wears them every day!  When her dads take her to the store to buy party supplies for her birthday party, Harriet wears a penguin costume. Her dads are getting the food so she goes to the party hat aisle and finds something amazing. This is where Harriet gets carried away!

Sayre, April Pulley. WARBLER WAVE

Sayre, April Pulley. 
WARBLER WAVE
New York : Beach Lane Books, 2018
IL 2.9, RL K-3
ISBN 978148144829-1


Warblers are tiny birds who weigh no more than a couple of nickles. But these birds take an amazing journey every year when they migrate. These beautiful photographs help capture the migration. 
"In spring, as you nightly nap, warblers flap over oceans, lakes, and mountains. Tiny. Strong. Pushed along by wings and rivers of wind." Follow these amazing birds on their long journey.

Kelly, Erin Entrada. HELLO UNIVERSE

Kelly, Erin Entrada.
HELLO UNIVERSE
New York : Greenwilllow Boos, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.1
ISBN 0062414151

Four middle schoolers. Each with their own story to tell.  Virgil Salinas is shy and is bullied because of his learning disabilities.  Chet Bullens takes delight in bullying Virgil and goes out of his way to terrorize him.  Valencia Somerset is deaf and also goes to the resource room with Virgil. Since her best fried dumped her for kids who could hear, Valencia is alone and finds it hard to find  new friend. And Kaori Tanaka who fancies herself a psychic telling fortunes for other kids.  Their paths will cross when Chet tosses Virgil's backpack down an abandoned well. Now it will take the combined efforts of the others to save his life.

Gravett, Emily. OLD HAT

Gravett, Emily.
OLD HAT
New York : Simon & Schuster Books, 2018
IL K-3, RL 0.8
ISBN 978-1-53440-917-0

Harbet loves wearing his hat. It is a hat that his Nana had made for him. But when he went out, all the others laughed at his hat. Old hat, old hat. They were all wearing the latest fashion and Harbet decided he would also get a new hat. But when he went out, the others laughed. Old hat, old hat. He kept trying to find the latest fashion but he was always one step behind the others. Until one day...

Fleming, Denise. THIS IS THE NEST THAT ROBIN BUILT WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HER FRIENDS

Fleming, Denise.
THIS IS THE NEST THAT ROBIN BUILT WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HER FRIENDS
New York : Beach Lane Books, 2018
IL K-3, RL 1.7
ISBN 978-1-48143-083-8

Building a robin's nest can be a complicated task. There are many steps involved and here we find how she gets some help from her friends.   The tale begins with a squirrel "who trimmed the twigs, not too big,/ that anchor the nest that Robin built" 

Engle, Margarita. THE FLYING GIRL : HOW AIDA DE ACOSTA LEARNED TO SOAR

Engle, Margarita.
THE FLYING GIRL : HOW AIDA DE ACOSTA LEARNED TO SOAR
New York : Atheneum Books, 2018
IL K-3, RL 4.4
ISBN 978-1-48144-502-3

Aida de Acosta saw the beautiful air ship flying in the sky in Paris and decided that she wanted to learn to fly.  In those days, women were not supposed to do things like that. But she was determined. She convinced the air ship's owner to teach her to fly. Alberto Santas-Dumont believed that all she needed was courage and the chance to try. And that she did. To the dismay of the women who saw her. They thought is shameful for a woman to fly. But she had inspired many of the children that day. As Aida say, "Sometimes all it takes to change the whole world is one wild dreamer's soaring example."

Ness, Patrick. RELEASE

Ness, Patrick.
RELEASE
New York : HarperTeen, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0062403192


A day in the life of Adam, a rising senior who is having a very full day. It may just be the worst day of his life. His ex-boyfriend is leaving.  His best friend has been murdered by her meth-addicted boyfriend. He is being harassed by his boss. And he is going to come out to his homophobic evangelical pastor father.  Oh, did I mention that his brother who is a seminary student has gotten his girlfriend pregnant?  What a day. Come along with Adam as he tries to get through it all.

Zoboi, Ibi. AMERICAN STREET

Zoboi, Ibi.
AMERICAN STREET
New York : Balzer + Bray, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0062473042

Fabiola Toussaint and her mother are on their way to America. Life in Haiti is hard and they are looking forward moving to Detroit with her aunt and cousins. But at the airport, the unthinkable happens. Fabiola's mother is detained by ICE and taken away. She tells Fabiola to keep going and get to Detroit. This is not how it is supposed to be. But Fabiola has no other option. She arrives in Detroit and is taken in by her family. But this is not the way she pictured life. The life in Detroit is not easy. There is abuse and drugs everywhere. Fabiola must survive in this and she must find a way to get her mother here. This is a stark look at what many immigrants find on their search for the American dream.

Pearson, P. O'Connell. FLY GIRLS

Pearson, P. O'Connell.
FLY GIRLS : THE DARING AMERICAN WOMEN PILOTS WHO HELPED WIN WWII
New York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.7
ISBN 1534404104

It is not unusual to see women pilots today. We see them on commercial flights and we see them in the military. But back in World War II, it was unheard of. The military thought that women were incapable of controlling the big military aircraft. But a few determined women persisted and did what they could to show the military that they could fly any plane and were as brave as any of the men.  As thae war raged on, more and more men were sent to the war which meant that there were fewer pilots at the home front. Pilots were needed to transport planes and to test them. This is where the women found their niche.  They filled that void but as civilians. It was not an easy life but women proved themselves to be expert pilots. This is a fascinating account of the brave women who served during the war and how they changed minds.

Lettice, Jenna. THE 12 DAYS OF VALENTINE'S

Lettice, Jenna. 
THE 12 DAYS OF VALENTINE'S
New York : Random House, 2017
IL K-3, RL 3.3
ISBN 0399557350

Do you like Valentine's Day? What do you like the most? The cards? The candy? The decorations? Well, in this book, they like them all.  And they start their celebration early so they have 12 days of Valentine's!

Lehrhaupt, Adam. IDEA JAR

Lehrhaupt, Adam.
IDEA JAR
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL K-3, RL 1.7
ISBN 1481451669

Do you like to write? Maybe your teacher asks you to write in class.  If you are like me, sometimes you just can't think of what to write about. You need an idea before you can think of a story. The class in this book keeps an Idea Jar. Students put ideas on slips of paper and put them in the jar. Now when they need an idea, they can just pick one out of the jar. But what happens when the ideas begin to take over?

Bates, Amy June. THE BIG UMBRELLA

Bates, Amy June. 

THE BIG UMBRELLA
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL K-3, RL 1.4
ISBN  1534406581

"By the front door/there is an umbrella/It is big/It is a big, friendly umbrella." So begins the young child's journey through the town. It is raining and the umbrella invites people to come in out of the rain. The umbrella doesn't care who you are, you are welcome. And there is always room for one more.

Bardugo, Leigh. WONDER WOMAN : WARBRINGER

Bardugo, Leigh.
WONDER WOMAN : WARBRINGER
New York : Random House, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0399549730

I know, I know. You have heard the backstory of Wonder Woman many times. But I think this one is new and enjoyable. Yes all the things you love about Wonder Woman are here but it is a new story. We meet Diana on the island and she is trying to prove herself to the others.  But she can't leave a teenage girl out in the ocean to die. So she rescues Alia from a shipwreck and brings her back to the island. This is not just any girl. The oracle tells Diana that Alia is the warbringer and unless the two can reach Themyscira, global war will be inevitable. Alia doesn't make it easy though.  

Abdo, Kenny. CAMP TERROR

Abdo, Kenny. 
CAMP TERROR
New York : EPIC, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 1680767291

Summer camp! Who doesn't look forward to a summer in the woods with lots of activities? Well, Maddy for one. But everyone agrees that this will do her a world of good so she is packed up and off she goes to Camp Dream Haven. The camp has been closed for years but has been spruced up and is now open for business again. Now Maddy is stuck at camp and is the target of the camp bully. How fun. When a rafting trip goes terribly wrong, Maddy and TJ are lost in the woods. And they may find out why the camp closed in the first place. 

Giovanni, Nikki. I AM LOVED

Giovanni, Nikki.
I AM LOVED
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL K-3, RL 3.6
ISBN 1534404929

Poet Nikki Giovanni has written these beautiful poems about love and friendship, family and even loss. She tells of love of family and even pets. And in the end, the love of the most important person.

A beautiful collection of poetry made even better by Ashley Bryan's illustrations.

Casey, Susan. DOLPHINS : VOICES IN THE OCEAN

Casey, Susan.
DOLPHINS : VOICES IN THE OCEAN
New York : Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2018
IL 5-8
ISBN 1524700851

When her father died, Susan Casey sunk into a depression. She decided she needed to get away alone and get her head in a better place. She ended up in Hawaii. She spent her days swimming in the beautiful waters off Maui. And it was here that her life changed. While swimming, she had a close encounter with a pod of spinner dolphins. They swam with her for a bit and then went on their way. She became fascinated with the dolphins and went on to study dolphins around the world. She spent time in Ireland where she met Fungie who lived along in Dingle Bay. In Japan she joined a group working to protect dolphins. This memoir offers a look at different dolphins around the world and the people who love them.

Aguirre, Ann. VANGUARD

Aguirre, Ann.
VANGUARD
New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 1250089824

The war is over and now we find our heroes settling into ordinary life. But not Tegan. She still longs for adventure and is not content just living this new life. So she takes her medical skills and signs on as a ship's doctor. Accompanying  her is Millie and Morrow. And the Uroch Vanguard, Szorak.  He is on a mission to find a new homeland for his people. Tegan decides to help him and the two will find adventure enough to last a lifetime. And maybe more than they could have hoped for.

Macgregor, Virginia. WISHBONES

Macgregor, Virginia.
WISHBONES
New York : HQ, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0008217297
When Feather returns home on New Year's Eve, she finds her mother unconscious on the floor.  When the paramedics come to take her to the hospital, they are faced with a difficult task.  You see, Feather's mom is overweight. Not just overweight but morbidly overweight. She weighs over 500 pounds and the paramedics need to get a crane to lift her out of the house. Needless to say, there are a lot of people watching, laughing and taking pictures. This is why she never leaves the house. Feather overhears the nurses in the hospital say that Jo has only about 6 months to live if she doesn't do something about the weight.  And now Feather is determined to get her mother healthy through diet and exercise. It won't be easy when her mother won't cooperate and her father won't help. Feather enlists the help of her best friend and the new boy in the neighborhood who if fighting his own battles. Can Feather find out why her mother is like this? Will she be able to help her mother?

Laden, Nina. YELLOW KAYAK

Laden, Nina.
YELLOW KAYAK
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2018
IL K-3, RL 0.9
ISBN 1534401946


A little boy takes a wondrous journey in a little boat.  Along the way he meets sea creatures big and small. He sails into a huge storm. And he tries to find his way home.  Sail along on this great adventure and remember to stay dry.

Smith, Michael. IT STARTS WITH A RAINDROP

Smith, Michael. 
IT STARTS WITH A RAINDROP
Manhattan Beach, CA : East West Discovery Press, 2017
IL K-3, RL 2.6
ISBN 0997394714


Do you ever think about water? On a hot day when you have been out playing, a cold glass of water is just the thing. How many different ways do you use water everyday? Do you ever stop to wonder where that water comes from? When you turn on the faucet and the water comes out, where does it come from? Can you believe that it starts with just one raindrop?  Come along and find out how.

Shoup, Kate. GHOSTS, POSSESSIONS, AND UNEXPLAINED PRESENCES

Shoup, Kate.
GHOSTS, POSSESSIONS, AND UNEXPLAINED PRESENCES
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.3
ISBN 1502628538

Do you believe in ghosts? Would it surprise you to learn that people have believed in ghosts for thousands of years? Even as far back as the Sumerians and Babylonians, people believed that ghosts exist. But has there been any proof? Ghost hunting has gained popularity in the past few years. There are even TV shows devoted to ghost hunting and a lot of scientific equipment is used in the search. What do you thing?

Schubert, Leda. LISTEN : HOW PETE SEEGER GOT AMERICA SINGING

Schubert, Leda. 
LISTEN : HOW PETE SEEGER GOT AMERICA SINGING
New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2017
IL K-3, RL 3.7
ISBN 1626722501


Pete Seeger was born way back in 1919. That's a long time ago but one thing that you have in common with him is singing. Pete loved to sign. And he loved to have people join him. Throughout his life, he performed at countless venues and wrote many songs. He was especially interested in songs about social justice. He was a peace activist and spent time marching and protesting. Right to the end, Pete Seeger was the voice of passion.

Reynolds, Jason. PATINA

Reynolds, Jason.
PATINA
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017
IL 5-8, IL 4.6
ISBN 1481450182


When Patina comes in second place in the track meet, she is furious. She tries not to show it. She doesn't want to be known as a sore loser. But second place is unacceptable. We first met Patina in Reynolds' book Ghost. Now we learn much more about her. We learn about her father's death. How her mother got the "sugar" that took her legs.. Her sister Maddy. And about her living with her aunt and uncle. Since she has come to live with them, her aunt has decided that the girls should attend Chester Academy rather than their old school.  The girls at the Academy are "hair flippers" and Patina has a bit of trouble fitting in. But as she gets to know them, things are getting better. But the track team is her obsession. She can't come in second again. When Coach assigns Patina the anchor of the 4x800 relay team, she wants to shine. But what will happen when she gets some terrible news?

Reynolds, Jason. LONG WAY DOWN

Reynolds, Jason.  
LONG WAY DOWN
New York : Atheneum, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 1481438255

Will is on his way to avenge his brother's shooting. That's the rule.  The rules that Shawn taught him. "Don’t cry, don’t snitch, always get revenge." And now 15-year-old Will has his brother's gun tucked into his waistband and he will get revenge. He gets in the elevator and pushes the button on the way to his brother's killer. Seven floors away. At each floor, the elevator stops and someone gets in. But these are people who Will knows. And they are all people who have died from gun violence. As Will takes the short ride in the elevator, he begins to learn about the Rules. And what they have cost.

Noyce, Pendred. MOSQUITOES DON'T BITE ME

Noyce, Pendred.
MOSQUITOES DON'T BITE ME
Boston : Tumblehome Learning, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 6.5
ISBN 1943431302
Nala is just your ordinary teen. Unless you discover that she is never bitten by mosquitoes. For a science project in school, she is paired up with a girl who just happens to be the daughter of the president of a drug manufacturing business.  When he hears about Nala, he is determined to find out why. Can you imagine a world where you can prevent mosquito bites? Not just the inconvenience of them but the diseases they cause. Like malaria. Nala's father stayed in Kenya after her mother's accident. She only sees him through facetime now. But now she has a chance to go to Kenya and meet her entire extended family. If they agree to be tested by the drug company. Nala thinks she is doing a good thing but things may not be as they appear.

Klepeis, Alicia. ESP, SUPERHUMAN ABILITIES AND UNEXPLAINED POWERS

Klepeis, Alicia.
ESP, SUPERHUMAN ABILITIES AND UNEXPLAINED POWERS
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 6.8
ISBN 15062849X

Have you heard of ESP -- Extrasensory Perception? It is also sometimes called the sixth sense.  It is the ability some people say they have to get information without using their five senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.  ESP can be broken down into three phenomena -- telepathy, clairvoyance and precognition.  But how do you prove this ability exists? Come along and find out.

Hyman, Fracaswell. MANGO DELIGHT

Hyman, Fracaswell.  
MANGO DELIGHT
New York : Sterling Children's Books, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 1454923326
Mango and Brooklyn are BFFs. They are on the track team together and Mango always comes in 2nd to Brooklyn. Until one day when Mango actually wins the race. Now a true BFF would be happy for her. But not Brooklyn. She becomes distant and even mean. Mango is confused about this new new side of Brooklyn. When Mango gets tossed from the track team, she finds that there may be other opportunities in middle school. Can she navigate this new territory? New friendships, new interests, and mean girls.

Holt, K. A. HOUSE ARREST

Holt, K. A.
HOUSE ARREST
New York : Chronicle Books, 2015
IL 5-8, RL 4.0
ISBN 1452134774

Timothy doesn't know what he was thinking when he stole that credit card. That's not true. What he was thinking is that he could use it to buy his brother's medicine that is so expensive. And that is what he did. But he was caught. Because of the circumstances, he was sentenced to house arrest for a year. No hanging with friends or going to the mall. He can only leave the house to go to school or if his mother is with him. That won't be too hard since he rarely leaves anyway. Ever since his brother Luis was born with medical issues. Luis has a trach which needs to be changed and cleared as needed. And they only only have a part time nurse so it is up to Timothy at times. He will do anything for Luis. Oh, another part of his sentence is to keep a daily journal. This is shared with his probation officer and counselor -- and us.

Haynes, Richard. SLINGSHOT AND BURP

Haynes, Richard.  

SLINGSHOT AND BURP
Somerville : Candlewick Press, 2016
IL K-3, RL 2.7
ISBN 0763670766

Slingshot and Burp are the finest cowboys around. At least in their imagination. They love playing cowboy and looking for loot. When their sisters take over the bunkhouse,they go off in search of some abandoned cowboy bones. Come along on an adventure in the desert as the kids are searching the boneyard.

Griffin, Paul. SAVING MARTY

Griffin, Paul. 
SAVING MARTY
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017
IL 5-8
ISBN   0399539077                 


Lorenzo lives in a small town in western Pennsylvania. He lives with his mother and grandfather.  They barely have enough money to get by and his mother looks for every opportunity to make a few dollars. When the pig has a litter, they are sold and the money comes in handy. But when their dog has a litter, Lorenzo notices a small pig in the corner. One o the piglets was left behind. The dog accepts the piglet and Lorenzo names it Marty after his father who was killed in the war.  As Marty grows, he becomes more and more like a dog and less like a pig.  Lorenzo wants to keep him but he knows his mother needs the money.  Will Lorenzo be able to find a way to save his friend?

Gregory, Josh. GRAND CANYON

Gregory, Josh.  
GRAND CANYON
New York : Children's Press, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 6.6
ISBN 0531240207



Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? It is truly a magnificent sight. It is a mile at it's deepest point. The temperature at the top is much higher than at the bottom.  Humans are thought to have first come to the canyon 12.000 years ago. There are lots of animals that call this area their home. Come along and find out about this amazing area.

Farish, Terry. THE GOOD BRAIDER

Farish, Terry.
THE GOOD BRAIDER
New York : Skyscrape, 2012
IL YA
ISBN 1477816283
Viola's life began in Juba in Sudan. The country is a war and it isn't safe for anyone. The family would love to leave but the village is surrounded by land mines and trying to escape is a very dangerous venture. But Viola, her mother and younger brother are able to get out and make the long trek to Khartoum and eventually Cairo.  After years in the refugee camp, they finally get their paperwork to go to the United States. But they have lost so much on the way, including her brother. Life in Portland Maine is so different and Viola reflects on her life and the differences between her old life and the new one.

Coddington, Andrew. THE HOPE DIAMOND, CURSED OBJECTS, AND UNEXPLAINED ARTIFACTS

Coddington, Andrew.
THE HOPE DIAMOND, CURSED OBJECTS, AND UNEXPLAINED ARTIFACTS
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.8
ISBN 1502628511

Do you believe items can be cursed? That merely possessing these items can make bad things happen? This book explores several curses but the most interesting one is the Hope Diamond. It is the largest cut blue diamond in the world and estimated to be worth $250 million. Since it was found in India in the mid-seventeenth century, tales of the curse have been reported. Those who possess it have had very bad luck indeed.

Coddington, Andrew. THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE, STONEHENGE, AND UNEXPLAINED PLACES

Coddington, Andrew.
THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE, STONEHENGE, AND UNEXPLAINED PLACES
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 8.4
ISBN 1502628430

You have probably heard of the Bermuda Triangle. It is an area between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico.  Unexplained occurrences have been reported in this part of the Ocean for hundreds of years. Even as far back as Columbus who reported problems with navigation in this area of the world. Have you heard any of these stories? Would you like to?

Coddington, Andrew. ALIENS, UFOs, AND UNEXPLAINED ENCOUNTERS

Coddington, Andrew.
ALIENS, UFOs, AND UNEXPLAINED ENCOUNTERS
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 8.8
ISBN 1502628457

The universe is huge. So large that it is hard to imagine. It is also hard to imagine that we are all alone in the universe. There have been many reports of UFOs and even some reports of people meeting aliens. But there is no definitive proof. Or is there? The truth is out there.

Bougie, Matt. BIGFOOT, THE LOCH NESS MONSTER, AND UNEXPLAINED CREATURES

Bougie, Matt.
BIGFOOT, THE LOCH NESS MONSTER, AND UNEXPLAINED CREATURES
New York : Cavendish Square, 2018
IL 5-8, RL 7.4
ISBN 1502628473

Although scientists try to debunk some of the stranger things around, some things just have no logical explanation. Cryptozoology is the study of animals that have not been proven to exist -- like bigfoot.  Bigfoot shows up in many different folktales. Bigfoot stories go back hundreds of years.  Come along on a scientific search for Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster and more?  Do you believe?

Alexander, Kwame. SOLO

Alexander, Kwame.
SOLO
New York : Blink, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0310761832

Boy, you would think that Blade has it made! He is the son of a famous rock star. He lives in a mansion and has everything he could possible want. And he is smart. He is even asked to give the commencement speech at graduation. Blade writes a song for the event and is looking forward to sharing it with everyone. But just as he starts to play, up rides a crazy man on a motorcycle, screaming and hooting and crashing into the stage. Yep, this is the famous rock star -- Rutherford. And he is drunk again. And he has ruined Blade's big day. Blade has had enough of this fool and his antics. But his sister begs him to give her father another chance. In a heated argument with her, the truth comes out.  Blade is adopted. How could he not know that? This is when his journey begins. He is determined to find his birth mother and ask her why she gave him up. The journey eventually takes him to Africa and to some truths that he could never have imagine.

Adams, Sabrina. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TROLLS AND CYBERMOBS

Adams, Sabrina.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TROLLS AND CYBERMOBS
New York : Rosen YA, 2018
IL YA
ISBN 1508174202

The Internet is so great. It lets us keep in touch with our family and friends. And we have the world at our fingertips. But social media has also brought us a new way of bullying. And it is getting bad. There is something about anonymous bullying that empowers people. So we hear a lot more about cyberbullying and trolling. What can you do to avoid it? How do you protect yourself? And how do you repair your reputation if you are a victim?

Wittekind, Erika. THE BIG PUSH : HOW POPULAR CULTURE IS ALWAYS SELLING

Wittekind, Erika. 

THE BIG PUSH : HOW POPULAR CULTURE IS ALWAYS SELLING
New York : Compass Point Books, 2012
IL 5-8, RL 7.7
ISBN 0756545188

We hear a lot about fake news and how the media shapes the news. But did you ever think about how the media shapes what you buy and what brands are popular? How the media affects consumerism? Take  ya look at how you are being targeted. Notice how your favorite stars are wearing name brand clothes. About how products show up in movies and television. Once you are aware of this, you will be better prepared to evaluate products. Do you want them because they are important? Or because you saw them being worn by a pop star?

Winter, Jeanette. THE WORLD IS NOT A RECTANGLE : A PORTRAIT OF ZAHA HADID

Winter, Jeanette.  
THE WORLD IS NOT A RECTANGLE : A PORTRAIT OF ZAHA HADID
New York : Beach Lane Books, 2017
IL K-3, RL 2.4
ISBN 148144669X

When you look around nature, what shapes do you see? Ovals, circles, curves. But when you look at buildings, what shapes do you see? Rectangles. Zaha Hadid grew up in Iraq looking at nature. She loved the shapes of nature and when she grew up, she became an architect. She didn't want to design rectangles. She wanted to draw from natural shapes. She studied in London and became a fine architect. Unfortunately, people who looked at her drawings were not interested in circles and curves. They wanted rectangles. Will Zaha ever be able to build what she wanted or will she have to go back to rectangle?

Whaley, John Lorey. HIGHLY ILLOGICAL BEHAVIOR

Whaley, John Lorey.  
HIGHLY ILLOGICAL BEHAVIOR
New York : Dial Books, 2016
ILYA


When it is really cold outside, or really hot, I wish that I didn't have to leave the house. I think about how great it would be if I didn't have to go to school or work or run errands. Just stay home where it is safe. Of course most people feel like that at times but Solomon feels that way all the time. As a matter of fact, he hasn't left the house since middle school. That time his panic attack was so bad that he tore off his clothes and jumped into the school fountain.  He now lives with comic books, card  games and homeschooling. Therapy hasn't worked and his parents worry that he will never be able to leave the house without having a panic attack. When Lisa, a high school junior who used to be a classmate, contacts him and wants to visit, Sol has some big decisions to make.  Will he let the outside world in even if he can't go out? And why does Lisa want to see him? Will this be a good thing for Sol or put him further inside?

Stubbs, Lisa. GRUMPY FEET

Stubbs, Lisa. 
GRUMPY FEET
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2017
IL K-3, RL 2.9
ISBN 1481471678


Lily is is a really bad mood today. Even things that usually make her happy are not working. Bear appears from Lily's drawing and determines that Lily has grumpy feet. He tries happy shoes and sticky cake but nothing seems to work to get her out of this mood.  Until he hits on just the right thing that will make her happy.

Rosenbaum, Andria Warmflash. TRAINS DON'T SLEEP

Rosenbaum, Andria Warmflash. 
TRAINS DON'T SLEEP
New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017
IL K-3, RL 3.0
ISBN 0544380746



Have you ever taken a ride on a train? I love trains and hope you do too. There are all kinds of train other than the ones we take as passengers.  Can you name any others? There are flat cars and box cars. Can you think of more? Take a journey through this lovely book and  find even more.