Today's podcast 12/31/2014

• Finding Elmo By Monique Polak

  Polak, Monique. FINDING ELMO Custer, WA : Orca Book, 2007 IL 5-8, RL 3.8 ISBN 1551436884 Tim really enjoys working at his father’s pet store. They have only been at this location for a few months and sales are not going well. Every morning, Tim does the rounds of feeding the animals and spending time with them. His father has told him over and over again not to get attached to the animals because they are here to be sold. Tim can’t help getting attached to a cockatoo by the name of Elmo. Elmo was given to the store by an owner who could no longer keep him. He has been with them for a long time. No one seems to want to pay the $2,000 price tag. The store is in financial trouble and Tim’s dad has to find creative ways to pay the rent to Mr. Morgan. When Mr. Morgan says he will reduce the rent for the month if he can rent out the store for a party, it seems like a way to get them through the month. But will things go as planned?

  tags: podcasts blueduke leisure

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Today's podcast 12/30/2014

• Sign Of The Chrysanthemum By Katherine Paterson

  Paterson, Katherine. THE SIGN OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM New York : Harper, 1988 IL 5-8, RL 5.6 ISBN 0064402320 Set in 12th century Japan, the story centers on 14 year old Muna. Living in a small village, Muna longs to find the father he has never known. His mother has told him tales of a great warrior who came to the village years ago. He was a fierce samurai with a tattoo of a chrysanthemum on his shoulder. When she passes away, Muna stows away on a ship bound for the city in search of his father. He is discovered and a likable ronin named Takanobu takes him under his wing. Muna soon realizes that Takanobu is a bit of a scoundrel, but he has been kind to Muna and deserves loyalty. One night, a fire breaks out in a bar where Takanobu has been drinking. Muna tries to save him, but suffers smoke inhalation and is not successful. Fukuji, a master swordsmith, takes Muna in and helps him heal. After, Muna stays with Fukuji doing chores around the house to earn his keep. Muna is happy with his life and hopes that one day Fukuji will take him on as an apprentice. But fate has other plans for Muna.

  tags: podcasts blueduke elementary leisure

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Today's podcast 12/29/2014

• While You Were Napping By Jenny Offill

  Offill, Jenny. WHILE YOU WERE NAPPING New York : Schwartz and Wade, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.5 ISBN 0375865721 Have you ever fought taking a nap because you thought you might miss something? The little boy in this story sure does. But his sister tells him she will let him know if anything good happens. And what a story she tells when he wakes up. It is all about pirates and fireworks and trips to outer space. She really makes her brother regret falling asleep.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/28/2014

• How To Steal A Dog By Barbara O'Connor

  Georgina has not always lived this way. She used to have both a mother and father and they lived in an apartment. Until her father walked out and left them with very little money. Now, Georgina, her brother and her mother are homeless and living in their car. It is very hard at school as the other kids are starting to make comments about her wrinkled clothes and dirty hair. She isn’t doing her homework so her grades are falling. Everything is going wrong. But when she sees a poster about a lost dog, Georgina comes up with a plan – steal a dog and collect the reward. Then they will have enough money to move into a real place and not have to live like this. Georgina and her brother scout out different areas looking for the right dog. It has to be a friendly dog owned by a rich person who can pay the reward. When they find the right dog, they put their plan into action. What they don’t count on is that the owner doesn’t have any money for a reward. Georgina and her brother stash the dog at an empty house in the woods. Is this really going to work? Will they be able to pull this off?

  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/27/2014

• Journey To Jo'burg By Beverly Naidoo

  Naidoo, Beverly. JOURNEY TO JO'BURG New York : Harper, 1988 IL 3-6, RL 5.1 ISBN 0064402371 The book takes place in South Africa during the time of Apartheid. Naledi is afraid when her young sister becomes very ill. Although her grandmother is doing her best, Dineo needs medical help. There is no money for doctors or hospitals. Naledi’s mother works in Johannesburg, 300 kilometers away. There is no way to get word to her about Dineo. Naledi and her younger brother,Tiro, decide to walk to Jo’burg to get their mother. They really have no idea how far it is. As the two journey, they learn about the harshness of apartheid and the kindness of strangers who help them on their journey. They also learn about the people who have risked everything to fight for the rights of blacks in South Africa.

  tags: podcasts blueduke elementary

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Today's podcast 12/26/2014

• Sophie's Squash By Pat Zietlow Miller

  Miller, Pat Zietlow. SOPHIE'S SQUASH New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013 IL K-3, RL 2,7 ISBN 0307978966 Sophie picked out a squash at the farmer's market. Mother thought it would be nice to have for supper. But Sophie drew a face on the squash and named it Bernice. She took it everywhere. No one could convince her that it was getting a bit squishy and should be eaten before it rotted. When Sophie asked the man at the farmer's market how to make Bernice better, will she take his advice?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/25/2014

• Skylark By Patricia MacLachlan

  MacLachlan, Patricia. SKYLARK New York : HarperCollins, 1994 IL 3-6, RL 3.3 ISBN 0060233281 In this sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall, we pick up the story after the marriage of Sarah and Jacob. The family is doing well and are happy living on the prairie. Things are about to change, though. There has been very little rain. The crops are drying up and some families are leaving. Papa refuses to even think about that possibility. He says that they were born there and that their names are written in the land. But the drought is getting worse every day. When they lose the barn to a fire, Papa knows that he needs to make a drastic decision.

  tags: podcasts blueduke elementary

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Today's podcast 12/24/2014

• Lena's Sleep Sheep By Anita Lobel

  Lobel, Anita. LENA'S SLEEP SHEEP New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2013 IL K-3, RL 1.9 ISBN 0449810267 Lena is all tucked into bed and ready to start counting her sheep. There's a full moon out and Lena asks her parents to keep the curtains open so she can look at the beautiful moon. Little does she know that her sheep are really scared of the moon. They think it is a horrible beast. How can Lena convince the sheep that the moon is friendly and that it is ok to come out?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/23/2014

• The Great Wheel By Robert Lawson

  Lawson, Robert. THE GREAT WHEEL New York : Walker, 2004 IL 5-8, RL 6.5 ISBN 0802777058 Cornelius Terence Kilroy, better known as Conn, is a young boy growing up in Ireland in the late 1800s. His family is poor and there is not much hope that Conn will have a better life. When the letter arrives from America, this all changes. Uncle Michael is living in New York and has a prospering construction business. But he has all daughters and hoped his brother would become his partner. But Uncle Patrick has other ideas and no liking for the city life. So Conn is his next hope. He is sending money for Conn to come to America and work in the family business. Conn is both excited and scared. On the ship to America, Conn meets a young girl from Germany. Trudy is going to live with her Uncle Otto in Wisconsin. Conn tells her of his aunt’s prophecy years ago that said Conn would follow the sun to the west and ride a huge wheel. Trudy says she hopes he will find his way to Wisconsin. In New York, Conn learns his uncle’s business quickly and becomes accustomed to the city life. When Uncle Patrick comes to visit, Conn is given a chance for another adventure. Will he leave to start again? And will his aunt's prophecy come true?

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/22/2014

• Letters From Camp By Kate Klise
  Klise, Kate. LETTERS FROM CAMP New York : Harper, 2000 IL 5-8, RL 6.4 ISBN 0380793482 Told in a series of letters, memos, receipts, and ledger pages. Three sets of siblings are off to Camp Happy Harmony. Brisket Roast whose father says is as lazy as a slug and his sister, Barbie Q. who is as spirited as a mustang. Charlie and Charlotte Lee who are described as wonderful kids who are liked by everyone except each other. Ivan and Mimi Gems who have no social skills and won’t go to bed but stay in their rooms for hours. The counselors are also siblings and used to appear in the singing group The Harmonys. They have advertised their camp as specializing in sibling relationships. For the next four weeks, the children will learn to get along. Sounds perfect. Things are not what they seem.
  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke
  
  
  
• Terror At The Zoo By Peg Kehret
  Kehret, Peg. TERROR AT THE ZOONew York : Puffin, 2001IL 5-8, RL 4.6ISBN 0142300284Ellen was just given the best birthday present ever.  Well, she has to share it with her little brother but that is fine.  Together with their grandparents, they are going to camp out at the zoo for the night!  They both love the zoo and have spent lots of time there.  But never at night.  They will be staying with their grandparents anyway since their parents will be away.  This is going to be just about perfect.  But then there is a change of plans.  Grandmother has broken her leg and can’t go camping.  But it will fine since their parents have changed their plans and now will be home to share the camping trip.  When the time arrives, their parents aren’t home.  The plane has been delayed.  The grandparents have gone to the hospital to have grandma’s leg reset.  Fearing they will have to miss the camping trip, Ellen and Corey decide to take a taxi to the zoo and wait for their parents there.  They leave a note so their parents will know to meet them at the zoo.  When they get to the zoo, their parents aren’t there and the coordinator is anxious to leave since her daughter is having a baby.  Corey lies and says his parents have just pulled up.  Now everyone is gone and Ellen and Corey are alone in the zoo.        
  tags: podcasts blueduke elementary
  
  
  

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Today's podcast 12/20/2014

• A Hidden Enemy By Erin Hunter — Adobe Voice

  Hunter, Erin. A HIDDEN ENEMY New York : Harper, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 5.5 ISBN 0062102605 Lucky has rejoined the pack of Leashed Dogs in the start of the second book of the Survivors series. Lucky still wants to be a Lone Dog but he knows that the Leashed Dogs need him and they may not survive without his help. His litter mate Bella is doing her best to lead the dogs but there are dangers out there that she has never encountered. She is a smart dog and has a plan that involves Lucky. She wants him to join the Wild Pack and find out what they are up to. If they are willing to share the water and the hunting, there is plenty for both groups to live in the valley. What Lucky finds is a brutal pack system. The Alpha dog is actually part wolf and he rules with an iron paw. His partner is Beta who is actually Sweet who Lucky knew in the city. Lucky is able to join the pack and finds out what time they are at the water and when they hunt. He returns to his Leashed Pack and tells Bella what he has learned. She is happy with the news but tells Lucky to remain with the Wild Pack. Lucky is reluctant but does what Bella asks. Just what is going on here?

  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/19/2014

• Hunter, Erin. THE EMPTY CITY

  Hunter, Erin. THE EMPTY CITY New York : Harper, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.2 ISBN 0062102575 Book 1 in the Survivors series introduces us to Lucky. Lucky is a Lone Dog. He has been caught and is in a kennel when a major earthquake hits. The story is told from Lucky’s point of view and he uses his words to describe his environment. Humans are longpaws and the earthquake is the Big Growl. Only one other dog survived in the kennel. Lucky is a Lone Dog but he takes Sweet into the city in search of food. What they find is total destruction. The buildings have collapsed and the longpaws have run away. Sweet decides she needs to find other dogs but Lucky wants to go it alone. When he is attacked by a group of foxes in a mall, a small group of dogs comes to his rescue. What will Lucky do now?

  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

  
  

  
  
  

• The Secrets Of Coral Reefs By Dwight Holing

  Holing, Dwight. THE SECRETS OF CORAL REEFS New York : London Town Press, 2005 IL 3-6, RL 7.3 ISBN 0976613433 Coral reefs are found in many different oceans. They are known for their beauty and diversity of inhabitants. This expository text explains how the reefs are created and introduces the reader to some of the inhabitants. Many creatures call the coral reefs home. This book is filled with facts and photographs of the coral reefs and the animals who live there. There is information about how to save this ecosystem included.

  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

  
  

  
  
  

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Today's podcast 12/17/2014

• Hermelin By Mini Grey

  Grey, Mini. HERMELIN THE DETECTIVE MOUSE New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0385754337 Hermelin is a little mouse living in the attic at 33 Offley Street. He was walking down the street one day and saw a message board filled with notices for lost items. He realized that he could find these items easily. Using his handy typewriter, he sent notes to the victims explaining where to find their lost items. Everyone was so delighted and curious about just who Hermelin really is. What will they do when they find out he is a mouse?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/16/2014

• The Midnight Horse By Sid Fleischman

  Fleischman, Sid. THE MIDNIGHT HORSE New York : Harper, 2004 IL 3-6, RL 4.4 ISBN 0060722169 Touch is a young boy who is riding in a coach on his way to Cricklewood, New Hampshire. There are three passengers on the coach - Touch, Mr. Hobbs, the blacksmith, and the mysterious Otis Cratt. Touch is an orphan and is off to meet his uncle. On the way, Touch hears the tale of The Great Chaffalo who was a great magician who could turn straw into a horse. But Chaffalo passed away long ago and is now a ghost that some have seen. When the coach arrives in Cricklewood, Mr. Hobbs invites Touch to join him for breakfast at the inn. There he meets the innkeeper, Sally. There are no guests at the inn. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a guest who checked in but disappeared. When Touch meets his uncle, he is not impressed. The judge tries to cheat Touch out of his inheritance, but Touch runs away. And he sees Otis Cratt leaving the judge's house. Touch must keep hidden as his uncle has threatened to send him to the orphan's home. When Touch asks Sally if he can hide at the inn, Sally tells him that the judge is also pressuring Sally to sell him the inn. Sally feels she has no choice since there are no guests and the bills need to be paid. Can Touch find a way to help them both?

  tags: podcasts blueduke elementary

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Today's podcast 12/15/2014

• Kicker By Michele Martin Bossley

  Bossley, Michele Martin. KICKER Custer, WA : Orca Book Publishers, 2007 IL 5-8, RL 3.9 ISBN 1551437066 Best friends Izzy and Julia are on the same soccer team. Julia is really the star and sometimes Izzy gets a bit jealous, but they have been best friends forever. When a man in a suit and clipboard shows up during a game, Izzy speculates that it is a scout for a national team. When teammate Nicola overhears this, she begins to send Julia anonymous nasty text messages in an attempt to make Julia mess up on the field. At the same time, bad things are happening to their soccer field. First the nets are cut and the police won't let the team use the field, since there could be other vandalism done. Then the city gets a call that the field might be contaminated with chemicals. Finally, the city finds areas of lead contamination that makes the field unusable. Just what is going on here?

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/14/2014

• Staake, Bob. MY PET BOOK

  Staake, Bob. MY PET BOOK New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.8 ISBN 0385373120 Do you have a pet? Some people like cats and dogs for pets. Some like something more exotic. But the boy in this book wanted a pet that was truly unique. He wanted a book. Books don't need to be fed, they don't drink from the toilet, they don't have fleas, and they don't run away. They are the perfect pet. So the family went to the local book store and found the perfect book. The boy loved his pet book and wheras very careful with it. When he got home from school one day, the book was gone!! Where could it have gone with no feet?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/13/2014

• Shepherd, Jessica. GRANDMA

  Shepherd, Jessica. GRANDMA New York : Child's Play, 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 9781846436024 Oscar loves his grandmother and they have of fun together. But something is changing. She is acting funny. She doesn't seem to remember things like before. His parents tell him that Grandma can't take care of herself anymore and that she is going to live in a place where people can take care of her. Oscar doesn't understand what is happening to his beloved Grandma and it scares him.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/11/2014

• Sheehan, Monica. LOVE IS YOU AND ME

  Sheehan, Monica. LOVE IS YOU AND ME New York : Little Simon, 2013 IL K-3, RL 1.5 ISBN 1442436077 What do you think when you hear the word love? A hug? A day at the beach? Spending time with someone you love? In this book, a dog and his mouse friend let us know what they think of when the hear the word love.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/10/2014

• Shaw, Susan. TUNNEL VISION

  Shaw, Susan. TUNNEL VISION New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2011 IL YA ISBN 1442408391 Just an ordinary day. Liza is on her way home. When she gets to the tunnel, there are a few men standing in there. She has to force her way through them but doesn't think much about it. On the other side of the tunnel, Liza sees her mother in the yard and she is coming towards her. What is going on? Her mother shouts something and tackles Liza. What the heck? Why is mom acting so strange? What was she yelling about? And why isn't she getting up? When Liza finally looks at her mother, she realizes that she has been shot. Only hours after her death, another attempt is made on Liza's life. Who could want her dead? She's nobody. But now she and her father are put into witness protection and made to leave immediately. They have new names and new lives. But that doesn't mean Liza is safe.

  tags: podcasts ya blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/09/2014

• Sedgwick, Marcus. SHE IS NOT INVISIBLE

  Sedgwick, Marcus. SHE IS NOT INVISIBLE New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2014 IL YA ISBN 1596438010 This may just be one of the stupidest things she has ever done. And she is dragging her little brother into it as well. But she can't go without him. She needs him. And she is convinced that this is the only way she can find her father. She has gotten an email from someone in New York saying he found her father's notebook. What is her father doing in New York? He said he was going to Austria. Her mother is not concerned but Laureth just knows something is wrong and she is determined to find out what. So after her mother leaves for a weekend away, Laureth packs up some clothes, grabs her 7-year-old brother, takes out some money from her mother's ATM and heads off to Heathrow Airport to go to America. It would be hard enough for any 16-year-old to pull this off. But Laureth is blind and relies on her brother to get her around. Can they pull this off? What will they find if they do? Can it all be a huge coincidence?

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Today's podcast 12/08/2014

• Roth, Veronica. ALLEGIANT

  Roth, Veronica. ALLEGIANT New York : Katherine Tegen Books, 2013 IL YA ISBN 006202406X In the final book of the Divergent trilogy, we find Tris and Tobias on trial as traitors. They are able to escape the city and join a group in the outskirts of Chicago. Here they learn about how the factions came to be and why this experiment went so wrong. Finding out about genetically altered people and how they fit into the equation is very upsetting to both Tris and Tobias. While Tris is determined to try to make things right, Tobias is devastated by learning his genetic makeup.

  tags: podcasts ya blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/07/2014

• Strike By D. J. MacHale

  MacHale, D. J. STRIKE New York : Razorbill, 2014 IL YA ISBN 1595146695 Tucker Pierce and his friends are still fighting against the enemy. Now they find themselves behind enemy lines and being used as slave labor to build barracks for more workers. The prisoners are being conditioned to take commands without question. When the based is attacked, Tucker, Tori and Kent have a chance to escape. Instead, the investigate the huge dome that is being guarded. What they find is unthinkable. The final book in the SYLO trilogy will answers the questions that have been asked all along. What the kids find inside the dome will change everything -- including the kids themselves.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Today's podcast 12/06/2014

• Rosoff, Meg. PICTURE ME GONE

  Rosoff, Meg. PICTURE ME GONE New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0399257659 Mila has a unique ability to read people. She can sense emotions and can tell what is going on in a room. Her father is pretty clueless when it comes to reading people. The two set off for America to visit his father's best friend Matthew. But Matthew isn't there. He has left his home, his wife and his infant son and has vanished. Mila and her father set off on a quest to find Matthew and bring him home. Will Mila be able to help Matthew find his way back?

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Today's podcast 12/05/2014

• Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. UNI THE UNICORN

  Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. UNI THE UNICORN New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0385375557 Uni is a regular unicorn but a bit more special. Everything about her is just a bit better than the other unicorns. Even her imagination. The other unicorns make fun of her for that. You see, Uni believes in little girls. Everyone knows there is no such thing as little girls. Or is there?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/04/2014

• http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/rodkey_deadweather.mp3

  Rodkey, Geoff. DEADWEATHER AND SUNRISE New York : Putnam's Sons, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.5 ISBN 0399257853 Thirteen year old Egbert has one of the worst families you can imagine. He is constantly abused by his brothers and his father usually takes their side. They live on an island and work farming ugly fruit. Egbert knows little about the outside world except what he reads in books. He lives a life of hard work and pirates. When his father suddenly announces the family is going to the island of Sunrise, Egbert is thrilled. He will get to see a life beyond his drab existence. When they get to Sunrise, they are taken in by a rich businessman and Egbert does get to see another way of living. One of nice clothes, enough food to eat and people who are nice to him. But things may not be all they appear to be. Join Egbert on an adventure with pirates, hidden treasures and swashbuckling fun.

  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/03/2014

• Rosenstock, Barb. THE NOISY PAINT BOX : THE COLORS AND SOUNDS OF KANDINSKY'S ABSTRACT ART

  Rosenstock, Barb. THE NOISY PAINT BOX : THE COLORS AND SOUNDS OF KANDINSKY'S ABSTRACT ART New York : Knopf, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0307978486 When Vasily Kandinsky was given his first paint box, he had an experience that most of us cannot understand. The colors swirled together in his mind and he could hear music playing. He tried to understand the world as others saw it but he just couldn't. He suffered from a condition that made him hear colors and see sounds. Try as he might to learn to paint the way others did, he couldn't. And he became one of the first abstract painters of his time.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 12/02/2014

• Robbins, Trina. HEDY LAMARR AND A SECRET COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

  Robbins, Trina. HEDY LAMARR AND A SECRET COMMUNICATION SYSTEM New York : Capstone, 2007 IL 5-8, RL 4.0 ISBN 0736864792 Have you ever heard of Hedy Lamarr? Maybe not. She was a famous actress back in the 1940s. She was originally from Austria but escaped to the United States and began starring in movies in glamorous roles. Because she was so beautiful, no one thought that she was more than a pretty face and good actress. Little did people know that she was also very bright. During World War II, Hedy was concerned that the Germans had developed a way to block radio signals from American torpedoes. These signals guided the missiles. Hedy came up with an idea to fix that. Although her idea was not used during the war, her spread spectrum communications is used in cell phones, wireless Internet, mobile health systems, bar code scanning and even satellite guided missiles. Learn about this remarkable woman.

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 12/01/2014

• Reed, Aimee. MAMA'S DAY WITH LITTLE GRAY

  Reed, Aimee. MAMA'S DAY WITH LITTLE GRAY New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.8 ISBN 0449810836 Little Gray wondered when he grows up, will Mama grow down? Mama assures him that she may look smaller to him but she will always be his mother. Then Little Gray thinks about lots of things he and his mother can do together when he is grown. What do you think he wants to do?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/30/2014

• Potter, Ellen. OLIVIA KIDNEY

  Potter, Ellen. OLIVIA KIDNEY New York : Puffin, 2004 IL 3-6, RL 5.4 ISBN 0142402346 Olivia is getting used to yet another new home. Her dad works as a superintendant in an apartment but he is not really good at his job. When he loses one job, he moves on to another and brings Olivia and her brother with him. Olivia is angry and tired of being the new kid. But this stop may be different. When she loses her key to the apartment, Olivia begins to meet the other people in the building. There is the mysterious old lady with the glass floor, Alice who is more interested in fortune tellers than her toddler, Sidi who claims to be able to turn men into lizards, Sidi's servant who just may be a notorious pirate, and Bramwell, a boy Olivia's age who claims he is in her class at school. But with all this craziness, can Olivia find a friend?

  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

• Pfeffer, Susan Beth. SHADE OF THE MOON

  Pfeffer, Susan Beth. SHADE OF THE MOON New York : Harcourt, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0547813376 It has now been more than two years since the moon's orbit changed and threw every thing out of whack. Jon now lives in comfort in a gated community. He is living with his step mother and his little brother. His mother, his sister Miranda and her husband Alex live in less than ideal circumstances as grubs. The grubs barely have enough food to keep them alive. Some of them work for the community as servants. Jon has gotten used to this life and doesn't really think about the injustice. Until he meets a new girl who opens his eyes to how unfair this new society is. Why do they live in nice homes with clean air and a good education while the grubs live in filth with little food? The grubs who work for his stepmother work hard and only see their families on weekends. Jon's job is to play soccer and beat the grub teams. When the soccer game against White Birch goes terribly wrong, things change forever.

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 11/27/2014

• Paulsen, Gary. FAMILY TIES : THE THEORY, PRACTICE, AND DESTRUCTIVE PROPERTIES OF RELATIVES

  Paulsen, Gary. FAMILY TIES : THE THEORY, PRACTICE, AND DESTRUCTIVE PROPERTIES OF RELATIVES New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2014 IL 5-8, RL 5.4 ISBN 0385373805 Kevin Spencer is back. And now he is head over heels in love with Tina. She is all he can think of and he wants to find a way to prove to her that he is her forever kind of guy. Knowing how important family is to her, Kevin sets out to show her what a great family he has. Except, his family is far from normal. His dad hasn't spoken to his brother in years. But Kevin will fix that. In trying to fix things, Kevin brings his whole wacky family together for a hilarious chain of events. In the meantime, Kevin is paired up with Tina's friend Kate for a school assignment that is also not turning out as planned.

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 11/25/2014

• Offill, Jenny. SPARKY

  Offill, Jenny. SPARKY New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.2 ISBN 0375970231 Do you have a pet? Well, I really wanted a pet. Maybe a bird or a bunny or even a trained seal. But Mom said no. I kept bugging her and she finally agreed that I could have a pet but only if it didn't need to be walked or bathed or fed. I went to the library and looked for some information and I found the perfect pet. A sloth. Not your average pet but a promise is a promise.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/23/2014

• Menzies, Britt. STINKYKIDS SEE A FULL MOON

  Menzies, Britt. STINKYKIDS SEE A FULL MOON New York : Raven Tree Press, 2011 IL K-3, RL 2.4 ISBN 1936402033 The Stinkykids are having fun playing outside. There is a full moon tonight and they know that full moons make you act crazy so they decide to act crazy. They jump around and howl at the moon. When they go inside, they continue to act crazy. But Hannah is making a house of cards and begs the kids to be careful not to knock it over. The kids are having too much fun to worry about what may happen. What do you think in going to happen?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/22/2014

• Moser, Lisa. COWBOY BOYD AND MIGHTY CALLIOPE

  Moser, Lisa. COWBOY BOYD AND MIGHTY CALLIOPE New York : Random, 2013 IL K-3, RL 2.4 ISBN 0375870563 There's no other horse quite like Calliope. She's short, she's slow, and she's lumpy. Cowboy Boyd rides her up to the ranch and asks for work. The other cowboys laugh at the sight of Calliope but Rancher Rose decides to give them a try. And it doesn't work out very well. When Rancher Rose tells them they have to move on, Cowboy Boyd says they will leave in the morning. That night, a huge storm rages across the ranch. Will Calliope help save the other animals?

  tags: podcasts elementary

• Mora, Pat. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE

  Mora, Pat. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE New York : Knopf, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.0 ISBN 0375971092 Libby's great aunt has just passed her citizenship test and will become a United States citizen on Friday. She will say the Pledge of Allegiance with a group of new citizens. Libby is going to lead her class in the Pledge on Thursday. All week the two practice so they can do this well. As they practice, they talk about what it means to be an American.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/20/2014

• Lynch, Jane. MARLENE, MARLENE, QUEEN OF MEAN

  Lynch, Jane. MARLENE, MARLENE, QUEEN OF MEAN New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0385379080 Marlene was really the queen of mean. She terrorized the kids on the playground. She blocked their way to the loo. She pinched and poked and did whatever she wanted to. All the kids would cower at the sight of Marlene. Except Freddy. Can anything possibly change this bully?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/19/2014

• Ludwig, Trudy. THE INVISIBLE BOY

  Ludwig, Trudy. THE INVISIBLE BOY New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2013 IL K-3, RL 2.9 ISBN 1582464502 Have you ever felt invisible? Like everyone around you can't see you? Brian feels that way everyday. None of the kids want to be his friend. When choosing sides for a game, Brian isn't just the last one chosen, he isn't chosen at all. Brian plays by himself and eats lunch by himself. When a new boy joins the class, things may just change.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/18/2014

• Lu, Marie. CHAMPION

  Lu, Marie. CHAMPION New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0399256776 June and Day are back but they are not together. June is working with the Republic. She is now the Princeps Elect. Meanwhile, Day is working with the military and is stationed far from June. Day's brother Eden is with him and healing from the plague. When a new strain of plague breaks out, the Republic asks that Eden be turned over for testing to come up with a cure for the plague. Day will never agree to letting Eden be experimented on again. But June pleads with Day to help save the Republic. The Colonies are blaming the Republic for the outbreak and have threatened war unless a cure is found and given to the Colonies. Once again, June and Day must choose country over their own love.

  tags: podcasts ya blueduke

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Today's podcast 11/17/2014

• Lodding, Linda Ravin. A GIFT FOR MAMA

  Lodding, Linda Ravin. A GIFT FOR MAMA New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.6 ISBN 0385753314 A young boy living in Vienna about a hundred years ago has some adventures as he searches for the ideal gift from his mother's birthday. He only has one coin and must make the best of it. When he sees a beautiful yellow rose in the basket of a flower vendor, he knows that this is the perfect gift for mama. As he is walking home, a painter sees the flower and begs to trade a paint brush for the flower. Then an orchestra conductor wants to trade some sheet music for the paint brush. And on it goes. Will the boy ever get the perfect gift for Mama?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/16/2014

• Chapman, Elsie. DIVIDED

  Chapman, Elsie. DIVIDED New York : Random House, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0449812952 West Grayer has survived and is now a citizen. She has successfully defeated her Alternate and she is ready to move on. No longer will she have to work as a striker killing other people's alts. But just when things are starting to look up, she is dragged back into it. This time it is by the Board. She is told if she just does three more missions, they will ensure that any children she has will not have an alt. And her striker marks will be removed. She agrees. She is told that the targets are the alts of the children of Board members. She doesn't want to kill anymore but it is just too tempting a reward. When she finds her first target, her resolve may just falter. Will she be able to do this last assignment?

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

• Brennan, Eileen. BAD ASTRID

  Brennan, Eileen. BAD ASTRID New York : Random House, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.2 ISBN 0375855807 She came into town like five tons of bad luck. The meanest kid on the block. She'll growl, spit and sputter whenever anyone came into her yard. Her neighbor was really afraid of her and decided she wouldn't ruin his summer. He would just do fun activities at home. But what happens when Astrid's bike comes crashing through the fence into his yard?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/14/2014

• Bottner, Barbara. MISS BROOKS' STORY NOOK

  Bottner, Barbara. MISS BROOKS' STORY NOOK New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.4 ISBN 0449813290 Missy absolutely loves going to Miss Brooks' story nook. She doesn't want to be late but if she takes the short cut, she runs into nasty Billy Toomey. He always grabs her hat and chases her. One morning, there was a big thunder storm and the lights went out. Miss Brooks couldn't read a story in the dark so they decided to make one up. Can they make up a story that will solve Missy's problems with Billy?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/13/2014

• Bonwill, Ann. WHEN MERMAIDS SLEEP

  Bonwill, Ann. WHEN MERMAIDS SLEEP New York : Random House Children's Books, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.8 ISBN 037587061X Come along to the land of magic. A land where mermaids sleep and pirates snore. Did you ever wonder if magical beings slept? Find out about genies, unicorns and dragons. But be sure to be quiet. Because everyone's asleep.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 11/12/2014

• Bernheimer, Kate. THE GIRL WHO WOULDN'T BRUSH HER HAIR

  Bernheimer, Kate. THE GIRL WHO WOULDN'T BRUSH HER HAIR New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2013 IL K-3, RL 4.1 ISBN 0375968784 There once was a girl who refused to brush her hair. That's just her way. She had beautiful brown, wavy hair but just did not want to brush it. One night, a mouse decided to make a nest in her hair. Well, you know how some people jump and scream at the site of a mouse? She didn't. She enjoyed the company. And more and more mice decided to take up residence in her hair. At first the kids at school were jealous and they stopped brushing their hair hoping mice would live in their hair. But mice don't like baths and after a few weeks of not taking a bath, the little girl began to smell kind of gross. And then the teacher said she couldn't bring her doll to school anymore because of the mice. What's a girl to do?

  tags: podcasts elementary

• Berger, Lou. DREAM DOG

  Berger, Lou. DREAM DOG New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.4 ISBN 0375866558 Harry desperately wants a dog. He needs a dog. But his father won't let him have a dog. You see, his father works in a pepper factory and his nose is just too sensitive after being around all those peppers. If he gets near a dog, he just starts sneezing. Harry has a great idea. He puts on his X-35 Infra-Rocket Imagination Helmet and conjures up a dog. It is the dog of his dreams and he names him Waffle. They go everywhere together. But what happens when his father gets a new job and decides to buy a dog?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 10/25/2014

• MacHale, D. J. STORM

  MacHale, D. J. STORM New York : Razorbill, 2014 IL YA ISBN 1595146679 Tucker and his friends have been held prisoner on Pemberwick Island off the coast of Maine. A group of Navy military personnel, known as SYLO are holding the islanders captive. The teens have successfully escaped and are determined to tell the world what SYLO is doing. But things are not going to happen the way they plan. When the arrive in Portland, they find that a major battle has occurred few people are left. They meet up with a couple of survivors and hear a message on the radio that tells them to head for Nevada. The kids are not sure what to do now. Is there anything left of the eastern seaboard? Or even the world? They decide to head to Boston to see what is going on. What they find is that it is not always easy to figure out who the "good guys" are. The second book of the SYLO trilogy keeps us in suspense and unsure what is going on.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Today's podcast 10/24/2014

• MacHale, D. J. SYLO

  MacHale, D. J. SYLO New York : Razorbill, 2013 IL YA ISBN 1595146652 It was just a typical night on Pemberwick Island off the coast of Maine. Tucker was occupying the bench at the football game as usual. It all began to change when the star player just keeled over and died. Just like that. How could a perfectly normal athlete just die? As Tucker and his friend Quinn try to figure it out, they witness an explosion in the sky. And military people parachuting onto the island. This can't be happening. Special forces from the Navy have now occupied the island and everyone is cut off from the rest of the world. When people try to leave, they are dealt with harshly -- and permanently. To make this all even harder to understand, Tucker learns that his parents are working for SYLO. Why would his parents be working for the enemy. The kids feel their only hope is to escape the island and let the rest of the world know what is going on.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Today's podcast 10/23/2014

• Lord, Cynthia. HOT ROD HAMSTER MONSTER TRUCK MANIA

  Lord, Cynthia. HOT ROD HAMSTER MONSTER TRUCK MANIA New York : Scholastic, 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 0545462614 Hot Rod Hamster and his friends are really looking forward to the Fair. Fearless Franco is going to be there with his Monster Truck. Hot Rod Hamster and his friends go on all the rides but they can't figure which one is the best. Until Fearless Franco offers Hot Rod Hamster what may be the best ride of all.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 10/22/2014

• Lewis, J. Patrick. POEM-MOBILES

  Lewis, J. Patrick. POEM-MOBILES New York : Schwartz Wade, 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 0375966900 Cars are always changing. Can you use your imagination to think about what cars will look like in the future? This book is full of way out cars. What is your favorite? The bathtub car? The eel-ectric car? I know my favorite is the giant bookmobile car!

  tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

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Today's podcast 10/20/2014

• Lefebvre, Jason. TOO MUCH GLUE

  Lefebvre, Jason. TOO MUCH GLUE New York : Flashlight Press, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.0 ISBN 1936261278 Matty just loves to use glue. He is not alone in that. His father loves glue also. But his teacher tells him not to use too much glue because it won't dry. During a project at school, Matty uses too much glue. He just can't help himself. But when he finds himself glued to the table, it will take all his friends and some helpful adults to get him out of this mess.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 10/19/2014

• Lerangis, Peter. THE COLOSSUS RISES

  Lerangis, Peter. THE COLOSSUS RISES New York : Harper, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 4.1 ISBN 0062070401 When thirteen-year-old Jake McKinley is kidnapped and brought to a mysterious island, the fun begins. He and three other teens have a rare gene that is fatal. Only the scientists on this island can keep them alive. But what they find is that the gene also gives them superpowers. They are apparently descended from the inhabitants of the lost continent of Atlantis and now they set off to solve the mystery. This is an action packed page turner that will have you racing along with the teens.

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 09/25/2014

• Laybourne, Emmy. MONUMENT 14 : SAVAGE DRIFT

  Laybourne, Emmy. MONUMENT 14 : SAVAGE DRIFT New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2014 IL YA ISBN 1250036429 In the final volume of the Monument 14 series, we find the kids living in a refugee camp. At least most of them are still together. Alex writes an article that gets published and now they are sure that their parents will find them. But he inadvertently puts Astrid in terrible danger. You see, there are some government officials who are taking pregnant women who have been exposed and running tests on them. Dean and Astrid are trying to keep her exposure secret but now the whole world knows. Dean, Astrid, Niko and Jake flee the camp to keep her safe. Niko has learned that Josie is alive and being held in another camp so the teens decide to rescue her as well. Join the teens as they run for their lives -- again.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Today's podcast 09/24/2014

• Laybourne, Emmy. MONUMENT 14 : SKY ON FIRE

  Laybourne, Emmy. MONUMENT 14 : SKY ON FIRE New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0312569041 The second book in the Monument series finds the children going their separate ways trying to figure out how to survive the disaster. Several of the children have taken the school bus and set off for Denver airport. Rumors have spread that there is help at the airport and that anyone who gets there will be evacuated. The children who turn into monsters with exposure to the chemicals decide to stay at the store so they won't accidentally hurt the others. This means that Dean and Alex are taking separate paths. Alex is on the bus and we learn about their trip through him. Dean must stay at the store with Astrid and some of the children. Both groups must fight for survival as they are attacked by outsiders and become discouraged about their ability to continue. Their only hope is that the bus will get the kids to Denver in time.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Today's podcast 09/23/2014

• Krosoczka, Jarrett J. PEANUT BUTTER AN JELLYFISH

  Krosoczka, Jarrett J. PEANUT BUTTER AN JELLYFISH New York : Knopf, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.6 ISBN 0375870369 Peanut Butter is a little seahorse who lives in the sea. He and his best friend Jellyfish love swimming around the ocean and exploring their world. The one thing they don't love is Crabby the crab. His name really describes him. He is not very nice and he is always making fun of Peanut Butter and Jellyfish. He calls them names and says horrible things to them. They ignore him the best they can. When they are playing, they hear a little voice calling for help. Crabby is in trouble and he needs their help. Why should they bother?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 09/05/2014

• Kemp, Anna. THE WORST PRINCESS

  Kemp, Anna. THE WORST PRINCESS New York : Random, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.9 ISBN 038537125X Princess Sue is living in a tower and dreaming that her Prince Charming will come and rescue her. Well, a prince does come and rescue her but he is certainly not her Prince Charming. The price wants Sue to be ladylike and wear fancy dresses and learn to be a proper princess. Sue is having none of it. She thinks the prince is a bit of a twit. What she does will probably surprise you. What is her happily ever after?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 09/03/2014

• untitled

  Kehret, Peg. SPY CAT New York : Sleuth Penguin, 2008 IL 5-8, RL 4.6 ISBN 0142412198 Life for Alex and his family has calmed down since the arson they faced last year. But now there is a series of burglaries in the neighborhood. Alex's friend Rocky is upset because his house was broken into. They were only gone for an hour and when they got home, they found that someone was there and took a lot of their stuff. Then the new next door neighbor's house was burglarized. Of course Pete the cat has seen the whole thing but no one understands him. He keeps telling them but the humans just hear meow! Alex' little brother is in to playing spy and tries to track down clues. But what will happen when the burglars stop by Alex' house?

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 09/02/2014

• Isaacs, Anne. MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH

  Isaacs, Anne. MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.4 ISBN 0375967451 Tulip Jones is off to America after inheriting $35 million and a ranch in By-Golly Gully, Texas. At first Tulip is happy living on the ranch with her twelve pet tortoises and three ranch hands. But then word gets out that there is a rich widow living at the ranch and every single man from miles around is lined up to woo the lovely Tulip. Now she can't get anything done. How is she ever going to get rid of all these cowboys and get back to work?

  tags: podcasts elementary

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Today's podcast 09/01/2014

• Ibbotson, Eva. THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13

  Ibbotson, Eva. THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13 New York : Puffin, 1994 IL 5-8, RL 7.5 ISBN 0141302860 The Gump is a secret passage between The World and The Island. It only opens once every nine years. The last time it opened, the young prince was lost. His nannies decided to take a short visit to the World. While there, the baby was taken by Mrs. Trottle who wanted a baby for her own -- even if it means stealing one. Now, nine years later, a group of rescuers leave the Island on a quest to return the prince to his home. This unlikely troop -- an ogre, a hag, a wizard, and a fey will have to sneak around London unnoticed. They learn that the baby was stolen by Mrs. Trottle and they find her and her son Raymond. Raymond is a lazy, spoiled child. The rescuers are shocked and the thought of him becoming their king is not making them happy. But they have a job to do. They meet a young boy named Ben who is a servant in the home and he helps them get to Raymond. What will happen when the prince is returned to the Island?

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 08/31/2014

• Hopkinson, Deborah. THE GREAT TROUBLE : A MYSTERY OF LONDON, THE BLUE DEATH, AND A BOY CALLED EEL

  Hopkinson, Deborah. THE GREAT TROUBLE : A MYSTERY OF LONDON, THE BLUE DEATH, AND A BOY CALLED EEL New York : Knopf, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 4.0 ISBN 0375848185 Eel is a young orphan living in 1854 in London. He gets by doing odd jobs but he does a bit of mudlarking to make some money too. He has to keep a low profile because his dangerous step-father is out to kill him and his brother. Life is hard for Eel. But things are going to get harder. People living on Broad Street are starting to get ill. Everyone knows that cholera has found the poor people crammed into the house on Broad Street. One of Eel's odd jobs is to take care of the animals for Dr. John Snow, a very famous doctor. When Eel begs Dr. Snow for help, the doctor is more than anxious to investigate. He has a theory of how cholera spreads and he enlists Eel's help in proving it.

  tags: podcasts blueduke

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Today's podcast 08/30/2014

• Hood, Susan. THE TOOTH MOUSE

  Hood, Susan. THE TOOTH MOUSE New York : Kids Can Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.9 ISBN 1554535654 When you loose a tooth, you probably put it under the pillow and wait for the tooth fairy to come and leave some money in exchange for the tooth. Well, did you know that in France, they think it is the Tooth Mouse who comes. Young Sophie Mouse loves pretending to be the Tooth Mouse. But when the real Tooth Mouse is looking for a replacement, Sophie has to prove she is up to the job.

  tags: podcasts elementary

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