Durham, Paul. THE LAST GARGOYLE

Durham, Paul.  
THE LAST GARGOYLE
New York ; Random, 2018
IL 5-8
ISBN 1524700568
"What goes bump in the night? If you're lucky, I do."  Meet Penhallow.  Maybe you have even seen him. You know those stone creatures that are in the tops of some buildings? They crouch on the roofs and scowl at you. You may call them gargoyles. But don't call Penhallow a gargoyle. He gets offended easily. He is a grotesque and his job is keeping the residents in the apartment building in Boston safe And they are going to need him more than they know. There are only 3 grotesques left in Boston and they are trying their best to keep their charges safe. But things are getting more and more dangerous as someone or something is trying to kill off the grotesques of Boston.

Williams-Garcia, Rita. CLAYTON BYRD GOES UNDERGROUND

Williams-Garcia, Rita.  
CLAYTON BYRD GOES UNDERGROUND
New York : Amistad, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 4.4
ISBN 0062215914


Cool Papa Byrd is a blues man.  And his grandson Clayton thinks he is the best. Cool Papa lets Clayton come to some of his gigs even though they have to keep it secret from his mother.  Clayton doesn't understand why she hates her own father so much. Especially since it is Cool Papa Byrd. But she wants nothing to do with the blues or that life even mentioned in her house.  When Cool Papa dies in the night, Clayton's life is turned upside down. How can he go on without Cool Papa? Without the blues? He has to come up with a plan.

Winters, Ben H. WORLD OF TROUBLE

Winters, Ben H. 
WORLD OF TROUBLE
New York : Quirk Books, 2014
IL AD
ISBN 1594746850
With the end of the world just weeks away, Detective Henry Palace is determined to find his sister before it is over. Nico has banded with a group of people who still believe that there is a way to prevent the asteroid from impacting the earth. They have traveled to Ohio to follow that belief. Henry has left his sanctuary in the woods to find her and try to convince her that world is going to end no matter what the conspiracy theories say. Henry just wants to be with her when the end come. Along the way he meets a few people -- some good and some not so good -- who are all dealing with the world the best they can. This is the final book in the Last Policeman trilogy. Who is right? The people who believe it is the end? Or those who believe that there is a way to prevent this?

Winters, Ben H. COUNTDOWN CITY

Winters, Ben H. 
COUNTDOWN CITY
New York : Quirk Books, 2013
IL AD
ISBN 1594746850

The world is going to end. They all know that. How would you act if you knew? Detective Henry Palace is a policeman who continues to do his job. Actually, the police station has been taken over by the federal government and Henry has been forced to retire. When he is hired to find a missing person, he doesn't hesitate. Of course, a lot of people have just taken off to enjoy their last few months. But this is different. The missing man is a family man who is described as noble. Henry gets a tip on where he is going but he needs his sister's help to investigate. The entire campus of UNH is off limits to anyone who is not part of the Free State. His sister is known there and can get them in. What Henry finds is so much more than he could have expected.

Winters, Ben H. THE LAST POLICEMAN

Winters, Ben H. THE LAST POLICEMAN New York : Quirk Books, 2012 IL AD ISBN 1594746745 When Detective Henry Palace is called to the scene of an apparent suicide, he is not surprised.  New Hampshire has become the scene of numerous hangings since the word came that the world is about to end.  A large meteor is on a collision path with Earth and there is now a 100% chance that it will hit and end our world.  Since then, people have been opting out in a variety of ways.  Some choose suicide.  Some decide to chuck it all and work on their bucket list.  But Henry Palace has chosen to stay on the job and try to do his best.  So when he arrives at the scene, he doesn't assume suicide.  As a matter of fact, he suspects that the man was murdered.  And Henry sets out to solve the case.  Along the way, he comes up against those who don't think it is even worth the investigation.  After all, in a few months, everyone will be dead.  But it is important to Henry to solve this crime.  This is the first of a trilogy.

Colfer, Eoin. ILLEGAL

Colfer, Eoin.
ILLEGAL
New York : Sourcebooks, 2018
IL 5-8
ISBN 1492662143
A powerful graphic novel that follows Ebo, a young boy from Ghana as he tries to escape to Europe. Ebo's brother leaves their village without him but Ebo searches for Kwame and Finally finds him in the city. They travel through the desert towards the sea. Join the boys on their harrowing journey to Europe as they face hardships along the way.

Riordan, Rick. THE HAMMER OF THOR

Riordan, Rick.  
THE HAMMER OF THOR
Orlando : Disney Hyperion, 2016
IL 5-8, RL 5.1
ISBN 1423160924

Thor's hammer is missing yet again. He loses that thing so often. But this time it is a bit different. The hammer is in enemy hands. And Magnus is going to try to help get it back.After all, that is the only way to stop Ragnarok.  His friend Samirah is being forced to marry a giant king. And her father Loki may be behind it. And then there is her gender fluid half-brother Alex who may be working with Loki. Come along on another adventure with Magnus Chase and his friends as they make the most of death.

Reynolds, Jason. GHOST

Reynolds, Jason. 
GHOST
New York : Atheneum, 2016



Caleb Cranshaw has been running for three years. Ever since his father tried to kill him and his mother.  Dad is in prison and his mother is working at the hospital cafeteria to pay the bills. Caleb, or Ghost as he prefers to be called, is a pretty good runner. When he watches a track team practice, he decides to show up the cocky kid who thinks no one can beat him. And he smokes him. He wasn't doing it to get on the team but when the coach sees how fast he is, that is just what happens. His mother has said it is fine as long as he doesn't get into trouble at school. Well, that has been happening quite a bit recently. Try as he might, Ghost just can't do it. But as he realizes how much being part of the track team means to him, he is determined to stay. 

Reynolds, Peter H. HAPPY DREAMER

Reynolds, Peter H. 
HAPPY DREAMER
New York : Orchard, 2017
IL K-3, RL 1.4
ISBN 0545865018


Are you a dreamer? Does your mind take you places that make you happy? Do adults sometimes tell you to sit still and be quiet but you can't? Dreams can come in all varieties and emotions. Some dreams make us very excited.  Some make us want to sit and be still. Whatever your dreams are, I hope they are happy dreams.

Perez, Celia C. THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK

Perez, Celia C. 
THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK
New York : Viking, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 6.2
ISBN 0425290409

Twelve-year-old Maria Luisa, or Malu as she prefers to be called, loves punk. She loves the music. She loves the look. She also loes skateboarding and zines. She shares these interests with her dad but now she and her mom are moving away. Her mother has a new job in Chicago and they move just before the start of 7th grade. Not a great time to be the new kid. And Malu find herself in trouble right from the start. She has violated the dress code by wearing makeup. And the class queen bee has her sights on Malu.  It is not a great start. But Malu does find a few kids with similar interests and they decide to start their own punk band. But Malu learns that it is not always easy to stand up for what you believe in and be yourself.

Pearson, Scott. ZEBRA MUSSELS (INVASIVE SPECIES TAKEOVER)

Pearson, Scott.
ZEBRA MUSSELS (INVASIVE SPECIES TAKEOVER)
Mankato, MN : Black Rabbit Books, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.0
ISBN 1680720198

People in Monroe, Michigan had a problem. Something was clogging the water pipes and cutting off the supply. When they investigated, they found that the pipe were clogged with lots of shells. These were shells of zebra mussels. This was a big problem. Zebra mussels were not usually found in Michigan and they were spreading into lots of pipes and they stuck to everything. This is what is knows as an invasive species. There are no natural predators in the area to keep the zebra mussels from taking over. But how were the mussels getting in to Michigan?  And what can be done?

Olson, Tod. LOST IN THE PACIFIC, 1942: NOT A DROP TO DRINK

Olson, Tod.  
LOST IN THE PACIFIC, 1942: NOT A DROP TO DRINK
New York : Scholastic, 2016

Imagine being lost at sea and having no one know where you are.  That is just what happened to a group of military men during World War II. The plane was on the way across the Pacific Ocean to deliver war hero Eddie Rickenbacker to a meeting. But the plane went down and in their haste to evacuate, they have left all the food and water on the plane. Now it is 8 men on 3 tiny rubber boats on a very large ocean with no one knowing where they are. How can they survive? Is anyone even looking for them? As they days go by, their hopes lesson.

Ohi, Debbie Ridpath. WHERE ARE MY BOOKS?

Ohi, Debbie Ridpath. 
WHERE ARE MY BOOKS?
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2015
IL K-3, RL 2.4
ISBN 144246741X

Spencer just loves his books. Especially Night-Night Narwhal.  His dad reads it to him every night before bed. And Spencer even knows some of the words himself. But one night, it just isn't on the shelf where it should be. Impossible. Spencer is very careful with his books and always puts them back where they belong. Each day, another book goes missing. Just what is going on here?

McCarthy, Jenna. POPPY LOUISE IS NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING

McCarthy, Jenna.  
POPPY LOUISE IS NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING
New York : Random, 2017
IL K-3, RL 2.3
ISBN 0385390866



Poppy Louise Littleton is fearless. She is not afraid of dogs or monsters. For Halloween, she doesn't want to be a ballerina. She wants to be a goblin. She is not afraid of the basement or the roof. Come on, there must be something she is afraid of.

Laybourne, Emmy. BERSERKER

Laybourne, Emmy. 
BERSERKER
New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 1250055202
This is part historical fiction and part fantasy. Hanne and her family live in Norway in 1883. Most of the children have inherited the power of the Nytte. These powers are a gift from the Norse gods and are handed down from generation to generation.  Hanne's father is a ship-wright. Older brother Steig is a storm-born.  But Hanne is a Berserker. These are the most dangerous of the Nyttes.  The Berserkers are killers.  If anyone Hanne loves is in danger, she can't help herself. And that is what happens.  Her father is in danger and Hanne's Nytte takes over. The men who threatened them are now dead as is her father. And now the kids are running for their lives. If they are found out, they will be killed.  They take a ship to America and head west searching for an uncle who they believe can help Hanne control her Nytte. But they are being chased by men who have a different idea of what should happen to them.

Kline, Christina Baker. ORPHAN TRAIN GIRL : THE YOUNG READERS' EDITION OF ORPHAN TRAIN

Kline, Christina Baker. 
ORPHAN TRAIN GIRL : THE YOUNG READERS' EDITION OF ORPHAN TRAIN
New York : Harper, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.6
ISBN 0062445944

Molly Ayer was only eight when she was placed in foster care. She has not had an easy life and now she is in trouble and forced to perform community service. She is assigned to an elderly woman who needs some help cleaning out her attic. Molly is not thrilled with this assignment but how bad can it be? As they get to know each other, Molly learns that Vivian was orphaned as a young child and sent from New York on a train to find a new home. These "orphan trains" were devised as a good way to find homes for city orphans and to help people in the midwest who could use         help. Vivian tells of her adventures on the train and of the homes that did not work out. Molly begins to bond with Vivian and can't wait to hear the next installment of the story.

Khan, Khizr. THIS IS OUR CONSTITUTION : DISCOVER AMERICA WITH A GOLD STAR FATHER

Khan, Khizr. 
THIS IS OUR CONSTITUTION : DISCOVER AMERICA WITH A GOLD STAR FATHER
New York : Knopf, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 6.1
ISBN 1524770914
Few who watched Mr. Khan at the 2016 Democratic National Convention can forget his powerful words. As an immigrant who lost his son while fighting for America, he gave an impassioned speech on the value, principals and ideals that America was founded on. Using the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, he inspires us all to believe in the ideals of the Founding Fathers again.

Kimmelman, Leslie. WE'RE AMAZING 1, 2, 3! : A STORY ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND AUTISM

Kimmelman, Leslie.  
WE'RE AMAZING 1, 2, 3! : A STORY ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND AUTISM
New York : Little Golden Book, 2017
IL K-3, RL 1.4
ISBN 1524766216

Elmo and his friend Julia have been friends for a long time. They both love the same things even though they may play with them differently.  When Elmo's friend Abby joins them, she is worried that Julia doesn't like her. But Elmo explains that Julia has something called autism and she acts a bit differently. As Elmo explains how to talk to Julia, Abby begins to make a new friend.

Jaeger, Paige. WHO WILL ROAR IF I GO?

Jaeger, Paige.  
WHO WILL ROAR IF I GO?
BQB Publishing, 2018
IL K-3
ISBN 1945448156

The King of the Beasts -- that's my claim to fame.
I've got a big crown of hair that's called a mane.
I'm swift and strong and sly, you see,
And everyone's afraid of me.
Recently I've lost my home;
There's no savanna on which to roam.
I'm king of this land, don't you know?
Who will roar if I go?

Do you know how many animals are endangered around the world? Too many. This lovely book showcases a few of them and explains why they are disappearing. What can you do to help keep these animals safe?

Green, John. TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN

Green, John. 
TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN
New York : Dutton, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0525555366


Aza Holmes is 16 years old and losing her mind. She knows she should take her meds but just doesn't. Her anxiety is becoming more and more destructive. When the father of a boy she met in "Sad Camp" after her father died goes missing, she reconnects with Davis and learns that he has demons of his own that he is fighting. The two become close but Aza's demons won't let her be reallyclose to anyone. Aza questions her own existence and tries to find a way out of her fears. The spiral is getting tighter and she is not sure that she will ever learn to live with her demons.

Fogliano, Julie. WHEN'S MY BIRTHDAY?

Fogliano, Julie.  
WHEN'S MY BIRTHDAY?
New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2017
IL K-3, RL 1.9
ISBN  1626722935  
     
Here's a question I think all of us has asked -- when's my birthday?  It is so hard to wait for the special day, isn't it? I think all kids get excited for the big day. But do they all want the same kind of parties? Or the same kind of presents? Who will come to the party? Oh it is so hard to wait for my birthday.

Elya, Susan Middleton. LA PRINCESA AND THE PEA

Elya, Susan Middleton.  
LA PRINCESA AND THE PEA
New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2017
IL K-3, RL 1.8
ISBN 0399251561
There once was a prince who wanted a wife. But not any nina would do in his life. This book is a twist on the classic fairy tale. Sprinkled with Spanish words, the tale relates the story of a lonely prince in search of a wife. But, his mother doesn't want him to marry just anyone. So she devises a test for the beautiful young girl who the prince has chosen.  Will she pass the test?

Daywalt, Drew. THE LEGEND OF ROCK PAPER SCISSORS

Daywalt, Drew.  
THE LEGEND OF ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
New York : Balzer + Bray, 2017
IL K-3, RL 4.4
ISBN 0062438891
Rock, paper, scissors, shoot.  How did this game ever get started? Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named Rock. Rock was the strongest in all the land, but he was sad because no one could give him a worthy challenge. So off he went in search of a worthy opponent. And the rest is history.

Anderson, John David. POSTED

Anderson, John David.  
POSTED
New York : Walden Pond Press, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 006233820X

Middle schoolers without their cell phones. You just know they will find a way around this. When the school bans cell phones, the students turn to sticky notes to communicate with each other. It starts with Deedee passing silly notes to his friends. And then it spreads. The notes become mean and disturbing. So the school bans sticky notes. But the harm has already been done. Deedee, Frost, Wolf and Bench have been friends through middle school. When a new girl joins their circle, or should I say square, things begin to change for them. First Bench starts hanging out with other kids. Then Rose takes on the class bully. And then things change forever. 

Christofora, Kevin. AMIRA CAN CATCH, NEW KID IN SCHOOL

Christofora, Kevin.
AMIRA CAN CATCH, NEW KID IN SCHOOL
Woodstock, NY : Clarens Publishing, 2017
IL K-3
ISBN 098634933X
Nick and the Hometown All Stars are looking forward to t-ball practice after school.  But first they need to get through the day. A new girl joins the class today. Her name is Amira and she is from Syria. Nick offers to help her with her school work and she tells him of her days in the refugee camp. When Nick invites her to practice with the t-ball team. Amira is excited to learn to play. Today the kids will learn to catch the ball. Amira may just have a surprise for the team.

Christofora, Kevin. MAGIC BAT DAY

Christofora, Kevin.
MAGIC BAT DAY
Woodstock, NY : Clarens Publishing, 2015
IL K-3
ISBN 1986349313
Nick is so excited. This is his second day of t-ball. And he gets to wear his uniform to school.  All the kids on the team are wearing them.  After school, practice begins. Today they are learning to hit the ball off the tee. It isn't as easy as it looks. But the coach has a good idea to help the kids. Come along and learn some secrets to hitting the ball.

Christofora, Kevin. THANK GOODNESS IT'S T-BALL DAY

Christofora, Kevin.
THANK GOODNESS IT'S T-BALL DAY
Woodstock, NY : Clarens Publishing, 2012
IL K-3
ISBN 098634921
Meet the Hometown All Stars. These kids just love playing t-ball. They hurry home to get their homework done so they can get to practice. Kareem is going to Nick's after school and they will go to practice together. Today they are going to learn how to pitch. Come along with the kids and learn the techniques that will help you be a better ball player.

Beebe, Katy. NILE CROSSING

Beebe, Katy.
NILE CROSSING
Grand Rapids : Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2017
IL 3-6
ISBN 0802854257
The first day of school is not always easy. There are so many new experiences that you will encounter. This is true for Khepri in Ancient Egypt as well. Khepri is the son of  a fisherman who is about to leave home to go to school in the city. He is going to learn to be a scribe. In Ancient Egypt, not everyone could read or write. Young boys were trained as scribes to fill the need. As Khepri and his father travel down the Nile River towards the city, the young boy thinks about what he is leaving behind.

Ali-A. ALI-A ADVENTURES : GAME ON!

Ali-A. 
ALI-A ADVENTURES : GAME ON!
New York : Random House, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.5
ISBN 1524770957
Have you ever watched Ali-A's videos on youtube? If you are into video games, I bet you have. And now you can read his new graphic novel. It's launch time for the much anticipated video game Alien Liberator 2. The crowds are here waiting to see Ali to officially launch the game. But weird things start happening right from the start. The launch is taken over by a group of aliens who are out to enslave everyone. And now it is up to Ali to save the world.

Alexander, William. A PROPERLY UNHAUNTED PLACE

Alexander, William.
A PROPERLY UNHAUNTED PLACE
New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 3.9
ISBN 1481469150

Rosa would rather be anywhere but here. They have lived in some great libraries in their time but now they are stuck in the basement of the Ingot library. She doesn't even know why her mother would even take this job. Her mother is the best ghost appeaser in the country. You see, all libraries are haunted and must hire ghost appeasement librarians to keep things safe. All libraries have apartments where the family lives while the librarian works. But why has her mom taken a job in the only unhaunted town in the world. Or are things not as they seem? What happens when a town tries to banish ghosts rather than appease them?

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?

Tonatiuh, Duncan. THE PRINCESS AND THE WARRIOR

Tonatiuh, Duncan.
THE PRINCESS AND THE WARRIOR
New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2016
IL K-3, RL 2.9
ISBN 1419721305


Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who loved poetry. Since she was beautiful and rich, she had many men from around the kingdom ask her to marry.  She didn't want just anyone and would always say no. When a warrior said he loved her for her poetry, she was in love. But her father didn't want her to marry a mere soldier.

Roth-Beck, Meike. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MARTIN LUTHER

Roth-Beck, Meike.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MARTIN LUTHER
Grand Rapids : Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2017
IL 5-8, RL 6.4
ISBN 0802854958


500 years ago, the Catholic Church dominated Europe. The priests were powerful and Rome dictated practice. A young man by the name of Martin Luther began to question the way the church did things. This was during a time when it was very dangerous to speak against the church. People were killed for doing that. But Martin had many questions and spent time thinking about them. He eventually came up with 95 theses or ideas that he felt needed attention. Those statements criticized many of the Church's practices. This made Martin a fugitive but got many people talking. He had just started a revolution that brought about the Protestant Reformation. 

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. UNI THE UNICORN AND THE DREAM COME TRUE

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse.
UNI THE UNICORN AND THE DREAM COME TRUE
New York : Random House, 2017
IL K-3
ISBN 1101936592


You probably read the first book about Uni the Unicorn. He believed that there will little girls in the world. None of his friends believed him. Now Uni and the little girl are working together to help unicorn world. There hasn't been much sunshine -- only rain. The unicorns need sunshine to survive. Can Uni and the little girl find a way to bring the sun back?

Rosenstock, Barb. VINCENT CAN'T SLEEP

Rosenstock, Barb.
VINCENT CAN'T SLEEP
New York : Knopf, 2017
IL K-3
ISBN 1101937106



Vincent van Gogh was an artist who lived a long time ago. When he was a boy, he had trouble getting to sleep. He kept watching the night sky and the brilliant colors he saw. As a young man, he tried several jobs but never really fit in. When he began to paint, he found his true passion. He painted hundreds of paintings but very few actually sold during his lifetime. Throughout his life, he kept coming back to the night sky.

Rockwell, Anne F. ZOO DAY

Rockwell, Anne F.
ZOO DAY
New York : Aladdin, 2017
IL K-3, RL 3.4
ISBN 1481427342


Have you ever been to a zoo? If not, this may be the next best thing. A young boy and his family are visiting a zoo. First they look at the guide book and decide what they want to see. They they start exploring. The visit the Jungle House, and the African Plain. They go to the Reptile House. Come along and share the visit.

Martin, Emily Winfield. SNOW AND ROSE

Martin, Emily Winfield.
SNOW AND ROSE
New York : Random House, 2017
IL 3-6
ISBN 0553538187





Snow and Rose are sisters who live with their mother in an enchanted forest. Their father has disappeared and they have lost everything from their old life. The girls spend their days in the forest and one day they find a strange little man who needs their help. As they explore more, they find other odd things in the woods. Come on along with them as enjoy this take on one of Grimm's fairy tales.

Korman, Gordon. RESTART

Korman, Gordon.
RESTART
New York : Scholastic, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.5
ISBN 1338053779


Chase Ambrose is lucky to be alive. He doesn't remember falling off the roof but he did a job on his head. And now he doesn't really remember anything about his life before he woke up in the hospital. It is called amnesia and is probably caused by his brain injury. The doctor says he is lucky that he remembers how to do most things -- just not his first 13 years. He doesn't know his parents or even his own face. When school starts, he is allowed to go to school but no football. What? Even though he doesn't remember, he is apparently the best player on the team. But it is the reactions of the other kids that disturbs him the most. Everywhere he goes, kids run away in fear. He is able to make friends with a student on the video club and soon they begin to accept that Chase has changed. But can you really change when you have been the biggest bully in town? 

Kessler, Liz. HAUNT ME

Kessler, Liz.
HAUNT ME
Somerville : Candlewick Press, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 0763691623



Joe doesn't quite understand what is happening. As he looks out his bedroom window, he sees his family leaving. For good. They are moving away and leaving him behind. He tries to shout and run after them but he can't. He is dead. He is a ghost and he is left in this room forever. But now a young girl has moved in. Erin can't see him or hear him but he relates to her. She is also a poet and seems as sad and confused as he is. When he tries to touch her, an amazing thing happens. She sees him. She knows he is there. They become friends and maybe a bit more. But this is crazy. Joe is dead and Erin is alive. Can they help each other go on?

Hoffman, Sarah. JACOB'S NEW DRESS

Hoffman, Sarah.
JACOB'S NEW DRESS
New York : Albert Whitman, 2014
IL K-3, RL 1.7
ISBN 0807563730


Jacob is a little boy and has a definite idea of what to wear to school.  He wants to wear a dress. One day he wraps a towel about his waist like a skirt but the kids at school laugh and the school bully grabs it away from Jacob. When Jacob asks his mother to help he make a real dress that he can wear to school, she hesitates knowing that he will be teased and bullied. But she decides to let Jacob wear what he likes. And sure enough, when Jacob wears his dress, the bully starts in on him.

Hall, Michael. RED : A CRAYON'S STORY

Hall, Michael.
RED : A CRAYON'S STORY
New York : Greenwillow Books, 2015
IL K-3, RL 1.5
ISBN 0062252070

Red is a crayon and like all the other crayons, he loves to color. But he isn't very good at it. Everyone else has an idea of how to fix Red so that he is like everyone else. He feels terrible with all the other crayons making fun of him and making him feel he doesn't belong. No one accepts him for who he is. Can this change?

Grehan, Meg. THE SPACE BETWEEN

Grehan, Meg.
THE SPACE BETWEEN
Dublin : Little Island, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 1910411590


New Year's Day. A time for new beginnings. A time for resolutions. For Beth, a time for a new start. A start as a recluse. She is battling mental illness and depression and she is terrified of the world. She believes the best way to get through her life is to close herself off. Each day is the same. She wakes up. She gets dressed. She reads. She goes back to bed. But then one day, there is a face at her window. It is a dog. A beautiful, friendly dog. Beth loves playing with him. But how will she cope when the dog's owner comes to get him? 

Green, Poppy. IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING

Green, Poppy.
IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING
New York : Little Simon, 2017
IL K-3, RL 2.2
ISBN 1481485903


 For a school assignment at Silverlake Elementary School, Sophie Mouse and her friends are challenged to build a boat that will actually float.  The kids have lots of ideas and some of them actually work. The kids hate days where it is raining since they can't play outside or try out their designs for their boats. But what happens to make the kids wish for rain?

Gratz, Alan. REFUGEE

Gratz, Alan.
REFUGEE
New York : Scholastic, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 6.1
ISBN 0545880831

Refugee.   Someone who flees to a foreign country to escape danger or persecution. 1938 --  Josef and his family live during a time in Germany when it is not safe to be Jewish. The Nazis are in power and Josef's father is arrested and brought to a concentration camp. He is free now but not the same. They now have 2 weeks to leave Germany or all of them will be sent to a concentration camp. They book passage on a ship that will bring them to Cuba where they can be free.  1994 -- Isabelle and her family are living in Cuba but now there are riots and unrest in the country.  Her father is caught rioting and beaten. Now he knows he must leave the country if he is to live. The family boards a small boat for the 90 mile voyage to Florida where they can be free.  2015 -- Mahmoud lives in Aleppo in Syria.  When his home is bombed and there is no hope of living in peace, his family is forced to leave. They will drive as far as they can and then take a boat to Greece.  They are heading to Germany where they can be free. Follow the three as they make the harrowing journey in hopes of finding a place where they can be       free.

Fleming, Candace. BEN FRANKLIN'S IN MY BATHROOM

Fleming, Candace.
BEN FRANKLIN'S IN MY BATHROOM
New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2017
IL 3-6
ISBN 1101934069

Nolan is just your typical kid living an ordinary life until something weird happens. A package is left for Nolan and when he opens it, poof! Ben Franklin shows up!  The real Ben Franklin from the 1700s. Ben is as surprised as Nolan but he won't let this opportunity pass him by.  Ben wants to see everything and Nolan's sister is happy to oblige.  Tag along as Ben visits the library and other places in town. Will Ben ever get home though?

Elvgren, Jennifer Riesmeyer. THE WHISPERING TOWN

Elvgren, Jennifer Riesmeyer.
THE WHISPERING TOWN
New York : Kar-Ben Publishing, 2014IL 3-6, RL 3.2
ISBN 1467711942

During World War II, a small town in Denmark did what it could to help save Jews from the Nazis. Anett and her family hid Jews in their basement for a few days until they could escape from the harbor. All the townspeople helped with food and other items needed by the families. When the family has to leave or be discovered, it is too cloudy for them to find their way to the harbor. How can the town come together to help.

Eliot, Hannah. ROBOTS CAN'T DANCE

Eliot, Hannah.
ROBOTS CAN'T DANCE
New York : Little Simon, 2017
IL K-3, RL 4.4
ISBN 1481491954

Do you like technology? Things like computers and robots? Are you interested in how they came to be? Did you know that the first mobile phone weighed nearly 2 pounds? Doesn't sound so mobile to me!  You should really check out this book.  It is filled with cool and fun facts about technology.

Clinton, Chelsea. SHE PERSISTED : 13 AMERICAN WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD

Clinton, Chelsea.
SHE PERSISTED : 13 AMERICAN WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD
New York : Philomel Books, 2017
IL K-3, RL 6.9
ISBN 1524741728

Sometimes being a girl isn't easy. There are too many people who tell you that you can't do things and that you aren't good enough. This is the story of 13 courageous American women who didn't believe that. They persisted even though they were often told they would not succeed. If anyone ever tells you your dreams are too big or that your voice shouldn't be heard, remember these women who persisted and achieved great things.

Clarke E. J. OAKWING : A FAIRY'S TALE

Clarke E. J.
OAKWING : A FAIRY'S TALE
New York : Aladdin, 2017
IL 3-6, RL 5.0
ISBN 1481481916

Rowan loves going into the city with her mother. But one day, her mother went in without her and never came home. It has been seven years and Rowan still can't believe that her mother left them. Her father is just sleepwalking through life and it is up to Rowan to keep the family going. On the anniversary of her mother's disappearance, Rowan takes the trip into the city and sits under the tree her mother loved. As the tears begin, something very odd happens. The world looks so much bigger and Rowan feels very strange. She has turned into a fairy. It is said that those who sit under the tree and feel unloved are taken in by the fairies. But Rowan doesn't want to be a fairy. She just wants her mother back. Did her mother turn into a fairy also? Is there a way back?

Charbonneau, Joelle. DIVIDING EDEN

Charbonneau, Joelle. 
DIVIDING EDEN

New York : HarperTeen, 2017
IL YA
ISBN 006245384X

Twins Carys and Andreus find themselves in a position they never imagined. Their father and older brother have been killed and now there is a need for a new ruler of Eden. Everyone expected it to be their mother but this is not to be. Since no one who attend their birth is still alive, there is no way to know which twin is the eldest and the rightful heir of the crown. This puts everyone in an awkward position.  The elders decide that there must be a series of challenges between Carys and Andreus that will determine who will wear the crown. How will that work? And will the kingdom discover that one of the twins is cursed? When the crown is on the line, will the twins stick together?