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Kids' Books September 2017
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| The Losers Club by Andrew ClementsFiction. It's called the Losers Club to prevent people from joining. Lots of members are the last thing that book-loving sixth-grader Alex wants in a club that he only started because his after-school program doesn't have any choices for kids who just want to sit and read. Alex is fine with sharing his quiet reading time with Losers Club co-founder Nina (who, okay, he kind of likes), but frustrated by the other people who join – people like his former best friend who turned into a total jerk. Funny and hopeful, The Losers Club is sure to satisfy fans of author Andrew Clements' popular school stories. |
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The Bonaventure Adventures
by Rachelle Delaney
Canadian. Sebastian Konstantinov comes from a long line of talented circus performers. Somehow, however, he has not inherited any of their acrobatic skill: he has no balance, he's afraid of heights, he can't even turn a somersault. But there's one thing he does know: his father's circus, which travels through Eastern Europe, is out of date and is fast running out of money. Seb has a solution, though: if he can somehow get into the Bonaventure Circus School in Montreal, Canada, he might be able to learn something valuable to help his father. Seb secretly writes to the Directrice (an old friend of his father's) and is accepted into the school. All he has to do is convince his father to send him away -- oh, and keep his lack of talent a secret from all his teachers and classmates. Fortunately for him, he befriends two other students, who also don't seem to quite fit in. Seb is not the only one with secrets, it turns out. The school is literally crumbling beneath the feet of its students, and the directrice may be counting on Seb's "talent" to save the day. Can he and his new friends figure out what's really going on in the school that bills itself as the World's Best Circus School?
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The Wolves Return : A New Beginning for Yellowstone National Park
by Celia Godkin
Canadian. Non-Fiction. In 1995–96 twenty-three grey wolves were released in Yellowstone National Park where, due to over-hunting, there had been no wolves at all for almost seventy years. This reintroduction project was an overwhelming success. Over twenty years later we can still see the changes the grey wolves brought to Yellowstone National Park. Now that the elk graze higher ground, seedlings are growing tall, rivers are getting deeper as beavers return, and a lively pond ecosystem is developing. This true story offers an important lesson about the difference one creature can make in creating a healthy, thriving world.
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Book Uncle and Me
by Uma Krishnaswami
Canadian. Every day, nine-year-old Yasmin borrows a book from Book Uncle, a retired teacher who has set up a free lending library next to her apartment building. But when the mayor tries to shut down the rickety bookstand, Yasmin has to take her nose out of her book and do something. But what can she do? The local elections are coming up but she’s just a kid. She can’t even vote! Still, Yasmin has friends — her best friend, Reeni, and Anil, who even has a black belt in karate. And she has grownup family and neighbors who, no matter how preoccupied they are, care about what goes on in their community. Then Yasmin remembers a story that Book Uncle selected for her. It’s an old folktale about a flock of doves trapped in a hunter’s net. The birds realize that if they all flap their wings at the same time, they can lift the net and fly to safety, where they seek the help of a friendly mole who chews a hole in the net and sets them free. And so the children get to work, launching a campaign to make sure the voices of the community are heard.
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| Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors; illustrated by Barbara FisingerAnimal Fantasy. When Elliott's dad marries Jasmine and Jackson's mom, the whole family has to get used to living together -- including the family pets. Gizmo, Elliot's guinea pig, is an evil genius with plans to take over the world. Those plans do not include getting dressed up by Jasmine or playing nice with Wedgie, the cape-wearing corgi. Wedgie, on the other hand, is excited about EVERYTHING, and just wants to make friends with "the Furry Potato." Gizmo and Wedgie take turns telling the story of how they learn to get along in this goofy, giggle-worthy chapter book, the 1st in a series. |
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| Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scary Tales by Kiersten WhiteFairy Tales. Though the characters are familiar -- Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood -- these fairy tales don't end with happily-ever-afters. Filled instead with bloodthirsty monsters and dark shadows, they play with both words and expectations: here, Rapunzel has a short, spiky 'do and a long pet snake named Herr. As funny as they are scary, the stories all share a snarky narrator, who often butts in with comments such as "fee fie foe fum, Jack, that plan was really dumb…" If you like the gross and gruesome style of Adam Gidwidtz's Grimm series, you'll want to devour these "disturbingly delightful" (Kirkus Reviews) tales. |
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| Public School Superhero by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts; illustrated by Cory ThomasGraphic Novel Hybrid. Stainlezz Steel is a powerful superhero who's always battling villains and looking out for the little guy. He's also the fictional creation of 6th-grader Kenny Wright, who lives with his grandma, loves chess, and gets bullied at his crowded city school. The school's new principal, however, actually seems to care about Kenny, so when an unwanted transfer threatens to take her away, Kenny channels Stainlezz Steel for the courage to step up and speak out. Peppered with comic book-style illustrations, Public School Superhero is an honest (and hilarious) peek into one kid's life and imagination. |
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| The Marvels by Brian SelznickFiction. In 1766, young Billy Marvel survives a shipwreck and gets a job at a fancy London theater. In 1990, Joseph Jervis runs away from school to look for his uncle in London. Billy's story is presented entirely through lifelike, carefully shaded pencil illustrations, while Joseph's is told only through words. The way in which these two characters connect might surprise you, even if you're already familiar with Brian Selznick's layered, award-winning storytelling. Based on a true story, The Marvels is a bittersweet tale of lost love and found family that will stay with you long after the final page. (Fans of Brian Selznick may also be interested in the movie version of his book Wonderstruck, in theaters this fall.) |
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| Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic by Mark TatulliFiction. Desmond Pucket considers himself a "Gourmet of Gore," and relishes nothing more than using his special effects skills to pull disgusting practical jokes at school. The school disciplinary officer, however, isn't amused by toilet goblins or exploding zombie heads -- Desmond will have to change his ways if he wants to go on the upcoming class trip. Only now, another prankster is creating slimy surprises…and letting Desmond take the blame! Readers who enjoy the cartoon illustrations, gross-out jokes, and instructions for special effects in this series opener won't want to miss the sequels, starting with Desmond Pucket and the Mountain Full of Monsters. |
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| Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula VernonGraphic Fantasy. Princess Harriet Hamsterbone is no Sleeping Beauty, that's for sure. For one thing, she's a hamster. For another, she refuses to hide just because she's been cursed to fall into an enchanted sleep on her 12th birthday. Believing instead that the curse will protect her until age 12, Harriet rides forth on her trusty quail to fight monsters, go cliff-diving, and generally have adventures before her fateful birthday. And when the curse finally does strike…well, you'll have to read this witty, cartoon-illustrated chapter book (the 1st in a series) to find out what happens! |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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