Yolo County Library
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"Some words sit still on the page, holding a story steady... But other words have wings." ~ from Nikki Grimes' Words with Wings
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| Don't Feed the Geckos! by Karen English; illustrated by Laura FreemanFiction. At first, animal-loving elementary-schooler Carlos is excited that his cousin Bernardo is coming to live with his family. A cousin is like an "automatic buddy," right? When Bernardo arrives, however, he isn't very friendly. He even messes with Carlos' pet geckos! How can Carlos share his bunk bed, his classroom, his soccer team, and his Papi's attention with someone who's so hard to like? Find out in this 3rd book in the Caver Chronicles series. Beginning chapter book readers who want to know more about Carlos' school should be sure to check out the 1st two books, Dog Days and Skateboard Party. |
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| Ruffleclaw by Cornelia FunkeFantasy. What would you do if you woke up to find a smelly, hairy, four-armed monster cuddled up in your bed? If you answered "freak out," then you know just how Tommy feels when he first meets Ruffleclaw the earth monster. But Ruffleclaw doesn't give up easily, and soon Tommy decides to keep him…if only he can convince his parents that a grubby, shampoo-eating monster can be a good pet. Peppered with illustrations of Ruffleclaw's antics, this goofy chapter book about a mismatched friendship between a kid and a mythical creature is a great pick for fans of Bruce Coville's Diary of a Mad Brownie. |
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| Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris GrabensteinFiction. Let the duodecimalthon begin! Following the success of the first competition at his ultra-high-tech library, eccentric game designer Luigi Lemoncello dreams up a new contest: several teams will challenge the reigning champs (led by eighth-grader Kyle Keeley) in a series of 12 literary games. However, once the teams begin tackling Dewey Decimal-themed puzzles and researching banned books, they uncover a mystery that will force them to level up or risk losing not only the games, but the library itself. You don't need to have read Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library to understand this clever, interactive sequel. |
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| Max Helsing and the Thirteenth Curse by Curtis JoblingHorror. On his 13th birthday, Max Helsing gets an unwelcome present: a curse that makes him a target for vampires, ghouls, phantasms, and every other kind of supernatural creature. As the last member of the monster-hunting Van Helsing family, Max is used to defending the world from paranormal beasts (while befriending the less dangerous ones). But now that ALL of the monsters are determined to take him out so they can take over the world, Max turns to his friends Syd and Wing for help. Fast-paced and filled with epic battles, this "gore-spattered, bone-crunching series opener" (Booklist) will leave horror fans hungry for the next book. |
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| The Wrinkled Crown by Anne NesbetFantasy. Headstrong Linny knows that if she dares to play the lourka before her twelfth birthday she risks being spirited away by the Voices, but she can't resist the beautiful instrument. Yet when Linny's birthday rolls around, the Voices take her best friend Sayra instead. Determined to rescue her friend, Linny (along with loyal pal Elias) journeys out from the magical hills of her homeland to the strange, scientific Plain, where a war between magic and logic is brewing -- and where Linny's arrival has been foretold. If you like detailed fantasy settings and spirited heroines, you won't want to miss this page-turning adventure. |
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Early in 2016, many 2015 book awards and honors were announced. If you're waiting on a hold list for those newly minted winners, why not spend some time with these honor books from years past?
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| Just a Dog by Michael Gerard BauerFiction. Mister Mosely was big, clumsy, and not too bright, but the markings on his fur -- a teardrop and a heart -- told you everything you needed to know about the Dalmatian mix. A Children's Book Council of Australia Honor book, Just a Dog is a collection of stories told by Mister Mosely's nine-year-old owner, Corey, after the beloved dog's death. In each story, you get a peek not only into Mister Mosely's life (such as his offbeat way of fetching newspapers) but also into Corey's (including his troubled family). Whether you prefer funny pet stories or realistic tearjerkers, you'll find something to like in this heartfelt, bittersweet book. |
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| El Deafo by Cece BellGraphic Memoir. Cece has a secret identity. Since she's deaf, she wears a Phonic Ear device at school, which (in her imagination, at least) transforms her into El Deafo, a superhero who can hear her teacher all over the school -- even in the bathroom! Despite this amazing power, Cece has a tough time finding friends who really understand her. El Deafo's cartoon illustrations -- in which everyone has rabbit ears -- show speech written out exactly as Cece hears (or mishears) it, inviting you to share her experience. If you loved Raina Telgemeier's Smile, don't miss this funny, honest Newbery Honor book about the challenges and rewards of being different. |
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| Words with Wings by Nikki GrimesNovel in Verse. Concentrating in class has never been easy for Gabby. Like her dad, she's a daydreamer, and all it takes is a single word to send her imagination spinning. When her parents split up, Gabby doesn't cry about losing her dad or having to change schools: "Instead, I filled the quiet with daydreams." Though her practical mom is baffled by Gabby's absent-minded behavior, her new teacher might be able to offer the understanding she needs. Similar to Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming, this Coretta Scott King Honor book uses free verse poetry to describe one creative girl's search for her own unique voice. |
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| Rooftoppers by Katherine RundellHistorical Adventure. When scholar Charles Maxim discovers baby Sophie floating in a cello case among the remains of a shipwreck, he decides to keep her, and the two of them form an unconventional but loving family. Once Sophie is 12 years old, they follow the clues from the cello case to Paris, where spirited orphan Matteo and his roof-dwelling friends aid Sophie in the search for her long-lost mother. If you're spellbound by the breathless adventure and lyrical portrayal of 1890s Paris in this Carnegie Medal Finalist, you'll savor the mysterious atmosphere of Venice in Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord. |
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| One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-GarciaHistorical Fiction. It's the summer of 1968, and 11-year-old Delphine and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, are traveling from their home in Brooklyn, New York to Oakland, California. They're excited to finally visit their mother, Cecile, who left them all behind just after Fern was born. When they arrive, however, it's clear that Cecile is more interested in her poetry than her daughters. To keep them busy, Cecile sends the girls to a day camp run by the revolutionary Black Panthers...and it turns out to be one crazy summer indeed. This 1st book in the Gaither Sisters series is a National Book Award finalist and winner of several other awards and honors. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Yolo County Library
226 Buckeye St. Woodland, California 95695 530-666-8005
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