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"You may think that it is gravity that holds us all together but it is not -- it is music." ~ Sun Ra (1914-1993), American jazz musician, as quoted in Chris Raschka's The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra
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New and Recently Released!
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| Saving Lucas Biggs by Marisa De los Santos and David TeagueFantasy/Mystery. The O'Malley family lives by a solemn vow to never use their "quirk" of being able to travel back in time. But after her dad is falsely accused of murder and sentenced to death, 13-year-old Margaret O'Malley is willing to break that vow in order to save her father's life. Here in 2014, cruel, corrupt judge Lucas Biggs isn't willing to change his mind, yet back in 1938 Margaret might still be able to influence him for the better. Suspenseful pacing and lots of heart make this time travel mystery a good choice for fans of Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me or Charise Mericle Harper's Dreamer, Wisher, Liar. |
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| The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie HaskellFantasy. Surrounded by a wall of razor-sharp thorns, the Sundered Castle is a cursed place in which every single object has been torn or broken. When apprentice blacksmith Sand finds himself trapped inside the castle, he discovers that he has the unusual power to mend its damage -- and that includes reviving Perotte, the long-dead princess who once lived there. Secrets, lies, revenge, and forgiveness all play a part in Sand and Perotte's journey towards escape, while authentic medieval details make their world come alive. If you enjoy the fairy tale-infused fantasies of Shannon Hale, don't miss this new book from the author of Handbook for Dragon Slayers. |
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| The Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben HatkeGraphic Science Fiction. Following a misunderstanding about her heroic exploits, intergalactic adventurer Zita is captured and locked up in the mines of Dungeon World. With the help of old friends and new cellmates, Zita hatches a plan to stop the evil scheme of the Dungeon Lord and escape from the prison planet. Bursting with color, action, twists, wordplay, and "crazy-inventive oddballs" (Booklist), this 3rd book in a trilogy can definitely stand on its own, though readers who are meeting the intrepid Zita for the first time may want to start at the beginning with Zita the Spacegirl and Legends of Zita the Spacegirl. |
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| The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy is Enlightening by Chris RaschkaBiography. The small size and bright colors of this picture book biography might make it seem like it's for little kids, but jazz musician Sun Ra's story is far-out enough to interest more sophisticated readers. Although he started life as Sonny Blount from Alabama, Sun Ra believed he was actually from the planet Saturn, and Cosmobiography describes how his out-of-this-world attitude shaped his life: his refusal to fight in World War II, his eccentric clothes, and his pioneering use of electronic instruments in his music. Bold (and suitably weird) illustrations round out this latest by award-winning author and illustrator Chris Raschka. |
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| The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean SovernFiction. Eleven-year old Maggie wants to become President of the United States someday, so it's important for her to begin writing her memoirs. She's certainly got enough to write about: this year she's starting middle school, preparing for another science fair win, getting used to her mom's new job, and dealing with her makeup-obsessed sisters. On top of all that, Maggie worries about her dad's failing health and desperately wishes that she could fix his multiple sclerosis. Readers who like the bittersweet stories and smart, complicated heroines in Holly Goldberg Sloan's Counting by 7s and Robin Herrera's Hope is a Ferris Wheel will love The Meaning of Maggie. |
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From the classic tales of Stuart Little and Mrs. Frisby to the irrepressible personalities of Babymouse and Despereaux, adventurous mice are a beloved staple of books for young readers. Here are a few mouse heroes you might not have met.
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| Mousenet by Prudence E. Breitrose; illustrated by Stephanie YueAnimal Fantasy. After helping her uncle invent a computer so small that they dub it the "Thumbtop," ten-year-old Megan is pursued across the U.S. by a group of highly evolved mice. Members of the Mouse Nation, it seems, are weary of sneaking around in order to make use of human technology (which requires Mission Impossible-style acrobatics due to their size) -- and they're eager to make a deal with humans in exchange for a Thumbtop in every mousehole. But what can mere mice do for humanity? Read this quirky adventure (which is packed with fun details of mouse culture) and find out! |
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| Missile Mouse: The Star Crusher by Jake ParkerGraphic Science Fiction. Tough-talking, no-nonsense Missile Mouse is an agent for the Galactic Security Agency, and he's on a mission to rescue a scientist who's been kidnapped by the Rogue Imperium of Planets (or RIP). The scientist, Ulrich, has information that the RIP needs in order to build a doomsday weapon, and the RIP has an evil plan to extract it directly from Ulrich's brain...but foiling evil plans is Missile Mouse's specialty. With lots of rock-'em, sock-'em action, alien monsters, double agents, and a spectacular finish, The Star Crusher is a thrilling read. Check out Missile Mouse's next mission in Rescue on Tankium3. |
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| Secrets at Sea: A Novel by Richard Peck; illustrated by Kelly MurphyFantasy. It's the late 1880s, and house mouse Helena and her siblings have a dilemma: the human family whose home they occupy is making a voyage overseas -- meaning that crumbs will be in short supply for a while -- but mice are terrified of water. As head of her household since her parents' demise, Helena makes the bold call to stow away in the Cranstons' luggage, and many shipboard adventures follow. Clever, fun, and packed with memorable characters, this animal fantasy should be a winner with fans of other mousy tales like Avi's Poppy. |
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| Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David PetersenGraphic Fantasy. In this medieval fantasy world, mice live in hidden cities and are escorted by members of the sword-wielding Mouse Guard when they travel the dangerous paths between them. This tale follows the adventures of Lieam, Saxon, and Kenzie, Guard members in search of a mouse who journeyed out alone -- and never arrived at his destination. As they look for the missing mouse, the three of them encounter all kinds of danger (hungry snakes! fire! fierce crabs!) and uncover a plot to overthrow their kindhearted ruler. If you enjoy this exciting story, be sure to try Brian Jacques' Redwall series, too. |
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| Young Fredle by Cynthia Voigt; illustrated by Louise YatesFiction. Young Fredle (rhymes with "metal") is a very curious house mouse who pushes the limits of his home behind the kitchen cabinets. In the dangerous indoor world of humans and cats, injured mice are pushed out of the nest to fend for themselves, which is just what happens to Fredle after he eats a Peppermint Pattie that makes him ill. Thanks to a kind human, Fredle isn't killed, but ends up in the completely unfamiliar world outside the house. There he meets many new types of creatures -- some very deadly -- and has all sorts of adventures in his search for a new home. Readers who appreciate tales like Lois Lowry's Bless This Mouse will love Young Fredle. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Plymouth Public Library at
574-936-2324, 201 N. Center St, Plymouth, IN 46563
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