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Hello, readers!
Do you have a question about books for children? Interested in a personalized suggestion?Please feel welcome to email me at amassey@dconc.gov, or visit your librarian at any Durham County Library location.See you at the library!Allie Massey, Children's Librarian Southwest Regional Library
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New and Recently Released!
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| Minion by John David AndersonFantasy. Michael Morn has the power to control people, but that doesn't make him a supervillain. In fact, he prefers to use his ability as little as possible. The real criminal genius in the family is his adoptive father -- Michael just helps him with his sinister inventions. When their shady business is threatened by the arrival of a superhero, however, Michael has to decide how bad he's willing to be. Set in the same world as Sidekicked, but with new characters, fresh twists, and even more laugh-out-loud humor, Minion will satisfy superhero fans and encourage readers to wonder if what's right is always what's best. |
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| The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill by Megan Frazer BlakemoreHistorical Mystery. In autumn of 1953, the poky town of Maple Hill, Vermont is rocked by rumors of a Russian spy in their midst, and brainy fifth-grade misfit Hazel decides that she's just the sleuth to investigate. With the help of Samuel, the smart (but odd) new kid in town, Hazel does some spying of her own, starting with the suspicious new gravedigger, Mr. Jones. Can Hazel uncover the truth, or will her overactive imagination lead her astray? Find out in this vivid historical mystery from the author of The Water Castle. Readers who relate to prickly, independent Hazel should be sure to check out Louise Fitzhugh's classic Harriet the Spy. |
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| Absolutely Almost by Lisa GraffFiction. No matter how hard he tries, 10-year-old Albie can't seem to measure up to his family's expectations. He's not particularly talented, funny, or smart -- he's even been kicked out of private school because of his difficulty with math and reading (although the Captain Underpants books aren't so bad). The bullies at his new public school give him a hard time, but Albie finds a friend in fellow outsider Betsy, as well as in his free-spirited tutor/babysitter, Calista. If you liked R.J. Palacio's Wonder or Jerry Spinelli's Loser, you'll enjoy this realistic glimpse into the life of another caring but unpopular kid struggling to find his place. |
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| Dreamwood by Heather MackeyFantasy. Fleeing from her stuffy finishing school in San Francisco, Lucy Darrington decides to join her ghostologist father in Outer Saarthe -- only when she arrives, her father is gone. Could he be looking for dreamwood, the mystical cure for the ailing kodok trees? With help from her new friends Pete and Niwa, Lupine princess of the First Peoples, Lucy sets out on a thrilling but extremely risky quest to find her father and heal the forest. Set in an alternate-historical America filled with ghosts, sea serpents, and bloodthirsty tree spirits, this boldly imagined and briskly paced fantasy will keep you turning pages right up to the end. |
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| Loot by Jude WatsonThriller. If you've read all of the 39 Clues series and you want further breathless exploits from globetrotting siblings, Loot is the book for you. With his final breath, notorious thief Alfie McQuinn tells his son March to "find jewels." Guided by Alfie's stash of clues, March discovers not only plans for a complicated jewel heist (stealing seven cursed moonstones), but also Jules -- his long-lost twin sister! When the street-smart twins are placed in a horrible group home, they quickly make new friends and a daring plan to break out, snag the gems, and collect the hefty reward…and to do it all before the moonstones' curse catches up with them. |
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| Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre; illustrated by Rafael RosadoGraphic Fantasy. Combining comedy, action, and old-fashioned derring-do, Giants Beware! offers a hilarious spin on traditional heroic adventures. Fiery, pint-sized Claudette is determined to be a giant slayer. Despite warnings from the experienced slayers in her village, Claudette runs away from home in search of a giant, taking her clever best friend Marie (who wants to be a princess), her reluctant brother Gaston (who wants to be a pastry chef), and a pug named Valiant along with her. Eye-catching colors and cartoony illustrations perfectly capture the fun and suspense in this quirky tale of bravery and friendship. |
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| The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley; illustrated by Peter FergusonFantasy Mystery. Taken out of foster care by a woman who claims to be their grandmother, orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are whisked away to Ferryport Landing, New York. There they learn that their ancestors, the famous Brothers Grimm, wrote not make-believe stories, but the history of the Everafters -- fairy-tale characters like Jack-the-giant-killer and the Three Little Pigs. Now the Everafters live in Ferryport, where they've been watched by the Grimm family for generations...and some of them need to be watched closely indeed. Fans of fractured fairy tales and madcap plots will want to read the entire Sisters Grimm series, which continues in The Unusual Suspects. |
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| The Twin Giants by Dick King-Smith; illustrated by Mini GreyFantasy. Twin brothers Normus (as in, "Isn't he e-nor-mous!") and Lottavim ("There's a-lot-uv-'im!") are identical in all respects -- except that Normus is a vegetarian, while Lottavim is not. These giant brothers spend their happy childhoods rolling boulders, racing up and down mountains, and belting out off-key songs at the top of their (very large) lungs. When they reach the age of 20, the twins decide it's time to look for wives...but lady giants are few and far between, so they split up to make their search easier. This book's rib-tickling adventures and amusing illustrations add up to big, BIG fun. |
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| The Giant-Slayer by Iain LawrenceHistorical Fiction. Shy, quiet dreamer Laurie Valentine has no friends at all until she meets Dickie Espinosa. The two of them range all over their 1950s neighborhood exploring and playing -- until Dickie comes down with polio and is confined to an iron lung. Laurie sneaks into the hospital to visit Dickie and begins spinning a fantastical tale that spreads over many visits, a heroic adventure in which a young boy must slay an enormous giant (with the help of all manner of interesting and unusual characters). We won't tell you what power Laurie's amazing story holds; read The Giant-Slayer and decide for yourself. |
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| Hilda and the Midnight Giant by Luke PearsonGraphic Fantasy. Little Hilda, with her blue hair and big red boots, loves her magical mountain home. Someone else, however, doesn't feel the same, and keeps sending strange, tiny letters insisting that Hilda and her family leave. Hilda is bewildered until she is given the ability to see what had been invisible: a miniature city of elves surrounding her house! Can she find a way to get along with her elf neighbors? And who is the dark, mysterious giant she keeps seeing at night? Whimsical and beautifully drawn, this 2nd volume in the Hildafolk series is sure to enchant readers who love Kazu Kibuishi's graphic novels. |
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Looking for more great books?
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For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, you may want to try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply within three days with a list of the next five books you should read.
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NextReads is a service of Durham County Library and NoveList, a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. Durham County Library cardholders can access NoveList from any computer.
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If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, 300 N. Roxoboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
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