Kids' Books
December 2017
"I am fairly certain that a dilemma is a kind of ferocious desert animal. I am surprised that Principal Jones thinks I might have one."
~ from Matthew Swanson's The Real McCoys
 
Recent Releases
Oddity
by Sarah Cannon

Fantasy. Aliens, zombie rabbits, scary puppets, and carnivorous dumpsters are all totally normal in the town of Oddity, New Mexico. What isn't normal is the disappearance of Ada Roundtree's twin sister, Pearl.  You can follow along with determined Ada and her diverse friends as they search for Pearl in this delightfully weird mashup of horror and humor.
Mr. Gedrick and Me
by Patrick Carman

Fantasy. Ever since the death of their stay-at-home dad, Stanley Darrow and his family have been having a tough time. They decide to hire someone to help around the house, but they get much more than they bargained for in Mr. Gedrick, their colorfully dressed -- and possibly magical -- new nanny. Before you can say "supercalifragilous," you'll be won over by Mr. Gedrick's Mary Poppins-style charm.
The Secret of Nightingale Wood
by Lucy Strange

Historical Fiction. In 1919 England, bookish 12-year-old Hen is desperate for her father to return home and her mama to get better. They moved to a country estate for a fresh start, yet creepy Dr. Hardy seems to be keeping Mama sick on purpose. Feeling sad and lonely, Hen follows an eerie light into the nearby woods and finds a mysterious, life-changing new friend. 
The Real McCoys
by Matthew Swanson; illustrated by Robbi Behr

Mystery. Fourth-grade detective Moxie McCoy makes it her business to live up to her name, whether she's searching for a new best friend or for Tiddlywhump Elementary's missing mascot. Her enthusiasm, however, outweighs her sleuthing skills, leading Moxie to some offbeat conclusions and plenty of trouble. This zany, cartoon-illustrated mystery is the 1st in a new series.
How Oscar Indigo Broke the Universe (And Put It Back Together Again)
by David Teague

Science Fiction. Oscar Indigo doesn't want to disappoint his baseball team when he goes to bat, so he uses his super-special watch to stop time and fake a home run. Unfortunately, the missing time is causing the universe to unravel. Oops? If you like this time travel adventure, be sure to try Saving Lucas Biggs, co-written by author David Teague.
At Last!
Right now, you might be hearing a lot about The Last Jedi, but as 2017 winds to a close, you may want to try some of these other "lasts".
 
Ms. Bixby's Last Day
by John David Anderson

Fiction. Ms. Bixby is one of "the Good Ones," the kind of teacher who really understands. When she has to leave school to start cancer treatments, students Topher, Steve, and Brand band together to give their teacher the kind of send-off she deserves. All three boys take turns describing their not-entirely-legal plan, as well as the ways in which Ms. Bixby changed their lives.
Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard
by Jonathan Auxier

Fantasy. A devoted reader and bookmender, 12-year-old Sophie Quire works in her father's shop in Bustleburgh. When thief Peter Nimble turns up asking for repairs to a magical book, Sophie agrees to help -- and unexpectedly discovers her own destiny. Packed with colorful characters, this sequel to Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is a smart, silly, breathtaking tale that's perfect for book lovers and fantasy fans.
Allie, First at Last
by Angela Cervantes

Fiction. "Epic greatness" is a family tradition for Allie Velasco: her parents and siblings all have piles of trophies. Determined to win something herself, Allie enters an arts contest -- winning it can't be any harder than figuring out why her friendships have gotten so confusing, right? Allie's honest, funny voice will ring true for anyone who's ever worried about keeping their friends or making their family proud.
The Spotted Dog Last Seen
by Jessica Scott Kerrin

Fiction. Still feeling guilty about his best friend's accidental death years earlier, sixth-grader Derek isn't wild about his school community service project to help with cemetery repairs. Yet when another project member discovers a coded book at the local library, Derek is drawn into a mystery with connections to one particular gravestone. Bittersweet and twisty, The Spotted Dog Last Seen offers memorable characters and a real code you can crack.
The Last Wild
by Piers Torday

Fantasy. Kester Jaynes hasn't spoken since his mom died, but when a cockroach asks him for help, Kester discovers that he can communicate with animals. Though most animals have been wiped out by the deadly red-eye virus, the cockroaches are among the wild survivors who convince Kester to take on a quest to save the last animals on Earth. Fans of the heroic (but not-so-cuddly) animals in Suzanne Collins' Underland Chronicles should definitely pick up The Last Wild.  
Contact your librarian for more great books!