Review: "Raymie Nightingale" by Kate DiCamillo

Everything depends on Raymie, and she has a plan. Her dad ran off with the dental hygienist and Raymie just knows that if she wins the Little Miss Central Florida Tire Competition her father will see it in the paper, leave the hygienist, and come back home. She wasn't counting on competition like Louisiana Elefante who comes from a show business family but faints at the drop of a hat, and Beverly Tapinski who wants to sabotage the contest. Each of the girls has their own troubles to overcome. Who will win the contest? What will Raymie say when she finally gets to talk to her dad? What are the secrets the other girls are reluctant to talk about?

Like other Kate DiCamillo books, "Ramie Nightingale" is a heartwarming tale of three girls who are at odds with each other at first, but must come together to face a few challenges. School Library Journal recommends this title for grades four to seven. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Trea P., Bridgeton Trails

"Wandmaker" by Ed Masessa

Henry Leach (the 8th) would like nothing more than to learn how to make a wand so he can teach bullies a lesson and, just maybe, get a moment's peace from his little sister. But when his parents start acting weird and he accidentally turns his sister into a hedgehog, Henry thinks he may need some assistance with his wandmaking.

"Wandmaker" by Ed Masessa is a great book for fans of the Septimus Heap. Grades 3-5.



--Desiree S., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Wildlife Oddities"

Here's a fun new book series! It's called "Wildlife Oddities," and it is full of strange facts and amazing full-color photos. Each book is sure to capture the attention of any reader in grades four to six. Click on the titles below to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Shocking Sea Creatures"

Dewey Number: 591.77

"Incredible Insects"

Dewey Number: 595.7

"Mystifying Mammals"

Dewey Number: 599

"Peculiar Plants"

Dewey Number: 580

Kids Music Friday: "Helen's Song" by The Que Pastas

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Here's a lovely video chronicling the journey from baby to dad accompanied by "Helen's Song," a sweet little number by The Que Pastas. Enjoy!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Happy Father's Day

To celebrate the dads in your life, grab one of the following newly published books from the library and cuddle up for a read. Click on the titles to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Be Glad Your Dad . . . Is Not an Octopus!" by Matthew Logelin and Sara Jensen

This is a silly look at what life would be like if your dad behaved like different animals, such as a skunk or an octopus.

"Hammer and Nails" by Josh Bledsoe

Darcy is disappointed when her play date falls through. Then dad steps in with a plan to save the day. Are they up to the challenge of helping each other complete their lists?

"I Wonder: Celebrating Daddies Doin' Work" by Doyin Richards

This is a Father's Day card from a dad to his kids, with lovely photos of daddies and kiddos doing their thing.

Review: "The First Olympics of Ancient Greece"

With this summer's Olympics just around the corner, it's a great time to read about "The First Olympics of Ancient Greece."  In this non-fiction title by Lisa Bolt Simons, readers will learn which events took place and who participated at the first games.  It includes photos of original artifacts and illustrations depicting the action.  There is also a glossary of terms in the back to help readers with new or challenging words.

I recommend this book for readers in Kindergarten through second grade, but any fan of the Olympics will enjoy it!

--Angie R-H, Cliff Cave

Maker Monday: "Be a maker!" series

Do you have an itch to learn how to do something new? Check out the Be A Maker! series. Each book is a great collection of projects, history, and information about jobs in each respective skill set. You can try different forms of animation, robotics, fashion and music. With lots of great pictures and ideas, these books will appeal to any kid in middle to upper grade school or middle school. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Guess What" series by Felicia Macheske

Are you having a hard time finding engaging non-fiction for your pre-schooler? Look no longer and check out the "Guess What" series by Felicia Macheske. Each book is a riddle about an animal or insect, asking one question per page, with a close-up shot of the creature in question. The final page gives the answer, then lists some intriguing facts. Click on the titles below to reserve a copy today!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Awesome Arms"

Dewey Number: 594.56

        "Lanky Legs"

         Dewey Number: 595.727

          "Quick and Quiet"

          Dewey Number: 595.733

"Hairy Hunter"

Dewey Number: 595.44

"Blue and Bumpy"

Dewey Number: 595.386

"Flying Flippers"

Dewey Number: 597.928

"Big and Blubbery"

Dewey Number: 599.799

"Bright and Beautiful"

Dewey Number 595.789

Dewey Discoveries: "Super Bug Encyclopedia" by John Woodward

Here's a big beautiful book for the burgeoning bug enthusiast in your home! DK and Smithsonian have partnered to create "Super Bug Encyclopedia" by John Woodward, a fascinating, detailed book filled with amazingly up-close photos of all kinds of insects. If you've ever been curious about the weird and wonderful world of insects, this book is for you. It is appropriate for readers in second grade on up.

Dewey Number: 595.7

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Monster Truck" by Sugar Free Allstars

You know them and love them from Summer Reading Club. Now you can enjoy the Sugar Free Allstars any time you want through this catchy and silly music video for their new song, "Monster Truck." Enjoy! Click on the link above to request a copy of one of their albums.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Review: "Shadows of Sherwood" by Kekla Magoon

Join Robyn as she breaks the law throughout Nott City and Sherwood forest as she seeks to find out what happened to her parents in "Shadows of Sherwood" by Kekla Magoon.

Robyn’s life in the Castle District of Nott City is shattered one night when she returns to find her parents missing and blood on the floor. When she grabs the emergency pack that her dad hid for her, Robyn finds a mystery written through moon lore.  She hopes that when she solves the clues, she’ll be able to find where her parents have been taken. But she can’t do it alone, so she teams up with some new friends and starts to hit back at the Sheriff as the noose tightens around the unregistered people of Sherwood Forest. This is a futuristic, exciting twist on the old Robin Hood tale, and you don’t want to miss it! School Library recommends this book for readers in grades five to eight.

--Andrea W., Headquarters