Review: "Rollergirl" by Victoria Jamieson

In "Roller Girl" by Victoria Jamieson, Astrid's mom has taken her and her best friend, Nicole, on "an evening of cultural enlightenment" before. Poetry readings, the opera, and the modern art gallery have been some of the more exciting evenings in the past, but this one is different. She takes them to see Portland's hometown roller derby racers, The Rose City Rollers. Astrid's life is forever changed. The players have crazy names, weird hair, and tattoos. One player, a jammer named Rainbow Bite, looks like a superhero and actually winks at Astrid! She cannot wait to begin junior roller derby camp. There's just one problem--her best friend, Nicole, is into ballet and boys and plans on going to dance camp over the summer instead of joining Astrid.

The summer before junior high is not going the way Astrid had planned. Instead of spending every moment with her BFF, she's learning to skate and trying to figure out if she fits into the roller derby community while hopefully making new friends in the process. School Library Journal lists this graphic novel full of self discovery and strong female characters as appropriate for grades four to eight.

--Heather N., Eureka Hills 

Review: "Serafina and the Black Cloak" by Robert Beatty

Set in the Biltmore Estate in 1899, "Seraphina and the Black Cloak" by Robert Beatty tells the story of Serafina and her father, the maintenance man, who secretly live in the basement.  Serafina takes her job as the C.R.C. (Chief Rat Catcher) very seriously, and her unusual attributes - extra toes, gold eyes, and an ability to see in the dark - make her well-suited for prowling in the dark.  Her pa’s told her to keep herself scarce and not to tell anyone her name. Despite her curiosity about the Biltmore’s wealthy guests and the dangerous forest he’s forbidden her to enter, Serafina has become an expert at staying invisible.  That is, until one night she witnesses a mysterious man in a black cloak attack a young girl, making her disappear into thin air.  As more children are stolen, Serafina comes out of the shadows and joins forces with Braden Vanderbilt, the nephew of Biltmore’s owners, to discover the identity and motives of the Man in the Black Cloak. In the process, she experiences true friendship for the first time and learns more about her bizarre origins.  If you’re looking for an intriguing mystery with a creepy, atmospheric feel, this is one to check out. School Library Journal recommends this book for readers in grades five to seven. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Lindsay B., Headquarters

Review: "Hippopotamister" by John Patrick Green.

"The old City Zoo was falling apart. No one was buying tickets. No one was managing the office. The habitats needed repair. The monkeys had no energy. The lion's mane wasn't very regal. The walrus's smile wasn't very bright. And at the center of it all, lived Red Panda and Hippopotamus."

In "Hippopotamister" by John Patrick Green, an animal can only take so much, and Red Panda couldn't take it anymore. So Red Panda waved farewell to his friend and neighbor, Hippopotamus, and left the zoo to live amongst the humans. He visited Hippo often, dressed each time in a different work uniform, and every time he'd visit he'd say the same thing . . ."Hey Hippo! Life outside the zoo is great! My job is awesome!" Finally, Hippo couldn't take it anymore! He didn't want to live in the shabby old zoo, he wanted to have adventures and work awesome jobs, too! He asked his friend, Red Panda, to help him find a job. Red Panda is happy to help, but it turns out working amongst the humans is not all it's cracked up to be. Will Hippo and Red Panda make it in the working world, or find themselves back at the zoo? To find out, pick up "Hippopotamister" by John Patrick Green. School Library Journal recommends this graphic novel for readers in grades one to four. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Kelly B., Prairie Commons

Review: "The Only Child" by Guojing

Illustrator Guojing was raised in China under the one-child rule. Her parents worked full-time, and Guojing was often left at home for hours by herself. One day, her father put Guojing on a bus to her grandmother's house. On the way, she fell asleep and missed her stop. Luckily, she was able to find a familiar road and walk to her grandmother's house, but that terrifying childhood experience inspired her to create "The Only Child," her award-winning (and wordless) graphic novel.

In this story, we meet a little girl who is left home alone after her mother leaves for work. She becomes bored after only a few hours, and decides to take the bus to her grandmother's house (leaving a note, of course). Unfortunately, she misses her stop and becomes lost. A stag in the woods finds her, and together they fly into the sky for a nighttime adventure in the clouds. The little girl meets other animals in the sky, but eventually misses her family. The stag returns to her home, where she reunites with her worried parents and grandmother.

This story takes place in rural China on a dark, snowy day. The imagery is striking, yet quiet--silly, yet full of powerful emotion. "The Only Child" will appeal to fans of Raymond Brigg's "The Snowman" or other wordless tales. School Library Journal recommends this for readers in grades one to four. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--MacKenzie S., Natural Bridge

Is There a Monster in the House?

Who wouldn't love to have a pet monster? It sounds like a great idea--someone fuzzy to play with who will always be there. It's not always perfect, however, as we discover in two new chapter books for readers in second and third grade. Click on the links below to reserve a copy today.

Would you like to have a hyper monster baby for a best friend? Harold Fuzzwonker does in "Fizzopolis" by Patrick Carman, a silly book about wacky inventions and candy spies. As the son of a mad food scientist, Harold Fuzzwonker is dying to go into his dad's secret lab. Once he turns ten he's allowed inside, and there he finds all kinds of fun and crazy monsters, one who becomes his best friend and just might cause some big trouble at school. 

Some monsters are a little more cantankerous, as we find out in "Ruffleclaw" by Cornelia Funke. What would you do if you were a four-armed, furry earth monster who just so happens to love cake, piano music, and shampoo? Move into a people house, of course! If you were a boy, what would you do if a smelly, four-armed furry monster crawled into your bed? Become friends, of course! Right?

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Review: "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio

"Wonder," by R.J. Palacio is a story about a ten year old boy named August Pullman, better known at Auggie, who loves doing ordinary things like eating ice cream, riding his bike and playing Xbox. He feels ordinary on the inside but knows that people don't look at him and see an ordinary ten year old boy. Auggie was born with facial deformities. Now that he is done with most of his surgeries for now, him mom thinks it's time for him to go to a school instead of homeschooling. So he enters fifth grade at Beecher Prep. So not only is he the new kid, but the new kid with this extraordinary face. he is afraid to face the kids' reactions to his appearance. Can Auggie overcome fear and convince his classmates that he is just an ordinary kid like them? Recommended for readers in grades three through six.

--Jocelyn H., Jamestown Bluffs 

Review: "The Story of Diva and Flea" by Mo Willems

"The Story of Diva and Flea" by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi is the story of unlikely friends, Diva and Flea. Diva is a gardienne's dog, and as such it is her job to guard the garden and yelp and run away from anything suspicious. Flea is a great flaneur who lives nowhere and everywhere at once. He ahs seen everything in Paris, but still looks for more as there is always more to discover. Can Flea teach Diva how to be a great flaneur? Can Diva teach Flea that it is fun to explore, but it is also nice to have a home to come back to after exploring? This book is appropriate for first to third grade readers. Click the link above to request a copy today.

--Heather N., Eureka Hills

Review: "Save Me a Seat" by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

School is tough. But moving to a new country as well makes everything twice as hard. Where do you fit in? Who are your friends? Who can you trust? Is it the guy behind you that everyone makes jokes about? Could it be the shy girl next to you, or the popular kid who goes out of his way to be nice? Ravi (rav-Vee) was at the top of his class in India and was the best cricket player on his team. At his new school, no one understands him when he talks, the other kids have never heard of cricket, and whenever he tries to show his class how smart or good he is, something always happens to mess things up.

Now Ravi has to adjust to life in America, all the changes at home, and fit in at school. "Save Me a Seat" is a great read for anyone who has had to attend school where they didn't know a soul. School Library Journal recommends this title for grades three to six.

--Trea P., Bridgeton Trails

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

Review: "The Red Hat" by David Teague

What lengths would you go to in order to become someone's friend? In "The Red Hat" by David Teague, Billy Hightower goes to great lengths to meet the girl in the red hat. Billy lives at the top of the world's tallest building. A building so high that it doesn't even rain on the roof because the clouds are beneath the roof. One day construction begins on a new high rise across from Billy's, and soon a girl in a red hat appears of the opposite roof. Billy tries everything imaginable to communicate with her--yelling, a paper airplane message, a kite--but the wind always snatches away his efforts. In one last grand attempt, Billy tries to fly to the other roof, but only manages to snatch away the girl's red hat. Will they ever be friends?

Antoinette Portis illustrates this imaginative story with a bold palette of black, white, blues, and a little pops of red, creating a visually striking world. Shiny ribbons laced across each page bring the powerful wind to life and add subtle texture. "The Red Hat" is a visually pleasing story that will warm the hearts of readers of all ages. It is most appropriate for readers from preschool to second grade.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Hedgehugs" by Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper

Just in time for Valentine's Day we have a cute story of two best friends who just want to hug in "Hedgehugs" by Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper. "Horace and Hattie are the very best of friends" and do everything together--except hug. Unfortunately, their hedgehog spikes get in the way. So Horace and Hattie get creative, using all kinds of means to make hugging happen. From strawberries to hollow logs, nothing seems to work. Until, that is, they discover the perfect solution. Check out the book to see what happens to Horace and Hattie--and just maybe you'll find out where all of your missing socks disappear to as well! Perfect for the preschool set.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Trailer Fun: "Be a Friend" by Salina Yoon

Salina Yoon has created yet another big-hearted and beautiful picture book, "Be a Friend." What does it mean to be a friend? Find out in the trailer below.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

“Strictly No Elephants” By Lisa Mantchev & Taeeun Yoo

"Strictly No Elephants" by Lisa Mantchev and Taeeun Yoo shares the story of what happens when one little boy and his “tiny elephant” are not allowed into the neighborhood Pet Club. With vivid illustrations and imaginative storytelling, children learn how to carve their own path when faced with the challenge of “not fitting in”. A tale of friendship and acceptance will capture children’s hearts as they meet a diverse array of children and their unusual pets. A great pick for preschool and school age children, curl up and find a spot to read this book while discovering what it is like to come together in a tree house where “all are welcome.”

--Alison R., Headquarters

Robotic Adventure: "Little Robot" by Ben Hatke

Sometimes it can be hard to make friends. People can be complicated. But robots--robots are simple. And, as it turns out, pretty good friends. In "Little Robot" by Ben Hatke, a little girl hesitates to make friends with other kids. As she's tinkering around in a junkyard, she comes across an adorable little robot that fell off of a delivery truck. They slowly become friends, working around a language barrier to do all sorts of things together. But what happens when a retrieval robot is sent from the robot factory to take the little girl's friend away? With beautiful pictures and limited text, this delightful graphic novel is perfect for anyone from kindergartners to fourth graders. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

New Middle Grade Series Alert! "The Dungeoneers" by John David Anderson

"Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime. Teach him to steal, though, and he won't have to eat fish every day for the rest of his life."

Are you looking to get into an exciting new series this summer, one full of adventure, danger, and humor? Seek no longer, adventurers, but pick up "The Dungeoneers" by John David Anderson. If you loved Harry Potter or N.D. Wilson's Ashtown Burials, you will most likely enjoy romping through dungeons with Colm and his friends.

Colm Candorly knows what it's like to be poor. With eight daughters and one son, Colm's dad works his fingers to the bone fixing shoes in their small town, but there never seems to be enough to go around. With eight torturous sisters, Colm has learned the art of sneaking and stealing to keep his sanity. One day, he gets fed up with his lot in life and decides to put his skills to use by pick-pocketing in the town square. While he brings in a haul, Colm also brings down judgement on himself, and he has the choice to either lose his hand or join The Dungeoneers Guild, leave his family, and hone his lock-picking skills at a school for thieves of all sorts. Filled with friendship, adventure, and hard choices to make, "The Dungeoneers" will keep you reading late into the night, and when you finish, you won't be able to wait for Colm's next adventure to begin. Appropriate for fourth to seventh grade. Request a copy today by clicking on the link above.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Map to Everywhere" by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis

Need some fantasy and adventure in your life? Go on a hunt for "The Map to Everywhere" by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis!

When Marrill’s adventurous mom gets sick yet again and the family decides to stay in one place for once, Marrill fears that her adventures are over. Until, that is, she steps outside to find the Pirate Stream flooding a nearby parking lot. Floating on the magical stream is a magical ship captained by a wizard and an almost-invisible boy named Fin who are on the hunt for the elusive Map to Everywhere before the ominous Weeping Prophet discovers its location.

One thing is for sure—there’s no going back once this adventure gets started, and the fate of the world may be at stake! Full of intrigue, magic, and adventure, you won’t be able to put it down! Best for grades four to six.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Farmer and the Clown" by Marla Frazee

You know and love Marla Frazee for her illustrations of the Clementine chapter books--now she has a charming new picture book , "The Farmer and the Clown."  I understand your squeamishness about clowns--they give me the willies, too. Frazee has taken the dreaded subject of clowns, removed the scariness, and made them adorable through this beautiful, wordless picture book.

We start with a lonely old farmer who notices something falling off a train as it passes on the far side of his field. Lo and behold, it's a little clown baby. The farmer takes the baby home, feeds him, and they spend a lovely day together around the farm, becoming fast friends in the process. When the circus train returns the next day, there are tearful good-byes and a little surprise for the farmer.

Frazee's muted illustrations convey so much emotion that you will fall in love with the clown baby and the farmer as they spend time together. Your little one will love telling the story as you look through the pictures together. For ages pre-K to second grade.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Little Elliot Big City" by Mike Curato

Move over, Babar, Little Elliot is here! If you're on the hunt for an adorable new series, look no further--Mike Curato's "Little Elliot Big City" has everything you need. Sweetly adorable main character (with polk-dots!)? Check! Beautifully atomospheric vintage New York City? Check! Lovely story? Double check! Watch the book trailer below to decide for yourself, then click the link above to reserve a copy today. Appropriate for the preschool to first grade crowd. Keep a watch out for the next installment!





--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review "Found" by Salina Yoon

In "Found" by Salina Yoon, someone has lost their much loved Bunny.  But Bear has found it and is determined to find the rightful owner.  After a couple of days, Bear starts to enjoy this loveable little Bunny.  What will happen when Bear finds the owner?  It's actually a grown up, and Mr. Moose doesn't really need his special friend anymore.  Bear would be just right to give Bunny a good home.

Everyone has a favorite stuffed toy or cozy blankie that they loved best.  It might be a teddy or a bunny or maybe something random.  At the heart of this story is what happens to those items when you grow out of them.  Why not pass it on to another younger person to enjoy for years to come?  This story reminded me of "Knuffle Bunny Free" by Mo Willems in which Trixie discovers the same thing.  Also, check out "Much Loved" by Mark Nixon for photos and stories of special soft toys from around the world, some over a hundred years old.  Just looking at the illustration on the cover of "Found", you can guess that Bear and his Bunny will also be happy for many, many years to come.

--Angie RH, Headquarters

Staff Review: "Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time Capsule Bandit" by Octavia Spencer

Miranda Rhodes is a tough 12 year old who has been solving mysteries in her Brooklyn neighborhood for the last year, ever since her mother died.  It's just been her and her mystery author Dad who doesn't seen to notice much.  But now Dad's decided they need a change and they're moving to the sleepy town of Deer Creek, Tennessee.  It's fun to visit in the summer, but Randi doesn't want to live there.  What crimes could possibly happen for her to solve?

She changes her mind when the town's time capsule is stolen from right under everyone's noses.  The legend is that the time capsule tells where the town's treasure is buried.  It cold mean riches for everyone.  Without it, the whole town could go under and the place will get turned into a golf resort!  With the help of her new friend, D.C., Randi is on the case and is determined to find the time capsule, catch the crook and find the town's missing treasure. 

Randi is spunky and sassy-not a girly girl, but not exactly a tomboy.  She is a big-time rule-breaker.  She loves martial arts and especially admires Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.  She's not really the kind of girl I would be friends with, but I think a lot of kids can relate to her.  She misses her mother so badly, but her and her Dad never really talk about it and that only makes it worse.  This gets brought up and worked through a bit in the book, but I'm hoping it comes up again in other books.  I suspect a step-mother is not too far in Randi's future.

Dario Cruz, who goes by D.C., and his mother bought the apple orchard in Deer Creek, but they're having trouble paying the mortgage.  He's a hard worker and helps his Mom as much as he can.  Because D.C. was born premature, he has some health problems.  He wears hearing aids to help him hear and he has asthma that he works to control.  But he also loves martial arts and his hearing impairment makes him great at reading lips!  

This dynamic duo forms the Ninja Detectives to save the town!  There's a great cast of characters in this book.  The crooked politician, the crabby old miser, and the greedy bank president are all suspects.  But add the kindly ice cream parlor owner, the overweight sheriff and the sweet housekeeper/nanny and Deer Creek feels a little like Mayberry.
"Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time Capsule Bandit" is the first book in the series by Academy Award winning actress Octavia Spencer, but look for more to come.  Great adventure story to middle grade students who liked The Goonies, Missing on Superstition Mountain or Chasing Vermeer.

 --Angie RH, Headquarters