Review: "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse

"Daddy came in, 

he sat across from Ma and blew his nose. 

Mud streamed out. 

He coughed and spit out mud. 

If he had cried, 

his tears would have been mud too, 

but he didn't cry.”

Billie Jo Kelby is a teen living in the Oklahoma Panhandle during the dust storms of 1934 to 1935. Crops are dying from lack of water.  The cattle are walking skeletons. As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but dry, desolate dust.

It gets thru the cracks of windows and doors. It turns the drinking water brown and makes the food, what there is of it, taste gritty.

The Kelby family tries to hold out for better times to come, after all Billie Jo’s mother is due to have a baby soon and it has to rain sometime, right?  But there is a terrible accident and the family is thrown into a black menacing storm they may never heal from.

"Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse won the Newbery Award and the Scott O’Dell Award for historical fiction.  It is an ALA Notable Children’s Book and an ALA Best Books for Young Adults.  Grade 5 and up.

--Trea P., Bridgeton Trails

Andrea's Best of 2015 Middle Grade Fiction

Every year I have the joy and privilege of going into local schools and sharing my favorite books with fourth and fifth grade students. I read lots of middle grade fiction year-round, but only the top twenty or so make it into the final cut. A few of the books are general crowd pleasers, there are several interesting non-fiction titles, some graphics, and hopefully there are some amazing books that I know most students would pass up because of the cover or subject matter. I am excited to present you with this year's list! Click on the titles to reserve a copy of a book.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

FANTASY AND ADVENTURE

"Jellaby" by Kean Soo

 Nerdy and friendless Portia finds a friendly purple monster in her backyard one day. Can she find his home and return him before it's too late?

"The Castle Behind Thorns" by Merrie Haskell

Blacksmith apprentice Sand mysteriously wakes up inside of a fireplace in a deserted and cursed castle. How will he get out?

"The Eighth Day" by Dianne K. Salerni

Jax discovers a secret, hidden world in an extra eighth day of the week when he turns thirteen and realizes that he is not who he thinks he is.

"The Luck Uglies" by Paul Durham

When the Village Drowning is overrun with dreaded Bog Noblins, Rye O'Chanter calls on the feared gang of Luck Uglies to help.

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

Marril and Fin must work together on a magical ship to save the unpredictable Pirate Stream.








NON FICTION

"100 Inventions That Made History" by Tracey Turner

An amusing and informative collection of 100 important inventions.

"Ripley's Believe It or Not! Kids: Fun Facts and Silly Stories: The Big One"

This book is chock full of pictures, stories, and amazing information that will entertain and surprise you.

"Spiders and Creepy Crawlies" by Camilla De la Dedoyere

With so many creepy bugs, this book will leave you amazed and grossed out.

"The Right Word" by Jen Bryant

This beautifully illustrated book is about the wonderful life of Peter Roget, the creator of the Thesaurus.

"Underworld: Exploring the Secret World Beneath" by Jane Price

All things underground are covered in this book, from tombs to hibernating critters to underground cities.








SCIENCE FICTION

"Space Case" by Stuart Gibbs

Dashiell believes that the supposed suicide on Moon Base Alpha was really a murder. Can he figure out who did it before they strike again?

"The Fourteenth Goldfish" by Jennifer Holm

Ellie's scientist grandpa shows up on her doorstep as a teenager, needing her help to break back into his lab before another scientist steals his age-defying discovery.

"The Lost Planet" by Rachel Searles

Intergalactic intrigue and danger surrounds an amnesiac boy who shows up on a distant planet, inside of a very secure compound.

"The Scavengers" by Michael Perry

Ford Falcon must fight against zombies, a giant corporation, genetically modified URCorn, and a violent rooster to reunite her family and save her little brother's life.








REALISTIC FICTION

"All Four Stars" by Tara Dairman

After being mistaken for an adult food critic, Gladys Gatsby must scheme her way into New York City to review a new bakery without her parents knowing.

"Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson

In the 1960's, Jackie grows up spending summers in the segregated south and the rest of the year in New York City.

"Dreamer Wisher Liar" by Cherise Mericle Harper

Ashley's best friend gets to go to camp early while she has to babysit a seven-year-old. Can her summer be redeemed?

"Death by Toilet Paper" by Donna Gephart

Benjamin Epstein tries to keep his family from being evicted by entering all sorts of wacky contests.

"Half a Chance" by Cynthia Lord

Lucy moves to a house on a lake, tries to make friends, and enters a photography contest before starting school in the fall.

"Nightingale's Nest" by Nikki Loftin

While working with his dad over the summer, Little John meets a foster girl with a magic voice.

"Revenge of the Flower Girls" by Jennifer Ziegler

Dawn, Delaney, and Darby try to stop their older sister's wedding in any way they can.

Staff Review: "Nightmares!" by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Charlie Laird can't go to sleep.  His nightmares are so terrifying, he'll do anything to keep them away.  Every time he falls asleep, day or night, the evil witch is there to torment him.  But his wakeful life is getting scary, too.  His new stepmother, Charlotte, is the town's herbalist, always mixing mysterious and smelly concoctions to cure people.  The family moved into her weird old purple mansion: the oddest place in town.  Charlie's convinced she's monstrous, but no one else sees it.  Charlie's nightmares start getting even more intense and happening during the day, and he needs the help of his best friends to face his fears and save his brother.
"Nightmares!" is this the first book in a trilogy written by actor Jason Segel-that wacky guy from The Muppets-and Kirsten Miller.  This is a great read just in time for Halloween.  It is creepy, but not too scary, and also funny and imaginative.  This book is recommended for readers 8-12 years old.  It's great for fans of "Coraline," "The Garden of Eve," "Floors," and Roald Dahl.

--Angie RH, Headquarters