"Fuzzy Mud" by Louis Sachar

 In "Fuzzy Mud" we meet  fifth grader Tamaya who is trying to cope with her parents divorce and her friends' changing attitudes. She walks home from school with Marshall who is dealing with his own problems...mainly a bully named Chad. When Marshall chooses to walk them through the woods behind their school to avoid Chad, their world turns upside down. Chad finds them in the woods and Tamaya throws 'fuzzy mud' at Chad to save Marshall. When Tamaya wakes up the next morning she has blisters on her hand. What must Chad look like?

This book talks about a lot of issues--divorce, fitting in, bullying, ecology--but it does so in a pretty gentle manner. School Library Journal recommends grades 3-5. I have no problem giving this to a confident third grader but I would really recommend it for grades 4-6.

Louis Sachar doesn't publish a book often so it is a treat to get a new book.


--Desiree S., Headquarters

P.S.

Kids often ask me "What is your favorite book?" and I can't say that I truly have a favorite. I like different stories for different reasons. However, if I could only chose one book to take on a deserted island to read forever and ever, that book would be "Holes" by Louis Sachar. If you haven't read "Holes" go find it now! Maybe that will become your island book as well.

Sequel Alert! Can You Still Find Walrus?

When Walrus snuck out of the zoo and cleverly evaded his zoo keeper using all kinds of disguises in "Where's Walrus," he must have had a blast, because Walrus is back, and he's brought his friend penguin with him in "Where's Walrus? And Penguin." Author and illustrator Stephen Savage has created another engaging and wordless picture book that all pre-readers will enjoy. The images are simple and bright, and walrus and penguin are hilarious in their efforts to evade the zoo keeper. My favorite is when they join the opera. I'd like to see a walrus singing Wagner! They go through a rough patch when they join a baseball game, but in the end, walrus finds that maybe he has a good reason to stay at the zoo. I recommend this seek-and-find book for young ones from preschool to first grade.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Siete Elefantes" by Mister G

Count the animals along with Mister G in his delightful new video, "Siete Elefantes." If you like what you hear, check out one of his albums.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Volunteer: A Review of “Can We Help?” by George Ancona

Childhood is a time of great exploration and learning. What better time to introduce volunteerism? And what better way, besides doing it yourself, than by reading a book and seeing other kids helping out? “Can We Help? Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities” by George Ancona is a delightful way to begin a conversation with kids about volunteering.

Each page spread has a short, easy to read paragraph describing different ways that kids volunteer. From knitting hats and scarves, working in a community garden or food pantry, to picking up litter and helping to distribute meals, there’s a multitude of wonderful ideas that kids can latch onto, and that we can do right here in St. Louis!. The best part of the book, however, are the beautiful photographs that show all kinds of kids doing all kinds of things all over the country to help out.

Check out “Can We Help” for the kid in your life, but be prepared for an inspired kid who wants to get out there and help! Great for kindergarteners through fourth grade.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Humphrey Author Betty Birney to Visit SLCL

What a treat! "The World According to Humphrey" author Betty G. Birney will be visiting St. Louis County Library Headquarters on Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Birney grew up in St. Louis. She writes children's books and this Emmy winner has also worked on many children's television shows.

Birney's Humphrey books are beloved by kids everywhere. Humphrey, the pet hamster at Longfellow School, learns to read, write and help his fellow students in Room 26 with their problems.

What's Humphrey all about? Check out the first book in the series and you will be hooked.

"The World According to Humphrey" You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That's what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy is it true There are always adventures in the classroom and each weekend he gets to sleep over with different students.

"Friendship According to Humphrey"When Humphrey the hamster returns to Mrs. Brisbane's class after the winter break, a new class pet and some other surprises give him an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of friendship.
 


Looking for something different?

"The Princess and the Peabodys" 

When a medieval princess appears out of a rusty box bought at a yard sale, fourteen-year-old tomboy Casey Peabody and her family are stuck with her royal snobbiness until the young wizard who had trapped her there figures out the spell to send her home. "Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" When Eben McAllister reads about the Seven Wonders of the World, he longs to escape the small farming community of Sassafras Springs and do some exploring of his own. All that changes when his pa, challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras Springs that can stand up to the real Seven Wonders of the World.

Join us for a great author event!

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Book Trailer: "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate

Good news, everyone! Katherine Applegate, author of Newbery Award winning book "The One and Only Ivan," has a brand-new book coming out! "Crenshaw" will be out soon. In the meantime, watch the lovely trailer and put a hold on a copy today!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Book Trailer: "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick

The masterful Brian Selznick has a new illustrated novel coming out, called "The Marvels." Following the trials and tribulations of a family of actors through the centuries, it looks to be as fascinating and stunningly beautiful as his previous works, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and "Wonderstruck." Be sure to check out his hand-designed and performed book trailer below.

--Andrea W., Headquarters