Knights of the Kitchen Table (Time Warp Trio Series Book 1) by John Sciezka JFIC FANTASY/SCI FI

What would you do if in the middle of your birthday party you were transported to the land of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table? Join three friends as they try to find their way back home to their century without getting squashed by giants or burnt by dragons. An easy and humorous book for grades 2-3.

Food for thought: What would you miss most about this century if you were time traveling?

The Prophet of Yonwood by DuPrau JFIC REALISTIC FANTASY

Nickie had 3 goals that winter: #1 convince her family to move to Yonwood #2: fall in love and #3 do something good for the world. When she offers to help her Aunt clean her great grandfather's house in Yonwood, she finds that Yonwood isn't the place she had imagined. A woman named Athela Tower has had a vision of a destroyed future before collapsing into a coma. The townspeople have hailed her as a prophet. With the help of Ms. Beeson, she decodes the prophet's murmurings as words from God and sets up rules for the community. With the threat of impending war, the townspeople are more than happy to comply until the rules become more and more severe. Nickie begins to wonder who God is and how do we know what he is saying? I recommend reading this prequel to "City of Ember" first. It sets up a basis for the underground city. This is a great realistic fantasy that could bring up some crucial moral discussions about religion and war.

Food for Thought: If you were given the option Nickie has at the end of the book, would you do it??

Peter and the Starcatchers by Barry and Pearson JFIC Fantasy/Adventure

Did you ever wonder how Peter Pan learned to fly or ended up in Neverland? This first adventure tale in the trilogy answers both of these questions and more. It was a delightful action packed adventure with brave children, talking porpoises and vicious pirates. My favorite was Captain Hook. He was both scary and humorous. I cannot wait to read the others! It's a great read aloud book for both parents and children.

Food for thought: Before reading this book, how do you think Peter arrived on Neverland?

The Lightning Theif by Rick Riordan JFIC Fantasy

Did you ever wonder what would happen if ancient gods and goddesses from myths were alive today? 6th grader, Percy Jackson, was considered a deliquent. He had been kicked out of every school he's attended. With an arrogant smelly stepdad, he did not have too much to look forward when he came home. When strange things begin to happen on his way, Percy begins to wonder if he really was hallucinating that his Math teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. As Percy discovers who his real father was, he begins an adventurous quest worthy of the gods. Riordan conjured up a wonderful mythic world in the United States. Percy is very comical with many realistic and mythical connections with mentions of reality tv and Mount Olympus. I especially liked his description of the Oracle. A good adventure story for grades 5 and up.

Food for thought: If you had the choice of being a normal kid or an adventurous hero in constant danger, which would you chose?

No Talking by Andrew Clements JFIC Realistic Fiction

The fifth grade class at Laketon Elementary are known as the "Unshushables" until one day David Packer begins a no talking contest inspired by Ghandi. In this girls versus boys contest, no one is allowed to say more than 3 words at a time to a teacher for two days. When they come home from school, they are not allowed to talk at all. The kids must learn how to communicate in other ways. Who will win the contest? Will they get in trouble with their teachers? This is another great novel from Clements about the power of words.

Food for though: Do you think you could go a whole day without talking?

May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson JFIC Fantasy/Adventure

May Bird doesn't have too many friends in Briery Swamp, a town shrouded in mystery after the unexplained disappearance of the community. She doesn't mind too much though as long as she has her trusty cat, Somber Kitty. With her mom threatening to take her to a prep school in New York, May Bird runs away to answer a letter she found addressed to her at the abandoned post office. Her answers take her to the Ever After, a land full of ghosts, ghouls and the dreaded Bogeyman. The Ever After is not the happy place it use to be and very dangerous for a "Live One" like May and an animal like Somber Kitty. May Bird is a like able character who courage surprises even herself. My favorite character is the resilient Somber Kitty. Will May Bird ever find her way out of Ever After? Will Somber Kitty find May even though cats have been banned in Ever After? Who is Pumpkin? Find out all these answers and more in this great fantasy. It is perfect for Halloween. Good for grades 4 and up.


Food for Thought: If you had May's choice to get the Book or go to the Northern farm to help the lady, which would you have chosen?

The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse: A Chet Gecko Mystery by Bruce Hale JFIC Mystery

Meet 4th grader Chet Gecko, amateur private eye of his elementary school. When he's not eating bugs, he's solving crime. Told in the style of a old detective movie, Chet whips out many funny one liners and word plays (I heard they are even funnier on the book on tape which you can check out in our CD collection). With his partner, a mocking bird with a knack for mimicry, Chet must discover why Shirley's tough first grade brother disappeared before the big football game. A very cheesy mystery (the rat sisters might like that) for fourth grade and up.

Food for thought: If you could pick any animal to be a good detective based on their talents, what would it be?

Frindle by Andrew Clements JFIC Realistic Fiction

"Who says dog means the things that go woof and wags its tail? Who says so?" asked Nicholas Allen, a fifth grade student trying to stall his language arts teacher from giving a homework assignment. "You do" she replied. Little did Mrs. Granger know that she was empowering Nicholas to do just that. He decided to use the word "frindle" rather than pen, which created a world wide phenomenon. Nicholas is a bright, creative class clown who learns to stand up for what he believes in. This book is a light hearted read compared to Avi's "I Know This Much Is True" but thematically they share the same emphasis on words. Good for grades 4 and up. I also recommend it from the summer reading lists.

Food for Thought: Where do you think sayings like "It's cool", "wicked smart" or "Whatever" come from?

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy JFIC Fantasy

No bones about it, this book was AWESOME! If you like magic, action adventure, comedy and mystery this book is for you. Stephanie Edgerly has recently come into an inheritance from her uncle the writer. When she begins to take an interest in his rather odd friend, Skulduggery, she learns about a whole magical world that is going on around her. Stephanie must decide whether she wants to go back to her normal twelve year old life, or help Skulduggery as his partner detective. Skulduggery was a great character. Did I mention he is a living skeleton that can shoot fire? COOL! He's tough, smart, rebellious, and funny just like Stephanie. It is a great book for 5th grade and up.

Food for thought: If given the chance for a life of danger, magic and monsters, would you take it?

Skellig by David Almond JFIC Fantasy

When Michael moves into his new home, he cannot help but find himself attracted to the run down garage. He finds a grumpy creature inside with a taste for Chinese food. Michael thinks he is a figment of his imagination until his neighbor Mina can see him too. Who/what is this creature? How can they help him? He becomes a wonderful symbol of the power of faith and hope that Michael has for his sick baby sister. I thought this was a wonderful heartwarming story with a touch of mystery. Good for grades 5 and up.

Food for thought: What do you think Skellig was?

Bunnicula by James Howe JFIC Mystery

Harold the dog and Chester the cat lead a normal life with the Monroe family until they find a bunny at the movie theatre. When the family brings it home, Chester finds that the bunny is very odd. He sleeps during the day and has fangs. Also, something strange has been happening to the vegetables in the kitchen. Chester is sure that it is the rabbit's fault. Harold and Chester aren't your ordinary pets. Chester loves to read and Harold is talked to like one of the family. The story is told from Harold's perspective, the kind loyal dog of the house. This is a great read for Halloween. If you like this story, there are many others in the series like Howliday Inn and Nighty Nightmare.

Food for Thought: Did you find any similarities between humans and the way Chester and Harold act?

Weird Stuff by Richard Tulloch JFIC

Brian Hobble leads an ordinary middle school life until weird stuff starts happening. First he becomes a superstar on the soccer team when usually no one ever notices him on the field, then his hero Lancelot Cummins picks him to be in a Special Interest Writing Group when he usually can't write more than a paragraph. Could it be the mysterious pink pen he borrowed from the class nerd? or is he just lucky?
I liked Brian as a person. He's very funny and talented even though he doesn't seem it know it himself. His cartoons scattered throughout the book are realistic and comical as he tries to understand the people and events around him.

Good for grade 4 and up.

Food for Thought: Did you ever do something that you thought you wouldn't be talent at, but you ended up surprising yourself?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling JFIC

I can't rave enough about this book. As a librarian, it was wonderful to see so many people enthusiastically reading! It sold 8.5 million copies in the first day. Did you know that people have been reading this series for 10 years? That might be older than some people reading this blog right now!

Book 7 reveals some truths about Dumbeldore, Snape, and the Horocruxes. Before I read it, I thought I had everything figured out. Rowling definately threw in some twists and turns that I did not see coming. The book dragged for me because I wanted to read the ending so badly. There are some humorous instances, but beware this is the darkest and most violent Harry Potter book.

Food for Thought: Were you satisfied with the ending?

Summer Reading

Looking for good books to read over the summer? Try these links organized by grade.

http://www.education-world.com/summer_reading/

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/summerreading/recsummerreading/recommendedreading.htm

http://www.haisln.org/ReadingLists.htm

http://www.justreadfamilies.org/reading/justread.asp

Island of the Blue Dolphin By Scott O'Dell JFIC

Kara and her tribe live in harmony on the Island of the Blue Dolphin until otter hunters arrive. After a vicious battle, her tribe decides to leave the island. The next ship that arrives everyone leaves except Kara and her brother. Kara learns how to survive on the island without her elders and make friends with the animals. Although her descriptions at times were tedious, I thought it was an interesting survival story (much like Hatchett). Kara is a very honorable and strong character. Her actions were very surprising and it left me wondering what I would do if I was in the same situation. Good for grades 5 and up.

Trivia:
Try to guess what the devilfish was.

FoodforThought: If you were stranded on an island,what 3 things do you think you would want?

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli JFIC

Stargirl is truly a masterpiece of character. I would love to meet someone like her in real life. She is selfless, natural and exuberant. She notices the little things such as ants on the sidewalk and she plays the ukele for everyone's birthday whether you are her friend or not. Her story is told through the eyes of Leo Borlock, junior at Mica High, who falls in love with her spirit. Not all students are happy about her non conformity, especially Hillari Kimble. How can one girl stay strong against being shunned by the entire school? This is one of my top picks for summer reading this year.

Food for thought: Are there any Stargirls in your life?

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford JFIC

It's not that Moxy hates to read. She just hates summer reading! She wants to read what she wants. This book takes place on August 23rd, the day before 4th grade starts. Moxy has still not read Stuart Little. Her mother has forbidden her to go to her synchronized swimming show tonight (which she has been practicing all summer for!) unless she finishes reading. Unfortunately, Moxy spends most of the day thinking up plans to keep her from reading which ends in disaster. Her brother Mark is there to take pictures of the events throughout the day (which are scattered around in the book). Moxy was a really funny character. She is very motivated and excited about the future. She has 3 pages of things she wants to do when she grows up. What do you think happens when her mom comes home and finds out she didn't read the book?????? I would recommened this book if you like reading comedies.

Food for Thought: Have you ever read a book that you thought you would hate but ended up liking it? What didn't you like about it at first?

The Twits by Ronald Dahl JFIC

A less popular Dahl book, The Twits is about a nasty couple that is so horrid that their thoughts have made them ugly. They like nothing better than to play mean tricks on eachother like sticking frogs in eachother's beds. One day, their pet monkeys decide to play a trick on them to teach them a lesson! I love Ronald Dahl books. Among my favorites are the BFG and the Witches. Dahl's descriptions of the Twits along with the black and white illustrations made me laugh. Do you feel bad for the Twits? probably not! A book that definately teaches you what NOT to do.

Food for thought: Can you find similar adult characters in other Dahl books?

The Plant that Ate Dirty Sock by Nancy McArthur JFIC

Think owning a plant is boring? Think again! Norman and Michael, two brothers, send away for seeds in the mail. They keep the plants on a steady diet of plant food, water, and scraps of junk food. As the plants grow bigger and bigger, Michael discovers that his dirty socks keep disappearing. Are the plants responsible? How will their parents take it? Did the plant just try to talk? Found out the answers to all these questions and more in this funny science fiction book.

Food for Thought: Would you ever think of a plant as a pet? Would you want one that ate socks? How do you think people would react if they knew?

Dealing with Dragons Book One of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede JFIC

“No proper princess would come out looking for dragons,” Woraug objected. “Well, I’m not a proper princess then,” Cimorene snapped. “I make cherries jubilee, and I volunteer for dragons, and I conjugate Latin verbs- or at least I would if anyone would let me. So there!” (19) Sixteen year old Cimorene, Princess of Linderwall, was not your typical princess. She would sneak around the castle learning fencing, magic, cooking and Latin. Her father the King thwarted her every attempt at not being boring. Forced into an arranged marriage and etiquette classes, Cimorene volunteers to be a dragon’s captive. As she wards off knights trying to rescue her, wizards, and angry fire breathing dragons, she finds herself quite adjusted to dragon life. Cimorene is a very strong willed and resilient character. Her cleverness, not to mention etiquette skills, come in handy many times in the story. She will make the readers glad that she is not a typical boring princess. Although it was a fantasy, it wasn’t very caught up in extensive details of setting and history. I recommend this book for people who want to read a light humorous fantasy.

Food for Thought: What is one thing that you have always wanted to but have not tried yet? What would you do if you weren't allowed to do it like Princess Cimorene?

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick JFIC

The scene is Paris, France 1929, Hugo Cabret, a twelve year old orphan and aspiring magician lives in the clock keeper's apartment at the train station with his uncle until he mysteriously disappears. Hugo must keep the clocks in the station in working order or he will surely be discovered and thereby thwart his secret project. What is his secret project you ask? Well, I'll give you a hint. While learning skills from his horologist (clockmaker) father before his death, Hugo is able to fix and create animated toys and trinkets. After he is caught stealing gears from a local toy shop, he finds he is mysteriously connected to the toy maker Papa Georges and their adopted daughter, Isabella. Despite this book's lengthy appearance, over 200 pages are black and white sketched illustrations that move the story along. This hybrid book was an amazing example of the use of pictures and text to create an entire image in the mind. This book is like a story with its mechanical parts all in working order. The credits in the back of the book were a wonderful addition that points you to real resources that inspired the book. To learn more about George Melies who inspired this book, go to http://www.mshepley.btinternet.co.uk/melies.htm For grades 3 and up.

Food for thought: "I address you all as you truly are: wizards, mermaids,travelers,adventurers, and magicians. You are the true dreamers" This was said by Papa Georges. What dreams of the future do you have?

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron JFIC

Our newest Newbery Award winner introudces us to Lucky, a ten year old girl who is orphaned after the tragic death of her mother. Brigette, her father's exwife, leaves her home in France to take care of her. Lucky becomes anxiety ridden because she believes that this situation is only temporary. She searches for a Higher Power by overhearing AA meetings for strength and answers. She wishes she could have Brigette stay with her, but she knows she misses France. The hot California desert is not the most welcoming and hospitable place. How can she get her to stay? A touching tale about the innocence and insecurity that we all have felt. Despite controversy("With One World Children's Book Sets Off Uproar") over the book's opening page, I thought it was a great book and well worth reading for grades 4 and up.

Food for thought: What are the things you feel lucky for in your life?

Skinny-Bones by Barbara Park JFIC

I was laughing out loud in the library over this book. Alex Frankovitch has a big mouth that leads him into a lot of trouble. He can't help being the fifth grade class clown. He begins to lie about baseball talents when local pitching hero, T.J. challenges him to a pitching contest. He talks the talk but can't walk the walk...or pitch the pitch in his case. Afterwards, Alex can't stop getting into one humiliating situation after another. Readers will appreciate his sense of humor even if his teachers and parents don't.

Food for Thought: What is one thing you are really proud of?

Soccer Scoop by Matt Christopher JFIC

Mac Williams is an avid and passionate soccer player for the Cougars. Some of the players on the team think he is bossy and egotistical. One day the comic in the school paper decides to make fun of him. Due to its popularity, the comic begins making fun of him weekly. Could it be one of his own friends? Mac begins to think of ways to figure out who is doing this to him. The joke isn't funny anymore and it is interfering with his goalie performance. Matt Christopher is a very popular writer for all kinds of sports. Check out our huge collection in jjreaders and jfic.

Food for thought: Is it still a funny joke if it hurts someone's feelings?

Heat by Mike Lupica JFIC

This is a wonderful book for all baseball fans, as well as anyone who likes a good story about triumphing over the problems life often brings. Michael Arroyo lives in the shadow of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. He is twelve years old and an amazing pitcher for his Little League team. Can he help propel them to the Little League World Series? He has a problem, however. Because he is SO good, the rival coaches and players do not believe he is only twelve years old and eligible to play. He needs his birth certificate which is somewhere in his native Cuba. Both his mother and beloved Papi are dead, and if Social Services discover he is living alone with his older brother Carlos, Michael thinks he will have an even worse problem. Help comes from an unexpected source. . . from a girl named Ellie and her dad, EL Grande, star player for the New York Yankees. Will Michael overcome his family losses AND his Little League problem?? Find out while reading this book you might not want to put down! { Another good book by Mike Lupica is “Miracle on 49th Street”, which is a story about a girl whose father is a BOSTON CELTIC!)
Food for thought: Can you still enjoy this book even though Michael loves the Yankees?

The Music of the Dolphins by Karen Hesse JFIC

Mila, abandoned after an accident, is adopted by a family of dolphins. She grows up learning their language and thinking like them. One day, humans come to take her away. Mila loves playing games and making friends with the doctors but she misses her home. She yearns to be with the sea and her family again. Mila is growing sicker by the day because she feels like she is a prisoner. Will she ever be set free? One of the coolest features of this book is the voice of Mila through her diary. The first few chapters are in huge font with simplistic words. They become more detailed she expands her vocabulary. She learns how to express herself through words and music but at what price? Good for grades 4 and up.

Food for thought: Would you like to live in the sea?
Do you think people learn to be angry or afraid or are they born with it?

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson JFIC

Jessie Aarons doesn't feel like he has alot going for himself. Adults don't appreciate his artistic talents and he trained all summer to be the fastest runner in fifth grade but the new next door neighbor Leslie beats all the boys in the entire school on the first day. Jessie overcomes his pride and befriends Leslie who is feeling lonely and outcasted. Their special friendship grows in Terabithia, a fantasy play world they have made up in the woods. It is their secret spot that no one knows about. Themes of loss and poverty are expressed as Jessie learns how different Leslie is from other people in town. I won't tell you the ending but I needed a tissue.

If you liked this book, you might also like The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder.

Food for thought: How does this book compare to the new movie out? Is Terabithia how you imagined it would be like in the movie?

The Witches by Roald Dahl JFIC

When an orphaned boy and his gradmother take a vacation they stumble upon the Annual Witches convention. When he accidentally sits in on a meeting, he learns about Formula 86 Delayed Action Mouse-Maker which will turn all the children of the world into mice. Unfortunately, he must experience this firsthand as the witches smell him in the room. With no toes and rotten worm eating faces, the descriptions and illustrations are both comical and scary. The boy and his grandmother must come up with a way to turn him back into a human and stop the witches before it is too late. Great read for grades 3 and up. Roald Dahl has MANY books about fantasy and magic for younger readers. I recommend the BFG as well.

Food for thought: If you were a mouse, what is one thing you would do?

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo JFIC

This is the another book by the famous author of "Because of Winn Dixie" and "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane". This one isn't as sweet as the others. Rob Horton, an outcast, discovers a caged tiger while walking in the woods. After he befriends another outcast from school, Sistine Bailey, they begin to devise a plan to free the tiger. The caged tiger becomes a metaphor for the caged emotions of the two main characters. Both Rob and Sistine must come to terms with loss. Does Rob free the tiger even if it would get his father in trouble? Read more to find out. Good for fourth grade and up.

Food for thought: What would you have done if you were Rob?

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skeene Catling JFIC

John Midas loves chocolate more than anything in the world, including his friends and family. His greed is punished when he is given the chocolate touch. Everything John puts near his mouth turns to chocolate! It sounds great at first because everything from toothpaste to his pencil turns into delicious chocolate but it becomes disasterous. A very funny read for third grade and up. Kids will be interested to learn more about an ancient Greek myth about King Midas who was given the golden touch.

Food for thought: If you could turn anything to chocolate what would it be? AND Do you think John learned his lesson?

My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier JFIC

Whose side are you on? A historical fiction piece based on how the American Revolution tore a family apart. Tim Meeker's family are Tori's, who support the British King, during the American Revolution. Tim's father kicks his son, Sam, out as soon as he realizes that he is going to fight with the American rebels. What would you do if your brother fought with the rebels? Tim has to decide who side he should be on. A very chilling book about the casualities of war on both sides. Grades 5 and up due to graphic scenes of warfare.

Food for Thought: Which side do you think was right?

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan JFIC

What if you could be your own teacher? Jake Dugan, the baddest kid in school, is given to the Applewhites for home schooling as a last resort. Jake finds out that he is no match for the crazy eccentric family of the Applewhites. The Applewhites are all passionate talented artists along with a crazy goat, loud mouthed parrot, and quirky dog. Slowly, they break down the reputation he has been trying to keep up for so long. Jake even finds out he has an artistic talent of his own. The family is very loveable. It teaches a great lesson to pursue your dreams with passion. A good comedy for grades 4 and up.

Food for thought: If you could be any kind of artist, what would you be? Do you think you could live with a family like the Applewhites?

Where to find ebooks?

In case you can't get to the library Ebooks are a good second option. Ebooks are books that you can read for free online. How awesome is that? Personally, I find a real joy in holding a book in my hands.

Here are three sites I recommend checking out:

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page this has any book that is in the public domain. You can find many classical works including Shakespeare and the Bible here for free.
http://books.google.com/ Google makes it easy to search for new and old books. Some of them are available in full text but others include just bits and pieces of chapters.
http://www.icdlbooks.org/ this one is specifically for children's literature in multiple languages.

Useful Website

http://www.bookhive.org/ This is a great website for exploring the different genres of books out there. Each review includes parental notes and comments from readers. The books range from picture books-juvenile fiction. They have also condensed them into booklists that you can view if you have adobe acrobat reader. Enjoy!

Half Magic by Edward Eager JFIC

Four children find a coin that grants them half a wish. Unfortunately, they don't find out about the magic until each one accidentally makes a wish including their mother. The children have wacky adventures through the desert, king arthur's court, and at the movies. They must learn to wish wisely or surely they will be stuck! Should they tell an adult? What if the coin runs out of wishes? A great fantasy book for 4th grade and up.

Food for thought: If you had one wish what would it be?

I Freddy by Deitlof Reiche and Joe Cepeda JFIC

The autobiography of an exceptional hamster named Freddy. Freddy's goal is to escape to Assyria the land where hamsters roam free. After being adopted, Freddy, with the help of some unlikely friends, learns to read and eventually wants to communicate with humas (a taboo among the animal kingdom!). I love Freddy's personality which is similar to a young and aspiring child. This is the first book of three. I would recommened reading all of them!

Food for thought: If you wrote an autobiography what would be some events in your life that you would include?
Would you like to be a hamster? why/why not?

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor JFIC

A touching story of the kinship between a boy and his dog. Marty finds a lost dog on a walk through the woods. When he finds out it is owned by the unkind and abusive Judd, Marty is determined to keep the dog away from him. I enjoyed the courage that Marty had to keep the dog out of the malicious Judd's hands. It also opened Marty's eyes to the abuse that happens everyday around him. It hits home when Shiloh shows up at his door.Will Marty get to keep Shiloh? Is Judd really as mean as everyone thinks? Did he do the right thing? Read to find out!

Food for thought: Do you have a special friendship with a pet? Try to describe it.

Greetings!

Being a librarian, I have to read LOTS of books in the collection. I know that sometimes it can be hard to come in and select a book if you don't know what you are looking for. For now I am going to stick with JFiction (3-6 grade). Feel free to add your own opinions or respond to my questions.

A little bit about me: I'm a children's librarian at the Medford Public Library. We offer book clubs for children grades 3-6.