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?