A Thief in ThunderClan by Erin Hunter

A Thief in ThunderClan - 208 pages

Erin Hunter

Summary (From Goodreads)

After recovering from the dog attack she survived as an apprentice, Brightheart is once again a warrior of ThunderClan. But moons of battle and betrayal have left her with lingering suspicions about where her Clanmates’ loyalties lie. So when freshkill starts going missing from camp, she fears the worst. 

Review

I've really enjoyed reading the Warriors series in the past, including some of the graphic novels, so I was looking forward to giving this one a try.  The pacing is a bit slow, as much of the conflict in the story comes from Brightheart's internal turmoil.  That said, I do like that the Warriors graphic novels, like this one, allow us to take a deeper look into the minds and lives of characters who were mostly in the background during the main series.  

I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis

I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis, 98 pages

The I Survived series is written for children, but I think adults can learn a lot from reading these books too.   This book is fiction but the facts of  9/11 are true.  When Lucas is told not to play football anymore because of the risk of concussions, he takes off to New York City for the day in search of his Dad's good friend who is also a firefighter.  When the friend is thought to be missing in the towers, the family is on edge until he is found safe.  The author wrote in the original ending the family's friend was suppose to end up dead.  I am glad he decided to go with the happy ending, seeing the day was already grim enough

August Reads Heather

The Bad Beginning 162 pages
 Lemony Snickett
 Okay, so if you ever feel bad about yourself or the way your life is going read these. It will cheer you up so much and make you feel really bad for these kids. I know it's fiction but my gosh this author is twisted!

The Reptile Room 190 pages
 Lemony Snickett
 Book two in the Series of Unfortunate Events. Please read the above review, more of the same and I think I'm done with these. Too much misfortune.

Kiss of the Rose Princess vol. 4 173 pages
Kiss of the Rose Princess vol. 5 174 pages
 Aya Shouoto
 A cute little reverse harem, we have more artificial rose knights and a new princess introduced.

Kitchen Princess (Omnibus 1-2) Vol. 1 387 pages
Kitchen Princess (Omnibus 3-4) Vol. 2 380 pages
Kitchen Princess (Omnibus 5-7) Vol. 3 565 pages
 Natsumi Ando and Miyuki Kobayashi
 This is a really cute story line with some yummy treats! There are a few nice simple recipes after each volume.

Black Butler vol. 20 176 pages
 Yana Toboso
 Ciel fights with his inner demons as his servants and Sebastian uncover the truth behindThe Emerald Witch.

A School For Unusual Girls 336 pages
 Kathleen Baldwin
 Another cute story about how small things can change history and finding  place to fit in when you aren't what society sees as normal.

My Pet Book by Bob Staake

My Pet Book by Bob Staake, 40 pages

How could one who works in a library resist reading a book with this title? What a great idea, to have a pet for a book! This seems especially appropriate after reading the new Dr. Seuss book.  So, a little boy in the town of Smartytown chooses a red book for his pet.  What could possibly go wrong with having such a perfect pet as a book?  But, when the little boy finds his red book lost, he gets to experience first hand how to find a lost pet.  This book does have a happy ending.  Written in rhymes, this book also has colorful illustrations.

What Pet Should I Get? by Dr.Seuss

What Pet Should I Get?  by Dr. Seuss, 40 pages

I highly recommend all Dr. Seuss fans read this book.  I loved it! The prose may not be quite as creative as his other works, but nonetheless, it is total Dr. Seuss.  When Kay and her brother have to choose a pet, they go through the normal choices at the pet store.  What will they choose?  Their choice may surprise you.  I love this book because it is about making decisions and using your imagination.  The book included the background on how this book came to be, and a little background on Dr. Seuss and some of his real life pets. This was truly a delight to read!!

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson -- 208 pages

Jesse Aarons doesn't have friends. He's known as the weird kid who draws. Until Leslie's family moves in, and an unlikely friendship is begun. Leslie shows Jess how to dream and how to imagine, and together they discover Terabithia, a magical world that only the two of them share.

I love this children's classic! It's all around sweet, though the ending might make you cry. I read the e-book from MoLib2Go.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo -- 200 pages

Edward Tulane is a china rabbit. He has fine marble eyes and bendable velvet ears, and his owner, a sweet little girl named Abilene, absolutely loves him. But one day he is lost, dropped into the sea, and gone from her. 

And so begins the Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a journey that will teach him to love. 

This story is for anyone with a soft and tender heart. I enjoyed it a lot with that childish romantic part of myself. 

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein, 291 pages

Kyle Keeley loves games. Especially Mr. Lemoncello's games that are fun and creative to play. He enters an essay writing contest to win an opportunity to stay the night in a new library built by Mr. Lemoncello. Twelve 12 year olds are selected to participate in lock-in at the library (after winning the essay contest) and Kyle is one of the 12. Once there, it is revealed to the winners that they are actually part of game to see who can get out of the library first without using the emergency exits or exiting the way they entered. Filled with clues, puzzles and riddles, the book allows the reader to participate in the fun. Good lessons like learning to work as a team, playing fair and using good manners are taught as well.  The story is very reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory except the setting is an old bank converted into the town's new library. I liked how many book titles were mentioned in ways to peak the reader's curiosity and hopefully cause them to want to read the books.

The Last Burp of Mac McGerp by Pam Smallcomb

The Last Burp of Mac McGerp by Pam Smallcomb, 117 pages

Mac McGerp is the best burper in his town. In fact, he's won numerous awards and has become the town hero for putting their town on the map. Mac's dream is to open up a "Burp and Surf" shop in the Bahamas with his bestfriend after winning the national burping contest.
Everything is going great for Mac and his bestfriend Lido Katz until the new school principal, Mrs. Goodbody, arrives. The strict principal has her eye on becoming a board member of the school and will do anything to ensure it happens ... including bullying the students -- especially Mac McGerp whom she's threatened to expel if he so much as utters a burp even once.  If he's expelled, his parents will ship him off to a private school and his Burp and Surf dreams will be over. Mac's burps are strong enough to move trees, animals, vehicles and children great distances... holding them in is next to impossible. The only choice he has is to get Mrs. Goodbody to leave the school.

Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman

Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman, 128 pages

Who would have thought that going to the corner grocery store for some milk would entail traveling in a time machine, exploding volcanoes, angry natives, talking dinosaurs, space police, snotty green aliens, piranhas, pirates and wumpires! ---Or so the two children hear from their father as he gives the explanation of why it took him so long to bring home milk for their breakfast cereal. A very funny story with great illustrations and an even greater imagination.

Ruby Gloom's Guide to Friendship by Matt Riser

Ruby Gloom's Guide to Friendship by Matt Riser, 72 pages

Ruby introduces each of her friends, describes what friendship is, then gives tips on how to be a good friend. The bold, dark colors of the pages and illustrations are attractive to the eye. The writing is simple and easy for kids of all ages to understand though the publisher lists the target range from 10-14 years.

Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley

Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley, 278 pages

Told from the perspective of just about every character, the book unfolds the history of Bella who was born a knight's daughter but raised a peasant. When her mother dies in childbirth, her father wants nothing to do with her or her mother's family. Poor Bella is rescued by her mother's sister who drops her off with a peasant woman who was the Prince's wet nurse. Bella grows up into a beauty with a heart to match, but soon her father comes back into  her life to steal her away. Through hardships and trials, Bella becomes everything she was destined to be and more -- (with the help of some very magical gifts). It was, unfortunately, very hard for me to finish the book because of the differing viewpoints and jumping timelines.

The Princess of Cortova by Diane Stanley

The Princess of Cortova by Diane Stanley, 311 pages
(Final book in The Silver Bowl trilogy)

Desperate to ally his kingdom to the trade kingdom of Cortova, King Alaric takes the silver cup that Molly had made in the previous book to present to the beautiful Princess Elizabetta. With magic woven into the cup, when the princess drinks from it she will fall instantly in love with King Alaric for life.
Princess Elizabetta has been wedded and widowed once, and watched her fiance, his sister and his parents be torn apart by magical wolves on their wedding day with only Prince Alaric escaping. She's had enough of being the bartering chip for her father and would love nothing more than to stay in her beloved Cortova and rule it as queen instead of her odd brother who is the heir. She also wishes to marry for love if she must wed at all. Molly is unsure of Princess Elizabetta's attentions towards herself and Alaric...  and wonders exactly what the princess has planned for her two suitors.
King Gonzalo of Cortova has different plans for his daughter. He invites the two warring relatives, King Alaric and King Reynard, to compete for his daughter's hand in marriage. Tensions quickly rise as it becomes all too apparent that someone is trying to assassinate King Alaric. Molly's gift is on haywire, however, and death lies in wait for many before it's all over. A fitting conclusion to a good trilogy, although one particular death was too tragic for young readers.

The Librarian From the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

The Librarian From the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler, 32 pages

The students have been told about the Librarian, Mrs. Beamster, and the horrible things she does to children in the school library like gluing them to chairs, shocking them with electrified shelves and laminating them when they talk. Will she be the "Laminator" from the stories they've heard? Or was someone just pulling their leg? You'll have to read the story to find out.
I enjoyed the illustrations by Jared Lee. They really added to the silliness of the story.

Frozen adapted by Bill Scollon

Frozen adapted by Bill Scollon - 64 pages

This is the children's book to accompany Disney's latest addition it its princess movies.  It chronicles the story of Elsa and Anna, two sisters in the kingdom of Arendelle.  Elsa has a magical power to create snow and ice, but upon her coronation as queen something goes wrong and she flees.  It is up to Anna to find her sister and save the kingdom from becoming frozen.  It also adds a new twist to the fairy tale classic of one true kiss.

Cute, yet simplistic story.  I do think young girls would enjoy it and I may rent the movie when it becomes available.

Peppa Pig: The Tooth Fairy from Scholastic

Peppa Pig: The Tooth Fairy from Scholastic (24 pages)

Peppa and her little brother George are up to their usual antics. This time Peppa has lost a tooth. When she finds out that a tooth fairy will sneak into her bedroom at night to get the tooth, she is determined to stay up to see the fairy.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Run the Race by Cynthia Rylant

Mr.Putter & Tabby Run the Race by Cynthia Rylant, 38 pages

Cynthia Rylant is an author and librarian who has written over 100 children's books.  This book is part of the Mr. Putter and Tabby series. It has been a long time since I have read one of her books. This book is a cute story about Mr. Putter who runs a race with Mrs. Teaberry. His goal is to run the race to win second prize which is a train set, but when Zeke the dog gets caught in the race, Mr. Putter ends up winning first prize.  You will have to read the book to find out what happens next.

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz - 32 pages

In this picture book, Froggy wakes up in the middle of winter and wants to go out and play in the snow.  At first, he goes out with only footwear, scarf and hat.  Then his mother calls him back from an article of clothing her forgot.  The situation repeats itself several times before Froggy becomes too tired to play.

I think kids will enjoy the scenario, learn from the repetition, and also enjoy the frequent use of onomatopoeia.

Ruthie's Big Old Coat by Julie Lacome

Ruthie's Big Old Coat by Julie Lacome - 25 pages

Ruthie's Big Old Coat was great fun to read and I think the kids will love it in storytime tomorrow.  In the books, Ruthie inherits a coat from her older cousin.  At first, she does not like it.  But once she meet with her friend Fiona to play, they figure out both fit inside and great fun ensues.  It had me laughing as I read the book!

The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel

The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel and illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker - 32 pages

This book about getting dressed to play in the snow is great for children.  It features repetition so that they can easily learn each article of clothing.  After the item's first appearance, the picture is substituted for the word, allowing the children to join in on parts of the reading.