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"That's the true harbinger of spring...the sound of a bat on a ball." ~ Bill Veeck (1914-1986), American baseball promoter
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New and Recently Released!
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| Catch Your Death by Lauren ChildMystery. Though she's usually brilliant when it comes to thinking on her feet, 13-year-old trainee spy Ruby Redfort isn't doing so well on her wilderness survival test. Already anxious that she might be messing up her future as a field agent, Ruby's also worried about the strange incidents occurring in her hometown of Twinford: jewels go missing, tigers roam the streets, and a rare new perfume wafts through the air. What ties all of these things together? It'll take an expert codebreaker like Ruby to figure it out. If you like witty, offbeat mysteries, don't miss this 3rd outing in the Ruby Redfort series. |
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| Beastkeeper by Cat HellisenFairy Tales. Sarah's family seems normal enough. Sure, her parents fight a lot, and they've never stayed in one place for very long, but none of that prepares Sarah for what happens after her mother walks out: her father's teeth sharpen, his hair grows, and he begins acting…beastly. With no warning, he leaves Sarah at a tumbledown castle in an ancient forest, where she finds the grandparents she never knew and a family curse she's determined to break. Though it's inspired by "Beauty and the Beast," this haunting tale of love and revenge has its own unique magic. |
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| Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. NielsenHistorical Fantasy. In this twisty series opener, the author of the Ascendance trilogy introduces a new hero: Nic, ancient Rome's most wanted thief. As a slave in the mines, Nic discovered -- and stole -- a magical relic that once belonged to Julius Caesar. Nic hoped it would help him win freedom for himself and his sister, but Rome's ruthless leaders want its power for themselves. Now, Nic's a fugitive, accompanied by a griffin sidekick and armed with more magic than he can handle. Fans of the wily Eugenides from the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner will root for quick-witted, hot-headed Nic, while readers looking for further Roman adventures might enjoy Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries. |
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| Echo by Pam Muñoz RyanHistorical Fiction. One enchanted harmonica, four intertwined lives. Otto, a boy lost in the woods, uses the harmonica to break a spell; Friedrich finds bravery in the harmonica's music while trying to escape Nazi Germany; in Depression-era Pennsylvania, the harmonica proves a useful tool for orphaned piano prodigy Mike; and in 1940s California, the harmonica helps Ivy survive injustice and find her musical talent. To find out how these four very different characters finally come together, pick up this lyrical story about "the power of music to inspire beauty in a world overrun with fear and intolerance" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick CochraneFiction. Six months ago, Molly's father was killed in an accident, and her mother has been either withdrawn or acting like she's from "the Planet of Inexplicable Exasperation" ever since. Looking for a way to make the other kids at school see her as something besides the-girl-whose-father-died, Molly tries out for the boys' baseball team instead of sticking with softball. And why not? Her dad, who loved baseball as much as Molly does, taught her to throw a mean knuckleball. Sports fans who also like stories about family and friends (like Jennifer E. Smith's The Comeback Season or Kristi Roberts' My Thirteenth Season) should enjoy this moving and memorable book. |
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| New Kid by Tim GreenFiction. Tommy's baseball team is just about to take the championship when Tommy's dad tells him it's time to leave town. Again. Tommy's not sure what his dad's job really is, but it's shady enough to keep them undercover and constantly on the move. After a rocky start at his new school, Tommy (now known as Brock) finds an ally in Coach Hudgens…and in the coach's niece, Bella. But how can he allow himself to care about them when he might have to leave at any time? In New Kid, former pro athlete and seasoned suspense writer Tim Green skillfully combines exciting sports action with the ever-present danger of life on the run. |
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| Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs by Ron KoertgeVerse Fiction. Fourteen-year-old first baseman and poet Kevin has a lot going on. His girlfriend, Mira, is getting interested in environmental activism, while Kevin is getting interested in funny, artistic Amy. He's still grieving his mom, but his dad is dating again. Oh, and his baseball team is heading to the playoffs. At least his journal gives him a place to vent his excitement, sadness, and indecision. Told through Kevin's journal entries and the poems he and Amy exchange via text and email, this quirky sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleanup proves that "baseball and poetry are not necessarily at opposite ends of the spectrum" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| King of the Mound: My Summer with Satchel Paige by Wes TookeHistorical Fiction. Twelve-year-old Nick loves baseball, and he's the best pitcher in Bismarck, North Dakota's 1934 youth league. But after a year-long battle with polio leaves him with a brace on one leg, Nick resigns himself to working odd jobs at the stadium and permanently disappointing his dad. Then Negro League star pitcher Satchel Paige joins a minor-league Bismarck team for the summer and befriends Nick -- and everything changes. King of the Mound's well-researched history, moving family drama, and ample on-field action make it a fascinating read. To learn more about the real-life Satchel Paige, check out the award-winning graphic novel Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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West Babylon Public Library 211 Route 109 West Babylon, New York 11704 (631) 669-5445http://wbpl.us |
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