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"Have you ever in your life come to the realization that everything, absolutely everything, depends on you?" ~ from Kate DiCamillo's Raymie Nightingale
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| Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard by Jonathan AuxierFantasy. Besides her family, there's nothing that 12-year-old Sophie Quire loves more than books. A devoted reader and a talented bookmender, she spends her days working in her father's shop in Bustleburgh. When thief Peter Nimble turns up asking for repairs to a magical book, Sophie agrees to help him -- and unexpectedly discovers her own dangerous destiny. Packed with colorful characters, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard is a smart, silly, breathtaking tale that's perfect for book lovers and fantasy fans. You can read this sequel on its own, though if you're interested in Peter's earlier adventures, you'll definitely want to check out Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. |
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| The Most Important Thing: Stories About Sons, Fathers & Grandfathers by AviShort Stories. "What's the most important thing you can do for your son?" That's the question being answered by these short stories about fathers and sons, though each story does it in a different way. From serious tales involving bullying, mental illness, or a ghostly father visiting his grieving son, to offbeat yarns about underwear, know-it-all grandpas, or a kid forcing his mom's boyfriend to fill out a stepfather application, this collection is bound to make you sigh, smile, and think. Though boys star in all seven stories, award-winning author Avi packs them with enough humor and heart to appeal to all kinds of readers. |
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| Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamilloHistorical Fiction. Ten-year-old Raymie Clarke needs to learn how to twirl a baton. If she can twirl a baton, she can become 1975's Little Miss Central Florida Tire, and then her father (who recently walked out on Raymie and her mom) will come home. It seems like a solid plan, until Raymie meets her baton twirling classmates: fierce Beverly Tapinski and dreamy Louisiana Elefante both have their own reasons for wanting to win. Instead of competition, however, the girls find friendship and bravery in the face of sadness and loss. Quiet yet deeply felt, Raymie Nightingale is just right for readers who love quirky characters and big ideas. |
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| Wishing Day by Lauren MyracleFiction. In Willow Hill, they say that on the third night of the third month after her 13th birthday, a girl gets to make three wishes on a special willow tree. Yet when 13-year-old Natasha's wishing day arrives, she only visits the tree reluctantly. Natasha isn't sure she believes in magic, but she's got plenty of wishes: She wishes to be noticed by her large, messy family. She wishes for her first kiss. And most of all, she wishes for her mother, who's been missing for years. Similar to Wendy Mass' Willow Falls series, this trilogy-starter is a warm, realistic story with gentle hints of fantasy. |
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| Weekends with Max and His Dad by Linda Urban; illustrated by Katie KathFiction. Now that his parents are divorced, third-grader Max will spend weekends at his dad's new apartment. Max is worried that everything there will feel weird, but he and his dad are determined to make it work. They start by exploring the new neighborhood…while pretending to be spies, of course! Their next weekends are busy, too: they shop for furniture, Max helps his ukulele-playing dad prepare for an open mic night, and dad helps Max turn pizza boxes into a porcupine habitat for a school project. After reading this illustrated chapter book (the 1st in a series), you'll look forward to spending more weekends with this funny, caring duo. |
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| A Whole New Ballgame by Phil Bildner; illustrated by Tim ProbertFiction. Best friends Rip and Red (labeled by their classmates as "the black kid who plays basketball" and "the kid on the autism spectrum") thought they knew what to expect from fifth grade. Their new teacher, however, is definitely unexpected. The tattooed and pierced Mr. Acedevo has some unusual ideas -- such as reading aloud instead of doing endless test prep -- and since he's also the basketball coach, Rip and Red have to deal with him both in class and on the court. It's tough to adjust, but as the year goes on, Mr. Acedevo's students begin to think that change might be okay after all. If you like energetic, cartoon-illustrated books, don't miss A Whole New Ballgame. |
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| Roller Derby Rivals by Sue Macy; illustrated by Matt CollinsNonfiction. Fans of Victoria Jamieson's Roller Girl should be sure to pick up this fascinating true story about the early days of rough-and-tumble roller derby. In 1948, it was still new to show sports on television, and one of the biggest attractions was the rivalry between roller derby athletes Gerry Murray and Midge "Toughie" Brasuhn. Though glamorous Gerry was the audience favorite, Toughie held her own as the two faced off in front of a sold-out crowd in New York City. Sportscaster-style storytelling and bold behind-the-camera illustrations offer an up-close glimpse at the speed, shoves, and spills of an enduring sport. |
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| Growing Up Pedro by Matt TavaresBiography. Ramón was the first of the baseball-loving Martínez brothers to be drafted by a Major League team. When Ramón left the Dominican Republic in 1984 to play for the Dodgers in the U.S., his younger brother Pedro came with him. Through Pedro was afraid he might be too small to compete with big league pitchers, he eventually joined his brother on the Dodgers…and began a legendary career. Covering several teams (including the Boston Red Sox, where the brothers were teammates again) and plenty of on-the-field action, this biography of a Cy Young Award-winner and World Series champ is a must-read for sports fans. |
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| Warp Speed by Lisa YeeFiction. Seventh-grader Marley Sandelski is a self-admitted geek who loves Star Trek, science, and classic movies and spends a lot of time running from the jocks who torment him at school. When the track and field coach notices Marley's considerable speed, he offers him a spot on the team -- but Marley isn't sure he's cut out for competition. Several characters from author Lisa Yee's other books, including Millicent Min and Stanford Wong, make cameo appearances in this fast-paced and funny look at fitting in...or not. |
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| Arcady's Goal by Eugene YelchinHistorical Fiction. After his parents are accused of anti-Communist activity and arrested, Arcady grows up in a series of orphanages in Soviet Russia. His self-taught soccer skills catch the attention of former teacher Ivan Ivanych, who adopts Arcady and encourages his soccer training. At first, Arcady sees Ivan as only a coach who might help him win a coveted place with the Red Army Soccer Club. But over time, he begins to understand that Ivan, too, has experienced loss. A companion book to the Newbery Honor-winning Breaking Stalin's Nose, Arcady's Goal is a powerful combination of sports, history, and unforgettable characters. |
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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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