|
|
"April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four." ~ Mark Twain (1835-1910), American author, Pudd'nhead Wilson
|
|
New and Recently Released!
|
|
| If You Find This by Matthew BakerAdventure. Though he's a genius at math, science, and music, 11-year-old outcast Nick has one problem he can't solve: how to save his family's house from being sold. A solution arrives, however, in the form of Grandpa Rose, newly released from prison and full of jumbled hints about valuable buried heirlooms. Along with Grandpa Rose and a crew of fellow misfits, Nick goes after the treasure, even though it means hiding in haunted houses, exploring smugglers' caves, and confronting bullies. Similar to Louis Sachar's Holes, If You Find This is a quirky, multi-layered story about unlikely friendships, family fortunes, and the search for both treasure and truth. |
|
| Pieces and Players by Blue BalliettMystery. Attention, Blue Balliett fans! What do you get if you combine the main characters from Chasing Vermeer, The Danger Box, and Hold Fast ? An unbeatable team of sleuths, that's what...at least, that's the hope of shrewd Mrs. Sharpe, who brings Tommy, Calder, Petra, Zoomy, and Early together to solve a puzzling theft at an art museum. Even with all of their various skills, can these eighth-graders hope to decipher codes and piece together clues that were overlooked by adult detectives? Find out in this brainteaser of a whodunit, which was inspired by a real-life art heist. For another mystery based on the same crime, pick up Erin Dionne's Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking. |
|
| Mars Evacuees by Sophia McDougallScience Fiction. After the alien Morrors invade and cause Earth's temperature to drop, the planet rapidly becomes dangerous for humans. For their own protection, hundreds of students -- including British 12-year-old Alice Dare -- are evacuated to Mars, where they're sheltered from the human-Morror war even as they begin training as cadets in Earth's Exo-Defense Force. Yet after the adults on base disappear, Alice and her friends have an alien encounter that could change the course of the future. Humorous details (such as malfunctioning robots and alien-human culture clashes) blend with convincing future tech and a diverse cast in this science fiction adventure. |
|
| Lucky Strike by Bobbie PyronFiction. Eleven-year-old Nate is the unluckiest person in Paradise Beach, Florida. He's never won a coin toss, never been picked first, and his birthday wishes never come true. The only thing about Nate that isn't unlucky is his choice of smart, logical Gen as a best friend. After all, it's Gen's quick thinking that saves Nate's life when he's struck by lightning. After the strike, however, Nate's luck takes a turn, and though his popularity skyrockets, his friendship with Gen is threatened. Funny, folksy, and satisfying, Lucky Strike will be a hit with fans of Ingrid Law's Savvy and other realistic books with just a hint of magic. |
|
| Moonpenny Island by Tricia SpringstubbFiction. Now that her BFF Sylvie has gone away to a new school, Flor is the only sixth-grader on tiny Moonpenny Island. And losing Sylvie is just the first of many cracks in Flor's comfortable world: her parents are fighting, her older sister is acting weird, and Jasper (the eccentric daughter of a visiting geologist) seems to be watching her. Flor's attempts to evolve with the changes around her are both heartbreaking and exciting, and will be familiar to anyone who's ever felt like life was moving too fast. If you like this modern, bittersweet story told with old-fashioned charm, you might also enjoy Jeanne Birdsall's Penderwicks series. |
|
Are you an extremely serious reader? You'd better be if you want to try any of these solemn, heavy, and deeply profound volumes...just kidding! These books about jokes, pranks, and schemes will keep you in stitches all month long.
|
|
| How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal AllenFiction. Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington lives to bowl -- he's known as "the King of Strikers" down at the lanes -- but he's never had much luck with girls. When Lamar's friend Billy comes up with a plan to help him get his dream girl and make a lot of cash, Lamar has no idea how much trouble they're about to start. This novel will keep you turning the pages to see just how far Lamar (who has an inventive way with words) will go -- and whether he can make things right again. Looking for more witty, mostly realistic fiction with memorable guy characters? Check out Neal Shusterman's The Schwa Was Here. |
|
| Never Mind! A Twin Novel by Avi and Rachel VailFiction. Unlike a lot of twins, 12-year-olds Meg and Edward do NOT share a special bond. In fact, they despise each other. When mischievous underachiever Edward learns that uptight Meg has been trying to impress her "gifted and talented" friends by describing her brother as the ultra-cool bass player in an up-and-coming band, Edward takes the lie and runs with it. His outrageous scheme soon spins out of control, putting both siblings on a collision course with public embarrassment. Each twin gets their say in this "hysterically funny and over-the-top" (School Library Journal) book by popular authors Rachel Vail and Avi. |
|
| PICKLE: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School by Kimberly Baker; illustrated by Tim ProbertFiction. After sixth-grader Ben Diaz pulls off a harmless yet hilarious prank at school, he starts a secret after-school pranksters' club. Using the fake club name "The League of Pickle Makers" to throw off the principal, who has no sense of humor, Ben and company get started planning and pulling off pranks in earnest. But none of them expected it to be so stressful to stay undercover -- and they'll all be in big trouble if they're exposed. This goofy, mildly sarcastic story is sure to entertain fans of Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid series, and it features a website for like-minded pranksters who enjoy amusing rather than mean tricks. |
|
| Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic by Mark TatulliFiction. Desmond Pucket considers himself a "Gourmet of Gore," and relishes nothing more than using his special effects skills to pull disgusting practical jokes at school. The school disciplinary officer, however, isn't amused by toilet goblins or exploding zombie heads -- Desmond will have to change his ways if he wants to go on the upcoming class trip. Only now, another prankster is creating slimy surprises…and letting Desmond take the blame! Readers who enjoy the cartoon illustrations, gross-out jokes, and instructions for special effects in this fast and funny read won't want to miss the sequel, Desmond Pucket and the Mountain Full of Monsters. |
|
| Pranklopedia: The Funniest, Grossest, Craziest, Not-Mean Pranks on the Planet! by Julie Winterbottom; illustrated by Robb AllenNonfiction. Boasting 72 suggestions for laugh-til-you-snort pranks, Pranklopedia lives up to its name. In its pages you'll find instructions for everything from classic practical jokes (like short-sheeting a bed) to up-to-date digital pranks, as well as handy life hacks (win at arm-wrestling by hiding mushy banana in your hand!) and info about famous pranksters. For DIY-inclined jokers, the book offers recipes for prank items (because of course you'll need several kinds of fake poop), and for newbies, there's essential advice (make sure to choose a target "who has a sense of humor and can't flunk you"). |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
West Babylon Public Library 211 Route 109 West Babylon, New York 11704 (631) 669-5445http://wbpl.us |
|
|
|