|
|
|
Hello, readers! Do you have a question about books for children? Interested in a personalized suggestion? Please feel welcome to email me at amassey@dconc.gov, or visit your librarian at any Durham County Library location. See you at the library! Allie Massey, Children's Librarian Southwest Regional Library
|
| The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal AllenFiction. Besides her dream of being a cowgirl, Mya Tibbs' deepest wish is to be Spirit Week partners with her best friend, popular pageant queen Naomi. Mya is sure that if they work together, they can win VIP tickets to their Texas town's Fall Festival. But when Mya ends up with partnered with Connie, the meanest girl in fourth grade, Naomi takes it personally and starts acting pretty mean herself. Can Mya figure out how to be a good partner and a good friend -- without losing her spirit or her sense of humor? Find out in this quirky, realistic book, the 1st in the Magnificent Mya Tibbs series. |
|
| Some Kind of Courage by Dan GemeinhartHistorical Fiction. Joseph Johnson and his half-wild pony Sarah have been companions for years -- in fact, she's the only family Joseph has left. So when his greedy guardian sells Sarah, Joseph runs away to follow her trail. As he makes his way through the wilderness of 1890s Washington State, Joseph finds a friend in Ah-Kee, an abandoned Chinese boy. Even without a shared language, the boys bond as they hop steam trains, fend off bears, tumble down river rapids, and face tough decisions about their shared journey. If you like historical fiction that's both thrilling and heart-twisting, don't miss this "riveting tale of grit and grief" (School Library Journal). |
|
| Comics Squad: Lunch! by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm, and Jarrett Krosoczka, editorsGraphic Short Stories. Lunch may be a common event, but in the hands of these talented comics creators, it's anything but boring. Here you'll find lunchtime mini-comics by big names like Cece Bell, Sara Varon, and Jeffrey Brown, as well as lunch-themed antics starring familiar characters like Jarrett Krosoczka's Lunch Lady and Jennifer and Matthew Holms' Babymouse. If you'd rather sink your teeth into something more unusual, you can turn to Nathan Hale's weird-but-true World War II story (two words: potato missiles), or puzzle your way through Jason Shiga's multiple-choice mystery. And if you're still hungry for more, you can always go back and check out the 1st volume in the series, Comics Squad: Recess. |
|
| Space Hostages by Sophia McDougallScience Fiction. Now that humans and the alien Morrors have made peace, the Morrors are moving on to their new home world, and Exo-Defense cadet Alice Dare has been invited along for a visit. Excitedly, she and her friends board a spaceship, but their journey takes a turn when they're captured by the Krakkiluk, a species of alien kidnappers whose habit of speaking in love poems contrasts with their cruel actions. High stakes, smart humor, and fascinating aliens will keep you turning the pages of this gripping science fiction story. Though Space Hostages can be read on its own, it might be easier to understand if you start with the 1st book, Mars Evacuees. |
|
| Pugs of the Frozen North by Philip Reeve; illustrated by Sarah McIntyreFantasy. An epic battle between sweater-wearing pugs and a giant kraken is just one of the giggle-worthy events you'll find in this cartoon-illustrated romp from the Not-So-Impossible Tales series. The Great Northern Race offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance for sled teams to race toward the North Pole, where the winners can claim the prize: one wish from the secretive Snowfather. Hoping that the wish can save her sick grandfather, Sika and her friend Shen enter the race. In order to win, they'll have to brave obstacles like trolls, were-snowmen, and noodle-eating yetis (not to mention the kraken), and they'll have to do it with an unusual sled team: 66 googly-eyed pugs. |
|
| The Night Gardener by Jonathan AuxierHorror/Fantasy. Despite rumors that the place is haunted, newly orphaned siblings Molly and Kip have little choice but to accept jobs at the run-down Windsor family estate. What they find at the eerie manor house is curious indeed: the family is pale and secretive, mysterious footprints appear in the night, and a giant, menacing tree grows inside the house, granting wishes to the inhabitants…at a terrible price. Filled with well-drawn characters and spooky, shivery thrills, The Night Gardener is "a tale that will keep readers glued to the page" (Booklist). For another story about a sinister tree and a nightmarish villain, pick up M.P. Kozlowsky's Juniper Berry. |
|
| The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths; illustrated by Terry DentonHumor. Andy and Terry live in the world's most awesome treehouse: it's got a secret lab, a marshmallow machine, and a shark tank. They'd have it made, except that they're way behind on a book that's due to their publisher. But how can they get any work done when they've got to deal with catapulting monkeys, bubbles filled with burp gas, and a sea monster disguised as a mermaid? With off-the-wall humor and energetic, cartoony illustrations, The 13-Story Treehouse is "anarchic absurdity at its best" (Publishers Weekly) -- and a sure-fire hit with fans of Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid or Lincoln Pierce's Big Nate. |
|
| Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly HuntFiction. Ally has gone to seven different schools in seven years, and so far none of her teachers have figured out her secret. Her talents for math, art, and troublemaking help her hide the fact that whenever she tries to read, the letters look scrambled and impossible to understand. Ally is certain that she's just stupid, but her new substitute teacher, Mr. Daniels, isn't fooled. He suggests a different way of learning, but Ally isn't so sure. Could she really be as smart as he thinks she is? If you love Lisa Graff's Absolutely Almost and you want another honest, feel-good school story, you should definitely try this award-winning book. |
|
| Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea by Sy Montgomery; photographs by Nic BishopNonfiction. The Matschie's tree kangaroo is furry, adorable, and rare. This elusive animal, which has a pouch like a kangaroo but looks more like a bear, lives in the remote cloud forest of Papua New Guinea. In Quest for the Tree Kangaroo, you can follow the intrepid team of scientists who are tracking Matschie's tree kangaroos in the wild. You'll also get a peek at camp life (fending off leeches, bathing in freezing waterfalls) and the local Papuan culture and language. Readers who like this photo-illustrated look at science in action are in luck: there are over 40 books in the popular Scientists in the Field series. |
|
| The Secret Tree by Natalie StandifordFiction. "Minty" Mortimer and her BFF Paz are supposed to spend the summer working on their roller-derby moves (they already have roller-derby names, Minty Fresh and Pax A. Punch). But then Minty discovers a hollow tree stuffed with secrets -- people from her town have poured out their hearts on little slips of paper and left them there -- and Paz starts hanging out with a new group of friends. When Minty begins poking into the mystery of the secrets, she meets Raymond, a peculiar kid who seems to live by himself and may know the Witch Lady who lives in the woods. This mysterious story of friendship, family, and finding your way is a perfect pick for fans of quirky realistic fiction. |
|
Looking for more great books? |
|
|
For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, you may want to try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply within three days with a list of the next five books you should read.
|
|
|
NextReads is a service of Durham County Library and NoveList, a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. Durham County Library cardholders can access NoveList from any computer.
|
|
Links to previous issues of this newsletter:
|
|
|
|
If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
|
|
|