...Older Favorites

Awful Ogre's Awful Day by Jack Prelutsky


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jack Prelutsky has done it again! Follow Awful Ogre's awful life through a series of poems written with the style and hilarity we have come to love from author and poet Jack Prelutsky. In addition, the illustrations in this title are extremely detailed allowing for hours of fun! Don't miss this new offering from one of our favorites!

Obi, Gerbil on the Loose by Michael Delaney


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very cute story about a Gerbil named Obi, after Obi Wan Kenobi, who is left at home when her owner goes on vacation. Mistakenly, the boy hired to care for the family pets doesn't feed Obi and she escapes from her cage. During her journeys through the house she encounters the family cats, dog, parrot, snake, and tarantula. The ending leaves the story open for a sequel. Give this to fans of Stuart Little and other "talking animal" books. Obi, Gerbil on the Loose is a very quick and easy read.

G.I. Joe - SIGMA 6 by Andrew Dabb


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
G.I. Joe has a new group! Sigma 6 is a special group of operatives who use technology and specialized gear to complete their missions against the evil COBRA organization. Will Sigma 6 be able to stop COBRA from taking over the world? Check out these action-packed graphic novels today!

Put It On the List by Kristen Darbyshire


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
HILARIOUS! This story will resonate with moms like me! Do you ever go to the grocery store and forget your list? I know I do. I frequently find myself running out of household items just like the mom in this story. When the mama chicken is served ketchup on her pancakes, she decides its time for a change.

I Must Go Down to the Beach Again: And Other Poems by Karen Jo Shapiro


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great collection of poetry inspired by classic poems. Karen Jo Shapiro has twisted classic poetry into fun-filled poems for kids! Don't miss this great poetry title!

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really great example of Free Verse poetry. I really like novels written in poetry format! I think books such as these are great to recommend to reluctant readers because they are such quick reads. While the subject matter of this particular book is pretty deep, its not at all too much for an upper elementary or middle school student. A boy lives separated from his sister in a foster home because his parents died in a fire. They were unable to stay with relatives, but have both found good homes...unfortunately they just don't have the same home. It is very touching and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel..."Peace, Locomotion"


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There by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

There by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I like the ambiguity of this offering. The illustrations are lovely and it allows children to think about what the future holds for them. I mean, seriously, how often do we say... "We'll get there soon" or "Be there tomorrow" and we never really think about what "there" means to a child. This is the story of one child's questions about what is "there." Nice imagination story!


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July 2009--One more favorite...Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

This is one of my favorite storytime read-alouds! It's an alphabet book that's great fun! Also, check out the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom movie and music CD. (Not to mention--we also have big book that can be checked out if you're reading to a large group of kids!)

July 2009--Art Fraud Detective by Anna Nilsen

I cannot express how much I LOVE this title!!!! A museum curator receives a disturbing phone call...30 of the paintings hanging in the museum have been replaced with forgeries. It is up to you, the reader, to determine 1.) which paintings are the fakes, 2.) which paintings are real, 3.) which "gang" member forged the painting, and 4.) who made the mysterious phone call. There is also a companion to the book, Art Auction Mystery. You HAVE to check this title out today!