Tuesday, June 26, 2012

More Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees Ready to Check Out

Because of Mr. Terupt
Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt.

Ghostopolis
When he is accidentally transported to the spirit world by a washed-out ghost wrangler, Garth Hale discovers that the world's evil ruler wants his unique powers, and so he teams up with some unlikely allies to find a way home.

One Crazy Summer
In the summer of 1968, after travelling from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp.

Sources of Light
Fourteen-year-old Samantha and her mother move to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1962 after her father is killed in Vietnam, and during the year they spend there Sam encounters both love and hate as she learns about photography from a new friend of her mother's and witnesses the prejudice and violence of the segregationists of the South. 

After Ever After


Although Jeff and Tad, encouraged by a new friend, Lindsey, make a deal to help one another overcome aftereffects of their cancer treatments in preparation for eighth-grade graduation, Jeff still craves advice from his older brother Stephen, who is studying drums in Africa.





 Jack learns the value of revision as he practices Miss Doover's lesson on how to write a
 proper thank-you note.

A collection of 48 poems, 12 for each of the seasons.

As a child, Laura Ingalls Wilder traveled across the prairie in a covered wagon. Her daughter, Rose, thought those stories might make a good book, and the two created the beloved Little House series. Sarah Breedlove, the daughter of former slaves, wanted everything to be different for her own daughter, A'Lelia. Together they built a million-dollar beauty empire for women of color. Marie Curie became the first person in history to win two Nobel prizes in science. Inspired by her mother, Irene too became a scientist and Nobel prize winner. Borrowed names is the story of these extraordinary mothers and daughters.     

When an alley cat named Aldwyn passes himself off as a magical companion to Jack, a wizard in training, Aldwyn and his fellow "familiars," a blue jay and tree frog, must save the kingdom after the queen of Vastia kidnaps Jack and two others.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

New Books for Summer!

 Cupcake Tycoon - When her school library holds a fundraiser, the imaginative Babymouse is determined to sell the most cupcakes and win the grand prize. 

Burns Rubber - Babymouse's dreams of being a race car driver come true when she and her best friend Wilson enter a soap box derby.

 Skater Girl - Babymouse is sad because everyone has a special talent and she doesn't know what her is, so she starts ice skating and is excited when an Olympic coach notices her skills. 

 Puppy Love - Even though Babymouse doesn't have good luck when it comes to keeping pets, she decides to take in a stray dog and train it. Presented in graphic novel format

 Dragonslayer -  An imaginative mouse who likes to read heroic fantasy novels finds herself on the school math team as it prepares to compete for the coveted Golden Slide Rule.  

  Life in the Ocean - A picture book biography tells the story of Sylvia Earle's growing passion for the wonders of the sea and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world.

 Bad Kitty for President - The votes are in--it's a Bad Kitty landslide! It's time to elect a new president of the Neighborhood Cat Coalition! Who will win the election? The candidate chosen by the kitties on the right side of the street or the candidate chosed by the kitties on the left side of the street? When election time rolls around, one candidate (guess who?) will discover that she never bothered to register to vote and the entire election will be decided by a surprise, last minute absentee ballot sent by Old Kitty.

  Brothers at Bat -  Documents the story of the Baseball Hall of Fame honorees, tracing how the Acerra family of New Jersey formed their own semi-pro baseball team in the 1930s and became the longest-running all-brother team in history.     

  The Beetle Book - An illustrated introduction to a variety of beetle species with information on unique characteristics and how these insects have adapted to survive.

 The Power of the Parasite - At swim camp, Squish's new friend Basil helps him avoid learning to swim with pranks that sometimes go too far, but the comic book exploits of Squish's idol, "Super Amoeba," help him deal with Basil and conquer his fear.     

 The Perfect PresentExcited about his new dog, Henry does not even open the gift from his pet duck, Spot, who, feeling left out, packs a bag and goes away, only to be caught in a storm

  Nancy Clancy -  Nancy Clancy is growing up and ready for a whole new adventure . . . in her chapter book debut! Nancy and her best friend, Bree, have everything they need to solve a mystery, from their totally professional trench coats to their top-secret code. But when crime strikes in their classroom, will these super sleuths be able to crack the case? Find out in the glamorous start to an all-new chapter book series featuring everyone's favorite fancy girl!

 The Werewolf at Home Plate -  Watching this team of misfit monsters is a scream! All Karl wants to do is make the Junior Club Werewolves team. But when tryouts turn into a monster letdown, Karl decides to put together a squad made up of other creatures who didn't make their own teams. A vampire, a zombie, a blob, and others all decide to play together. With their first game coming up and almost no time to practice, this group of misfits must use the qualities that make them special to overcome the odds and win.

  The President's Stuck in the Bathtub - Playful political poems about the penchants and peccadilloes of the presidents! Sure, William Taft got stuck in his tub, but did you know that John Quincy Adams used to skinny-dip in the Potomac? Herbert Hoover spoke Chinese with his wife, and Gerald Ford had his name changed from Leslie Lynch King. It's true! In The President's Stuck in the Bathtub, the lives of the presidents are served up as fact-filled and fanciful poems that will make you laugh, cringe, and gasp with amazement at the colorful cast of men and women who have lived in the White House. With footnotes relating the facts behind the inspiration for each poem, and a section called Presidential Notes and Quotes in the back, this is one hilarious history lesson that kids will elect to read over and over again.

  Bubble Gum Bubble Gum -Mix together a bunch of wacky animals, add a big chunk of icky-sticky pink bubble gum, catchy rhyme, and zany illustrations by a bestselling illustrator, and what do you have? A picture book you can't put down! The equally hilarious verse and illustrations build the suspense as animal after animal gets stuck in the gooey mess. What happens when a honking truck heads straight for them? Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum will get kids giggling--and begging for more

 Big Nate Goes for Broke -  Big Nate Wright is president of P.S. 38, the after school cartooning club. When he doodles his observations in his cartoon notebook: "Mighty Jefferson Middle School always wins," Nate decides it's time to go from zeroes to heroes! Will Nate crack under the pressure of the "Ultimate Snowdown"? Or lead P.S. 38 to its biggest victory ever? 

  War Horse -  Joey the horse recalls his experiences growing up on an English farm, his struggle for survival as a cavalry horse during World War I, and his reunion with his beloved master

  The Royal Yacht - beautiful tale of fantasy is a wonderful inspiration to children everywhere, reminding them that with dedication and hard work, they can have interesting lives and make their dreams come true.

  Caddy's World - he amazing and hilarious Casson family is back in this all-new novel from award-winning author Hilary McKay. Cadmium Casson is twelve years old the summer that everything changes. Not only are her closest friendships in jeopardy, but her mom is expecting a baby. And when the baby arrives early, Caddy's world turns upside down. Her mother spends all her time at the hospital, and her father takes over the household, which of course turns into one chaotic (though hilarious) crisis after the next. When her charmingly dense boyfriend dumps her, Caddy is at her wits' end. Then she discovers that the fragile baby she is so afraid of losing is not an ending, but a beginning for her whole family. And that love and friendship don't need to be destroyed by change--they can be strengthened. Another refreshingly wise, funny, and poignant novel from the inimitable Hilary McKay.

   I Don't Believe it Archie! - "Odd things happen to Archie every day. Some very odd things." On Monday, a piano rolls down the hill and traps his new friend Cyd in her mum's car. And then a truck tips a load of gravel on top of it. But don't worry--she's ok. Actually, Cyd finds it exciting though of course, she doesn't believe that this sort of thing happens to Archie "every day"--until they find themselves trapped in a house with a sedated lion trainer, and a very awake lion. Poor Archie! But as he soon discovers, if odd things have to happen to him, it's a lot better if they happen when Cyd's around. Join Archie and Cyd for a whole week's worth of completely surprising and outrageously funny escapades.

 Storm Runners Eruption - he explosive conclusion to Roland Smith's fast-paced action series! The adventures aren't over yet for Chase Masters and his dad. In this third installment, Chase heads south of the border with his friend Nicole Rossi to track down the Rossi Brothers' Circus--lions, tigers, elephants and all--after a massive earthquake hits Mexico. With a volcano about to erupt as a result of the disaster, Chase has never faced such a serious threat to his survival.

  The Moon Over High Street - Joe Casimir needs help with the choice he has to make. Mr. Boulderwall, the millionaire, knows exactly what he wants Joe to choose. And millionaires are experts at making choices. Well, aren't they?

  The Paradise Trap - Eleven-year-old Marcus is spending a week at the beach with his mother in a tiny old travel trailer, but boredom turns to terror when a new friend discovers a cellar that has magical doors through which people keep disappearing.

  Three Times Lucky - A hilarious Southern debut with the kind of characters you meet once in a lifetime Rising sixth grader Miss Moses LoBeau lives in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC, where everyone's business is fair game and no secret is sacred. She washed ashore in a hurricane eleven years ago, and she's been making waves ever since. Although Mo hopes someday to find her "upstream mother," she's found a home with the Colonel--a café owner with a forgotten past of his own--and Miss Lana, the fabulous café hostess. She will protect those she loves with every bit of her strong will and tough attitude. So when a lawman comes to town asking about a murder, Mo and her best friend, Dale Earnhardt Johnson III, set out to uncover the truth in hopes of saving the only family Mo has ever known. Full of wisdom, humor, and grit, this timeless yarn will melt the heart of even the sternest Yankee.
 Pete the Cat  - Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt'the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song'after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

More Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees Ready to Check Out

"A biography of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner and environmentalist Wangari Maathai, a female scientist who made a stand in the face of opposition to women's rights and her own Greenbelt Movement, an effort to restore Kenya's ecosystem by planting millions of trees.

The ball is buzzing! The music is humming and six-legged dancers--from bedbugs to crickets to ladybugs--are twirling. When suddenly...eeeegadd! Big feet are about to stomp on the whole affair! A dapper mosquito, dressed in a tuxedo, comes to the rescue and averts disaster.


 When City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend. “You’ll do,” Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games. In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games. Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog’s rock. In winter, things change for City Dog and Country Frog. Come spring, friendship blooms again, a little different this time. Mo Willems’ spare, poignant text and Jon J. Muth’s expressive watercolors team up to tell a story that will resonate with readers of all ages.

In the late 1800s, former slave and veterinarian Bill "Doc" Key realized that his new foal, Jim, was no ordinary horse. Believing in the power of kindness and patience, Doc taught Jim to spell, recognize the primary colors, and even make change from a cash register! Performing in shows across the country, Jim stunned audiences with his incredible skills. But when some people called Jim a fake, Doc set out to prove them wrong and to show the world that, thanks to the power of kindness and patience, Jim was truly a wonder horse. Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully's account of this fascinating, true story comes alive in her striking illustrations. Wonder Horse is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Come feel the cool and shadowed breeze, come smell your way among the trees, come touch rough bark and leathered leaves: Welcome to the night. Welcome to the night, where mice stir and furry moths flutter. Where snails spiral into shells as orb spiders circle in silk. Where the roots of oak trees recover and repair from their time in the light. Where the porcupette eats delicacies--raspberry leaves!--and coos and sings. Come out to the cool, night wood, and buzz and hoot and howl--but do beware of the great horned owl-- for it's wild and it's windy way out in the woods!


Another fascinating close-up look at the wonders of the natural world from Sibert Honor photographer Nic Bishop. With breathtaking full-page images, including a double-gatefold spread, Sibert-Honor photographer Nic Bishop introduces the beauty and diversity of lizards.The simple, engaging text presents both basic information and fun, quirky facts about the appearance, habits, and life cycle of these amazing reptiles. An index and glossary are included.

Caldecott Honor artist Lois Ehlert invokes birds and beasts from all walks of the animal kingdom in this collection of fun, clever, and witty poems. Beautifully illustrated in Lois's signature bold and bright collage style, this exploration of camouflage and adornment will both illuminate and delight.

Could anything possibly be more fun than a pig parade!? You wouldn't think so. But you'd be wrong. A pig parade is a terrible idea. Pigs hate to march, refuse to wear the uniforms, don't care about floats, and insist on playing country music ballads. Those are just some of the reasons. And trust me, this hysterical book has plenty more!

When Shaina finds a magnificent hen, she knows that Izzy Pippik, the hen's owner, is sure to return for her. In the meantime, Shaina decides she will care for the animal. But when dozens of eggs hatch and rowdy chickens scatter throughout the village, Shaina must fight the entire town if she has any hope of protecting the birds. Inspired by Jewish and Islamic traditional texts, this is a beautiful tale about doing the right thing, even in the face of adversity.

A picture book biography of scientist Wangari Maathai, the first African womanand first environmentalistto win a Nobel Peace Prize (in 2004), for her work planting trees in her native Kenya.