J Picture Books (books are shelved by author’s last name) 
The Retired Kid by Jon Agee
Although he enjoys some aspects of his retirement, 8-year-old Brian gains a new perspective on his job of being a kid after spending time in Florida's Happy Sunset Retirement Community. 

The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg
A lonely pencil timidly draws a boy, a dog, and other items but soon faces a problem as his creations begin demanding changes. When he draws an eraser to make them happy, real trouble begins.

Doctor Ted by Andrea Beaty
After bumping his knee one morning, Ted decides to become a doctor, but he has only one problem--he has no patients! Read about what he does to solve this problem.

Black Book of Colors by Menene Cottin
How can a book tell about colors if it is just black? You need to use your fingertips to read the illustrations, the words in Braille, and white letters on the black background.

Tadpole Rex by Kurt Cyrus
Since frogs were alive at the time of the dinosaurs, Tadpole Rex thinks that he is as fierce as the T Rex. Illustrations show how ridiculous it is for a frog to attack a dinosaur!

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
When a bird flies into a window and then falls to the ground, only a small boy sees him.
Broken wings can heal, as shown in this well-illustrated story.

Traction Man Meets Turbodog by Mini Grey
Traction Man returns! His faithful sidekick Scrubbing Brush is in danger. Can Turbo Dog help save the day?

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
Old Bear sleeps and dreams all winter long of the circle of the seasons. Exuberant
illustrations and simple artful text will delight young readers.

That Book Woman by Heather Henson
Living way up in the mountains, Cal is not the reading type. This all changes when one day a woman on horseback appears and delivers him a book. A beautiful tribute to a special part of American history, the Pack Horse Librarians who helped Appalachian children learn to love books.

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: a Tall, Thin Tale by Deborah Hopkinson
Abe Lincoln would never have become president if his friend had not fished him out of the creek. Told in in tall tale form, the author-historian lets the reader see the decisions he and his illustrator make as they try to figure out what really happened.

Twenty-six Princesses by Dave Horowitz
One princess for each letter of the alphabet goes to a party at the prince's castle.

Celestine Drama Queen by Penny Ives
Celestine, a duckling diva who, despite great confidence her own star quality, encounters an embarrassing case of stage fright during the school play. For lovers of Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious.

Adèle & Simon in America  by Barbara McClintock
When Adele and Simon visit their Aunt Cecile in New York City, she takes them on a train trip around the United States. From Boston to San Francisco to Washington, D.C., Simon keeps losing his belongings, despite his sister's reminders.

The Lion's Share by Matthew McElligott
Ant is honored to receive an invitation to Lion's annual dinner party, but is shocked when the other guests behave rudely and then accuse her of thinking only of herself.

*Wink: The Ninja who Wanted to be Noticed by J. C. Phillipps
Ninjas should be silent and use stealth. Wink finds his enthusiasm gets him into trouble with his teacher, until he finds the perfect way to express both traits.

Wave by Suzy Lee
This wordless book shows the story of a girl and her day at the beach.

*Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin
A grumpy old man loves his birds and is constantly irritated by the squirrels. A great read for anyone who tries to keep the squirrels out of the bird feeder!

Snow by Cynthia Rylant
A celebration of snow in all its permutations with enchanting illustrations and text.

*A Book by Mordicai Gerstein
In a busy family, everyone knows what their story is. The father is a circus clown, the mother a brave firefighter, and the brother an astronaut. The girl seeks to find her story, looking at fairy tales, mysteries, and science fiction before figuring out what her story should be. It's a story of a story with lots of fun details for observant readers.

*Panorama: a Foldout Book by Fani Marceau and Joelle Jolivet
Stunning travelogue that can be read as a traditional book, or laid out in a dizzying panorama.

In the Town All Year Round by Rotraut Susanne Berner
A (nearly) wordless picture book that all ages can enjoy. Follow the goings-on of a small
German village through all four seasons. Full of delightful details that will absorb and amuse.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
Wilbur, much to the chagrin of his naked mole rat community, loves dressing up. Another winner by Willems.

*Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
He is not exotic like chopsticks, nor does he has a thrilling job like knife. Spoon bemoans his lot in life, until he find out that the other utensils actually envy him! A celebration of individuality.

Beginning Readers
Wiggle and Waggle by Caroline Arnold (J Easy Reader)
Two worms, best friends Wiggle and Waggle, learn that chores go a lot faster when you sing and work together. Includes information about how worms contribute to a healthy garden.

Otto's Orange Day by Frank Cammuso (J Graphic)
After a genie fulfills Otto the cat's wish by turning the whole world orange, Otto realizes that his favorite color is not the best color for everything.

Dodsworth in New York by Tim Egan (J Easy Chapter)
Dodsworth wanted adventure and to see the world. What he didn’t want was to be joined by a duck. A crazy duck. A hilarious adventure ensues. Follow up with Dodsworth in Paris.

Annie and Snowball and the dress-up birthday (series) by Cynthia Rylant (J Easy Reader)
Annie and her pet rabbit, Snowball, invite Henry and Mudge to a dress-up birthday party, but there is some confusion about what the guests are supposed to wear.

*Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
A visual puzzle that makes the same line drawing look like a rabbit or a duck, depending on how you squint. Is it really a duck or is it a rabbit? Two competing narrators duke it out.

*Watch Me Throw the Ball! by Mo Willems
Gerald the elephant tries to tell Piggie that ball-throwing is serious business, but Piggie just wants to have fun.


Early Chapter Books
(located in J Easy Chapter unless otherwise noted)

Ivy and Bean Bound to be Bad by Annie Barrows
Best friends Ivy and Bean learn that being very good, or very bad, can be a real challenge
when they set out to become like a man Ivy heard about who was so pure of heart that birds and animals followed him.

The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume
First grader Jake (the Pain) and third grader Amanda (the Great One) tell stories of family life in alternating chapters. (Follow up with others in the series.)

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford
Moxy is a true procrastinator. She has put off reading her required summer book until the
very end of August. Her mother won’t let her participate in her water ballet recital until the book is finished. Includes black and white photographs taken by her brother to document her antics.

Just Grace Goes Green by Charice Harper
Fans of Judy Moody and Ivy and Bean will enjoy the latest adventure of Just Grace as she battles pollution and learns what kids can do about it. 

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look (J Fiction)
Alvin is terrified of school and refuses to speak while there. He writes out plans to handle
difficult situations and carries them in his PDK (Personal Disaster Kit.) Fans of Clementine will also appreciate Alvin Ho!

*Gooney Bird is So Absurd by Lois Lowry
Mrs. Pidgeon's second grade class studies poetry and her students write haiku, couplets, and free verse. Finally, they write a tribute to Mrs. Pidgeon's mother, organized by the irrepressible Gooney Bird Greene.

*Excellent Emma by Sally Warner
When the third-graders compete in the first annual winter games, Emma feels that she must win in order to prove to her father (who is divorced from her mother and lives in England with his new wife) that she is good at something.


Chapter Books
(located in J Fiction unless otherwise noted)

*The Savage by David Almond
Blue’s counselor advises him to write in a journal to help him after his father dies. Instead of his feelings, Blue writes a story about a wild boy whose life seems to intertwine with his own. The pictures pick up on the emotion behind this novel.

Science Fair: A Story of Mystery, Danger, International Suspense, and a Very Nervous
Frog by Dave Barry
Toby is tired of the same rich kids winning every science fair, especially when he discovers how they cheat. In trying win the prize himself and to prevent the cheating, he also saves the world from obscure, bumbling terrorists and attempts to keep his parents’ Star Wars collection safe from inept thieves. A zany book.

Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel by Ruth McNally Barshaw
Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will appreciate the style of this book. Ellie draws in her journal as she goes on vacation with her annoying cousins.

Masterpiece by Elise Broach (J Mystery Shelf)
Marvin, the cockroach, becomes James’s close friend and ally when they discover how well Marvin can draw. His skills bring the two of them into a mystery of stolen Durer drawings from the Metropolitan Museum in an exciting adventure.

*Goblins: An Underearth Adventure by Royce Buckingham
A rebellious teen becomes a reluctant rescuer when the kid he is supposed to be watching gets captured by goblins. Adventure, suspense, and humor.

Phineas L. MacGuire... by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Phineas, also known as Mac, is a regular kid who likes science experiments. In The First
Experiment, his teacher makes him work with a tough new kid, and in Gets Slimed, his slime experiment gets completely out of hand.

Diamond Willow by Helen Frost
Willow is determined to drive her dog team to her grandparents’ house in rural Alaska. Each page of the book is in the shape of a diamond, and within the diamond the bold faced words summarize the page. A magnificently crafted book of wilderness adventure. 

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Once you get past the knife in the first chapter, the book becomes less horrifying as the citizens of the graveyard raise young Nobody (Bod) from an 18-month toddler to a young man. (Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal)

*Ray & me: a Baseball Card Adventure by Dan Gutman
After recovering from being hit in the head during a baseball game, Stosh travels back in time to try to save Ray Chapman, a batter who was killed by a pitch in New York in 1920.

Well Witched by Frances Hardinge
Stuck out of town with no bus fare, three kids take money from an old wishing well to get home. They unwittingly release old magic that forces them to grant wishes and gives them increasingly terrifying powers. Adventure, horror, and suspense.

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Hovarth
A hundred quirky adventures can happen in a quiet seaside cottage town. Jane delivers Bibles from a balloon, babysits neglected children, and becomes more aware of her family and community.

The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson
Tally is forced to go to boarding school because of World War II. The school manages to send a folk dancing group to a festival honoring a small country. The students in the group become players in the plot to save the crowned prince from the people who assassinate his father and want to join Hitler.

*Alabama Moon by Watt Key
Ten-year old Moon has lived in the woods with his father all his life. When his father dies, Moon sets out for Alaska, but soon finds he must adapt his survival skills and that the outside world may not be exactly as his father told him.

Savvy by Ingrid Law
Mibs knows that her 13th birthday should be a quiet, family event because that’s when her “savvy” (supernatural ability) first appears. The last place she should be is at a birthday party run by the overzealous preacher’s wife, but her father had an car accident and her mother is at the hospital with him. Thinking only she can save her father, she and her brothers and the preacher’s kids stow away in a Bible salesman’s bus and begin a journey that shows her what her savvy truly is. A rollicking adventure.

Highway Cats by Janet Tayler Lisle
How do the kittens abandoned on the highway median make it safely across? What
mysterious power allows them to survive and makes dominant cats stop fighting and care for them?

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nichols
You know from the beginning of the book that Sam will die of leukemia. Sam writes a list of what he wants to do before he dies, and helping him with his list allows his family to face his death. The amazing thing about this book is how real Sam is and how much you are laughing with him and his family, as well as being sad for them.

The Leanin’ Dog by K.A. Nuzum
Dessa is unable to set foot out of her family’s wilderness cabin after her mother’s tragic death. A visiting dog brings her new interest in life outside, but the dog is afraid to be within walls.

Gully’s Travels by Tor Seidler
A pampered Lhasa apso, Gully has often traveled to Paris with his master, a Manhattan
professor. After the professor falls in love with an allergic Frenchwoman, though, he gives Gulliver to his building’s doorman, whose boisterous family lives in Queens. Overwhelmed with his chaotic new home, Gully leaves to become a transatlantic traveler on his own.


J Graphic Novels
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
Rapunzel is raised in a grand villa surrounded by towering walls. Rapunzel dreams of a
different mother than Gothel, the woman she calls Mother. She climbs over the wall and finds out the truth.

Magic Pickle by Scott Morse
Meet the world's greenest, bumpiest, briniest superhero, the Magic Pickle. With his feisty
sidekick Jo Jo Wigman, the Magic Pickle faces his worst nightmare, the Brotherhood of Evil Produce. Will he save the world from those foul fiends?

Wild Ride: A Graphic Guide Adventure by Liam O'Donnell
The first in a proposed series, three kids are in a plane crash on their way to an
environmental conference. As they try to get out of the wilderness, they discover that their fellow passenger works for the logging company their parents are protesting. Easier than Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, but with sound survival tips.

*Hyperactive by Scott Christian Sava
Joey has super DNA that allows him to move at lightning speed. A shady executive soon
finds out and has other plans for Joey’s talent. A great pick for reluctant readers.

Into the Volcano by Don Wood
Brothers Duffy and Sumo visit their aunt on a tropical island and find themselves drawn into a family drama that includes entering an awakening volcano and discovering family secrets as they try to make it out alive.


J Non-fiction
(books are shelved by call number)
10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh (J 333.72 W)
In novelty book format, tells ten easy everyday things even the very young can do to be
kinder to the earth.

Wild Tracks: A Guide to Nature’s Footprints by Jim Arnosky (J 591.479 A)
Life sized tracks help you learn what animals have been in the woods or in your
neighborhood. Includes information about each animal. The 100th nature book by this author! 

Polar Bear, Why is Your World Melting? by Robert E. Wells (J 363.7387 W)
Describes how global warming and greenhouse gases are contributing to rising Arctic
temperatures, and how this temperature change affects the animal populations that live there. Also details energy saving techniques.

*11 planets : A New View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar
Author David Aguilar uses brilliant photo-realistic illustration and fascinating up-to-date facts straight from the latest astronomy news to bring you a comprehensive look at our solar system as you've never seen it before.

The Mysterious Universe: Supernovae, Dark Energy, and Black Holes by Ellen B. Jackson
(J 523.844 J)
Astronomer Alex Filippenko and his research team employ advanced telescopes in a search for supernovae. These supernovae can help them explore the nature of black holes and dark energy. Jackson's careful and clear explanations of this cutting-edge science, and Bishop's impressive photographs are amazing!

How We Know What We Know about Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming by Lynne Cherry (J 363.7387 C)
Describes how and where scientists find evidence of climate change, including bird migration patterns, checking tree rings, and collecting mud cores. Also offers advice on how to make a positive impact on the environment.

Under New England : the Story of New England's Rocks and Fossils by Charles Ferguson Barker (J 557.4 B)
Dr. Barker explores 500 million years of geology that lies underneath the New England we know today. From moving tectonic plates to glaciers, ground water, sea levels, and even the geologic underpinning of the "Big Dig," he weaves his story with poetry quotes, a bit of Latin, and some very effective analogies.

*Alien Invaders: Species that Threaten Our World by Jane Drake
Explores the history of alien invaders--plants, animals, bacteria, or viruses that are
deliberately or accidentally introduced to a new habitat. Their introduction subsequently explodes in numbers, causing harm to property and wildlife.

*Cool Stuff Exploded by Chris Woodford
Delve into a host of inventions, objects, and gadgets to explore the ways they work. Fold-out pages reveal the components of each device and how it works.

*Two Bobbies: a true story of Hurricane Katrina, friendship, and survival by Kirby Larson
Tells the true story of Bobbie the dog and Bob Cat, two pets who bonded together and were able to survive the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Listen to the Wind: the Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
(J 371.822 M)
Lost and delirious, Mortenson stumbled into a remote Himalayan village after a failed climb upK2. The villagers saved his life, and he vowed to return and build a school for them. His remarkablestory of a promise kept is now told in this read-aloud.

*Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
The story of adventure and discovery, of astronauts blasting off in the summer of 1969.

*Down Down Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins
Provides a look at some of the unique inhabitants who call the ocean home, including a largesperm whale, a jellyfish that lights up in the dark, and super long squids.

*2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids by Amy Zuckerman and James Daly
A nonfiction book about the future that explains what’s different in the year 2030, including the school constructed from large Lego-like blocks and the wristwatch that beams your temperature, blood pressure, and feelings to your doctor’s office.


J Biographies
(located in the Biography section under name of subject, unless otherwise noted)

Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman by Marc Tyler Nobleman (J Biography Siegel)
The story of how Superman began, complete with illustrations that look like comics in the 1930’s. 

Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Through the Gates and Beyond by Jan Greenberg (Adult 709.22 G)
Meet the duo behind the huge installation art projects: wrapping islands and the miles of
yellow gates strung through Central Park. The book explores the art and the logistics behind their amazing work.

Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth by Told by Walter Dean Myers
If you know the story of Martin Luther King Jr. but want to know how the Civil Rights movement started, read this book. 

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew about the Women and Girls of the American Revolution by Laurie Halse Anderson (J 973.3 A)
A well researched and readable account of the female side of the revolution.

Knucklehead:Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka
Jon Scieszka is the driving force behind Guys Read, a website and organization devoted to encouraging boys to become readers. This book of his zany adventures of growing up in a family of all boys is just the sort of memoir that boys (and girls) will enjoy.

Manfish: The Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne
Read about Jacques Cousteau and how his youthful fascinations with filming and underwater exploration translated into his life's work. This picture book biography also tells of his later devotion to saving the ocean environment.

Escape!: the Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman
A biography of the magician, ghost chaser, aviator, and king of escape artists whose
amazing feats are remembered long after his death in 1926.

Barack Obama : Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes
A description of the life of President Barack Obama, beginning with his childhood in Hawaii, his family, his education, and professional achievements.

*Michelle Obama: Mom-in-Chief by Roberta Edwards
Describes the life of Michelle Obama, discussing her childhood in Chicago, education, career as a lawyer, marriage to Barack, and relationship with her children.

Boycott blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation by Andrea Davis Pinkney
(J Advanced Picture Book)
Illustrations and rhythmic text recall the December, 1955, bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. 

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola
Relates the story of Wangari Maathai, a native Kenyan and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, who taught the people living in the highlands how to plant trees and care for the land.

Delivering Justice: W.W. Law and the Fight for Civil Rights by Jim Haskins (J 323.092 H)
A tribute to lesser-known civil rights activist, W.W. Law. A mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service all his life, he is credited with the nonviolent end to segregation in Savannah, Georgia. An inspiring and strikingly-illustrated story.

*Bring me some apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story about Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley
Recounts the childhood of Edna Lewis, renowned New York chef and granddaughter of an emancipated slave. She lives and cooks according to the growing seasons. Includes several southern, kid-friendly recipes.

*River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant
A picture-book introduction to a great American poet with mixed-media collages. Includes a selection of Williams’ poems.


Poetry
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian
(J 811 F)
Paper cut-outs, collage elements, and accessible poems capture the marvels of space. Sure to inspire some summer stargazing!

*City I Love by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Clear lively poems celebrate the diversity and connections of urban life.

*The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes
A newly illustrated edition of Hughes’ signature poem by E.B. Lewis. Explores the beauty of rivers all over the world and the human history that occurs alongside them.

The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry by Bill Martin (J 811.08 M)
Collection of over 200 poems from various poets such as Robert Frost, Jack Prelutsky, and Nikki Grimes organized into thematic sections. Accompanying the poems are pictures from many of the best picture-book illustrators. Includes a moving introduction by Eric Carle.

*Cuckoo’s Haiku by Michael J. Rosen
Designed as a birder’s notebook, twenty common North American birds are described in
poetic verse. Each page contains brilliant watercolor and information about the birds.

*Button Up! by Alice Schertle
Exuberant poems written from the point of view of clothes and other accessories.

This is Just to Say; Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman (J 811 S)
Inspired by the titular poem by William Carlos Williams, an imaginary class of sixth grade students (some deeply sorry, some not all) write poetic apologies to those they have wronged. Includes forgiving responses.


Series
(books are shelved by author’s last name) 

Secrets of Droon by Tony Abbott (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 2-4) Eric and his two friends, Neal and Julie, discover a secret doorway in Eric's basement that leads to the rainbow stairs which reach down into the wondrous world of Droon.

The World According to Humphrey  (Humphrey, bk.1) by Betty Birney (J Fiction)
(Gr. 3-5) Tells the story of a little rodent, who can secretly write, learn, and get out of his cage.

Jake Drake Bully Buster by Andrew Clements (J Fiction)
(Gr. 2-4) Fourth-grader Jake Drake looks back on his earlier experiences in school.

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (J Fiction)
(Gr. 4-5) Eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment building and hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats.

Revenge of the Witch (The Last Apprentice, bk.1) by Joseph Delaney (J Fiction)
(Gr. 4-5) The seventh son of a seventh son becomes the apprentice to the Spook, the feared but wise man whose job it is to keep the County safe from witches, boggarts, and other ghostly beings.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Mercy Watson, bk.1) by Kate DiCamillo (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 1-2) Tells the story of a domesticated and very troublesome pig named Mercy.

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice, bk.1) by John Flanagan (J Fiction)
(Gr. 4-5) Action and adventure as Will learns how to be an elite Ranger, a skilled archer, tracker, and spy who protects the king and kingdom from many dangers. 

Owen Foote, Second Grade Strongman (Owen Foote, bk.1) by Stephanie Greene (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 2-4) Plucky and good-natured 8-year old Owen experiences the everyday trials of 2nd (and 3rd) grade.

Miss Daisy is Crazy (My Weird School, bk.1) by Dan Gutman (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 1-3) Each book tells of a different strange teacher. Contains a few cartoon line drawings.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Haddix (J Fiction)
(Gr. 5 and up) Futuristic novels focused on a totalitarian regime and the Internet. Families are only allowed to have two children. Luke, born third, must live as one of the Shadow Children in hiding.

Into the Wild (Warriors, bk.1) by Erin Hunter (J Fiction)
(Gr. 4-5) Animal fantasy involving clans of cats and their quest to maintain control of their land.

Babymouse: Queen of the World (Babymouse, bk.1) by Jennifer Holms (J Graphic)
(Gr. 3-5) Graphic novel that chronicles the adventures of a young mouse who dreams of glamour, excitement, straight whiskers, and being queen of the world.

Stormbreaker (Alex Rider, bk.1) by Anthony Horowitz (Y Fiction)
(Gr. 4-5) The favorite series for action and adventure. Alex becomes a spy, following in his uncle's footsteps, and he has more gadgets than James Bond.

Martin Bridge Ready for Takeoff! (Martin Bridge, bk.1) by Jessica Kerrin (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 2-4) Follow the adventures of a charming third grade boy. Includes illustrations and large print.

Gooney Bird Greene (Gooney Bird, bk.1) by Lois Lowry (J Fiction)
(Gr. 2-4) A friendly and feisty heroine amuses her classmates, teachers, and parents.

Ruby, the Red Fairy (Rainbow Magic, bk.1) by Daisy Meadows (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 1-3) Each book tells the story of a different fairy, all from Fairyland. They must use their magic to battle Jack Frost.

Judy Moody by Megan McDonald (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 2-4) Judy is in a mood, as usual. Join her and her friends in their school-based adventures.

Stink by Megan McDonald (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 1-3) Brother to Judy Moody, Stink and his pals have their own goofy (and sometimes stinky) adventures.

Midnight for Charlie Bone (Charlie Bone, bk.1) by Jenny Nimmo (J Fiction)
(Gr. 3-5) Harry Potter fans will appreciate the adventures of Charlie Bone as he attends a boarding school for ordinary and extraordinary children. Charlie has the ability to hear people in photos talking.

In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen (Cobble Street Cousins, bk.1) by Cynthia Rylant (J Fiction)
(Gr. 1-3) Nine-year-olds Lily, Rosie and Tess are bunking with their Aunt Lucy for a whole year while their parents tour the world as ballet dancers. 

Knights of the Kitchen Table (Time Warp Trio, bk.1) by Jon Scieszka (J Fiction)
(Gr. 2-4) Joe, Fred, and Sam travel through time thanks to a magic book, and always save the day.

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman (J Easy Reader)
(Gr. K-2) Tales of a little cowgirl and her horse told in short episodic chapters.

Akimbo and the Elephants (Akimbo, bk.1) by Alexander McCall Smith (J Easy Chapter)
(Gr. 3-5) A young boy, Akimbo, enjoys adventures “in the heart of Africa.” He conveys appreciation and respect for the African landscape, culture, and people.

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief (Sammy Keyes, bk.1) by Wendelin Van Draanen
(J Mystery Shelf)
(Gr. 3-5) Kid detective Sammy Keyes is always up to trouble in this funny suspenseful series.


Websites 

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (MCBA)
Click on the last 15 years’ worth of master lists.

Guys Read
Created by author Jon Sciezka to promote reading among boys.

Nancy Keane’s booktalks
Hundreds of booktalks to browse, search, and share.

Kids Reads
Check out book reviews, favorite series, polls, and podcasts.