New Books at the Library

Our new books collection gets updated quite frequently with the latest new titles. We are very lucky to have such a diverse selection for all age groups. For me this is the perfect combination- new books and a chance to check them out right away. This week I checked out a few of the new picture book arrivals, they are so much fun:

 

Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks! The Story of The Three Bears as Told by Baby Bear by Nancy Loewen, illustrated by Tatevik Avakyan, Picture Window Books, 2012. K-2  grade.  In this version of the story Baby Bear, a.k.a  Sam, is a pre-teen bear not to happy with being called “Baby Bear”, having to eat porridge for breakfast or a way to small chair but that all changes when Goldilocks breaks in on a truth or dare challenge from Red Riding Hood.  Now they are exchanging cell phone numbers, taking pictures, and jumping on beds.  I enjoyed the sense of humor on the story and the animated illustrations that aid to this sense of “grown up bear” feeling.  The book includes guided questions and comparisons to other versions of the story, websites, additional stories, and other books in the series. The illustrations are colorful and detailed overtaking most of the page.Check this book out at my library.

   

Snowboy 1,2,3 by Joe Wahman, illustrated by Wendy Wahman, Henry Holt & Company, 2012. PreK-2 grade. This is a cute counting and rhyming book for the younger readers, with vivid whimsical illustrations and lots of bright reds, yellows, blues, and greens. The large numbers and black text pops up to the reader. I liked how the reader goes from one snowboy to ten party favors, and back to “1 One snowboy all alone.” The front cover is very tactile and visual with glitter and textured designs.Check it out at my library.

 

It’s All About Me-Ow by HudsonTalbott, Penguin Young Readers, 2012. K-2 Grades.  Like the title suggest this book is all about cute, extrovert, funny cats.  Told from an older wise cat perspective the younger generation learns about cat culture and how to achieve “catitude”, master the art of charming humans, and all the tricks of the trade.  The book is highly entertaining with cleaver illustrations and visual detail, humor and reminders of all the things we do for our love for cats.  At the same time there is a surprising amount of information and facts for older readers’ enjoyment. Check it out at my library.

 

I’m Bored by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Simon & Schuster, 2012. This is a hilarious book that every kid should read…and parent when their kids say “I’m bored”. Our protagonist tries to explain how there is nothing boring about being a kid….to a potato.  The illustrations are precious, minimal color and lots of think black lines that create movement and expression. Oversized pictures and text aid the reader and would help younger readers develop critical early literacy skills (phonological awareness, writing, reading, playing, etc.) This is probably one of my favorites and one that I will use for my Tots programs.Check it out at my library.

I just started working as a children's librarian at the Homewood Public Library, this is my dream come true.  Two years ago I decided to pursue my passion and went back to graduate school for my MLIS degree, never imagining that I would be as lucky as to get to work here.


As a children's librarian I have the privilege of working with children all day long helping them connect with great books.  My programs are for the tiny ones- babies & tot's- how much fun! I am really looking forward to make my programs fun and exciting for both children and parents/caregivers.

One of my goals is to review books and share my thoughts with all of you.

One of my first selections is Andrew Drew and Drew  by Barney Saltzberg, K-2 grade, Appleseed Press, 2012.  I loved the flaps and folds into Andrew's imaginative drawings where a simple line turns into a dragon just by lifting a flop.  The minimal use of black illustrations with lots of white space gets the reader to just focus on Andrew and his yellow pencil. Minimal text can allow readers to imagine what they would draw themselves. Check it out at my library.



This is a beautiful story about acceptance and new beginnings. Oliver by Birgitta Sif, K-2 grade, Candlewick Press, 2012.  I just loved the pencil drawings on this book, everything is done with the most exquisite details. Oliver is a different child, who is not afraid of being his own. He lives through his adventures until one day when he finds a kindred spirit. The text is minimal again but the message is strong and would resonate with different readers.  The illustrations alone can tell the story which makes it a great story time book.  Check it out at my library.

My Lincoln Challenge

This summer I took on the Lincoln Challenge to read 22 books by June 2013.  So far I am doing great progress and the books are amazing. It is going to be hard to decide on a single one.  

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.When Anna's romance-novelist father sends her to an elite American boarding school in Paris for her senior year of high school, she reluctantly goes, and meets an amazing boy who becomes her best friend, in spite of the fact that they both want something more. The story was a bit slow at first but as you get to know the characters- Anna and Etienne St. Clair- you come to like them and love to see their transformation.

Bruiser by Neil Shusterman, I listened to the audio version and it was amazing.Inexplicable events start to occur when 16-year-old twins Tennyson and Bronte befriend a troubled and misunderstood outcast, aptly nicknamed Bruiser, and his little brother, Cody. I listened to the audio version and it was so intriguing to figure what would happen, in a way it was like seeing a car accident in slow motion at times.

Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams. In a polygamous cult in the desert, Kyra, not yet 14, sees being chosen to be the seventh wife of her uncle as just punishment for having read books and kissed a boy, in violation of Prophet Childs' teachings, and is torn between facing her fate and running away from all that she knows and loves. This is a very intensive book!

Dark Song by Gail Giles.After her father loses his job and she finds out that her parents have lied to her, 15-year-old Ames feels betrayed enough to become involved with a criminal who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Couldn't put the book down, beautifully written.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett.Limited and persecuted by racial divides in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, three women, including an African-American maid, her sassy and chronically unemployed friend, and a recently graduated white woman, team up for a clandestine project. I finally read the book after hearing so much about the movie (haven't seeing the movie). I felt like I had a chance to meet these women, feel their fear and happiness, their struggles and achievements.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins.Three teens who meet at Reno, Nevada's Aspen Springs mental hospital after each has attempted suicide connect with each other in a way they never have with their parents or anyone else in their lives. I loved this novel in verse. Each character gives you a personal insight on their lives, fears, dreams, and hopes. They evolve and find hope within each other.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin.When 17-year-old Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil Elfin Knight, she realizes to break the curse she must perform three impossible tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both. I loved the story, predictable at moments and utterly optimistic but the written pulls the reader into the story until you find yourself connected to Lucy's curse.

 

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. After being interrogated for days by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, California, 17-year-old Marcus, released into what is now a police state, decides to use his expertise in computer hacking to set things right. I am currently listening to the audio version and it is amazing! Teens are going to love it, the mix of tech savvy and rebellion is pretty cool.

Matched by Ally Condie.Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her, so when Xander appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate--until Ky Markham's face appears for an instant before the screen fades to black. I liked the book and think it could make a great book club choice. Love to know what teens thought about this futuristic world with no choices.

Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey. In 1888, 12-year-old Will Henry chronicles his apprenticeship with Dr. Warthrop, a scientist who hunts and studies real-life monsters, as they discover and attempt to destroy a pod of Anthropophagi. I listened to the audio and really liked the story. I am not a big sci-fi fan but the whole "monster hunting" was just intriguing enough to want to know more.

 

North of Beautiful by Kiersten White.Terra, a sensitive, artistic high school senior born with a facial port-wine stain, struggles with issues of inner and outer beauty with the help of her Goth classmate Jacob. I loved the story. One of my favorites.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. When a dark prophecy begins to come true, 16-year-old Evie of the International Paranormal Containment Agency must not only try to stop it, she must also uncover its connection to herself and the alluring shapeshifter, Lend. Predictable.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi.In a futuristic world, teenaged Nailer scavenges copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living, but when he finds a beached clipper ship with a girl in the wreckage, he has to decide if he should strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl. I read this book last spring and while found the futuristic earth approach to be consistent & believable. The under themes of honor, family and doing the right things carried the story beautifully.

 

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death. I listened to the audio version and couldn't stop until I found the 13 reasons.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan.  Two teens sharing the same name, one straight- one gay meet, accidentally and their lives become intertwined when one starts to date a friend and producing a high school play about his life.  The audio is  hilarious at points.