African-American Series for Girls

We've had some requests lately for more African-American literature for boys and girls. While finding new series for boys has been a bit difficult, there have been 4 notable new series for girls.

Stephanie Perry Moore has created 2 new Christian fiction series for girls. In the Yasmin Peace series, 14-year-old Yasmin deals with minor and major issues as she navigates school but her faith helps her along. In another series by Moore, 10-year-old Carmen Browne also finds her faith to be a comfort as she too deals with minor and major issues. These books can be found in our paperback series section.

Nikki Grimes, poet, artist and author, is well-known for her Danitra Brown series. Her new series featuring Dyamonde Daniel has proven to be another home run for Grimes. Dyamonde Daniel is a girl with a powerful take-charge attitude and a heart as big as the world. In the first in the series, "Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel", Dyamonde is the new girl in school who longs to fit in. Confidence is not a problem with Dyamonde but she can't figure out why she hasn't made friends after a week in school. And why is that boy over there so grumpy? Leave it to Dyamonde to find the answer. Third graders will love Dyamonde. Check her out! You'll find her on the junior fiction shelves at J GRI.

Colleen Murtagh Paratore has a new book, "Sweet and Sunny", that features another perky girl, Sunny Holiday. Sunny is convinced that there should be a Kid's Day and is promoting it among her friends, with the thought of introducing her idea to the mayor. Sunny's father is in prison, her mother has lost her job and when a girl insults Sunny and Sunny hits her, Sunny feels hopeless. Her friends encourage her, though, and she's soon off and running. You'll find this book in new junior fiction at J PAR.

"As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth" by Lynne Rae Perkins

Wow, you think you have problems? Ry is on his way to camp when he belatedly opens the "Urgent!' letter he had received from the camp. Surprise! The camp is closed. When the train abruptly stops and he hears the conductor telling a passenger that there will be a 40 minute delay, Ry tries to call his grandfather but there is no cell phone reception. Thinking that he'll get better reception outside of the train, Ry starts to walk further and further away from the tracks-- except the train has started to move, leaving Ry deserted. Ry walks the tracks for miles, his nose starts to bleed, staining an already tattered tee shirt and he finally hitches a ride on a boxcar. Sitting with his legs dangling over the side of the boxcar, one of his loosely tied boots falls into the water. When the train approaches the trainyard in town, Ry jumps off and hurries to hide behind a pile of rubble to avoid security. Unfortunately, he doesn't see the protuding piece of steel that smacks into his head right above his eye, making it immediately blacken and swell.
Now all this happens in the first 25 pages and it just goes on from there. You see, not only is Ry having a bad time, so are his parents and Grandpa. Shattered masts, missing dogs, sink holes, and an airplane with duct tape holding it together all converge to make a humorous and exciting story.

Sid Fleischman 1920-2010

One of my favorite children's authors passed away on March 17th. Sid Fleischman was 90 years old and had written a dearth of books. Known to practically every middle schooler in the country, Fleischman's "The Whipping Boy" won the prestigious Newbery Award in 1987 . Sid Fleischman really knew how children's minds work and wrote his books to captivate and entice them.

Why not take some time and revisit "The Whipping Boy" once again? In case you have forgotten or never have read this book, here is a synopsis: this is the story of a poor boy, Jemmy, who is drafted to take the punishment for the spoiled prince because, after all, no harm shall befall a member of royalty (even if he really needs a spanking.) Prince Horace demands that Jemmy shout or cry while being punished but Jemmy has too much pride. When the prince decides to runaway, he drags along poor Jemmy. But Jemmy was raised on those mean streets and, in the end, Jemmy is the one who saves the prince from himself and others.

There are many other books by Fleishman I'm sure you'll enjoy, the latest being "The Dream Stealer" that can be found in our new book section. Goodbye and thank you, Mr. Fleischman!

Scooby-Doo, Guan Yu and Beowulf: A Thrilling Trio

If you wander back to our youth graphic novels (now located behind the youth services desk, toward the backwall), you'll find a great selection of fiction and nonfiction titles. New this week are the first three books of the Scooby-Doo graphic novel series, call number J GN SCO. Also new to our shelves are these nonfiction titles: "Guan Yu: Blood Brothers to the End" based on a Chinese legend, call number J GN GUA, and "Beowulf: Monster Slayer" based on a British legend, call number J GN BEO. You'll find thrills, chills, and spills in all of these books!

Changes, Changes, Changes

By now you've noticed the changes in the youth department and perhaps are perplexed as to the location of some of your favorite items. You have probably gotten used to the new shelving in the early reader/board book area. Yesterday we made further changes to tidy up some loose ends. The phonics books have moved to the lower level on the early reader shelves and the board books have moved to their new location beneath the windows in the former puzzle area. They are housed in plastic tubs that are easier for little fingers to use and peruse. This freed up space for our ever-expanding early readers collection.
We now have our Caudill, Coretta Scott King and Newbery award winners moved to their new location on the back wall of the new storyhour room, making it easier for parent and child alike to find that assigned book. Take advantage of our new sitting area, perfect for those third through sixth graders who like to lounge as they read. This space will have further improvements over time so keep your eyes open!
Puzzles and kits can be found hanging just east of the paperback racks. Graphic novels are on the backside of the same shelving unit. Paperback series are on the north wall of the sitting area so if you are looking for Geronimo Stilton, Scooby-Doo, American Girls or any of your fun, favorite reads, you'll find them there.
All in all, it has been an exciting transformation and it's not done yet! You will be truly surprised at what's coming next...but I can't tell you what that is. You'll just have to keep coming in!

The Exciting Adventures of Jeff Corwin

Want a captivating read to while away the hours? Try "Jeff Corwin: A Wild Life". You know who Jeff Corwin is --he hosts that nature show on the Discovery Channel where he's picking up snakes , racing after various mammals and swimming in the ocean with sharks. This book tells the stories behind those adventures. For example, Corwin went on a dive to observe great white sharks. He was in a protective cage, wearing a very heavy diving helmet. The air to the helmet was obstructed and Corwin was unable to attract the attention of others on the dive to get help. He swam out of the protective cage to the boat and only after he had been pulled into the boat did he find out there was a 16 foot great white shark circling him! And what about the time as a child when he ran into the house with a garter snake dangling from his arm--still biting him! And the time a jealous elephant grabbed his arm and shook him like a rag doll! As you can see, there's enough adventures here to keep you captivated for quite some time! You'll find this book in our paperback section, call number J PPB C.

Good Twins, Bad Twins and Those Evil Baggetts

Well, if you ever thought your family was a trial, I have three books that might just change your outlook--in fact, your family will look golden! These books will keep you on the edge of your seat!

In "William S. and the Great Escape" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, seventh grader William S. Baggett has had enough of his bullying father, tormenting twin brothers and their life of living on the wrong side of the law. He's been saving his chore money and is ready to leave when the twins decide to flush his little sister Jancy's hamster down the toilet. William and Jancy both know that for their safety it's time for them to go and, with their two youngest sibs Trixie and Buddy in tow, pack up and begin their journey to Aunt Fiona's. By now, the police have been notified and it's up to William to find a way to outsmart his father and the police to get to Aunt Fiona. But will Aunt Fiona want them all? This deserving book won the Parent Choice Silver Award. The call number for this book is JH SNY.



"Yes, I Know the Monkey Man" by Dori Hillestad Butler is the sequel to "Do You Know the Monkey Man?" This story of thirteen-year-old T.J. Three weeks ago , T.J. found out she has a twin sister and a mother, facts her mentally ill father has kept from her. Now her sister Sam and her mother want her to come be a part of her mother's wedding. Since Gram and her father are both hospitalized, T.J. and her dog take the bus to her mother's house. Feelings of fear, grief, and envy wash over her as she learns to deal with her new family. Why did her father not tell her her mother and sister were alive? How she copes with this emotional tidal wave makes an engaging read. Call number J BUT



Peg Kehret's "Runaway Twin" is an awesome story. According to School Library Journal, "Sunny Skyland has missed her twin sister ever since they were separated at age three after their mother and grandmother were killed in an automobile accident. Sunny has kept her memories of Starr alive over the past decade and in seven foster homes. Then, the discovery of a canvas bag containing $800, with no claimant, spurs Sunny to travel from Nebraska to her old neighborhood in Enumclaw, WA. Sunny is an experienced runaway who plans carefully and tells no one. She boards a bus for the first leg of her journey but then complicates her life by adopting a stray dog. Her trip is thwarted by a group of teenage boys, and she survives a tornado. She does reach her destination, but not with the expected ending." Call number JH KEH