Moose Tracks by Karma Wilson

Moose Tracks by Karma Wilson
(Preschool - Grade 1)

Karma Wilson's wonderful picture book mystery surfaces time and time again from the depths of our bookshelves for bedtime reading when we need a good chuckle. The bouncy rhythm and vocabulary are perfect for reading aloud. We begin with a glimpse of a lone moose hoof and a questioning cottage owner who is stymied by the smattering of moose tracks throughout his home because "not one moose stopped by!" His animal friends leave plenty of remnants of their own, but those are easily explained. Chipmunk, for instance, leaves nut shells on the counter from the nut fudge sundae gathering. Bear hair shows up on the lawn chair from a barbecue supper with bear. We always laugh at the likely conclusion - knowing who exactly DID leave tracks behind makes for even sillier reading the whole way through. Take extra time to follow the tracks throughout the illustrations and giggle at the mess each animal leaves behind.

To find this (and other great books by Karma Wilson) at our library, visit www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories About Growing Up Scieszka

Knucklehead, by Jon Scieszka
Grades (4-6)

Growing up in a household of six boys is bound to produce a rich environment for tales of mayhem and hilarity. The writer of The Time Warp Trio and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs does not disappoint. We read this story aloud in our home one soggy gray day, and spent most of the day laughing. Of course at least one of the chapters contains a disclaimer - I think the one with fire, but it might have been some other disaster or near-disaster. The packaging of this tale is also delightful. Full of clues of what lies inside in 1950’s style advertisements, the cover is also worth your time.

To find this book please visit www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
Book and Audio Book
(Kindergarten - Grade 2)

Mercy Watson to the Rescue is the first book in a clever early chapter series by Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux. Mercy is a large, endearing pet pig loved like a member of the family. Her owners sing her to sleep, butter her toast and give her naps on the couch. Certain difficulties arise when keeping a large pig inside and the Watsons' elderly neighbor Eugenia does NOT approve of the arrangement. Of course, this makes for hilarious reading and an engaging series. My son and I loved the old-fashioned, silly illustrations that popped from the page - Mercy dashing across the two-page spread and a piece of hot, buttered toast for each page number. A great introduction to chapter books with lots of action and belly laughs. Don't miss the wonderful audio version as well, read by Ron McLarty.

To look for this series at our library, visit www.newberglibrary.org.

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

The Last Olympian

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian, by Rick Riordan
(Grades 4 and Up)

If you've read the last 4 books in the Percy Jackson series I'm sure you are eagerly awaiting this last installment, or reading it for the 2nd or 3rd time! Rick Riordan does not disappoint. As the son of the Greek god Poseidon and a mortal, Percy Jackson is not like other 15 (almost 16) year old New Yorkers. As the battle against the Titan Kronos and his army escalates, Percy and his friends must defend Manhattan against monsters, Titans and other half-bloods or see the entire world fall apart. But no pressure. Full of action-packed excitement, humor and charm, this final book will satisfy fans. That is until they realize it's over. Take heart though, Riordan says "as the first Camp Half-Blood series draws to a close..." so it seems safe to say we may expect more to come.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

1. The Lightning Thief
2. The Sea of monsters
3. The Titan's Curse
4. The Battle of the Labyrinth
5. The Last Olympian

To find these and other titles, please visit our website at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B.

I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt (Happy Mother's Day!)

I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
(Preschool - Grade 1)

As my son grows older, he is drawn more to books about creatures, superheroes, and laugh-out-loud funny adventures than to the sweet stories of his baby and toddler years. So, in honor of Mother's Day this year, we read I Love You, Stinky Face, which captured both our hearts and, most importantly, tickled my son's sense of humor - silly creatures and all. A young boy begins the book by questioning his mother's love and wonders, "Mama, what if I were a big scary ape? Would you still love me then?" Mama's love is unconditional, of course, as she faces up to each imaginary creature (including a stinky skunk) with tender loving care. Readers who love the classic The Runaway Bunny will delight in a modern tale of a mother's support complete with Cyd Moore's sweet, hilarious illustrations.

Don't miss Lisa McCourt's follow-up titles: I Miss You, Stinky Face, It's Time For School, Stinky Face and more.

To find these titles in our library, visit www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

The Graveyard Book , by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
(Grades 4-6)

If you are a fan of audiobooks, this is a must-listen-to story read by the author. If you are not a fan of audiobooks, you should listen to this story anyway. I think many authors should not be allowed to read their own stories, but Neil Gaiman has a voice that would make a car manual intriguing.

I talked about this audiobook to my husband so much that he started listening to it too. After I put our son to bed we sat in bed with our headphones on making faces at each other and saying things like, "What! Don't look sad! What part are you at?! Wait, I'm not there yet, don't tell me!"

In this story an entire family, save the baby, is murdered in the opening chapter of this book, yet it wasn’t quite as dark as I expected. The baby escapes to a graveyard where he is protected (for a time) and raised by its inhabitants. But the assassin is still looking for the baby/boy/young man and the secrets of the graveyard can't keep him safe forever...

Don't get me wrong, this book isn’t bubbles and lollipops, but it was lovely and by far the best Newbery Medal book I've read in a long time.

To find this book or audiobook, please visit our website at www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children’s Staff

Tracking Trash by Loree Griffin Burns

Tracking Trash by Loree Griffin Burns
(Grade 3 - 5)

Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion tackles a serious global issue yet reads like a lighthearted, optimistic report. Oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer has made it his mission to track our trash on its journey through the ocean hoping to understand and protect our seas and their inhabitants.

Readers follow the stories of sneakers and plastic toys on their respective journeys through the ocean. Beachcombers band together to help find 28,800 floating bathtub toys lost off of a cargo ship in 1992 as well as five cargo containers full of Nike sneakers. A bevy of photographs bring the amazing tales to life.

We are also introduced to both The Eastern Garbage Patch, a floating garbage dump partway between Hawaii and California the size of the state of Alaska, and Monster Debris, a giant mass of discarded fishing nets in Hawaii weighing 4,000 pounds. Rather than leaving us feeling hopeless, Tracking Trash chronicles what people are doing to help and inspires solution-finders of every age.

To find this book in our library, visit www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Marley: A Dog Like No Other

Marley: A Dog Like No Other, by John Grogan
Grades 3-5

When Marley crashes into the lives of the Grogan family, he just keeps crashing. A large yellow Labrador Retriever, Marley is full of spunk and mischief. His family lovingly endures his rambunctious escapades, with hilarious results. This sweet story follows the real-life adventures of a family and their dog, from Marley's time as a pup until the very end. Dog lovers will surely enjoy this romp. This story is also available on audiobook, delightfully read by Neil Patrick Harris. This book is a 2010 Young Readers Choice Award nominee.

Looking for a book where the dog doesn't die? Check out No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman, or Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.

To find library materials, please visit our website at: newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff