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Heidi Heckelbeck Has A Secret
Posted on January 24, 2013 by Jessica in Early Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, School Storiesby Wanda Coven Heidi is going to her first day of second grade, which also happens to be her first day of school ever. Up until now, she had been homeschooled, and she loved it. Her first day at school certainly has its ups and downs, but Heidi is spunky and has a plan to make [...]
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Hokey Pokey by Jerry Spinelli
Posted on January 20, 2013 by gbenedick in Fantasy, Humorous StoriesHokey Pokey is the place where children live. It’s a wonderful world of snuggling, and cartoons, and playgrounds, and pretend wars, and bikes—beautiful bikes. For Jack, life is meaningless without his bike. So, when he wakes up one fateful day and it’s gone, he can’t rest until he has reclaimed it. To make matters even [...]
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My 13th Season
Posted on January 17, 2013 by Jessica in Realistic Fiction, Sportsby Kristi Roberts Fran Cullers has had some serious losses in the past year – her mom died in a car accident and her dad’s depression has pretty much taken him away, too. Fran does have a few things keeping her steady, though – her aunt Beth, her dad’s friend Slow, and most of all, [...]
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Mr. Terupt Falls Again
Posted on January 15, 2013 by Jessica in Realistic Fiction, School Storiesby Rob Buyea (sequel to Because of Mr. Terupt) The kids in Mr. Terupt’s class are starting a new year full of new surprises. Last year, in the fifth grade, seven students were truly changed by their time in his class. This year, Mr. Terupt moves up with them to the sixth grade. It’s their [...]
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Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular by Kirk Scroggs
Posted on January 13, 2013 by Children's Department Staff in Early Chapter Books, Humorous StoriesWho knew that Dracula liked monster trucks? Grampa and his grandson Wiley are pumped for the monster truck rally, but they have to stop Colonel Dracula and his blood-drinking truck! To make matters worse, a huge tornado is about to strike the town, and it’s up to them to save the day. Fun illustrations make this story [...]
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Road Trip by Gary and Jim Paulsen
Posted on January 11, 2013 by Children's Department Staff in animals, Humorous Stories, Realistic FictionRoad Trip is the first collaboration between author Gary Paulsen and his son Jim, a sculptor. The main narrator is a young teen named Ben. Ben’s family likes to rescue dogs, especially border collies. Ben’s father decides to go on a quick trip to rescue a border collie whose time has run out. Dad also has some news to [...]
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Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Posted on January 4, 2013 by Jennifer in My Favorite, Realistic Fiction, School StoriesAugust “Auggie” Pullman is a kid like any other with one difference – he was born with a facial deformity that strangers find shocking, to say the least. After years of being homeschooled between surgeries and hospitalizations, Auggie and his parents decide it’s time to start 5th grade in a public school. This difficult and [...]
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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Posted on December 27, 2012 by Melendra in animals, NewberyIvan is a gorilla, a mighty silverback to be precise. However, confined to his mall domain without a gorilla troupe to lead, Ivan rarely thinks of his life in the jungle. He’d rather think about his friends Stella, the aging elephant in the domain next door, and Bob, a stray dog. Or, perhaps even the [...]
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The Nutcracker Ballet by Vladimir Vagin
Posted on December 27, 2012 by Children's Department Staff in fairy tales and folklore, Picture BooksThis book takes the story of the Nutcracker Ballet and makes it easier for children to understand. The story starts with Clara and her family on Christmas Eve. They all decorate a ginormous Christmas tree in honor of the night’s festivities. The children talk in hushed voices as they speculate what they will receive on [...]
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About Average by Andrew Clements
Posted on December 21, 2012 by gbenedick in Realistic Fiction, School StoriesJordan Johnston is an ordinary 6th grader–too ordinary. Jordan wants to be exceptional, but when she sums up her abilities, the lists of things that she “stinks at” and is “okay at” are much longer than the list of things that Jordan is “good at.” During the last week of 6th grade, a mean girl, [...]
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