Book Review: Gimme Shelter

Today I recommend: Gimme Shelter: Misadventures and Misinformation by Doreen Cronin.

The Chicken Squad uncovers mysterious remains while digging a meteor/storm shelter, and they stop work to investigate just as a big storm is approaching.

Do you like funny books about chickens?  If so, go on another adventure with The Chicken Squad.  Gimme Shelter: Misadventures and Misinformation by Doreen Cronin will have you laughing non-stop as Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie begin to build a storm Shelter.  Check out this book to see what The Chicken Squad uncovers as they begin their construction project!

~KF

Throwback Thursday: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Saturday January 27th is Lewis Carroll’s birthday so for this Throwback Thursday in honor of that I recommend: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

When a young girl falls down a rabbit hole, she discovers a strange and interesting world with fantastical, mad characters as she tries to find her way back home.

First published in 1865 this book has become a beloved children’s classic that has been adapted into numerous movies, plays, and languages! This book has never been out of print. It’s just as strange and delightful in book form as it is as a movie. If you like fantasy and love the movies you should definitely check out this book.

You can find this book in the Juvenile Fiction section at J CARROLL.

~aw

Book Review: The Time Museum

Today I recommend: The Time Museum by Matthew Loux.

Science-loving Delia Bean is expecting to have a pretty boring summer vacation looking after her little brother. But when her Uncle Lyndon offers her an internship in his Earth Time Museum, everything begins to look a lot better!

I’ll admit that I love just about anything that has to do with time travel and to have that combined with a museum that covers the entire history of Earth really caught my attention. This is a fast paced graphic novel – the action picks up quickly as Delia begins to time-travel with other prospective interns as they compete to be chosen for the coveted internship at the Earth Time Museum. The art work is really loose and fluid which just adds to the fast pace of the graphic novel. I also found myself quickly growing attached to the large cast of teens who were competing and cheering them on as they finally began to work together. I recommend this to anyone who likes graphic novels and science fiction – this was a fun read.

You can find The Time Museum in the Juvenile Graphic Novel section at J GRAPHIC LOUX.

~aw

Throwback Thursday: The BFG

For this Throwback Thursday I recommend: The BFG by Roald Dahl.

Snatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), who spends his life blowing happy dreams to children, Sophie concocts with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling cannibal giants.

Roald Dahl has written a lot of wonderful books for children such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or James and the Giant Peach but this one is my personal favorite. Sophie is an amusing main character, and the idea of the BFG creating happy dreams for children seemed like the perfect kind of magic to me. Originally published in 1982 this book has been adapted into a movie several times most recently by Disney in 2016. Fans of fantasy fiction should check out this classic!

You can find The BFG in the Juvenile Fiction section at J DAHL.

~aw

Book Review: All’s Faire in Middle School

Today I recommend: All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson.

Homeschooled by Renaissance Fair enthusiasts, eleven-year-old Imogene has a hard time fitting in when her wish to enroll in public school is granted.

Fans of Jamieson’s graphic novel Roller Girl won’t be disappointed! Imogene is another strong female character, and the situations that she grapples with feel realistic even if growing up at a Renaissance Fair sounds far-fetched. Imogene deals with bullying and her desire to make new friends as she adjusts to going to middle school while also training to be a squire at the Ren. Faire. I recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed Awkward and Brave by Chmakova or Real Friends by Shannon Hale.

You can find this graphic novel in the Juvenile Graphic Novel section at J GRAPHIC JAMIESON.

~aw

Throwback Thursday: Maniac Magee

This week for Throwback Thursday we recommend: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli.

After his parents die, Jeffrey Lionel Magee’s life becomes legendary, as he accomplishes athletic and other feats which awe his contemporaries.

Published in 1990, this book by Jerry Spinelli was an American Library Association Children’s Notable Book in 1991 and won the Illinois Reader’s Choice – Rebecca Caudill Young Reader’s Book Award in 1993. Readers who enjoy realistic fiction will love this classic!

You can find this book in the Juvenile Fiction section at J SPINELLI.

Throwback Thursday: Misty of Chincoteague

For this Throwback Thursday I recommend: Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry.

Set on Chincoteague Island, Virginia Paul and Maureen Beebe, a brother and sister, have their hearts set on owning a wild pony and her colt, who according to legend, are descendants of the Moorish ponies who survived a Spanish shipwreck long ago.

This classic is perfect for anyone who loves horses! A sweet tale of two children who eventually have a horse to call their own, Misty of Chincoteague was first published in 1947 and has been adapted as a movie. This book was also a Newbery Honor Book in 1948.

As for a local connection, author Marguerite Henry was a resident of Wayne, Illinois. Henry bought Misty and wrote the book about that horse. Each year, Misty and Henry would visit Wayne Elementary School and would celebrat the horse’s birthday with the children. http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=245797

You can find it in the Juvenile Fiction section at J HENRY.

~aw

2018 Reading Resolution!

It’s that time of the year again – New Years Resolutions! Last year I challenged myself to read 100 books during 2017, and unfortunately I fell a little short at 87 books.

So for 2018, I’ve decided to try again. My reading challenge is once again 100 books and I will be using Goodreads to keep track – it gives you some fun stats such as keeping track of the number of pages that you read. Hopefully this year will be the year I make it.

Did anyone have a 2017 reading resolution or does anyone else have a reading resolution for 2018?

~aw