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Category Archives: Kids
Graphic Novels for Kids: What to Read Next?
By Katy Searcy, Children's Department
Our juvenile graphic novel section is very well loved here at WCPL. Kids can't seem to read enough of them. However, their favorites are often checked out, and while this is a fantastic problem to have, we hate to see kids leave disappointed and empty handed. With that in mind, I've compiled a brief list of readalikes for some of our most popular graphic novels.
If you can't get enough Calvin and Hobbes…
Try Phoebe and Her Unicorn!
Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson (J 741.5973 SIM) is a weekly comic strip about a precocious nine-year-old girl named Phoebe and her best friend Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, a unicorn. Their adventures begin when Phoebe skips a rock and accidentally hits a Marigold Heavenly Nostrils in the face. Improbably, this led to Phoebe being granted one wish, and she used it to make the unicorn her obligational best friend. With seven volumes and counting, kids will be reading and laughing about Phoebe and Marigold's wacky and hilarious antics as long as they like.
If you absolutely love Smile and Sisters…
Try Surfside Girls: The Secret of Danger Point, Pashmina, and Cici's Journal!
In Surfside Girls: The Secret of Danger Point by Kim Dwinell ( J 741.5973 DWI), things are getting very weird for Samantha. Lately, her best friend Jade explodes into fits of giggles whenever she sees a boy, and it's throwing a wrench into the laidback summer of surfing and hanging out that Sam had planned. But after swimming through a secret underwater cave, Sam starts to see things. Like ghosts. And pirates. And maybe something even scarier! Can she and Jade get to the bottom of this mystery in time to save their town?
Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani (J 741.5973 CHA) is the story of Priyanka Das, who has so many unanswered questions about her mother and about India. For Pri, her mother's homeland can only exist in her imagination. That is, until she find a mysterious pashmina tucked away in a forgotten suitcase. When she wraps herself in it, she is transported to a place more vivid and colorful than any guidebook or Bollywood film. But is this the real India? And what is that shadow lurking in the background? To learn the truth, Pri must travel farther than she's ever dared and find the family she never knew.
Translated from French, Cici dreams of being a novelist in Cici's Journal by Joris Chamblain (J 741.5973 CHA). Her favorite subject is people, especially adults. She's been watching them and taking notes. Everybody has one special secret, Cici figures, and if you want to write about people, you need to understand what's hiding inside them. But now she's discovered something truly strange: an old man who disappears into the forest every Sunday with huge pots of paint in all sorts of colors. What is he up to? Why does he look so sad when he comes back?
If you think Narwhal and Jelly is delightful….
Try The Great Pet Escape,Cici, A Fairy's Tale, and Brobots and the Kaiju Kerfluffle!
In The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson (J 741.5973 JAM), the class pets at Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary School want out, and G.W.—short for George Washington—the deceptively cute hamster in the second-grade classroom, is just the guy to lead the way. But when he finally escapes and goes to find his former partners in crime, Barry and Biter, he finds that they actually LIKE being class pets! Just as G.W. gets Barry and Biter to agree to leave with him, a mouse named Harriet and her many mouse minions get in their way.
A lot is changing for Cici in Believe Your Eyes, the first book in Cici, A Fairy's Tale by Cori Doerrfield (J 741.5973 DOE). Her parents are separating, her wacky abuela is moving in, and on her tenth birthday, she wakes up with fairy wings! Cici's new magical powers let her see people as they truly are, but what she learns about her friends and family isn't always easy to accept. She has only one day to decide whether to keep her wings. When Cici wishes life could just be normal again, will she choose to believe in the power of fairies?
Brobots and the Kaiju Kerfluffle by J. Torres (J 741.5973 TOR) begins with robot brothers Panchi, Joukei, and Kouro reeling in a "big one" while fishing. When the giant threatens to demolish their city, the three bro-up and spring into action!
If you like Hilo…
Try Cosmic Commandos, Dream Jumper, and Fish Girl!
In Cosmic Commandos by Christopher Eliopoulos (J 741.5973 ELI), Jeremy and Justin are twins, but they couldn't be any more different from each other. They both love video games, however, and when Jeremy wins a cereal-box charm that brings his favorite video game to life, villains and all, he finds that he's in way over his head. Can these two mismatched brothers work together to beat the video game that has taken over their life?
Dream Jumper: Nightmare Escape by Greg Grunberg (J 741.5973 GRU) is the story of Ben, who has the ability to jump into other people's dreams. So when his friends start falling victim to an evil dream-monster that prevents them from waking, Ben knows he has to help them. But can he get to them in time? With a mysterious companion, Ben might just be able to defeat the monster and save his friends…if he can figure out how to use the power within him.
Fish Girl by Donna Jo Napoli (J 741.5973 NAP) begins with a show at Ocean Wonders, an aquarium filled with several ocean animals and Fish Girl, the elusive star attraction. When Fish Girl has a chance encounter with an ordinary girl, their growing friendship inspires Fish Girl's longing for freedom, independence, and a life beyond the aquarium tank.
If you need more action-packed adventures like Amulet…
Try Red's Planet, Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race, and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur!
Red's Planet by Eddie Pittman (J 741.5973 PIT) is the story of Red, who longs to live in her own perfect paradise far away from her annoying foster family. But when a UFO mistakenly kidnaps her, Red finds herself farther away than she could have possibly imagined—across the galaxy and aboard an enormous spaceship owned by the Aquilari, an ancient creature with a taste for rare and unusual treasures. Before Red can be discovered as a stowaway, the great ship crashes on a small deserted planet, leaving her marooned with a menagerie of misfit aliens. With her newfound friend, a small gray alien named Tawee, Red must find a way to survive the hostile castaways, evade the ravenous wildlife and contend with Goose, the planet's grumpy, felinoid custodian. Surely this can't be the paradise she's looking for.
In Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race by Jen Breach (J 741.5973 BRE), Clementine Hetherington and her robot brother, Digory, have run away from the orphanage they've been living in since their parents died. Clem and Dig want to follow in their famous archaeologist mother's footsteps, but no one will take them seriously. Their chance arrives when a man from their past saves Digory's life, and to repay the debt, they enter a multiday race to recover stolen artifacts! Clem and Dig hope to win so they can give the artifacts to a museum, but their opponents want to sell them on the black market. The Ironwood Race has no rules, and Clem and Dig might be in over their heads!
The first volume in the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur comic series by Brandon Montclare (J 741.5973 MON) introduces Lunella Lafayette, a preteen genius living in mortal fear of her latent inhuman gene. There's no telling what she'll turn into, but Lunella's got a plan. All she needs is an Omni-Wave Projector. Easy, right? That is, until a red-scaled beast is teleported from the prehistoric past to a far-flung future we call today! Together they're the most Marvelous Team-Up of all — the Inhuman Moon Girl and time-tossed Devil Dinosaur! But will they be BFFs forever, or just until DD's dinner time? And Lunella soon learns that there are other problems with having a titanic T. Rex as a pet in the modern-day Marvel Universe. School, for one. Monster hunters are another—especially when they're the Totally Awesome Hulk! Then there's the fact that everyone's favorite dino didn't journey through time alone. Beware the prehistoric savages known as the Killer-Folk—New York City's deadliest tourists! Can Lunella handle all this turmoil and keep herself from transforming into an inhuman monster?
If Dog Man makes you laugh your pants off…
Try Making Scents, Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom, and Catstronauts!
Mickey isn't quite like his brothers and sisters in Making Scents by Arthur Yorinks (J 741.5973 YOR). They're all stronger, faster, and have a much better sense of smell. That's because his "brothers and sisters" are dogs―bloodhounds, to be exact. Mickey's mom and dad are crazy about canines. Their dogs are the loves of their lives and their livelihood. So, naturally, they're raising their son as if he was a dog, and Mickey wants nothing more than to make his parents proud. Just as Mickey is mastering the art of sniffing, a tragic accident forever changes his happy family. Mickey is sent to live with relatives he's never met―relatives who are not fond of kids . . . and who hate dogs!
In The Doughnut Kingdom, the first book in the Cucumber Quest series by Gigi D.G. (J 741.5973 GIG), the seven kingdoms of Dreamside need a legendary hero. Instead, they'll have to settle for Cucumber, a nerdy magician who just wants to go to school. As destiny would have it, he and his way more heroic sister, Almond, must now seek the Dream Sword, the only weapon powerful enough to defeat Queen Cordelia's Nightmare Knight. Can these bunny siblings really save the world in its darkest hour? Sure, why not?
CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington (J 741.5973 BRO) begins with the world being thrust into darkness due to a global energy shortage. The World's Best Scientist quickly comes up with a bold plan to set up a solar power plant on the moon. But someone has to go up there to set it up, and that adventure falls to the CatStronauts, the best space cats on the planet! Meet the fearless commander Major Meowser, brave-but-hungry pilot Waffles, genius technician and inventor Blanket, and quick thinking science officer Pom Pom on their most important mission yet!
As always, you can put any of these on hold through our website, and once your kids plow through these, our children's librarians are ready to recommend even more titles!
Real-Life Superheroes for Women's History Month
By Katy Searcy, Children's Department
Kids love superheroes! Here at WCPL, superheroes even have their own section in the Children's Department. While DC and Marvel are great, I thought I would share some books about real-life superheroes in honor of Women's History Month.
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood (J 305.4 HOO)
Fresh, accessible, and inspiring, Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist—to the next generation of activists, trailblazers, and rabble-rousers. In this book, you will find Mary Anning, who was just thirteen when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You'll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave six year old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at twenty-one won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create. And those are just a few of the young women included in this book. Readers will also hear about Molly Williams, Annette Kellerman, Nellie Bly, Pura Belprè, Frida Kahlo, Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne, Frances Moore Lappé, Mae Jemison, Angela Zhang, and Malala Yousafzai—all whose stories will enthrall and inspire.
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison ( J 920.72089 HAR)
Featuring forty trailblazing black women in American history, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of breaking boundaries and achieving beyond expectations. Illuminating text paired with irresistible illustrations bring to life both iconic and lesser-known female figures of Black history such as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash. In these biographies, readers will find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things—bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. The leaders in this book may be little, but they all did something big and amazing, inspiring generations to come.
Rad American Woman A-Z by Kate Schatz (J 920.72 SCH)
Like all A-Z books, this one illustrates the alphabet—but instead of "A is for Apple", A is for Angela—as in Angela Davis, the political activist. B is for Billie Jean King, who shattered the glass ceiling of sports; C is for Carol Burnett, who defied assumptions about women in comedy; D is for Dolores Huerta, who organized farmworkers; and E is for Ella Baker, who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King and helped shape the Civil Rights Movement. American history was made by countless rad—and often radical—women. By offering a fresh and diverse array of female role models, this book reminds readers that there are many places to find inspiration, and that being smart and strong and brave is rad!
Rad Women Worldwide by Kate Schatz (J 920.72 SCH)
From the creators of Rad American Women A-Z, Rad Women Worldwide tells fresh, engaging, and amazing tales of perseverance and radical success by pairing well-researched and riveting biographies with powerful and expressive cut-paper portraits. This book features an assortment of international figures from 430 BCE to 2016, spanning thirty-one countries around the world, from Hatshepsut (the great female king who ruled Egypt peacefully for two decades) and Malala Yousafzai (the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize) to Poly Styrene (legendary teenage punk and lead singer of X-Ray Spex) and Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft (polar explorers and the first women to cross Antarctica). Together, these stories show the immense range of what women have done and can do. May we all have the courage to be rad!
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky (J 509.22 IGN)
Women in Science celebrates the achievements of the intrepid women who have paved the way for the next generation of female engineers, biologists, mathematicians, doctors, astronauts, physicists, and more by highlighting the contributions of fifty notable women to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from the ancient to the modern world. Full of striking, singular art, this fascinating collection also contains infographics about relevant topics such as lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields, and an illustrated scientific glossary. The trailblazing women profiled include well-known figures like primatologist Jane Goodall, as well as lesser-known pioneers such as Katherine Johnson, the African-American physicist and mathematician who calculated the trajectory of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon. It's a scientific fact: Women rock!
Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win by Rachel Ignotofsky (J 796.092 IGN)
From the author of Women in Science, Women in Sports highlights the achievements and stories of fifty notable women athletes from the 1800s to today, including trailblazers, Olympians, and record-breakers in more than forty sports and celebrates the success of the tough, bold, and fearless women who paved the way for today's athletes. The athletes featured include well-known figures like tennis player Billie Jean King and gymnast Simone Biles, as well as lesser-known champions like Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in a professional men's league, and skateboarding pioneer Patti McGee. This book also contains infographics on topics that sporty women want to know about such as muscle anatomy, a timeline of women's participation in sports, pay and media statistics for female athletes, and influential women's teams. Women for the win!
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh (J 609.2 THI)
In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities?
Seven Sweet Children's Books For Valentine's Day
By Stacy Parish, Children's Department
Well, here we are, that most obnoxious made-up "holiday" that some of us despise, Valentine's Day. Yes, Darling Reader, I understand . . . and I'm here to help. Rather than dwell on the superficial and hypermarketed unpleasantness that I find Valentine's Day to be (and you don't EVEN know how tempted I am to abbreviate that to Vile Day, or even nastier, VD, throughout the rest of this blog), let's try to find some positives. Why don't we celebrate the day with books instead of garish, sappy greeting cards and booty-widening/tooth-rotting candy, and flowers that die three days after they arrive? Hence, in no particular order, is my personal antidote to February 14:
Here Comes Valentine Cat (J E Underwood) by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Claudia Rueda. Cat haaaaaaaaates Valentine's Day. (Sound familiar?) Especially when the day arrives at the same time as a new dog next door. Through a series of misunderstandings, Cat comes to realize that maybe he has judged his loud new neighbor too hastily.
Henry in Love (J E MACC) by Peter McCarty. Henry the cat is the strong, silent type, and he has a little bit of a crush on Chloe the bunny, who is pretty and popular and can execute a perfect cartwheel. This sweet, subtle story is beautifully illustrated and demonstrates that sometimes just the right gift can capture the attention of the one your heart yearns for.
Zombie In Love 2 + 1 (J E DIPUCCHIO) by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Scott Campbell. This sequel to DiPucchio and Campbell's previous collaboration, Zombie In Love, may not be everyone's idea of precious, but it makes me smile every time I read it. Mildred and Mortimer reprise their roles in this subtly hilarious book, and a new baby named Sonny is an adorable addition to the family dynamic. But Mildred and Mortimer are worried to death (oooh, I'm so sorry, I couldn't resist.) Sonny hardly ever cries, his teeth are coming in instead of falling out, and most terrifying of all—he's awake all day and sleeps through the night! This charming twist on the terrors of parenthood is sure to have you shrieking with delight.
Pete The Cat: Valentine's Day is Cool (J E Dean) by Kimberly and James Dean. You might think that a cool cat like Pete wouldn't think much of Valentine's Day . . . and you'd be wrong. Pete reflects on how many special people he knows, and wants to acknowledge them all (especially his very best friend Callie, who just happens to mention as he skateboards past her that this is her favorite holiday of all) with perfect Valentine's Day cards. So Pete sets about commemorating his love and gratitude to his friends with just the right card to each of them. As the title page says, I Meow You.
Llama Llama I Love You (J E DEWDNEY) by Anna Dewdney. Anna passed away in 2016, but her gentle spirit lives on through her books. Llama Llama I Love You is no exception, as Little Llama demonstrates to his family and friends how much he loves them with valentines and big llama hugs.
Love, Splat (J E SCOTTON) by Rob Scotton. Love is complicated. Splat, the adorably neurotic cat who made his debut in 2008's Splat The Cat has a tremendous crush on Kitten, a fluffy white cat with mesmerizing green eyes. Splat likes Kitten more than fish sticks, more than ice cream. Unfortunately, he has a rival for Kitten's affections in Spike, a boorish tomcat who gives Kitten a fancy valentine. Spike's actions prompt Splat to throw his valentine to Kitten in the nearest trash can, but she notices it and reciprocates with an awesome valentine of her own to Splat. Let love rule.
Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! (J E NUMEROFF) by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond. This spinoff from Numeroff's wildly popular "If You Give A . . ." series follows Mouse as he strives to make a perfect valentine for everyone. Each valentine is lovingly customized to represent what Mouse likes the most about each of his friends, such as Bunny because "she's the best at hide-and-seek" and Pig because "she is the best dancer." Of course, all of Mouse's friends reciprocate with valentines and cookies, which as everyone knows, are one of Mouse's very favorite things.
*** Darling Reader—please know that no harm came to any living creatures or books during the writing of this blog, even though the author hates Valentine's Day with the fiery intensity of Dante's ninth level of Hell.
Katy's Best Books of 2017
By Katy Searcy, Children's Department
With the year coming to a close, I'm going to share some of my favorite books of 2017 with you. I typically read all kinds of books, so there should be something for everyone on this list. Keep in mind that this is all subjective, though, and that I certainly haven't read even close to all the books released this year. Another librarian might have some better recommendations for you, and I can promise you that he or she would be thrilled for you to come in and ask his or her personal favorites. So without further ado, I present Katy's Best Books of 2017:
Let's start with what I'd say is the best young adult book I've read all year. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is the story of sixteen-year-old Starr Carter, who witnessed the fatal shooting of her unarmed childhood friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Soon afterward, Khalil's name is a national headline, and all anyone wants to know is what really happened that night. But the only one alive who can answer that is Starr, and what she does or does not say could endanger her life. This book is FANTASTIC, and that's not a word I use lightly, much less in all caps. It's well-written and emotionally-charged and funny and so important.
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is a tender, emotive family saga that I did not want to end. Instead of flying through it like I usually do with books I love, I read this book slowly, relishing each sentence and savoring the relationships between Rosie, Penn, and their five children. When Rosie and Penn and their four boys welcome the newest member of their family, no one is surprised it's another baby boy. At least their large, loving, chaotic family knows what to expect, but Claude is not like his brothers. When he grows up, Claude says, he wants to be a girl. Rosie and Penn want Claude to be whoever Claude wants to be. They're just not sure they're ready to share that with the world, and soon the entire family is keeping Claude's secret. Until one day it explodes.
I have to admit that my interest in Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island by Loree Griffin Burns is heavily biased by the fact that I had the chance to actually see Surtsey, a tiny new island off the coast of Iceland, this past summer. I only saw it from a distance because Surtsey is closed to the public in order to provide scientists with the opportunity to study how life takes hold in a sterile environment. Like the author, my family was visiting Heimey when we took a taxi to another part of the island, and the driver pointed out Surtsey to us, telling us how he watched its creation via volcanic eruption as a boy in 1963. Needless to say, I was ecstatic when this book came out, and I'm thrilled to recommend it to you today as it is an outstanding title for budding scientists, young biology and geology enthusiasts, or those traveling to Iceland who are looking for interesting facts about the country.
From the author of The Day the Crayons Quit (And come on, who doesn't love that book?) comes The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt, a rollicking and ridiculous picture book about how the game of Rock, Paper, Scissors began. This book is loud and absurd and hilarious, and it demands a full-on performance.
Everyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love a good dark, disturbing read. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson perfectly filled that gap for me. Mary B. Addison allegedly killed a baby when she was nine years old. She doesn't say as much, but the media filled in everything people needed to know. There wasn't a point in setting the record straight before, but now Mary has Ted, who she meets on assignment at a nursing home, and their unborn child to think about. In order to find her voice, Mary must confront the person she distrusts the most: her Momma. Like I mentioned earlier, this book is dark, gritty, and disturbing, and it's not for everyone. However, it blew. Me. Away. I started reading it during my lunch break one day, and it pained me so much to put it down that I read until I finished it as soon as I got home.
I'm not usually a big fan of holiday books, but A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman was so good that it instantly made my "Best Books" list. This book takes you across the globe, from the Philippines to Malawi, to see all the treats that await Santa on Christmas Eve, and it even includes recipes to make some of the treats you encounter. (The pineapple macadamia bars from Hawaii were a big hit with my family at Thanksgiving!) With interesting Christmas factoids about each country and vibrant illustrations, this book is sure to fill the whole family with holiday cheer!
The newest book by the author of the award-winning Roller Girl, All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson is another graphic novel that accurately depicts the trials and tribulations of fitting in when you're eleven. Impy has grown up with two parents who work at a Renaissance Faire, and she's eager to start her training as a squire. First, she'll have to prove her bravery, and she knows just how to do this: go to public school after being homeschooled all her life. Impy thought she had middle school figured out, but as it turns out, it's not easy making friends or fitting in. She's always thought of herself as a brave knight, but could she really be a dragon instead? I love how thoroughly Renaissance Faire culture is woven into the story, complete with illuminated manuscript-style chapter headers and language like "Methinks she plans on throwing you in the stocks!"
When's My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano is the birthday book of all birthday books. As I read it, I could vividly imagine a breathless young child excitedly chanting beside me, "When's my birthday? When's my birthday? How many days until my birthday? Will my birthday be on Tuesday? Will my birthday be tomorrow? Will my birthday be in winter?" This book is absolutely adorable, and it will definitely be loved by readers of all ages.
If you've read the popular, empowering Dumplin', you probably couldn't wait to get your hands on the author's latest work, Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy. And honestly, I think it's even better than Dumplin'. Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home. Now a 6'3" teen, she lives in a dilapidated FEMA trailer with her well-meaning but ineffectual dad, her pregnant sister, and her sister's boyfriend. She had some money saved up to get herself out of there after graduation, but when her sister got pregnant, she felt the weight of responsibility more than ever and knew she would have to put her plans on hold. But then Ramona's childhood friend Freddie returns to town, and her life gets even more complicated. I know this story sounds like it's depressing and that you may not find much appeal in what appears to be a story about a kid in poverty who's unable to escape, but I just have to say that you would be so very wrong. With tons of small-town hijinks, swoon-worthy romance, and plenty of diversity, this book is a lot of fun!
I just had to snatch Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King (or A.S. King), who is another of my favorite young adult authors, when I saw she had written a middle grade novel. Obe Devlin is having a hard time. His family's farmland has been taken over by developers, his best friend abandoned him for the development kids, and he keeps getting nosebleeds from that thing he won't talk about. So Obe hangs out by the creek near his home, picking up trash and looking for animal tracks. One day, he notices an animal he's never seen before, an animal that only eats plastic that could very well change everything. This is a sweet coming-of-age story that tackles big topics such as bullying, alcoholism, and environmentalism without feeling heavy handed, out of place, or age inappropriate.
Remember how I mentioned that I like disturbing books? Here's another that isn't for the faint of heart. Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed is a bit of a cross between The Giver, The Handmaid's Tale, and Never Let Me Go. Years ago, the ancestors escaped the ravaged Wastelands to colonize a small island and start a new society. They wrote Our Book to outline the strict hierarchy and structure that would dictate their lives, and their descendants still follow those rules. Life in this society can be difficult, especially for girls, so the children are given a taste of freedom in the summer, allowed to live wildly until they return home in the fall. But at the end of one summer, Caitlin Jacob sees something so shocking that she must share it with the other girls. This book is horrifyingly creepy and hauntingly compelling. The more I read, the creepier it got, and I couldn't tear my eyes from the page.
So maybe I'm a little biased when I recommend We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, but LaCour is one of my favorite young adult authors. It's a quiet story about Marin and Mabel, two best friends who haven't spoken since the day Marin left her old life in San Francisco for college in New York. Something happened to Marin in the final weeks of summer, something that left her broken, alone, and unable to face anyone. But now Mabel is coming to her, and Marin must come to terms with what happened whether she wants to or not. Marin's grief and loneliness is palpable in this beautiful, poetic story about love and loss. Nina LaCour's writing is spectacular, pulling you into each page and forcing you to feel everything Marin feels.
If you've ever been afraid when faced with a new adventure, Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall will surely tug on your heartstrings. Jabari has finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and today's the day he's finally ready to jump off the diving board. "Looks easy," he says as he watches the other kids jump, but when his dad encouragingly squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. This book is a tender portrayal of a determined little boy and a patient, emotionally attentive father that's perfect for sharing with children of all ages.
I was on a speculative fiction kick earlier this year, during which time I blew through American War by Omar El Akkad. Sarat Chestnut is only six when the Second American Civil War breaks out in 2074, but even she knows that oil is outlawed, that her home state of Louisiana is half underwater, and that unmanned drone bombers fill the sky. When her father is killed and her family is forced into Camp Patience for refugees, she begins to grow up shaped by her particular time and place. But not everyone at Camp Patience is who they claim to be. Eventually Sarat is befriended by a mysterious functionary, who turns her into a deadly instrument of war. Chilling and thought-provoking, this is another book I couldn't stand to put down, and it's easily my favorite fiction book of the year.
Oh No The Library is Closed! What to Do?
By Lance Hickerson, Reference Department
Holidays afford us time to relax, enjoy shows, catch up with friends, and share some of our favorite cuisine with special folks in our life. Funny thing, after those times of good cheer and catching up, one common post-festivity urge reported is the desire to stop into the library to simply browse around. Unfortunately, for many of these holiday moments, the library is officially closed. But please know, the back door is open. By this we mean the cyber door to all the library's electronic offerings. Even on those "closed" holidays, the library still has some wonderful things available.
Here are just a few suggestions…
Simply access the library's main page and explore the eLibrary Digital and our helpful websites. You can:
- Check out ebooks and audiobooks with READS!
- Browse online magazines.
- Explore Career Transitions if you're thinking about new career opportunities.
- Learn a new word a day with Oxford Reference Online.
- Take a virtual tour of great artists without leaving home, through the helpful websites!
And there is a lot of online fun for children as well:
Online Fun Suggestions!
- Read digital picture books with our TumbleBooks Call us now for the id and password.
- Listen to an e-audiobook for teens and children via OneClick. All you need is your lilbrary card!
- Borrow an ebook via READS for Kids. Use the cute interface for young readers that lets them borrow chapter books and more.
- Explore new subjects in Kids Infobits with articles and reference books for young people.
- Play games and more in TEL4U.
- Learning can be fun for young ones with World Book Online. Try the Early World of Learning or one of the boxes labeled 'Kids'.
So just remember, even though we are closed, the back (cyber) door is always open.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . .
By Stacy Parish, Children's Department
What can you think of that is better than hearing a mellifluous voice (if you have children attending Williamson County Schools, that voice belongs to none other than the fabulous Carol Birdsong, WCS Communications Director, who may well be the most beloved woman in this county) leave a message on your machine, informing you that there will be no school? The answer is: not much, if you are a student or a teacher, and you have just learned that you get an unscheduled little break from your school day routine. Maybe not so much if you still have to go to work and/or find someone to watch your kids. Of course, you don't have to wait for actual inclement weather to hit before reading some delightful books about snow. Here is a list, in my usual no-particular-order style to get you started.
From the inside jacket flap of The Snowy Day (J E Keats) by Ezra Jack Keats: "No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day, winner of the (1962) Caldecott Medal. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever." Darling Reader, I fully agree. This sweet, whimsically-illustrated story is indisputably a classic.
Nobody thinks that a few flakes will amount to anything—not the Man With the Hat, the Lady With the Umbrella, not even the weather forecasters on the radio and television. But one boy and his little dog believe that it will stack up into a spectacular snowfall, and they are the only ones who know how to truly enjoy the experience in Uri Shulevitz's Snow (J E Shulevitz). It is a beautiful depiction of the transformation of a city by snowfall, richly rendered in watercolor and pen-and-ink.
Darling Reader, Matthew Cordell's Wolf In The Snow (J E Cordell) nearly brings me to tears every time I read it. The story is essentially wordless, save for a few barks and howls, but the metaphor of trust and friendship between a little girl and a wolf pup who find themselves lost in the same blizzard shines through via the beautiful illustrations, without the need for words.
Lois Ehlert's Snowballs (J E Ehlert) is in her signature collage style, and details the anticipation of a perfect snowball day for which the narrator has been saving "good stuff in a sack" in order to create an awesome Snow Family in their yard. Alas, just like a good book, snow creations don't last forever.
Another Caldecott Medal winner makes an appearance on my personal list of snow day favorites: Owl Moon (J E Yolen) by Jane Yolen. Beautiful prose and intricate illustrations by John Schoenherr, including many not-so-hidden critters combine to make this book a timeless classic. Yolen said in an interview that Owl Moon was a particular pleasure for her to create, as her beloved late husband David Stemple frequently took their three children owling on winter nights near their rural Massachusetts home "with the same anticipation and excitement as the characters in the story."
As is often the way of things, I've saved my favorite for last. I have loved Frederick (J E Lionni) by Leo Lionni from the very first time I read it in 1976, when I was a precocious little bookworm of a first grader. At first glance, it appears that Frederick is totally slacking off while the other little mice hustle to prepare for the coming winter (for you Game Of Thrones enthusiasts: Winter Is Coming.) However, Frederick was working in his own inimitable way, gathering sun rays, colors, and words, with which to feed the spirits of his family members during those cold, dark winter days and nights.
So, there you have it, Darling Reader. May your holiday season and your new year be filled with love, laughter, friendship, happiness, and family . . . and with good books.
As always, the opinions and viewpoints expressed in this blog belong to the author alone, and are in no way representative of WCPL employees, their family, or their pet mice. Blessings upon you all, Darling Readers.
Native American Heritage Month: 20 Children's Books
By Katy Searcy, Children's Department
November is Native American Heritage Month, and what better way to celebrate than to read a book! Here are 20 great titles by Native American authors available here at WCPL:
Board Books
My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith (J E SMITH)
What brings you happiness? This warm, joyful board book celebrates family and heritage, and serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to cherish the moments in life that brings us happiness.
Little You by Richard Van Camp (J E VAN CAMP)
With gentle rhymes and simple illustrations, this board book is a tender celebration of the potential of all children, sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
Picture Books
Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie (J E ALEXIE)
Thunder Boy Jr. is named after his dad, but he wants a name that's all his own. Just because people call his dad Big Thunder doesn't mean he wants to be Little Thunder. Just when Thunder Boy Jr. thinks all hope is lost, he and his dad pick the perfect name…a name sure to light up the sky.
Wild Berries by Julie Flett (J E FLETT)
Spend the day picking wild blueberries with Clarence and his grandmother in this quiet, rhythmic story written in both English and Swampy Cree dialect.
The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo (J E HAR)
Some cats are good luck. You pet them and good things happen. Woogie is one of those cats. But as Woogie gets into one mishap after another, everyone starts to worry. Can a good luck cat's good luck run out?
Sky Dancers by Connie Ann Kirk (J E KIRK)
John Cloud's father is in New York City, far away from their Mohawk Reservation, building sky scrapers. One day, Mama takes John to New York City and he sees his Papa high on a beam, building the Empire State Building.
When We Were Alone by David Robertson (J E ROBERTSON)
When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother's garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away.
Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith (J E SMITH)
Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared by generations of women in her family, and she hopes to dance at the next powwow. But she has a problem: how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?
SkySisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose (J E WAB)
Two Ojibway sisters set off into the winter night to see the SkySpirits' midnight dance. After an exhilarating walk and patient waiting, the girls are rewarded by the arrival of the SkySpirits—the Northern Lights—dancing and shimmering in the night sky.
Juvenile Fiction
Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac (J F BRU)
Ever since the morning Molly woke up to find that her parents had vanished, her life has become filled with terrible questions. Where have her parents gone? Who is this spooky old man who's taken her to live with him, claiming to be her great-uncle? Why does he never eat, and why does he lock her in her room at night? There's one thing Molly does know: she needs to find some answers before it's too late.
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich (J F ERD)
Nineteenth-century American pioneer life was introduced to thousands of young readers by Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. With The Birchbark House, this same slice of history is seen through the eyes of the spirited, seven-year-old Ojibwa girl Omakayas, or Little Frog, so named because her first step was a hop.
In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by James Marshall III (J F MARSHALL)
When Jimmy McClean embarks on a journey with his grandfather, Nyles High Eagle, he learns more and more about his Lakota heritage—in particular, the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota and American history. Through his grandfather's tales about the famous warrior, Jimmy learns more about his Lakota heritage and, ultimately, himself.
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson (J F ROBERTSON)
Hiawatha, a Mohawk, is plotting revenge for the murder of his wife and daughters by the evil Onondaga Chief when he meets the Great Peacemaker, who enlists his help in bringing the nations together to share his vision of a new way of life marked by peace, love, and unity rather than war, hate, and fear.
Indian Shoes by Cynthia Leitich Smith (J F SMI)
What do Indian shoes look like, anyway? Like beautiful beaded moccasins or hightops with bright orange shoelaces? Ray Halfmoon prefers hightops, but he gladly trades them for a nice pair of moccasins for his Grampa. After all, it's Grampa Halfmoon who's always there to help Ray get in and out of scrapes, like the time they are forced to get creative after a homemade haircut makes Ray's head look like a lawn-mowing accident.
How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle (J F TINGLE)
A Choctaw boy tells the story of his tribe's removal from the only land his people had ever known, and how their journey to Oklahoma led him to become a ghost with the ability to help those he left behind.
Juvenile Non-Fiction
Chukfi Rabbit's Big, Bad Bellyache by Greg Rodgers (J 398.20897 ROD)
Deep in Choctaw Country, Chukfi Rabbit is always figuring out some way to avoid work at all costs. When Bear, Turtle, Fox, and Beaver agree on an everybody-work-together day to build Ms. Possum a new house, Chukfi Rabbit says he's too busy to help, but this greedy trickster will soon learn that being this lazy is hard work.
Trickster: Native American Tales by Matt Dembicki (J 741.5973 TRI)
In the first graphic anthology of Native American trickster tales, twenty four Native storytellers were paired with twenty four comic artists, telling cultural tales from across America. Ranging from serious and dramatic to funny and sometimes downright fiendish, these tales bring tricksters back into popular culture.
Jim Thorpe's Bright Path by Joseph Bruchac (J 796 BRU)
In 1999 the U.S. Congress recognized Jim Thorpe as "Athlete of the Century," a marvelous achievement for anyone, let alone a Native American kid born in a log cabin. In this picture-book biography, readers learn about how his boyhood education set the stage for his athletic achievements.
Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness to Light by Tim Tingle (J 973.0497 TIN)
Spanning fifty years, Saltypie describes the problems encountered by the author's Choctaw grandmother—from her orphan days at an Indian boarding school to hardships encountered in her new home on the Gulf Coast.
Quiet Hero: The Ira Hayes Story by S.D. Nelson (J 92 HAYES)
This biography tells the story of Ira Hayes, a shy, humble Pima Indian who fought in World War II as a Marine and was one of six soldiers to raise the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima, an event immortalized in Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph.
Here There Be Monsters . . . Kinda
By Stacy Parish, Children's Department
"Eight more days 'til Halloween, Halloween . . ." OK, maybe not the most appropriate way to lead into a blog about scary-but-not-too-scary creatures who live in children's books, by invoking a jingle used in the classic horror film "Halloween," starring the fabulous future kid-lit author Jamie Lee Curtis, but with that tie-in, how could I not?
The Wild Things
First in our no-particular-order list of creepy creatures: the Wild Things inhabiting the island where Max sailed his private boat in and out of weeks and almost over a year in Maurice Sendak's fabulous classic Where The Wild Things Are. Being the King of all Wild Things was a blast for a while, what with having no homework, no bedtime, and no rules, but Max became terribly lonely "and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all." So he abdicated his throne and sailed back into the night of his very own room, to find his still-hot supper waiting for him. The lesson here, in my opinion? Those who truly love you will forgive your occasional monstrous behavior, and maybe even make you a grilled cheese sandwich.
The Grinch
"You're a monster, Mr. Grinch/Your heart's an empty hole/Your brain is full of spiders/You have garlic in your soul." Hence, the next monster in our Monster Mash-Up, that grouchy green grump who lives on Mount Crumpit. Yes, friends and fiends, the antagonist-turned-protagonist of Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas is next in the roster of scary-not-scary monsters. Let us ponder for a moment the classic literary juxtaposition of Good vs. Evil. After a busy night of animal abuse, cosplay, and totally highjacking all the boxes and bags and the last can of Who-Hash from Whoville, yet waking up to the sound of Cindy Lou Who and all her friends and relatives singing and celebrating anyway, the Grinch has an epiphany. "What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." The Grinch's heart "grew three sizes that day," making him not so monstrous after all.
I implied at the beginning of this article that the monsters listed here wouldn't be too ghastly. Darling Reader, I lied. You should now take the opportunity to fortify yourself with some chocolate before proceeding onward, because the Dementors from JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (and subsequent books in the series) are making their sinister presence known in our melange of monsters. According to Professor Remus Lupin, "Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them. Even Muggles feel their presence, though they can't see them. Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory, will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself – soulless and evil. You'll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life." According to the website Pottermore.com (and if you don't know about this marvelous site, you must visit as soon as you finish reading this delightful and not frightful blog), Dementors are the true scary beasties of the mystical realm. Oh, it is also imperative to note that Dementors cannot be destroyed, but only driven away temporarily by using the Patronus Charm.
The Gruffalo
Yikes. Okay. Let's flee the darkness of the Dementors and continue onward in our odyssey of oddities. Do you know the gruffalo? No? Oh! The Gruffalo is a children's book written by Julia Donaldson that was inspired by a Chinese folk tale in which a fox borrows the terror of a tiger. In Donaldson's story, a mouse is taking a walk in the woods and encounters several creatures—a fox, an owl, and a snake– who would like to make a meal out of him. The clever mouse declines the "invitations" to their homes by telling them that he already has lunch plans with his friend the gruffalo, who is a monster-like hybrid of half grizzly bear and half buffalo, whose favorite snack happens to be whichever animal that the mouse is trying to evade. Terrified by the description of the fictional beast, each animal flees. Mousie is so proud of himself, and taunts them: "Silly old fox/owl/snake, doesn't he know? There's no such thing as a gruffalo!" But here comes the plot twist! The mouse is shocked to encounter a real gruffalo, who threatens to eat him. Again, Mousie's cunning saves the day. The mouse tells the gruffalo that he is the scariest monster in the forest, and proves it by leading the gruffalo past each creature that menaced him earlier, causing them to run away again when they see them walking together. The gruffalo is increasingly impressed by this, and is apparently clueless that *he* is the scary one, so the sly mouse further presses it to his advantage by threatening to eat the gruffalo, who then hightails it into the forest. Personally, I find this to be an excellent instructional tale for those among us who are physically diminutive (I'm 5'2", Darling Reader) but make up for it in confidence.
So there you have it, Darling Reader, some charming-and not-alarming (well, with the exception of those foul Dementors) monsters who inhabit the pages of children's books, and now your own imagination. Have a frighteningly good Fall, and don't be afraid to keep exploring the vast forest of literature that is available to you at WCPL. Happy reading–
***The opinions and viewpoints expressed here are, as always, solely a product of the sometimes-disturbing contents of the author's head and are in no way representative of the employees of WCPL, their families, or their Halloween-costumed housepets. The author also wishes it to be known that while the nickname "Scary Stacy" was bestowed upon her by some sorority sisters in college, she really is trying to mellow into a kinder, gentler sort of modern monster.
Patriot Day
By Katy Searcy, Children's Department
Most of us vividly remember the morning of September 11, 2001. We remember exactly where we were and what we were doing. But today, many children were either born after that date or were too young to remember the attacks. For those kids, here are eleven children's books about September 11, 2001.
It's Still a Dog's New York by Susan L. Roth (J E ROT)
Pepper and Rover, two New York dogs, are miserable after the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Pepper feels overwhelmed with sadness and fear and anger. But in a tour of New York City, his friend Rover shows him that even though they're sad, they can go on.
September Roses by Jeanette Winter (J E WIN)
On September 11, 2001, two sisters from South Africa are flying to New York City with 2,400 roses to be displayed at a flower show. When they land, they learn of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. The sisters cannot go home, and they are stranded with boxes and boxes of roses at the airport. When a kind stranger offers them a place to stay, they decide to repay this kindness by arranging their roses in the shape of the fallen towers.
Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes (J F RHODES)
As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Deja's fifth grade teacher at her new school begins a unit on the tragedy, but Deja doesn't completely understand why. Not when she has more important things to worry about, like the fact that her family is living in a homeless shelter or why her father is so sad all the time. As she begins making friends at school for the first time in her life, Deja realizes just how much the Twin Towers affect her.
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis (J F TARSHIS)
When Lucas's parents decide football is too dangerous and make him quit, Lucas has to talk to his biggest fan: his Uncle Benny, who is a New York City firefighter. So the next morning, Lucas takes the train to the city instead of the bus to school. It's a bright, beautiful day in New York. But just as Lucas arrives at his uncle's firehouse, everything changes—and nothing will ever be the same again.
Cyber Spies and Secret Agents of Modern Times by Allison Lassieur (J 327.12 LAS)
The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, spurred the United States and other countries around the world to develop new spying techniques, new cutting-edge equipment, and new recruits to meet the challenge of 21st century enemies and threats. Learn about the exciting modern world of spies and secret agents.
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy (J 327.676073 DEE)
Nine months after the September 11 attacks, an American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people in western Kenya. A gift is about to be bestowed upon the American people, and he is here to accept it. Word of the gift will travel newswires around the globe. Many will be profoundly touched, but for Americans, this selfless gesture will have deeper meaning still. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope and friendship.
What Were the Twin Towers? by Jim O'Conner (J 725.23097471 O'CO)
When the Twin Towers were built in 1973, they were billed as an architectural wonder. At 1,368 feet, they clocked in as the tallest buildings in the world and changed the New York City skyline dramatically. Offices and corporations moved into the towers—also known as the World Trade Center—and the buildings were seen as the economic hub of the world. But on September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack toppled the towers and changed our nation forever. Discover the whole story of the Twin Towers—from their ambitious construction to their tragic end.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein (J 791.34 GER)
In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tricks a quarter mile in the sky. This picture book captures the detail, daring, and drama of Petit's feat.
September 11 Then and Now by Peter Benoit (J 973.931 BEN)
This nonfiction book in the True Book series for young readers recounts the events before, during, and after the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.
America Is Under Attack: The Day the Towers Fell: September 11, 2001 by Don Brown (J 973.931 BRO)
Straightforward and honest, this account of September 11, 2001, moves chronologically through the morning, from the terrorist plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations at the World Trade Center site in New York City to the collapse of the buildings.
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman (J 974.7 KAL)
A fireboat, launched in 1931, is retired after many years of fighting fires along the Hudson River but is saved from being scrapped and then called into service again on September 11, 2001.
Children's Books That (Some) Librarians Don't Love
By Stacy Parish, Children's Department
Darling Reader, I'm going to let you in on a little industry secret. A couple of them, actually.
Most human librarians have not read–and occasionally don't have an awareness of–every single book in their respective libraries.
And . . . brace yourselves for Librarian Secret #2 . . . there are books that some librarians don't even like.
Okay, okay, simmer down now. I know this may come as an unpleasant shock to some of you, but it really shouldn't. Just as even the esteemed Dumbledore enjoyed lemon drops but didn't much care for Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, so it goes with those of us who spend our days surrounded by the good, the bad, and the ugly of literature. (Dirty little secret #3: there are actually librarians who do not like the Harry Potter series, but in the interest of good citizenry, I shall not reveal their identities here. Hey, just because I love those books to the point of dressing up as Bellatrix Lestrange on Halloween and random Tuesdays doesn't mean that everyone has to love them.)
Since it is a bankable fact that I'm a tremendous slacker and try to get my colleagues to do my work for me whenever any opportunity presents itself . . . oh, wait . . . I mean, since I value the viewpoints and opinions of my co-workers and try to practice inclusion whenever I can . . . and because this would be a really boring article if I just rattled on about the books that I despise (Johnny Tremain), I have solicited (and paraphrased in some instances) opinions from my smart and talented fellow librarians, and several of them have been kind enough to share their thoughts with me about children's books that they personally find odious, irksome, or just plain weird. I have also given my "guests" pseudonyms taken from the aforementioned Harry Potter series (and did I mention how much I love those books?) so that no repercussions may befall them for placing their confidence in me. Therefore, Darling Reader, I present to you in no particular order a short list of books that are disliked by at least one (and sometimes more) WCPL employee.
"The only book that I can truly say that I despise is Madonna's The English Roses. And the reason has more to do with the fact that Madonna says she wrote it because, when she had her child, she 'couldn't find any good books out there for children, so she had to write her own.' The arrogant ignorance of that statement caused me to hate the book on general principle!" says a kind and lovely librarian to whom I'll refer as "Madam Pomfrey," Hogwarts' school matron, or school nurse, in American parlance. (Author's aside: a used hardcover copy of The English Roses is available at Amazon for the astonishingly low price of fifteen cents. I am so not making this up.)
Librarian "Godric Gryffindor" is also not a fan of Madonna's alleged books, or of those by almost any celebrity or pop-culture figure, whether they go by one name, or two or three. "However, I doubt if I could name a specific title, because I've banished all the crappy ones from my mind," Gryffindor states. And by Merlin's beard, don't even get him started on some of the adult "classics" . . .
Next up, a two-for-one. Staffers "Kingsley Shacklebolt" and "Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank" weigh in on Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. "This book is sweet if you don't think too hard about it; very stalker-mom if you do think about it, and once you do, you can never go back to sweet," says Shacklebolt. "It is just so incredibly sad!" states Professor Grubbly-Plank. The author concurs on both opinions.
"I like books that teach or are an example of good behavior or qualities, and use proper grammar. Also, humor is wonderful, but not bathroom humor," says a librarian I'll refer to as "Molly Weasley." Again, the author agrees. I adored the late Barbara Park, author of the popular Junie B. Jones books, as she was a wonderful person and a fellow alumna of the University of Alabama, but I truly cringe every time I connect a child with ol' Junie B. Some folks find Junie B. charming and funny, others find her to be ill-mannered and obnoxious. Ditto for Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants books, as well as Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Personally, I try to make myself feel a little better about young patrons being devoted to these series; at least they're engaged and reading something, I tell myself. The darker side of my psyche usually responds with a profanity-laced reply that I keep to myself.
The final entries in this ridiculous annoying snarky insanely funny blog are brought to you by two fabulous librarians to whom I shall bequeath the pseudonyms of "Luna Lovegood" and "Hermione Granger." Hermione told me that she put some thought into my query, and that there aren't that many kid-lit choices that she really detests, but that any books featuring Caillou (that whiny bald-headed Canadian kid who torments his little sister Rosie and the family cat Gilbert) are definitely on her list. Also, "there was this dead bird book that was pretty morbid." Indeed—The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown, author of the classics Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Luna's least-favorite children's book also contains a theme of death and grieving: I Cried Too by Jim Schmidt. Our sweet Luna wants to make it clear that she doesn't dislike this book, but that the subject matter just makes it so hard to get through.
Darling Reader, if you've stuck with me this far, thank you. I hope this blog made you laugh, made you think, but most of all I hope it made you want to read—even if it is something that isn't universally loved by librarians. Because really, that's the whole point, isn't it? Read what YOU love, and have fun. Until next time–


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I have them in Fla, and they take over everything, their underground roots will kill out everything else eventually so be careful. The pink ones take over by spitting their seeds, the lavendar ones by the root growth. I try to pull them every time I have a few minutes, but they are very tough.
Ruellia is really pretty but rather invasive. I would opt for a container to enjoy it.
That's a huge grasshopper! :>)
by JenniOwley5 months ago
Does anyone know how to get back at the "other woman?"I want a legal way to let everyone know what a whore this woman is that works with my husband.
by Torch Harrison7 years ago
Does anyone know the brand of soap deer don't like that I can put around my garden to keep them out?
by Rachel L Alba2 years ago
Does anyone know how to keep rabbits from eating the vegetable plants in my yard?
by Catherine D.7 years ago
So often we are caught up with the ups and downs of life that we often time forget to stop and give God (the almighty creator of heaven and earth) all the praise he deserves. In 2007 I was diagnose with Pulmonary...
by tgopfrich6 years ago
Does anyone know anything about Animism?
by carol stanley5 years ago
Does anyone write for Redgage?If you write for this site what do you think about it? Can you make any money here? Is it user friendly?
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Popular, common and challenging
One of Minnesota's most recognizable and popular mammals, the white-tailed deer is found in every Minnesota county. It is one of Minnesota's most ecologically, socially and economically important animals.
Opinions sought on new deer plan
Pubic comments on a new deer plan will be accepted online through May 9. Informational meetings scheduled in 37 communities will help introduce the new plan to citizens.
Get the details »
Salt & mineral licks banned in 16 counties
North central and central Minnesota counties join southeastern Minnesota in deer feeding ban after chronic wasting disease found in captive deer.
Get the feeding ban details »
Make a memory: Cape your deer
Watch this video to learn why and how to properly cape a deer harvested outside of Minnesota.
Watch & learn
New rule: No whole carcasses
Whole carcasses of deer, elk, moose and caribou from anywhere in North America no longer can be brought in to Minnesota.
Hunters, learn what to do »


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GrandmaWen's Tulelake, CA, USA
4 Reviews
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Captain Jack's Stronghold
45650 State Highway 139
"Wow! These people know how to cook!"
The steaks are incredible! Good food, moderately priced, clean restaurant and friendly staff. We p...
read more
Tule Lake War Relocation Center
Northeast side CA State Route 139
"Fascinating history, heartbreaking story"
It's about time that the country recognized the injustices served upon Japanese-American citizens du...
read more
Lava Beds National Monument
"Don't miss this amazing place!"
Lava Beds National Monument is an amazing place for a day trip or a multi-day camping vacation. We ...
read more


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DotBots Only
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Annette in Albuquerque, NM, USA
Massage Therapist
Annette has 10 years of massage experience and is nationally certified for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
She has focused her practice on improving athletic performance in the active individual, reducing chronic and acute pain or discomfort due to injury or illness and working alongside individuals with diagnosed medical issues or conditions.
Her goal is to help normalize muscle and joint function, improve body motion, and enhance quality of life by using her training of specific massage modalities. She hopes to address the individuals particular needs or complaints to promote healing of the whole person.
Annette specializes in Deep Tissue/Therapeutic Techniques, Sports Massage and Orthopedic and Medical Massage Therapy.
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"Jeff Wayne has really taken to all the massages he had so far from your team. Roland in Cardiff was great / Jeff and Jason Donovan both had massages from him and both said how good he was. Cheers, Neil Brighouse Tour Manager"
War of the Worlds Tour manager Neil B.
""We were absolutely delighted with your service- very many thanks. Cheers Simon""
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Mexican Hat, UT Vacation Homes Rentals Sales
YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business's suitability for you. "Preferred" listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page.
1. VP Resales LLC
Serving the Mexican Hat Area.
2. Mvci Inc
62784 Highway 491Dove Creek, CO 81324
3. Redburn Riverfront Properties
18331 Road 27Dolores, CO 81323
We found3results


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Upcoming Events
Apr 19Townsend Prize
Apr 19Oakhurst Jazz Nights
Apr 20The Community School Yard Sale
Apr 20Contra Dance
Spotlight On...
Enjoy raffles, prizes, pop-ups, snacks, specials, and oh-so-much more at participating Decatur businesses when you Keep it Indie-catur on Storefront Saturday, April 21.
Stay close to the fun! Reserve rooms now at the Courtyard by Marriott so you don't miss a thing. Book now.
Read Our Six Word Stories and add your own!
Tell the story of Decatur in
just six words:
- Four square miles of can do.
- Just like home without the relatives.
- Decatur, Georgia's peach of a city.
- Decatur: there's a festival for that.
Mostly Sunny 60ºF Yahoo! Weather
Local Approved
Our bloggers share the latest artsy events, interesting reads, and tastes to savor, all with a local connection. Read the latest here.


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Making the most of your pool area
Swimming pools are often the focal points of modern landscape designs. However the areas around them are often overlooked and neglected when it comes to maximising the potential of our backyards.Read more
Building Inspection -Why Do You Need One?
What is a Building Inspection? A building inspection is an examination by qualified professionals which identifies faults and hazards in a property. These can include anything from maintenance and safety issues to serious structural faults or damage. Often the problems identified are not immediately visible or apparent to the untrained eye. Special equipment may be used to gather more information. After the inspection, a report is provided which details the issues. This allows home owners and potential buyers to make informed decisions.Read more
When to call in a Handyman
Maintaining a home is important to ensure that small problems don't become large problems when left unaddressed for long periods of time. Our home is probably our biggest investment and we should keep it in good shape. Let's face it – not everyone is a home handyman. You may not be handy or you may be too busy to get those little jobs done around the home and that's when you should call in a handyman. A handyman is a person who is knows how to repair, replace or update just about anything around the home. Although when it comes to plumbing and electrical work, with the exception of small jobs such as changing a light bulb or replacing a tap washer you will need the services of a licensed professional. The services of a handyman can be endless both inside and outside your home including the following:Read more
Clever Clothes Lines
The Hills Hoist was arguably the most recognized iconic symbol of a typical Australian back yard. There was and still is, nothing like a rotary clothes hoist loaded with washing and spinning in the breeze providing an environmentally safe and cost effective way to dry the washing.Read more
Arborist – Expert Tree surgeons
Trees are a treasure in our gardens. Who doesn't love beautiful big trees that provide us with shade and shelter from harsh weather, privacy from prying neighbours and the softening aesthetic they create not to mention the birds and wildlife they attract. The bigger and older some trees are, the more beautiful they become however all trees need to be cared for and have checkups once in a while to ensure they are healthy.Read more
Rain Water Tanks
Each Australian on average uses 53,000 liters of water per year. That sounds like a lot but we probably don't stop to think about the many ways we use water and how the consumption can add up.Read more


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Portobello Mushroom PizzaReceitas Da Felicidade!
If you are trying to avoid the extra carbs of pizza crust, but desperately needing some gooey goodness, why not try Portobello Mushroom Pizza. Portobello mushrooms create a perfect base for these tasty pizzas. This recipe calls for cherry tomatoes, green and red peppers, homemade tomato sauce with fresh basil leaves and grated mozzarella cheese. This kids will love topping their own small pizzas and you will love the taste without the carbs.
- 5 portobello mushrooms (large)
- 4 cherry tomatoes
- 1 green pepper
- 1 red pepper
- tomato sauce (Homemade)
- fresh basil leaves
- cheese (Grated mozarella)
- 1Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
- 2Line the baking tray with aluminum foil.
- 3Wash the mushrooms well, remove stems, and use a spoon to remove gills from the underside.
- 4Arrange the mushrooms in the pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- 5They will create a lot of water, hence the need to bake before filling.
- 6Use paper towels to absorb any remaining water in the mushrooms.
- 7Line the mushroom with basil leaves, cover with a little homemade tomato sauce, and arrange diced peppers cubes and cherry tomatoes on top.
- 8Sprinkle with grated cheese, gratin for about 10 minutes.
extra-virgin olive oil, salt, cherry tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese and 3 more
salt, portobello mushrooms, ground pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar and 1 more
pepper, soy sauce, salt, balsamic vinegar, garlic salt, portobello mushrooms and 1 more
fresh parmesan cheese, bread, portobello mushrooms, olive oil and 3 more
balsamic vinegar, garlic, chopped onion, canola oil, portobello mushrooms
shredded mozzarella cheese, garlic cloves, spinach, chopped fresh cilantro and 7 more
olive oil, portobello caps, herbs, asparagus, roasted tomatoes and 1 more
vegetable broth, portobello caps, olive oil, garlic cloves, balsamic vinegar
broccoli, garlic, portobello caps, olive oil, leeks, carrots and 7 more
portobello mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, baby spinach and 3 more
bell pepper, cheese, zucchini, avocado, portobello caps, guacamole and 11 more
fresh parsley, grated parmesan cheese, virgin olive oil, salt and 3 more
fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, portobello caps, extra-virgin olive oil and 3 more
balsamic vinegar, lettuce, english muffins, split and toasted and 5 more
fresh mozzarella, portobello caps, olive oil, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes
kosher salt, fresh rosemary, garlic, balsamic vinegar, freshly ground black pepper and 2 more
fajita seasoning mix, bell pepper, onions, oil, water, tortillas and 1 more
jalapeno chilies, flour, milk, portobello caps, corn tortillas and 11 more
kale, freshly grated parmesan, portobello caps, baguette, salt and 3 more
bouillon, garlic, onions, olive oil, pasta, portobello mushrooms and 2 more
cooked brown rice, tomato sauce, baby spinach, grated parmesan cheese and 3 more
salt, flour, garlic, white wine, fresh tarragon, heavy cream and 4 more
fresh basil leaves, kosher salt, fresh mozzarella, portobello mushrooms and 2 more
bow-tie pasta, red bell pepper, zucchini, grated parmesan cheese and 4 more
pepper, white wine, salt, garlic, butter, portobello mushrooms and 4 more
balsamic vinegar, pepper, white wine, salt, garlic cloves, portobello mushrooms and 8 more
heavy cream, garlic, fresh basil leaves, extra-virgin olive oil and 7 more
pepper, portobello mushrooms, ricotta cheese, salt, shredded cheese and 1 more


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BioWatch fact sheet
"CDC's new sense of purpose"
The $78 million increase in the Homeland Security Department's fiscal 2005 budget request for the BioWatch program should significantly enhance cities' ability to detect biohazards, but new technologies could allow officials to use that money even more appropriately, according to the head of the department's Science and Technology Directorate.
BioWatch is a joint hazardous materials detection and analysis program among DHS, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Extensive manpower is needed to collect and analyze the information the sensors detect, Charles McQueary, undersecretary for science and technology at DHS, testified today before the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
Almost 70 percent of the money in the program's budget goes to pay employees.
Should BioWatch get the additional money, the directorate would be able to expand the program to other cities, and, more importantly, deploy more sensors and provide enhanced coverage for the approximately 30 cities currently in the program, McQueary said. This is critical because in a biological attack or accident, time is the primary factor in determining the impact, he said.
However, the longer-term goal is to create a more technologically advanced system. "The perfect system would be one in which the sensor makes a detection, performs an instant analysis and sends a signal back," he said.
Technologies are in development, but none will be ready to be deployed for several years, McQueary said. "I do believe the issue is more of an engineering problem than the necessity to have a scientific breakthrough," he said.
CDC officials' work to create a national system to share health and disease information is also critical to any biological alert initiative, McQueary said.
A recent simulation by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory using San Francisco public health organizations demonstrates that officials are often wary of declaring a biological emergency because of a fear of being incorrect due to incomplete or misread information, he said. That shows that agencies must work harder to gather and analyze medical data, he said.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen wants her department to have a more direct role in defending the private sector and critical infrastructure entities from cyberthreats.
On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sought to quell "rumors" that the Pentagon's planned single-award cloud acquisition was designed with Amazon Web Services in mind.
The Department of Commerce is breaking with recent practice and restoring a question about respondent citizenship last used in 1950, despite being urged not to by former Census directors and outside experts.
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Recent Updates
- ** New Zealand's Jobs Online Report has been delayed by the source, MBIE, until 6:00 PM ET 4/26.**
- Singapore: IP (Mar); Brunei: International Trade (Dec); Myanmar: Overseas Employment (Aug); Korea: GDP (Q1); China: Gini Coefficient (2017), Construction Output Value (Q1), Government Finance, Consumer Confidence (Mar)
- New Zealand: Tourism Expenditure (Mar)
- New Zealand: Tourism Expnediture, Foreign Currency Assets & Liabilities (Mar); Australia: Labor Force Survey (Mar),
- more updates...
Economy in Brief
Japan Shows Very Moderate Growth As Trade War Clouds Gather
Japan's sector indexes showed a solid gain in February...
U.S. Consumer Confidence Unexpectedly Rose in April
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose to 128.7 in April from 127.0 (initially reported as 127.7) in March...
U.S. New Home Sales and Prices Strengthen
Sales of new single-family homes during March increased 4.0% (8.8% y/y) to 694,000 (SAAR)...
U.S. FHFA House Price Index Continues to Strengthen
The FHFA index of U.S. house prices rose 0.6% during February...
U.S. Energy Prices Rise Further
Retail gasoline prices increased to $2.80 per gallon last week (14.3% y/y)...
by Tom Moeller November 22, 2011
Chain store sales fell 0.9% last week following gains during the prior three weeks. As a result, the average for this month so far is up 1.0% (2.8% y/y) from October when sales fell 0.6% m/m. During the last ten years there has been a 66% correlation between the y/y change in chain store sales and the change in retail sales at general merchandise stores. That correlation recently has increased. General merchandise store sales account for 15% of total retail sales.
The ICSC-Goldman Sachs retail chain-store sales index is constructed using the same-store sales (stores open for one year) reported by 78 stores of seven retailers: Dayton Hudson, Federated, Kmart, May, J.C. Penney, Sears and Wal-Mart. During the last ten years there has been a 69% correlation between the year-to-year growth in chain store sales and the growth in general merchandise retail sales.
The leading indicator of chain store sales gained 0.3% w/w (0.9% y/y) in the latest period to lift the month 1.0% above October. The composite leading economic indicator is compiled from four series: (1) The MBA's volume index of mortgage applications for home purchase (2) The ABC News/Money magazine's survey of consumer buying conditions (3) New filings for jobless benefits and (4) The 30-year government bond yield.
The chain store sales data are in Haver's SURVEYW.
|Total Weekly Chain Store Sales


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Tool is needed: Excel & TXT file reader by PHP & jQuery MySQL (required)
Budget €8-30 EUR
Simple UI, on by using File explorer can select file (excel, open office, text file, csv file) and solution will be displayed the result on table. Names of Header can be change and result can be saved to DB, MySQL is requirements. If you are know what you are bidding pleae bid, but If not please do not waste our time by chat asking what please send me detail information on ... sorry my rude way to impress things. But the real talents I appreciate and hire right away
Awarded to:
I have 5+ years experience in web and software development. I will ready to start work immediately on this project. Looking forward to work with you Regards
12 freelancers are bidding on average €26 for this job
hello I am a high skill in jquery I can start work immediately and work for a long-time I can provide you perfect result please message me thank you
dear sir i can make the file reader tool using php for text [url removed, login to view] initiate further for better understanding. Awaiting for positive responses
Hi, By the given details, I understood that You want a PHP application which opens up the text, csv, xl or open office file by the help of jQuery, Then you can change/edit the file as you wanted. then It will be saved More
We can start immediately Dear Hiring Manager, Hope you are doing well I have gone through your project description i can develop Tool is needed: Excel & TXT file reader by PHP & jQuery MySQL that you mentioned in d More
Hello sir, I am ready to start the work. I am experienced in these kind of projects and I will dedicate my time and effort for the completion of this particular project in high quality and on time. I am very much More
I am interested to do the task. You can hire me as I can do at a cost affordable price & finish it in time successfully. It will be easy if you provide your convenient time so that we can have a discussion. Thank you.
Hi.. Went through the requirement. Hope we can work on that,if you are [url removed, login to view] files will be needed to proceed with the script. Good day.


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Heading down south today…..
Very excited about today's investigation. This is the first time we will be investigating a location the big guns have been to 🙂 I've head so many great things about this place too, so I am pretty stoked. Be sure to check out our facebook, twitter and instagram pages for fun pictures and updates. I more »
Oddity File: Panzarotti's (Hamilton House)
This historical home that sits in the heartland of America is a waiting room for the spiritual realm.
Oddity Files investigates the Edinburgh Bed and Breakfast
Season 2 Episode 2 – Edinburgh Bed and Breakfast (full episode)
The Oddity Files crew heads to Edinburgh, IN. This house was built in the 1800's and has such stories to tell. You won't belive what we heard when we listened.
Oddity FIle: Story Inn Bed and Breakfast
Season 2 Episode 1 – Story Inn
The Oddity Files crew heads to Story Indiana and it's population of one. Story Indiana is now a quaint retreat and bed and breakfast known for it's resident spirit 'The Blue Lady' Find out if the crew makes contact with The Blue Lady, or is there more to the Story??
What to say……..what to say.
Not much is new. I've added a new animal to my hate list; the spricket. At a location the basement was full of these demonic spider/cricket concoctions that Clayton named sprickets. Something I do like is the laser grid. It's awesome to see a dark room or hallways covered in green dots or lined more »
Looking for contact info on a location we want to investigate.
Clayton is desperately wanting to investigate a hospital (with good reason, we haven't yet) But he has his mind set on one in particular, we have no idea of how to get a hold of the owner, so we're putting the word out. If anyone knows how to get a hold of the right more »
It's the MOST wonderful time of the year…….
Of course I'm not talking about Christmas silly, I'm talking about Halloween! I don't know about you guys, but it is easily my favorite holiday. Unfortunately due to our crazy schedules, there isn't a whole lot of time for decorating. But today I think I may pull a couple things out of the garage and more »


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Personal Statement
Find numerous Anesthesiologists in India from the comfort of your home on Lybrate.com. You will find Anesthesiologists with more than 28 years of experience on Lybrate.com. You can find Anesthesiologists online in Bangalore and from across India. View the profile of medical specialists and their reviews from other patients to make an informed decision.
Book Clinic Appointment with Dr. Shivanna V
Nova Specialty Hospitals - Koramangala143, Opus, 1st Cross, Koramangala 5th Block. Landmark: Near Nagarjuna Hotel, Bangalore Get Directions
Anesthesia Techniques
Cancer Pain Management
Epidural And Spinal Anesthesia Techniques
Diagnostic Cardiac Procedures
Treatment of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimu
Submit Feedback
Submit a review for Dr. Shivanna VYour feedback matters!
Sir I am suffering from severe pain for the past 4 months in the right mid-thoracic area and in right calf area and right shin above the ankle and pain above to the right wrist.
Lower back pain is characterized by a feeling of pain around the lumbar region (curve of the back connecting the upper back and glutes- muscles in the buttock that are responsible for thigh movement) caused by muscle or ligament injury. The spinal area is most likely to be affected by lower pain as it may impair routine activities like walking and standing. Any lower back pain that lasts for more than ninety days can be considered as chronic.
Symptoms of lower back pain
The symptoms of lower back pain are usually a dull or excruciating pain in the lower back. It can also affect other parts of the body such as the hips and the legs. In case of severe pain, simple activities like walking, bending and sitting will be impaired.
Common causes of low back pain are:
- Lumbo sacral radicular pain(sciatica)
- Pain due to wear and tear of small joints (Facet Joints)of Lower spine
- Pain due to disc ( Discogenic)
- Pain Due to wear and tear of Joint between spine and Hip (SI) joint
- Pain due to unstable spine ( Listhesis)
- Pain due to fracture vertebrae (in Osteoporosis, trauma and cancer etc)
- Pain due to Muscle, Ligaments and Fascia of back
For proper treatment, we have to find the pain generator first with patient's history, clinical examination, investigation and most importantly with diagnostic Interventions. After confirming the pain generator, we have to go for therapeutic pain management interventions according to the diagnosis. These diagnostic interventions are newer and important tool because in more than half patients, imaging like X-ray and MRI are not helpful in finding the exact pain generator.
In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!


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Transform your home with these must buy Dollar Tree items for decorators and crafters!
Will be doing canvas art for my girls new bedrooms with our favorite family quotes :) ✨Ana Afonso✨
Dollar store crafts and craft ideas that you will love!
Print words on basic white paper in mirror image form, lay them on wood. With a damp paint brush wet the paper on top of the words. Use the cap of a sharpie to rub on top of the letters to help them transfer, then remove the paper.
Dish towels, iron-on transfer
A fun Fall decor sign for your front porch and a tutorial on how to paint lettering so you don't have to buy a stencil when creating signs! Diy this sign and more, there is a link to how to use Word to create endless designs when painting lettering.
Romantic Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Rose Frame (Beauty Art Artworks)