Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lyrical, patriotic text and uplifting illustrations depicting military families combine to create a reassuring book about separation and reunion.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
When four-year-old Janie's father goes off to war, the rest of the family moves to the grandparents' home on the Chesapeake Bay, where Janie learns a secret of the world which helps her understand her father's long absence.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A little girl and her soldier father find a way to be close even when he's away at war.

Amanda is scared of the dark. But her dad can fix that. He shows Amanda all the wonderful things that live in the dark, like fireflies, crickets, and stars. And when her father has to go away, he even puts glowing paper stars on Amanda's bedroom ceiling, so she can look at their special star while he's away and know he's on the other side of the world looking at it too, and thinking of her.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Postcards from a War is about a boy whose mother has recently been deployed overseas to a war. His grandfather, who was about the same age when his father left to serve in World War II, helps him understand why she has gone away. He shares with his grandson postcards and letters sent by his father from the Philippines. The grandfather and grandson collaborate on building a scrapbook that will include these, plus the letters and emails and other communications the boy will get from his mother.Postcards is intended for 4-8 year olds, ones who are old enough to understand that a parent in the military may have to go to a dangerous place, but maybe not why. It shows the imporant intergenerational bonding that famililies often experience during times of war.

**Description from Amazon: Long, long ago in ancient Greece, people began telling wonderful stories to explain the mysteries of life. These myths featured gods and goddesses, mighty beings who look human but have amazing powers and live forever. Now you can meet these extraordinary characters and hear their legends, brought t...

**Description from Amazon: I love to go into the garden.I sit quietly.I see flowers and plants.It makes me feel peaceful.If I am very still,I see birds, insects,and creatures I hadnot noticed before.I can even hear them!Nibble, crunch, chomp.Chew, bite, slurp,swallow, gulp.They are all hungry!Get ready to look and listen.Get ...

**Description from Amazon: Twelve kinds of animal babies swim, snuggle, slither, and scoot through this enchanting picture book that celebrates the miracle of birth, the magic of childhood, and you...the most precious baby of all.

FROM SARAH:

The iconic Go, Dog, Go! in Spanish. This is a great book to read together if you are studying Spanish because it's probably already a familiar story and text for your kids!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Different kinds of dogs drive cars, wear hats, run through mazes, and even have parties in treetops.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In 1587 John White was chosen to lead a new colony at Roanoke off the Atlantic coast. After bringing many men, women, and children to the new land, White went back to England to gather supplies for the long winter. But when he finally returned to the fort almost three years later, he found that all of the colonists had vanished.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sonia's great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma and pa, and with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She pieced together bright patches with names like North Star and Crossroads, patches with secret meanings made into quilts called Show Ways -- maps for slaves to follow to freedom.

**Description from Amazon: Children can enjoy their favorite storybook illustrators in a new way by imitating their art with the 100 engaging and simple art projects included in this celebration of children's book illustrators. Featured are famous and award-winning storybook illustrators from the 1930s to present—Good Night ...

**Description from Amazon: The first comprehensive collection of the beloved and bestselling Peanuts’ 70+ characters. The Complete Peanuts Family Album covers the Peanuts universe of characters and icons.People around the world recognize Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. And Peanuts enthusiasts know Peggy Jean, Roy, and Spik...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mr. and Mrs. Watson's porcine wonder, Mercy, loves nothing more than a ride in the car. It takes a fair amount of nudging and bribing and a "You are such a good sport, darling" to get the portly pig out of the driver's seat, but once the convertible is on the road, Mercy loves the feel of the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. One day the Watsons' motoring ritual takes an unexpected turn, however, when their elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat in hopes of some "folly and adventure" — and in the chaos that ensues, an exuberant Mercy ends up behind the wheel! Soon there's a policeman on her tail, a struggle for the brake, and a blissfully airborne Mercy. Of course, it's nothing that an extra helping of buttered toast can't fix!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Leroy Ninker is a small man with a big dream: he wants to be a cowboy, but for now he's just a thief. In fact, Leroy is robbing the Watsons' kitchen right this minute! As he drags the toaster across the counter — screeeeeech — and drops it into his bag — clannngggg — little does he know that a certain large pig who loves toast with a great deal of butter is stirring from sleep. Even less could he guess that comedy of errors (not to mention the buttery sweets in his pocket) will soon lead this little man on the wild and raucous rodeo ride he's always dreamed of! Nosy neighbors, astonished firemen, a puzzled policeman, and the ever-doting Watsons return for a tongue-in-snout adventure about Kate DiCamillo's delightfully single-minded pig.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Yippie-i-oh! Saddle up for the first in a spin-off series starring favorite characters from Kate DiCamillo’s New York Timesbest-selling Mercy Watson books. Leroy Ninker has a hat, a lasso, and boots. What he doesn't have is a horse—until he meets Maybelline, that is, and then it's love at first sight. Join Leroy, Maybelline, and everyone's favorite porcine wonder, Mercy, for some hilarious and heartfelt horsing around on Deckawoo Drive.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

George Washington crossed the Delaware in the dead of night. Abraham Lincoln saved the Union. And President William Howard Taft, a man of great stature . . . well, he got stuck in a bathtub. Now how did he get unstuck?

FROM SARAH:

One of my favorite books to read aloud (with gusto and great voices for each of the characters, of course). Nobody rhymes quite like Chris Van Dusen! And this one will have your kids laughing out loud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Hugo is a tiny king with a very large ego. But when he mistreats a villager who also happens to be a sorceress, the spell she casts causes his head to literally swell. The more he boasts, the bigger it gets, until it finally topples the mini monarch right off his castle! Who will cut this royal pain down to size? And, more important, will anyone live happily ever after? Chris Van Dusen’s hilarious story is matched only by his outrageous illustrations. Together, they make for a picture book that is sometimes fairy tale, sometimes cautionary tale, and always laugh-out-loud funny.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Called “a genius of gentle, high concept tales set in suburban middle school” by The New York Times, bestselling author Andrew Clements presents a compelling story of the greatest achievement possible—self-acceptance.

**Description from Amazon: This map-tastic middle grade story from Andrew Clements gives the phrase “uncharted territory” a whole new meaning!Alton Barnes loves maps. He’s loved them ever since he was little, and not just for the geography. Because maps contain more information than just locations, and that’s why he l...

**Description from Amazon: Benjamin Pratt’s school is about to become the site of a new amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true! But lately, Ben has been wondering if he’s going to like an amusement park in the middle of his town—with all the buses and traffic and eight dollar slices of pizza. It’s going to c...

FROM SARAH:

My oldest daughter just absolutely loved this whole series as a teen. Perfect for bookish girls, especially ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

But what begins as a mom-imposed ritual of reading Little Women soon helps four unlikely friends navigate the drama of middle school. From stolen journals, to secret crushes, to a fashion-fiasco first dance, the girls are up to their Wellie boots in drama. They can't help but wonder: What would Jo March do?

Right before the start of their freshman year, Emma's family unexpectedly moves to England. The book club is stunned, but thanks to videoconferencing, they can keep the club alive. They decide to tackle Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, a particularly fitting choice. In England, Emma deals with a n...

The mother-daughter book club is back! This year the mothers have a big surprise in store for Emma, Jess, Cassidy, and Megan: They've invited snooty Becca Chadwick and her mother to join the book club! But there are bigger problems when Jess finds out that her family may have to give up Half Moon...

The Mother-Daughter Book Club says bon voyage to Concord and bonjour to France!It’s a dream come true for Megan, who’s jet-setting to Paris for Fashion Week with Gigi. Meanwhile, back in Concord, Mrs. Wong decides to run for mayor, so Emma and Stewart team up to make her campaign a success. Jess...

Two middle school girls scheme to publish a book in this novel from Andrew Clements, the author of Frindle.Natalie's best friend, Zoe, is sure that the novel Natalie's written is good enough to be published. But how can a twelve-year-old girl publish a book? Natalie's mother is an editor for a big c...

The third book in the Mother-Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick follows the girls for a new year of humor and friendship.

Suzanne Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen in the phenomenal Hunger Games trilogy.Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and...

The third book in Suzanne Collins's phenomenal and worldwide bestselling Hunger Games trilogy is now available in paperback."My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead."Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. There are rebels. Ther...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Aldens begin their adventure by making a home in a boxcar. Their goal is to stay together, and in the process they find a grandfather.

Help Your Teen Catch the Lifelong Reading Bug. Honey for a Teen’s Heart spells out how good books can help you and your teenager communicate heart-to-heart about ideas, values, and the various issues of a Christian worldview. Sharing the adventure of a book lets both of you know the same people, s...

**Description from Amazon: Jack and Annie’s biggest, most exciting book of facts is their greatest adventure outside the tree house!   Jack and Annie have been all over the world in their adventures in the magic tree house. And they’ve learned lots of incredible facts along the way. Now they want to share them with you! ...

**Description from Amazon: Retells twelve favorite Greek myths

**Description from Amazon: The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! Getting the facts behind the fiction has never looked better.Track the facts with Jack and Annie! When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Mer...

**Description from Amazon: The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! Getting the facts behind the fiction has never looked better. Track the facts with Jack and Annie!! When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Me...

**Description from Amazon: The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! Getting the facts behind the fiction has never looked better. Track the facts with Jack and Annie!! When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Me...

**Description from Amazon: In the next Magic Tree House® Fact Tracker, track the facts about World War II—with Jack and Annie!   When Jack and Annie came back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Super Edition #1: World at War, 1944, they had lots of questions. How did World War II begin? Why were so many innocent peo...

**Description from Amazon: The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system!When Jack and Annie came back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #15: Viking Ships at Sunrise, they had lots of questions. Why did Vikings go on raids? Did they really...

**Description from Amazon: The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers!Travel through time and around the world with Jack and Annie to help them solve mazes and crossword puzzles, break secret codes, play games, draw pictures, and more! They've seen the age of the dinosaurs and the h...

FROM SARAH:

When their landlord decides he's not going to renew the Vanderbeekers' lease, the five Vanderbeeker kids launch a full-blown mission to change his mind. Highly recommended for kids of all ages (I read it to all six of my kids, from preschool through teen). A practically perfect family story that's first in a wonderful series. Meet the author, Karina Yan Glaser, in RAR Premium. Also wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home. A modern classic in the making reminiscent of the Penderwicks series, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is about the connections we make and the unexpected turns life can take.

**Description from Amazon: The big hand of the clock is at 12.The little hand is at 7.It is seven o' clock.It is bedtime for Frances.It may be bedtime for Frances, but before Frances can sleep, she needs a glass of milk, a kiss from Father, one from Mother, her teddy bear, her doll, another kiss from Father, and another one f...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Marty will do anything to save his new friend Shiloh in this Newbery Medal–winning novel from Phillis Reynolds Naylor.When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight—and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belong...

**Description from Amazon: Every Falling Star, the first book to portray contemporary North Korea to a young audience, is the intense memoir of a North Korean boy named Sungju who was forced at age twelve to live on the streets and fend for himself. To survive, Sungju creates a gang and lives by thieving, fighting, begging, a...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Nikki Grimes takes the words of a Psalm 121 and masterfully transforms them into a golden shovel poem of compassion, friendship, and faith. Coupled with powerful artwork from Bryan Collier, this heartfelt story is one that readers will treasure.

**Description from Amazon: Who's it going to be?Spencer's the smart kid. Shelly's the diva. Miranda's the scaredy-cat. Matthew's just average (so far). In fact, there's nothing about any of the nine middle-schoolers on Mrs. B's bus route that screams "fame." But before the end of the year, somebody on this bus is going to be ...

**Description from Amazon: This brilliant, New York Times bestselling novel from the author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me explores multiple perspectives on the bonds and limits of friendship. Long ago, best friends Bridge, Emily, and Tab made a pact: no fighting. But it’s the start of seventh grade, and eve...

**Description from Amazon: Four Months Ago Sara Zapata's best friend disappeared, kidnapped by the web of criminals who terrorize Juarez.Four Hours Ago Sara received a death threat -- and with it, a clue to the place where her friend is locked away.Four Weeks Ago Emiliano Zapata fell in love with Perla Rubi, who will never be...

**Description from Amazon: Paul Fisher sees the world from behind glasses so thick he looks like a bug-eyed alien. But he’s not so blind that he can’t see there are some very unusual things about his family’s new home in Tangerine County, Florida. Where else does a sinkhole swallow the local school, fire burn undergroun...

FROM SARAH:

The way I understand it, the author of this book was homeschooled for a time, in which she and her sister (also an author) spent the majority of their time... reading! Being read to, reading to each other, and reading alone. This sparkling story is well-loved by boys and girls alike.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather.

**Description from Amazon: Longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner An Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2017 A Vulture Best YA Book of 2017 A Buzzed Best YA Book of 2017 An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is National Book Award finalist and New York T...

**Description from Amazon: Can it ever get better? This is the question Benjamin Watson is asking. In a country aflame with the fallout from the racial divide―in which Ferguson, Charleston, and the Confederate flag dominate the national news, daily seeming to rip the wounds open ever wider―is there hope for honest and hea...

**Description from Amazon: When a novel like Huckleberry Finn, or The Yearling, comes along it defies customary adjectives because of the intensity of the response it evokes in the reader. Such a book, we submit, is Old Yeller; to read this eloIquently simple story of a boy and his dog in the Texas hill country is an unforget...

FROM SARAH:

On Tuesdays, the Castle changes. Sometimes it adds a new room, a turret, a staircase... or even a whole wing. This one is fun, fun, fun. I bet you'll hear "Just one more chapter, pleeeease!" from everyone in the room. Your kids can meet author Jessica Day George in RAR Premium in 2020. Also wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the Castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the Castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions.

**Description from Amazon: Nominated for the 2017 National Book Award for Young People's Literature ★ Horn Book ★ School Library Journal ★ Publishers Weekly ★ Booklist ★ Shelf Awareness ★ VOYAFive girls. Three generations. One great American love story. You Bring the Distant Near explores sisterhood, fir...

NARRATED BY: Christopher Cazenove, BEST FOR AGES: 10+

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When Julia and her walking house come to town, she likes everything about her new neighborhood except how quiet it is! So Julia puts a sign up: "Julia's House for Lost Creatures." Soon she's hosting goblins, mermaids, fairies, and even a dragon. Quiet isn't a problem anymore for Julia...but getting her housemates to behave themselves is!

FROM SARAH:

A fun tale of friendship and redemption from one of my favorite author/illustrators. Ben Hatke has given us an intergalactic hero we'll never forget in Zita. This is a graphic novel, so pull your kids close so they can see the panels while you read aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When her best friend is abducted, Zita leaps to the rescue and finds herself a stranger on a strange planet. Humanoid chickens and neurotic robots are shocking enough as new experiences go, but Zita is even more surprised to find herself taking on the role of intergalactic hero.

FROM SARAH:

An excellent entry into graphic novels by RAR favorite, Ben Hatke. Highly recommended for ages 5+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it's all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day!

FROM SARAH:

Ben Hatke, what else do I need to say? This twist on Jack and Beanstalk is told in graphic novel form. Heads up for mild language. I typically recommend it for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jack might be the only kid in the world who's dreading summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever.

**Description from Amazon: In this steampunk satire about freedom of speech and religion, two men, a devout Catholic and an atheist, become unwilling allies when they vow to fight a duel to the death over their beliefs, and discover to their astonishment that an unbelieving world won't let them. An abridged reprint of Cheste...

**Description from Amazon: Julia and Simla are two young friends who agree that you can never use too much butter -- and that it is best to be a child forever. Sharing a love of cooking and having no wish to turn into big, busy people who worry too much and dawdle too little, they decide to create a feast for growing and stay...