Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Jane and her mother live in a gloomy old mansion, where their lives are ruled by her ovebearing grandmother. For most of her life Jane has believed that her father is dead. Then, one dull April morning, a letter comes. Not only is her father alive and well, but he wants Jane to spend the summer with him on Prince Edward Island.

**Description from Amazon: Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary ramps up the humor and adventure in the second book in the Ralph Mouse series. With a motorcycle to rev and the open road to see, Ralph S. Mouse is itching to run away from his overprotective family! But once he escapes to a summer campground nearby, the h...

**Description from Amazon: “A delightful combination of race-against-the-clock medical mystery and outwit-the-bad-guys adventure.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred   Eel has troubles of his own: As an orphan and a “mudlark,” he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He’s bein...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This book is about Square. Square spends every day taking blocks from a pile below the ground to a pile above the ground. This book is also about Square’s friend Circle. Circle thinks Square is an artistic genius. But is he really? With the second story in a trilogy of tales about Triangle, Square, and Circle, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen nudge readers toward a more well-rounded way of looking at things. Understated and striking in its simplicity, this funny, thoughtful offering from two of today’s most talented picture-book creators emphasizes the importance of keeping your eyes — and your mind — open to wonder where others see only rubble and rocks.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Down in the big construction site, all of the favorite trucks are back facing their biggest job yet and will need the help of new construction friends to get it done. Mighty, Mighty Construction Site teaches kids that when working as a team, even a big job seems small!

CD and book in great shape. Some minor wear from use. Quick ship gently used in smoke-free home

FROM SARAH:

My twins absolutely loved this whole series from Grace Lin, both as read-alouds or to practice their developing reading skills on!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ling & Ting are twins. They share a birthday. They bake cakes, and they make birthday wishes. They tell stories and wrap gifts. They also share a birthday secret! The simple text and colorful art makes this early reader a perfect choice for children learning to read.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

An award-winning author/illustrator team offers a fresh look at the times and transitions all toddlers face daily, giving young children the tools to handle routines with confidence and cooperation.

FROM SARAH:

Especially good for your youngest readers. I very much love Genevieve's sweet, warm illustrations in this short, readable fall story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this simple rhyming story from the author of Held in Love, a child says thank you for the gifts nature provides, from hazelnuts in the hedge to apples from the tree, eggs from the hens to milk from the cow. Eventually, the family has enough ingredients to make something special… a delicious apple cake!

**Description from Amazon: Good Wives is the second story about the March family.Three years on from Little Women, the March girls and their friend Laurie are young adults with their futures ahead of them. Although they all face painful trials along the way - from Meg's sad lesson in housekeeping to Laurie's disappointment in...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Kate Hoefler’s realistic and poetic picture book debut about the wide open West, the myth of rowdy, rough-riding cowboys and cowgirls is remade. A timely and multifaceted portrayal reveals a lifestyle that is as diverse as it contrary to what we've come to expect.

From the publisher: Chubby puppies, furry kittens, fuzzy chicks, downy ducklings: Gyo Fujikawa’s lovable baby animals will captivate children. They’re big (elephants) and small (mice), plump (piglets), and playful (lambs). With each picture, kids learn a little bit about the animal—the sound it makes, how soft it might feel, and what it can do. Plus, they’ll discover something else very important: that very young creatures have to be petted, snuggled, and hugged very gently…just like the children themselves.

**Description from Amazon: For Anne and Gilbert Blythe, life in a small village is never dull because of all the entertaining gossip, and what strange and funny tales they hear: about the mischievous twins whose dearest wish comes true when they meet up with a bored and haunted millionaire; or clever Penelope Craig, who consi...

FROM SARAH:

If you loved Light and Air, you will not want to miss Mindy Nichols Wendell’s next release. A powerful story of the devastation of the Dust Bowl—and the courage of those who survived it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

While his mother and father are away, a little elephant goes to visit his uncle. And what a time they have! Uncle Elephant makes wishes come true, tells amazing stories, and trumpets the dawn. The visit is perfect, except for one thing - it ends much too soon.

FROM SARAH:

A perennial favorite, especially for little girls. Milly-Molly-Mandy is irresistible!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This collection of 21 stories is often described as timeless. First printed in 1925, the book takes kids on sweet adventures along with Milly-Molly-Mandy and even includes a map of her town for reference.

FROM SARAH:

‘Boil, boil, pasta pot -- boil me some pasta nice and hot!’ Strega Nona, Big Anthony and Bambalona work hard, but occasionally need just a little magic. (Lots of fun sequels too!)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola.

Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otter play in the vast kep beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches. Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years a...

FROM SARAH:

Kadir Nelson is one of the finest picture book illustrators working today, and his skills are on full display here. It's stunning. If I was getting just one book to read about MLK, this would be it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King: "My father's dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing I Have a Dream speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us--those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone."

**Description from Amazon: The luminous art of three-time Caldecott Honor recipient Jerry Pinkney transforms the nineteenth-century Danish girl of Andersen's tale into a child plucked straight from America's melting pot, shedding new light on the invisibility of the poor among the prosperous-a circumstance as familiar in Ande...

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Emily Starr and Teddy Kent have been friends since childhood, and as Teddy is about to leave to further his education as an artist, Emily believes that their friendship is blossoming into something more. On his last night at home, they vow to think of each other when they see the star Vega of the Lyre

FROM SARAH:

If you’ve ever wondered if the world’s most fantastical legends are true, you are going to love this story of a brave scientist who is out to find a mysterious creature lurking beneath the waters of the Arctic. Part danger, part discovery, this whimsical story is filled with stunning illustrations and is a new RAR favorite.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this strikingly illustrated debut with a quirky, surreal sensibility, the tale of an Arctic expedition invites readers to discover an elusive creature.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Dyslexia 101 will guide parents as they seek to provide the very best education alternatives for their children; finding effective help and cultivating the many little-known strengths of the dyslexic learner.Marianne Sunderland is a frequent speaker at homeschool conventions, women's groups and schools.

FROM SARAH: 

My top recommendation if you suspect that one (or more) of your children are dyslexic. A quick read that will help you get your head around what dyslexia is, what to do next, and give you hope for your child's future.

**Description from Amazon: From the award-winning author of The Great Trouble comes a story of espionage, survival, and friendship during World War II.Bertie Bradshaw never set out to become a spy. He never imagined traipsing around war-torn London, solving ciphers, practicing surveillance, and searching for a traitor to the ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Did you know snails build roads like engineers and go undercover in camouflage like spies? Did you know they can be smaller than a seed or bigger than a grown-up’s hand? Kevin McCloskey mixes snail science, art, and hilarity for the newest book in his Giggle and Learn series, praised by The New York Times as “a winning combination of facts and gross-out fun.”

FROM SARAH:

Brian Floca's picture books can hardly be matched. Come listen to him talk about this one in particular (and give us a little painting demonstration) at his Author Access replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean.

**Description from Amazon: Caught in the Middle Stacy Palmer almost never thinks about being Chinese American, As far as she's concerned, she's just like everyone else.Then Hong Ch'un comes to Stacy's school from China. Stacy and Hong Ch'un don't exactly get along, but when Hong Ch'un is accused of stealing and runs away, Stac...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In a compelling narrative that introduces historical and contemporary research on self-directed education, Unschooled also spotlights how a diverse group of individuals and organizations are evolving an old schooling model of education.

NARRATED BY: Kate Forbes, BEST FOR AGES: 7+

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Each year, millions of people from all over the world bathe in the water of a spring in Lourdes, France. They come to pray for physical and spiritual healing and to remember a young girl who was chosen by the Mother of Jesus to draw us closer to her Son.

Tommy is four years old, and he loves visiting the home of his grandmother, Nana Downstairs, and his great-grandmother, Nana Upstairs. But one day Tommy's mother tells him Nana Upstairs won't be there anymore, and Tommy must struggle with saying good-bye to someone he loves. Updated with new, full-c...

FROM SARAH:

My twins absolutely loved this whole series from Grace Lin, both as read-alouds or to practice their developing reading skills on!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ling and Ting like to be silly in the fourth book in this irresistible early reader series. The beloved twins from the Geisel Honor early reader series are back to share their favorite funny stories with beginning readers, now in paperback.

FROM SARAH:

Shirley Climo has several multicultural Cinderella retellings that are fantastic, even though several of them are out of print and a little harder to find. Reading various Cinderella tales from around the world and then discussing their similarities and differences is loads of fun, and quite worthwhile!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Like the tree planted to honor her birth, Pear Blossom is beautiful, and the pride of her elderly mother and father. But then her mother dies, and her father remarries. Pear Blossom’s stepmother resents her new daughter’s beauty. Out of jealousy, she makes Pear Blossom perform impossible chores while her own daughter, Peony, watches idly. But fortunately, Pear Blossom is not alone. With the help of magical creatures—togkabis—she can accomplish each task, and triumph over her stepmother’s cruelty.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Toddlers and pets belong together—as long as toddlers don’t chase, grab, squeeze, yank, and tease. In simple words and delightful illustrations, this book teaches the basics of kindness to animals: careful handling, awareness, safety, and respect. It also includes helpful tips for parents and caregivers.

**Description from Amazon: 81 Complete Works of G. A. Henty

A Chapter of Adventures
A Final Reckoning
A Girl of the Commune
A Jacobite Exile
A Knight of the White Cross
A March on London
A Roving Commission
A Search For A Secret (Vol 1 of 3),
A Search For A Secret (Vol 2 of 3),
At Aboukir and Acre
At Agincourt
At the Poin...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Haiku meet riddles in this wonderful collection from Laura Purdie Salas. The poems celebrate the seasons and describe everything from an earthworm to a baseball to an apple to snow angels, alongside full-color illustrations.

FROM SARAH:

The author of this early reader homeschooled her own kids! A sweet early reader.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Meet the friendly insects of the all-new Inch and Roly Ready-to-Read series—books destined to become instant classics.It is a quiet day. Inch and Roly and their friends, Dragonfly and Beetle, are looking for something to do. They can walk to the wishing well and wish for something to do!

FROM SARAH:

For kids who love interactive books. This book will have you turning, twisting, and shaking those apples right off the tree. Lots of fun, especially for younger kiddos!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this charming sequel to Bunny Slopes, Bunny needs help picking apples for mama's apple pie. Young readers will delight in using the included red ribbon to help Bunny reach new heights and pick those tasty apples. Children will have fun as they rock the book back and forth and turn it around and around for a unique roller-coaster adventure on Bunny's way hom

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Many years ago, the four motherless children of the Brontë family — Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne — lived in a windswept house by the moors with their father. Although their lives were often filled with sadness and their world was only as large as the distance they could walk, their INNER worlds were bound only by their imaginations. Hungry for stories, these children devoured novels and poetry, history and fables. And with the gift of a group of toy soldiers, they were inspired to make their own stories, and their own tiny books . . . a passion that would last them a lifetime.

A moving and atmospheric story about the power of imagination, the joy of storytelling and the love of books, The Little Books of the Little Brontës will enchant both those who love these literary sisters and those who are learning about them for the first time. Includes an author's note, timeline of the Brontës' lives and a fun craft with instructions on creating your own little book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Are you a word person? A curiosity seeker? An explorer? Take a look at these twenty-six extraordinary individuals for whom love of language is an extreme sport.

FROM SARAH:

A lovely collection of Robert Louis Stevenson's poetry, illustrated by the remarkable Gyo Fujikawa. (Don't miss the picture book biography all about Gyo—it would a perfect pairing with this book!)

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Originally published in 1885, A Child’s Garden of Verses has served as a wonderful introduction to poetry for each new generation. Stevenson’s beloved poems celebrate childhood in all its complexity and joy, from the sunny pleasures of “At the Seaside,” to the imaginative musings of “Foreign Lands” to the playful, ever-popular “My Shadow.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The touching story of a school principal and the bully whose life he'll change, by beloved New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Patricia Polacco.

**Description from Amazon: Soon to be an animated film starring Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, and Sean Cullen! From the Newbery Medal-winning author of The Giver and Number the Stars, comes a "hilarious" (Booklist, starred review) and wonderfully old-fashioned story about a mother an...

**Description from Amazon: Sense and Sensibility is a novel by Jane Austen, and was her first published work when it appeared in 1811 under the pseudonym "A Lady". A work of romantic fiction, better known as a comedy of manners, Sense and Sensibility is set in southwest England, London and Kent between 1792 and 1797, and port...

FROM SARAH:

A collection of beloved Aesop's fables—a childhood must.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
For centuries, children and adults have treasured the stories handed down by Aesop, a slave who lived in ancient Greece approximately six centuries B.C. Known for their charm and simplicity, these simple tales feature brief adventures of animals, birds, and beasts - with a message hidden in each narrative.

FROM SARAH:

A great exploration of Yellowstone with rich paintings and information about geological terms like steam vents, mud pots, and lava.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Volcano Dreams knits together the vibrancy of the Yellowstone ecosystem with its explosive history, placing the everyday lives of its creatures within the context of geological time. Janet Fox’s poetic text takes us to the root of it all—the “sleeping giant” of magma responsible for the Yellowstone landscape—and Marlo Garnsworthy’s evocative paintings capture the awe of natural forces at work in our nation’s oldest national park.

FROM SARAH:

A great first novel to read aloud because the stories within are so short (and funny!).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This silly series begins with Josh McBroom getting duped into buying 80 acres of land that are all stacked on top of each other. But never fear -- it isn’t as bad as it seems. These books are laugh-out-loud funny and illustrated by Quentin Blake, who illustrated many of Roald Dahl’s books.

FROM SARAH:

I love the illuminated style of illustrations in this lovely picture book. If your library doesn't carry it, ask them to, or get a copy for your home collection!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

C.M. Millen’s charming story of a young monk who defied the discipline of the monastery and found his own way to express the beauty of the world will inspire young readers to explore their own world and find their own voices.

Also available on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Winner of the Newbery Medal, this remarkably moving novel has impressed the hearts and minds of millions of readers. Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice.

**Description from Amazon: It's Waddle! And it's in color. And boy, is it irresistible. In the same way that kids can't read Gallop! without wanting to gallop around the room, Waddle!, an animals-in-motion Scanimation book, will inspire prancing, hopping, stomping, and scampering. And did we mention color? Created by the opti...

FROM SARAH:

Strega Nona is back in this autumn tale set right during the harvest. Funny and beloved, as Strega always is.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A charming celebration of autumn's bounty by perennial favorite Tomie dePaola. A colorful picture book, perfect for fall and the changing seasons.

FROM SARAH:

My kids and I really loved this audiobook. It's party epistolary (told in letters) about Resilience, a Mars rover. It reminded me a little of Dan Bar-El's The Very, Very Far North. Delightful, start to finish!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Meet Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name.

Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop humanlike feelings. Maybe there’s a problem with his programming….

Human emotions or not, launch day comes, and Res blasts off to Mars, accompanied by a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. But Res quickly discovers that Mars is a dangerous place filled with dust storms and giant cliffs. As he navigates Mars’s difficult landscape, Res is tested in ways that go beyond space exploration.

As millions of people back on Earth follow his progress, will Res have the determination, courage, and resilience to succeed…and survive?

They're Puffin Classics for a reason, it's because they're the best.Step up to the Round Table and join the knights of the Realm!King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final t...

**Description from Amazon: This story of a woman who travels to China to adopt a baby girl, based on the author's own experiences, is a celebration of the love and joy a baby brings into the home. Full color.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From one of the world's preeminent experts on reading and dyslexia, the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and practical book available on identifying, understanding, and overcoming reading problems--now revised to reflect the latest research and evidence-based approaches.

FROM SARAH:

I recommend this book for those who have read Dyslexia 101 by Marianne Sunderland, and want to dive deeper.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.

Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

FROM SARAH:

My twins love these graphic novel versions of a couple of Shakespeare's tragedies. Heads-up for blood and gore—these are dark stories, both!

Recommended for ages 10+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When three witches tell the ruthless warrior Macbeth that he is destined to be King of Scotland, it sparks off a series of tragic events... Spurred on by his devious wife, Macbeth sets out on a path of treachery and murder that will take him to the heights of power and the depths of despair. William Shakespeare’s saga of ruthless ambition is retold with simplified dialogue in this vividly illustrated version of one of his most powerful plays.