Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Published by Random House Children's Books
2013
Ages 8-12
Shelf: Middle Grade


Opening Line: "This is how Kyle Keeley got grounded for a week." 

Favorite Quotes: "A library should be a know-place for know-bodies."

"Knowledge not shared remains unknown"

Blurb: It's been 12 years since Alexandriaville has had a functioning library.  Luigi Lemoncello, the world's most famous game maker, has just designed the most interactive, state-of-the art library new library for his hometown.  And to celebrate the grand opening, he has invited 12 lucky seventh graders to spend the night exploring its incredible rooms. Kyle Keeley, a lifelong gamer, becomes one of the lucky winners after his essay is selected by Mr. Lemoncello. But what was supposed to be a simple sleep over at the library, turns into an exciting scavenger hunt game where Keeley and a cast of characters have 24 hours to find a secret exit out of the building and win a superb prize.

Within its pages: 
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library takes its readers through a series of puzzles in a 24 hour scavenger hunt.  Prolific readers will love finding all the obvious, and not so obvious references to other books (classics and recently published), while puzzle solvers will salivate trying to get ahead of the characters and solve the mystery first.  Mr. Lemoncello continually makes literary puns and there's a puzzle at the end of the book that will make readers go back and analyze everything he ever said to connect it to specific books, like: "The Dewey decimal doors are now open, and, unlock Tuck, this game will not be everlasting."
And then there are the puzzles...all kinds of puzzles:

Shelf it!:
Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library will appeal to all mystery-loving bookies out there.  It will remind you of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Mysterious Benedict Society.  The author's website includes games and a study guide with chapter questions.  For teachers and librarians, there are many ways to bring the book to life, like creating a scavenger hunt around the school. Now that we think of it, there is no reason why parents can't do the same at home...Who doesn't love a good scavenger hunt? And if it has to do with books, then...that just sounds like something a Bookie will definitely want to do.   

The One and Only Ivan

  

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Published by Harper

2012

Ages 8-12

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line:  "I am Ivan.  I am a gorilla.  It's not as easy as it looks."

Favorite Quotes: "
"Her pictures are like pieces of a dream."

"Old age is a powerful disguise."

"Memories are precious."

"I always tell the truth.  Although I sometimes confuse the facts."

"I don't know why.  I never know the why of humans."

"But many days I forget what I am supposed to be.  Am I a human? Am I a gorilla?"

"It's an odd story to remember, I have to admit.  My story has a strange shape:  a stunted beginning, an endless middle."

"That's called artistic license."

Blurb:  Based on a true story of a real gorilla named Ivan, Ivan is a gorilla who lives in a shopping mall.  His circle of friends consists of:  Bob, the dog, Stella and Ruby, the elephants, and Julia, the human.  Ivan didn't always live in a shopping mall.  He was captured by the bad humans, and lost his family.  Ivan counts his days in captivity, and there are many.  He lives in a stupor spending his days behind a glass. But when Ruby comes into his life something awakens inside Ivan.  Will Ivan ever be free and live among his kin again?

Within its pages:

There are many teaching themes to tap into with this wondrous novel:  Friendship, courage, determination,  animals in captivity, perseverance, personification, and finding your inner strength.  The author highlights the importance of keeping a promise, and how we can reach deeper than we sometimes think possible.  For younger students, The One and Only Ivan would be an excellent read aloud.  One that will surely evoke some deep, rich discussions around the various themes that emerge within the text.

The way the book is organized, with short paragraphs and chapters (sometimes just a couple of lines per page) is a great example that sometimes less is definitely more.  Applegate is able to show how powerful just a couple of words can be.  It's a great example to share with those kids intimidated by the empty page when they need to write.

Shelf  it!

Ivan is a fighter, and his friendships give him a sense of pride and purpose.  In Ivan's mind, humans don't make sense....humans and their words, they just talk too much.  This is a wonderfully remarkable and powerful story.  An absolute must shelf! Applegate has a found a way to reach deep into your heart and soul with this deeply poignant and captivating story.  It will tug at your heart strings, and you might even cry, we're just saying!
Just stop reading this blog already, and GO SHELF IT!!! :-)

The book's website has a wonderful book trailer that will surely have kids begging to read the book and will also provide more info. on the real Ivan.

FYI - A picture book about the true story of Ivan, the gorilla, is due to be released in early October by Katherine Applegate.  Yay!

 

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

                                                                           
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker (Author of the Clementine Series)

Published by Balzer + Bray

2012

Ages 8-12

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line:  "The earth spins at a thousand miles an hour."

Favorite Quotes: 

"I like to imagine the ties between us as strands of spider silk:  practically invisible, maybe, but strong as steel."

"I stayed cool.  Those icebergs, floating silent and steady, ignoring the fierce storms raging around them."

"Being an iceberg takes a lot of effort."

"Your heart is like every other muscle Stella, you have to stretch it out when it cramps up."

Blurb:  It is the start of another summer season on Cape Cod.   At a glance, Stella appears to be your typical eleven-year old, who enjoys reading on the beach.  No one would ever suspect the secret Stella is hiding.  Stella has been living here with her great-aunt Louise, ever since her mom decided to go out and "find herself."   Although Stella fantasizes her mom will soon return to the Cape, she enjoys living with Louise, and really appreciates the routines that Louise has put into place.  The only potential glitch in her plan:  Angel.  Angel is the foster child Louise has taken in.  Stella and Louise are like oil and water, and hardly ever speak to one another.  But when tragedy strikes, Stella and Angel must rely on each other.   Will Stella and Angel discover a common thread between them?

Within its pages:
Connections. Throughout the story, Stella likens herself to an iceberg - standing still and firm in the fierce storms around her.  A fairly accurate metaphor for her life.  Although Stella's situation is obviously extreme, she teaches us about courage, as well as  how to cope with loss, changing expectations, and the tricky and rewarding process of making and keeping connections.

The heart of this novel lies in the friendship that grows between Stella, the planner, and Angel, the free spirit.  There is an unspoken bond that develops between these two young girls that's heart-warming and endearing.  Pennypacker teaches us that sometimes hope lies in the most unexpected places, and that the deep connections we form with others can be life-changing. 

Shelf  it!

Summer of the Gypsy Moths surprised us in the most delicious way! The simplicity and heart in this story was very captivating.  At first, we found the premise a bit disturbing and seemingly unrealistic.  We definitely had mixed feelings in the beginning (You will too).  Despite this, the resilience of the characters, as well as the blossoming friendship, was strong enough that we just couldn't abandon the book.  We were pleasantly surprised by its poignancy, humor, beauty and, most of all, with the way its story gripped our hearts and still hasn’t let go.  The element of suspense kept us on the edge of our seats as well.  Just go "Shelf It" and read it while listening to some Fado music (Angel sings it throughout the book) and find out just what we're talking about!

Half a Chance

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord
2014
Published by Scholastic Press
Ages: 8+
Shelf: Middle Grade

Opening Line: "Lucy, we're going to love this place!"

Favorite Quotes:

"Even half a chance beats none."

"If you can get people to care about the little things, they'll care about the big things, too."

"Last times and first times shouldn't matter more than all the middle times, but somehow, they do."

"People will think what they think! Don't ever choose those people who don't matter over the ones who do."

"Sometimes people are like shooting photos. It takes a bunch of misses before something good happens."

Blurb:
It's the beginning of summer break and Lucy has just moved to an old house by a lake in New Hampshire.  As soon as they arrive, her father, a prominent photographer, heads out to Arizona to work on a photo project.  Left behind with her mother and a temperamental dog, Lucy deals with the nerves of being in a brand new place with no friends and the prospect of a lonely school year.  When she finds out that her father is running a photography contest for kids, Lucy decides to participate anonymously.  She meets Nate, a boy her age who spends every summer in one of the other cottages by the lake. Together they embark on a journey to discover friendship and loss behind the lens of Lucy's camera.  Will her photographs live up to her father's expectations?

Within its pages:
We loved the clever way the chapters are organized in Half a Chance.  The photography contest Lucy and Nate are trying to win is a photo scavenger hunt; where they are given the title of an image and it's up to them to interpret the kind of photo that would match the name.  What would you photograph to represent Journey, Left Behind,  or Wonder?  
As they look for those photos, the author titles each chapter with the name of one of the scavenger hunt challenges, and then perfectly develops the story to match the images being captured. 

Shelf it
Half a Chance feels like the kind of book you want to take with you on a camping trip and read while sitting on a dock, with your toes barely touching the water.  Cynthia Lord paces the book beautifully  and gives us a story about friendship and self-discovery, with a subplot about dealing with a relative suffering from dementia.  Great summer read and a perfect match for bookies who can't stop taking photos (even selfies)!

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling (Book 1)

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood
Published by: Balzer + Bray
2010
Age: 8-12
Shelf: Middle Grade

Opening Line: 
It was not Miss Penelope Lumley's first journey on a train, but it was the first one she had taken alone.  As you may know, traveling alone is quite a different kettle of fish from traveling with companions.

Favorite Quotes:
"All books are judged by their covers until they are read."

"If you have ever opened a can of worms, boxed yourself into a corner, ended up in hot water or found yourself in a pretty pickle, you already know that life is rarely, if ever, just a bowl of cherries. It is far more likely to be a box of problems, worries, and difficulties. This is normal and should not be seen as cause for alarm."

"Things may happen for a reason, but that doesn't mean we know what the reason is -at least, not yet."

Blurb:
Miss Penelope Lumley has just graduated from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females.  At 15, she's ready to take on her first job as a governess at Ashton Place.  But when she arrives, she finds three wild children, who are barely dressed and act like wolves, madly howling and growling.  The children were discovered roaming around the Ashton Place property by the head of the house, Lord Frederick.  Soon, Penny applies all the knowledge she received from Agatha Swanburne at the Academy and the children begin to enjoy poetry and the classics.  But there's more lurking behind the staircase walls of Ashton Place.  Not everyone wants to see the children succeed.  

Within its Pages:
The narrator on The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place creates a deliciously Victorian and ominous tone that reminded us of A Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (the first book in his Series of Unfortunate event).  Its lines are full of foreshadowing decorated with humor.  And while you find yourself falling deeper into the mystery of the incorrigible children, you hear the voice of the narrator teaching you the meaning of words like hyperbole and irony (again reminiscent of Snicket's series). 

The illustrations by Jon Klassen (author of I Want My Hat Back and Extra Yarn) are a perfect match with the Victorian tone of the novel:

The author, Maryrose Wood, has included on her website a fantastic discussion guide to be used by teachers and book clubs. Check it out. 

Introducing children to an engaging series like this one, it's a sure way to guarantee multiple book readings.  The ending will leave you wanting more and there's a book for that!
 
Shelf it!
If you love a quirky mystery full of great vocabulary this is a book for you.  The mystery of the incorrigibles and of Penelope's background is still unresolved, and you'll have to come back for the next installments in the series to figure it out.  But with such great characters, humor, and voice, who can complain?

Counting by 7s

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Published by Penguin Group

2013

Age 10 and Up

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line:  "A genius shoots at something no one else can see, and hits it."

Favorite Quotes: 

"My mouth is open and I'm suddenly some kind of fish out of water.  You can't see the hook, but it must be in my cheek."

"I don't want to know how you did it.  I want to believe that you're magic."

 

Blurb:

Willow is a twelve-year old genius who certainly doesn't fit in with the crowd.  She is obsessed with plants, medical conditions, and the number seven. Her safe haven is to be in the public library, surrounded by books, where she finds comfort and solace.  She has only conected with her adoptive parents and after they're killed in an accident, Willow must search for a surrogate family. Will Willow Chance find where she belongs?
 

Within its pages:
Willow Chance......You had us at page one!  Willow's strong voice echoes throughout all the pages in this book.  Her knack for accurately analyzing and depicting each scenario and character is both astonishing and refreshing.    Willow's determination, tenacity, and intelligence will astound and inspire you.  She is clearly wise beyond her years, as evident in some of the following lines:

"It had been my experience that rewarding and heart-breaking often go hand in hand."

"What we expect rarely occurs; what we don't expect is what happens.'

"I can't risk heading in what feels like the wrong direction."

"I'll be ready.  I'm not sure for what exactly. But maybe that's what being ready really means."

"A second can feel like forever if what follows is heart-break."

"She' s always the toughest person in the room, but with me leaving her armor cracks."

"Balance is critical in the natural world."

Shelf  it! (Counting by 7 reasons to shelf this book)

1.  Willow Chance.  Enough said!

2.  Willow will encourage you to think bigger! You will immediately be smitten with this twelve-year old genius, and then proceed to fall head over heels with the supporting characters.  The author has written such a touching and poignat book. She has created a cast of ordinary, everyday folk:  a fiesty teenager and her cranky brother, a nail salon owner, a taxi driver, an oddball counselor...And turned them into everyday heroes.

3.  Willow is the prototypical underdog in this book.  She is misunderstood and an outsider. You will find yourself rooting for her the entire book. 

4.  In times of despair and sorrow, this novel reminds us that hope can manifest and grow in unexpected places, and that miracles really do happen. 

5.  The prevalent themes of unconventional family, loss, grief, and belonging, combined with a strong-female character make it a book that begs to be shared. 

6.  Counting by 7s is a heart-warming story that promises to leave the characters lingering in your mind long after you turn the final page.  Don't be surprised if you can't put it down.  It's really that good!

7.  Willow Chance (In Case we didn't already mention it). 

 

Three Times Lucky

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Published by Penguin Group

2012

Age 10 and Up

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line: "Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt."

Favorite Quotes: 

"When you feel lost, let the stars sing you to sleep.  You'll always wake up new."

-"It's common knowledge."
-"There's nothing common about knowledge."

Blurb:
Trouble was the last thing on Mo LoBeau's mind.  These were the lazy days of summer filled with the sweet sounds of tree frogs and crickets in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina.  For this rising sixth grader and aspiring detective, serving crepes and peanut butter entrees at the café seemed idyllic.  But when Tupelo Landing becomes a murder and kidnapping scene, Mo's natural detective skills are put to work. 

Within its pages:
Three Times Lucky's magic lies in its narrator.  Mo's southern charm and cadence flow effortlessly through the pages. Mo's voice and use of poetic language makes this a perfect book for lessons in the use of similes, metaphors and personification:

"Miss Lana's voice is the color of sunlight in maple syrup."
"My anti-invitation hanging in the air like eau the skunk." 
"The frost in her voice nipping my ears."
"Her quiet laugh sounded the way she looks without her make-up."
"Spinning wheels and flying gravel chewed up the end of my sentence, spitting it across the parking lot like a fighter spitting teeth."
"Uneasiness ran its fingertips across my shoulders"
"Her silence stretched like old elastic about to give."

It's Mo's power as a narrator that made Three Times Lucky such an enjoyable read.  You find yourself re-reading her descriptions, sometimes laughing out-loud and other times marveling at her wit and ability to find the right word at just the right moment.  


Shelf  it!
If you're searching for a good mystery book, with a strong female character, filled with small-town charm, this book belongs on your shelf. Enter Moses (Mo) LoBeau, a spunky and upbeat character, who has a sensational sense of humor, tons of grit, and an absolutely charming sidekick, her best friend Dale.  You have to admire her strength, determination, and perseverance.  And sometimes having a little luck helps too!    

On a journey, to find her upstream mother, Mo helps us realize that sometimes what we need is directly in front of us. That not all families look the same or come about in the expected ways.  The bonds and relationships we form with others are sometimes immeasurable. The characters and relationships in this book will resonate with you long after you read the last page.  For those of us who have longed for a new Scout Finch, we have found her in Mo.  

The action and suspense are totally gripping.   As the leader of the Desperado Detective Agency, Mo really gets to put her detective skills to good use.  Will Mo and Dale be able to solve this mystery before it's too late?

Three Times Lucky is sure to be a page turner, and one you won't soon forget.  And believe us when  we say, it's even better the second time around.