Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Flunked By Jen Calonita Sourcebooks Jabberwaocky, 2015. Fiction. Gilly has picked one too many pockets and is now being sent off to Fairy Tale Reform School to rid her of her evil ways. But Gilly isn’t really evil; she is just trying to put food on the table to feed her family ever since her father’s shoe-making business went into a slump now that Cinderella’s fairy godmother can just wave a wand and make everyone glass slippers. But can a school run by ex-villains headed up by Cinderella’s own Wicked Stepmother really change people’s ways or is that just a front for banding evil characters together? Gilly and her new classmates Jax and Kayla are about to find out when they realize that something is not right at their school. Readers will recognize many of the fairy tale characters around Enchantasia and will have fun figuring out how they fit into the story. Perfect fractured fairy tale for fans of Sarah Mlynowski and Jessica Day George.

Waiting Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes Greenwillow Books, 2015. Picture Book. Five toys wait on the windowsill looking out at the world drifting past outside. Each toy is waiting for a different reason. Each experiences joy at a different moment. But they all enjoy each others company as they wait. This delightfully simple story is all about celebrating and savoring the journey of life rather than focusing on arriving at a fleeting destination. Young readers will especially love the cozy, kid-friendly pastel pictures which draw readers into the toys' small world. Kevin Henkes has done it again!

Marvel Avengers: Shake to Assemble by Calliope Glass Illustrated by Richard Isanove Marvel Press, 2015. Picture Book Here is the perfect interactive book for the very young superhero aficionado.  Hawkeye is trying to assemble the Avengers team, but he needs help from the reader.  He asks the reader to tap, shake, poke and turn the book in different ways to make the Avengers team members appear.  Each time the child turns the page, they can discover the affect of their action. The illustrations are in true marvel style and the ending will make even parents chuckle. After the style of Tullet's Press Here and Matheson's Tap the Magic Tree , Glass has made a book that kids will beg to read over and over again.

It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon Jarrett J. Krosoczk Knopf Books, 2015. Picture book. The premise is simple. The author first introduces a sad childhood event like, “It’s tough to lose your balloon.” And then on the next page offers a positive idea to counter that: “But it’ll make Grandma smile from the sky” when she sees it floating past her airplane. Including experiences that all children have dealt with, such as melting ice cream, broken toys, and scraped knees, this book offers a new way to look at things with resiliency and positivity. A great resource for parents and teachers who want to help children gain a new perspective on life’s disappointments.

  Ragweed’s Farm Dog Handbook By Anne Vittur Kennedy Candlewick, 2015. Picture book. Ragweed offers a crash course on how to be a good farm dog and the many temptations that come with it: “Don’t wake the farmer. You will really, really want to wake the farmer. But don’t wake the farmer.” On the next page we see the grinning and incorrigible Ragweed doing exactly what he just warned against, and calculating the chances of getting a biscuit for each behavior: “If you DO wake the farmer, you can get a biscuit just to go away.” And that, of course, is the farm dog’s main job: to get biscuits! A rambunctious and hilarious day on the farm.

Masterminds By Gordon Korman Blazer + Bray, 2015. Fiction. Eli lives in Serenity, New Mexico. A town that continuously wins awards for being the best town to live in, and why would it not--it is perfect. There is no crime, every house has a pool, and no one lies. Well, Eli thought no one lied until one day after he and his friend Randy venture out to the town limits to go exploring and Eli’s world comes crashing down. He discovers things are not quite as they seem and that he is among the ten “special” kids that the community is keeping a close eye on. What makes them special? Why are they living out in the middle of nowhere? And why has he been taught that the Boston Tea Party was a meeting in Boston where a bunch of men came together to have tea to calmly discuss things, when it was really, as he discovers when his computer glitches during an electrical storm, a violent beginning of a revolution? First book in a thrilling series by Korman, with a new twist on the dystopian ge...

Canterwood Crest By Jessica Burkhart New student Sasha Silver is accepted into the amazing Canterwood Crest Academy, an elite school housing highly competitive equestrian riders. However, she is met with resistance from three popular members known as the "Trio" (Heather, Julia, and Alison), who view her as a threat to their social status. Cinderella Cleaners By Maya Gold Behind the counter at Cinderella Cleaners, Diana watches the clothes come and go. She loves to imagine the exciting events where the different outfits might be worn. Then one day, Diana reaches into the pocket of a fancy coat–and finds an invitation to a glittering gala in New York City. Since the coat's owner is out of town, Diana gets a wild idea. With the help of some friends, one dress, and a lot of improvising, Diana makes it into the party! Will she be discovered, or will her disguise come off without a hitch? Camp Confidential By Melissa J. Morgan Summer camp means lots of things...

Tommy Can't Stop By Tim Federle Illustrated by Mark Fearing Disney Hyperion, 2015. Picture Book. Tommy can’t keep still. He likes to bop, bounce, kick, hurdle, and clomp everywhere he goes. His family tires of his antics and tries to come up with a plan to tire Tommy out, but none of them work until his sister suggests tap class. At first he refuses, but then he realizes that here he can jump, leap, and stomp all he wants. Tommy finds a place where he belongs and everyone is happy, especially Tommy. Fedrele’s author blurb in the back says best what Tommy Can’t Stop is about—“once you put tap shoes on, you are no longer stomping around causing mayhem—you are dancing around causing art.” A funny picture book to share with your active little one.

Sonya’s Chickens By Phoebe Wahl Tundra Books, 2015. Picture book. One day, Sonya’s father brings home three baby chicks and gives her the responsibility of raising them. Week by week she carefully tends to them and finds joy in being a “good mama.” But one night a fox steals one of her precious chickens and she is distraught. Her father comforts her and explains that, even though it doesn’t take away the sadness, it helps to understand that the fox is not evil but simply trying to care for its own. “You did everything you could to make sure your chicks were happy and had full bellies and a warm place to sleep. Because you love your chicks like I love you. The fox is no different. He loves his kits too. So even though it’s sad for us, we can understand why he did it.” At the end, one of Sonya’s brown eggs hatches a new baby chick, with a new promise of life and love. A tender, cozy story to help children understand the circle of life, with wonderfully warm and homey illustr...

The Copper Gauntlet (Magisterium #2) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare Scholastic, 2015. 264 p. This second adventure of Callum Hunt begins with the young mage spending an uneasy summer with his father and his chaos-ridden wolf, Havoc. Callum's father does not approve of his decision to stay at the Magisterium, but Callum fears his father has further reason to distrust and even hate him. When he discovers that his father is planning on doing something terrible to Havoc, Callum runs away from home and joins his friends at the Magisterium.  Later, when his father is accused of stealing a powerful magical tool, Callum must decide where his loyalties lie.  Will he stay at school and let his father be hunted down, or try to stop his father from doing something they will both regret? Few authors are as good at writing fantasy action/adventure as Ms. Black.  The book contains non-stop thrills and excitement, but somehow amid the action Black also manages to create full...

Oyster War By Ben Towle Oni Press Inc., 2015. Graphic Novel, 159 p. Oyster War is the swashbuckling graphic novel full of pirates, adventurers, a sea serpent, a selkie, and bareknuckle boxing. A rag tag bunch of sea-faring adventurers, led by Commander Davidson Bulloch, must brave monsters, magic and the unforgiving sea in order to stop a group of pirates and their evil plan of harnessing the unimaginable power of the sea. With a wonderful cast of characters, riveting action sequences and a good dose of humor Oyster War is a great read. Using colorful ligne claire-style illustrations and face-paced panels, Ben Towle successfully creates an exciting adventure that is sure to thrill readers.

The Kurdles by Robert Goodin Fantagraphics Books, 2015. Comic Book. Sally Bear is thrown out of a car by her ill-behaved owner and lands in a bizarre forest community called Kurdleton. She is greeted by a posse of odd miniature creatures who live nearby. The Kurdles' problems are more important than Sally's, though -- namely their house coming down with an illness that causes it to grow thick purple fur. Sally joins forces with this band of weirdos, and in trying to solve their dilemmas, finds both new friends and a new home. The Kurdles reads like something between a one-off comic and a graphic novel (a graphic novella?). It's an adventure that leaves the door wide open for future installments, but is immensely satisfying in its own right. Goodin's writing is dryly comic, bordering on the macabre at points, but his illustrations are gorgeously rendered in a classical ink style. It's reminiscent of classic adventure comics (think Uncle Scrooge) with a tone...

The Most Wonderful Thing in the World by Vivian French illustrated by Angela Barrett Candlewick Press, 2015. Picture Book Here is a new, beautifully illustrated, folktale.  A king and queen have sheltered their daughter her whole life, but finally decide it is time for her to marry.  They consult a wise man as to how to choose a groom and he advises them to chose the man who can show them they most wonderful thing in the world. While suitors come to try their luck, the king and queen send the daughter out to tour the city.  As she explores her kingdom with a handsome young tour guide, the guide comes to realize what the most wonderful thing in the world really is.  French's text is lyrical, and Barrett's watercolor illustrations are charming. Ms Barrett has set the story in the early 1900's Italy, and the illustrations have a gentle Art Nouveau style. This book will enchant those who love princess stories and their parents. 

Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History Written and Illustrated by Don Brown Roaring Brook Press, 2015. Informational Picture Book. "Who shot Alexander Hamilton?" is among trivia's most famous questions, but how much do we really know about the duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr? Don Brown offers up a thoughtful version of the story, one that tries to draw parallels between these two men whose fates would intertwine. For most of this story, one wouldn't expect it to end in a bloody duel. In fact, it portrays two eerily-similar lives in the colonial era, with Burr and Hamilton interacting as they each help plant the seeds of the American republic. The history here is presented in an easily digested manner, and readers will be fascinated by many fun facts about our nation's early history. Obviously, the story ends with Hamilton's death, but the author thoughtfully provides a lengthy endnote that may help answer any lingering ques...

Pablo & Jane and the Hot Air Contraption By José Domingo Flying Eye Books, 2015. Graphic Novel/Picture Book. Pablo & Jane and the Hot Air Contraption is the critically acclaimed graphic novel/picture book hybrid reminiscent of Where’s Waldo?. The book begins with a fun and wild story about two bored siblings who visit an old abandoned house on a hill and find themselves entangled in a war between an evil cat with one eye and a bespectacled mouse who takes them in the hot air contraption to an alternate dimension. The story is told using graphic novel panels. However, much of the book is made up of a series of two-paged illustrations in which the reader is asked to find certain objects with the number of objects increasing each page. Each page invites the reader to explore an engrossing illustration of a new world of monsters and other mythical creatures. If you love graphic novels or books like Where’s Waldo? or both, this book will not disappoint.

The Detective’s Assistant By Kate Hannigan Little, Brown, and Company, 2015. Fiction. When eleven-year-old Nell is orphaned, she is sent off to go live with her estranged aunt who is none too pleased to be strapped down with a child while she is busy being the first female detective for the Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency. So that she will not be sent to the Home of the Friendless, Nell comes up ways to be useful to her aunt, including helping with her cases. Along the way she meets interesting people and discovers the true history of the bad blood between her aunt and her father. Inspired by the real life first female Pinkerton detective Kate Warne, this book gives a glimpse into life in the Eastern United States right before the outbreak of the Civil War. Author notes in the back provide information of the real life characters mentioned. The blend of mystery, adventure, and history will satisfy many readers.

The Dragonfly Effect By Gordon Korman Scholastic, 2015. 243 p. Fiction Here is the gripping finish to Korman's exciting " Hypnotists " trilogy.  Jax and his family have been put under the protection of the US military, and Dr. Mako has been put in jail. Jax along with other mind benders from Sentia and the Sandman's Guild are now part of the government's Hypnotic Warfare Research Department (HoWaRD).  As Colonel Brassmeyer puts the hypnotists through one experiment after another, Jax has a hard time seeing how working for the army is much better than what he was doing with in Sentia.  He finds out when Mako escapes from prison, captures one of HoWaRD's young hypnotic prodigies, and uses him in a new diabolical plot. Now it is up to Jax to defy his family, his friends, and the entire US army to save the world. This final adventure has all the fast paced action and psychological thrills that readers have come to expect from Korman.  The ending, if not enti...

Mother/Daughter Book Club Nuts to You By Lynne Rae Perkins After surviving being carried off by a hawk, a young squirrel resolves to find his way home, as his best friends begin their search for him. Mother/Son Book Club How They Croaked: The Awful End of the Awfully Famous By Georgia Bragg A look at the deaths of several famous people throughout history and the circumstances surrounding those deaths.

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin By Liesl Shurtliff Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. Fiction. Twelve-year-old Rump, who lived in town were your name determined your destiny, lived up to his name. He was short and unremarkable but he knew if he could figure out his true full name—the name his mother intended to give him but was unable to finish saying before she died giving birth to him—he could be somebody. One day he discovers his mother’s old spinning wheel and his ability to turn straw into gold. What he thought would bring relief to his dire conditions, giving him a way to provide for his sickly grandmother and to him, only brings complications when he has to turn his gold over for any price given—including a princess’s baby. When his grandmother dies, he goes in search for his real name and to find a way to end his curse of the gold to his mother’s homeland and comes across other interesting fairy tale creatures along the way that also get a bad reputation in fairy tale...

ART2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling By Tom Angleberger A collection of crafts and activities featuring Dwight and the other kids at Ralph McQuarrie Middle School and characters from the "Star Wars" motion picture series. LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary By Simon Beecroft Presents the Star Wars line of LEGO action figures and playsets, detailing a history of the toy line and how each playset connects to the events in the Star Wars films. Goodnight, Darth Vader By Jeffrey Brown The Sith Lord must soothe his rambunctious twins, Luke and Leia--who are not ready to sleep and who insist on a story. The Star Wars Craft Book By Bonnie Burton This fully illustrated guide brings many beloved elements of Star Wars to life, from Chewbacca sock puppets and Ewok flower vases to Jabba the Hutt Body Pillows and R2-D2 crocheted beanies. With easy step-by-step instructions, fans of all ages and skill levels can bring the best of the galaxy into their homes. The ...

Starred Children's Fiction The books in this display received starred reviews from at least four different national review journals* during 2015.  Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff received six, and The Nest by Kenneth Oppel received five starred reviews. Six Stars Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff Philomel Books, 2015. 289 p.  As Trent Zimmerman struggles to move past a traumatic event that took place several months earlier, he befriends class outcast Fallon Little, who helps him understand that he can move on. Five Stars The Nest by Kenneth Oppel Simon and Schuster, 2015. 244 p When wasps come to Steve in a dream offering to fix his sick baby brother, he thinks all he has to do is say "yes." But "yes" may not mean what Steve thinks it means. Four Stars The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz Candlewick Press, 2015. 387 p. Fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs, just like the heroines in her beloved novels, yearns for real life and...

Goosebumps: Slappy’s Tales of Horro r Adapted and illustrated by Dave Roman, Gabriel Hernandez, Ted Naifeh and Jamie Tolagson Scholastic Inc., 2015. Graphic Novel, 172 p. R L. Stine’s successful and creepy series has finally begun to be adapted into the graphic novel format. Slappy’s Tales of Horror consists of four of the original tales adapted and illustrated by four different author/illustrators. This adaptation stays true to the books while adding chilling illustrations that bring the stories to life in a new and eerie way. Each author/illustrator brings a unique style to each story leaving the reader satisfied having read four distinct stories. As with the original series, this graphic novel is not for younger children but will be enjoyed by older elementary schoolers who are looking for a good scare.

A Nearer Moon By Melanie Crowder Atheneum Books, 2015. Fiction. 160p. Luna lives in a village raised on stilts over a murky swamp, poling her shallow boat through the muddy water. The old folk remember a time when a beautiful river ran past their doors, before the water dammed up and went bad, causing anyone who drinks it to slowly sicken and die. Some people say it’s because a dark creature lives under the water, but Luna doesn’t believe in magic or curses. But when her little sister comes down with the wasting sickness and has three weeks to live, Luna knows she will leave no theory unexplored and no danger untried in order to save her sister. Although the premise of setting out on a dangerous mission to save a beloved younger sibling is a familiar one, this story is fresh and memorable. The writing is lyrical, the hot jungle swamp – beautiful but deadly – wonderfully described, and the ebullient life of the water sprites is whimsical and joyful. This story has some deep the...

Dolls of Hope by Shirley Parenteau Candlewick Press, 2015. Fiction 317 p. Chiyo isn't so sure about her sister's arrange marriage with a wealthy, older man. But when her future brother-in-law arranges for her to have the honor of attending a upper class boarding school, she begins to warm up to him a little. Chiyo has been raised all her life in a poor mountain village--so fitting in with all the important rich girls and their polished manners is rather difficult. When over 12,000 friendship dolls are sent to Japan by  American children, Chiyo is the one person in her school who is given the very important task of taking care of one of them. This, of course, does not sit well with some of her more privileged classmates who feel she is not worthy of the honor. Not only was this a really fun story to read, but it also taught me a great deal about a fascinating, little-known historical event--the exchange of friendship dolls between the USA and Japan back in the 1920's...

Bug Zoo By Nick Baker Naturalist Nick Baker shows the reader how to make miniature habitats for insects, snails and worms, some interesting aspects of their lives and how to feed the contained creatures. Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey By Loree Griffin Burns Introduces readers to a butterfly farm in Costa Rica. The Secret Lives of Backyard Bugs By Judy Burris Provides information about insects commonly found in backyards and explains the many advantages they provide. Bug Butts By Dawn Cusick Learn about the diverse ways insects use their butt ends to survive and thrive. Bugs and Bugsicles: Insects in the Winter By Amy S. Hansen Discusses the awe-inspiring tricks insects use to outwit the killing frosts of winter.  Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs By Catherine D. Hughes A fact-filled introduction to a variety of jumping, crawling, and creeping insects expands from backyard favorites, including ladybugs and fireflies, to more exotic species from the world's rain ...

  Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Racoon by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Chris Van Dusen Candlewick Press, 2015. Intermediate, 91 p. Francine Poulet is the best animal control officer in the town, maybe in the whole state.  She has 37 animal control awards, and has had her picture in the newspaper.  One night she is called out to capture a "ghost racoon," a racoon with shimmery gray fur that screams. When it seems to scream Francine's name, Francine is so frightened she loses her nerve.  Can she still be the town's best animal control officer if she is frightened by one screaming racoon?  It is a long road back, but with the help of her friends on Deckawood Lane she regains the confidence she needs to be who she really is.  This is the second spinoff chapter book from the successful Mercy Watson series.  Even though the main character is an adult, children will relate with Francine's struggle to overcome her fear and insecurity. As always DiCa...