Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui Sutherland Scholastic Press, 2012. 304 p.  Fiction. Got a young dragon enthusiast in your home? Then this is the series you need to check out for them next. According to prophecy, five dragons will come together and someday stop the never-ending war currently plaguing all the dragon clans. Tradition says dragons are supposed to stick with their own kind and not mix with other clans. When five young dragons from different clans are stolen and raised together in the hopes that they will someday grow up to become the dragons of prophecy--they eventually run away from their captors and begin a series of misadventures together. Little do they realize that their impulsive actions will  soon effect the fate of every dragon clan. Full of non-stop action and at-the-edge-of-your-seat adventure--this rip-roaring tale will keep fifth and sixth grade readers coming back for more.

The League of Beastly Dreadfuls By Holly Grant Random House, 2015. Fiction. 294 p. Anastasia was just a normal eleven year old until one day two old women claiming to be her aunts picked her at school, telling her she was to stay with them since her parents were in a freak vacuum cleaner accident. They take her to an old Victorian home aptly named St. Agony's Asylum for the Criminally Insane and there she uncovers secrets, including two other kids her age who are trapped. Together they form the League of Beastly Dreadfuls and plan their escape. This book has quirkiness and humor reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, Chris Grabenstein, and Roland Dahl.

I Hear a Pickle (and Smell, See, Touch, and Taste It, Too!)  By Rachel Isadora Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2016. 32 p. This is a great book to explain the five senses. There are multiple pages that are devoted to each sense. For example, there are six pages that talk about things that children “see”. “I see the airplane up so high. The lamp is on. I see. The lamp is off. I don’t see.” The best thing about these lists of things that children hear, smell, see, touch, and taste is that it includes things they do and don’t sense. Children may “touch the lollipop” but they “don’t touch the stove. It’s hot!” Another thing that is clever about this book is that there are lots of different exclamations that the multicultural children make in the book. When a child tastes the apple the word “crunchy!” follows. When a child smells the baby’s poop the word “yuck!” is written.  This book is great at showing a plethora of everyday examples of the ...

Deadweather and Sunrise (The Chronicles of Egg #1) By Geoff Rodkey G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2012. Fiction. 296 p. Thirteen-year-old Egg lives on the stifling island of Deadweather which is inhabited by Egg, his father who owns an ugly fruit orchard, his two violent and cruel siblings, a tutor who knows next to nothing and a large gang of pirates. One day Egg’s father comes home with a preoccupied look on his face, and quickly packs up Egg and his siblings and they set out for Sunrise Island. Soon after their arrival to Sunrise, Egg’s family disappears on a hot air balloon and Egg finds himself living a charmed life for a few weeks with the rich and powerful Pembroke family in their mansion. Egg quickly falls in love with Millicent, the beautiful, wise-cracking daughter of the Pembroke family. However, Egg’s new lifestyle ends abruptly when someone tries to kill him. Wanted for a murder he did not commit in a land that is not his own, Egg begins to run, and fight, for his life. Re...

The Rat with the Human Face (QwikPick Papers, Book 2) by Tom Angleberger Amulet Books, 2015. Fiction. 146 p. This is the second book of the QwikPick Papers series. After their thrilling trek to see the  Poop Fountain , Lyle, Dave and Marilla have been hunting for a new adventure.  They come across what seems to be the perfect quest when they hear a electrician talk about seeing a rat with a human face at a college nature lab at a nearby mountain resort.  The three are determined to get to the resort and see the rat for themselves. The road to the lab is a bumpy one that strains the friendship of the three adventurers, and threatens to destroy the QwikPick Adventure Club for good. Angleberger understands how tweens think and his tween voice is spot on.  He includes plenty of fun and laughs, and even a cute little crush triangle.  This is a quick read, and a great choice for either boy or girl reluctant readers. (146 p)

In the Canyon By Liz Garton Scanlon Beach Lane Books, 2015. Picture book. A young girl embarks on a hike through the Grand Canyon and points out the lizards, birds, petroglyphs, and rock formations she sees. Even after she leaves to return to her city home, she carries with her the memories and connection to nature she experienced. The rhyming text in this book is simple enough for early readers to try out. The block print illustrations with their vibrant, saturated colors create a strong sense of place and depict specific plants and animals native to the West. A great choice for families planning a hiking trip or desert adventure.

Rivka's Way by Teri Kanefield Front Street/ Cricket Books, 2001. 137p. Fiction Rivka Lieberman is a fifteen-year-old girl living in Prague's Jewish quarter. Because of the prevalent hatred  against Jews in 1776, she has never been able to leave the safety of the walls surrounding her city--until now. Feeling trapped and desperate to see more the outside world, Rivka sneaks out one day, without permission, and meets a sympathetic Christian boy. Thus they begin a very dangerous secret friendship. Those who loved the classic film, Fiddler on the Roof , will be charmed by this delightfully sweet and thoughtful book about a lesser known part of history.

The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage By Selina Alko The story of interracial couple Mildred and Richard Perry, who got married in Washington, D.C., and were arrested after they returned to Virginia, and took their legal case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Story of the Civil Rights Freedom Rides in Photographs By David Aretha Discusses the Freedom Rides, an important event in the Civil Rights Movement, including the riders who risked their lives, the violence the riders faced, and the successful integration of interstate buses and terminals. We March By Shane Evans Illustrations and brief text portray the events of the 1963 march in Washington, D.C., where the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a historic speech. What Was the March on Washington? By Kathleen Krull Describes the 1963 March on Washington, helmed by Martin Luther King, Jr., where over two hundred thousand people gathered to demand equal rights for all races, and explai...

Over the Garden Wall created by Patrick McHale Cartoon Network Studios. 2014. J DVD. Wirt and Greg are half-brothers who find themselves lost in a strange wilderness where animals can sing, autumn never seems to end, and their best dreams and worst nightmares come to life. It would be near-sinful to divulge more of this series' secrets. This 10-part miniseries   cannot come with a higher recommendation. In a children's television landscape defined by manic energy and pure volume, Over the Garden Wall is a refreshing diversion that taps into the deep wells of fairy-tales and early 20th-century Americana. Its influences shift in every episode, at times either a musical, a slapstick comedy, or a total dream story -- but it is always a story for children, and one that absolutely understands childlike wonder . A fair warning: it is at times frightening, but only in a manner similar to  The Wizard of Oz  and  Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' scariest imagery...

Bloom By Doreen Cronin Illustrated by David Small Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2016.  Unpaged.  Picture Book Once there was a powerful fairy named Bloom who created a kingdom made of glass.  The king and his people loved their shiny kingdom, but they did not love Bloom's heavy feet and the trails of mud she left behind.  The lonely Bloom eventually leaves the kingdom to live in the forest.  Years later, when the glass kingdom is falling apart, the search for Bloom and her fairy magic begin.  But it will take a special (ordinary) girl named Genevieve to discover the secret to saving the kingdom. In Bloom , Doreen Cronin (of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type fame) has written a delightful modern fairy tale with a classic fairy tale feel.  David Small's beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations add the perfect amount of whimsy to the story.  In the end, the takeaway lesson comes through loud and clear:  sometimes all it takes t...

Jackrabbit McCabe & the Electric Telegraph By Lucy Margaret Rozier and Leo Espinosa Schwartz & Wade Books, 2015, Picture Book Jackrabbit McCabe was born to run, and fast. As a boy his legs grew so quickly that his pants would become shorts by the end of the day. By the time he was eighteen years old Jackrabbit had out-raced everything in the town of Windy Flats, including locomotives, horses, and even a stagecoach. Everyone in town knew they could count on Jackrabbit when they needed something delivered, so many were doubtful when a "newfangled contraption", the electric telegraph, was installed claiming to deliver messages faster than mail, and Jackrabbit. After overhearing the town mayor and judge express their doubts, the telegraph man proposed a race between Jackrabbit and the wires. The first to get a message to the nearby town of Sandy Bluff would win. The town all gathered to cheer on Jackrabbit, but despite running so fast that he "roared like...

The Story of Diva and Flea  Written by Mo Willems Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi Hyperion Books for Children, 2015. Intermediate. 67 p. Diva is a rich dog who has never gone further than the courtyard of 11 avenue Le Play in Paris, France. Flea, an alley cat living on the streets of Paris, has never had a fixed address. However, a chance encounter leads to a blossoming friendship in which Diva hears wonderful stories of all of Flea’s adventures. After spending some time in each other’s world, the bonds of their friendship become even stronger and they find themselves enjoying a mix of both worlds. Children’s author/illustrator dream duo, Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi, team up in this intermediate chapter book to present a story full of sweetness and charm. The text and illustrations create an unmistakable Parisian tone that adds to the charm. Both characters are likeable and have good qualities that come out as the story progresses. A good choice for a chapter book for 2...

Firstborn by Tor Seidler Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015. 227p. Fiction Maggie is a magpie who was born on a farm in Montana. She makes friends with a young wolf, Blue Boy, who has wandered out of Yellowstone Park. She follows Blue Boy as he finds and joins a small pack and eventually becomes its leader. Together Maggie and Blue Boy lead their pack back to the safety of Yellowstone Park, where they brave the wrath of other established packs to make a home for themselves.  Here is a new book for readers who have enjoyed the animal series by Erin Hunter. Although the animals are highly anthropomorphized, Seidler does not gloss over the laws of nature and the struggle for survival animals face in the wild. The book is nicely written with plenty of action and adventure. The author did quite a bit of research in Yellowstone and explores the real issues and challenges surrounding the reintroduction of wolves into the park.

The Snow Beast By Chris Judge Andersen Press, 2015. Picture book. Every year the Beast helps the town people put on a snow festival, but this year all of the tools in the village have been stolen! The townspeople are sure it is the work of the abominable Snow Beast, so the Beast sets out to find this mysterious monster, experiencing quite a few adventures and even more surprises along the way. The story is exciting and wacky, and the extended chase scenes allow the bright and detailed illustrations to really shine. Chris Judge, the author/illustrator, won the Irish Children’s Book Award for a previous book about the Beast.

Mine! By Susie Lee Jin Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016. 40 p. In this humorous picture book two bunnies find a carrot inside of a top hat. Each little rabbit firmly declares that the carrot is “Mine!” Of course all the commotion brings other rabbits to see what is happening—and they promptly lay claim to the vegetable. Only when a solemn looking snowman comes into view does the group of bunnies finally agree as to who should get the carrot. This is one of those nearly-wordless picture books that have more of the story tied to the illustrations than the actual words used in the text. In fact, there are only three words used throughout the story. So if there is a young little reader or group of readers that enjoy talking and explaining details (and like to practice their narrative skills that help them become readers before they can actually read on their own), then this is one of those books that these youngsters will love to read again and again. And once t...

Bunnies!!! by Kevan Atteberry Katherine Tegen Books, 2015. Picture Book. As a large, spotted blue monster takes a walk through the woods one day, he stumbles onto the most adorable group of bunnies playing together. Unable to control his enthusiasm for bunnies, he goes running to greet them--only to have them flee from him in terror. What is a lonely monster to do when his favorite things in the whole world want nothing to do with him? Read this cute and hilarious picture book to find out! A great read-aloud for younger children.

Mother/Daughter Book Club Honey By Sarah Weeks When she suspects that her father has a girlfriend, Melody and her best friend are determined to figure out who it is and why it is a secret. Mother/Son Book Club Circus Mirandus By Cassie Beasley When he realizes that his grandfather's stories of an enchanted circus are true, Micah Tuttle sets out to find the mysterious Circus Mirandus--and to use its magic to save his grandfather's life.

To the Stars!: The First American Woman to Walk in Space By Carmella Van Vleet and Dr. Kathy Sullivan Illustrated by Nicole Wong Charlesbridge, 2016. Biography. Growing up, Kathy wanted to be more than what was expected of a girl from her generation. She wanted to explore and see the world. Even at a very young age she loved studying the aircraft blueprints her father brought home from work. Her family encouraged her to pursue her love of flying and science. As she later discovered as an adult “I know what I love, and I’m just going to follow that compass.” That led her to apply to and be accepted into NASA’s first space-shuttle class along with six other women. This picture book biography is great for any young adventure. In alternating page spreads it tells an experience of Kathy’s young life and how it influenced her as she prepared to be an astronaut. Extensive endnotes include “A Note from Kathy”, a one page biography, and short paragraphs about 14 other women astronauts....

Flutter & Hum, Animal Poems/ Aleteo y Zumbido, Poemas de Animales by Julie Paschkis Henry Holt and Company, 2015. Bilingual Poetry. unpag. This is a lovely collection of 13 free verse poems, written in English and Spanish, about animals.  Translating poems into another language is always tricky, but Paschkis does a wonderful job here.  The poems work well in either language, with some word plays originating in Spanish and some in English.  Paschkis has a good sense of the sound of words, and uses alliteration and consonance to good effect, "soy la ballena bailarina./ Dentro las burbujas brillantes/bailo con el ocean enorme." Paschkis also illustrates the poems, and has incorporated words into the bright, watercolor illustrations, making them part of the poetry.  Although located in the Spanish Informational section, this has equal appeal in either language. Esta es una hermosa colección de 13 poemas de verso libre, escritos en inglés y español, sobre ...

Are We There, Yeti? By Ashlyn Anstee Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015, Picture Book The friendly, big-toothed, marshmallow like bus driver, Yeti, is taking a class on a field trip. This particular trip holds a surprise destination, and all the while the children are asking, "are we there, Yeti?" They travel what appears to be a very long time past various scenes, starting with a small town to a coastal beach and eventually up into the high mountains. When they finally arrive to the snowy mountain top all the children are a bit confused, until small yeti children begin to appear throughout the next pages. The human children and yeti children play together in the snow, making snowmen, sledding, and having a snowball fight. When it comes time to leave the children don't want to go, exclaiming that, "they aren't ready, Yeti". The sweet Yeti reminds them that they will return soon. And so begins their journey back home, but not without a...

Under Their Skin By Margaret Peterson Haddix Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016. 311 p.  Fiction. If you have a Haddix fan in your home, get ready for her next series!  Twelve-year-old twins, Nick and Eryn, are not thrilled when their mother tells them she will be getting remarried.  But they are stunned to find out that Michael has children he has never mentioned.  When they are informed that they will never even meet Michael's kids, and their visits are scheduled while Nick and Eryn will be away at their dad's house, things start getting strange.  The twins are too curious to let it go and break into the step-siblings' locked bedrooms, leading them on a mission to meet Jackson and Ava.  What they discover will shatter the only reality they have ever known and send them on a desperate search for the information they need to save the human race. Under Their Skin is a great read for kids who already love science fiction, but will a...

Dance! Dance! Underpants! Ballet Cat Series By Bob Shea Disney Hyperion, 2016. 56 p. In this edition of the Ballet Cat series Ballet Cat is trying to teach Butter Bear how to do super-high leaps—only Butter Bear keeps putting it off. At first Ballet Cat is understanding. She moves the chandelier that might bonk Butter Bear’s head. She helps Butter Bear get a snack and waits while she goes to the bathroom (in the woods because she is a bear). But eventually Ballet Cat comes unglued. Why won’t Butter Bear do super-high leaps?!? The answer (which involves the word “underpants”) will make readers chuckle. This is a fun book that will get kids to laugh. Let’s face it—even the title has the word “underpants” and kids just love laughing when people say that particular word. It also shows kids that being confidant is just as important to ballet as being able to actually do the super-high leaps. (And both Butter Bear and Ballet Cat have super cute underwear.) Give this book to fans ...

The Hundred-Year-Old Secret By Tracy Barrett Henry Holt, 2008. Fiction. 157 p. This first book in The Sherlock Files has Xena and Xander Holmes, two American kids just arriving in London with the parents to live for a year, find out they are descendants of the great mastermind Sherlock Holmes himself, and because of that, they are inducted into the Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives. When they are given Sherlock’s unsolved casebook, the two of them decide to see if with modern technology they could solve what Sherlock could not. Their first case: to find the missing painting Girl in a Purple Hat. Good pacing and presentable clues for readers to follow make this a delightful fast read for any mystery reader. The audio rendition, available on Overdrive, would make it a good road trip listen for families with upper elementary kids while being entertaining enough for the adults as well.

Duck for President By Doreen Cronin When Duck gets tired of working for Farmer Brown, his political ambition eventually leads to his being elected President. Grace for President By Kelly Dipucchio When Grace discovers that there has never been a female U.S. president, she decides to run for school president. George Washington: Our First President By Ann Gaines Looks at the life and presidency of the first president of the United States. Madeline at the White House By John Bemelmans Marciano Madeline and the other orphans of the vine-covered house in Paris spend Easter at the White House visiting with the President's daughter. Abraham Lincoln : America's 16th president By Steven Otfinoski A biography of the sixteenth President of the United States. Madam President By Lane Smith A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were President of the United States. The First Pup: The Real Story of How Bo Got to the White House By Bob Staake Once u...

                                            Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins Disney Hyperion, 2015. Unpaged. Picture Book      Bruce is a bear who lives by himself and is grumpy. The one thing that cheered him up was to eat eggs to which he had helped himself from various nests in the neighborhood. He cooked them up in a lot of different ways using recipes he found on the internet. But Bruce is surprised one day when he leaves some eggs on the stove to boil, and they hatch. What to do with those goslings who think he is their mother? Chicks on toast, maybe? Instead, Bruce takes care of them from when they are annoying little things, through when they are surly teenage things, to when they are grownups and should be off on their own. Bruce thinks when it is time for the birds to fly south he will be free from the responsibilities of his unexpected family, but...

                                          Soar by Joan Bauer Viking, 2016.  297 pgs. Fiction      Jeremiah was a foundling - left in the break room at Computer Partners, Ltd., where he was found by Walt Lopper who adopted him. He had nothing with him but a tiny stuffed eagle, the clothes on his back (and bottom), and a note asking for Walt to take care of him. When he was three, Jeremiah contracted a virus that damaged his heart to the degree that he had to have a transplant. Now he and Walt are temporarily moving to Hillcrest, Ohio, where baseball, Jeremiah's favorite sport, is King--or maybe even Emperor. But just after Jeremiah arrives, a tragedy and a scandal essentially shut down high school baseball in Hillcrest. Jeremiah has to fight hard to get a Middle School team going.  He can't play, so he coaches. Joan Bauer is reliably funny.  Okay, ...

Dragons Love Tacos By Adam Rubin Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012. Picture Book Did you know that dragons love tacos? Well they do, a lot. They love all kinds of tacos.Bbeef or chicken, large or small, they really really love them. Their favorite toppings are lettuce, tomato, and cheese, but be sure to leave out the spicy salsa. Spicy salsa is nothing but trouble for dragons, you can imagine why (fire breath). Dragons also love parties, especially taco parties. Robbie decides he is going to throw the dragons a taco party. When the dragons of all shapes and sizes arrive they are ready to dig into their delicious tacos, but wait, Robbie didn't read the fine print on the "Totally Mild Salsa" bottle label that read, "now with spicy jalapeno peppers". He tries to stop the dragons from taking another bite but it's too late and fire breathing panic ensues. This picture book is just plain goofy, but a New York Times best s...

                                             The Extra Yard by Mike Lupica Simon & Schuster, 2016.  292 pgs. Fiction      Teddy Madden is a bit of a schlub until his friend Jack takes him in hand, helps him get into shape, and then finds him a spot as a catcher on his school's baseball team. But Teddy wants to play football. He makes the team on the strength of a one-handed grab in the end zone at tryouts and surrounded by friends Jack, Gus, and Cassie he looks forward to a great football season with the Walton Wildcats. But then his long-absent father shows up. His friends tell him to stop hating on the man, and Teddy makes progress until his Dad (a former quarterback) shows up on the sidelines and starts coaching. Predictably, the starting quarterback (Jack) goes out for the season with a shoulder separation, and Teddy steps in at quarterba...

The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle By Christopher Healy Walden Pond Press, 2013. Fiction. 479 pgs After a year’s hiatus, the League of Princes reunite to reclaim their hero status as they set out to rescue Prince Liam; he’s been kidnapped by Briar Rose, who plans to force him to marry her. But things don’t go as planned (it’s the League of Princes we are talking about--what else do you expect?), and they end up having to battle enemies on all fronts. Trolls are back, as well as the Bandit King, and a new nemesis is stalking them as well. Secrets are revealed, jealousies arise, and humor abounds in this entertaining sequel to A Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom . Once again Bronson Pinchot amazes me with his talent as he comes up with so many distinctive voices for the multitude of characters the book contains. Available on Overdrive.

The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom By Vicki Lockwood Capstone Young Readers, 2015. Fiction. 197 pgs After finally managing to escape the clutches of her abusive, drunkard father, Lizzie Brown finds herself taken in by the kind performers and crew of a traveling circus. When a crime wave hits Victorian London, people are beginning to say it is a "phantom" and not a person who is committing the seemingly impossible thefts. Lizzie, who suffers from unusual visions, finds herself knowing in advance where and when the phantom is going to strike next. This puts both her and her new circus friends in grave danger. Part mystery, part paranormal adventure, The Magnificent Lizzie Brown will have readers at the edge of their seats--and desperate to read the next book in this fabulous series.

Everything Cat By Marty Crisp NorthWord Press, 2003. Informational. 63 p. This fun informational book uses a question-and-answer format to present a variety of information about cats. Cool Cat By Nonny Hogrogian Roaring Book Press, 2009. Picture Book Cool Cat's neighborhood isn't so cool. It's barren and brown, littered with rusty cans and broken bottles. No problem. With an old paint box, a troop of helpful animals, and lots of imagination, Cool Cat turns the world around him into a Rousseau-style masterpiece. An enchanting story of resourcefulness and positive thinking. Catwings By Ursula LeGuin Orchard Books, 1988. Intermediate. 39 p. Four young cats with wings leave the city slums in search of a safe place to live, finally meeting two children with kind hands. Cat Secrets By Jef Czekaj Blazer Bray, 2011. Picture Book Important secrets about how best to live a cat's life will be revealed only to those who can prove that they...