Moon Over Manifest

Moon Over Manifest
by Clare Vanderpool

Moon Over Manifest is the 2011 Newbery Medal winning book. Set in 1936, it is the story of 12-year-old Abilene. Her railroad worker father has suddenly sent her to spend her summer with old friends in the small Kansas town of Manifest. During her summer, Abilene meets new people, makes friends, and tries to learn more about her father's past. The story alternates between 1936, when Abilene is living in Manifest, and 1918, the year her father lived there.

This is a great book and a good choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Author's Website: http://www.clarevanderpool.com/

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken
by David Ezra Stein

Little Red Chicken won't go to bed without a bedtime story, but gets so excited that she keeps interrupting each one! After three stories, there are no more left to tell. How will Little Red Chicken fall asleep without her story?

This is a funny book that reminds us how important it is to be patient and not interrupt during a story. I read this book to many of my classes this past week and followed it with a discussion on how to be good listeners during our library storytime. It is also a 2011 Caldecott Honor Book, so it is full of great illustrations.

Author's Website: http://www.davidezra.com/

The Night Fairy

The Night Fairy
by Laura Amy Schlitz

How can a fairy survive without her wings? Flory's wings are damaged one night after crashing into a bat. Now this night fairy can no longer fly and must learn to live during the daytime. Readers will enjoy this tiny, determined fairy's adventures which include meetings with squirrels, hummingbirds, spiders and other creatures.

The Night Fairy website: http://www.thenightfairy.com

Keepers of the School: We the Children

We the Children
by Andrew Clements

We The Children is the first book in a new mystery series by author Andrew Clements. Ben’s school is scheduled to be torn down at the end of the school year in order to be replaced by a theme park. When Mr. Keane, the janitor, dies suddenly after giving Ben a mysterious coin, Ben and his friend Jill try to solve the mystery of the coin and save their school. This is an exciting mystery that will have readers looking forward to the next book in the series.

Author's Website: http://www.andrewclements.com/