Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms
by Lissa Evans

When Stuart Horten's mother is offered a new job, his parents decide to move to the small town where his father group up.    Stuart is not happy about leaving his home and all of his friends.   Soon after his arrival, however, Stuart learns of a family mystery.  His great-uncle Tony, a magician, mysteriously disappeared many years earlier.    Hidden somewhere is his uncle's secret workshop, where he created magical tools.   Stuart finds himself caught up in a quest to find his uncle's secret workshop and solve the mystery of his disappearance. 

This was a fun read with a combination of mystery, adventure, and magic!   I loved the characters and the many fun gadgets that Stuart encountered throughout the story.    This book definitely sparked my interest in the "miraculous mechanisms" described in the book.   I'm excited to read the next book in the series!

Author video: 

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace 
by Nan Marino

Elvis Ruby needs a place to hide. After a disastrous performance, the famous eleven-year-old just wants to get away from the cameras and fans that are always following him.  The Pancake Palace, a tiny restaurant in a tiny town, seems the perfect place for Elvis to go.  At first his disguise seems to fool everyone, except Cecelia, who recognizes Elvis almost immediately.  She promises to keep his identity a secret, but also needs his help in an important task.    Will he be able to help Cecelia without anyone else finding out who he really is?

This is a fun book that will be a nice choice for fans of realistic fiction.   The story is full of many fun, likeable characters, particularly the main characters Cecelia and Elvis.  

Author's website:   http://www.nanmarino.com/

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein

Twelve sixth-graders are faced with an unusual challenge: find a way to escape from the brand new public library designed by game-maker Luigi Lemoncello.   After a dozen years without a public library, their town is celebrating the impending opening of the new, unique library.

Kyle is one of the twelve sixth-graders who win an essay contest to be part of a group of students who get to spend a night in the library before it is open to the public.   Not only does this innovative new library contain books, it also is home to an IMAX theater, a game room, and other amazing things!  

Just when everything couldn't get any more exciting, the twelve are offered another contest:  be the first to escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library!   In order to find a way out, Kyle and the others must use book-related clues to find an alternate exit to the library.   Will Kyle accept the challenge and be the first to escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library?

As a librarian, I loved this book!   There were many connections to well-known books as well as other library-related trivia, such as the Dewey Decimal system.    As I read this book, I was easily able to envision this extraordinary, innovative library that the kids were exploring.   It is a fun book that has many similarities to stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

Author's website:  http://chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/

Creepy Carrots

Creepy Carrots
by Aaron Reynolds
illustrated by Peter Brown

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots.  He loves them so much that he always finds time to stop by the carrot patch for a snack.    His ravenous appetite for carrots is tested, however, when he suddenly realizes that creepy carrots are following him!   Although he sees the creepy carrots everywhere he goes,  no one else seems to be able to see them.   Will Jasper find a way to escape the creepy carrots?

This Caldecott Honor Book is a hilarious story full of great illustrations.    I've read it aloud to many classes and most of my students love it!



Author's website: http://www.aaron-reynolds.com/

Illustrator's website:  http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/books/#.Un5o442RE7A

Creepy Carrots Zone:  

Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag
by Kate Messner

When a historical flag is stolen, three children who have never met suddenly find themselves working together to solve the mystery!  Anna, Jose, and Henry are strangers who come together at a Washington D.C. airport after their flight is cancelled.   Not only do they each have a connection to the flag, they soon learn that they have something else in common.   Suspecting that the stolen flag (and its thief) is somewhere in the airport, they rush to find the flag and the culprit.   Will they find the flag before their time runs out?

This is a great mystery and the first in a series!  Fans of mysteries will enjoy reading this story.   I'm looking forward to reading more in the Silver Jaguar Society series.

Author's website:  http://www.katemessner.com/

The Center of Everything

The Center of Everything 
by Linda Urban

As Ruby Pepperdine anxiously awaits to present her winning essay at her town's annual Bunting Day parade, she continues to think back to recent events leading up to the day, including the death of her beloved grandmother and a fight with her best friend.   Ruby desperately hopes that a birthday wish made on the statue of Captain Bunting will finally come true on this day.    Will her birthday wish come true and fix everything?

Full of heartwarming, yet sometimes sad, moments, this touching story alternates between present day and Ruby's flashbacks of recent events.   Many readers will be able to identify with the challenges that twelve-year-old Ruby deals with throughout the story.

Author's website:  http://lindaurbanbooks.com/

Chained

Chained
by Lynne Kelly

When ten-year-old Hastin's younger sister becomes sick, he must find a way to help his family raise the money to pay for her medical bills.    Hastin accepts a job from Timir, a circus owner in need of an elephant keeper.   As Hastin travels far from home to work for Timir, he imagines his new job to be full of excitement.   He soon learns, however, that Timir is a cruel man who is determined to make his circus succeed.    As Hastin struggles in his new job, he grows attached to Nandita, a young elephant that had been captured to work Timir's circus.   As he grows closer to Nandita, Hastin becomes determined to free himself and the young elephant from Timir.  

Readers who enjoyed "The One and Only Ivan" will want to read this book!  While the story has some sad parts, I enjoyed reading about the growing bond between Hastin and Nandita.  

Author's website: http://lynnekellybooks.com/wordpress/

Book trailer:

Prairie Evers

Prairie Evers
by Ellen Airgood

Prairie Evers has never been to school.   Having spent her life being home-schooled by her grandmother, Prairie has never experienced learning in a classroom.   All of that changes, however, when her parents decide to move and her grandmother decides not to come with them.   Prairie suddenly must adjust to being in school and soon learns that not everyone in her new class is friendly.    Will Prairie be able to find friends and get used to her new school?

This wonderful story about family and friendship is a good choice for readers who enjoy realistic fiction.   

Author's website: http://ellenairgood.com/

That is Not a Good Idea!

That is Not a Good Idea
by Mo Willems

When a fox invites a goose to come for a walk with him, her babies keep insisting it is not a good idea!  Despite the persistent warnings, the fox and goose continue on the walk and visit the home of the fox.   A hilarious twist at the end of the story will leave many readers surprised and laughing!

I shared this funny story with several of my classes recently and, as with most Mo Willems books, it was a hit!   It's shorter length make it a great, engaging read aloud for younger grades.  


Author's website: http://www.mowillems.com/

Book trailer:
 

Earthling!

Earthling!
by Mark Fearing

Imagine getting on the wrong bus on your first day at a new school!  That's what happened to Bud.   After moving to New Mexico with his father, Bud accidentally gets on the wrong school bus on the first day.   Not only does this bus go to a different school, it goes to a school in outer space!   Arriving at the Cosmos Academy, Bud soon learns that Earthlings are feared by everyone in the galaxy.   With the help of a new friend, Bud hides that he is from Earth by posing as an exchange student.   Unfortunately, pretending to be an exchange student from the planet Tenarian isn't as easy as he thought.  Will Bud be able to find a way to get home to Earth before everyone learns his secret?

With great illustrations and a lot of humor, Earthling! is a great choice for fans of graphic novels as well as readers who enjoy science fiction.  

Author's website:  http://www.markfearing.com/

Book trailer: