Shark Lady by Jess Keating illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
From a young age, Eugenie Clark was fascinated by sharks. While others thought they were scary, ugly, creatures, Eugenie saw them as beautiful and wanted to learn as much as she could about them. When Eugenie wanted to study zoology, she was discouraged by many because she was a woman. However, she was determined to follow her dreams and became a renowned scientist, making discoveries about the beautiful sharks that had always fascinated her!
What an beautiful book! The story of scientist Eugenie Clark will inspire many. I enjoyed learning more about her and how she grew from a shark-loving little girl to a distinguished scientist.
Penelope Rex is so excited about her first day of school! Unfortunately, she has a bit of a problem: she keeps eating her classmates! Although she spits them out, her behavior prevents her from making any friends at school. Penelope doesn't understand why her classmates don't trust her, but an encounter with the class pet goldfish may help put things into perspective!
What a funny book! Maine author and illustrator Ryan T. Higgins has created a hilarious story about a dinosaur that learns an important lesson on how (and how not) to make friends!
Fergus and Zeke by Kate Messner illustrated by Heather Ross
Classroom pet Fergus wants to go along on the class trip to the museum! Not wanting to be left behind, he sneaks along by hiding in a student's backpack. While at the museum, Fergus discovers many exciting things, including another mouse named Zeke! His new friend helps him navigate the large, busy museum, but then Fergus realizes that he may miss the school bus ride home if he doesn't find his class! Will he find his class before they leave the museum?
Fergus and Zeke is the first book in a fun new series! Its short chapters and fun, engaging illustrations make this a great choice for newly independent readers looking for a chapter book. I'm looking forward to the next adventure of Fergus and Zeke!
It's an annual tradition: all residents of St. Polonius who are twelve and older participate in the eating of the sacred liver. Unfortunately, twelve-year-old Jean is unable to eat hers and hopes that no one will find out. Shortly after the annual celebration everyone who ate the liver suddenly, and mysteriously, fall into a deep sleep, leaving the children of St. Polonius to care for themselves. What caused this deep sleep? Was it related to the liver? Jean and her friends must find answers before their town falls apart!
This was a very fun story! I found that it had a lot of humorous parts, especially as the young children of St. Polonius eagerly took over their parents' jobs while the adults were in a deep sleep. This is a great choice for readers looking for a humorous mystery!
Avani does not want to be a Flower Scout. All they do is talk about makeup and boys, while Avani would rather be doing something more adventurous. She unexpectedly gets her wish when Mabel, a Star Scout from outer space, accidentally teleports Avani to her troop meeting. The Star Scouts are everything that Avani wishes the Flower Scouts were. Unfortunately, a trip to the Star Scout camp may cause her membership in the troop to be a short one!
Star Scouts is the first book in an exciting new graphic novel series. With engaging illustrations and a humorous, action-filled storyline, this will a great choice for many readers!
Harper Raine is not happy about moving, especially when she suspects that the creepy old house they moved into is haunted. Shortly after moving in, her younger brother starts acting strange, throwing violent tantrums and talking to an imaginary friend. Harper begins to learn more about the history of the home, and the more she learns the more she is convinced that there are evil spirits present.
What an exciting, suspenseful book! This creepy ghost story is a great choice for readers who enjoying scary tales.
Calliope and her mother are moving again. It's hard for most people to constantly adjust to a new home and school, but for Calli it's extra difficult. Calli has Tourette syndrome, causing her to uncontrollably make faces, movements, and sounds. Even though she tries to hide it, eventually the other kids at school notice. She has hope for a friend when she meets her new neighbor, but even he is reluctant because he's worried about what the others at school will think. Will Calli ever find the acceptance, friendship, and permanent home that she has been hoping for?
Another book that I would not put down until I finished! I love how this story is told using two different narrators, alternating between Calli, whose chapters are told in verse, and her neighbor Jinsong. This is a very powerful, emotional story that I highly recommend to my readers.
Every animal of the world is unique, but it is possible to take a group of very different animals and find something they all share. Author/illustrator Brendan Wenzel does exactly that in this amazing picture book. Engaging illustrations of a variety of animals, including many endangered species, are shown throughout this story, grouped by traits they have in common. This is a great book to help readers find similarities among different creatures and may also inspire some to learn more about the unusual animals shown in this book. Author's website: https://brendanwenzel.info/
Imagine having no memory of your past. That is what has happened to Chase Ambrose after he falls off his roof. Amnesia has erased his memories, leaving him with no idea about who he was before the fall. However, as he begins to learn more about his past, he realizes that the Chase he was before the fall may not be someone he wants to become again.
What a powerful story! I've always been a fan of Gordon Korman and this book was one of those that I picked up and would not put down until I was finished. As with many of the author's other books, Restart alternates between narrators, allowing the readers to connect with multiple characters who have been impacted by both the old and new Chase. This is an outstanding book about second chances that I think many readers will enjoy.
Baabwaa & Wooliam by David Elliott illustrated by Melissa Sweet Book-loving Wooliam and knitting Baabwaa live in a cozy home full of yarn and books. One day Wooliam decides it's time for an adventure, so the two sheep venture out to the field outside their home in search of excitement. While wandering their field, they come across a very unusual looking sheep who Wooliam immediately realizes is a wolf in disguise!
This exciting picture book is full of fun characters and many hilarious moments. David Elliott's entertaining text is accompanied by fantastic, whimsical illustrations by Maine author/illustrator Melissa Sweet. As a fan of books and knitting, I found this book particularly entertaining! I'm looking forward to sharing this book with readers for our upcoming Chickadee Book Award unit.
It's an annual tradition: all residents of St. Polonius who are twelve and older participate in the eating of the sacred liver. Unfortunately, twelve-year-old Jean is unable to eat hers and hopes that no one will find out. Shortly after the annual celebration everyone who ate the liver suddenly, and mysteriously, fall into a deep sleep, leaving the children of St. Polonius to care for themselves. What caused this deep sleep? Was it related to the liver? Jean and her friends must find answers before their town falls apart!
Every animal of the world is unique, but it is possible to take a group of very different animals and find something they all share. Author/illustrator Brendan Wenzel does exactly that in this amazing picture book. Engaging illustrations of a variety of animals, including many endangered species, are shown throughout this story, grouped by traits they have in common. This is a great book to help readers find similarities among different creatures and may also inspire some to learn more about the unusual animals shown in this book. 
Imagine having no memory of your past. That is what has happened to Chase Ambrose after he falls off his roof. Amnesia has erased his memories, leaving him with no idea about who he was before the fall. However, as he begins to learn more about his past, he realizes that the Chase he was before the fall may not be someone he wants to become again. 
Book-loving Wooliam and knitting Baabwaa live in a cozy home full of yarn and books. One day Wooliam decides it's time for an adventure, so the two sheep venture out to the field outside their home in search of excitement. While wandering their field, they come across a very unusual looking sheep who Wooliam immediately realizes is a wolf in disguise!