Cool New Books for October
The twelfth --- and next-to-last --- installment in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events has been released! It's title, THE PENULTIMATE PERIL, suggests that the Baudelaire orphans are in for their most harrowing adventures yet. October's roundup of Cool New Books also includes INKSPELL, the highly anticipated second novel in Cornelia Funke's Inkheart trilogy; REPLAY by Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech, about a boy who has a talent for transforming the everyday into the extraordinary; A TIME FOR FREEDOM, in which Lynne Cheney tells the great story of America's history; and outstanding picture books from singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan and popular children's authors Cynthia Rylant, M.T. Anderson and Pam Munoz Ryan.
Chapter Books/Middle Grade
 A DOG'S LIFE: The Autobiography of a Stray
Ann M. Martin
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0439715598
Ages 9-12
192 pages
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Squirrel and her brother Bone begin their lives in a toolshed behind someone's summer house. Their mother nurtures them and teaches them the many skills they will need to survive as stray dogs. But when their mother is taken from them suddenly and too soon, the puppies are forced to make their own way in the world. And when Bone and Squirrel become separated, Squirrel must fend for herself
 HOW TO BE THE FUNNIEST KID IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD (OR JUST IN YOUR CLASS)
Jay Leno
illustrated by S. B. Whitehead
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN: 1416906312
Ages 7-10
144 pages
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This big book of humor and wisecracks contains hundreds of original jokes and bits of advice from Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show. It's chock-full of animal and knock-knock jokes, hilarious puns ("Is it true that if it takes a corner too fast, a Mercedes-Benz?"), and Jay's tips for making a career in comedy (he got his start at a McDonald's employee talent show). This is the perfect book to pick up if you're down in the dumps or just looking to tickle that funny bone of yours
 INKSPELL
Cornelia Funke
The Chicken House/Scholastic
ISBN: 0439554004
Ages 9-12
656 pages
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A year has passed, yet not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of INKHEART, the book whose characters became real. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater who was brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds a crooked storyteller with the ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of his past. A distraught Farid embarks on a search for Meggie, and soon both are caught inside the book as well. Still, the story is threatening to evolve in ways neither of them could ever have imagined
 THE KING IN THE WINDOW
Adam Gopnik
Disney Children's Books
ISBN: 078681862X
Ages 10-up
416 pages
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Oliver Parker is a 10-year-old American boy miserably stuck in Paris. Intimidated by his French school, Oliver longs to return home. But one January night, while wearing a paper crown and looking out the window, he sees an amazing vision --- the reflection of a boy in 17th century dress gazing back at him. Oliver's pursuit of the boy leads him to a terrifying secret. He learns he has kingly powers, and with no weapons other than his mind, he must take on an extraordinary mission
 THE KING OF MULBERRY STREET
Donna Jo Napoli
Wendy Lamb Books/Random House
ISBN: 0385746539
Ages 8-12
256 pages
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In 1892, nine-year-old Dom's mother puts him on a ship leaving Italy, bound for America. He is traveling alone and with nothing of value except for a new pair of shoes from his mom. As a homeless child, Dom must learn street smarts --- and survive --- in New York City. This fascinating story of an exceptional boy is based in part on author Donna Jo Napoli's grandfather
 MR. CHICKEE'S FUNNY MONEY
Christopher Paul Curtis
Wendy Lamb Books/Random House
ISBN: 0385327722
Ages 8-12
160 pages
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Mr. Chickee, the friendly blind man in the neighborhood, gives nine-year-old Steven a mysterious bill with 15 zeros on it and the image of a familiar but startling face. Could it be real? Agent Fondoo of the U.S. Treasury Department and his team of Secret Government Agents are determined to get the bill back. But Steven and his best friends have some tricks up their sleeves for the Feds. After all, Steven is the president of the Flint Future Detectives Club, and the inventor of fantastic spying and detecting equipment such as the Snoopeeze 9000!
 THE PENULTIMATE PERIL: A Series of Unfortunate Events #12
Lemony Snicket
illustrated by Brett Helquist
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0064410153
Ages 9-12
368 pages
• A Series of Unfortunate Events
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After any harrowing struggle, it is nice to consider checking into a hotel for a rest. In fact, this might be just the break Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire could use after their wearying deep-sea adventure.
A hotel can be a good choice for any family vacation. With so many floors, such a variety of rooms, and a curious array of guests, spending time in the safety of the right hotel can be the perfect learning environment for children of any age. A keen researcher like Klaus, an adept inventor like Violet, and a sharp-toothed culinary master like Sunny are all sure to find engaging diversions during their stay.
Regardless of how they pass their time while at a hotel, the three siblings will be sure to take in all the interesting sights and sounds --- and write them down --- just in case this episode turns out to be the darkest yet in a series of unfortunate events.
Based on this tongue-in-cheek description of THE PENULTIMATE PERIL that HarperCollins has provided, you just know that the Baudelaire orphans will be facing their most dangerous challenges yet!
 REPLAY
Sharon Creech
Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060540192
Ages 8-12
240 pages
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Twelve-year-old Leo dreams of being a big star on Broadway. People call him "fog boy" because he's always dreaming and replaying things in his brain. He fantasizes about who he is in order to discover who he will become. As an actor in his school's play, he is ready for the curtain to open, confident in his acting abilities. But in real life, Leo is eager to find out exactly where he fits in
 THREE GOOD DEEDS
Vivian Vande Velde
Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN: 0152053824
Ages 8-12
160 pages
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Because Howard taunts an old hag who turns out to be a witch, he is cursed and transformed into a goose! Howard is desperate to become a human again so he can show that old witch a thing or two. The only way to break the curse though is to do three good deeds. But how can you help others when you have webbed feet, wings for hands, and can't say anything but "Honk"?
 A TIME FOR FREEDOM: What Happened When in America
Lynne Cheney
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
ISBN: 1416909257
Ages 10-up
304 pages
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Did you know that John Adams thought we would celebrate America's birthday on July 2nd? Or that ten generals went on to become president? Or that the United States has had nine different capitals, including Trenton, New Jersey, and Annapolis, Maryland?
Bestselling author and historian Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, takes readers through America's story of freedom, providing a timeline of key events as well as historic quotations by great Americans and little-known facts about our country
Picture Books
 THE MAGICALLY MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES OF NOELLE THE BULLDOG
Gloria Estefan
illustrated by Michael Garland
Rayo
ISBN: 0060826231
Ages 4-8
32 pages
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Five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan's first book for children tells the heartwarming story of a young bulldog named Noelle, who is adopted by a little girl but feels as if she doesn't fit into her new home. What can an odd-looking brown pup possibly have to offer in a world where shimmering fish, glittering fireflies, and beautiful Dalmatians play games that Noelle's short legs can barely keep up with?
As a special treat, Estefan has written and recorded a song based on Noelle's story, and the single CD accompanies both English and Spanish editions of the book
 ME, ALL ALONE, AT THE END OF THE WORLD
M.T. Anderson
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0763615862
Ages 6-10
40 pages
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A boy enjoys living quietly by himself at The End of the World, hunting treasure with old maps, finding fossils and whistling tunes. But his peaceful existence is disrupted by the arrival of Mr. Constantine Shimmer, a "Professional Visionary" who builds an inn and an amusement park, demanding that tourists come and have "Fun Without End!"
 NACHO AND LOLITA
Pam Munoz Ryan
illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0439269687
Ages 4-8
40 pages
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Once, when the two Californias ran high and low along the Pacific, there lived a rare and majestic bird named Nacho. He was proud of his brilliant feathers and haunting songs, but what good were they with no one to share them? Then the swallows came to nest and Nacho met Lolita. Was it possible for two such different birds to find happiness together? And what would happen to Nacho when Lolita and the other swallows migrated back to South America?
 THE STARS WILL SHINE
Cynthia Rylant
illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060546395
Ages 3-8
40 pages
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The sky will still be there, the stars will still shine
birds will fly over us, church bells will chime.
Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Tiphanie Beeke have produced a comforting and reassuring book that both children and parents will want to return to when outside conflicts seem overwhelming. Rejoicing in the goodness of daily life, Rylant's gentle verse is a meaningful gift for anyone who is facing a crisis or experiencing significant changes in their lives.
--- Compiled and written by Tom Donadio
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