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June 2008
June’s roundup of Cool New Books includes ONE SMALL STEP, a middle grade novel from Children of the Lamp author P. B. Kerr about a 13-year-old boy recruited by NASA for their secret space program, which will require him to journey to the moon with two chimps as his partners; CITY OF TIME, the second installment of Eoin McNamee’s adventure-filled Navigator Trilogy that sees the moon coming closer to the sun and people fearing the world will end; ACTING OUT, a collection of original one-act plays written by six Newbery winners (including Avi, Sharon Creech and Patricia MacLachlan); and SUDDENLY SUPERNATURAL: SCHOOL SPIRIT, the first of three books by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel that introduces readers to a girl who takes after her mother in a very special way --- she has the ability to see spirits and communicate with them.
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Stand-Alone Chapter Books/Middle Grade Novels
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ACTING OUT
Avi, Susan Cooper, Sharon Creech, Patricia MacLachlan, Katherine Paterson and Richard Peck
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781416938484
Ages 8-12
192 pages
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Six masterful children's authors have become master playwrights in this collection of one-act plays that might just make you want to ACT OUT! In The Raven, Sharon Creech spoofs a publishing office while Susan Cooper shows the environment fighting back against overdevelopment in The Dollop. Patricia MacLachlan puts a twist on detention in The Bad Room, and Katherine Paterson gives us a new twist on a classic fairy tale in The Billionaire and the Bird. Richard Peck's Effigy in the Outhouse is the story of schoolboys doing their best to trick a spooky substitute, while Avi's Not Seeing Is Believing has words playing tricks on everyone.
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THE MAGIC THIEF
Sarah Prineas
HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780061375873
Ages 10-up
432 pages
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In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure. Conn should have dropped dead the day he picked Nevery's pocket and touched the wizard's locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic and work spells. But for some reason he didn’t. Nevery finds that interesting, and he takes Conn as his apprentice on the provision that the boy find a locus stone of his own. But Conn has little time to search for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover who --- or what --- is stealing the city of Wellmet's magic.
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NURK: The Strange, Surprising Adventures of a (Somewhat) Brave Shrew
Ursula Vernon
Harcourt Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780152063757
Ages 8-12
144 pages
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Nurk is a quiet homebody of a shrew. But when a mysterious plea for help arrives in the mail, he invokes the spirit of his fearless warrior-shrew grandmother, Surka, and sets off to find the sender. It seems the prince of the dragonflies has been kidnapped, and Nurk is his last hope for rescue. Such a mission would be daunting for even the biggest, baddest and bravest of shrews, and Nurk is neither big nor bad, and only a little brave. But he does his very best --- and hopes his grandmother would be proud.
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ONE SMALL STEP
P. B. Kerr
Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781416942139
Ages 8-14
320 pages
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It's 1969, and 13-year-old Scott is doing all the things that normal boys do --- and also flying airplanes with his Air Force flight instructor father. When Scott successfully crash-lands a training plane, NASA takes notice. They hope to recruit him for their top-secret space program, which will launch a test flight to the moon before the first lunar landing. This craft was intended to be piloted by chimps, but one chimp had to be dismissed and now they need a quick substitute. Who better than a boy aviator? G-forces collide with government secrets as Scott races to prepare for his journey to the moon.
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SPELLBOUND
Anna Dale
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
ISBN: 9781599900063
Ages 8-12
288 pages
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An innocent summer holiday turns out to be anything but for Athene and her younger brother, Zach, when they find themselves caught up in a skirmish between two groups of gnome-like creatures: The Humble Gloam live above ground and get along with humans; the Low Gloam live below ground and despise everyone. But when Zach stumbles into Low Gloam territory, Athene disguises herself to rescue him and discovers a secret that could bring the two Gloam tribes together --- if it doesn’t tear them apart first.
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A THOUSAND NEVER EVERS
Shana Burg
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780385734707
Ages 9-12
320 pages
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In Kuckachoo, Mississippi, 1963, Addie Ann Pickett worships her brother Elias and follows in his footsteps by attending the black junior high school. But when her careless act leads to her brother’s disappearance and possible murder, Addie Ann, Mama and Uncle Bump struggle with not knowing if he’s dead or alive. Then a good deed meant to unite Kuckachoo sets off a chain of explosive events. Addie Ann knows Old Man Adams left his land to the white and black people to plant a garden and reap its bounty together, but the mayor denies it. On garden picking day, Addie Ann’s family is sorely tested.
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THE TWIN GIANTS
written by Dick King-Smith
illustrated by Mini Grey
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763635299
Ages 6-9
80 pages
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"Isn’t he e-nor-mous!" says the giant father when his first twin son is born. "There’s a-lot-uv-’im!" notes the giant mother when the second twin boy arrives. And as Normus (a vegetarian) and Lottavim (a carnivore) grow and grow, the two are hugely happy --- playing Roll the Boulder, singing badly and doing everything together. But when the day comes for the hulking lads to seek the giantesses of their dreams, will going their separate ways only lead them into double trouble?
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Series Books/Sequels
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Ellie McDoodle
ELLIE McDOODLE: NEW KID IN SCHOOL
Ruth McNally Barshaw
Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
ISBN: 9781599902388
Ages 8-12
192 pages
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When Ellie’s family moves to a new town, she’s sure she won’t fit in. Nobody else likes to read as much as she does, and even the teachers can’t get her name right. But when the students need someone to help them rally against unfair lunch lines, it’s Ellie to the rescue. And if shorter lines and better food prevail, can friendship be far behind?
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The Navigator Trilogy
CITY OF TIME: Book II of the Navigator Trilogy
Eoin McNamee
Wendy Lamb Books/Random House
ISBN: 9780375839122
Ages 9-12
336 pages
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Cati, the Bold Watcher readers met in THE NAVIGATOR, returns from the shadows of time to summon Owen and Dr. Diamond, for time is literally running out. The moon is coming closer to the earth, causing havoc with weather, tides and other natural cycles; people fear the world will end. To discover what’s gone wrong, Cati, Owen and the Doctor must take an astonishing journey to the City of Time, where time is bought and sold. There, Owen begins to understand his great responsibility and power as the Navigator.
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Suddenly Supernatural
SUDDENLY SUPERNATURAL: SCHOOL SPIRIT
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Little, Brown for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316066839
Ages 8-12
320 pages
• Click here to buy from Amazon.com
All Kat Roberts wants is to be normal --- or at least to look that way to students at her new school. But her mother is a medium, and not the kind that fits in between small and large; Kat's mom is the kind of medium who sees spirits and communicates with them. And, even worse, Kat has just discovered that she can see spirits too. In fact, she seems to be the only one capable of helping a spirit at her school cross over successfully. The question is, can she do it without needing to switch schools herself?
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Picture Books
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INDEPENDENT DAMES: The Women and Girls of the American Revolution
written by Laurie Halse Anderson
illustrated by Matt Faulkner
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780689858086
Ages 6-10
40 pages
• Click here to buy from Amazon.com
George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. John Adams. Benjamin Franklin. We’ve all heard about the great men who led the country during the time of the American Revolution. But did you know that the guys make up only part of the story. Get ready to learn about the tough-as-nails ladies of the American Revolution. With page after page of superbly researched information and thoughtfully detailed illustrations, acclaimed novelist and picture-book author Laurie Halse Anderson and charismatic illustrator Matt Faulkner combine historical facts and humor together in this homage to those independent dames and the role they played in the founding of our nation.
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THE MAGIC PILLOW
written and illustrated by Demi
Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781416924708
Ages 7-10
40 pages
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Based on a famous Chinese folktale, THE MAGIC PILLOW tells the story of a poor boy named Ping who is given a magic pillow by a mysterious magician. In a breathtaking swirl of dreams, Ping experiences fame, fortune and power --- but will they make him truly happy?
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UNCLE SAM’S AMERICA
written by David Hewitt
illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781416940753
Ages 7-10
40 pages
• Click here to buy from Amazon.com
Since he first appeared in the 1800's, Uncle Sam has inspired our nation. A symbol of patriotic duty and national pride, Uncle Sam has witnessed our history, from the victory over the British in the War of 1812, to the struggle of the Great Depression, to the efforts of the civil rights movement. This picture book recounts America's past through Uncle Sam's eyes, celebrating the fortitude and ingenuity that are the hallmarks of this national symbol. It is filled with illustrations that incorporate postage stamps and antique images from each era, as well as portraits of famous Americans whose actions changed history.
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WELCOME TO YOUR WORLD, BABY
written by Brooke Shields
illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780061253119
Ages 3-8
32 pages
• Click here to buy from Amazon.com
A feisty, spirited little girl is finally getting a new baby sister, and she’s planning tea parties, sleepovers and funny secrets they’ll share. Actress, author and mother Brooke Shields draws on life with her own two daughters to create her first picture book, which will help children prepare for a new sibling and celebrate the baby’s arrival.
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--- Compiled and written by Tom Donadio
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