LITTLE BABAJI

This totally delightful tale from India lives up to its reputation of being an old favorite. Originally written in 1899 as a story for her children, Helen Bannerman has crafted a classic children’s story. With updated illustrations that are realistic yet hilarious this, in this story we go to India and learn a bit about Indian culture too. The main character is Babaji who has beautiful new clothes his mother has sewn for him and a fancy umbrella and shoes his father bought for him to match his grand new outfit. As he is proudly out walking one day he runs across a series of tigers but he bargains away all his new clothes to keep from being eaten. Now the tigers argue over who is the grandest tiger in the jungle, each wearing an item of Babaji’s grand new outfit, don’t miss the funny illustrations of tigers wearing shoes on their ears! The arguing tigers leave all their ill-gotten gains (Babaji’s clothes) unguarded as they fight each other for the title; these are some pretty stubborn tigers! But Babaji has the last laugh with a twist at the end! Altogether a true classic tale of tiger tails! Find this in the Easy section under E BAN.

THe Fires Beneath the Sea

The Fires Beneath the Sea by Lydia Millet is a thrilling adventure set in modern day Cape Cod. Cara, Max and Jackson are on a quest to find their mother, a marine biologist, who diappeared mysteriously. They are soon drawn into an ancient battle between good and evil, with the terrifying "pouring man" close on their heels. For ages 9 years and up and can be found in the library in the juvenile section und J MIL

Judy Griggs

OUR LIBRARY by Eve Bunting

"There's nothing you can't learn to do when you have books...and it's even better if you have a library."

When Miss Goose tells Raccoon and his friends that the library is in danger of closing forever, they know they have to do something about it! Turning to books for the answer, the kids learn how to renovate the library, raise money, and find a perfect new location...not to mention how to deal with a cranky beaver! Our Library has sweet illustrations and just enough humor to keep it light-hearted. This is an inspirational book that teaches the importance of books and the library to a community. After all, without the library, how would we have Story Time?!?!

Our Library can be found in the Easy section under E BUN.

THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE by George Selden

It's highly unusual to find a cricket living in a subway station, but the station in Times Square has been granted the honor. Chester the cricket and his friends have many adventures and help each other through many ups and downs. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden is a classic work of juvenile literature about unlikely friendships that change the lives of the characters forever...all because of a single cricket bringing them together.

Readers from 4th grade; up will absorb important character values from The Cricket in Times Square. This book, along with the sequels- eg. Tucker's Countryside and Chester Cricket's New Home- can be found in the Juvenile section under J SEL.

A FARAWAY ISLAND by Annika Thor

A Faraway Island is an excellent book for middle school readers about the Jewish children sent to Sweden during World War II. The main characters Stephie and Nellie struggle throughout this story. They have to deal with being away from their parents and losing the life they had in Vienna, as well as struggle to hold onto their German and Jewish identity while embracing their Swedish future, but the story is not all about hardship. Even though Thor’s main characters are fictional, she writes their emotions so well that readers can't help but feel their frustration, sadness, and hurt as well as their joy. You can find this historical fiction in the juvenile section under J THO.

The Dagger Quick

The Dagger Quick by Brian Eames

This is the story of Christopher "Kitto" Quick a young boy in seventeenth century England. He is an apprentice barrel maker to his father. Kitto was born with a clubfoot and has always been bullied because of it. He yearns for a new life filled with adventure. When his unknown uncle Captain William Quick, a pirate, comes to ask Kitto's father for help, Kitto's fate is forever changed. His father is murdered and his step mother and younger brother kidnapped. He must join his uncle on a search for treasure in an attempt to rescue his family. A satisfying and thrilling adventure for ages 8 through 12 years. Can be found in the juvenile section of the library under J EAM

by Judy Griggs

THE GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale’s The Goose Girl has a classic fairy tale feel with princesses, kingdoms, long flowy gowns, romance, and a little bit of magic. Readers will follow Princess Anidori as she leaves her home country to take part in an arranged marriage in a faraway land. But she is betrayed by her lady-in-waiting before completing her journey. Luckily Ani escapes and finds refuge with kind souls in the forest. Driven to confront and take down her lady-in-waiting, who has stolen her identify and plans to marry the prince, Ani goes into the kingdom and works as the royal goose girl and awaits the perfect opportunity to reclaim the life she was destined to have. Along the way she makes friends and rediscovers the magic within her. You can find this book in the juvenile section under J HAL.