Staff Selections Kids

Carol

The Rain Train

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The Rain Train
Elena De Roo, illus. by Brian Lovelock


Elena De Roo's train poem transports a child from the busy activities of the day through a rainy night and into sleep.  The reader of this bedtime adventure will share (and share in) the sights, sounds, and motion of travel.
 
 

 

Mary

The Dream Stealer

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The Dream Stealer
Sid Fleischman, illus. by Peter Sis


Though Susana’s best friend has moved to far-off Guadalajara, she still visits her in her dreams each night, until the Dream Stealer comes and takes her best dream away.  Sid Fleischman tells the story of plucky Susana’s quest to the magical castle to reclaim her dream, using a folkloric voice full of the character of the storyteller.  Susana travels between real and fantasy worlds without distinguishing a difference, a charm found in traditions of magical realism.  Peter Sis’s iconical illustration style suits this story perfectly, lending this little book the character of a classic folktale.  Now in paperback.

 

Tim

Bruiser

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Bruiser
Neal Shusterman


Bruiser is the story of Brewster, the boy in high school nobody knows because he's quiet and keeps to himself.  But when Bronte agrees to a date with "Bruiser", her brother, Tennyson,  decides to step in and stop that nonsense.  But as the twins get to know Brewster, they begin to realize they may have been too quick to judge him.  And strange things happen when you're with Bruiser -- things that can't be easily explained.  A beautiful novel about friendship, family and how -- sometimes -- it hurts when you care too much.  You'll be thinking about this story long after you've read the final chapter. 

 

Victoria

Wildwood

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Wildwood
Colin Meloy


On a perfectly normal Sunday in Portland, Oregon 12-year-old Prue watches in horror as a murder of crows flies off with her baby brother into the “Impassable Wilderness” where no humans ever go. Prue and a classmate follow, bent on finding Prue’s brother before her parents find out. In the process they discover a secret world in upheaval over freedom, with evils as wicked and characters as colorful as those in C. S. Lewis’ Narnia.  Wildwood is the first in a series, perfect for 3rd – 8th grade readers.

 

Barb

THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOULETTE

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THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOULETTE
Jeanne Birdsall


This is the third installment of the Penderwick family with some changes in the offing. Dad has remarried and is off on a trip with his new wife. Oldest daughter, Rosalind is going off for a summer trip with a friend and getting a first but much needed vacation from being the mom substitute. That means that when the rest of the girls go to Maine vacation at Aunt Claire’s cottage, Skye will be the OAP (oldest available Penderwick) and she is terrified that she wont’ “get it right.” If she has her way, the youngest, Batty, may just wear waterwings all day for the whole summer. There are many mishaps, fun adventures and tears as this warm and wonderful family handles what comes their way with inventiveness and finesse. All of the characters are rich and real. A great read for both smiles and joyful tears as each one grows and develops in their own way.
Ages 9-12