Picks by Mary S. Archive - Staff Picks 4 Kids

Staff Picks 4 Kids

Accidentally Fabulous by Lisa Papdemetriou (a Candy Apple book)

Accidentally Fabulous by Lisa Papdemetriou. Who’s the meanest girl at your school? Imagine that person and multiply by 10. Then you would have Fiona, the head of the most popular clique at Allington Academy. Fiona is the kind of girl who cuts off your ponytail while you are asleep at a slumber party or pretends there are snakes in the shower so you run outside in only your towel. Now she has new girl Amy Flowers in her sights. (For 4th-6th graders)

Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head

By MPPL on August 17, 2009 Categories: For Grades 4-6, Picks by Mary S., Realistic Stories

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Savvy by Ingrid Law. For most people, turning 13 might mean getting a cool present, but for Mibs, it means receiving her special power. Being special can be fun, but it can also be scary. Her brother Rocket’s power makes light bulbs explode, and her brother Fish can cause hurricanes. To make matters worse, Mib’s father is in a terrible car accident right before her birthday. Now Mibs desperately wants her power to be something that can save her father. If you secretly wish you had a super power, this book is for you!
Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head

By MPPL on July 6, 2009 Categories: Fantasy, For Grades 4-6, Picks by Mary S.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Bod Owens is just like any other boy except he is being raised by ghosts, lives in a graveyard, and is being hunted by a vicious killer. Okay, so he’s not quite like everyone else. Bod’s unusual childhood lets him have thrilling adventures such as meeting the Indigo Man, being chased by ghouls, and learning to fade. I was so excited when The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman won the Newbery award. Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and his new book does not disappoint! If you like a good ghost story, this book is for you. (For grades 5 and up)

Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head

By MPPL on April 27, 2009 Categories: Fantasy, For Grades 4-6, Mystery & Suspense, Picks by Mary S.

Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes

I read Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes. Imagine “haunting” a house and then becoming friends with the boy who lives there. How do you admit what you’ve done? I thought this story about friendship dragged in some places. If you suffer from F.M.S. (fear of missing something), read this book. Otherwise, try Olive’s Ocean instead.

Book read by Mary S., Head of Youth Services

By MPPL on January 6, 2009 Categories: For Grades 4-6, Picks by Mary S., Realistic Stories

Castle Corona by Sharon Creech

I love princesses, and Sharon Creech is one of my favorite authors, so I was all set to love Castle Corona. But I didn’t! It is about a poor brother and sister who have found a stolen bag containing secrets that will affect the royal family. Sounds interesting, right? Wrong! The characters were boring and so was the plot. What did you think? Click “comments” to tell us your opinion.

Book read by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head

By MPPL on September 29, 2008 Categories: Fantasy, For Grades 4-6, Picks by Mary S.

Babymouse: Rock Star by Jennifer Holm

Jennifer Holm’s irrepressible cartoon mouse is back in Babymouse: Rock Star, and this time Babymouse wants to be, you guessed it, a rock star. If not a big rock star, then maybe a flutist. Nothing can hold her back (except possibly her lack of musical talent). Will she be able to learn the notes in time to become the star of the concert? Babymouse is fun, smart, and a great friend. This is my first Babymouse book, but I am now a huge fan. This graphic novel is a great stepping stone for readers who are ready to graduate from the Olivia books (by Ian Falconer) to chapter books. Hope you have as much fun hanging out with Babymouse as I did!

Review submitted by Mary S., Head of Youth Services

By MPPL on January 15, 2008 Categories: For Grades 2-4, Funny, Graphic Novels, Picks by Mary S.

Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury

In Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury, weird things keep happening to Dylan when his scout troop goes camping on an ancient lava flow. First, he sees Pele, a ghost dog who comes to warn of danger. Then he encounters Fred, the friendly shark with a hole in his fin. Finally, the danger arrives. One night Dylan is shaken awake by a terrible earthquake, and he must track down the other members of his scout group. Will they all survive?

This book is a page turner. It is loosely based on an incident that happened to the author’s cousin. There’s even a picture of the cousin with his scout troop on the volcano. Imagine living through an earthquake! What an adventure!!

Book reviewed by Mary S., Head of Services

By MPPL on December 11, 2007 Categories: For Grades 4-6, Picks by Mary S., Realistic Stories

I, Jack by Patricia Finney

I, Jack, by Jack the dog as told to Patricia Finney, tells the story of Jack, a yellow Labrador who lives with a family of 5 humans and 3 cats. Jack has written a book (all by himself except for little help from the cats who provided the footnotes). It is about his adventures with the next door neighbor’s dog Petra. When Jack meets Petra, it is love at first sight. Now Petra is getting fat and her owners have put on a diet so Jack is forced to hunt for her food. He invites Petra into his house, and they go into his big white cold cupboard where they find chicken, pizza, and lamb. Oh yum! Jack is such a clever packleader, he thinks but no, his owner are very, very mad. They call him a bad dog and tell him he can’t have any dinner. Jack is so sad. And now Petra is acting weird. Is she sick? She is smelling very strange and even threatens to bite him. “GRR,” she says, “Go away or I will eat you.” What will Jack do?

This a great book for kids in grades 3-5. Jack’s antics will tickle your funnybone. As a pet owner, I enjoyed reading about life from a dog (and the cats’) point of view.

Reviewed by Mary S., Head of Youth Services

By MPPL on October 8, 2007 Categories: For Grades 4-6, Funny, Picks by Mary S.