NEW BOOKS (MOSTLY FOR KIDS)

New books added to the Deering Public Library. These are mostly for younger readers, but two are for 'young adults' and two are for adults.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts, 2016

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—Ada Marie Twist is an inquisitive African American second grader and a born scientist. She possesses a keen yet peculiar need to question everything she encounters, whether it be a tick-tocking clock, a pointy-stemmed rose, or the hairs in her dad's nose. Ada's parents and her teacher, Miss Greer, have their hands full as the child's science experiments wreak day-to-day havoc. On the first day of spring, the title character is tinkering outside her home when she notices an unpleasant odor. She sets out to discover what might have caused it. Beaty shows Ada using the scientific method in developing hypotheses in her smelly pursuit. The little girl demonstrates trial and error in her endeavors, while appreciating her family's full support. In one experiment, she douses fragrances on her cat and then attempts to place the feline in the washing machine. Her parents, startled by her actions, send her to the Thinking Chair, where she starts to reflect on the art of questioning by writing her thoughts on the wall—now the Great Thinking Hall. Ada shines on each page as a young scientist, like her cohorts in the author's charming series. The rhyming text playfully complements the cartoon illustrations, drawing readers into the narrative. VERDICT A winner for storytime reading and for young children interested in STEM activities. Pair with science nonfiction for an interesting elementary cross-curricular project.—Krista Welz, North Bergen High School, NJ 

You can download teaching and activity guides for this book at http://www.abramsbooks.com/adatwist/

After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again), by Dan Sentat, 2017

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 3

Everyone knows that when Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. But what happened after?
Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's poignant tale follows Humpty Dumpty, an avid bird watcher whose favorite place to be is high up on the city wall―that is, until after his famous fall. Now terrified of heights, Humpty can longer do many of the things he loves most.
Will he summon the courage to face his fear?
After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) is a masterful picture book that will remind readers of all ages that Life begins when you get back up.
2018 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Winner
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2017
A New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2017
A New York City Public Library Notable Best Book for Kids
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2017
An NPR Best Book of 2017

Albert’s Almost Amazing Adventure, by Marty Kelley, 2016

• Age Range: 5 - 8 years
• Grade Level: 1 - 2

Albert's vacation was amazing or so he thought. To friends, his time in Maine was boring. Dull. Lame. They've got a more vivid and exciting idea of what Albert could and should have done on his trip. But Albert might just have a surprise for his friends, after all. Marty Kelley tells this wonderful read-aloud story in a fresh and imaginative way, contrasting panels of black-and-white charcoal drawings of dull old Albert with wonderful color spreads of what Albert s friends imagine for his summer adventures. Did Albert really tussle with ninjas and parlay with pirates? Or did he spend his time in Maine in the most boring ways imaginable? What really made his amazing summer vacation so amazing?

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes , by Duncan Tunatiuth, 2016

(Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Commended) Hardcover – September 20, 2016)

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Princess Izta is the most beautiful and eligible maiden in the land. One day, a humble warrior named Popoca approaches the princess, offering her the promise of true love and fidelity instead of lavish gifts or material wealth. Izta falls in love with him, even though her father, the emperor, feels Popoca is unsuitable for his royal daughter. He agrees to allow Popoca and Izta to marry, under one condition: Popoca must defeat Jaguar Claw, the infamous ruler of a neighboring land. Popoca fights many battles and defeats Jaguar Claw. But with the help of a bribed messenger, a bitter Jaguar Claw manages to take one last stab at Popoca by tricking Izta into poisoning herself into a deep sleep. Just as he promised, Popoca stays by her side, lying next to her until, as legend has it, two volcanoes are formed: Popocatépetl, meaning smoky mountain, and Iztaccíhuatl (sleeping woman). Award-winning author/illustrator Tonatiuh successfully retells this ancient tale using his distinctive and artistic illustrations with spare but effective text. The action battle scenes will excite and captivate, while the images of Popoca kneeling beside Izta in determined wait will stir the hearts of readers. The integration of Nahuatl words (defined with a pronunciation guide in the glossary) into the narrative provides a rich opportunity to introduce and explore another facet of Aztec culture. VERDICT Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony; a first purchase for all folklore collections.—Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library 

A Perfect Day, by Lane Smith, 2017

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 3

A Spring 2017 Kids' Indie Next List Pick
"Like reaching the bottom of a candy dish and unexpectedly biting into a Sour Skittle, the clever A Perfect Day provides a delightful jolt." ―NPR
"This gently humorous book is sure to circulate well in any picture book collection. A perfect way to introduce the concept of point of view."―School Library Journal, starred review
"With the text using so few words (though, admirably, much repetition), Smith tells the story mostly through his textured mixed-media illustrations, which reflect each animal’s joy-filled frolic."―Horn Book, starred review
"Smith's mixed-media artwork masterfully explores texture and scale... Perfectly funny while offering a chance to discuss perspective."―Kirkus, starred review
"The humorous surprise ending will make children squeal as they ponder the concept of perfect... this true-to-form picture book will draw plenty of readers." ―Booklist

"An easily accessible tale that has both humor and relatability."―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

 Wonder, by R.J. Palacios, 2012

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7

 Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month for Kids, February 2012: Wonder is a rare gem of a novel--beautifully written and populated by characters who linger in your memory and heart. August Pullman is a 10-year-old boy who likes Star Wars and Xbox, ordinary except for his jarring facial anomalies. Homeschooled all his life, August heads to public school for fifth grade and he is not the only one changed by the experience--something we learn about first-hand through the narratives of those who orbit his world. August’s internal dialogue and interactions with students and family ring true, and though remarkably courageous he comes across as a sweet, funny boy who wants the same things others want: friendship, understanding, and the freedom to be himself. “It is only with one’s heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” From The Little Prince and R.J. Palacio’s remarkable novel, Wonder.--Seira Wilson

The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill, 2016

• Age Range: 10 - 14 years
• Grade Level: 5 - 9

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—Once a year in the Protectorate there is a Day of Sacrifice. The youngest baby is taken by the Elders and left in the forest to die, thus appeasing the witch who threatens to destroy the village if not obeyed. Unbeknownst to the people, Xan, the witch of the forest, is kind and compassionate. When she discovers the first baby left as a sacrifice, she has no idea why it has been abandoned. She rescues the infants, feeds each one starlight, and delivers the shining infants to parents in the Outside Cities who love and care for them. On one occasion, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight along with starlight, filling her with glowing magic. Xan is smitten with the beautiful baby girl, who has a crescent moon birthmark on her forehead, and chooses to raise her as her own child. Twists and turns emerge as the identity of the true evil witch becomes apparent. The swiftly paced, highly imaginative plot draws a myriad of threads together to form a web of characters, magic, and integrated lives. Spiritual overtones encompass much of the storytelling with love as the glue that holds it all together. VERDICT An expertly woven and enchanting offering for readers who love classic fairy tales.—D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH 

One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! by Eric and Natalie Yoder 2016

• Age Range: 9 - 14 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 9

Developing higher-level thinking skills should be commonplace in the curriculum now and this book does provide a way of doing that, it might even lead to students making up their own mysteries for their classmates to solve. I would recommend this book to teachers of years 5, 6 or 7. (The Association for Science Education)

One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! is a wonderful resource for teachers who want to provide real-life math problems for their students. Each story problem is conveyed in a one-page format that asks the reader to draw a conclusion. The stories provide an insightful look into how math can be applied in the real world. Problems include discovering how much it would cost to either replace a book at the library or pay the late fees; the score you would need to win a gymnastics meet; and how to modify a recipe to accommodate a large group of people. Bonus sections include five extra math mysteries and five science mysteries. Most of the problems require higher-order thinking and may be difficult for students to complete independently. My sixth-grade classes worked in small groups with this book, which helped the students work toward a solution. Some of the stories are slightly fanciful, but they are completely math based and do not lend themselves to giving students the answer. I believe that the book would have been more coherent and beneficial for teachers if the stories had been better organized. Rather than arranged by story line, the stories could have been organized by concept (i.e., algebraic reasoning, geometry, probability, and so on). Overall this book can provide intriguing, useful, and challenging problems for a variety of students. (Jennifer G. Martin)

Encouraging critical thinking skills, it teaches children to think quickly and scientifically. One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! is a highly recommended purchase for science teachers who want to introduce a bit of extra fun into the classroom. (Willis B. Buhle, Reviewer Buhle's Bookshelf)

Conundrums, puzzles and enigmas! The scientific approach prevails overall. One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! turns us into sleuth hounds. If only textbooks were such fun! (April Holladay, Author of Globe and Mail's online science column, WonderQuest)

One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! turns kids into scientists! Each of these clever stories sets up a mystery that can be solved using a bit of creative analytical reasoning. Stimulating and great fun for the whole family! (Katrina L. Kelner, Ph.D., Deputy Editor of Life Sciences Science)

Parents and kids alike will be challenged by these stimulating, real-world science mysteries. One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! is a great way to grow a young scientist—or improve an old one! This book belongs in every school and every home. (Julie Edmonds, Co-Director, Carnegie Academy for Science Education)

Everyone loves a mystery! The father-daughter team behind One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! have done a wonderful job writing stories that draw in curious young people... and show them that science can answer many of life’s mysteries! (Patricia Sievert, MS, Physics and Physics Education, Northern Illinois University)

A wonderful novel way to get kids happily engaged in problem-solving. It not only teaches kids about science, but also demonstrates how to use science in everyday life. Relevant, real-life examples make One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! a great read for kids…and adults! (Marina Moses, Dr. PH, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services)

These clever little science-based mysteries will have a myriad of uses. I see them as the perfect solution for stimulating kids on car journeys by really getting them to use their intellect. (Kathleen Karr, Author of Born for Adventure and Agatha Award-winning The 7th Knot)

Like potato chips, one isn’t enough—with One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! you’ll just want to read more: These one-minute science mysteries are fun treats for readers that will sharpen their powers of observation and improve their reasoning abilities. (Brenda Seabrooke, Author of Award-Winning The Haunting of Swain's Fancy) 

Akata Witch, by Nnedi Okorafor, 2012

 Affectionately dubbed "the Nigerian Harry Potter," Akata Witch weaves together a heart-pounding tale of magic, mystery, and finding one's place in the world.

Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing—she is a "free agent" with latent magical power. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too?
Ursula K. Le Guin and John Green are Nnedi Okorafor fans. As soon as you start reading Akata Witch, you will be, too!

 

Christmas at Eagle Pond, by Donald Hall, 2012

 I read this book on Christmas Eve while seasonal music played in the background, and a good single malt filled my right hand. Just right for a very snowy evening. I much enjoyed reading Donald Hall's Seasons at Eagle Pond, which we also have in the Deering Library.

 From Booklist

Twelve-year-old Donnie spends Christmas 1940 at his grandparents’ farm. His mother is recovering from surgery rapidly, so he and her parents don’t fret as they observe the holiday. They go to church two nights before Christmas, where preteens and early teens perform seasonal music and poems, and the little kids enact the Christmas story. Relatives come for the eve and the day—Grandma’s much-elder brother and Donnie’s mother’s unmarried sister—and a few friends join them for midday Christmas dinner. Stories are told, especially about the most recently departed, until they notice it’s snowing heavily. Will Donnie be able to take the train back to a delayed second Christmas at home? The ordinary, everyday routines of a small dairy farm, in which Donnie helps now Grandpa, now Grandma, surround the familiar holiday plot, and drawings by Caldecott Medalist Mary Azarian decorate sublimely. The little book is completely truthful, though poet and former poet-laureate Hall really never spent Christmas with his grandparents. It was the gift he never received, so he gives it to himself and, as an evergreen delight, to readers. --Ray Olson 

AND ONE BOOK OF FICTION FOR ADULTS!

  

Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward, 2014

Winner of the 2011 National Book Award

A hurricane is building over the Gulf of Mexico, threatening the coastal town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi, and Esch's father is growing concerned. A hard drinker, largely absent, he doesn't show concern for much else. Esch and her three brothers are stocking food, but there isn't much to save. Lately, Esch can't keep down what food she gets; she's fourteen and pregnant. Her brother Skeetah is sneaking scraps for his prized pitbull's new litter, dying one by one in the dirt. While brothers Randall and Junior try to stake their claim in a family long on child's play and short on parenting. As the twelve days that comprise the novel's framework yield to the final day and Hurricane Katrina, the unforgettable family at the novel's heart--motherless children sacrificing for each other as they can, protecting and nurturing where love is scarce--pulls itself up to struggle for another day. A wrenching look at the lonesome, brutal, and restrictive realities of rural poverty, Salvage the Bone is muscled with poetry, revelatory, and real.