Lansing Library Youth News & Reviews Blog

February Juvenile Book of the Month

2011-02-01T09:00:00.001-06:00

Horrible Harry in Room 2B by Suzy Kline

Harry likes to do horrible things. He scares girls with slithery, slimy snakes. He has perfected the knuckle noogies, specifically while playing "Seven Up." He hoards broken pencils and crayons to use in the creation of his frightening Stub People army which will eventually take over the classroom.

Despite all of Harry's horrible acts, Doug is his best friend. Sometimes, Doug even helps Harry do horrible things. Regardless of Harry's true intentions, sometimes he doesn't mean to do horrible things, they just seem to happen.

In Horrible Harry in Room 2B, Doug tells us about a normal school day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and a field trip and what happens to Harry. There are 24 other books about Horrible Harry and a handful about Song Lee, a girl from Harry's class. Horrible Harry in Room 2B was one of my favorite books when I was in elementary school and I highly recommend it to kids looking for a beginner chapter book.

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2011-01-29T16:16:00.001-06:00

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January Book of the Month

2011-01-08T15:56:00.004-06:00

Ashes of Roses tells the story of sixteen-year old Rose Nolan's immigration and landing in America from Ireland in 1911. Rose's family is faced with obstacles at Ellis Island and also when they get into New York City. However, Rose has a fighting spirit and eventually secures employment in what seems like a great opportunity at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. She enjoys the camaraderie of her fellow employees above all else and does not seem to notice the poor working conditions that surround her. Little does Rose know the devastation that will occur one Saturday as she sets off on the last day of her work week. Will Rose persevere after the ashes settle around her?

This book is a great historical novel for children, teens and adults. It provides an insider's perspective of life as an immigrant and also the strengthening labor movement that took place in the early 20th century. The decisions that families had to make were difficult and guided by a need for survival. Mary Jane Auch easily transports the reader through Rose's plight from the very first page.

Encyclopedia Britannica Online

2011-01-05T18:21:00.002-06:00

Encyclopedia Britannica is our featured online resource available through the Library's website. Including four complete encyclopedias tailored to different age groups, Encyclopedia Britannica is perfect for homework and research projects. Also available are full-text magazine articles, homework help, a world atlas, a thesaurus, Merriam-Webster dictionaries in both English and Spanish, and a Primary Sources section.

Lansing Public Library patrons have free access to Encyclopedia Britannica from anywhere in the Library; Library cardholders have access from home 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lansing Public Library encourages all patrons to make use of this valuable resource; check it out today at www.lansing.lib.il.us/catalog.html#eb .

Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.)

2010-11-29T14:37:00.006-06:00

Junie B., First Grader is at it again. Junie B. and May will not leave each other alone and they are driving Mr. Scary, their teacher, crazy. Dear first-grade journal, winter break is the school word for I gotta get out of this place! May is driving JunieB. crazy with her tattling and to top that all off, Junie B. picks May's name for her Secret Santa gift. Maybe she should give May exactly what she deserves? Please come into the library and check out Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.) and find out how this ends.

A Bargain for Frances, Dec. Picture Book of the Month

2010-11-29T09:00:00.002-06:00

Frances the badger sets out for a play-date with her friend Thelma, but doesn't listen to Mother's advice to "be careful." Thelma convinces Frances to buy her plastic tea set, then goes to the store to buy the pretty, blue china tea set herself, the very same one that Frances dearly desires. Frances quickly realizes her friend tricked her and devises a plan to set things right and also re-establish their friendship on a more equal footing. A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban is a delightful "I Can Read" book for beginning readers with many more titles in the series to enjoy.

Halloween Costume Contest

2010-11-02T17:25:00.003-05:00

Photos from our contest are available! Thank you to all the Trick or Treaters that stopped by the library Saturday, October 30th! Winners will be called tomorrow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lansinglibrary

November Picture Book of the Month

2010-11-02T10:02:00.003-05:00

In Bob Shea's Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime, this young dinosaur is facing challenges at every turn: a giant pile of leaves, a big bowl of spaghetti, even huge yapping grownups! Dinosaur takes on everything--and wins! But wait . . . there's still one challenge left to the day: BEDTIME. Can dinosaur take a bath, get those pointy teeth brushed, and resist the urge to fall asleep? Find out who will win the ultimate bedtime challenge!

Not a book to read right before a nap, Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime shows kids how to handle things like a dinosaur, roaring all the way. Bob Shea's artwork keeps the story charging along up until the final roar.

November Juvenile Book of the Month

2010-10-30T12:18:00.003-05:00

Ruby Holler
By Sharon Creech

Dallas and Florida have been labeled trouble twins. No matter what they touch, you can expect it to be broken, dirty, or ruined when they get done with it. But it’s not entirely their fault. Dallas and Florida are orphans and have to live with the putrid couple, the Trepids. The Trepids have been trying to get rid of the trouble twins for quite some time, but every family that is even slightly considering adopting always sends them back. Dallas and Florida have grown up with harsh punishments like hours in the dark, creepy basement and wearing scratchy “I’ve Been Bad” shirts. It is just assumed by now that everything Dallas and Florida do is going to be wrong.

One day Mr. Trepid tells the twins that they are leaving the home for a few months. The twins are to accompany an older couple on their vacations. Tiller and Sairy Morey want to go on separate vacations away from their quiet life in Ruby Holler, a hidden piece of land far from town. Tiller wants to row down a river and Sairy wants to hike over hills in search of an elusive bird. At first, the twins think the couple is crazy. They will certainly make Dallas and Florida their slaves; making them dig wells, and tend to pigs. All Dallas and Florida want to do is steal away into the night and catch the first night train out of town. It is only when the twins arrive at their new home in Ruby Holler that they realize that there might actually be nice people in the world. Dallas and Florida purposely do things wrong to test the reactions of the couple but are never scolded or punished. As time passes, the twins learn to respect and care about Tiller and Sairy.

Ruby Holler presents a pleasant place with understanding people. Creech tells a story that shows that kids need positive reinforcement to be healthy, well-adjusted people. The relationship between the Moreys and the twins is magical. Both sides find what was missing in their lives. Ruby Holler is a story of loyalty, adventure, and compassion.

October's Junenile Picture Book of the Month!

2010-09-30T16:09:00.006-05:00

Disney's, Boo to You, Winnie the Pooh!

After Pouring the contents of a large crock of honey into his mouth and on his costume, Winnie the Pooh is being chased by the bees. I'm not fond of Trickling says Winnie the Pooh. Winnie the Pooh and all his friends run right through Rabbit's Pumpkin Patch, crashing and tumbling and smashing all of Rabbit's pumpkins. At the last minute Rabbit traps the bees in a hole in the tree and closes it with a bucket. Poor Piglet is so afraid! "Of all my favorite holidays," he sighed forlornly, "Halloween isn't!" Poor Piglet is just too afraid of Halloween! Winnie declares that This Halloween shall be a Hallowasn't. . . . and you shall have no reason to be afraid! "Thank you Pooh Bear, says piglet". As the night gets darker and the spookables come out, you must come into the library and check out this book to see how the adventure ends . . .
psst... we also have the movie on video, so why not check out both!

October Book of the Month: The Girl's Get Even by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

2010-09-30T15:17:00.001-05:00

It’s the war as old as time itself, Boys vs. Girls. Wither your on the Hatford boy’s or the Malloy’s girl’s side, you have to admit the fun started in “The Boys Start The War” continue in this fast pace and funny follow up, “The Girl’s Get Even”. When a bet is put on the table, who will win the school’s Halloween contest, both sets of kids go on a no hold’s bar prank war against each other. Both sides fall victim to sabotage and pranks backfiring but both sides try very hard to win, because if not the losers have to become the winner’s “slaves” for a month! You can’t help but to read along as Caroline, Eddie, Beth, Jake, Josh and Wally battle it out with everything from stealing their rivals clothing and a very interesting encounter with a lizard!

Who wins the battle of Boys vs. Girls? You’ll have to read to find out.

Global Road Warrior

2010-09-01T19:43:00.000-05:00

Global Road Warrior is one of the many online resources available at Lansing Public Library. It is available online, 24/7 via Lansing Public Library's website with a valid Lansing Public Library card.

It is the ultimate guide to the world. Maps, cultures, climate, sports, recipes, folklore and holidays is just some of the information available online on 175 countries! Check it out today!

September Book of the Month - The Blue Bay Mystery

2010-09-01T19:28:00.003-05:00

The Blue Bay Mystery is part of the Boxcar Children Mysteries series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. The Boxcar children, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny no longer live in a boxcar but they still go on adventures! In this book, they travel to an empty tropical South Sea island with their grandfather. Everything is wonderful until they discover that they may not be alone! Who could it be? The Aldens get to the bottom of it in this mystery for children.

September Book of the Month

2010-09-01T11:54:00.000-05:00

Fortune is fickle for the scaly narrator of Fred Marcellino's picture book I, Crocodile. The unnamed croc starts out living the good life on the Egyptian Nile surrounded by tasty dinner choices. But his happy times end when Napoleon Bonaparte invades and scoops up whatever strikes his fancy, including the magnificent crocodile. The croc finds himself torn from his beloved mudbank, crammed into a little cage for a ship ride overseas, and dropped into a fountain in Paris, where he is supposed to amuse Napoleon and guests. Amazingly, people flock to see him, making him a celebrity. He loves every minute--until he's not fashionable anymore. Then he's just a big critter stuck in an oversized water bowl with nothing good to eat. When Napoleon orders crocodile for dinner, the situation pushes the croc into daring action. It's lucky for him that he lives to tell his tale, though not so lucky for everybody else.

Marcellino's illustrations bring out the liveliness and drama in the scaly storyteller's adventures. We see the crocodile's Egypt and Napoleon's Paris in rich detail. Though the humans show some spunk and energy, the crocodile comes across as the most expressive, most interesting character in the book--but then, he is the one telling the story.

August Juvenile Book of the Month

2010-08-01T14:47:00.001-05:00

The Case of the Missing Hamster by James Preller

Jigsaw Jones may only be seven years old, but he is a top notch detective. For as long as he can remember, he has always tried to solve mysteries. When his friend, Wingnut, comes to Jigsaw with the sad story of his missing hamster, Jigsaw takes the case. Now Jigsaw and his mystery-solving partner Mila track down all the possible suspects linked in the disappearance of Hermie the hamster including a snake, Wingnut's brother, and a vacuum cleaner.

Jigsaw Jones is a unique children's mystery series. Preller uses the tone and slang of an old-fashioned black and white detective film. Jigsaw Jones is definitely a series to turn to for those just starting chapter books. The story is simple, but fun. The best part about Jigsaw Jones is that there are plenty of books in the series, so once you get hooked, you can move right on to the next book.

August Book of the Month

2010-08-01T11:20:00.000-05:00

"Happily ever after" doesn't always end the fairy tale, as Beauty finds out in Michael O. Tunnell's Beauty and the Beastly Children. After Prince Auguste--formerly known as the Beast--marries Beauty, he becomes vain and self-centered like he was before his curse made him the Beast. Auguste cares more about hanging out with his hunting buddies than running his kingdom. He collects undeserved awards instead of spending time with his wife. He isn't even present when his triplets are born. His thoughtless, careless ways irritate Beauty until she can't stand it.

Worse, Auguste's bad habits affect his newborn sons. When Beauty and Auguste first lay eyes on their triplets, they discover that the fairy's curse on Auguste has carried over to his children, who look and act like wild monsters from the minute they're born. They grow fast...too fast. Soon they're tearing through the castle, wrecking everything they can, and scaring the life out of everyone. It's up to Auguste to tame his beastly offspring, but can he handle the job?

This tongue-in-cheek sequel to Beauty and the Beast shows a parent's inner ugliness causing his children's outer ugliness, manifesting through bad behavior even more than through appearance. John Emil Cymerman draws character expressions that enhance feelings and attitudes with depth and precision; there's no mistaking Beauty's disgust toward her husband or Auguste's high opinion of himself. Tunnell delivers his tale with sly humor and everyday wisdom that parents can appreciate with their kids.

July Juvenile Paper Back of the Month

2010-07-02T15:01:00.006-05:00

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute
Serving Justice And Serving Lunch!

Jarrett Krosoczka the Author of the Lunch Lady series has loved comics and graphic novels since he was a kid. On a visit back to his elementary school as a grown-up he sees the same lunch lady that had been there since he had been a student. This is where he got the idea for the Lunch Lady superhero series.
Hector, Terrence, and Dee have always wondered what their school lunch lady did when she wasn't dishing out the daily specials. Little do they know, Lunch Lady doesn't only serve sloppy-joes. . . she serves justice!
When a new substitute teacher shows up claiming that Mr. O'Connell the Math teacher is out sick today, something doesn't add up to Lunch Lady and her side-kick Betty. Mr. O'Connell has not been out sick once in twenty years. . . and so the adventure begins and Lunch Lady and Betty are out to solve the mystery. It looks like today's special is going to knuckle sandwich!

July Book of the Month

2010-07-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss

Sally and her brother are left home alone once again. This time, the children are left with the task of shoveling snow from the sidewalk. Their day turns from bored to hectic when that troublesome Cat in the Hat comes back again!

The Cat decides to take a bath while eating cake. Sally's brother ends his irresponsible fun, but the Cat in the Hat leaves a pink ring in the bathtub. The Cat in the Hat removes the spot but then it gets on their mother's dress. Every remedy the Cat in the Hat comes up with only spreads the spot to another item. With the help of his Helper Cats, the Cat in the Hat tries to clean up his mess before the children's mother comes home.

The Cat in the Hat is a classic story, stretching many generations. It is the favorite book of both adults and children. The Cat in the Hat teaches both cause and effect and the alphabet in a fun, memorable way.

Book of the Month - June

2010-06-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor

Nancy adores everything fancy. She loves finding the fanciest way to say things. For example, Nancy prefers to call purple, fuchsia and drivers, chauffeurs. She loves being fancy so much, Nancy decides to teach a class on how to be fancy. Her parents and her little sister are very interested in learning how to be fancy. After a few lessons, they decide to show everyone just how fancy they really are by going out to dinner.

Fancy Nancy is a charming, funny book about a little girl's dream of being super fancy. The illustrations portray Nancy in a perfect manner. Fancy Nancy is the beginning book in a series devoted to the quirky Nancy. Other Fancy Nancy books include: Fancy Nancy at the Museum, Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy, Fancy Nancy Sees Stars, and many more. Check one of them out today and learn how you can be fancy too.

June Book of the Month!

2010-05-29T15:45:00.002-05:00

After a Bad Beginning things can only end up worse for the Baudelaire orphans! The second installment of Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room: Or, Murder!, sends siblings Klaus, Sunny & Violet to take their chances with their mysterious so called “uncle” Dr. Montgomery. It’s only after you find out that Uncle Monty is indeed the fun loving, coconut cream cake making, and lover of snakes that you start to wonder where this event will come unfortunate. The dastardly Count Olaf snakes his way into the Baudelaire’s lives once more, taking away yet another chance for the orphans to find true happiness in the world.

Despite being arguable the most depressing and saddest of the series, Reptile Room offers suspense, sly humor, whimsical non sequiturs and most of all a story that hooks readers in not unlike the hook-handed man would attempt to do. Snicket doesn’t take a single step back from showing you just how utterly miserable the life of the Baudelaire orphans can get! After escaping from the horrors within the Reptile Room, you’ll be looking forwards to the Wide Window and the next some what great but always unfortunate adventure.

May Book of the Month

2010-05-03T13:40:00.002-05:00

Author Laura Numeroff has struck a gold mine with her "If You Give..." series. If You Give a Pig a Pancake is a humorous telling of the events that unfold when a little girl shares her breakfast with an adorable pig peeking through her kitchen window. Their adventure includes stops in the bathtub, under a bed, to a mailbox and up in a tree house. Where will they end up? Both young listeners and beginning readers will delight in the flow of this story as well as the gentle artwork by Felicia Bond. This would make a wonderful addition to every home library and a portion of author Numeroff's royalties will be donated to First Book, a national nonprofit organization that promotes children's literacy

Juvenile Book of the Month for May

2010-05-03T11:31:00.000-05:00

The Trouble with Tink by Kiki Thorpe

Every fairy is Never Land has a special talent that sets them apart from the other faires. Tinker Bell's special talent is fixing things. No matter what is broken, Tinker Bell can fix it using her special tinker's hammer.

One day, while playing an extra-special game of tag, Tink loses her enchanted tinker's hammer. Now she can't fix things anymore. No matter where she goes, Tink hears all the other fairies talking about her because they think she has lost her talent.

There is good news for Tink because she does have a spare hammer. Unfortunately, she left it in Peter Pan's tree house and Tink hasn't spoken to him since he broke Wendy to Never Land.

Will Tink go back to an old friend to retrieve her special tinker's hammer in time to help fix the Queen Ree's broken bathtub and prove to all her fairy friends that she hasn't lost her talent?

April Book of the Month

2010-04-01T15:02:00.003-05:00

The story of Rapunzel is both well known and a well told fairy tale. The picture book Falling For Rapunzel by Leah Wilox and illustrated by Lydia Monks takes a colorful and original spin on the well loved tale. The adaptation takes on a new hilarious look at what really might have happened when Rapunzel's prince came to her window and she misheard his request for her hair. With bright, vivid and joyful illustrations the story comes to life with clever and quick dialogue composed of rhythms. With easy to read sentences and rhythms that create an element of delightful surprise as to what Rapunzel might really throw down to her awaiting prince. For fans of fairy tales and new comers alike, pick up Falling For Rapunzel and you'll find yourself falling for this delightful book, laughing all the way down.

April Book of the Month

2010-04-01T14:02:00.001-05:00

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a compilation of creepy, spooky and even funny stories, collected from folklore and retold by Alvin Schwartz. Some of the stories are intended to make someone jump. There are stories of ghosts, here one minute, gone another. There are even a few songs like "The Hearse Song", well known for its lines, "The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, the worms play pinochle on your snout." The illustrations by Stephen Gammell are just "to die for." This classic book has been well-loved by children for decades and will continue to be as long as kids like to get a little scared. Perfect for sleepovers or camping trips. There are also two follow ups, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones.

March JP Book of The Month!

2010-03-15T12:51:00.007-05:00

TRACTION MAN IS HERE!

It's Christmas morning and Traction Man arrives in a gift box. Traction Man with his combat boots, battle pants and warfare shirt is a little boy's dream come true! He has grippy hands, swivel eyes and extra string. He patrols his boy's house protecting toys from the Evil Pillows, guarding the breakfast toast and searching for sunken wrecks in the dishwater. While in the dishwater he meets the poisonous Dishcloth who tries to suffocate him! Here comes little Scrubbing Brush to the rescue, and Traction man has been saved. Traction Man action figure is ready for anything . . . except for his boy's granny who has knit him a humiliating green outfit. You'll just have to check it out to find out what happens next.
This is a great read especially for little boys who love their superheroes (little girls will like it too).
Mini Grey is the Author of this book and also Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog. Both of these books are available at Lansing Public Library.
Traction Man Is Here was also one of the 2008 Monarch Children's Choice Book award nominees, and 2005 Boston Globe Book Awards winners.