HEST, Amy. Charley’s First Night. illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick. 2012. ISBN 9780763640552. JLG Level: K : Kindergarten (Grades PreK–K).

Sometimes a character’s voice, is so strong it transcends the page and pulls at a reader’s heartstrings. Henry has that kind of voice. The little boy finds a stray puppy on a cold snowy day. “We were new together and I was very, very careful not to slip in the snow and I thought about his name. Charley. Charley Korn. My name is Henry. Henry Korn.” Later he brings the puppy home to his parents, and we hear that voice again, “I would be in charge of walking Charley, they said, and I couldn’t wait to walk Charley forever.” Henry wants his new friend to sleep in his room, but his folks have another idea―probably a good one, as the illustration shows the boy should have taken his pet for a quick walk. As the family makes a bed for their recent addition in the kitchen, Henry fits the nook with his own beloved bear and a tick-tock clock, which provides “another little heartbeat in the night.” Night falls and Charley howls when he wakes. Henry tries to follow his parent’s rules, but the puppy wants to sleep on the bed. When both friends get sleepy, the reader can predict the outcome. Oxenbury’s gorgeous illustrations are framed by a border, helping to pace the gentle tale that warms your heart, even in the cold of winter.

MARKLE, Sandra. Snow School. illus. by Alan Marks. Charlesbridge. 2013. ISBN 9781580894104. JLG Level: NEK : Nonfiction Early Elementary (Grades K–2).

Markle’s latest informational picture book focuses on weeks-old snow leopard siblings. Mother has left them unattended when the inquisitive male cub is nearly captured by a hawk. Lesson learned: “Outside the den, it’s a dangerous world.” The two cubs follow their mother over the course of a year as they witness survival lessons in their snow school. One day they will catch food for themselves, so they learn to be quick on their feet, guard their prey, and quiet while hunting. Told in simple narrative vignettes, Markles’s text is illustrated by watercolor scenes that vary from rough-housing between the cubs to the mother’s kill.

PRINGLE, Laurence. Ice!: The Amazing History of the Ice Business. Calkins Creek. 2012. ISBN 9781590788011. JLG Level: NE: Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Heavily sprinkled with primary sources, Pringle’s latest nonfiction work centers on the history of the ice business. Even in Caesar’s time, ice was brought from cold regions to cool a beverage. In 1805 Frederic Tudor lived on a pond in New York when he decided he could profit from shipping ice to the West Indies. Tudor hired Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth who invented a horse-drawn ice cutter, making ice easier to harvest and transport. Icehouses sprang up along Rockland Lake to store the product for shipping. To lessen the chance of the ice melting, railroads were built to quickly get it to New York City. The ice business soon became an integral part of everyday life. With the invention of the icebox and ice delivery wagons, ice became more affordable for everyone. As an unexpected result, the invention of refrigeration hearkened the end of the ice harvesting industry. It took time to get electrical service across the country, so even until the 1950s, the ice man came. Today, ice festivals celebrate the carving of ice, but the giant icehouses that began it all stand empty or in ruins.

Pringle’s fascinating narrative is as clear as the ice he writes about. Readers will be amazed at the effort it took to bring the frozen commodity to their homes. Photographs, painted postcards, and vintage ice card signs bring a century-old industry to life.

WRIGHT, Johanna. Bunnies on Ice. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. 2013. ISBN 9781596434042. JLG Level: K : Kindergarten (Grades PreK–K).

Time passes slowly when a champion ice-skater waits for winter to arrive. With a Christmas Eve-like feeling, an excited bunny runs with skates-in-hand to wake her parents for the first big circle around the ice. With scores of fans watching, bunny practices figure eights, leaps in the air, and pirouettes. Wright uses simple sentences to slow the pace of a beautifully illustrated family story. Heavily-textured oils on canvas flow across double-page spreads, allowing the reader time to examine the family’s activities. Humor is scattered throughout the story. The family “eats a balanced diet” while they roast marshmallows in the fire. Muscles are kept loose while playing in a bubble bath. A ballerina-skirted scarecrow looms over the family tending the garden. A perfect combination of art, humor, warmth, and text create a Caldecott-worthy read aloud.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

BARNETT, Mac. Chloe and the Lion. illus. by Adam Rex. Disney/Hyperion. 2012. ISBN 9781423113348. JLG Level: HE : Humor Elementary (Grades 2-6).

Mac, the author, and Adam, the illustrator, argue over which character is better for scaring poor little Chloe―a lion or a dragon. A war over the story line ensues. Which is more important―the art or the text? When Mac fires Adam for not following directions, “my-friend-Hank” is hired. The former artist is quickly eaten by Hank’s lion. Little Chloe saves the day by setting them all straight, telling the author, “You’re the writer. Adam is the illustrator. We all add something to the story.”

Barnett’s humorous tongue-in-cheek tale is charmingly illustrated with clay figures of the picture book’s creators, and cartoon-type characters for the remaining players. Using a stage as the story’s backdrop, and balloons for its text, sets the artwork apart from similar books this year. It’s a tale of friendship and teamwork in an unusual mixed-format effort that is a pleasure to read.

BARNETT, Mac. Extra Yarn. illus. by Jon Klassen. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2012. ISBN 9780061953385. JLG Level: K : Kindergarten (Grades PreK-K).

“In a cold little town, where everywhere you looked was either the white of snow or the black soot from chimneys, Annabelle found a box filled with yarn of every color.” So begins the tale of one little girl who made a difference. She knit a sweater for herself; she still had yarn left. She knit a sweater for her dog, and still had some left. Annabelle knit sweaters for everyone and everything she met, except for Mr. Crabtree. She made him a hat. “Things began to change in that little town.” When the archduke tried to buy the never-ending yarn from the little girl, she refused to sell. So he stole it.

Klassen’s artwork brings Annabelle’s black and white world to life. With pops of color punctuating the simple digital-and-ink shapes, the meaning of the magical yarn materializes. Use of darkness when the archduke steals the box shows the meanness of the act without being too scary for its intended audience. Though the story is moralistic, the charm of the illustrations and the happy ending produce a picture book that is sure to be a classic, regardless of whether it wins the gold.

BUZZEO, Toni. One Cool Friend. illus. by David Small. Dial. 2012. ISBN 9780803734135. JLG Level: P : Primary (Grades K-1).

“Elliot was a very proper young man,” so it’s no surprise that he liked penguins. “In their tidy black feather tuxedos with their proper posture, they reminded Elliot of himself.” During a visit to the zoo, he slips a live penguin into his backpack. (He asked permission, of course.) Unbeknownst to his preoccupied father, Elliot’s new pet skates on a pond in his room, eats anchovy pizza, and swims in the family bathtub.

From turtle-patterned pajamas and footstools, to boxes of caramel candy and diagrams in the father’s office, the illustrations complement the text while hinting at the surprising outcome. Small adds a smattering of color to his simply sketched ink drawings, which along with the use of bubble captions lighten the serious tone of the dialogue between father and child. s. A perfect blend of the visual and text make it an excellent choice for story time. Readers will laugh at the tuxedoed duo’s adventures and shout “read it again” at its conclusion.

COLE, Henry. Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad. Scholastic. 2012. ISBN 9780545399975. JLG Level: P : Primary (Grades K-1).

While doing her chores, a young girl discovers someone hiding in the family’s barn. Without saying a word, each person takes food to the uninvited guest. After a slave-hunting party arrives, the visitor disappears, leaving behind a cornhusk doll dressed in the napkin material as a sign of thanks.

Cole uses charcoal and pen line drawings to illustrate this wordless picture book. In a style reminiscent of Brian Selznick, character close-ups reveal the tension in the story. Readers will feel the family’s fear when the hunting party arrives. They will worry when the runaway peeks through a knot hole. Seeing the Big Dipper through the bedroom window will fill them with hope that the slave will find a safe place to rest. An author’s note shares family stories and background history about the details included in the illustrations.

FOGLIANO, Julie. And Then It’s Spring. illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. 2012. ISBN 9781596436244. JLG Level: K : Kindergarten (Grades PreK-K).

A dedicated young boy and the animals that live around him diligently wait for seeds to sprout. In well-planned phases, readers feel the slow-moving track of time as the season of brown lingers on. He plants his seeds. He waters them. A silent chorus of anxious planters stares at the dark earth waiting for green to break through. A rainy day brings a sunny one, and with it, green. “All around you have green.”

Stead’s woodblock printing techniques brilliantly tone down the anxious wait for spring. Kids will linger over the details. A turtle uses a magnifying glass to better see the emergence of a sprout. Rabbit watches for the carrot seeds to push through the soil. Even the dog waits for his buried bones to grow. Spring bursts into view on the last double page spread, just like the seeds that were sown. Another winner for Stead and a first-winning book for Fogliano.

STEAD, Philip C.. Bear Has a Story to Tell. illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. 2012. ISBN  9781596437456. JLG Level: K : Kindergarten (Grades PreK-K).

Winter is swiftly approaching, and bear is getting sleepy, but first he has a story he wants to tell. Mouse doesn’t have time for a story; he has seeds to gather. So Bear helps his friend instead. Duck has to get ready to fly south, so Bear checks the wind’s direction. Frog needs to find a warm place to sleep for the winter, so Bear digs a frog-sized hole. The first snowflake falls, but Bear still hasn’t told his tale. When spring arrives and his friends return, Bear is delighted to remember that now he has time to tell his story. Sadly, he can no longer recall what he wanted to say. In cyclical fashion, his friends prompt him, and the story ends as it began.

Gold medal team of Stead and Stead pair up again in this star-studded effort (2 stars and a Kirkus Editors’ Choice Award). The camaraderie of the characters is skillfully painted in their faces and mannerisms. The gentleness of the big bear is believable in his efforts to help his friends, while putting his needs last. The lesson of the story (shall we say, Golden Rule?) is gently woven between the text and illustrations, allowing the reader to absorb the message with little effort.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

HARTMAN, Rachel. Seraphina. Random, 2012. ISBN 9780375966569. JLG Level: FH: Fantasy/Science Fiction. High (Grades 9-12).

Newcomer Rachel Hartman brings an exciting dragon adventure to the list of possible contenders. Already a winner on numerous best lists, Seraphina is a fantasy novel about a half-dragon heroine who lives in a land where a treaty was made with the dragons 40 years ago. When the prince is found beheaded, villagers are quick to blame the powerful creatures. Seraphina must risk revealing her own identity in order to save the kingdom from those who wish the peaceable agreement to end. Romance, political thriller, mystery, and coming-of-age genres combine in this high fantasy.

Leaving the ending open for a sequel, readers of all kinds will devour this new addition to the star-studded year.

KELLY, Jacqueline. Return to the Willows. illus. by Clint G. Young. Holt. 2012. ISBN 9780805094138. JLG Level: A+ : Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5).

Over a hundred years after its original publication, Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows (Methuen, 1908) gets a sequel. Written in an amazingly-similar style, Kelly brings back some of our favorite characters in one hilarious adventure after the other. Supplemented by footnotes to translate the English language into American, readers will cheer when Toad is saved once again, and worry as his friends encounter trouble after trouble. New characters enter the Willows (Toad’s nephew) and a once-enemy (Sammy the weasel). The whole story leads to a rousing and satisfying conclusion. Young’s gorgeous illustrations complement the tale.

Kelly begins with an admonishment to read the original before you start. Check your shelves to be sure you have it for your students who will certainly want to read it after they read Kelly’s homage―if not before.

LIN, Grace. Starry River of the Sky. Little, Brown. 2012. ISBN 9780316125956. JLG Level: A+ : Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5).

A companion to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Little, Brown, 2009), Starry River of the Sky begins with a runaway boy who finds work in a village inn. Rendi is harboring secret troubles, but he seems to be the only one who notices that the moon is missing from the village’s sky. He begins to piece things together―missing moon, and also missing sons. When a mysterious guest visits, Rendi joins in her nightly storytelling, and he finds a way to make peace and restore the things that are lost.

Beautiful illustrations, stories-within-stories, and a flowing narrative make Starry River a standout. Though fans of the first work may jump at the chance to read Lin’s latest, newcomers will want to read this one too. Perfect for reading aloud.

MACLACHLAN, Patricia. Kindred Souls. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. 2012. ISBN 9780060522988. JLG Level: A : Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5).

Long known for her heart-wrenching stories, MacLachlan doesn’t disappoint with her newest prairie story. Eighty-eight-year-old Billy has a special bond with his ten-year-old grandson, Jake. Every day they walk the farm where Billy grew up. “Kindred souls, we are,” he says. One day a stray dog makes himself at home with Billy―just about the time that he gets sick. Before he goes to the hospital, Jake promises to rebuild his grandfather’s sod house. The whole family joins in the project, binding them together and granting Billy’s request.

Though the sad ending is inevitable, the magic of the dog’s appearance and the joy found in rebuilding the sod house keep the story from being too painful for young readers. MacLachlan gives the reader hope.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

BONNER, Hannah. When Dinos Dawned, Mammals Got Munched, and Pterosaurs Took Flight: A Cartoon Pre-History of Life in the Triassic. illus. by author. National Geographic Kids. 2012. ISBN 9781426308635. JLG Level SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Borrowing from the “Magic School Bus”-style, fun cartoons punctuate this look into the Triassic period. Fact-filled sidebars, maps, charts, and graphs deliver a plethora of information about the evolution of creatures large and small. Knowing that there are never enough dinosaur books may be cause for selection alone, but this title is note-worthy due to its supportive material, which includes a glossary, index, and bibliography. Humor and the voice of the author make a complicated subject more accessible and certainly more than a picture book of dinosaurs.

CHIN, Jason. Island: The Story of the Galapagos. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter Bk. 2012. ISBN 9781596437166. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

The perfect book to follow or precede When Dinos Dawned, Island is another new story about the evolution of animals. The Galapagos Islands were formed as lava spewed from a volcano. As years passed, seeds fell, birds flew over, and marine animals swam to this archipelago six hundred miles from the mainland. As they aged, they slowly began to sink. As the millions of years passed, animals that lived on the Galapagos adapted to their surroundings. Snails got thinner shells, beaks became larger, and wings became smaller. The island continued to sink. Plants and animals continued to adapt.

Back matter provided by the author explains Darwin’s theory of natural selection, the Galapagos Islands and how many of the plants and animals that survive there are endemic- they exist nowhere else in the world. It’s a fascinating story for your science nonfiction collection, beautifully illustrated by the author.

HAGUE, Bradley. Alien Deep: Exploring the Mysterious World of Hydrothermal Vents. National Geographic Kids. 2012. ISBN 9781426310683. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Before 1977, scientists thought that there was no life in the deep ocean. However, scientists on the Knorr found vents on the ocean floor which bubbled boiling water.  Around the vents was life. Giant clams the size of dinner plates. Red-headed tubeworms as tall as men. Since the first discovery of the vents, a new deep-ocean species has been discovered about every ten days. In 2011, a team of scientists, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, set out to explore the same hydrothermal grounds of the Galapagos Rift.

Content focuses on the work of the scientists and crew of the Okeanos Explorer and their expedition along the Galapagos Rift in the Pacific. Supporting STEM curriculum and in collaboration with National Geographic’s television series of the same name, Alien Deep explores the work of an oceanographer. Amazing photographs compliment the appropriately sized font. Glossary bubbles on each page help the reader decode the text. It’s National Geographic for Kids at its finest.

HEARST, Michael. Unusual Creatures: A Mostly Accurate Account of Some of Earth’s Strangest Animals. Chronicle. 2012.  ISBN 9781452104676. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

With a good sense of humor, and a great deal of research, Michael Hearst delivers two-page spreads on fifty unusual creatures. From the depths of the sea to birds that fly, readers will read just enough information on these uncommon animals and insects to make them want more. Hagfish produce enough slime in a few minutes to fill five one gallon jugs. Saddleback caterpillars have stinging hairs that can cause swelling, rashes and nausea. The Texas Horned Lizard spurts blood from the corners of its eyes. Snakes in Asia leap out of trees and puff out their chests to fly. Try keeping this book to yourself and reading a section or two at the beginning of each class. You’ll have silence the second they see it in your hands.

JUDGE, Lita. Bird Talk: What Birds Are Saying and Why. Flash Point. 2012. ISBN 9781596436466. JLG Level: NE : Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Have you ever heard birds outside your window and wondered what they’re saying? Maybe you’ve been at the zoo and seen some dancing and prancing and wondered what that’s all about. Then Bird Talk is the book for you. Lita Judge, granddaughter of ornithologists, has written about her love of birds and what they do to communicate.

This fascinating look into bird behavior will have you spouting off facts to anyone who will listen. Indian Sarus Cranes mate for life. They do a wonderful ballet on the surface of the water, bowing and leaping. Western Grebes also dance on the water’s surface with their mates. The Blue Bird of Paradise hangs upside down to attract his partner. Lita finishes her informational picture book by giving more facts about each profiled bird.

SPINNER, Stephanie. Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird. Knopf. 2012. ISBN 9780375868467. JLG Level: NE : Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

As further proof that animals communicate, this fall Stephanie Spinner releases the story of Alex, who was not an ordinary bird. In 1977 a graduate student named Irene Pepperberg bought an African grey parrot at a pet store. She believed that birds were intelligent. As a scientist, she was determined to prove it. Pepperberg taught Alex to speak and count during the ten years that she had to work with him. In a time when the world thought that the size of your brain coincided with how much you could learn, Alex the Parrot revolutionized what scientists believed about animal communication. Videos online abound, so be sure to show one of these when you introduce this story.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

ASTON, Dianna Hutts. A Rock is Lively. illus. by Sylvia Long. Chronicle. 2012. ISBN 9781452106458. JLG Level: NEK: Nonfiction Early Elementary (Grades K-2)

The team that brought us An Egg is Quiet (Chronicle, 2006) is back this fall with a new nonfiction picture book about a well-loved topic—rocks. In their award-winning style, Hutts and Long tell the multi-faceted story about how rocks are made, how they help us, and how we use them. Gorgeous illustrations (even on the end pages) strengthen the text. You’ll want to add this to your geology collection and perhaps put a few rock samples nearby.

BANG, Molly and Penny Chisholm. Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas. illus. by Molly Bang. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 2012. ISBN 9780545273220. JLG Level: SCE: Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2-6)

The pair behind Living Sunlight (Scholastic) brings us Ocean Sunlight for the fall. Though it may seem there are so many facts included in the few short pages of the picture book, there are far more phytoplankton in the seas. The earth’s surface is 75% water. From those that eat the phytoplankton to those who eat marine snow (“poop and mucus, carcasses and guts”), the ocean is full of life and food. Back matter includes even more facts to share with our voracious readers.

HALL, Michael. Cat Tale. illus. by author. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2012. ISBN  9780061915161. JLG Level: P: Primary (Grades K-1)

It’s math. It’s language. It’s art. It’s lots of fun. Hall is back (My Heart is Like a Zoo) with a new geometrical rhyming adventure for the young and young at heart. Lillian, Tilly, and William J. explore the world as words lead the way. “They pack some books and kitty chews. They choose a spot. They spot some ewes.” Somewhere along the way, things get jumbled up, but they straighten out the tale, and start their adventure again. Bright pictures and a large font add to the ease of sharing this book with a group.

HOOD, Susan. Spike, the Mixed-Up Monster. illus. by Melissa Sweet. S & S/Paula Wiseman. Sept. 2012. ISBN 9781442406018. JLG Level: K: Kindergarten (Grades PreK-K)

Sometimes a picture book does more than entertain at storytime. Such is the case in this title. Spike wants to be a big scary monster, but he’s actually tiny and cute. When a scary Gila monster arrives on the scene, Spike accidentally saves the day and becomes the hero. Readers will love the underdog theme and the surprising Gila monster. In addition to offering a moral to the story, the book includes photos and facts about Spike and his friends. It’s also bilingual and includes a Spanish word glossary. Brilliant!

WILLEMS, Mo. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs. illus. by author. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. 2012. ISBN 9780062104182. HE: Humor Elementary (grades 2-6)

Once upon a time, there were three Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur, and “some other dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.” Even without the illustrations, you can’t help but laugh. The story begs to be read aloud–again and again. Willems’ hilarious retelling of Goldilocks is a surefire winner. And it’s Mo Willems. Enough said.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

HADDIX, Margaret Peterson. Caught. Bk 5. S & S. (The Missing Series). Sept. 2012. ISBN 9781416989820. JLG Level: C: Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

Longtime favorite author, Margaret Peterson Haddix, releases the fifth book in The Missing series. Jonah and Katherine travel to the early 1900s to return Albert Einstein’s daughter. (He had a daughter?) Blending more science into the series, readers will continue to race through the story as it unfolds. With short, cliff-hanger chapters and familiar characters returning to the series, Haddix’s new book will be on the waiting list for quite some time.

KORMAN, Gordon. Ungifted. HarperCollins/Balzar + Bray. Aug. 2012. ISBN 9780061742682. JLG Level: HIM: High Interest Middle School (Grades 5-8)

You know you that an author is a perennial pick when his name is in a larger font than the book’s title. Korman is back with another crowd-pleaser. “I want a refund from ancestry.com…there’s nobody like me,” says Donovan, our act first-think later protagonist begins. When his harmless pranks go awry, he remarks, “I hit the statue with a branch, but I didn’t think the world would come off.” Korman’s classic wit and humor hook the reader. Donovan’s prank accidentally gets him enrolled in a school for the gifted. Though he may be “ungifted,” there is much we can learn from the boy and his new classmates. The movie rights, by the way, have already been picked up by Walden Media.

LUBAR, David. Beware the Ninja Weenies and other Warped and Creepy Tales. TOR/Starscape. 2012. ISBN 9780765332134. JLG Level: HIM: High Interest Middle School (Grades 5-8)

The Weenies are back with 33 more warped and creepy tales. As most of the stories are short (an average of three pages each), Lubar brings another sure-to-please collection that will keep your reluctant readers technology-less, for a short time at least. Also great for reading aloud, readers will pause to think in Playing Solo- “game over forever” or laugh out loud at the nothing-is-off-limits plot lines in this made-for-kids book.

PENNYPACKER, Sara. Summer of the Gypsy Moths. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray. 2012. ISBN 9780061964206. JLG Level: B+: Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5-7)

One way to help bridge the gap from elementary school to middle school is to connect kids with their favorite primary authors’ more mature titles. Widely known as the creator of the “Clementine” series (Hyperion), Sara Pennypacker has a wonderful new chapter book for older readers. Two orphans, a dead great-aunt, and some dying blueberry bushes connect in this charming story as two lost souls find their way home. When Stella’s great-aunt dies, she and Angel decide to keep it a secret, bury her and run the Linger Longer Summer Cottages by themselves. The adventures that follow will surely keep readers turning pages.

STEAD, Rebecca. Liar & Spy. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2012. ISBN 9780385906654. JLG Level: B: Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5-7)

Students who see the cover will recognize the art style and recall Newbery-winning author, Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me). Stead’s new book is no less a mystery. Seventh grader, Georges (the s is silent) struggles through big changes—a move to an apartment, longer working hours for his mom, and bullies at school. Then he meets a home-schooled neighbor, Safer, who enlists his help to spy on Mr. X. Kids will keep guessing until the end at the interwoven strands of plot. Full of wit and wisdom, Georges will become a favorite character and a champion of middle schoolers everywhere.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

WALSH, Pat. The Crowfield Demon. Scholastic/Chicken House. 2012. ISBN 9780545317696. JLG Level: C+: Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

In this sequel to The Crowfield Curse (Scholastic, 2010), readers follow young servant William deep into a mystery involving the Dark King. William’s ability to see into the spirit world puts him squarely in the middle of a battle of good versus evil, complete with a fallen angel who wants to steal his soul. Walsh’s highly descriptive language creates memorable scenes and characters in a tightly wound plot.

VANDE VELDE, Vivian. Deadly Pink. HMH. July 2012. ISBN 9780547738505. JLG Level: C+: Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

Grace’s sister won’t leave the princess-filled virtual game she’s created. If the teen doesn’t find a way to get her sibling out in 72 hours, Emily will die. Vande Velde combines contemporary themes with a fantasy world that will get readers thinking about their own responsibilities and family relationships. Not just for gamers.

FLEMING, Candace. On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. July 2012. ISBN 9780375967818. JLG Level: C: Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

After picking up an unusual hitchhiker, Mike finds himself in a cemetery surrounded by teens—all dead teens—who tell him the stories of their deaths. Set in an actual cemetery outside of Chicago, Fleming weaves in some history with the shivery tales, ranging from the late 19^th century to current day. A great collection of ghost stories and a good choice for reluctant readers.

ANDERSON, M.T. Zombie Mommy: A Pals in Peril Tale. Bk. 5. S & S/Beach Lane Bks. 2011. ISBN 9781416986416. JLG Level: C: Advanced Readers (Grades 6-9)

Zombie Mommy continues the clever, loopy and satirical “Pals in Peril” series with the story of Lily’s mom seeking self-preservation—it seems to her that the mothers of book characters tend to get rubbed out in kids’ fiction. This hilarious self-aware parody of genre conventions is a fast and fun read that just might hook readers into going back to the first book to read the whole series.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe.

ROBINSON, Michelle. What to Do if an Elephant Stands on Your Foot. illus. by Peter H. Reynolds. Dial. July 2012. ISBN 9780803733985. JLG Level: P+: Primary (Grades K-1)
Little ones will quickly identify with the young explorer on safari who just can’t seem to stay out of his own way! In this title featuring run-ins with elephants, alligators, and monkeys, readers will enjoy the build up to the book’s very funny finish. Reynolds’s illustrations are the perfect goofy complement to first time author Robinson’s prose.

SIEGEL, Randy. My Snake Blake. illus. by Serge Bloch. Roaring Brook. June 2012. ISBN 9781596435841. JLG Level: P: Primary (Grades K-1)
It takes a special family to welcome a snake to their home, and an equally special snake to convince them that he will make a great addition. This snake literally gets them at “hello”—which he spells out with his body to the astonishment of all! Bloch’s illustrations quiver and shiver right off the pages, bringing energy to Siegel’s story of one very talented snake.

STOEKE, Janet Morgan. Pip’s Trip: The Loopy Coop Hens. Dial. 2012. ISBN 9780803737082. JLG Level: P+: Primary (Grades K-1)
Hens Pip, Midge, and Dot live the good life on the farm, but occasionally experience wanderlust. Pip forms a plan for the trio to jump in the back of the farmer’s truck for a trip, but the minute the engine starts, Midge and Dot bail. Pip endures (under a blanket) and when the noise and shaking stops, she emerges triumphant. Problem is, the truck never moved—the farmer was just working on the engine! Pip’s pals still think she’s the bravest hen ever, and readers will be wondering what future adventures await the friends.

FREEDMAN, Deborah. Blue Chicken. Viking, 2011. ISBN 9780670012930. JLG Level: K: Kindergarten (Grades PreK-K)
Hilarity (and messiness) follows one adventurous chicken that jumps out of the frame of a bucolic barnyard scene and into a can of blue paint. It seems that nothing escapes getting splashed with blue, including the other farm animals, who are none too pleased. Curiosity results in a cure when the chicken pokes its head into one more jar, and the contents wash away the paint. Freedman’s artful and bold illustrations work well with her carefully chosen words.

MEISEL, Paul. See Me Run. Holiday House. 2011. ISBN 9780823423491. JLG Level: P+: Primary (Grades K-1)
A romp in the dog park turns out to more exciting than Meisel’s goofy and exuberant canines can even imagine! When the dogs discover a cache of bones, they think they’ve hit the jackpot. That is, until the bones magically reassemble themselves and become a Tyrannosaurus Rex. This 2012 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book is sure to delight early readers.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe.

BROACH, Elise. Missing on Superstition Mountain. illus. by Antonio Javier Caparo. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. May 2012. ISBN 9780805090475. ME: Mystery/Adventure Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Fans of the supernatural will dig into this first title in a series that pits the Barker brothers against the mystery and legends of Superstition Mountain. It all starts when their cat runs away, and in search of her, they discover three human skulls. Things just keep getting weirder, leading the boys to seek the wisdom of local expert, Delilah Dunworthy. Watch for Treasure on Superstition Mountain in October 2012.

GIBBS, Stuart. The Last Musketeer. HarperCollins. May 2012. ISBN: 9780062048387. JLG Level: ME: Mystery/Adventure Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Fast-paced and full of historical tidbits, screenwriter Gibbs has created a twist on the tale of The Three Musketeers that includes time travel, Hollywood stuntman action, and life in 17^th century France. Hit by tough times, Greg’s family is in Paris to sell family heirlooms when suddenly his parents disappear—to 1615 and La Mort Triste prison, where they are sentenced to be executed. Greg recruits three teenaged boys eager for adventure, and that is what they—and the readers—get plenty of! Watch for a sequel.

HEALY, Christopher. The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. illus. by Todd Harris. HarperCollins/Walden Pond. May 2012. ISBN 9780062117434. JLG Level: ME: Mystery/Adventure Elementary (Grades 2-6)

This richly imagined and hysterically funny alternate history mystery shows readers what could happen if the Princes Charming got the boot from their princesses—Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty, to be exact. The Princes—Frederic, Gustav, Duncan, and Liam—must unite to save their respective kingdoms from an unknown evil. From a debut author who knows which buttons to push for snorting laughter.

CHILD, Lauren. Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes. (Ruby Redfort, Bk. 1) Candlewick. 2012. ISBN 9780763651206. JLG Level: ME: Mystery/Adventure Elementary (Grades 2-6)

What kid doesn’t love reading about one of their own who is smarter than her parents, is an expert code-cracker, and outwits villains without breaking a sweat?! Ruby Redfort is a funny and cynical investigator who gets the job done. Readers familiar with Child’s Clarice Bean will recognize Ruby immediately, and jump into this brand new series.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe.

BORDEN, Louise. His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II. Houghton Harcourt, 2012. ISBN 9780618507559. JLG level: HH: history-high school (grades 10 & up)

Wallenberg, a Gentile from an influential Swedish banking family, saved thousands of Jews from being sent from Hungary to Nazi concentration camps. This account is highly detailed yet readable, and includes many resources, including a bibliography, links to videos, and archived material. The generous use of photos makes this attractive to browsers and adds an additional layer of authenticity.

HEUVEL, Eric with Ruud van der Rol and Lies Schippers. The Search. Farrar. 2009. JLG level: C+: advanced readers (grades 6-9)

Helena and Esther, child survivors of World War II and the Holocaust, tell their grandsons about their respective experiences, linking family history to the Dutch Resistance and the death camps. This graphic novel captures the emotions of the characters and the difficult circumstances, with smart narrative that keeps the story moving. Good choice for older reluctant readers.

SEIPLE, Samantha. Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska’s World War II Invasion. Scholastic, 2011. ISBN 9780545296540. JLG Level: HH: history-high school (grades 10 & up)

Most Americans today wouldn’t believe it if told that the Japanese invaded Alaska in World War II following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Seiple fills this hole in our country’s history with this highly researched and detailed account of the invasion and defense of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands in June of 1942. By summer 1943, the battle was over, and 1,000 men had died. Many first-person accounts and black-and-white photographs make this a truly special book.

TUNNELL, Michael O. Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift’s “Chocolate Pilot.” Charlesbridge, 2010. ISBN 9781580893367. JLG Level: NE: nonfiction elementary (grades 2-6)

Author Michael Tunnell admits to having a fascination with true stories of children surviving against the odds, just one of the factors that led him to write this account of how American Air Force Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen dropped candy over West Berlin during the Berlin Airlift. He was able to meet with Halvorsen several times while writing the book, which undoubtedly contributed to the rich details and descriptions. An author’s note, selected references, further reading, and an index are included. Though leveled for younger readers, the photos and personal connection between Tunnell and Halvorsen make this an entertaining and informative read for all ages.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Year after year, Junior Library Guild’s book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit them at JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

This article originally appeared in School Library Journal‘s enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.