Upcoming Events
Talk to Us!
Our postcard map
Site Login
Kid Reads New Book Reviews
Click on a cover to jump to its review!
My Rhinoceros
Reading Level: Ages 4 - 6
Rhinoceros isn't a very fun pet - he doesn't really do much. The rhinoceros expert says that rhinos only really do two things: pop balloons, and poke holes in kites.
Not very good activities for a boy and a rhinoceros who want to go to the park... where there is a balloon man (rhino doesn't pay him a glance) and a bunch of kids flying kites (rhino doesn't care).
On the way home from the park, the boy and the rhino see two bank robbers getting away... in a hot air balloon and by kite!
Login or register to post comments | 
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | PDF version | 
Tags: Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, 1st Grade, Animals--Talking, Humor, Read-Alouds, Picture Books, EF
Fat Kid Rules the World
Reading level: Grades 7+
Troy, a three hundred pound high school boy, is standing on the edge of a train platform, mock headlines running through his head (FAT KID MESSES UP) as he realizes he probably wouldn't even totally succeed at his own suicide, when a homeless drug addict legend from Troy's high school, saves his life. Obviously Troy owes Curt lunch after his rescue (according to Curt), and the odd pair strike up an awkward friendship. Curt, it seems, has decided that Troy is to be the new drummer for Curt's band. Only one problem.
Troy has never played the drums in his life.
Short, witty, laugh-out-loud chapters punctuated by Troy's FAT KID headlines and embodying a punk rock mentality, Fat Kid is sure to appeal.
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: 7th Grade, 8th Grade, High Schoolers, Adults, Books for Boys, Don't Miss These, Family, Friends, Humor, Misfits, Realistic Fiction, School, Self Image, Social Issues, JY Fiction, EF
Stuck
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree and he does everything he can think of to get it out. Unfortunately, what he can't do is think of an intelligent solution in this ridiculously absurd story that will appeal to the truly silly child in your life (or in you).
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, Adults, Humor, Read-Alouds, Picture Books, SH
Shaggy Dogs, Waggy Dogs
Reading Level: Ages 2 - 6
This charmingly illustrated rhyming book celebrates dogs of all types, sizes and behaviors.
Check availability of this book
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, Animals--Real, Humor, Picture Books, SH
Max & Mo Series
Reading Level: Grades 1 - 2
Max and Mo are a pair of school hamsters who remind us of certain library rodents we know you all love. Max and Mo share a habitat in the school's art room and watch the children participate in class. In each book they sneak out of their cage to have some fun of their own using a few basic art supplies. Each book has directions for an art project at the end. The only way this series could be made better would be if Max and Mo were gerbils instead of hamsters.
Check availability of Max & Mo's First Day at School
Check availability of Max & Mo Make a Snowman
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, Animals--Talking, Friends, Humor, School, JP Fiction, The Gerbils
School for Bandits
Reading Level: PreK-1
Ralph isn't a normal raccoon - he doesn't like being messy, or rude. So his parents ship him off to Bandit School, where Ralph is the worst student of all. He's just awful at everything, and when the term ends, his teacher assigns a competition - whoever has the largest sack of loot after vacation wins the Best Bandit prize. Ralph isn't interested, not one bit. He stays in his room reading over the break, not wanting to get in anyone's way. But then something happens on his way back to school, and Ralph becomes the best!
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, 1st Grade, Animals--Talking, Misfits, School, Social Issues, Picture Books, EF
Sorta Like a Rock Star
Reading Level: Grades 7+
Amber Appleton is the most optimistic, hopeful, cheerful girl you could meet. She divides her time between Father Chee and the Korean Divas for Christ (a group of Koren women learning to speak English through R&B music and Amber), the elderly at the local retirement home (where Amber engages in a cheerfulness-pessimism battle every Wednesday with Joan of Old),with the Franks Freak Force Federation (her four best friends brought together through group therapy and favorite teacher), with Private Jackson and Ms. Jenny (a Vietnam veteran/haiku poet and his dog), and with her own dog, Bobby Big Boy. Amber lives a full, vibrant life, enriching the lives of everyone she meets. And yet, Amber Appleton lives on a school bus with her alcoholic mother.
Despite her home and family situation, Amber's hopefulness and willingness to give her all to others never wavers, until the unthinkable happens, sending Amber into a deep, spiraling depression. Her faith, previously so strong and infallible, fractures, and Amber Appleton, previously a town rock star, loses herself.
The first half of this novel flies past quickly, Amber's cheerfully whirlwind lifestyle a welcome respite from some of the depressing (yet good!) YA books I've been reading lately. Amber's depressive state is expertly, sparsely written, her discussions with Father Chee about religion a welcome addition to current young adult literature, and the ultimate banding together of the town a heartwarming conclusion.
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: 7th Grade, 8th Grade, High Schoolers, Adults, Books for Girls, Chick Lit, Don't Miss These, Family, Friends, Humor, Misfits, Realistic Fiction, School, Self Image, Social Issues, JY Fiction, EF
Every You, Every Me
Reading Level: Grades 7+
"If I ever ask you to get me a gun, don't. Whatever I say, don't." Looking right into my eyes. "Listen to me, Evan. If I ever ask for that, go get help. If I ever ask for that, you're going to have to save me."
Evan, struggling with the disappearance of his crush (and best friend's girlfriend) Ariel, is thrust into even more emotional turmoil when he begins to receive a series of mysterious photographs.
Parts poem, deleted thought, photograph, and all haunting prose, Every You, Every Me explores the different personalities within us all at breakneck speed, unfolding into deeper and deeper ripples of friendship with each turn of the page.
Check availability of this book
If you liked this book, you might also like:
Looking for Alaska by John Green (for older readers)
I Will Save You by Matt De La Pena
Th1rt3en Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: 7th Grade, 8th Grade, High Schoolers, Don't Miss These, Friends, Misfits, Mysteries, Read-Alikes, Realistic Fiction, Relationships, Social Issues, JY Fiction, EF
Nate the Great and the Hungry Book Club
Reading Level: Grades K-2
When an Evil Page Monster begins ripping, tearing, and shredding page in innocent books, Nate the Great (and Sludge) take the case. But soon they have more than one case on their hands (paws) and not many clues. Will Nate be able to pull this mystery off?
Check availability of this book
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: Kindergarteners, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, Books for Boys, Friends, Humor, Mysteries, Realistic Fiction, JP Fiction, EF
Snake and Lizard
Reading Level: Grades K-3
Though Snake and Lizard have their differences, friendship prevails and the two are best of friends, going on short adventures from story to story.
Snake and Lizard is a charming and hilarious episodic entry into the chapter book world not to be missed by animal and humor lovers of all ages. A step up (in every way) from classics like Frog and Toad, this short chapter book is great for independent readers or as a bedtime serial. This book is not to be missed.
Login or register to post comments | Printer-friendly version | Send to friend | PDF version | Tags: Kindergarteners, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, Adventure, Animals--Talking, Books for Boys, Books for Girls, Don't Miss These, Fantasy, Friends, Humor, Read-Alouds, Short Stories, Social Issues, J Fiction, EF
Search the Library Catalog
The Gerbils' Latest Tweets
Download a book
