Thanks to Lucy (Absolutely Lucy #6) by Ilene Cooper –ADVISABLE

Cooper, Ilene  Thanks to Lucy (Absolutely Lucy #6) 112 pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013. $4.49.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. CHAPTER BOOK

It’s a busy Thanksgiving holiday season. Bobby has a lot on his mind: a school project, family coming to visit, maybe a new baby sibling, and worst of all Lucy, his dog, isn't feeling well. One by one Bobby accomplishes, sorts out, and overcomes, and finds himself having a wonderful holiday.

This series really is so adorable. The characters are modern, wholesome, and the author does a great job of bringing all the characters, including the puppy, to life. The covers just ooze cuteness. I would feel great recommending this book to a student or their parents. Problem is, I have a couple of books from this series, and they are yet to be checked out. Time to display and booktalk!

EL (K-3) –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig by Chris Kurtz - ADVISABLE

Kurtz, Chris. The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A Novel of Snow and Courage.  Illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt.  Harcourt Children’s Books, $16.99. 278 pages.  Flora is no ordinary piglet—she’s curious and spirited.  She isn’t content to eat and sleep in the pigpen.  She wants adventure!  At first her only adventure is a rusty nail.  Then one day she finds a loose board she escapes her pen and sees a corn field and sled dogs.  Flora learns that dogs pull sleds, cats catch rats, but she doesn’t know what pigs do.  She decides she wants to be an adventure pig.  She is excited when the farmer sells her to a ship’s captain headed for the South Pole.  She meets a cat named Sophia who is supposed to catch rats, but she doesn’t know how.  Together they team up to kill rats and become friends with the lead sled dog Oscar.  When an accident happens and the captain is stranded, Flora proves that she has more to offer than just food.  Children will surely cheer for Flora and her friends while they discover that if you try hard enough anything is possible.  The ink illustrations are rare but charming.  EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.   

Palace Puppies: Sunny and the Royal Party by Laura Dower-ADVISABLE

Dower, Laura, ill. by John Steve Gurney, Palace Puppies: Sunny and the Royal Party. Disney Hyperion, 2013. Pgs. 120. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

Sunn (a goldendoodle) and Rex (a beagle) are royal puppies. Annie and James are the prince and princess. On one busy day, Annie and James don’t have time to walk and play with their puppies. This leads to two curious and sometimes mischievous puppies trying to figure out what is going on. A Party! Sunny loves parties. The guest of honor is the children’s cousin, Jackson. But, Jackson has plans of his own. Can Sunny and Rex save the day and the party?

A cute, enchanting plot for girls starting to read chapter books. The characters are endearing. The plot is engaging. Readers who love dogs will enjoy reading this book. EL (2-4). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems-ESSENTIAL

Willems, Mo, A Big Guy Took My Ball. Disney Hyperion, 2013. EASY READER.

Piggie’s big ball was taken by a Big Guy. Piggie’s crushed. Can Gerald save the day? Gerald is a big guy . . .right? Whales are bigger. But whales need friends too. Gerald and Piggie are loveable characters that make kids of all ages laugh. Join them on a new adventure of all sizes. PreK, EL (K-3). ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer- ESSENTIAL

Bauer, Marion Dane Little Dog, Lost. Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell. 208 pgs. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012.  $15.99. Content: G.

This story is about a boy who’s best friend is his dog, Buddy.  Unfortunately, he has to give his dog away when his family moves.  Buddy is given to a lady who is not very kind.  Just down the street from this unkind lady lives a boy named Mark. Mark has always wanted a dog. Read the story to find out how this boy who needs a dog finally gets one to love.  I liked this story and its illustrations.  The author wrote it in a way that made me feel like I was in the book.  I couldn’t put it down!  This is a great story for pet lovers everywhere. The ending is surprise that all children will love.  EL (K-3).  ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer: JL- age 10. 

Deviant by Adrian McKinty - OPTIONAL

McKinty, Adrian Deviant, 356 pgs, Amulet Books, 2011. $16.95. Language: PG13 ( 24 Swears 0 F); Mature Content: PG (bullying and intense action) Violence: PG13 (animal torture). 15-year old Danny Lopez has recently moved from Las Vegas to Colorado Springs.  He is enrolled in a very strict charter school, complete with uniforms, a "no talking" policy, and the students even have to wear gloves! Meanwhile, in the town, someone is killing cats. Can Danny and his new friends find the killer before he strikes again?  

This thriller is suspenseful, but very slow moving.  The opening chapter is quite disturbing, however, the violence does not continue on that level.  Although Danny is an avid skateboarder, I don't see skater appeal. You’d need to find the right kid for this book. It’s certainly not for everybody.  

MS HS OPTIONAL. Lisa Librarian

Malcolm at Midnight by WH Beck –ADVISABLE

Beck, W.H and Illustrated by Lies, Brian Malcolm at Midnight 272 pgs. Houghton Mifflin Books for Childre, 2012. $11.55.  Content: Language: G (0 swears);  Mature Content: G ;  Violence: G.

Malcolm the rat is the new pet at school. But right away things go wrong, everyone thinks he is a mouse –even worse when he meets the other classroom pets –Malcolm pretends he is a mouse so they will accept him! The classroom pets make up the Midnight Academy, they work behind the scenes to keep the school and the kids safe. They don’t seem to trust Malcolm and when things start to go wrong, Malcolm is not only going to have to prove himself but learn to accept himself.

Fans of the Humphrey series (and those of us who remember the rats of NIMH) will love this book about a smart classroom rat who goes the extra mile. The plot is fairly multifaceted and interesting. I think students will be drawn to this book as well. The artwork is fresh and really adds to the appeal.

Elementary- ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Because of Shoe edited by Ann M. Martin –OPTIONAL

 Martin, Ann M. (Editor)  Because of Shoe: and other dog stories 272 pgs. Henry Holt and Co, 2012. $10.87.  Content: Language: G (0 swears);  Mature Content: G ;  Violence: G.

A collection of short stories by authors such as: Margarita Engle, Jon Muth, Valerie Hobbs, and Pam Muñoz Ryan. The title takes its name from a story that reveals how a dog is to blame for healing a broken home. One story has a sci-fi flair where a boy becomes a dog, another features a chicken killing dog about to be sent away but who manages to save the day, and my favorite, a search and rescue dog who was himself rescued from illegal dog fights.

I honestly thought this book was pretty boring, and I thought that it felt dated. I did enjoy a few of the stories, but not enough to add this book to my collection. Though, the cover will certainly appeal to students, featuring bright colors and a cute german shepard. We have some similar collected works, such as one on horse stories, and they just don’t seem much circulation, maybe this one would in your library.

Elementary  –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray-ESSENTIAL

Murray, Alison, Apple Pie ABC. Disney Hyperion, 2012. BOARD BOOK.

When a girl makes an apple pie, her dogs smells it and wants it for himself. Will he get it?

A cute alphabet book for young children. The pictures are cute. The text is easy and has made the letters big enough to help young children learn their alphabet. Children who like dogs, board books, and/or want to learn their alphabet will enjoy reading this book. PreK, Public Only. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.