Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Crenshaw
By, Katherine Applegate

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food either. They may have to all live in the minivan again. Crenshaw is a large, outspoken, imaginary cat. He's come back into Jackson's life to help him. 

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

This book is written and illustrated by an author/illustrator who competes in reallife roller derby! You will be cheering for the main character by the end of this great graphic novel!

Liar & Spy

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

"It's normal to be a little scared, Georges." "I'm not scared." Though it has crossed my mind that a person could go to jail for the kind of thing Safer is planning. Georges (the s is silent) moves into a Brooklyn apartment and meets Safer, a 12-year-old 
coffee-drinking spy. 

Fish in a Tree

Fish in a Tree
By:  Lynda Mullaly Hunt

"Everyboday is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid."

This book will speak to anyone who's ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn't fit it. This was an excellent story.

Echo

Echo 
By:  Pam Munoz Ryan

Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promies, and a harmonica.

I'll be honest, fantasy isn't my favorite genre and I was reluctant to read this book at first. WOW, am I glad I did. This book shot right to the top of my favorites! Yes, there is an element of fantasy, but there is also a lot of historical fiction woven in, which happens to be one of my favorite genres. This book looks big and intimidating, but the words on the page are spaces and it's so good that you'll be turning the pages quickly! This is a must read!

Counting by 7s

Counting by 7s
By:  Holly Goldberg Sloan

This was a book that was so good I didn't want it to end! This is a book about friendship, oddballs, hobbies, laughing, crying, miracles, family and a gril named Willow Chance who will win you over!

Bunjitsu Bunny

Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman

This is a great book! 

SpRiNg InTo ReAdInG!!!

SpRiNg InTo ReAdInG!!!

April showers bring May flowers and what better way to spend a rainy day than reading! I've been enjoying the 2015 literary award-winning books. I just finished Crossover by Kwame Alexander. If you love basketball or poetry or a really creative great read, you must read this book! It was this year's winner of the Newbery Medal and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winner.

Don't miss this awesome Read by award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson! Written in free verse, it is an autobiography of what is was like for her growing up in the 1960s and 1070s in both the North and the South. 

My Life as a Book

One of the coolest things about this book is that the author's 15-year-old son is the illustrator!

From Norvelt to Nowhere

From Norvelt to Nowhere by Jack Gantos

If you liked the Newbery Winner, Dead End in Norvelt, you will love this sequel! After an explosion and a new crime by an old crook Jack finds himself on a mission that takes him hundreds of miles away, escorting his slightly mental elderly mentor, Miss Volker, on her relentless pursuit of the oddest of outlaws. 

I loved every page of this book!

El Deafo

El Deafo by Cece Bell
Newbery Honor 2015

This is the first autobiographical graphic novel that I've ever read, and it was SO good. Graphic novels aren't usually my favorite genre, but this one is exceptional. Cece Bell was born able to hear, but a brief illness at the age of 4 left her "severely to profoundly" deaf. This book tells about her very personal experiences and feelings during the years of her childhood. I've also discovered that Cece is the author of several picture books. Watch for those to arrive in the libary soon! Don't miss the note from the author at the end of El Deafo.