Fast Five Fiction: Travel

It's FRIDAY! Which means it's time for Fast Five Fiction. Each week I'll be sharing 5 fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. This week I've got 5 book series featuring travel! From the comfort of your own home, travel the world just by turning the pages. Click the title to be directed to the books in the library's catalog.

39 Clues by Various Authors

The 39 Clues is a series of adventure novels written by a collaboration of authors. It consists of five series, The Clue Hunt, Cahills vs. Vespers, Unstoppable, Doublecross, and Superspecial. They chronicle the adventures of two siblings, Amy and Dan Cahill, who discover that their family, the Cahills, have been and still are, the most influential family in history. The first series revolves around orphans Amy and Dan Cahill, who discover upon their grandmother's death, that the Cahill family has shaped most of world history. Amy and Dan embark on a quest to find the 39 Clues, which are ingredients to a serum that can create the most powerful person on Earth, all while evading the sabotage of other Cahills. Each book chronicles one location which Amy, Dan, and their au pair Nellie travel to and focuses on one historical character associated with a Clue.

Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

The Kidd siblings: Storm (Stefanie), Tommy (Thomas), Bick (Bickford), and Beck (Rebecca), used to live a hapy life on their ship until their father, Thomas Kidd, goes missing during a storm. Their mother also went missing three months earlier in Cyprus. They find themselves in the biggest treasure hunt of their lives and must work together to defeat pirates and lose the pursuit of their treasure-hunting rivals. All while following clues to find out what really happened to their parents and if they are still alive. 

Secrets of the Seven by Sarah L. Thomson

When middle school puzzle master Sam and history wiz Martina win a contest for a summer trip across the US, they discover they've been drafted into something vastly more extraordinary. Joining another kid on the trip, Theo, a descendant of George Washington himself, they must follow clues to find seven keys left behind by the Founding Fathers. Together the keys unlock Benjamin Franklin's greatest invention--a secret weapon intended to defend the country. Each key is hidden in a unique location around the U.S., protected with puzzles, riddles, and traps. This has kept the weapon safe . . . until now! Gideon Arnold, a dangerous descendant of the infamous Benedict Arnold, is on the chase.

In competition with Arnold and his thugs to reach the artifacts first, Sam, Martina, Theo, and readers must use their wits to solve ingenious puzzles, escape death-by-booby-trap, and, by the end of the series, save our nation by uncovering many of its greatest secrets.

Stranded by Jeff Probst

This family adventure series comes from the Emmy-Award winning host of Survivor, Jeff Probst, and Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life co-author, Chris Tebbetts.

A family vacation becomes a game of survival! It was supposed to be a vacation–and a chance to get to know each other better. But when a massive storm sets in without warning, four kids are shipwrecked alone on a rocky jungle island in the middle of the South Pacific. No adults. No instructions. Nobody to rely on but themselves. Can they make it home alive?

A week ago, the biggest challenge Vanessa, Buzz, Carter, and Jane had was learning to live as a new blended family. Now the four siblings must find a way to work as a team if they’re going to make it off the island. They’re all in this adventure together–but first they’ve got to learn to survive one another.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

A Series of Unfortunate Events is a series of thirteen novels that follow the turbulent lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. After their parents' death in a fire, the children are placed in the custody of a murderous relative, Count Olaf, who attempts to steal their inheritance and, later, orchestrates numerous disasters with the help of his accomplices as the children attempt to flee. As the plot progresses, the Baudelaires gradually confront further mysteries surrounding their family and deep conspiracies involving a secret society known as V.F.D., with connections to Olaf, their parents, and many other relatives. The series is narrated by Lemony Snicket, who dedicates each of his works to his deceased love interest, Beatrice, and often attempts to dissuade the reader from reading the Baudelaires' story.

Happy Friday, and Happy Reading!

Fast Five Fiction: NEW Series on our Shelves

It's FRIDAY! Which means it's time for Fast Five Fiction. Each week I'll be sharing 5 fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. This week I've got 5 NEW series we just added to our collection! Click the title to be directed to the library's catalog.

Funny Kid by Matt Stanton

Big Nate meets Timmy Failure in Funny Kid for President, the first book in an uproarious new middle grade series by Matt Stanton, Australia’s bestselling children’s book author.

When Max gets blamed for pooping in the storeroom (which he did NOT do), tensions hit an all-time high between him and his terrifyingly large teacher, Mr. Armstrong. But then, the most unexpected thing happens—the school principal, Mrs. Sniggles, suggests Max run for class president.

Max isn’t the only kid on the ballot, however. His archenemy, Abby Purcell, is also up for election—and she’s out to defeat him at all costs. To win, Max is going to need the 24/7 help of his best friend, Hugo, and he’s going to have to run the campaign of a lifetime.

Max may not be the smartest or fastest kid, or the handsomest, but he just might be the funniest kid you’ll ever meet—and it’s this talent that could turn him from underdog to top dog. Max for President!

Matt Stanton brings his veteran children’s book chops to this hilarious new series, perfect for early middle grade readers looking for side-splitting laughs!

Bots by Russ Bolts

Meet Joe Bot and Rob Ot, the two most big-hearted, but goofily annoying robots in the entire universe in the adorable and funny Bots chapter book series.

Many years ago, scientists on Earth sent video satellites out to the end of the universe to see what was hiding in deep space. Now, years later, these satellite have begun sending their first videos back to Earth.

Meet Joe and Rob, the two most big-hearted, but goofily annoying robots in the entire universe. And they’ve just found some strange video cameras that fell out of the sky.

Now these two best bot buddies are recording their every adventure and mistakenly beaming it down to Earth!

With easy-to-read language and graphic novel art on almost every page, the Bots chapter books are perfect for emerging readers

Virginia Mysteries by Steven K. Smith

Do you remember your first real adventure? When summer was filled with magic and anything seemed possible?

"Magic Tree House meets The Hardy Boys...A perfect summer reading adventure!"

When young brothers Derek and Sam move with their family to Virginia, they have no idea what adventures the summer will bring. As they explore their creaky old house and the deep surrounding woods, they uncover a sixty-year-old mystery of a valuable coin collection stolen from the local museum. Join the boys as they spend their summer running from danger and searching the woods, secret caves, rushing waters, and hidden passageways for treasure and the rare 1877 Indian Head cent coin!

Summer of the Woods is the first book in The Virginia Mysteries series. If you enjoy mystery and adventure like the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Magic Tree House, or National Treasure, you'll love author Steven K. Smith's exciting middle-grade series. The stories are modern-day fictional mysteries with twists of real locations and events from Virginia history. These fast-paced books are popular with both boys and girls ages 7-12, appealing to even reluctant readers.

The Legend of Eerie-on-Sea by Thomas Taylor

Nobody visits Eerie-on-Sea in the winter. Especially not when darkness falls and the wind howls around Maw Rocks and the wreck of the battleship Leviathan, where even now some swear they have seen the unctuous malamander creep…

Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, knows that returning lost things to their rightful owners is not easy – especially when the lost thing is not a thing at all, but a girl. No one knows what happened to Violet Parma’s parents twelve years ago, and when she engages Herbie to help her find them, the pair discover that their disappearance might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster, the Malamander. Eerie-on-Sea has always been a mysteriously chilling place, where strange stories seem to wash up. And it just got stranger..

Dead Sea Squirrels series by Mike Nawrocki

The Dead Sea Squirrels is a hilarious new series from Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales.

In book #1, Squirreled Away, ten-year-old Michael and his friend Justin sneak into the Dead Sea caves near the archaeological dig where Michael’s dad is working.

In book #2, Boy Meets Squirrels, the two petrified squirrels Michael brought home from Israel are awake and ready to dive into the 21st century. Turns out, the squirrels lived during the time of Jesus and love sharing the lessons they learned from his teaching in their own quirky way. 

In book #3, Nutty Study Buddies, the Squirrels are . . . actually pretty good at math! When Michael finds himself struggling through his math class, Pearl Squirrel offers to help him study, but will Michael accept Pearl’s assistance or head to the roller rink with his human friends? Michael learns the value of hard work.

In book #4, Squirrelnapped!,  the Squirrels are missing! Well, Pearl is. Michael is enjoying his first Saturday of the school year, teaching Merle and Pearl to play soccer—in the house! A stray ball smashes his mom’s prized elephant lamp, and Michel sees the chance to lay blame on his little sister.

Happy Friday and Happy Reading!

Book Recommendations for Anxious Kids or Anxious Parents

Recently I was reading a book that mentioned a 2019 New York Times article about the rise of anxiety and depression among children and youth.  The start of a new school year can often be a time of anxiety anyways, let alone when the world is in the middle of a pandemic. 

Here are some books I'd recommend for both parents and children, if anyone in your household is feeling a little anxious about starting school. 

Click on the book title to be directed to our online catalog and place materials on hold. 

When the World Feels like a Scary Place by Abigail Gewirts, PhD.

In a lifesaving guide for parents, Dr. Abigail Gewirtz shows how to use the most basic tool at your disposal––conversation––to give children real help in dealing with the worries, stress, and other negative emotions caused by problems in the world, from active shooter drills to climate change.

But it's not just how to talk to your kids, it's also what to say: The heart of When the World Feels Like a Scary Place is a series of conversation scripts––with actual dialogue, talking points, prompts, and insightful asides––that are each age-appropriate and centered around different issues. Along the way are tips about staying calm in an anxious world; the way children react to stress, and how parents can read the signs; and how parents can make sure that their own anxiety doesn't color the conversation. Talking and listening are essential for nurturing resilient, confident, and compassionate children. And conversation will help you manage your anxieties too, offering a path of wholeness and security for everyone in the family.

Includes how to talk to your kid about COVID-19. 

Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping your daughter feel Braver, Brighter, and Stronger in an Anxious World By Sissy Goff

If you have a daughter, it would be surprising if she doesn't struggle with anxiety and worry--either in short episodes or for longer periods. For a variety of reasons, childhood anxiety rates are soaring, especially among girls. Today's parents need to know what contributes to anxiety and worry and how they can empower their daughters to overcome troubling emotions.

In this immensely practical book, veteran counselor Sissy Goff shares how you can instill bravery and strength in your daughter. Addressing common age-specific issues, Goff gives you the tools to help you and your child understand why her brain is often working against her when she starts to worry, and what she can do to fight back. With your help, she will find the anchoring truth of God's strong, safe love for her and the confidence she needs to thrive.

All About Anxiety by Carrie Lewis

Anxiety. It's an emotion that rears its head almost every day, from the normal worries and concerns that most of us experience, to outright fear when something scary happens, to the anxiety disorders that many kids live with daily. But what causes anxiety? And what can we do about it?

All About Anxiety tackles these questions from every possible angle. Readers will learn what's going on in their brain and central nervous system when they feel anxious. They'll learn about the evolutionary reasons for fear and anxiety and that anxiety isn't always a bad thing--except for when it is! Most importantly, kids will discover new strategies to manage their anxiety so they can live and thrive with anxiety.

I'm Worried by Michael Ian Black

Potato is worried. About everything.

Because anything might happen.

When he tells his friends, he expects them to comfort him by saying that everything will be okay. Except they don’t. Because it might not be, and that’s okay too. Still, there’s one thing they can promise for sure: no matter what happens…they will always be by his side.

Coming to the Library in September:

The Worry Less Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame you Anxiety by Rachel Brian

Start worrying less and enjoying life with this book for people who worry or struggle with anxiety (so yeah -- everyone)!

We all have a mixture of fun and not-so fun feelings. And everyone feels worried sometimes. But too much anxiety can get in the way. So this book is here to help you identify your anxiety, understand why it's just part of that thing we call life, and equip you with all the tools you need to find calm again.

Playfully presented, packed with fun and helpful illustrations, and expertly vetted, author-artist Rachel Brian (co-creator of the viral "Tea Consent" video) delivers a must-have book for anyone who wonders why they worry or how to better live with their anxiety. From recognizing when you're feeling anxious and worried, to taking charge by training your brain and using awesome techniques to help you feel good again, this book will have you worrying less and living more.

 

Mythical Creature Mondays: Dragons

A dragon is a large, serpentine legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures around the world. Beliefs about dragons vary considerable by region. In western cultures, since the Middle Ages, they have been depicted as winged, horned, four-legged and capable of breathing fire. They are sometimes depicted with enhanced senses and speed, particularly when flying, or as being extremely intelligent or super strong.  Sometimes they even hoard and/or protect treasure!

To read more about dragons check out one of these below. There are SO many books about dragons, while I couldn't list them all, here's a curated collection of some of the dragon books at BPL. Click on the link to be taken to the catalog and request a book. 

Nonfiction

Dragons by Theresa Alberti

Dragons and Mythical Creatures by Mary Pope Osborne

A Practical Guide to Dragons by Lisa Trumbauer

You Can Draw Dragons, Unicorns, and other Magical Creatures by Mattia Cerato

Picture Books

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and it's sequel Dragons Love Tacos 2

Dragons are Real! by Holly Hatam

Fire Truck vs. Dragon by Chris Barton

The Dear Dragon series by Margaret Hillert (we have 26 of them!)

Waking Dragons by Jane Yolen

Do NOT Bring your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman

There Was an Old Knight who Swallowed a Dragon by Penny Parker Klosterman

Chapter Books

The Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland.

The How to Train your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell

The Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon

Fast Five Fiction: Animals

It's FRIDAY! Which means it's time for Fast Five Fiction. Each week I'll be sharing 5 fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. This week I've got 5 fantasy books featuring animals! Click the title to be directed to the library's catalog.

Green Ember Series by S.D. Smith

The Green Ember Series features two rabbits, Heather and Picket.  They're extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling into a cauldron of misadventrues. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world. Kings fall and kingdoms totter. Tyrants ascend and terrors threaten. Betrayal beckons, and loyalty is a broken road with peril around every bend. Where will Heather and Picket land? How will they make their stand?

The Imaginary Veterinary Series by Suzanne Selfors

In the Imaginary Veterinary Series Ben Silverstein is sent to the rundown town of Buttonville to spend the summer with his grandfather. He's certain it will be the most boring vacation ever. That is, until his grandfather's cat brings home what looks like . . . a baby dragon?

Amazed, Ben enlists the help of Pearl Petal, a local girl with an eye for adventure. They take the wounded dragon to the only veterinarian's office in town -- Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital. But as Ben and Pearl discover once they are inside, Dr. Woo's isn't a worm hospital at all -- it's actually a secret hospital for imaginary creatures.

After Ben accidentally leaves the hospital's front door unlocked, a rather large, rather stinky, and very hairy beast escapes into Buttonville. Ben and Pearl are tasked with retrieving the runaway creature, and what started out as an ordinary summer becomes the story of a lifetime.

Suzanne Selfors delivers a wild journey filled with mythical creatures and zany adventures that are anything but imaginary. Follow Ben and Pearl's adventures working with Dr. Woo while trying to avoid know-it-all Victoria, who is constantly getting in their way. 

How to Train your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell

How to Train your Dragon chronicles a young Viking boy who goes on adventures with Toothless, his mischievous dragon. Action-packed, hilarious, and perfectly illustrated, How to Train Your Dragon is a beloved modern classic. 

In the book that started it all, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the smallish Viking with a longish name, tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan by catching and training a dragon. Can Hiccup do it without being torn limb from limb? And when a new terror threatens to devour every Viking on the Isle of Berk, can he save the tribe and become a hero?

 

Follow Hiccup, Toothless, and a cast of zany characters from book 1 all the way to book 12. If you you've only seen the movies, then you have missed out on so much of the story. The audiobook, narrated by David Tennant makes this wonderful story even more enjoyable. 

The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins

Before she wrote The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins wrote The Underland Chronicles. When Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, a conflict is brewing between the humans and the giant creatures that live below. Gregor must find his place in the frightening prophecies he encounters, the strength to protect his family, and the courage to stand up against an army of giant rats.

Warriors series by Erin Hunter

Warriors is a series of novels based around the adventures and drama of several groups (Clans) of wild cats, set primarily in the fictional location of White Hart woods, and later, Sanctuary Lake. The Warriors universe centres around a large group of feral cats who initially reside in a forest, and later, around a lake after fleeing their initial home due to its destruction by humans. The cats are split into four groups called Clans: ThunderClan lives in woodland areas, WindClan resides on the moors, RiverClan by the river, and ShadowClan within and around the swamps. SkyClan, a subsequently introduced fifth group, is revealed to have been a part of this system but was forced to flee when their territory was destroyed by humans for urban development. Each Clan has adapted to their own terrain. There are enough books in this series to keep any reader busy for a long time. 

Happy Friday, and happy reading!