Fast Five Fiction: Ocean Week!

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme.  This weeks theme is Ocean Animals so today I'm sharing five book fiction books or series with an ocean theme. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Shark Wars by E.J. Altbacker

Since the dawn of time, prehistoric shark clans called Shivers have ruled over the earth's oceans, fierce protectors of all who swim. For eons, the Big Blue has prospered under Shiver Law, and the delicate balance of sea life kept sacred. Until now.

Rising sea temperatures and overfishing have caused food to become scarce, and the battle for new hunting grounds has brought with it corruption and warfare.

Now, with the ocean on the brink of chaos, a young reef shark named Gray - exiled from the safety of his peaceful reef home - must venture deep into Open Water to unlock the secrets of his destiny and bring peace back to the ocean. But first, he'll have to discover the truth about who - and what - he really is.

Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton

In this Graphic Novel series, Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.

Aquicorn Cove by Katie O'Neill

When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a storm, the last thing she expects is to discover a colony of Aquicorns—magical seahorse-like residents of the coral reef. As she explores the damaged town and the fabled undersea palace, Lana learns that while she cannot always count on adults to be the guardians she needs, she herself is capable of finding the strength to protect both the ocean, and her own happiness.

Sharks Incorporated by Randy Wayne White

The world's shark population is in trouble for a sad, simple reason: shark fin soup. And although it's illegal, poachers have been targeting Florida's biannual migration of blacktip sharks.

Marine biologist Doc Ford needs some assistance protecting the sharks and enlists the help of three kids--Luke, Maribel and Sabina. Luke is brand-new to Florida from the Midwest; sisters Maribel and Sabina have only recently arrived from Cuba--and all three feel like fish out of water. It's going to take some convincing for them to work as a team and to recognize in themselves the courage, wisdom and tenacity that Doc sees in them.

Together they form Sharks, Inc. and are given an important assignment: to set out each day on their small fishing boat in hopes of tagging sharks for Doc's research--and to stay away--far away--from any possible poachers in the area.

The trio certainly isn't looking for trouble, but when they come face to face with danger, survival requires them to rely on each of their own unique gifts, and especially on one another.

Rainbow Magic Fairies: Ocean Fairies by Daisy Meadows

The Ocean Fairies keep all the sea creatures safe and happy! But when the goblins shatter their enchanted conch shell, seven magic sea creatures leave to search for the pieces. The Ocean Fairies must find the shells . . . and their animal friends! Find the missing creature in each book and help save the ocean magic!

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: 100 Years of The Newbery Award

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme.  Ina few short days The Newbery award will celebrate it's 100th birthday! The Newbery Medal was officially established on June 22, 1921. I shared some favorite Newbery's in this blog post back in January when we put switched out our very old copies with newer editions. There are so many wonderful Newbery's that today I'll be sharing five more favorites I couldn't fit in last time. 

For more information check out this article on Book Riot or read about the 100th Birthday Celebration that will take place at this year's American Library Association (ALA) conference. 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (2016)

Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.

One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule--but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her--even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (2004)

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (1979)

A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, one thing's for sure: Sam Westing may be dead ... but that won't stop him from playing one last game!

Merci Suarez Changes Gear by Meg Medina (2019)

Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna’s jealousy. Things aren't going well at home, either: Merci’s grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately — forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. No one in her family will tell Merci what's going on, so she’s left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (1972)

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma.

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Pets & Vets

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme.  Summer Reading kicked off this week and our Tails & Tales theme this week is Pets. Today I'm sharing five book series centered and pets and the vets who help take care of them. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Jasmine Green Rescues by Holly Peters

Jasmine’s dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Jasmine spends a lot of time caring for animals and keeping them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means she gets into hot water herself…

In the first in the series, A Piglet Called Truffle, Jasmine rescues a tiny little piglet from certain death. But Jasmine’s parents don’t believe in farm animals being pets and insist that Truffle must be sold as soon as she’s big enough. Jasmine is desperate to give Truffle a home for life. Perhaps a heroic rescue on a freezing, stormy night will show that Truffle is truly part of the family?

Pet Vet by Darrel Odgers

Trump the dog lives in her person Dr Jeanies quarters behind the veterinary surgery. Trump has the important job of Animal Liaison Officer and travels with Jeanie when she makes house and farm calls. Because her dog senses are so acute, she often draws conclusions before the humans have even begun to think! Trump tells the stories of the animal patients and their families.

Vet Rescue Adventures by Holly Webb

Pet Rescue Adventures is a series of heartwarming animal tales. Each book focuses on one kitten or puppy and their unique journey to find their new "forever home". A wonderful collection of heartwarming tales, perfect for animal lovers!

Imaginary Veterinary by Suzanne Selfors

Ben Silverstein is set for boredom in his grandpa's rundown town of Buttonville. Until he and reckless Pearl Petal take a wounded baby dragon to the only veterinarian, Dr. Woo at her "Worm Hospital" -- actually for creatures from an imaginary world. After Ben leaves the front door unlocked, the intrepid pair must rescue the escaped giant stingy and very hairy sasquatch.

Rainbow Street Shelter by Wendy Orr

In these children’s chapter books, two children named Logan and Hannah find all kinds of animals at the Rainbow Street Shelter: a talking parrot, an old black Labrador, a three-legged goat, a puppy that looks like a peanut—and a few surprises.

Happy Friday and Happy Reading!