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January 2016 ADULT FICTION A Brief History of Seven Killings: A Novel by Marlon James

Winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize A recipient of the 2015 American Book Award A “musical, electric, fantastically profane” (The New York Times) epic that explores the tumultuous world of Jamaica over the past three decades. In A Brief History of Seven Killings, Marlon James combines brilliant storytelling with his unrivaled skills of characterization and meticulous eye for detail to forge an enthralling novel of dazzling ambition and scope.

The Guilty (Will Robie series) by David Baldacci

Will Robie is the government's most professional, disciplined, and lethal assassin. He infiltrates the most hostile countries in the world, defeats our enemies' advanced security measures, and eliminates threats before they ever reach our shores. But now, his skills have left him. Sent overseas on a critical assignment, he fails, unable to pull the trigger. Absent his talents, Robie is a man without a mission, and without a purpose. To recover what he has lost, Robie must confront what he has tried to forget for over twenty years: his own past.

The Japanese Lover: A Novel by Isabel Allende

Named one of the most anticipated novels of the year by New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Publishers Weekly, The Huffington Post, and more. From New York Times and internationally bestselling author Isabel Allende, an exquisitely crafted love story and multigenerational epic that sweeps from San Francisco in the present-day to Poland and the United States during the Second World War.

January 2016 ADULT NON-FICTION The Innovators by Walter Isaacson

Following his blockbuster biography of Steve Jobs, The Innovators is Walter Isaacson’s revealing story of the people who created the computer and the Internet. It is destined to be the standard history of the digital revolution and an indispensable guide to how innovation really happens.

The Future of God by Deepak Chopra

A practical approach to the spirituality of our times Deepal Chopra. Can God be revived in a skeptical age? What would it take to give people a spiritual life more powerful than anything in the past? Deepak Chopra tackles these issues with eloquence and insight in this book. He proposes that God lies at the source of human awareness. Therefore, any person can find the God within that transforms everyday life.

Secrets of 6 Figure Women by Barbara Stanny

Surprising strategies to up your earnings and change your life: Barbara Stanny In Secrets of Six-Figure Women, Barbara Stanny, journalist, motivational speaker,and financial educator, identifies the seven key strategies of female highearners: A Profit Motive, Audacity, Resilience, Encouragement, Self-Awareness, Non-attachment, and Financial Know-How.

January 2016 AUDIOS (ADULT) Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes, Audio CD

The author chronicles how saying YES for one year changed her life―and how it can change yours, too. With three hit shows on television and three children at home, the talented Shonda Rhimes had lots of good reasons to say NO when an unexpected invitation arrived. Unplanned party? No. Speaking engagement? No. Media appearances? No. And there was the side benefit of saying No for an introvert like Shonda: nothing new to fear. She received a challenge: just for one year, try to say YES to the unexpected invitations that come your way. Shonda reluctantly agreed―and the result was nothing short of transformative. The Year of Yes chronicles the powerful impact saying Yes had on every aspect of her life―and how we can all change our lives with one little word. Yes.

Read and Speak Chinese for Beginners with Audio CD, Second Edition (Read & Speak) by Cheng Ma

The audio provides an accessible, entertaining beginning Mandarin program that reinforces vocabulary and covers eight topics to develop your communication skills. Progress is reinforced by tests and puzzles. The 55-minute audio CD contains key words and phrases for you to listen to and repeat. It also features entertaining listening activities and games for additional reinforcement. Listeners can perfect their pronunciation as well as participate in speaking and listening practice, audio games, and use flashcards for language reinforcement.

Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace: A Guided Imagery Meditation for Physical & Spiritual Wellness by Susie Mantell, Audio CD

The award winning audio provides a uniquely soothing relaxation experience for men and women in all walks of life. Like an easy chair, Mantell's narration gently releases tension, easing worry from sleepless nights. Clinically approved for health-related, work-related, chronic and traumatic stress, soft music enhances the warm, elegant narration. To relieve the stress of the day, drift into a quiet place where worries dissipate.

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January 2016 AUDIOS (CHILDREN) Inside Out Read-Along Storybook and CD by Suzanne Francis

Jump inside Riley's mind and get to know the Emotions who know her best: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. The CD includes the adventure, sound effects, and original character voices from the movie Inside Out. Ages 6-8.

The Mercy Watson Collection Volume I: #1: Mercy Watson to the Rescue; #2: Mercy Watson Goes For a Ride by Kate DiCamillo, Audio CD

Newbery Medal winning author Kate DiCamillo writes the first two stories about lovable pig, Mercy Watson. Listeners will find that Mercy is not just a pig–she's a porcine wonder. The portly and good-natured Mercy likes buttered toast and loves nothing more than a ride in the car. The stories in volume one of the audiobook collection introduce children to the wry and endearing world of Mercy. Ages 6-8.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book One: The Sword of Summer (Rick Riordan's Norse Mythology) by Rick Riordan, Audio CD

Kid favorite author Rick Riordan turns his attention to Norse mythology in this new audiobook. In the story, Magnus Chase has lived alone, surviving by his wits, since the death of his parent. Things begin to change when he's tracked down by an uncle he barely knows-a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true and Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus must make a decision. Ages 10 and up.

January 2016 JUNIOR NON-FICTION

The Teenagers’ Guide to School Outside the Box by Rebecca Greene

For some teens, the traditional four-year high school curriculum is just what they need. Others would benefit more from non-traditional learning experiences—if they knew how to find them and what to do next.

This practical, inspiring book explores the world of alternative learning, giving teens the knowledge and tools they need to make good choices. It’s not a directory of programs; there are many of those available already.

Instead, Rebecca Greene introduces and describes a world of possibilities, from study abroad to internships, apprenticeships, networking, job shadowing, service learning, university coursework, and independent study. Then she tells teens where to look for opportunities, how to decide which ones are right for them, how to overcome potential barriers (cost, distance, time), how to prepare, and what kinds of benefits they can expect to take away from their experiences.

Show Me the Money by Alvin Hall

Money makes the world go round, but how well do children understand finances? Show Me the Money breaks the mold of the school textbook and introduces young readers to the world of economics — from the history of money to e-commerce.

Divided into sections that focus on economics, business, personal finance, and the history of trade, Show Me the Money takes technical jargon and breaks it down with easy-to-understand text, diagrams, and illustrations making a formerly dry subject interesting and relevant. Topical questions of ethics are addressed throughout, including free trade, fair trade, debt in the developing world, and the impact of business on the environment. The book also looks at personal finance from saving to pensions, and introduces key thinkers such as Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes, to take a look at the bigger picture of the global economy.

Updated to be in tune with today's culture of environmental and social awareness, Show Me the Money is a good investment for young people who want to learn about economics and the world around them.

Show, Don’t Tell! : Secrets of Writing by Josephine Nobisso

Innovative yet accessible writing strategies appropriate for both fiction and nonfiction are presented in this enchanting tale of a writing lion who holds court for a cast of animal friends. Aspiring writers learn the essential nature of nouns and adjectives and how to use them to express their individual visions so that they “show and don’t tell” every time. Writing lessons are cleverly integrated into a tale that incorporates a sound chip, a scratch-and-sniff patch, and a tactile object to engage the aspiring writer’s five senses in fun proofs. American Booksellers Association "Picks List"

Winner of a 2004 Parents' Choice Recommended Award

Winner of the Best Trade Book with Educational Application award from Global Learning Initiative, a partnership of The Bologna Children's Book Fair and The Association of Educational Publishers

Winner of a Children's Choices Award from the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council

Winner of the National Parenting Publications Honors Award

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January 2016 CHILDREN

My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

In My New Friend Is So Fun! Piggie has found a new friend! But is Gerald ready to share?

Alfie’s Lost Sharkie by Anna Walker

It’s time for bed, and Alfie can’t find his most important toy. Where could it be? There are plenty of places to look… and that makes focusing on getting ready to sleep very difficult. Whimsically illustrated in watercolor and collage, this delightful story celebrates the chaos of a typical evening routine with a preschooler—equal parts exasperating and endearing. Spare, simple text and silly humor make this a perfect bedtime choice for the very young.

The Word Collector by Sonja Wimmer

Luna is passionate about words. She loves their light and becomes tickled with laughter from them. But one day she realizes that, little by little, the beautiful, gorgeous, and fun words are disappearing from the world—so she decides it's time to act. A poetic tale about the magic of words, this delightful story invites readers of all ages to enjoy the power that positive words can have.

Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Max is a fearless kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a kitten who chases mice. There's only one problem—Max doesn't know what a mouse looks like! With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge. Maybe Max doesn't have to be Max the Brave all the time... Join this adventurous black cat as he very politely asks a variety of animals for help in finding a mouse. Young readers will delight in Max's mistakes, while adults will love the subtle, tongue-in-cheek humor of this new children's classic.

A Horse Called Hero by Sam Angus

On the brink of World War II, a family forced out of their London home flees to the country. Wolfie and his older sister, Dodo, are devastated to leave behind everything they've ever known, but they begin settling into their new life. One day they come across an orphaned foul, which they raise as Hero, a strong and beautiful horse who lives up to his name when he saves the children from a fire. Wolfie and Dodo find comfort in their new life, but the war is escalating quickly and horses are needed for combat. One night, Hero is stolen, and the children are shattered. Years then pass without any indication Hero will return. It's only when Wolfie becomes a stable hand that he discovers Hero has ended up working in the mines under terrible conditions. Then and there, Wolfie resolves to save Hero, a plan that places both of their lives in jeopardy. Together again, can they survive?

Running Out of Night by Sharon Lovejoy

Every day is a misery for a nameless, motherless Southern girl who is treated cruelly by her pa and brothers. Her life changes forever when a runaway slave named Zenobia turns to her for help and shelter. Longing for her own freedom, the girl decides to run away, and she and Zenobia set off on a harrowing journey. Along the way, Zenobia names the girl Lark, after the bird, for her ability to mimic its song.

Running by night, hiding by day, the girls are pursued by Lark’s pa and brothers and by ruthless slave catchers. Brightwell, another runaway slave, joins them, and the three follow secret signs to a stop on the Underground Railroad. When the hideout is raided and Zenobia and Brightwell are captured, Lark sets out alone to rescue her friends.

January 2016 JUNIOR FICTION The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

When Adam meets Robyn at a support group for kids coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder, he is drawn to her almost before he can take a breath. He's determined to protect and defend her—to play Batman to her Robyn—whatever the cost. But when you're fourteen and the everyday problems of dealing with divorced parents and step-siblings are supplemented by the challenges of OCD, it's hard to imagine yourself falling in love. How can you have a "normal" relationship when your life is so fraught with problems? And that's not even to mention the small matter of those threatening letters Adam's mother has started to receive…Teresa Toten sets some tough and topical issues against the backdrop of a traditional whodunit in this engaging new novel that readers will find hard to put down.

How to Be Brave: A Novel by E. Katherine Kottaras

Georgia has always lived life on the sidelines: uncomfortable with her weight, awkward, never been kissed, terrified of failing. Then her mom dies and her world is turned upside down. But instead of getting lost in her pain, she decides to enjoy life while she still can by truly living for the first time. She makes a list of ways to be brave-all the things she's always wanted to do but has been too afraid to try: learn to draw, try out for 3

TOP OF THE SHELF | COMMITTEE PICKS cheerleading, cut class, ask him out, kiss him, see what happens from there. But she's about to discover that life doesn't always go according to plan. Sometimes friendships fall apart and love breaks your heart. But in the process, you realize you're stronger than you ever imagined... This fearless, big-hearted, deeply moving book will make you laugh, cry, and inspire you to be brave.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

Matthew Turner knows it doesn’t get better. His younger brother Luke was bullied mercilessly after one of Matt’s friends outed Luke to the whole school, and when Luke called Matt—on the brink of suicide—Matt was too wrapped up in his new girlfriend to answer the phone. Now Luke is gone, and Matt’s family is falling apart. No matter what his girlfriend Hayden says about forgiveness, there’s no way Matt’s letting those he blames off the hook—including himself. As Matt spirals further into bitterness, he risks losing Hayden, the love of his life. But when her father begins to pressure the school board into banning books because of their homosexual content, he begins to wonder if he and Hayden ever had anything in common. With brilliant sensitivity and emotional resonance, bestselling author Ellen Hopkins’s Rumble explores bullying and suicide in a story that explores the worth of forgiveness and reconciliation.

All the Rage by Courtney Summers

The sheriff's son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything—friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy's only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous. But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn't speak up. Nobody believed her the first time—and they certainly won't now—but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear. All the Rage examines the shame and silence inflicted upon young women in a culture that refuses to protect them.

February 2016 ADULT FICTION My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

A new book by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout is cause for celebration. Her bestselling novels, including Olive Kitteridge and The Burgess Boys. Now, in My Name Is Lucy Barton, this extraordinary writer shows how a simple hospital visit becomes a portal to the most tender relationship of all—the one between mother and daughter.

American Housewife: Stories by Helen Ellis

These twelve irresistible stories take us from a haunted prewar Manhattan apartment building to the set of a rigged reality television show, from the unique initiation ritual of a book club to the getaway car of a pageant princess on the lam, from the gallery opening of a tinfoil artist to the fitting room of a legendary lingerie shop. Vicious, fresh, and nutty as a poisoned Goo Goo Cluster, American Housewife is an uproarious, pointed commentary on womanhood.

The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie

The Portable Veblen is a dazzlingly original novel that’s as big-hearted as it is laugh-out-loud funny. Set in and around Palo Alto, amid the culture clash of new money and old (antiestablishment) values, and with the specter of our current wars looming across its pages, The Portable Veblen is an unforgettable look at the way we live now. A young couple on the brink of marriage—the charming Veblen and her fiancé Paul, a brilliant neurologist—find their engagement in danger of collapse.

February 2016 ADULT NON-FICTION Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters

If you want to build a better future, you must believe in secrets.

The great secret of our time is that there are still uncharted frontiers to explore and new inventions to create. In Zero to One , legendary entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel shows how we can find singular ways to create those new things.

Thiel begins with the contrarian premise that we live in an age of technological stagnation, even if we’re too distracted by shiny mobile devices to notice. Information technology has improved rapidly, but there is no reason why progress should be limited to computers or Silicon Valley. Progress can be achieved in any industry or area of business. It comes from the most important skill that every leader must master: learning to think for yourself.

Doing what someone else already knows how to do takes the world from 1 to n, adding more of something familiar. But when you do something new, you go from 0 to 1. The next Bill Gates will not build an operating system. The next Larry Page or Sergey Brin won’t make a search engine. 4

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Tomorrow’s champions will not win by competing ruthlessly in today’s marketplace. They will escape competition altogether, because their businesses will be unique.

Zero to One presents at once an optimistic view of the future of progress in America and a new way of thinking about innovation: it starts by learning to ask the questions that lead you to find value in unexpected places.

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower

A remarkable history with elements of both In the President’s Secret Service and The Butler, The Residence offers an intimate account of the service staff of the White House, from the Kennedys to the Obamas. America’s First Families are unknowable in many ways. No one has insight into their true character like the people who serve their meals and make their beds every day. Full of stories and details by turns dramatic, humorous, and heartwarming, The Residence reveals daily life in the White House as it is really lived through the voices of the maids, butlers, cooks, florists, doormen, engineers, and others who tend to the needs of the President and First Family.

These dedicated professionals maintain the six-floor mansion’s 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, three elevators, and eight staircases, and prepare everything from hors d’oeuvres for intimate gatherings to meals served at elaborate state dinners. Over the course of the day, they gather in the lower level’s basement kitchen to share stories, trade secrets, forge lifelong friendships, and sometimes even fall in love.

Combining incredible first-person anecdotes from extensive interviews with scores of White House staff members—many speaking for the first time—with archival research, Kate Andersen Brower tells their story. She reveals the intimacy between the First Family and the people who serve them, as well as tension that has shaken the staff over the decades. From the housekeeper and engineer who fell in love while serving President Reagan to Jackie Kennedy’s private moment of grief with a beloved staffer after her husband’s assassination to the tumultuous days surrounding President Nixon’s resignation and President Clinton’s impeachment battle, The Residence is full of surprising and moving details that illuminate day- to-day life at the White House.

The Southerner's Cookbook: Recipes, Wisdom, and Stories Editors of Garden and Gun

From Garden & Gun—the magazine that features the best of Southern cooking, dining, cocktails, and customs—comes an heirloom-quality guide to the traditions and innovations that define today’s Southern food culture, with more than 100 recipes and 4-color photography throughout.

February 2016 AUDIOS (ADULT) Pacific: Silicon Chips and Surfboards, Coral Reefs and Atom Bombs, Brutal Dictators, Fading Empires, and the Coming Collision of the World's Superpowers by Simon Winchester, Audio CD

Acclaimed author Simon Winchester offers an enthralling biography of the Pacific Ocean and its role in the modern world. As the Mediterranean shaped the classical world, and the Atlantic connected Europe to the New World, the Pacific Ocean defines our tomorrow. With China on the rise, Winchester asserts, so too are the American cities of the West coast, including Seattle, San Francisco, and the long cluster of towns down the Silicon Valley.

In telling the story of the Pacific, Simon Winchester takes listeners from the Bering Strait to Cape Horn, the Yangtze River to the Panama Canal. He observes the fall of a dictator in Manila, visits aboriginals in northern Queensland, and is jailed in Tierra del Fuego. Winchester’s historical understanding of the region is formidable, allowing Pacific to offer insights into a force of nature that is transforming modern history.

The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende, Audio CD

Best-selling author Allende crafts a multigenerational epic that sweeps from San Francisco in the present-day to Poland and the United States during the Second World War. Young Alma Belasco’s parents send her away to live in safety with an aunt and uncle in their opulent mansion in San Francisco during the shadow of the Nazis. As the rest of the world goes to war, she encounters Ichimei Fukuda, the quiet and gentle son of the family’s Japanese gardener. Unnoticed by those around them, a love affair begins to blossom until the two are cruelly pulled apart as Ichimei and his family—like thousands of other Japanese Americans—are forcibly relocated to internment camps. Decades later, Alma is nearing the end of her long and eventful life, some friends become intrigued by a series of mysterious gifts and letters sent to Alma, eventually learning about Ichimei and their extraordinary secret passion that has endured for nearly seventy years.

The Japanese Lover explores questions of identity, abandonment, redemption, and the unknowable impact of fate on our lives. Written with keen attention to historical detail the story is a moving tribute to the triumph of the human heart in a world of unceasing change.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling, Audio CD

In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it’s falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, or attempting to lose weight. With numerous Hollywood examples, Mindy turns the anxieties and celebrations of her second coming-of-age into a humorous collection of essays that anyone who’s ever been at a turning point in their life or career can relate to. Note from author: those who’ve never been at a turning point in their lives can skip to the parts where she talks about meeting Bradley Cooper.

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February 2016 AUDIOS (CHILDREN) Tikki Tikki Tembo (Book and CD) retold by Arlene Mosel

This humorous retelling of a favorite folktale recounts how the Chinese came to give their children short names. Beautifully illustrated, this perfect read-aloud storybook is one adults and children will enjoy sharing together again and again. When the eldest son fell in the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to legend, decided to give all their children short names. Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo is the name of a mother's first, and most honored, son. It means, "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world!"

Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe, Audio CD

Set in a medieval monastery, the story opens with Brother Hugo explaining that he cannot return his library book, because it was eaten by a bear. The abbot bids him to borrow a copy of the same book from the neighboring Grande Chartreuse monastery, make an illuminated reproduction, and then return the borrowed volume. With help from the other monks, Brother Hugo does as he is told, but on his return trip to Grande Chartreuse, he encounters the same bear, who eats the borrowed book, as well. A gentle, amusing audiobook which offers a bit of adventure, as well as tells how medieval monks went about making their treasured books. Ages 5-8 years.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin, Audio CD

2015 National Book Award finalist; 2015 GoodReads Choice Award Finalist. After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting - things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right in front of her. The heartfelt story and politics of friendships and changing values in a young teen’s world resonates with young listeners. Ages 10 and up.

February 2016 JUNIOR NON-FICTION The Teenagers’ Guide to School Outside the Box by Rebecca Greene

Show Me the Money by Alvin Hall

Updated to be in tune with today's culture of environmental and social awareness, Show Me the Money is a good investment for young people who want to learn about economics and the world around them.

Show, Don’t Tell! : Secrets of Writing by Josephine Nobisso

Winner of a 2004 Parents' Choice Recommended Award

Winner of the Best Trade Book with Educational Application award from Global Learning Initiative, a partnership of The Bologna Children's Book Fair and The Association of Educational Publishers

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Winner of a Children's Choices Award from the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council

Winner of the National Parenting Publications Honors Award

February 2016 CHILDREN Listen Buddy by Helen Lester

A fabulous story about a bunny named Buddy. Buddy has great big ears, but doesn’t always use his great big ears for good listening. Through a series fun and lesson learning events, Buddy realizes how important it is to be a good listener.

The Crocodile Under the Bed by Judith Kerr

Matty is in bed unwell and is unable to go to a highly anticipated party and is feeling sad he is left behind. Matty doesn’t let that stop him from going to the party. Matty looks deep into his imagination and creates a fantastic party of his own with alligator, tiger, snake and many more. A wonderful story with specular illustrations that tap into the imagination of the reader.

Elephant in the Dark based on a poem by Rumi written by Mina Javaherbin

A tale of perspective, and open-mindedness. When the villagers hear of a mysterious creature they all want to know what it is. They cannot see the elephant as he is a cave, they are only able to feel what is inside. Blinded by their own perception the villagers cannot understand how the others views could be so different. Stuck arguing about who is right, the elephant is lead away and the villagers are left without an answer.

Cupcake Surprise!: BOB Books (Scholastic Reader Level 1) by Lynn Maslen Kertell

Jack and Hannah decide to make a batch of cupcakes as a surprise for their father. But when their little puppy knocks all the cupcakes on the floor, the children need to find a new surprise for Dad. BOB Books provide early readers with decodable text along with beginning sight words to help increase reading fluency.

On the Run by Tristan Bancks

Ben has always wanted to be a cop, so he's intrigued when police officers show up at the door, asking for his parents. Then his parents arrive after the police leave and rush him and his sister into the car, insisting they are going on a vacation. Ben's a little skeptical―his family doesn't go on vacations. After they lose the police in a high-speed car chase and end up in a remote cabin deep in the woods, Ben discovers his parents' secret: millions of dollars were deposited into their bank account by accident, and they took the money and ran off. Ben isn't sure what to think. Are his parents criminals? And because he ran off with them, is he a criminal, too?

Finding Fortune by Delia Ray

Ren (short for Renata) spends her summer after sixth grade in a long-abandoned town near her Midwest home not far from the Mississippi River. Though the sign for Fortune shows the population as 12, down from 128, Ren has never seen anyone in the dusty streets of the old town. It’s only when a temporary falling out with her mother leads Ren to try to rent a room at the old Fortune Consolidated School, recently turned boardinghouse, that she discovers both the lively past and present of the town. The boardinghouse’s owner, spry but elderly Hildy, plans to create a museum in what was once the school gymnasium. The museum will be filled with memorabilia from the town’s heyday making buttons from clam and mussel shells pulled from the Mississippi. There’s a fortune hidden somewhere in the school—left for Hildy by a brother who never returned from the Korean War. The discovery of its hiding place is left to Ren’s sleuthing with the help of newfound friends. Ren as narrator is appealing: pragmatic, smart, and candid. Ray’s narrative is rich and diverting, full of real history and a complex story for each character.

February 2016 JUNIOR FICTION Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

The romance of Beauty and the Beast meets the adventure of Graceling in a dazzling fantasy novel about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny. Betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom, Nyx has always known that her fate was to marry him, kill him, and free her people from his tyranny. But on her seventeenth birthday when she moves into his castle high on the kingdom's mountaintop, nothing is what she expected—particularly her charming and beguiling new husband. Nyx knows she must save her homeland at all costs, yet she can't resist the pull of her sworn enemy—who's gotten in her way by stealing her heart.

The Iron Trial (Magisterium, Book 1) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst—and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future. The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come…

From the imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.

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The Rule of Three by Eric Walters

One shocking afternoon, computers around the globe shut down in a viral catastrophe. At sixteen-year-old Adam Daley's high school, the problem first seems to be a typical electrical outage, until students discover that cell phones are down, municipal utilities are failing, and a few computer-free cars like Adam's are the only vehicles that function. Driving home, Adam encounters a storm tide of anger and fear as the region becomes paralyzed. Soon―as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends―he will see his suburban neighborhood band together for protection. And Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government spy living next door are not just the facts of his life but the keys to his survival.

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

The Here and Now is an epic star-crossed romance about a girl who might be able to save the world…if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

The world Prenna James comes from is in ruins. She and the others who escaped are here to prevent humanity’s destruction. But if they don’t follow The Rules, everything that matters will be gone: Friends. Families. Dreams. Love. Ethan Jarves can never know Prenna’s secret—that she’s not from another place. She’s from another time.

The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond

It's been nearly 80 years since the Allies lost WWII in a crushing defeat against Hitler's genetically engineered super soldiers. America has been carved up by the victors, and 16-year-old Zara lives a life of oppression in the Eastern America Territories. Under the iron rule of the Nazis, the government strives to maintain a master race, controlling everything from jobs to genetics. Despite her mixed heritage and hopeless social standing, Zara dreams of the free America she's only read about in banned books. A revolution is growing, and a rogue rebel group is plotting a deadly coup. Zara might hold the key to taking down the Führer for good, but it also might be the very thing that destroys her. Because what she has to offer the rebels is something she's spent her entire life hiding, under threat of immediate execution by the Nazis. In this action-packed, heart-stopping novel of a terrifying reality that could have been, Zara must decide just how far she'll go for freedom.

March 2016 ADULT FICTION The High Mountains of Portugal: A Novel by Yann Martel

In Lisbon in 1904, a young man named Tomás discovers an old journal. It hints at the existence of an extraordinary artefact that would redefine history. Traveling in one of Europe’s earliest automobiles, he sets out in search of this strange treasure. Thirty-five years later, a Portuguese pathologist devoted to the murder mysteries of Agatha Christie finds himself at the center of a mystery of his own and drawn into the consequences of Tomás’s quest. The High Mountains of Portugal—part quest, part ghost story, part contemporary fable—offers a haunting exploration of great love and great loss.

The Mountain Shadow by Gregory David Roberts

Shantaram introduced millions of readers to a cast of unforgettable characters through Lin, an Australian fugitive, working as a passport forger for a branch of the Bombay mafia. In The Mountain Shadow, the long awaited sequel, Lin must find his way in a Bombay run by a different generation of mafia dons, playing by a different set of rules.

The Life of Elves by Muriel Barbery

Maria lives in a remote village in Burgundy, where she learns that she has a gift for communicating with nature. Hundreds of miles away in Italy, Clara discovers that she possesses a stunning musical genius and is sent from the countryside to Rome to develop her preternatural abilities. Barbery's The Life of Elves tells the story of two children whose extraordinary talents will bring them into contact with magical worlds and malevolent forces. If, against all odds, they can be brought together, their meeting may shape the course of history.

March 2016 ADULT NON-FICTION Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters

If you want to build a better future, you must believe in secrets.

The great secret of our time is that there are still uncharted frontiers to explore and new inventions to create. In Zero to One, legendary entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel shows how we can find singular ways to create those new things.

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Tomorrow’s champions will not win by competing ruthlessly in today’s marketplace. They will escape competition altogether, because their businesses will be unique.

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower

The Southerner's Cookbook: Recipes, Wisdom, and Stories Editors of Garden and Gun

March 2016 AUDIOS (ADULT) The Little Paris Bookshop: A Novel by Nina George, Audio CD

Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak. He decides to anchor his shop and depart to the south of France, along with a cast of characters including a bestselling author, an Italian chef, and a mysterious book curator. Filled with warmth and adventure, the story tells of Perdu’s travels along the country’s rivers and is wonderful listening for anyone who believes in the power of stories to shape people's lives.

Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship by Robert Kurson, Audio CD

Pirate Hunters is the story of two men who are willing to risk everything to find the Golden Fleece, the ship of the infamous pirate Joseph Bannister. At large during the Golden Age of Piracy in the seventeenth century, Bannister should have been immortalized in the lore of the sea—his exploits more notorious than Blackbeard’s, more daring than Kidd’s. If the two men succeed, it will be just the second time ever that a pirate ship has been discovered and positively identified. They realize however that cutting-edge technology and a willingness to lose everything aren’t enough to track down a pirate ship. It’s only when they learn to think and act like pirates—like Bannister—that they become able to go where no pirate hunters have gone before. A suspenseful story with interesting characters, history, and adventure, the audiobook attempts to discover truths and treasure long believed lost.

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande (Author), Robert Petkoff (Reader), Audio CD

Practicing surgeon Atul Gawande tackles the hardest challenge of his profession: how medicine can not only improve life but also the process of its ending. Medicine has triumphed in modern times, but in the inevitable condition of aging and death, the goals of medicine seem too frequently to run counter to the interest of the human spirit. Nursing homes, preoccupied with safety, pin patients into railed beds and wheelchairs. Hospitals isolate the dying, checking for vital signs long after the goals of cure have become moot. Doctors, committed to extending life, continue to carry out devastating procedures that in the end extend suffering. The listener will hear compelling arguments that quality of life is the desired goal for patients and families, and the author asserts that medicine can comfort and enhance our experience even to the end, providing not only a good life but also a good end.

March 2016 AUDIOS (CHILDREN) Tikki Tikki Tembo (Book and CD) retold by Arlene Mosel This humorous retelling of a favorite folktale recounts how the Chinese came to give their children short names. Beautifully illustrated, this perfect read-aloud storybook is one adults and children will enjoy sharing together again and again. When the eldest son fell in the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to legend, decided to give all their children short names. Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo is the name of a mother's first, and most honored, son. It means, "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world!" 9

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Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe, Audio CD

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin, Audio CD

March 2016 JUNIOR NON-FICTION Drawing From Memory by Allen Say

Drawing From Memory is Allen Say's own story of his path to becoming the renowned artist he is today. Shunned by his father, who didn't understand his son's artistic leanings, Allen was embraced by Noro Shinpei, Japan's leading cartoonist and the man he came to love as his "spiritual father." As WWII raged, Allen was further inspired to consider questions of his own heritage and the motivations of those around him. He worked hard in rigorous drawing classes, studied, trained--and ultimately came to understand who he really is.

Part memoir, part graphic novel, part narrative history, Drawing From Memory presents a complex look at the real-life relationship between a mentor and his student. With watercolor paintings, original cartoons, vintage photographs and maps, Allen Say has created a book that will inspire the artist in all of us.

March 2016 CHILDREN How the Sun Got to Coco's House by Bob Graham

Follow the journey of the sun as it rises, playfully, in places around the world in this tender, transcendent story. While the little girl Coco sleeps far away, the sun creeps over a hill and skids across the water. It journeys through frozen forests, crosses cities and countrysides, wakes furry creatures, makes a desert rainbow and barges into Coco’s room to follow her through a day of play.

What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick

If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules... and spoke during story time or didn’t wash up? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

Meet Iggy Peck—creative, independent, and not afraid to express himself! Iggy has one passion: building. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his materials—who could forget the tower he built of dirty diapers? When his second-grade teacher declares her dislike of architecture, Iggy faces a challenge. He loves building too much to give it up!

What Do You Do With an IDEA? By Kobi Yamada

This is a story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. Ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult? It’s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started.

The Plan by Alison Paul

In just twenty words and a set of artfully plain pictures, the story reveals a sweet, multilayered story of family loss and closeness. When the young girl May finds an old photo album, she discovers that her mother was a barnstormer pilot and persuades her father that the plane, the Mighty Comet, should fly again. The narrative is given the added dimension of a word morph game, where each word leads to the next with the addition or deletion of one letter, plan to plane to planet, eventually coming full circle back to plan.

Lost. Found. by Marsha Diane Arnold

On a wintry day, a bear loses his soft red scarf (“Lost”). The wind carries it *whoosh* to a pair of raccoons (“Found”) who use it to play tug-o-war. The scarf is lost and found by a series of animals, including a fox and a couple of rascally squirrels, who use it as everything from a swing to a trampoline. When all the animals lay claim to the scarf at once, calamity ensues that can only be fixed by a bear, a little patience, and friendship, in this nearly wordless, clever picture book. 10

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I Used to Be Afraid by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

There are a lot of things to be afraid of in this world: spiders, the dark, being alone. What seems scary at first, can become magical. It all depends on perspective. The clever use of die-cuts allows the image to turn from something scary-looking to something-not-so-scary.

Girl Who Could Not Dream by Sarah Beth Durst

Sophie loves the hidden shop below her parents' bookstore, where dreams are secretly bought and sold. When the dream shop is robbed and her parents go missing, Sophie must unravel the truth to save them. Together with her best friend—a wisecracking and fanatically loyal monster named Monster—she must decide whom to trust with her family’s carefully guarded secrets. Who will help them, and who will betray them?

The Odds of Getting Even by Sheila Turnage

Humor and action abound in this second follow-up to the Newbery honor winner and New York Times bestseller, Three Times Lucky. The trial of the century has come to Tupelo Landing, North Carolina. Mo and Dale, aka Desperado Detectives, head to court as star witnesses against Dale's daddy—confessed kidnapper Macon Johnson. Dale's nerves are jangled, but Mo, who doesn't mind getting even with Mr. Macon for hurting her loved ones, looks forward to a slam dunk conviction—if everything goes as expected. Of course nothing goes as expected. Macon Johnson sees to that. In no time flat, Macon's on the run, Tupelo Landing's in lockdown, and Dale's brother's life hangs in the balance. With Harm Crenshaw, their newly appointed intern, Desperado Detectives are on the case. But it means they have to take on a tough client—one they'd never want in a million years.

March 2016 JUNIOR FICTION Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

The two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt delivers the shattering story of Joseph, a father at thirteen, who has never seen his daughter, Jupiter. After spending time in a juvenile facility, he’s placed with a foster family on a farm in rural Maine. Here Joseph, damaged and withdrawn, meets twelve-year-old Jack, who narrates the account of the troubled, passionate teen who wants to find his baby at any cost. In this riveting novel, two boys discover the true meaning of family and the sacrifices it requires.

Whippoorwill by Joseph Monninger

Sixteen-year-old Clair Taylor has neighbors who are what locals call whippoorwills, the kind of people who fill their yards with rusty junk. Clair tries to ignore her surroundings, choosing instead to dream of a future beyond her rural New Hampshire town. But, when a black dog named Wally is chained up to a pole next door, Clair can’t look the other way. Clair decides to save Wally, and the immediate connection she has with the lovable dog catches her off-guard, but even more surprising is her bond with eighteen-year-old Danny Stewart, the boy next door.

Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom

The Rules:

1. Don't deceive me. Ever. Especially using my blindness. Especially in public.

2. Don't help me unless I ask. Otherwise you're just getting in my way or bothering me.

3. Don't be weird. Seriously, other than having my eyes closed all the time, I'm just like you, only smarter.

Parker Grant doesn't need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That's why she created the Rules: Don't treat her any differently just because she's blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart.

Combining a fiercely engaging voice with true heart, debut author Eric Lindstrom's Not If I See You First illuminates those blind spots that we all have in life, whether visually impaired or not.

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, Book 1) by Melissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl…

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

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April 2016 ADULT FICTION Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt

A contemporary gothic Mr. Splitfoot tracks two women in two times as they march toward a mysterious reckoning. A subversive ghost story that is carefully plotted and elegantly constructed, Mr. Splitfoot will set your heart racing and your brain churning. Mysteries abound, criminals roam free, utopian communities show their age, the mundane world intrudes on the supernatural and vice versa.

Try Not to Breathe: A Novel by Holly Seddon

For fans of Gillian Flynn, Laura Lippman, and Paula Hawkins comes Holly Seddon’s arresting fiction debut—an engrossing thriller full of page-turning twists and turns, richly imagined characters, and gripping psychological suspense.

Fine, Fine, Fine, Fine, Fine by Diane Williams

The very short stories of Diane Williams have been aptly called “folk tales that hammer like a nail gun,” and these 40 new ones are sharper than ever. They are unsettling, frequently revelatory, and more often than not downright funny. While there is immense pleasure to be found in Williams’s spot-on observations about how we behave in our highest and lowest moments, the heart of the drama beats in the language of American short fiction’s grand master, whose originality, precision, and power bring the familiar into startling and enchanted relief.

April 2016 ADULT NON-FICTION The Name of God Is Mercy by Pope Francis

In his first book published as Pope, and in conjunction with the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis here invites all humanity to an intimate and personal dialogue on the subject closest to his heart—mercy—which has long been the cornerstone of his faith and is now the central teaching of his papacy.

In this conversation with Vatican reporter Andrea Tornielli, Francis explains—through memories from his youth and moving anecdotes from his experiences as a pastor—why “mercy is the first attribute of God.” God “does not want anyone to be lost. His mercy is infinitely greater than our sins,” he writes. As well, the Church cannot close the door on anyone, Francis asserts—on the contrary, its duty is to go out into the world to find its way into the consciousness of people so that they can assume responsibility for, and move away from, the bad things they have done.

The first Jesuit and the first South American to be elected Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis has traveled around the world spreading God’s message of mercy to the largest crowds in papal history. Clear and profound, The Name of God Is Mercy resonates with this desire to reach all those who are looking for meaning in life, a road to peace and reconciliation, and the healing of physical and spiritual wounds. It is being published in more than eighty countries around the world.

“The name of God is mercy. There are no situations we cannot get out of, we are not condemned to sink into quicksand.”—Pope Francis

Outsider in the White House by Bernie Sanders

The political autobiography of the insurgent presidential candidate

Bernie Sanders’s campaign for the presidency of the United States has galvanized people all over the country, putting economic, racial, and social justice into the spotlight, and raising hopes that Americans can take their country back from the billionaires and change the course of history.

In this book, Sanders tells the story of a passionate and principled political life. He describes how, after cutting his teeth in the Civil Rights movement, he helped build a grassroots political movement in Vermont, making it possible for him to become the first independent elected to the US House of Representatives in forty years. The story continues into the US Senate and through the dramatic launch of his presidential campaign.

April 2016 AUDIOS (ADULT) Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant, Audio CD

Adam Grant, esteemed professor at Wharton business school, establishes new paradigms for success, first in Give and Take, and now from the perspective of becoming original: choosing to champion novel ideas and values that go against the grain, battle conformity, and buck outdated traditions. Grant explores how to speak up without getting silenced, build a coalition of allies, and manage fear and doubt; how parents and teachers can nurture originality in children; and how leaders can build cultures that welcome dissent. Studies and stories in the CD include an entrepreneur who pitches his start-ups by highlighting the reasons not to invest, a woman at Apple who challenged Steve Jobs from three levels below, an analyst who overturned the rule of secrecy at the CIA, and a billionaire financial wizard who fires employees for failing to criticize him. The listener will gain insights about rejecting conformity and improving the status quo.

The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel by Melanie Benjamin, Audio CD

A story of the glamorous stars of New York high society, including Babe Paley and her glittering friends—socialite Swans Slim Keith, C. Z. Guest, Gloria Guinness, and Pamela Churchill. By all appearances, Babe has it all: money, beauty, glamour, jewels, influential friends, a prestigious husband, and gorgeous homes. But beneath this elegantly composed exterior dwells a different woman—a woman desperately longing for true love and connection. Truman Capote explodes onto the scene, setting Babe and her circle of Swans aflutter. But all too soon, he ignites a literary scandal

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whose repercussions echo through the years. The Swans of Fifth Avenue provides entrée into the lives of Manhattan’s elite, along with unparalleled access to the happenings of New York’s most powerful social circle at the time.

The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain by Bill Bryson, Audio CD

Twenty years ago, Bill Bryson went on a trip around Britain to discover and celebrate that green and pleasant land. The result was Notes from a Small Island, one of the bestselling travel books ever written. Now he has traveled about Britain again, by bus and train and rental car and on foot, to see what has changed—and what hasn’t. Following (but not too closely) a route from Bognor Regis in the south to Cape Wrath in the north, Bryson rediscovers the wondrously beautiful, magnificently eccentric country that he both celebrates and, when called for, twits. With his instinct for the funniest and quirkiest and his eye for the idiotic and the ridiculous, he offers insights into what is best and worst about Britain today. Listeners will find an entertaining and humorous travelogue.

April 2016 AUDIOS (CHILDREN) My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream by Jennifer Fosberry, Audio CD

Isabella falls asleep thinking about who she will become tomorrow. Throughout the day, her mother good-humoredly encourages her daughter's flights of imagination. The story drives home the message that girls can do and be anything they want. Motherhood is refreshingly included in the list of worthwhile occupations. An appendix gives more information on the lives and careers of the heroic women included in the story. An audiobook for children to enjoy, and one that may ignite listeners’ interest in women's history. Ages 4-8 years.

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume One by Kate DiCamillo, Audio CD

Leroy Ninker has a hat, a lasso, and boots. What he doesn’t have is a horse—until he meets Maybelline, that is, and then it’s love at first sight. Maybelline loves spaghetti and sweet nothings, and she loves Leroy, too. But when Leroy forgets the third and final rule of caring for Maybelline, disaster ensues. Can Leroy wrestle fate to the ground, rescue the horse of his heart, and lasso loneliness for good? Join Leroy, Maybelline, and a cast of familiar characters—Stella, Frank, Mrs. Watson, and everyone’s favorite porcine wonder, Mercy—for some hilarious and heartfelt horsing around on Deckawoo Drive. Ages 5 – 9 years.

April 2016 JUNIOR NON-FICTION The Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Telling an unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, The Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body and spirit. It chronicles the life of Louie Zamperini, an Olympic athlete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics turned WWII plane crash survivor and prisoner in two Japanese Prisoner of War camps. From a rebellious childhood to a life of glory, bravery and triumph, Louie finds his strength, his fight and his faith.

April 2016 CHILDREN The Gift of Nothing by Patrick Donnell

Mooch the cat desperately wants to find a gift for his friend - Earl the dog. He wonders what he can buy the dog who has everything and decides that the answer, of course, is nothing. This simple story features characters from the Mutts comic strips and is the first book for children.

Be a Friend by Salina Yoon

Dennis is an ordinary boy who expresses himself in extraordinary ways. Some children do show-and-tell. Dennis mimes his. Some children climb trees. Dennis is happy to BE a tree . . . But being a mime can be lonely. It isn't until Dennis meets a girl named Joy that he discovers the power of friendship--and how special he truly is! At its core, this book is a heartwarming story of self-acceptance, courage, and unbreakable friendship for anyone who has ever felt "different."

The Only Child by Guojing

A little girl—lost and alone—follows a mysterious stag deep into the woods, and, like Alice down the rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange and wondrous world. But... home and family are very far away. How will she get back there? In this magnificently illustrated—and wordless—masterpiece, debut artist Guojing brilliantly captures the rich and deeply-felt emotional life of a child, filled with loneliness and longing as well as love and joy.

Sleep Like A Tiger by Mary Logue and Pamela Zagarenski

2013 Randolph Caldecott Honor Award In this magical bedtime story, the lyrical narrative echoes a Runaway Bunny – like cadence: “Does everything in the world go to sleep?” the little girl asks. In sincere and imaginative dialogue between a not-at-all sleepy child and understanding parents, the little girl decides “in a cocoon of sheets, a nest of blankets,” she is ready to sleep, warm and strong, just like a tiger. The Caldecott Honor artist Pamela Zagarenski’s rich, luminous mixed-media paintings effervesce with odd, charming details that nonsleepy children could examine for hours. A rare gem.

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The Monsters’ Monster by Patrick McDonnell

Once upon a time, there were three little rascals who thought they were the BIGGEST, BADDEST monsters around. Then along came an even BIGGER monster who changed their minds. And all it took was two little words. In this playful tale from bestselling picture book author Patrick McDonnell, a very BIG monster shows three very BAD little monsters the power of boundless gratitude.

The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool

A magical tale about the beauty and fragility of our natural world, and the wisdom and courage needed to protect it. One small boy has a special gift—he can weave cloth from the clouds: gold in the early morning with the rising sun, white in the afternoon, and crimson in the evening. He spins just enough cloth for a warm scarf. But when the king sees the boy's magnificent cloth, he demands cloaks and gowns galore. "It would not be wise," the boy protests. "Your majesty does not need them!" But spin he must—and soon the world around him begins to change.

Little Tree by Loren Long

Autumn arrives, and with it the cool winds that ruffle Little Tree's leaves. One by one the other trees drop their leaves, facing the cold of winter head on. But not Little Tree—he hugs his leaves as tightly as he can. Year after year Little Tree remains unchanged, despite words of encouragement from a squirrel, a fawn, and a fox, his leaves having long since turned brown and withered. As Little Tree sits in the shadow of the other trees, now grown sturdy and tall as though to touch the sun, he remembers when they were all the same size. And he knows he has an important decision to make. A stunningly heartfelt ode to the challenges of growing up and letting go, as poignant for parents as for their kids, from the creator of Otis the tractor and illustrator of The Little Engine that Could.

Zen Socks by Jon J. Muth

On life's journey...kindness is the key. Leo and Molly love their new neighborhood. Most of all they love their friend Stillwater. The three friends are quite a team! From Caldecott Honoree Jon J Muth comes a story about sharing, another about patience, and a third about compassion. With warmth and fun, they learn from one another in the most surprising ways....

Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett

Orion is very scared of the dark—until Dark decides to pay him a visit! Orion is scared of a lot of things, but most of all he’s scared of the dark. So one night the Dark decides to take Orion on an adventure. Imaginative storytelling and artwork with die-cut pages that bring the Dark to life.

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar

Fifth grader Tamaya Dhilwaddi and seventh grader Marshall Walsh have been walking to and from Woodridge Academy together since elementary school. But their routine is disrupted when bully Chad Hilligas challenges Marshall to a fight. To avoid the conflict, Marshall takes a shortcut home through the off-limits woods. Tamaya, unaware of the reason for the detour, reluctantly follows. They soon get lost. And then they find trouble. Bigger trouble than anyone could ever have imagined.

Voyagers: Project Alpha #1 by D. J. MacHale

Earth is about to go dark. Without a new power source, life as we know it will be toast. A global competition is under way to determine which four kids will join the secret mission that might just save us all. Project Alpha is a contest of physical challenges, mental puzzles, and strategic alliances. The battle is fierce. Who will lead the team? Who will pilot the most complicated space ship ever built? Who will be a friend? An enemy? And how will they survive over a year stuck on a space ship together?

Once chosen, the Voyagers will journey to the far reaches of space, collecting unique elements and facing unbelievable dangers. The future of our planet is in their hands. Sure, they’ll be the best in the world . . . but can they save the world?

April 2016 JUNIOR FICTION Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom), has always been at home in her own skin. With her all-American-beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does.

Rules for 50/50 Chances by Kate McGovern

Seventeen-year-old Rose Levenson has a decision to make: Does she want to know how she's going to die? Because when Rose turns eighteen, she can take the test that tells her if she carries the genetic mutation for Huntington's disease, the degenerative condition that is slowly killing her mother.

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With a fifty-fifty shot at inheriting her family's genetic curse, Rose is skeptical about pursuing anything that presumes she'll live to be a healthy adult-including her dream career in ballet and the possibility of falling in love. But when she meets a boy from a similarly flawed genetic pool and gets an audition for a dance scholarship across the country, Rose begins to question her carefully laid rules.

Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld

Don’t call them heroes. But these six Californian teens have powers that set them apart. Take Ethan, a.k.a. Scam. He’s got a voice inside him that’ll say whatever you want to hear, whether it’s true or not. Which is handy, except when it isn’t—like when the voice starts gabbing in the middle of a bank robbery. The only people who can help are the other Zeroes, who aren’t exactly best friends these days. Enter Nate, a.k.a. Bellwether, the group’s “glorious leader.” After Scam’s SOS, he pulls the scattered Zeroes back together. But when the rescue blows up in their faces, the Zeroes find themselves propelled into whirlwind encounters with ever more dangerous criminals. At the heart of the chaos they find Kelsie, who can take a crowd in the palm of her hand and tame it or let it loose as she pleases.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

A bag of chips. That’s all sixteen-year-old Rashad is looking for at the corner bodega. What he finds instead is a fist-happy cop, Paul Galluzzo, who mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad’s pleadings that he’s stolen nothing for belligerence, mistakes Rashad’s resistance to leave the bodega as resisting arrest, mistakes Rashad’s every flinch at every punch the cop throws as further resistance and refusal to STAY STILL as ordered.

But there were witnesses: Quinn Collins—a varsity basketball player and Rashad’s classmate who has been raised by Paul since his own father died in Afghanistan—and a video camera. Soon the beating is all over the news and Paul is getting threatened with accusations of prejudice and racial brutality. Quinn refuses to believe that the man who has basically been his savior could possibly be guilty. But then the basketball team—half of whom are Rashad’s best friends—starts to take sides. As does the school. And the town. Simmering tensions threaten to explode as Rashad and Quinn are forced to face decisions and consequences they had never considered before.

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Sixteen-year-old Tess Kendrick has spent her entire life on her grandfather's ranch. But when her estranged sister Ivy uproots her to D.C., Tess is thrown into a world that revolves around politics and power. She also starts at Hardwicke Academy, the D.C. school for the children of the rich and powerful, where she unwittingly becomes a fixer for the high school set, fixing teens’ problems the way her sister fixes their parents’ problems. And when a conspiracy surfaces that involves the family member of one of Tess's classmates, love triangles and unbelievable family secrets come to light and life gets even more interesting—and complicated—for Tess.

May 2016 ADULT FICTION The Story of the Lost Child: Neapolitan Novels, Book Four by Elena Ferrante

“Nothing quite like this has ever been published before,” proclaimed The Guardian newspaper about the Neapolitan Novels in 2014. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, the third book in the series, was an international best seller and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Its author was dubbed “one of the great novelists of our time” by the New York Times Book Review. This fourth and final installment in the series raises the bar even higher and indeed confirms Elena Ferrante as one of the world’s best living storytellers. The four volumes in this series constitute a long remarkable story that readers will return to again and again, and, like Elena and Lila themselves, every return will bring with it new discoveries.

The Obsession by Nora Roberts

The riveting new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Liar. Naomi Bowes lost her innocence the night she followed her father into the woods. In freeing the girl trapped in the root cellar, Naomi revealed the horrible extent of her father’s crimes and made him infamous. No matter how close she gets to happiness, she can’t outrun the sins of Thomas David Bowes.

The Two-Family House: A Novel by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Brooklyn, 1947: In the midst of a blizzard, in a two-family brownstone, two babies are born, minutes apart. The mothers are sisters by marriage...raising their families side by side, supporting one another, Rose and Helen share an impenetrable bond forged before and during that dramatic winter night. When the storm passes, life seems to return to normal; but as the years progress, small cracks start to appear and the once deep friendship between the two women begins to unravel...one misguided choice; one moment of tragedy. Heartbreak wars with happiness and almost, but not quite, wins. Moving and evocative, Lynda Cohen Loigman's debut novel The Two-Family House is a heart-wrenching, gripping multigenerational story, woven around the deepest of secrets.

The Bone Clocks: A Novel by David Mitchell

Following a terrible fight with her mother over her boyfriend, fifteen-year-old Holly Sykes slams the door on her family and her old life. But Holly is no typical teenage runaway: A sensitive child once contacted by voices she knew only as “the radio people,” Holly is a lightning rod for psychic phenomena. Now, as she wanders deeper into the English countryside, visions and coincidences reorder her reality until they assume the aura of a nightmare brought to life. An elegant conjurer of interconnected tales, a genre-bending daredevil, and a master prose stylist, David Mitchell has become one of the leading literary voices of his generation. His hypnotic new novel, The Bone Clocks, crackles with invention and wit and sheer storytelling pleasure—it is fiction at its most spellbinding.

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May 2016 ADULT NON-FICTION The Name of God Is Mercy by Pope Francis

“The name of God is mercy. There are no situations we cannot get out of, we are not condemned to sink into quicksand.”—Pope Francis

Outsider in the White House by Bernie Sanders

The political autobiography of the insurgent presidential candidate

May 2016 AUDIOS (ADULT) The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World's Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley by Eric Weiner

Travel the world from Athens to Silicon Valley—and journey throughout history—to learn how creative genius flourishes in specific places at specific times. Weiner sets out to examine the connection between our surroundings and our most innovative ideas. He explores the history of places, like Vienna of 1900, Renaissance Florence, ancient Athens, Song Dynasty Hangzhou, and Silicon Valley, to show how certain urban settings are conducive to ingenuity. With insightful humor, he walks the same paths as geniuses to see if the spirit of what inspired figures like Socrates, Michelangelo, and Leonardo remains. Listeners on this travel journey may contemplate the importance of culture in nurturing creativity.

My Name Is Lucy Barton: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout

In this audiobook, Pulitzer Prize winning author shows how a simple hospital visit becomes a portal to the most tender relationship of all—the one between mother and daughter.

Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. Her mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken for many years, comes to see her. Gentle gossip about people from Lucy’s childhood in Amgash, Illinois, seems to reconnect them, but just below the surface lie the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life: her escape from her troubled family, her desire to become a writer, her marriage, her love for her two daughters. Strout’s brilliant storytelling makes for a simple yet powerful narrative that touches on themes that listeners will identify with and reflect on in their own lives.

Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Smarter Faster Better explores the science of productivity, and why, in today’s world, managing how you think—rather than what you think—can transform your life. At the core of the book are eight key concepts—from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making—that explain why some people and companies get so much done. The deeply researched audiobook explains that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don’t merely act differently, they know that productivity relies on making certain choices.

In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In Smarter Faster Better, he explains how we can improve at the things we do. It’s an exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help listeners learn to succeed with less stress and struggle, and to get more done without sacrificing what they care about most.

May 2016 AUDIOS (CHILDREN) My Name is Not Alexander by Jennifer Fosberry

Join Alexander on a rip-roaring historical adventure. Through his imaginative journey, Alexander discovers how great men become heroes: the roughest rider can be surprisingly gentle, a strong leader is also the most peaceful, and sometimes, being brave about what makes you different will

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not only help you break records, but inspire others. Listeners will accompany Alexander as he explores how various innovative men influenced and shaped our world, and is encouraged to find the hero within himself. Ages 4 – 8 years.

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume 2 by Kate DiCamillo

Francine hails from a long line of Animal Control Officers. She’s battled snakes, outwitted squirrels, and stared down a bear. She is never scared— until, that is, she’s faced with a screaming raccoon; maybe Francine isn’t cut out to be an Animal Control Officer after all! Can she face her fears, round up the raccoon, and return to the ranks of Animal Control? Riotous raccoon wrangling for young listeners. Ages 5 – 9 years.

Who Was Walt Disney? by Whitney Stewart, Audio CD

Walt Disney always loved to entertain people. Often it got him into trouble. Once he painted pictures with tar on the side of his family’s white house. His family was poor, and the happiest time of his childhood was spent living on a farm in Missouri. His affection for small-town life is reflected in Disneyland Main Streets around the world. With charming tales and stories, this biography reveals the man behind the magic. Ages 8 – 12 years.

May 2016 JUNIOR NON-FICTION Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick

Before Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. And she was a girl!

In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.

Harry Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey—from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England... And finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger. But William had read about windmills, and he dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village a set of luxuries that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. His neighbors called him misala—crazy—but William refused to let go of his dreams. With a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks; some scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves; and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to forge an unlikely contraption and small miracle that would change the lives around him.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a remarkable true story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.

May 2016 CHILDREN The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, and a clever gatefold with kids in costumes, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids—both young and old. A great gift for any occasion, but a special stand-out for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation. The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes.

Ben Says Goodbye by Sarah Ellis and Kim La Fave

A great book for dealing with TCK (third culture kid) issues on having friends move away. When Ben’s best friend Peter moves away, Ben decides that he will move, too―into a “cave” under the kitchen table. Caveman Ben doesn’t need any friends except his tame (stuffed) lion. He hunts for his food (thoughtfully left on a plate by Mom and Dad) and communicates in grunts. And in the safety of his cave he can imagine a world where friends control their own destinies and distance is no obstacle.

Ball by Mary Sullivan

A dog with a ball is one of the most relentlessly hopeful creatures on Earth. After his best little-girl pal leaves for school, this dog hits up yoga mom, baby and even the angry cat for a quick throw. No luck. Forced to go solo, the dog begins a hilarious one-sided game of fetch. The pictures speak a thousand words in this comic book-style ode to canine monomania.

Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo

A 2015 Caldecott Honor. A young boy spends an overnight visit with his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. But then Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave, and soon the everyday sights, sounds, and smells of the city are not scary--but wonderful. The watercolor illustrations capture all the vitality, energy and beauty of the city.

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The SheepOver (Sweet Pea & Friends) by John and Jennifer Churchman

Meet the adorable orphan lamb Sweet Pea and discover why her true story has become a picture book phenom. One cold winter night, Sweet Pea becomes very sick. Everyone in the farmyard is worried about her. Under the watchful care of Farmer John, she slowly recovers. Dr Alison, the veterinarian, tells Sweet Pea she can have a sleepover to celebrate as soon as she is well again. When the day finally comes, her closest friends, Sunny, Prem and Violet join her in the greenhouse for a fun and imaginative “SheepOver” celebration. It is a story of caring and friendship by farm owners that will enchant and make one laugh and cry.

Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer

A quirky, funny tale. Did you know that sometimes, with a little electricity, or luck, or even magic, an imaginary friend might appear when you need one? An imaginary friend like Fred. Fred floated like a feather in the wind until Sam, a lonely little boy, wished for him and together, they found a friendship like no other. More than the usual number of words for a picture book, so may be for a more mature child listener.

Float by Daniel Miyares

A boy’s small paper boat--and his large imagination--fill the pages of this wordless picture book, a modern day classic that includes endpaper instructions for building a boat of your own. A little boy takes a boat made of newspaper out for a rainy-day adventure. He and his boat dance in the downpour and play in the puddles, but when the boy sends his boat floating down a gutter stream, it quickly gets away from him. So of course the little boy goes on the hunt for his beloved boat--and when the rain lets up, he finds himself on a new adventure altogether.

Ribbit by Rodrigo Folgueira and Poly Bernatene

A group of frogs are living happily in a peaceful pond, until they discover a surprise visitor; a little pink pig. Sitting contentedly on a rock in the middle of their pond, the pig opens his mouth and says, “RIBBIT!” Soon the pig draws the attention of all the nearby animals. Everyone is curious to know what he wants. After much guessing (and shouting), the animals realize that perhaps the pig was not there to mock them after all, but maybe he just wanted to make new friends. A warm, funny story of friendship, with boisterous RIBBIT’s throughout--perfect for reading aloud.

Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith

In this wordless book, a little girl collects wildflowers while her distracted father pays her little attention. Each flower becomes a gift, and whether the girl is noticed or ignored, both giver and recipient are transformed by their encounter. This is an ode to the importance of small things, small people and small gestures.

Pax by Sarah Pennypacker

Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild. At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be—with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox.

Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a fierce storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.

As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry

In this hilarious novel, written in the voice of eighth-grader Wyatt Palmer, Dave Barry takes us on a class trip to Washington, DC. Wyatt, his best friend, Matt, and a few kids from Culver Middle School find themselves in a heap of trouble-not just with their teachers, who have long lost patience with them-but from several mysterious men they first meet on their flight to the nation's capital. In a fast-paced adventure with the monuments as a backdrop, the kids try to stay out of danger and out of the doghouse while trying to save the president from attack-or maybe not.

May 2016 JUNIOR FICTION The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

This stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant New York Times bestseller and captured widespread critical acclaim, including selection as a 2015 National Book Award finalist.

After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting—things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory—even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door.

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Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

If you love Eleanor and Park, Hazel and Augustus, and Mia and Adam, you’ll love the story of Maddy, a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world, and Olly, the boy who moves in next door… and becomes the greatest risk she’s ever taken. This innovative and heartfelt debut novel unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, illustrations, and more.

Golden Son: Book 2 of The Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

With shades of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game and Game of Thrones, Pierce Brown’s genre-defying epic Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation.

Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within.

A life-or-death tale of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart, Golden Son guarantees Pierce Brown’s continuing status as one of science- fiction’s most exciting new voices.

(Note: Morning Star: Book 3 of The Red Rising Trilogy, published on February 6, 2016, is also available in the Library.)

Either the Beginning or the End of the World by Terry Farish

For sixteen years, it's been just Sofie and her father, living on the New Hampshire coast. Her Cambodian immigrant mother has floated in and out of her life, leaving Sofie with a fierce bitterness toward her and a longing she wishes she could outgrow. Then she meets Luke, an army medic back from Afghanistan. But Luke is still plagued by the trauma of war. Sofie's dad orders her to stay away; it may be the first time she has ever disobeyed him. When Sofie is forced to stay with her mother and grandmother while her dad's away, she is confronted with their memories of the ruthless Khmer Rouge, a war-torn countryside, and deeds of heartbreaking human devotion.

As Sofie and Luke navigate a forbidden landscape, they discover they both have their secrets, their scars, their wars. Together, they'll discover what extraordinary acts love can demand.