Great Books for Kids! 2014

Recommended and reviewed by the Hudson Library Youth Services staff

Please enjoy these reviews of some of our favorite children’s books published in 2014. These and many more great stories are waiting for you on our shelves! Duck, Duck, Moose! by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones Duck, Duck and Moose are roommates and good friends. Duck and Duck do everything together but whenever Moose tries to join them he only seems to mess things up. After a few spectacular crashes, Moose leaves the house. As Duck and Duck continue with their chores they can’t help but wonder when Moose will be back. Using only the three words in the title, and with the help of Jones’s charming illustrations, the author creates an adorable tale of friendship. This is a fun book that is great for emergent readers to begin building their narrative skills.

Telephone by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jen Corace This utterly engaging picture book takes us on a humorous glide across a telephone wire as one bird after another passes along a message to Peter from his mom. Each character skews the message according to his or her own interest, making for some hilarious versions of “Tell Peter to fly home for dinner.” The illustrations are fabulous and worth looking at again and again to catch the little nuances and hints of what’s to come on the next page. And the final message made this reviewer laugh out loud!

My Teacher Is a Monster! (No, I Am Not) by Peter Brown Bobby sees his teacher, Ms. Kirby, as a stomping, roaring monster. He can’t imagine anyone meaner. One unfortunate day he runs into her at his favorite park and can’t believe how bad his luck is. When her hat suddenly flies off of her head in the wind, Bobby chases it down and hands it back. After an awkward silence they make an attempt at conversation and end up telling each other all their favorite things to do at the park. As they talk, Ms. Kirby slowly morphs from monster into a very pleasant- looking human teacher. Brown’s illustrations are charming as always, and this story offers a comfortable way to start talking about back-to-school fears. 1 Cheers for a Dozen Ears: A Summer Crop of Counting by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky, illustrated by Susan Swan In a celebration of summer crops and family outings, Cheers for a Dozen Ears takes readers on a trip to a farmers market during a hot day in August. Children can count and rhyme their way through favorite summertime fruits and veggies, including watermelon and a dozen ears of corn. There is plenty to see on each page of brightly colored collages. Find a cozy spot in the shade to read this book before your next outing to the local farmers market.

Draw! by Raul Colon It all begins with a boy alone in his room reading a book about Africa, his sketch pad on the floor. As the boy picks up the pad, he’s transported to an African safari where he draws everything he sees - from a friendly elephant to thundering giraffes to sunbathing lions. However, not everyone is amiable to having their pictures drawn. A group of baboons draw the boy and a rhinoceros ends up chasing him across the plain. Luckily, there’s a happy ending to this wordless picture book as the boy says goodbye to the elephant and is transported to his room once more. Colon’s beautiful soft colored pencil illustrations evoke a feeling of warmth and lushness that will inspire readers to draw their own dreams as well.

Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato Elliot is a little elephant who lives in the big city. Being so small creates lots of challenges for him - it can be difficult to open doors, catching a cab is nearly impossible, and the clerk at the bakery never sees him when he is trying to buy a cupcake. One day, Elliot meets Mouse, who’s even smaller! Through Elliot and Mouse, children will discover that with a bit of teamwork they can accomplish anything - no matter what size they happen to be. This short, sweet picture book has a positive message about friendship that is great for any age.

The Short Giraffeby Neil Flory and Mark Cleary When Boba the Baboon tries to take a perfect picture of a herd of giraffes, one thing he hasn’t counted on is that one of them, Geri, is incredibly short for a giraffe. The herd comes up with all kinds of crazy ideas for making Geri taller – balancing on stilts, standing on a stack of turtles, filling him with helium – but none of them goes well. Finally a sympathetic caterpillar comes up with a plan that should have been obvious from the start, and it is perfect! Flory’s quiet pastel illustrations belie the zany plot – preschoolers will love the silliness at storytime. 2 Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch by Anne Isaacs, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes This is a witty story about the widow Tulip Jones who inherits a whopping thirty-five million dollars and a ranch in By-Golly Gully, Texas. She soon learns that everything in Texas grows bigger, from her crops to her pet tortoises. But the biggest things in Texas are the stories that come out of it! In this tall tale one thousand untamed ranchers and cowboys, along with a few genuine Texas scoundrels like Sheriff Arroyo and his brother Spit, are out to win her fortune through marriage. Widow Jones hires a humble baker, Charlie Doughpuncher, to help her feed the single cowboys who drop by to win her hand, but only one man can win her heart. How will she ever get rid of them all?

Dear Panda by Miriam Latimer In this sweet story, a young girl named Flo has recently moved. Missing her friends at her old school and nervous about making new friends, Flo writes a letter to the Panda at the neighboring zoo and gets a response. Flo and Panda become friends and discover that they both love swimming and hula-hooping and all kinds of other things. On the first day of school Flo shyly tells her classmates about what she likes to do and about her special friendship with Panda. Thanks to Panda, Flo meets Bea, who loves pandas and also loves swimming, hula-hooping, and all kinds of other things. Anxious readers can rest assured that finding and making new friends is about being yourself and sharing what you love.

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Hadley Hooper Growing up in a cold, dreary town in northern France, young Henri Matisse craved color and light, which his mother provided by hanging bright plates and rugs throughout their small cottage. Henri was fascinated by color and loved especially the way the pigeons his father gave him changed color with the light. This lovely picture book paints a heartwarming portrait of the artist’s childhood inspirations. Illustrator Hadley Hooper spent months studying Matisse’s techniques in order to depict his story authentically- the results are magnifique!

Two Speckled Eggs by Jennifer K. Mann Ginger is having a birthday party, but she must invite all the girls in her class - which means inviting Lyla, the odd girl out. Lyla is different from the other girls: she doesn’t talk much or worry about her appearance and she even owns a tarantula! Despite her best intentions, Ginger’s party doesn’t go as planned: no one cares about playing games or following rules and no one eats her special cake - except Lyla. By the time the gifts are opened Ginger is ready to throw in the towel, but she receives a lovely surprise that leads to the best gift of all: friendship. This is a sweet, simply illustrated story that shows the rewards of looking past our differences. 3 This Is A Moose by Richard T. Morris and Tom Lichtenheld This is a moose - or is it? In this lighthearted romp Moose is the star of a documentary film all about what his life is like. But he has bigger dreams than just being a moose - he wants to be an astronaut. With a host of quirky friends and relatives on the scene, the film shoot falls into chaos as each new animal doesn’t behave like the director thinks they should. Will Moose achieve his dream? Will the film ever wrap? This is a brightly illustrated, humorous take on blazing your own trail in life. Moose and friends have some great facial expressions and there is enough side action and detail to make this story worth more than one read.

Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray Everyone knows the classic rhyme, Hickory, Dickory, Dock, right? Well, Hickory, Dickory, Dog is a new twist on the beloved rhyme about a boy, his dog and an alarm clock. Rufus the dog is ready to play as soon as the little boy gets up in the morning. Instead of waiting at home when Zack goes to school, Rufus follows him right into the classroom. Fun and messes ensue as the two best friends spend their day together. Charming 1950s-inspired illustrations make this book a delight.

Maple by Lori Nichols Before she was born, Maple’s parents planted a maple tree in her honor. Together Maple and her tree grew. She loved to lie beneath the branches and watch the leaves dance. Though she loved her tree and it loved her, Maple was still lonely. After a long winter on a bright spring day a willow tree begins to sprout next to Maple’s tree. What does it mean? That soon Maple and her tree won’t be lonely anymore. Maple is the first picture book by Lori Nichols. It is a wonderful story about growing up and becoming a big sister. The illustrations, drawn in pencil and then digitally colored, are sweet and charming. This is a great book for preschoolers who are about to become big siblings.

PB & J Hooray! Your Sandwich’s Amazing Journey from Farm to Table by Janet Nolan and Julia Patton What do you need for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? You need peanut butter, jelly, and bread of course. You also need grocery stores, delivery trucks, bakeries and factories, farms, and seeds. This is a cumulative story where children will learn just how much goes into making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Told in a clear, concise way, readers will explore how their food is grown, prepared and sold until it finally reaches the kitchen table. The lively illustrations make this a great book to share together and the amount of detail on each page will beg for repeat readings. 4 The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak What’s a picture book without pictures? White pages, black text. A lot of words in all different shapes and sizes. Words like “boring” and “serious” and “blork” and “gluurr-ga-wocko.” This is “the book that makes grown-ups have to say silly things,” and does so with aplomb and plenty of goofiness. It may sound preposterous, but this picture book without pictures is a hilarious read-aloud that kids will love to listen to and adults will never get tired of reading. “Bonk.”

Cuckoo! by Fiona Roberton Poor Cuckoo. All he wants is for someone to be able to understand him when he says, “Cuckoo!” His siblings only say, “Too-too-weet!” so they aren’t any help. So Cuckoo goes off on a search for someone who can speak his language. After encountering several different animals with their own variety of speaking, Cuckoo finds what he’s looking for in the most unlikely of places. This is a sweet story about finding someone who understands you. Roberton’s illustrations and interesting text usage create a wealth of details that readers will catch through multiple readings. This is a great book to share together at bedtime or any time.

Coming Home by Greg Ruth With a bare minimum of words, Greg Ruth manages to convey a world of meaning in the anticipation, anxiety, and excitement that a young boy experiences while waiting for a military parent to emerge from a plane. As the tension builds and the boy races, searching, through the crowd, the reader grows increasingly worried for him. Of course this is a children’s picture book so there is a joyful reunion, but adults readers will shed a few tears of relief as they recognize that not everyone coming home from the service gets a happy ending such as this one. This is certainly a book of our times that could open up meaningful discussions about military families.

Max and the Won’t Go to Bed Show by Mark Sperring and Sarah Warburton Children and adults alike are invited to the best show on Earth. Watch as Max the Magnificent performs his world-famous act: putting off bedtime for as long as possible. He’ll make cookies and milk disappear! He’ll brush his teeth until they are dazzling! And he’ll ask for ten whole bedtime stories! Will Max ever go to sleep? Find out in this delightfully humorous story that’s perfect for sharing with that not-so-sleepy child at bedtime. Sperring cleverly covers all of the usual bedtime routine suspects (brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, etc.) and Warburton’s colorfully detailed illustrations will make the reader feel like they’ve been transported right to center stage at the Big Top. 5 The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill Twin brothers Ned and Tam decide to build a raft and go paddling on a swollen, raging river. Their raft fails and their father is able to save Ned, but Tam does not survive. People of the village gather around the young corpse shaking their heads and say, “The wrong boy lived.” Such is the beginning of this beautifully written fairy tale, full of unforgettable characters and classic elements - talking stones, an enchanted forest, a dying mother’s prophecy and a girl with the power to save Ned with her unbreakable spirit. This magical adventure is sure to become a favorite for families to lose themselves in together.

The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by Doreen Cronin First introduced in The Trouble with Chickens, Dirt, Sweetie, Poppy and Sugar now take a starring role in the first book in this spin-off series. They might be chicks, but they aren’t chicken when a scared squirrel named Tail barges into their coop. After running from the big, scary thing in the yard, Tail is not much help (he keeps fainting out of fear) and the chicks come to the conclusion they must save their mother from the danger at hand. Filled with expressive illustrations and hilarious hijinks, the quartet use camouflage and deductive reasoning to discover what has invaded their turf and chase it back to where it came from! Readers might come to an alternate conclusion in this slapstick comedy of errors that proves things aren’t always what they seem.

The Thirteenth Mystery: Hocus Pocus Hotel #3 by Michael Dahl In the third installment of this interactive series, the young heroes need to find out what happened to the hotel's residential magician after he has vanished. Charlie is smart and articulate - a strong main character whose narrative helps the reader solve the clues and puzzles. The hotel was built by a magician and is filled with all sorts of trickery to keep things interesting, including a solid glass wall with a single key hole in the middle. There are also magic shows performed during their hunt and diagrams are drawn in the book to help the reader figure out just how the magician pulled off the trick. This is a great series to get any young child excited about reading. 6 Extraordinary Warren, A Super Chicken by Sarah Dillard Warren is an ordinary chicken who is tired of pecking and peeping. When he overhears Millard the rat wishing for a special chicken, a chicken supreme, Warren jumps at the chance to be something special. Millard is excited to hear there are more chickens, and invites everyone to a barbecue. But when Warren realizes that having “chickens for dinner” could mean two totally different things, he jumps into action. With graphic novel like panels interspersed with short chapters containing bright pictures, this eye-catching title defies expectations, just like Warren.

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee When 11 year-old Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard stumbles upon a nameless boy through the keyhole of a mysterious door in a museum, she can hardly believe it. After all, as a member of the London Children’s Science Society, Ophelia only trusts in the pragmatic. But soon she finds herself on an often-treacherous, fantastical journey rife with giant birds, ghost girls and mannequins that come to life. Ophelia’s mission is to free this Marvelous Boy and help him save the world from the Snow Queen. This story is based upon Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen and will definitely appeal to those who enjoyed the movie Frozen. It is also a great read-aloud to share with elementary school-aged children who love charming but slightly dark adventures in the style of Kate DiCamillo.

The Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy Gownley (Graphic Novel) Jimmy Gownley is on top of the world, scoring points both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Then he misses weeks of school and his championship basketball game due first to chicken pox and then pneumonia. Jimmy’s interest in comics expands as he attempts writing and illustrating his own, but his inflated ego might get in the way of his friendships. The color pallet sets the tone for the story - gray when Jimmy is sick and bright and bold when he enters the comic book shop for the first time, resulting in an Oz-like page turn when the curtain is pulled back on a colorful landscape of possibilities. This autobiographical account by the author of the Amelia Rules graphic novel series demon- strates that anything is possible, even after some false starts.

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff Albie is a fifth grader just starting at a new school and struggling to keep up and make friends. He is bullied daily, gets bad grades, and only likes to read books with lots of pictures. Yet Albie is the nicest kid you ever want to meet. He thinks there is something wrong with him until his busy parents hire a new babysitter who gets him. Her name is Calista, and the lessons she teaches him in their short time together will change his life. He comes to realize that not everybody can be an expert or gifted at something, and that it’s okay to just be average as long as you are happy. Albie is a character who won’t soon be forgotten. He is earnest and sincere - not a great artist or mathematician, but definitely someone worth spending some time with. 7 The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale Princess Magnolia is a princess through and through, from her sparkling tiara down to her glass slippers. But she has a secret, one necessary to keep her lands safe from monsters. Princess Magnolia is also The Princess in Black, monster fighter, protector of goats and goat boys. When the nosy Duchess Wigtower stops by for a visit and a big blue monster appears in the goat field, will Princess Magnolia be able to save the day and keep her secret? Written by the husband and wife duo Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, The Princess in Black is a wonderful first chapter book. Filled with vibrant illustrations and action-packed chapters, it is great for those just beginning to read chapter books and those who dream of being both a princess and a ninja.

Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon Dory, affectionately nicknamed Rascal by her constantly-annoyed older siblings, lives an exciting and action-packed life. Her imagination is full of monsters of every color and temper, a friend named Mary who always follows her around, an evil woman named Mrs. Gobble Gracker and her Fairy Godmother, Mr. Nuggy. Dory seems to be in trouble all the time, even though the monsters and Mrs. Gobble Gracker are mostly to blame for the noise and messes and general peskiness. All Dory really wants is for her brother and sister to play with her. She finally gets her chance with them when she heroically rescues their bouncy ball from the toilet, and they realize that maybe Dory’s world can be a lot of fun for all of them. The author’s illustrations make this already funny story even more hilarious. It’s a great choice for early readers who love humor and imaginative play.

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm Goldfish don’t live forever, any more than humans do. Ellie believes she has a record- breaking goldfish in six-year-old Goldie until her mother informs her that their most current pet is actually Goldie #13. This sets the scene for a wonderful story of scientific discovery peppered with questions of humanity. When Ellie’s geneticist grandfather turns up in unusual form and enlists her help in developing the “elixir of life,” she discovers in herself an interest in science that had not been nurtured by her artistic parents and also a strong sense of what is right and wrong. This story melds humor and fantasy with science and ethics - plenty for young brains to think about.

The Only Thing Worse than Witches by Lauren Magaziner In this magical tale of friendship, Rupert Campbell is fascinated by the witch community that lives in his town, but his mother has forbidden him from having anything to do with witches. The closest he can get to a witchy experience is sitting in class with his awful teacher Mrs. Frabbleknacker, who smells like bellybutton lint and forbids Rupert’s class- mates from talking to each other before, during, and after class. So when he sees an ad to become a witch’s apprentice, Rupert simply can’t resist applying. Rupert meets the Witch, who’s actually a Witchling - a Witch in training. Quirky and hopelessly dramatic, Witchling Two desperately needs help to pass her exams to become a full-fledged witch, or she will be exiled. Rupert is her only, unlikely hope. Together, they struggle to solve two looming disasters - passing the exam and surviving Mrs. Frabbleknacker’s class! 8 Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. Her own name is a homonym and she named her dog Rain because it is a homonym too. Not everyone understands Rose’s obsessions with homonyms, rules and routines: not her teachers or other kids at school and definitely not her dad. When an epic storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. With her Uncle Weldon’s help, Rose breaks her routine and leaves her safe spaces to go out and search for her beloved dog. What she finds at the end of the journey may not be what she was expecting. Rose’s story is difficult, powerful, sad and uplifting all at the same time. She will stay with readers for a long time.

Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell Will (short for Wilhelmina) Silver loves her life in the wet, wild countryside of Zimbabwe – she loves the animals and the mud, the farm boys she runs around with and the big sky. Most of all she loves her father. When circumstances suddenly change on the farm, she is sent away to a boarding school in London where she faces bullying and rejection for the first time. Will must summon every ounce of courage she has just to survive every day. Will Silver is a character that readers will not soon forget - her love of life and her love for her homeland are infectious, and her sense of determination is a great lesson for readers of all ages.

The Missing Pieces of Me by Jean Van Leeuwen Eleven-year-old Weezie and her half-siblings Ruth Ann and Jackson live in a trailer with their hard-working and mostly unreasonable mother. The three fathers of the children are absent – Ruth Ann’s father died in the war, Jackson’s father is well-meaning but doesn’t have the resources to take care of him, and Weezie’s father is a mystery man. When she finds a picture of him standing next to his prized truck, she decides to gather whatever clues she can find and look for him with the help of her friends Calvin and Luella. She learns a lot about her family through her investigation, including new things about herself – she is a very good artist, for one thing, and a very brave girl. This charming story about Weezie’s quest to find the missing pieces of herself is sure to warm the hearts of young readers and maybe encourage them to be courageous too.

Ava & Pip by Carol Weston Ava Wren is outgoing and bold and loves to write. Her sister Pip is shy and reserved. Ava tries to be understanding, but it’s hard when her accomplishments are ignored in favor everyone’s efforts to get Pip out of her shell. When Pip’s birthday party bombs, Ava writes a story about a queen bee whose behavior resembles that of a popular “mean girl” in their school. Surprise—Ava’s story is chosen for publication at school! As she navigates the fallout generated by her story, Ava realizes that people are not always who they appear to be, including Pip, and that friendship can be as rewarding as it is unexpected. 9 The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott When his uncle dies suddenly, Wade travels to Germany to attend the funeral with his father and siblings Becca, Darrell and Lily. Once there they discover that Uncle Herman’s death was no accident. They are pulled into a thrilling and potentially deadly race around the globe to recover twelve hidden artifacts that, if joined together, could spell doom for the planet. In this first book of the series, Wade and the group are solving puzzles which have them hopping from Europe to the Far Pacific in search of the first artifact while trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. The fast-paced and suspenseful plot is a thrilling beginning to a super new series.

El Deafo by Cece Bell (Graphic Novel) When Cece was four years old she came down suddenly with meningitis, which left her unable to hear without the help of her phonic ears, a device attached to a special pair of headphones. This makes starting kindergarten and making friends even more frightening, as Cece constantly worries what her classmates will think of her. One day she discovers something amazing - with her device she can hear her teachers even when they are not in the classroom! To Cece, it’s like a super power. Thus, her alter ego, El Deafo, is born. Despite her inability to hear without an aid, Cece’s story of growing up is one that many kids will relate to, with universal themes such as making and losing friends, as well as fitting in and being happy with who you are.

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare Twelve-year-old Callum Hunt has always been told by his father that The Magisterium is bad, so when Call is invited to test into this magical school, he’ll do anything to fail. Unfortunately, even doing his worst allows Call to pass into his first year under the tutelage of the prestigious Master Rufus. Along with his new friends, Call will not only discover the secrets of the Magisterium, but also the secrets of his past and future. The authors do a nice job of setting up the fantastical world of the Magisterium in this first of a five-part series. Plenty of action and an unexpected twist at the end will keep the pages turning. Fans of Harry Potter will immediately recognize some familiar elements, but there are enough unique ideas to make this story stand apart. This is a great choice for fantasy fans 10 who also like a bit of an adventure. Curiosity by Gary Blackwood This is the story of The Turk - the “Original and Celebrated Automaton Chess Player,” and a hunchbacked boy named Rufus whose father ends up in debtor’s prison and unable to take care of his son. Rufus is apprenticed to The Turk’s owner and is made to fold himself inside a cabinet to work The Turk’s levers, playing chess by smoky candlelight night after night until his lungs and joints scream with pain. A very suspicious Edgar Allan Poe, determined to prove that The Turk is not the mechanical wonder that it is purported to be, challenges The Turk to a game. Rufus must be perfect at his job or risk being thrown out onto the streets once again, but no-one can beat Rufus at chess or at life - this gothic tale lifts the reader’s spirit from beginning to end.

The Badger Knight by Kathryn Erskine Northern England, 1346. The country is on the brink of war against the Scots, and those who live near the border are especially eager to let the battle begin. Adrian, aka “Badger,” is an albino whose pale skin reflects the sun so strongly that he must blacken his cheeks with dirt when he practices archery. His father won’t allow him to go to the border to fight, but the small twelve-year-old expert archer has a mind of his own, and sneaks away to face his destiny on the battlefront. This historical adventure is full of intrigue, humor, and danger – a real page-turner.

Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick After her father receives a serious injury while deployed in Afghanistan, Truly Lovejoy and her family pack up and leave Austin, Texas for the tiny town of Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire. There Truly’s dad will be able to rehabilitate and work in the bookstore that the Lovejoys have owned for generations. Truly, overlooked by her harried family and underwhelmed by her new locale, thinks life is over. After she finds an unsent letter containing a strange note in a rare, signed first edition of Charlotte’s Web, Truly has a mystery on her hands. When the book goes missing shortly after, Truly, with the help of some new friends, goes hunting for the author of the letters as well as the missing book. Are they heading for fame and fortune, or straight into danger? One thing is certain: life in Pumpkin Falls is ‘truly’ an adventure!

Welcome to Dog Beach by Lisa Greenwald Remy, Micayla, and Bennett have been best summer friends since they were very small and their families first began spending the season on Seagate Island. This year is different because Remy is without her other best friend and constant companion - her dog, Danish. When she is asked to help out with a neighbor’s dog she and her friends decide to start a full-time doggie day care business. Even as they work and hang out together every day, their summer friendship is strained as new faces and interests start to come between the three of them. This first installment of the Seagate Summer series is a light and airy exploration of the changes that take place in relationships as children become teenagers. Remy on the cusp of young womanhood will strike a comforting chord with girls who are experiencing that fine line between the fear and excitement of growing up. 11 Treaties, Trenches, Mood, and Blood by Nathan Hale (Graphic Novel) In this installment of the popular Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, Captain Nathan Hale tackles World War I with equal parts humor and gravitas. He covers the events from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand all the way to the Armistice four years later. In order to keep things simple, the author employs the use of animals to represent each country. The muted illustrations in tones of black, white and orange appropriately convey this bloody, serious, and complicated period in history. Fans of the Hazardous Tales series and older children who love history and a good war story will eat this one up.

The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson Thirteen-year-old Piper is an orphaned scrapper. She survives by recovering and fixing relics left behind by the meteor storms that rain down in this futuristic world. During one such storm, she rescues an injured girl named Anna. Suffering from amnesia, Anna is being hunted by a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to find her. The mystery surrounding Anna deepens when Piper discovers a tattoo of a dragonfly on her arm. The mark of the dragonfly signifies protection from the king of the dragonfly territories. As the two girls flee to the capital city in hopes of finding safety for Anna and a new life for Piper, they face danger from slavers and help from a shape shifter who can transform into a dragon. Johnson blends adventure, fantasy, and sci fi in this magical novel.

Explorer: The Hidden Doors edited by Kazu Kibuishi (Graphic Novel) Seven stories from seven different artists take the reader on a journey through seven hidden doors to adventure. In one story, a wizard finds herself in the lair of a giant. In another, a boy discovers a portal that can turn him into a cooler version of himself. In yet another tale, robbers search for the hidden door in a haunted Egyptian tomb. There is something for every reader in this graphic novel collection and the majority of tales convey a positive message. The quality illustrations each have a distinct style which will appeal to a broad range of graphic novel fans. While this is the third installment of the Explorer series by Kazu Kibuishi it isn’t necessary to previously have read the first two. Give this to upper-elementary aged children who love short and sweet adventure stories.

Watch Out, Hollywood! More Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child by M. T. Lennon Charlie C. Cooper is fashionable and style-conscious. She hates her red hair and freckles, and she just wants to be popular. Charlie is called to audition for a TV show with her best friend Marta, but Charlie wants to be the only star in town. She tells a white lie to keep the spotlight on herself, saying that she is a gymnast in order to gain a role on the show. Charlie has to fix her blunders to restore the friendships she so desperately needs. The story is narrated with humor and attitude, creating a realistic depiction of a girl’s struggle with 'middle child syndrome' and her need to be recognized. 12 The Eighth Day by Dianne K. Salerni Jax Aubrey’s 13th birthday is anything but ordinary. He wakes up to a world without people and thinks there has been some sort of apocalypse. However, the truth is much stranger. This peculiar day is called The Eighth Day, an extra 24 hours between Wednesday and Thursday. Jax himself is a Transitioner, or someone with special abilities that is able to live through all eight days of the week. His mysterious neighbor Evangeline, who can only exist in The Eighth Day, holds the key to breaking an ancient spell created by the legendary wizard Merlin. However, this spell is the only thing keeping an actual apocalypse from occurring. Jax must stop at nothing to keep Evangeline – and the world – safe. This is an action-packed story that will have kids flipping through the pages to find out what happens next. Fans of Percy Jackson and other adventure tales will love this book.

Tesla’s Attic by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman After a tragic fire destroys their home, Nick and his family move into a run-down house they’ve inherited in Colorado Springs to try and start over. Things start to turn weird for Nick when he decides to have a garage sale. People are drawn to all the useless junk he’s taken down from his attic and are willing to pay much more than he’s asking. It’s not until after the garage sale that Nick realizes all that “junk” has special powers from the inventor Nikola Tesla. Nick is determined to track down all the objects he sold. Unfortunately, a secret society also wants Tesla’s inventions and will use whatever force necessary to retrieve them. Tesla’s Attic is the first book in the Accelerati Trilogy and is a must read for kids interested in Tesla. This supernatural mystery filled with suspense and humor will have readers eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier (Graphic Novel) In this companion to her graphic novel, Smile, Raina chronicles her relationship with younger sister Amara through alternating flashbacks. She and Amara don’t exactly have the relationship Raina dreams of. Amara is stubborn, cranky, and prefers to be alone, which sparks many arguments between the two girls. Then baby brother Will is born and causes even more chaos in their tiny apartment. It’s not until a road trip from their home in San Francisco to a family reunion in Colorado that Raina and Amara figure out a common ground on getting along. This is a charming story about sibling relationships and how they aren’t always ideal. Kids will love the bright illustrations and Telgemeier’s always spot-on humor. It’s a must-read for graphic novel fans - especially those with siblings!

The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White Kara Westfall lives a tough life: she’s shunned by the people in her village because her mother was a witch, her brother is constantly sick, and her father just hasn’t been the same since her mother died. When she is lured into the Thickety - a dangerous forested area on her island home where unspeakable evil is said to dwell - she discovers a book called the Grimoire. It is a book that gives her power, a book she can use to help others, or harm them if she chooses. But, anything even resembling witchcraft is against the law, punishable by death. Will Kara continue to use the book for good, or will the book begin to use her? This is a solid, enjoyable and rather creepy story, the first in a new series by J.A. White. Highly recommended for those who enjoy dystopian fiction like The Giver. 13 Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins (j573.88 Je) Did you know that the colossal squid has eyes the size of basketballs? Or that the blue mountain swallowtail butterfly can see colors that are invisible to us? Or that one eye on a halibut migrates to the other side of its head as it gets older? These are some of the amazing, but true facts in this latest installment from Steve Jenkins. Here the reader will gain fascinating insight about animal eyesight. Included is a brief lesson at the beginning of the book on the origin and different types of sight. Helpful sections on the evolution of the eye, animal facts, and a glossary of terms encourage further learning. And as always, Jenkins’ vibrant, torn paper illustrations are a delight.

Did You Know? (series) by Laura Lyn DiSiena & Hannah Eliot (j590.2 Di) Did you know that salamanders can walk upside down or that a firefly’s light can be green, yellow or red? In the first two books of this new series, Chickens Don’t Fly and Other Fun Facts and Hippos Can’t Swim and Other Fun Facts, the authors give a fresh take on some basic and interesting facts about animals and insects of all types. The information is not overwhelming or too technical, so these colorful and fun books are ideal for early learners. Even grown-ups might learn some cool facts they didn’t already know! 14 Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons by Jon J. Muth (j811 Mu) Come along with Koo, a charming young panda bear, to celebrate the seasons with 26 haiku poems. By definition, a haiku poem captures a feeling or image and is often inspired by nature, and does so within a very specific structure. Muth indeed captures the essence of each season with beautiful writing and simple yet engaging illustrations. Children will identify with the joy of hot soup on a cold day or catching fireflies on a summer night. The author has also created an alphabetical pathway throughout the book. Young readers can follow the capitalized words in each haiku from A to Z as they explore the seasons with playful Koo.

Stubby The War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Bravest Dog by Ann Bausum (j940.483 Ba) “Stubby just a dog? Nonsense!” No truer words were spoken about this canine hero of World War I. Dogs have had a special place beside humans throughout history and Stubby the War Dog was no different. A stray of unknown origins, he attached himself to J. Robert Conroy, a recruit at a U.S. training base, and they became an inseparable team for the rest of Stubby's life. Conroy smuggled Stubby aboard a naval vessel when he shipped out and the dog lived the life of any soldier: sleeping in trenches, wearing a specially designed gas mask, dodging bullets and finding enemy combatants. Stubby’s many medals attested to his bravery and fortitude on and off the battlefield. This story is warm and inspiring, with photographs to enhance the telling and a detailed timeline of events at the end. It gives enough information about the war for a solid foundation and provides great information about a lesser-known part of the Great War.

Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain by Russell Freedman (j979.46 Fr) During the early 1900s, most Asian immigrants coming to the United States arrived ashore at Angel Island, an immigration station in San Francisco. Instead of starting their new lives in America, many Chinese immigrants were detained for weeks or months on this rocky island. Detainees were inspected and interrogated and left to wait in overcrowded dormitories while officials decided their fate. Many of these immigrants expressed their despair and frustration by painting and writing their stories on the walls of their dormitories. Years later, a park ranger found these poems in an abandoned building on Angel Island. This history of Chinese immigration to the U.S. details the discrimination the immigrants faced and how they spent their time at “Devil’s Island,” as well as the eventual campaign for the island to be recognized as a national historic landmark. 15 Clara and Davie by Patricia Polacco (jB BAR) Clara Barton is world famous for founding the American Red Cross. But that successful and determined woman was once a painfully shy child who endured taunts and criticism because of her lisp. Her one stalwart companion was her brother Davie, who defended and encouraged her because he recognized she had a gift to give to the world. Clara blossomed under Davie’s love and care, and discovered the true nature of her gift when tragedy struck. Polacco is a distant relative of Clara Barton and grew up listening to stories about the life and accomplishments of this amazing woman. This biography of Clara Barton’s early years is heartwarming and a worthwhile read.

The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life by Lois Ehlert (jB EHL) Lois Ehlert, when asked why she chose art as a career, says that art chose her, and that is easy to believe while reading this illustrated biography. Her life is as colorful and whimsical as her picture books for which she collects folk art, vibrant paper, and treasures from the natural world. She has illustrated 35 books, 25 of which she also wrote, and her ideas and inspiration seem boundless. This is a wonderful book for budding artists, rich in images from her books and advice for creating a picture book, and even including ideas for art projects based on her stories. It’s a feast for the eyes and the artistic soul.

A Boy and A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz (jB RAB) Dr. Rabinowitz is a wildlife conservationist who has dedicated his life to protecting big cats from extinction. This heart-warming picture book memoir recounts his struggles with stuttering as a young boy and into his adulthood, and how talking to animals always helped him feel normal and confident. He now says that he was lucky to be given the gift of stuttering because that is what led to his passion for animals and to his career path of Zoology. Illustrations by Catia Chien perfectly reflect the evolving moods of darkness and light in the text. Share this with elementary-age children who have a speech impediment or who just want to read an uplifting story of hope.

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant (jB ROG) Peter Mark Roget was always looking for the perfect word. He also loved to make lists. When he put words into long, neat rows he felt as if “the world itself clicked into order.” This is the story of Roget and his book of lists. What started out as a notebook of synonyms would eventually become one of the most widely used thesauruses to date. Melissa Sweet’s detailed illustrations are dazzling. Readers of all ages, especially logophiles, will discover something new each time they pour over the pages.

16 Winter Sky by Patricia Reilly Giff, read by Arielle Sitrick Siria, named after the star Sirius, fears for her firefighter father every time she hears sirens in the night, so much so that she often sneaks out and chases the firetrucks, watching him work until she knows he is safe. She worries about the increasing frequency of the fires and worries that there might be an arsonist on the loose. Clues point her to an unlikely suspect and Siria debates whether to turn him in. Reader Arielle Sitrick maintains Siria’s innocence but conveys her readiness to grow up and take on new responsibilities. Newbery Honor-winning author Giff spins a heartwarming tale of community and family bonds amid a cold winter backdrop as fire and ice literally collide.

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd, read by Cassandra Morris Felicity Pickle is a collector of words and believer in magic. She and her mother and sister have been living in a beat-up old van, traveling around the country without much of a destination until they return to Mama’s hometown, Midnight Gulch. There Felicity senses just a snicker of the magic that the people say existed long ago before a curse was put on the town. Full of unique characters and poetic charm, this story is read by Cassandra Morris with just the right tone of wonder. Listen to it while following along in the book for a complete immersion in Felicity’s magical world.

The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel, read by Nick Podehl The Boundless, the greatest train ever built, is on its maiden voyage across Canada. Will Everett, son of the railroad manager, is on board and ready to start a new life. Unfortunately, Will’s aspirations and his father’s expectations don’t mix. When Will witnesses a murder and ends up in possession of the key to a train car containing priceless treasures, he becomes the target of a sinister group plotting to rob the train. In order to survive, Will must seek the aid of Mr. Dorian, ringmaster of the traveling circus on board, and Maren, a girl his age who is an expert escape artist. With villains closing in, can Will and Maren reach Will’s father in the locomotive and save The Boundless? Nick Podehl narrates this exciting story and does a great job distinguishing character voices and keeping the listener on the edge of his seat. This is high adventure on the rails with a touch of myth, lore, legend and the fantastic. 17 Hudson Library & Historical Society 96 Library Street Hudson, Ohio 44236 330-653-6658 www.hudsonlibrary.org

Original artwork by author and illustrator Lindsay Ward