Recent for kids that the Children’s staff have read & loved & that we think you will too!

Gertie’s Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley. J Fiction, JCD Gertie is a fifth grader with an adventurous spirit - always on a mission to accomplish something. Since her dad is often away for his job on an oil rig, most of the time she lives with her great-aunt. Gertie's mom left when she was a baby, and although her mom lives in the same town, Gertie doesn’t see her and only knows a few bits and pieces about her. As she starts fifth grade, Gertie has a new mission, her most important ever. She needs to become the best fifth grader in the school, the world, and the universe in order to convince her mom that she is “not-from-concentrate” awesome and doesn’t need a mom. But there is a new girl in her class, Mary Sue, who seems to be the best at everything in fifth grade. Mary Sue and Gertie become rivals. As Gertie tries to become the best at something in school, she alienates her best friend and feels like the teacher doesn’t like her. Sometimes it even seems like the whole class is against her. But she continues to pursue her mission and learns some lessons along the way. Readers will identify with Gertie, understand her pain, and laugh at some of her antics. Recommended for grades 3-5.

Kangaroo to the Rescue! And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Heroes by Moira Rose Donahue. J591.51 Donoh The newish National Geographic Kids chapter series tells the true stories of a variety of amazing animals. There is Lulu the kangaroo who was rescued as a baby and raised by a human family. She became especially close to the father, and roamed their farm with him each day. One day after a storm, he was struck by a falling branch and knocked unconscious. Lulu went for help, and managed to persuade others to follow her - just in the nick of time. Then there are dogs Maggie and pilot; one deaf and one blind, who helped each other through life. Kids who love animals will enjoy this whole series, made even more kid friendly by the inclusion of color photos and sidebars. Recommended for readers in grades 2-5.

Nobody is Perfick by Bernard Waber. J Fiction This classic silly illustrated book originally published in 1971, has been reissued for a whole new crop of readers. Made up of 8 chapters, each story deals with a situation that today's kids will relate to just as much as the original 1970s's readers did: one girl tricking another into letting her read her diary, the frustrating concept of telling a friend about a hilarious

3 Community Park Road Broomfield, CO 720-887-2315 www.broomfieldchildrenslibrary.org dream, and having a super cool new raincoat, boots, hat and umbrella -and no rain to use them in.... Readers of all ages will enjoy this fun precursor to the Wimpy Kid books. Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant. JB Braille This book is the story of the life of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille alphabet for the blind. There are many books about him, but the author wrote this book to show what it felt like to be Louis Braille, something other books don’t talk about. The author’s words and the illustrations by Boris Kulikov give readers an idea about how he felt. From the accident at age three to his total blindness at age five readers can sense how the total darkness felt to him through the blackness on the pages to his asking where the sun was. His supportive family, his frustration about lack of books for the blind, and his move to Paris to attend the Royal School for the Blind all become real to the reader. His years of work on the Braille alphabet using six dots and his ultimate success are also felt and shared. This book was recently named the 2017 winner of the Schneider Family Book Award for Books for Young Children.

Skunked! Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet by Jacqueline Kelly. J Fiction Callie Vee is the only daughter in a family of 6 boys. Growing up in rural Texas in the early 1900s she is very different from most girls her age. She loves science and learning, and her grandfather has taught her a great deal about science and the natural world. Callie has a soft spot for animals, and would like to maybe be a veterinarian some day. But she is passionate about the science behind this as much as the animals themselves. Her younger brother Travis however, just loves animals. He's always bringing home another stray - or sometimes worse; a wild animal that doesn't want to be a pet. Which does not go over well with their mother... As this first book in this series opens, Travis finds an orphaned baby skunk. He can't leave it to die, so decides to bring it home and care for it, despite the obvious pitfalls behind this potentially smelly idea. Against her better judgement, Callie decides to try and help. But all does not go as planned! This spunky series is a spinoff of the original Calpurnia Tate books for older readers, and is sure to be a hit with historical fiction readers as well as science and animal lovers in grades 2-4.

Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan. J Fiction Renata Wolfman (Wolfie) is just like her name implies; a lone wolf. She doesn't like other kids, doesn't like socializing, doesn't like to wear anything but overalls and a white t-shirt. Despite her mother's best efforts to introduce her to the next door neighbor boy, Livingston Flot - or any other kids her own age - Renata isn't having any of it. She is perfectly happy playing by herself, books or making things. Renata likes to make all kids of things; in her room she has a model of the Golden Gate Bridge made out of popsicle sticks, she's made a catapult and a model rainforest that resides in her bathroom. But those have all been small projects, and now it's time for something bigger and better. Renata starts with a refrigerator box and decides to turn it into a submarine. When Livingston from next door crashes the party, Renata is at first reluctant to include him, but he soon turns out to be a great partner. This funny and sweet illustrated beginning chapter book will be a big hit with creative types with vivid imaginations, as well as those who like humorous stories. Recommended for readers in grades 2-4.