CATCHER IN THE RYE BOOK CLUB

I'm still thinking about the terrific discussion in book club yesterday. Melissa, Emily, Felicia, David, Jordan, Michelle, Francesca, Laurel and I explored many of the unique features of Catcher in the Rye as well as grappling with the complexities of Holden's character. I came away completely energized by all of the original, insightful comments.

If you are part of this book club but were unable to be at the discussion, finish reading the novel and come to the library at lunch on the Thursday after the break. There is still lots to talk about and there will be food!

The next book club begins at the start of April and is open to students in grades 9 and 10. I'm pretty sure that the novel will be Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, an amazing work of science fiction. There is room for only 15 students, so listen closely to the announcements and when I call you to the library to pick up a copy of the book, don't delay! We will meet twice, once in the middle of April and again at the end of the month.

Grade 7 and 8 students will be welcome to join our book club for May. The novel is still to be decided, but it will be a great read!

Just a reminder, we are indebted to Laurel Bieber of the Mission Public Library for pulling  multiple copies of each book from the public library and bringing them to HPSS for our use. Thank you, Laurel!

BOOK CLUBS START IN MARCH!

I'm joining forces with Laurel Bieber, the YA librarian at the Mission Public Library, to start a series of book clubs. We'll begin with interested grade 11 and 12 students in March, move to grade 9 and 10 students in April, and finish with grade 7 and 8 students in May.

"What is a book club?" you ask. Well, it's when a dozen or so readers read and discuss the same book. It's an informative, argumentative, amusing and entertaining way to spend time.

In March, we'll read and discuss the modern classic, Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, a little book that has sparked some interesting controversy. We'll meet twice during lunch, on Thursday, March 15th and Thursday, March 29th, in the seminar room at the front of the library. You can bring your lunch for the first session, but food will be provided for the second session.

As each book club will have no more than 15 members, it's important to let Ms. Schmor know that you are interested in participating in order to secure a place. Copies of Catcher in the Rye will be available to borrow during the last week of February.

Happy Valentine's Day!

In honour of this special day, I'd like to share a few new books that celebrate romance. The first is Shatter Me, a new paranormal romance. Here's the synopsis:

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)  by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the pop...more

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Doesn't sound like a love story? Trust me, there's ALWAYS a love story.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young mag...moreThe circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

Pure by Julianna Baggot

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters. We will, one day, emerge from the Dome to join you in peace. For now, we watch from afar.

Pressia Belze has lived outside of the Dome ever since the detonations. Struggling for survival she dreams of life inside the safety of the Dome with the ‘Pure’.

Partridge, himself a Pure, knows that life inside the Dome, under the strict control of the leaders’ regime, isn’t as perfect as others think.

Bound by a history that neither can clearly remember, Pressia and Partridge are destined to forge a new world.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The winner of the signed first edition will be announced tomorrow afternoon, but we now have a copy of this unusual romance available to borrow from the library.

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

What are your favorite romantic reads? Add your suggestions by commenting on this post.

I hope you find a book to love this week, and every week. Please think about sharing the love with a book review. Send it to me at Christine.Schmor@mpsd.ca and I'll publish it on the review page.

WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD...

I'd like to invite you to the library to see our fabulous new display, a tribute to the amazing Wizard of Oz books by Frank L. Baum. Baum was a magical, prolific storyteller; many readers don't know that there are several Oz books, each featuring enchantingly quirky characters: The Scarecrow of Oz, Glinda of Oz, Ozma of Oz, The Pumpkinhead of Oz. When I was a child, the Oz books were my Harry Potter series; I loved them. Over the years, I've built a collection and they are now in the display. Let me know if you'd like to read them.

OZ ISN'T JUST FOR KIDS ANYMORE!

Gregory Maguire, a talented YA author, has written his own Oz series, a much darker, edgier version of the stories. The first in the series is Wicked, a book which inspired a hit musical which was featured in an episode of Glee.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire (Book One in the Wicked series)

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?


Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

The three other books in the series are Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of Oz. We have them all in the library.

Thank you, Emily and Felicia, for both inspiring and creating the display.

NEW CONTEST!

An eagerly anticipated new novel arrived in the mail today. It is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, the same John Green who wrote the edgy, funny, tragic masterpiece, Looking for Alaska. Green's novels are mature reads that stay with you for a lifetime. Will Grayson, Will Grayson was published last year and I can't keep our copy on the shelves  because it's so popular.

Here's a synopsis of The Fault in Our Stars: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves.

 Now, here's the thing. When I unwrapped our copy of the book, I saw that it was signed by the author. Further investigation revealed that it is a first edition. I've dabbled enough in book collecting to know that a signed first edition can become valuable over time. This is especially true of award-winning books and John Green has won many awards in the past, so he'll likely be recognized for this novel as well. If I stamp it and tape it and put it in the library, this copy will lose any possible future value. Instead, I have decided to offer it up as a prize to a student at HPSS and purchase an unsigned copy for the library.

If you are a collector of books or just starting a collection, you should enter this contest. If you like John Green's work and want to own a copy of his book, you should enter. If you just like books, you
should toss your name in for a chance of winning.

Starting at noon tomorrow, you can enter by simply filling out an entry form and putting it in the box on the counter. On February 15th, a name will be drawn at random. Each interested student receives one entry per day.  Good luck!

FOR MANGA READERS

Those of you who  reached volume 18 of Fullmetal Alchemist only to discover that the HPSS library had no more books in the series will be happy to know that we now have the full series to volume 27 ! The set even includes a non-manga novel called The Ties that Bind.

NEW BOOKS FOR A NEW YEAR!

Our library is a busy place! Since we returned to school, books have been flying off the shelves as students pick up great novels for silent reading or informative non-fiction for research projects. All of the checking in and out of books has resulted in a huge amount of shelving, so I would like to give a profoundly grateful "thank you" to the students in the library club. Without their help, I wouldn't be able to get so many new books into the library so quickly.

I've been trying to organize the graphic novels and manga so that it's easier to find specific books. New manga series such as Black Butler, Twin Spica and Deathnote have been immensely popular. In the weeks to come, I will be adding Fullmetal Alchemist, volumes 19 to 27; The Legend of Zelda; Naruto; and Bleach to our collection. Both Bleach and Naruto are such huge sets that I'm going to start by purchasing new omnibus editions of 3 books in 1. Right now, each title has 3 volumes available, so 9 books to a series. I did an informal poll, asking students if they would prefer that I buy 5 volumes of many different series or that I try to buy all of the volumes of just a few series. All of the students wanted complete sets. If you have a preference, please add a comment to this post.

Two new graphic novels that have just been placed on the round table are Maximum Ride 5 and the second Twilight.

I'd like to introduce you to some of the new novels that have been added to the library.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Blood and Chocolate

Vivian Gandillon relishes the change, the sweet, fierce ache that carries her from girl to wolf. At sixteen, she is beautiful and strong, and all the young wolves are on her tail. But Vivian still grieves for her dead father; her pack remains leaderless and in disarray, and she feels lost in the suburbs of Maryland. She longs for a normal life. But what is normal for a.Vivian Gandillon relishes the change, the sweet, fierce ache that carries her from girl to wolf. At sixteen, she is beautiful and strong, and all the young wolves are on her tail. But Vivian still grieves for her dead father; her pack remains leaderless and in disarray, and she feels lost in the suburbs of Maryland. She longs for a normal life. But what is normal for a werewolf?

Then Vivian falls in love with a human, a meat-boy. Aiden is kind and gentle, a welcome relief from the squabbling pack. He's fascinated by magic, and Vivian longs to reveal herself to him. Surely he would understand her and delight in the wonder of her dual nature, not fear her as an ordinary human would.

Vivian's divided loyalties are strained further when a brutal murder threatens to expose the pack. Moving between two worlds, she does not seem to belong in either. What is she really--human or beast? Which tastes sweeter--blood or chocolate?

Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill

Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials

What started out as girls' games became a witch hunt. Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials told from the perspectives of three of the real young women living in Salem in 1692.
Ann Putnam Jr. plays the queen bee. When her father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann grasps her opportunity. She put

...moreWhat started out as girls' games became a witch hunt. Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials told from the perspectives of three of the real young women living in Salem in 1692.

Ann Putnam Jr. plays the queen bee. When her father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann grasps her opportunity. She puts in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of the people around her forever.

Mercy Lewis, the beautiful servant in Ann's house, inspires adulation in some and envy in others. With a troubled past, she seizes her only chance at safety.

Margaret Walcott, Ann's cousin, is desperately in love and consumed with fiery jealousy. She is torn between staying loyal to her friends and pursuing the life she dreams of with her betrothed.

With new accusations mounting daily against the men and women of the community, the girls will have to decide: Is it too late to tell the truth?

A Printz Honor winner for Your Own, Sylvia, Stephanie Hemphill uses evocative verse to weave a nuanced portrait of one of the most chilling and fascinating times in our nation's history.

The Boxer and the Spy by Robert B. Parker

The Boxer and the Spy

Another teen thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of the Spenser mysteries. When a shy high school student’s body is found washed up on the shore of a quiet New England beach town—an apparent suicide—fifteen-year-old Terry Novak doesn’t know what to think. Something just doesn’t add up, so he decides to do some investigating of his own with the help of his b
...more When a shy high school student’s body is found washed up on the shore of a quiet New England beach town, —an apparent suicide, —fifteen-year-old Terry Novak doesn’t know what to think. Something just doesn’t add up, so he decides to do some investigating of his own with the help of his best friend, Abby. It doesn’t take long before they learn that asking questions puts them in grave danger, and surviving is going to be a fight. Fortunately, Terry has been learning a thing or two about fighting, thanks to a retired boxer named George, who teaches the boy to use his head and always keep his feet set beneath him; —lessons Terry takes to heart in more ways than one. He will need to.

Robert B. Parker, New York Times bestselling author of the Spenser novels, delivers a taut, empowering mystery for young readers.

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The Carrie Diaries (The Carrie Diaries #1) by Candace Bushnell

The Carrie Diaries (The Carrie Diaries, #1)

Before Carrie Bradshaw hit the big time in the City, she was a regular girl growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut. How did she turn into one of the most-read social observers of our generation?

The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of J...moreBefore Carrie Bradshaw hit the big time in the City, she was a regular girl growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut. How did she turn into one of the most-read social observers of our generation?

The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets. And then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture. Sebastian is a bad boy-older, intriguing, and unpredictable. Carrie falls into the relationship that she was always supposed to have in high school-until a friend's betrayal makes her question everything. With her high school days coming to a close, Carrie will realize it's finally time to go after everything she ever wanted.

Rabid fans of Sex and the City will love seeing Carrie Bradshaw evolve from a regular girl into a sharp, insightful writer. They'll learn about her family background -- how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. We'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where the next Carrie Diaries book will take place.

For those readers who are fans of George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones series, you should take a look at the next book.

Thunder and Steel by Dan Abnett

Across the Old World, the powers of Chaos seek to bring corruption and death, poisoning the minds of men and filling them with hatred and fury. Only the bravest dare stand against them – two Empire soldiers, marching into the cold wastes of Kislev to face the barbaric Northern hordes, where one will lose his soul to the Ruinous Powers. The high elf Gilead Lothain, who...more
Across the Old World, the powers of Chaos seek to bring corruption and death, poisoning the minds of men and filling them with hatred and fury. Only the bravest dare stand against them – two Empire soldiers, marching into the cold wastes of Kislev to face the barbaric Northern hordes, where one will lose his soul to the Ruinous Powers. The high elf Gilead Lothain, who seeks to strike at the servants of the Dark Gods in a quest for vengeance that can never end. The ranks of the noble White Wolves, who stand to defend the majestic city of Middenheim until the last man, never backing down in the face of their enemies.Thunder and Steel is an epic collection of Dan Abnett’s Warhammer fantasy, including the novels Riders of the Dead, Gilead’s Blood and Hammers of Ulric, plus short stories and the full graphic novel of The Warhammer.

If you're wondering what to read now that you've finished the Eragon series, you might try this next author.

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1)

Brandon Sanderson, fantasy's newest master tale spinner, author of the acclaimed debut Elantris, dares to turn a genre on its head by asking a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? What kind of world results when the Dark Lord is in charge? The answer will be found in the Mistborn Trilogy, a saga of surprises and magical martial-arts action that begins in Mi...moreBrandon Sanderson, fantasy's newest master tale spinner, author of the acclaimed debut Elantris, dares to turn a genre on its head by asking a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? What kind of world results when the Dark Lord is in charge? The answer will be found in the Mistborn Trilogy, a saga of surprises and magical martial-arts action that begins in Mistborn.

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison. Kelsier "snapped" and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark.

Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.

We have the complete trilogy in the library.

Bait by Alex Sanchez

Bai

After Diego lands himself on probation for fighting, he doesn’t trust his probation officer, Mr. Vidas. But as he begins to open up, Diego realizes that he needs Mr. Vidas’s help to get his anger under control. To do that, Diego will need to face the nightmares from his past head-on and confront the memories he’s been avoiding. Will anyone even believe him if he tells the truth about his stepfather?

Award-winning author Alex Sanchez writes about a teen’s very real struggle to overcome his anger and take control of his destiny.

Readers who enjoyed I am Number Four will love this next new series: Michael Vey.

After Diego lands himself on probation for fighting, he doesn’t trust his probation officer, Mr. Vidas. But as he begins to open up, Diego realizes that he needs Mr. Vidas’s help to get his anger under control. To do that, Diego will need to face the nightmares from his past head-on and confront the memories he’s been avoiding. Will anyone even believe him if he tells...mor

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey #1)  by Richard Paul Evans

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.
To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric power To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

The Name of the Star (Shades of London #1) by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star (Shades of London, #1)

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.Soon "Rippermania"
...moThe day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.
Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

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Shine by Lauren Myracle

Shine

When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.
Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, d


...moreWhen her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.

Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.

Here are some amazing books for middle school readers!

Floors by Patrick Carman

Charlie had his chocolate factory. Stanley Yelnats had his holes. Leo has the wacky, amazing Whippet Hotel.

The Whippet Hotel is a strange place full of strange and mysterious people. Each floor has its own quirks and secrets. Leo should know most of them - he is the maintenance man's son, after all. But a whole lot more mystery gets thrown his way when a series of crypti...more

Charlie had his chocolate factory. Stanley Yelnats had his holes. Leo has the wacky, amazing Whippet Hotel.

The Whippet Hotel is a strange place full of strange and mysterious people. Each floor has its own quirks and secrets. Leo should know most of them - he is the maintenance man's son, after all. But a whole lot more mystery gets thrown his way when a series of cryptic boxes are left for him . . . boxes that lead him to hidden floors, strange puzzles, and unexpected alliances. Leo had better be quick on his feet, because the fate of the building he loves is at stake . . . and so is Leo's own future!

Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham (Illustrator)

Down the Mysterly River

Down the Mysterly River is the children’s book debut of Bill Willingham, the creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel series Fables. Complete with illustrations by Fables artist Mark Buckingham, it is a spirited, highly original tale of adventure, suspense, and everlasting friendship.
Max “the Wolf” is a top notch Boy Scout, an expert at orienteeringDown the Mysterly River is the children’s book debut of Bill Willingham, the creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel series Fables. Complete with illustrations by Fables artist Mark Buckingham, it is a spirited, highly original tale of adventure, suspense, and everlasting friendship.

Max “the Wolf” is a top notch Boy Scout, an expert at orienteering and a master of being prepared. So it is a little odd that he suddenly finds himself, with no recollection of his immediate past, lost in an unfamiliar wood. Even odder still, he encounters a badger named Banderbrock, a black bear named Walden, and McTavish the Monster (who might also be an old barn cat)—all of whom talk—and who are as clueless as Max.

Before long, Max and his friends are on the run from a relentless group of hunters and their deadly hounds. Armed with powerful blue swords and known as the Blue Cutters, these hunters capture and change the very essence of their prey. For what purpose, Max can’t guess. But unless he can solve the mystery of the strange forested world he’s landed in, Max may find himself and his friends changed beyond recognition, lost in a lost world… 

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt , David Small (Illustrator)

The Underneath

There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road.

A calico cat, about to have kittens, hears the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and the hound dares to befriend this cat, this feline, this creature he is supposed to...moreThere is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road.

A calico cat, about to have kittens, hears the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and the hound dares to befriend this cat, this feline, this creature he is supposed to hate. They are an unlikely pair, about to become an unlikely family. Ranger urges the cat to hide underneath the porch, to raise her kittens there because Gar-Face, the man living inside the house, will surely use them as alligator bait should he find them. But they are safe in the Underneath...as long as they stay in the Underneath. 
Kittens, however, are notoriously curious creatures. And one kitten's one moment of curiosity sets off a chain of events that is astonishing, remarkable, and enormous in its meaning. For everyone who loves Sounder, Shiloh, and The Yearling, for everyone who loves the haunting beauty of writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Flannery O'Connor, and Carson McCullers, Kathi Appelt spins a harrowing yet keenly sweet tale about the power of love — and its opposite, hate — the fragility of happiness and the importance of making good on your promises.

This is just a small sampling of the new books available. Come down and browse to see all that's in the library. Feel free to comment on any of these books or recommend other books for me to purchase.
Happy reading, everyone!

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