Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Small Fry Pick of the Week: The Fog Diver


Cover image for The Fog diver

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross

Ages 8+

A deadly white mist has cloaked the earth for hundreds of years.  Humanity clings to the highest mountain peaks, where the wealthy Five Families rule over the crowded slums and rambling junkyards.  As the ruthless Lord Kodoc patrols the skies to enforce order, thriteen-year-old Chess and his crew scavenge in the Fog-shrouded ruins for anything they can sell to survive.

Hazel is the captain of their salvage raft: bold and daring.  Swedish is the pilot: suspicious and strong.  Bea is the mechanic: cheerful and brilliant.  And Chess is the tetherboy: quiet and quick . . . and tougher than he looks.

But Chess has a secret, one he's kept hidden his whole life.  One that Lord Kodoc is desperate to exploit for his own evil plans.  And even as Chess unearths the crew's biggest treasure ever, they are running out of time.


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Friday, June 26, 2015

Small Fry Pick of the Week: The Nightsiders The Orphan Army

Cover image for The orphan army

The Orphan Army ( The Nightsiders) by Jonathan Maberry

Ages 8-12

In a world filled with Bugs--monsters that ceaselessly ravage the earth--Milo Silk has a hard time keeping his dreams separate from reality.  So he keeps them locked up in his dream journal and hopes they'll never to pass.  But too often they do--like when his father disappeared three years ago.  Lately the Witch of the World has been haunting his dreams, saying he is destined to be the hero who saves everyone.  But all Milo can think about is how he fears the Bugs will attack his own camp and bring something even more terrible than ever before.

What Milo doesn't know is that the Earth is already fighting back with its own natural power in the form of Nightsiders, magical creatures who prefer shadows to sunlight and who reside in trees, caves, and rivers.


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Thursday, June 18, 2015

Small Fry Pick of the Week: Ice Cream Summer


Cover image for Ice cream summer

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sis

Dear Grandpa, so far, it's been a delicious summer. I am very busy.  But don't worry, I am not forgetting about school.  I read every day. I practice my math facts.  And I am even diving into world history.

Peter Sis's breezy, sweet, tongue-in-cheek vision of summer dishes up the whole scoop on everyone's favorite frozen treat--and proves that ice cream is every bit as enriching for the mind as it is for the taste buds.

Readers everywhere will be begging for seconds and thirds!

Ms. Jen says: Playful pastel illustrations set the cheery and yummy tone of this fun picture book. There is a neat little note in the beginning of the book with references to historical books written about ice-cream development, and key dates with facts and inventors are sprinkled throughout the text.

Read a great book lately? Want to recommend it as Pick of the Week? Email me!

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Friday, June 12, 2015

Small Fry Pick of the Week: Rude Cakes



Cover image for Rude cakes

Rude Cakes by Rowboat Walkins


Who knew cakes were so rude?!  In this deliciously entertaining picture book, a not-so-sweet cake--who never says please or thank you or listens to its parents--gets its just desserts.

Clever and witty tale about one demanding little cake who learns it's never to late to change his ways.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Small Fry Pick of the Week: Circus Mirandus





Cover image for Circus Mirandus

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

Micah's grandpa Ephraim  has always told him wonderful stories about Circus Mirandus, a magical circus he visited when he was a boy.  But now Grandpa Ephraim is dying, and terrible, grouchy Great-Aunt Gertrudis has arrived to take car of Micah.  All the magic of Micah's childhood seems lost until Grandpa Ephraim finally tells him the truth: Circus Mirandus is real, and the Lightbender, the circus's greatest magician, owes Grandpa Ephraim a miracle.

With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather.  The only problem is the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise.  And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.

Read a great book lately? Want to recommend it as Pick of the Week? Email me!

Click on the title to place it on hold at the Ventress Memorial Library!