New Books That We Love

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Scholastic $16.99
Just released in August, this middle grade book has already been gathering awards. We say look for it when the Newbery Awards are announced in January 2008. Curtis is a storyteller, whose historical fiction is full of adventure, suspense, fun, and characters that you care deeply about. Elijah is the first freeborn child in Buxton, Ontario, which is only a riverbank away from the United States and slavery. Although escaped slave families arrive every few weeks, Elijah can’t imagine not being free, until he gets hoodwinked into crossing the river, and makes not one, but two daring escapes. Curtis laces heartbreaking and heart-pounding scenes with humor, and Elijah’s inborn optimism gives him confidence when he desperately needs it. A thrilling and moving story for ages 11 and up.

Star Wars A Pop-up Guide to the Galaxy by Matthew Reinhart
Scholastic $32.99
More than 35 intricate pop-ups from x-wing starfighters tucked into corner pockets to a two-page spread of the Millennium Falcon or another of the spaceport cantina at Mos Eisley with over 24 creatures conversing and spying over drinks fill the pages of this extravagant pop-up book. Already beyond amazed we reached the final spread where Darth Vadar’s shriveled visage is covered by his black mask as you open the page. In the top corners we found Luke Skywalker and Darth Vadar armed with lightsabers that light up, and we could manipulate them and make them engage in combat! Take that Vadar!
Absolutely splendid for ages 8 through adult.

First Discovery Night Creatures by Gallimard Jeunesse and Sylvaine Peyrols
Scholastic $5.99
I am so glad to see this series back in print. Night Creatures is one of my favorites, because the transparent pages are used very effectively. For instance to show an owl’s camouflaged feathers viewed from above and its white underbelly when you flip the page. In text written at two levels of difficulty, the owl’s eating and nesting habits are described with an entire page depicting all of the tiny contents of an owl pellet. Bats are given a few pages and other nocturnal birds are mentioned, but the section on owls is the most engrossing. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Holiday Books

Each December on St. Nicholas Day our son received a new Christmas book...

This gave us many evenings before Christmas to savor the new story, pull out favorites from past winters, and share some quiet time anticipating the holiday excitement that was coming.

This year is a good year for new Christmas books; it was hard to choose which ones to write about. There are lots more wonderful holiday books at Dragonwings, and we would love to help you find one that is perfect for your family. Here is a sampling:

The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown illustrated by Jim LaMarche
HarperCollins $15.99

A little tree is growing all alone in a wintry field, bereft and lonely. As evening falls a man comes and carefully digs up the tree and carries it home. It is just the right size for his bedridden little boy's room at Christmastime. Each spring the little tree is returned to grow in the field, and each winter comes back to the little boy, until one year when the man doesn't come...but are there happy voices and lanterns in the distance? This is an endearing tale by the beloved author, Margaret Wise Brown, with glorious illustrations by Jim LaMarche that will steal your heart. All ages.

Merry Christmas, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff illustrated by Felicia Bond
HarperCollins $6.99

This sweet counting book begins as “Mouse puts one star on the Christmas tree.” Pre-schoolers will have fun finding and counting the ornaments on each page as Mouse decorates his tree with two angels, three snowflakes and lots more, because Mouse is just beginning a very, big project. Board book for ages 1-4.

Holly Claus, The Christmas Princess by Brittney Ryan illustrated by Laurel Long with Jeffrey Bedrick

HarperCollins $18.99

This lovely, holiday fairy tale has page after page of Long’s trademark illustrations, which are romantically lush and filled with nostalgic detail. Children will pour over these scenes and marvel at the tiny wonders in the background. The cover is gorgeous and sparkles with glittering jewels, snowflakes and stars. The story of Santa’s daughter has an old-fashioned appeal. Put this book out on your mantle or coffeetable over the holidays. Ages 4 and up.

A Family Christmas selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy Hyperion $26.95

We will be adding this Christmas treasury to our family collection this year. It is one of the finest compendiums of holiday essays, stories, poems and carols that I’ve seen. I found a hilarious letter of seasonal complaints from Groucho Marx, my favorite Christmas story by Pearl S. Buck, essays by E.B. White, David Sedaris, Mark Twain and Garrison Keillor, a letter regarding Santa’s safety written by John F. Kennedy, and a detailed description of NORAD’s North Pole tracking system. There are 325 pages of unexpected delights to read out loud or peruse alone sipping from a mug of hot cider. Guaranteed to kindle your Christmas spirits. All ages.

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck illustrated by Mark Buehner

HarperCollins $16.99

Originally written in 1955, this sentimental story always goes straight to my heart. This is the first time it has been published as a picture book, and Buehner’s illustrations are warm, thoughtful and comforting. He was inspired to illustrate this story after his own children heard it at church and decided to give a similar middle of the night gift to their parents. It was a Christmas gift that he and his wife will never forget, and in return he has given this lovely story to a new generation of families. All Ages.

Russell’s Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton

HarperCollins $16.99

More inspired silliness from Russell the Sheep, who is lighting lanterns in Frogsbottom Field on Christmas Eve, when Santa’s sleigh crashes nearby in Firefly Wood. Luckily, Russell knows where a rusty, old jalopy is buried under a mound of snow, and in a great Cinderella moment, he rushes around banging and welding and transforms the sagging rust bucket into a flashy, new sleigh. Then Russell accompanies Santa on a whirlwind tour of the world ending back in his home field. The story may be familiar, but the illustrations are priceless. Ages 3 and up.

Christmas Magic by Sue Stainton illustrated by Eva Melhuish

HarperCollins $15.99

“Little Santa looks after the forest. He knows all the animals and trees by name. Once a year he plans a special treat for his friends. Little Santa is full of surprises.” In this charming Christmas tale, Little Santa is a tomtem-like character – a bit mischievous, a bit mysterious. He hides the reindeer’s bells and then slips into the forest to watch the animals go on an evening treasure hunt to find them. Children can search for the bells and look for a tiny glimpse of Little Santa on each page.
Ages 2-5.

The Christmas Song: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire by Mel Torme and Robert Wells illustrated by Doris Barrette

HarperCollins $16.99

A festive gathering of aunts, uncles and cousins illustrates the lyrics of this popular Christmas tune. The families are cheerfully skipping, dancing and singing their way through the day’s familiar events. Their smiles are infectious and most readers will find themselves singing along. Ages 3-7.

Holiday Books

Merry Christmas, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff illustrated by Felicia Bond

HarperCollins $6.99

This sweet counting book begins as “Mouse puts one star on the Christmas tree.” Pre-schoolers will have fun finding and counting the ornaments on each page as Mouse decorates his tree with two angels, three snowflakes and lots more, because Mouse is just beginning a very, big project. Board book for ages 1-4.

Holly Claus, The Christmas Princess by Brittney Ryan illustrated by Laurel Long with Jeffrey Bedrick

HarperCollins $18.99

This lovely, holiday fairy tale has page after page of Long’s trademark illustrations, which are romantically lush and filled with nostalgic detail. Children will pour over these scenes and marvel at the tiny wonders in the background. The cover is gorgeous and sparkles with glittering jewels, snowflakes and stars. The story of Santa’s daughter has an old-fashioned appeal. Put this book out on your mantle or coffeetable over the holidays. Ages 4 and up.

A Family Christmas selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy

Hyperion $26.95

We will be adding this Christmas treasury to our family collection this year. It is one of the finest compendiums of holiday essays, stories, poems and carols that I’ve seen. I found a hilarious letter of seasonal complaints from Groucho Marx, my favorite Christmas story by Pearl S. Buck, essays by E.B. White, David Sedaris, Mark Twain and Garrison Keillor, a letter regarding Santa’s safety written by John F. Kennedy, and a detailed description of NORAD’s North Pole tracking system. There are 325 pages of unexpected delights to read out loud or peruse alone sipping from a mug of hot cider. Guaranteed to kindle your Christmas spirits. All ages.

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck illustrated by Mark Buehner

HarperCollins $16.99

Originally written in 1955, this sentimental story always goes straight to my heart. This is the first time it has been published as a picture book, and Buehner’s illustrations are warm, thoughtful and comforting. He was inspired to illustrate this story after his own children heard it at church and decided to give a similar middle of the night gift to their parents. It was a Christmas gift that he and his wife will never forget, and in return he has given this lovely story to a new generation of families. All Ages.

Russell’s Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton

HarperCollins $16.99

More inspired silliness from Russell the Sheep, who is lighting lanterns in Frogsbottom Field on Christmas Eve, when Santa’s sleigh crashes nearby in Firefly Wood. Luckily, Russell knows where a rusty, old jalopy is buried under a mound of snow, and in a great Cinderella moment, he rushes around banging and welding and transforms the sagging rust bucket into a flashy, new sleigh. Then Russell accompanies Santa on a whirlwind tour of the world ending back in his home field. The story may be familiar, but the illustrations are priceless. Ages 3 and up.

Christmas Magic by Sue Stainton illustrated by Eva Melhuish

HarperCollins $15.99

“Little Santa looks after the forest. He knows all the animals and trees by name. Once a year he plans a special treat for his friends. Little Santa is full of surprises.” In this charming Christmas tale, Little Santa is a tomtem-like character – a bit mischievous, a bit mysterious. He hides the reindeer’s bells and then slips into the forest to watch the animals go on an evening treasure hunt to find them. Children can search for the bells and look for a tiny glimpse of Little Santa on each page. Ages 2-5.

The Christmas Song: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire by Mel Torme and Robert Wells illustrated by Doris Barrette

HarperCollins $16.99

A festive gathering of aunts, uncles and cousins illustrates the lyrics of this popular Christmas tune. The families are cheerfully skipping, dancing and singing their way through the day’s familiar events. Their smiles are infectious and most readers will find themselves singing along. Ages 3-7.

Gifts for Teachers

Late-breaking News:
99 Out of 100 Teachers Prefer Books over Apples for Gifts

Is there a bookcase in your child's classroom filled with the tattered pages and worn covers of beloved books? If so, it's because every year the teacher has chosen to spend part of their modest salary to fill these shelves. There isn't any extra money in the school budget for classroom libraries, but teachers know they are important to their students.

Having books in classrooms shows that the teacher, and the school, believe in the importance of reading and the value of accessible books. Books that are always within reach, not just kept in a special room, for a particular class, or requiring a specific pass.

Classroom books are used for Drop Everything And Read time, when a student has forgotten their book or doesn't have one that interests them. They are used for rewards, for calming a class or an overactive student, for quick reference about special topics, or research on a favorite author. They are always available, not endlessly checked out or reserved by other students or teachers.

So yes, having a classroom library is important, and you can bet that teachers truly appreciate contributions of wonderful new books for their students.

An easy way to give teachers the books they really want, is to give them a Gift Card from Dragonwings Bookstore. We're close and convenient for you and for them. They can e-mail us with requests, ask for recommendations, or come and spend a quiet hour relaxing and browsing through our collection.

If you would rather choose a gift with your child, we have a wonderful selection of history, science, phonics, math and reference books to choose from. We also have magnetic calendars, a teacher's classroom stamp set, a beautiful wooden abacus, and lots of educational games. We will be glad to help you find the perfect gift.

Still reluctant to give up on apples? Teachers love the Apples to Apples games. We carry all three, and we have the materials for printing their own additional cards which can complement their curriculum.

Kisha's Reviews

Dear Ellen,
I just finished reading The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. I really loved it. the story itself was so completely different (from Alice in Wonderland), but there were quite a few connections mostly with the characters names and such, but I thought it was very inventive and creative. There was like a connection to Alice in Wonderland in practically every page! The story was kind of sad, but very fun and it really made me want to turn the page. I love books like that! Well, I think anyone who likes fantasy/adventure/kind of suspense books would love it. Even more those who have read, or at least seen, Alice in Wonderland, and can see all of the really great connections!!
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (Penguin/Dial) $8.99
reviewed by Kisha

Dear Ellen,
My Sister's Keeper is one of the few real life like books I've read, but I liked it. It was very thought provoking, and the way that every chapter is in a different main character's point of view really helped the story. Having everyone's point of view made it even more thought provoking because you knew exactly how everyone felt. Also in the mom's chapters (except the one or two at the very end) there were flashbacks so you also knew all of the history there. also, I'm not so sure I liked the ending - it really threw you - but there wasn't totally a perfect happy answer so I guess it worked out OK, even though it made me mad at first, because I had decided what my "happy" ending would be, but it didn't really work out that way, *shrug-lopsided grin* but whatever, it was still very good.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
reviewed by Kisha

Dear Ellen,
Then I had to reread The Looking Glass Wars (see review above) to remember exactly what happened, I had forgotten how good that book was!
So then I read Seeing Redd (the sequel by Frank Beddor). I thought it was a very good sequel and I definitely wanted to keep reading it! The new dimensions in the relationships and the new characters, or new way they acted...whatever, are great. They really help the book along and I thought it was full of fun or not so fun surprises and twists. I'm so glad I could read it!!! I love it!
Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor $18.99
reviewed by Kisha

Dear Ellen,
Have you read Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper? I just got it and read it; I thought it was great - the plot was rich and excitng, while the characters were fun, curious, and interesting...though it might also be a little because I love (I mean LOVE!!) pirates and vampires...and now vampirates, too, I guess! By the by, I love Tamora Pierce, too.
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper
reviewed by Kisha

Favorite New Books

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman $7.99

Ashleigh and Julie are best friends, although being supportive of Ashleigh's short-lived enthusiasms can be trying for Julie. Currently Ashleigh is on a Pride and Prejudice kick, which wouldn't be so bad if only the Darcy she picked out wasn't the same guy that Julie is falling for. This modern take on the popular classic has enough plot twists and mistaken identities to keep the reader laughing and perhaps be willing to give the original Austen novel a try as well. For ages 10-14.

The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous

by Suzanne Crowley $16.99

Life in tiny Jumbo, Texas is messy with complicated feuds and friendships that spill through every backyard and screen door. This keeps Merilee on edge as she tries to protect the carefully ordered routines that help get her through each day. Although mean Grandma Birdy is hurtful, it is the arrival in town of needy, little Biswick, and the big-hearted Veraleen that disrupt Merilee’s VOE forever. Filled with rich language and endearing characters, I haven’t loved a book this much since Ida B. and Each Little Bird That Sings.

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff #1 You Wish
by Jason Lethcoe $9.99

Ben lives in a frightful orphanage, where he is forced to climb into immense iron cooking pots and clean off the moldy, crusty scum with an old toothbrush. Luckily, when he gets a chance to make a birthday wish, he wishes for unlimited wishes and they begin to come true. This causes a panic at the Wishworks Factory, because there are only a limited number of wishes available and each time Ben makes a new wish another child’s wish disappears. Candlewick, the new, young director at Wishworks, appeals to Ben for help, but Thornblood, the director of Curseworks, has already stolen Ben’s powerful wish. Soon, Ben and his friends are racing through the air in Battle Chairs, dodging flaming curses, and trying to protect Wishworks from Thornblood and his evil Spider Monkeys. This is an exciting first installment in an imaginative, new series.

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff #2
Wishful Thinking
by Jason Lethcoe $9.99

In this new adventure a disgruntled leprechaun and Ben’s spiteful cousin, Penelope, have used her birthday wish to take over the Wishworks Factory. Candlewick is missing, and Thornblood has become Penelope’s Vice-President as he schemes to steal a new power-source for the Curseworks Factory. Ben and his friends have to save Wishworks, find Candlewick, and stop the Jinn uprising that greedy Penelope has caused. This is another fun episode full of Ben’s misadventures.

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John $16.99

Popular at Dragonwings, this story is both familiar and exotic. Orphaned Martine leaves England to live with her estranged grandmother on a game preserve in South Africa. During sleepless nights Martine befriends a mysterious white giraffe, who has inspired legends and attracted ruthless poachers. Martine’s grandmother needs to trust her grand daughter with the truth about her family, so that Martine can gain the confidence she needs to save the magical white giraffe.

New Books at Dragonwings

Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac (HarperCollins $15.99)

Twelve-year-old Baron figures that the class camping trip will just provide the bullies in his class with more opportunities to push him around, but the camp has new owners and a scary staff. Soon people are missing, a landslide blocks the road, the phone lines are cut, and it's getting dark. How can Baron get to the rock ledge where his cell phone will work, when he is being chased by bears and tracked by a bloodthirsty monster? The suspense will keep you awake until you finish the story, guaranteed.

Wilderness by Roddy Doyle (Scholastic $16.99)

Johnny and Tom, two ordinary, bickering brothers don't notice that their family is at a crossroads. They are thrilled to be going to northern Finland for an adventure vacation with their mom. Back in Ireland their teen-age step-sister is about to meet her birth mother, hoping to leave Ireland and her tiresome family behind. Then one evening, after they have been out all day on dogsleds, the boys' mother doesn't return to the lodge. It's up to the boys to rescue their family.

Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic $16.99)

After living a joyless and restricted life with her grandmother, Maya was afraid of the changes that moving to Wyoming would bring. She had never met these relatives, her grandpa known as Moose, his brother Fig, his sister Vi, and Payton, her cousin, who chooses to torment her. When Aunt Vi teaches her to ride and they spend the summer camped in teepees near the wild mustang herds, Maya falls in love with horses, begins to feel confident, and becomes part of the family. Meet a warm and wise family and the horses that they love.

Curious George at Dragonwings

Curious George Event Photos
Talk about cute photos! You can find the whole collection by clicking here for our public photo page, which allows you to view them in a slide show, order prints, and more. We'll leave them up for a month, so you will have plenty of time to make copies.
Dragonwings will be having an end-of-season clearance sale on Labor Day weekend. The early bird sale on Thursday will only be advertised on our website. Check back here for more details.

Meet the Author: Jody Fickes Shapiro Monday August 20 at 1:00 PM Family Lullaby is our favorite new bedtime book - it was just released in May! You are invited to meet Jody and hear her speak about baby bedtime rituals, and the importance of reading to babies. She will also read selections from Family Lullaby and from Up, Up, Up It's Apple Picking Time. Following her brief presentation, Jody will be signing copies of her books and will be happy to personalize them for your family or for a gift. An autographed and personalized bedtime book makes a great baby gift. If you can't make it on Monday to meet Jody, but would like signed copies of her books, give us a call at 715-256-9186 and we will set some aside for you.

Family Lullaby by Jody Fickes Shapiro
(HarperCollins $16.99)

In this gentle, bedtime story everyone in the family, even the pets, help take care of the baby throughout the day. The quiet rhythms and reassuring refrain weave a simple song of love for the baby and for the family. The illustrations are humorous with soft colors and an adorable baby. We love this story. Yes, we do.

Curious George is Coming!


Meet Curious George on August 18 at Dragonwings Bookstore.

Curious George Picnic Party
at Dragonwings Bookstore

Children are invited to a Picnic Party with the famous, mischievous monkey Curious George at Dragonwings Bookstore on Saturday, August 18. Activities will include games, crafts, and reading aloud from Curious George Flies a Kite. Following the games banana snacks will be served, Curious George will arrive, and each child will have a chance wear the Big Yellow Hat and get their picture taken with Curious George.

Reservations for this event can be made by calling Dragonwings Bookstore at 715-256-9186 or by signing up at the storefront in downtown Waupaca at 108 N. Main St. The cost for the event is $10 and includes a Curious George book and an easy to fly, colorful, nylon kite for each child. Parents are always welcome to attend for free, although seating is reserved. Picnic times are 10:00 AM or 12:00 PM. Photos will be available at this website following the event.

While you are in town for Curious George, be sure to visit the Art Fair on the Square, just a half block away from Dragonwings. There will be live entertainment, street performers, an expanded Farmers Market, children's activities, and lots of art! For more info go to the Waupaca Community Arts Board website.

Chocolate and Pastries in Paris
I have to admit that I have wandered the streets of Paris hungry and freezing in the wind and rain more than once, but that was before I discovered The Great Book of Chocolate by David Lebovitz. Talk about transformations! My last two trips to Paris were fabulous explorations of chocolate shops, patisseries and tea salons, using his Paris chapter as a guidebook. The places he recommends aren't always easy to find, but it was fun walking through neighborhoods beyond the museum circuit searching for a certain tiny shop that makes exquisite chocolates or divine ice cream. Like Goldilocks and the three Bears, we taste-tested thick, rich hot chocolates, delicate macarons, crisp pain au chocolat, and lemon tarts that made me want to sing a song of gratitude to lemon trees everywhere. If you are planning a trip to Paris, stop in and pick up a copy of The Great Book of Chocolate at Dragonwings, and I'll be happy to share some tips on how to find the shops, where we had a perfect Sunday brunch, and where I found unusual, hand-made florentines - chewy and luscious.

SET Game Challenge 2

The rules of play are in the SET Challenge 1 post. Now that you know how to play, here is the new challenge. It took me 26 seconds to find a set in the arrangement above. It took me another 44 seconds to find a second one. Can you beat that? I couldn't find any more, can you?

Good luck, and by the way, here are the answers to SET Challenge One.
There are six sets (that I could find).
1) Shape - all squiggles, Color - all different, Number - all different, Shading - all solids.
2) Shape - all oval, Color - all purple, Number - all different, Shading - all outlines.
3) Shape - all different, Color - all red, Number - all twos, Shading - all different.
4) Shape - all squiggles, Color - all green, Number - all threes, Shading - all different.
5) Shape - all different, Color - all different, Number - all threes, Shading - all different.
6) Shape - all different, Color - all different, Number - all different, Shading - all different. (Hint for #6 - one card is a single, solid, purple squiggle.)

SET Game Challenge 1

SET is one of our favorite games at Dragonwings. I have a little demo deck that I use to show people how to play. In the summers my young friend Erin and I play a game or two nearly every time she stops in. Don't worry, she lives in St. Louis, so I'm not spending all of my time playing games at work.

If you have never played, here are the basic rules. SET can be played by any number of people or by yourself. Shuffle the deck until someone insists that you stop, then place twelve cards face up in the middle of the table. Everyone plays at once trying to find sets of three cards. When they find one they call out SET and then point to the three cards they think will make a set. If everyone agrees, then that player picks up the cards and keeps them, and the dealer fills in the blank spaces. What makes a set? Each card has four features: color, shape, number, and shading. In a set, each of the four features must be either the same or different on each of the three cards. For instance, the color must be red on all three cards, or red, green and purple - one color on each card. The same with each of the other features.

Look at the SET above. I found six different sets in those twelve cards. Can you? I will list the answers in a later post, and give you a new timed challenge.

Noah and the T-Rex

One morning Noah said to his mother, "Today I am going to build an enormous T-Rex dinosaur."
"Right here in our little house?" asked his mother.
"Yes," answered Noah, "right here in the middle of our little house."
"Will we be safe?" asked his mother.
"Don't worry, Mother," said Noah, "if he is scary, I will save you.
If he sees you, I will cover his eyes.
If he chases you, I will step on his toes.
If he jumps on you, I will sit on his tail.
And, if he wants to eat you, I will take out his teeth!"
"Thank you, Noah," said his mother. "You are very brave and I know that I will be safe with you."
So, brave Noah carefully opened a big box, took out the pieces, and began to build an enormous T-Rex dinosaur right in the middle of his little house.
The End.

Noah is the grandson of Dragonwings staff member and proud grandmother, Joanne Kennedy.
The giant T-Rex can be built from a floor puzzle available at Dragonwings.

Try this game challenge.

Here is a set-up of Labyrinth, one of my favorite games. See if you can create a path for each marker to its chosen "treasure". This isn't an interactive gameboard, so you will have to visualize your moves. This is good practice for the game, because you have to visualize all of your possibilities before you move the tiles. As in most games, once you make a move you can't take it back!

How the game works: the rows of tiles that can be shifted are marked by arrows along the edge of the game board. You shift a row by pushing it with the extra tile from one end until a tile slides off of the other end of the row. You can use the extra tile vertically or horizontally.

To get you started, here is how the red marker can get to the mouse in one move:
Find the second row up from the bottom right-hand corner, using the extra tile in a vertical position, imagine shifting the row from right to left until your tile is all of the way in, and the end tile on the left is pushed off the board. Now trace your path to the mouse.

Once you find the mouse, try each of the other markers. There is a treasure card next to each one. Using the original set-up and the original extra tile, try to make a path from each marker to its treasure in one move. I will post the answers above. Good luck!

Summer Books

Look what's coming this summer...

I've been reading like crazy getting to know the new books coming out this summer. Here are some of my favorites.

Ranger’s Apprentice Book Three: The Icebound Land by John Flanagan

Will and Evanlyn are now captives on a wolfship, bound for Scandia and a life of slavery, while Halt and Horace are battling their way north to rescue them. I have loved Flanagan’s characters since the first chapters of Book One; they are brave and resourceful with a sense of humor that is endearing. Their friendship bonds are deep, and in this book, they are all Will has left in the world.

Summer Ball by Mike Lupica

After meeting Danny Walker in Travel Team, we know that he is a passionately talented basketball player despite his small size. A year later the thrill of being national champions has worn off, and at basketball camp Danny and his friends meet old rivals and big kids with ambitious plans, who want to knock Danny out of their way. Even though I’ve never been a sports fan, I devour Lupica’s books without stopping to breathe.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

A distant war in Vietnam casts a long shadow across the world to Holling Hoodhood’s hometown, where he is struggling to understand Shakespeare, girls, teachers, friendship, and the gods of baseball. Every time Holling is in another nearly unbearable predicament, like wearing yellow tights and tail feathers on stage instead of meeting Mickey Mantle, things seem to go from bad to worse. This book is a winner.

Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record
by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
(first chapter book)
Ivy loves books and science, Bean loves adventures and action; when these two best friends put their heads together to set a world record the results are hilarious. This is the third book in a series full of mishaps and mischief.

Curious George Picnic Party
Saturday, August 18
Reservations $10

Join us for a Picnic Party and meet our special guest Curious George! We'll have stories, games, crafts, and banana snacks. Each child will receive a Curious George book, a kite, and a photo with Curious George. This event is planned as a sit-down party with decorations and party favors. Parents are always welcome and always free, but will not have a chair at the tables. Reservations are a must for this event. It will be offered at two times - 10:00 am and 12:00 pm on Saturday August 18. To make a reservation call 715-256-9186.

Dear Harry, Please don't go...

Dragonwings has lots of plans for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this summer, but first, doesn't it make you sad? It's like having your best friends move away... forever.

And knowing that some characters are going to die is very worrisome, because what if it isn't just minor characters or bad guys? Most people that I talk to at Dragonwings, think it will be Harry and Voldemort. I know that's likely, but this story is not turning out the way that I hoped.

I wanted Dumbledore to retire, but continue to live in his tower, advising Harry, Ron and Hermione, who after some exciting adventures confronting Voldemort and his followers, would return to Hogwarts, where they would take over running the school and expand its activities to include defeating the Death Eaters once and for all.

Unfortunately, I've never had a chance to meet J.K. Rowling and share my great plot ideas with her. If I didn't know that she had the arc of the story planned out from the beginning, I would have thought that she had written herself into a corner, and wouldn't be able to extricate herself without offending nearly all of her readers. But, the truth is, she is brilliant, and I'm looking forward to reading every one of these last pages of Harry's saga.