Zoomer

Zoomer
by Ned Young

His brothers, Hooper and Cooper, may be getting ready for a day at school but Zoomer has other plans for the day. Ned Young tells a fun family story with bright, cheerful illustrations and great details. While the puppies play a game of baseball in their father's bedroom, the birds have started an early morning bowling game. While Zoomer builds the world's biggest sand brontosaurus, the birds play croquet. This funny book with its humorous ending and great illustrations would be just perfect for shared reading time.

The Last Summer of the Death Warriors

The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
by Francisco X. Stork

Pancho's life has been filled with death: his mother died when he was five, his father died in an all too recent accident, and his older sister, Rosa, was recently murdered. The police try to claim that Rosa died of natural causes, but Pancho disagrees and makes plans for revenge. Without any family, Pancho is sent to the orphanage St. Anthony where he meets, D.Q., who is dying from brain cancer. As their friendship grows, Pancho remains focused on death while D.Q. holds on to life.

Frankie Works the Night Shift

Frankie Works the Night Shift
by Lisa Westberg Peters
Illustrated by Jennifer Taylor

What do you mean Frankie is a naughty kitty? He's just doing his job and doing his best. The hardware store may be closed for the night, but Frankie has a lot to get done: emptying the waste basket, cleaning the counters, and keeping out intruders! Don't worry, Frankie gets it all done, and just in time to start the day. In a combination of digital photography and illustrations, the pictures for this book have a wonderful realistic feel mixed with the fun of collage and found art pieces.

Fever Crumb

Fever Crumb
by Philip Reeve

Fever is no ordinary girl; she never has been. As a baby, she was found by Dr. Crumb, a man of rational thought and reason, as are all members of the Order of the Engineers. The only thing Dr. Crumb knows for certain about Fever is her name from the note tied around her wrist when she was found: "Her name is Fever". While in this time and place girls are viewed as highly irrational, Dr. Crumb believes that perhaps if raised by the Order, she could become a useful Engineer after all. After fourteen years in Dr. Crumb's care and as apprentice in the Order, Fever's assistance has been requested. Fever must venture away from the place she has known and into a world that views her eyes of different colors and shaved head as things to be feared. This book is instantly engaging with its imperfect characters and eerily familiar yet strange setting. Fever's world is a mix of futuristic problems and bits of technology only partially remembered in a harsh society. Fever Crumb received deserved starred reviews in both School Library Journal and Booklist. More on Fever Crumb here: http://www.scholastic.com/fevercrumb/

Positively Pooh

Positively Pooh:
Timeless Wisdom from Pooh
by A. A. Milne
Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

An endearing book filled with classic Pooh wisdom of how best to live a happy life. Four sweet chapters: "For your inner bear", "For those bothersome days", "For when you're in a tight place", and "For those hummy sort of days" give lessons that can only be learned from Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. This book would make a great give idea for a dear friend, a friend in need of a pick-me-up, or for the new graduate. As the inscription from Pooh reads, "For someone spechal, with hums from a dear friend."