August Recommendations

Novels:

DARING DARLEEN, QUEEN OF THE SCREEN, by Anne Nesbit, stars Darleen Darling—aka Daring Darleen--who has been performing in silent pictures since she was six. Now she's twelve, and familiar with the shenanigans her extended family puts her through to keep Matchbox Studios afloat. But when Aunt Shirley concocts a fake kidnapping as a publicity stunt, things do NOT go as planned. For one thing, Darleen talks her way into a car where Miss Victorine Berryman, a famous young heiress, is herself being kidnapped at the very same time and place. This is a fun romp through the silent film industry and Fort Lee, New Jersey, of 1914. (MG)

Graphic Novels:

THE POSTMAN FROM SPACE, by Guillaume Perreault, translated by Francoise Bui, stars Bob, a mail carrier who delivers the mail not just “door-to-door, but also planet-to-planet.” Every day, Bob enjoys his simple and orderly routine, and his unvarying postal route. One morning, however, his boss decides that Bob will be reassigned. Things get crazy on the new route, but one thing’s for sure: “today is a day he’ll never forget.” It’s offbeat, and very sweet. And there’s quite the Little Prince reference when he makes Delivery #4. (MG)

In TRESPASSERS, by Breena Bard, Gabby and her family visit their lakeside cottage for a week of summer vacation, but this year might be the last if her dad's job forces them to move too far away. Gabby wants to spend her time at the lake reading mysteries, but when she meets the new neighbor kids, she gets drawn into investigating an actual death that occurred years ago at a nearby cabin. But the best clues are all locked away inside… the straightforward story and art make it a really accessible graphic novel. (MG)

In SNAPDRAGON, by Kat Leyh, Snap lives in a town with a witch who, according to the dumb kids at her school, “eats roadkill, and casts spells with bones.” But when this supposed witch patches up Snap's dog, Good Boy, Snap realizes there’s a lot more to the old woman than her reputation. A bit creepy and quirky, but mostly loving and magical, this is yet another graphic novel that’s well worth reading. (MG)

Picture Books / Easy Readers:

I HAVE A BALLOON and WHERE IS MY BALLOON? written by Ariel Bernstein, illustrated by Scott Magoon, are two books that revolve around a shiny red balloon and a sock that has "a star and a perfectly shaped hole." In the first, Owl has the balloon, which Monkey badly wants. But when Owl becomes interested in the sock, suddenly its value grows in monkey’s eyes. Then Lemur arrives… In the second book, Monkey is taking care of Owl’s balloon, until—OOPS—the balloon pops. When Owl returns, Monkey tries to pass off all kinds of red objects as the balloon, but Owl isn’t buying it. These books feature bold, expressive art, and few words per page, making them appropriate for kids who are learning to read, as well as the picture book set.

FLUBBY IS NOT A GOOD PET! and FLUBBY WILL NOT PLAY WITH THAT, by J. E. Morris, feature a most infuriating feline who won’t sing or catch, jump or run. But when a storm gets scary, he’s just the right kind of pet to have around. And... stubborn Flubby won’t play with any of the toys bought at Pat’s Pet Store. Luckily, there’s a perfect toy for Flubby anyway. These are full color books with spare text that work well for both picture book lovers and easy readers alike. Flubby’s design is perfect—just a few lines and oh, so much personality.

--Lynn