Special Collections
Accelerated Reader (ATOS Level: 3.0-3.9)
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Spring According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneySpring is in the air, and lots of things are growing--including the Room 26 family!
Signs of spring are very exciting to everyone at Longfellow School. Mrs. Brisbane's class has seen flowers poking out of snow and baby birds hatching, and Just-Joey even brought in tadpoles that are growing into frogs.
It also means Family Fun Night is coming up, and all of the students' families are involved in making amazing activities. Humphrey helps in many ways, of course, but he can't stop wondering about his own family. He doesn't know anything about his mom or dad.
Luckily, all of his wonderful friends help him see that families come in many shapes and sizes, and Humphrey's might be the biggest (and best!) one of all.
Amber Brown Horses Around
by Paula Danziger and Bruce Coville and Elizabeth Levy and Anthony LewisThe most colorful chapter-book character is going to camp!
Amber Brown is one happy camper. She and her best friend, Justin, are spending the summer at Camp Cushetunk. Learning to ride Cinnamon, the sweetest horse ever, is so amazing that Amber doesn't even mind shoveling her poop.
Then Amber becomes the target of a series of pranks. Certain she knows who is behind them, Amber and her friends come up with the biggest prank ever to get revenge. But the outcome is not what they expect.
Turns out horsing around can lead to big trouble. But sometimes, Amber is surprised to learn, big trouble can lead to big changes for the better.
Marvin Redpost
by Louis SacharDoes anybody like being the new kid at school? The new kid, Joe Normal, doesn't, and since his parents are always moving, he is forced to be the new kid again and again. Joe tries to fit in, but the kids never like him. They talk about him behind his back for kissing the flagpole, they laugh out loud at him in class when he doesn't know what an elephant is because he says there aren't many of them in Chicago where he's from.
At recess they don't want to let him in line to play ball and after school they say if he goes home with them to play, their dog will bite him. Marvin agrees that a kid who shakes hands with everyone he meets is weird, but even if it means Marvin's friends will stop playing with him, Marvin decides to take Joe home. Marvin thinks it's hard being the new kid.
Strange things continue to happen when Joe and Marvin go home. Joe is wild about Jell-O, teaches the family to play a new game where they step on paper plates instead of slimy fish, and eats his pizza with a knife and fork, but everyone, even Marvin's teen aged brother, likes Joe. Marvin and Joe become best friends and suddenly the kids at school like Joe, too.
Then why does Joe come to Marvin's house in a big limo driven by soldiers? What does all of this have to do with a giant flying birthday cake with green frosting?
A Flying Birthday Cake?
by Louis Sachar and Amy WummerMarvin and Stuart get to sleep over at Nick Tuffle's house for Nick's birthday. They set out sleeping bags in the Tuffles' backyard. Stuart and Nick fall right to sleep, but Marvin tosses and turns. Then he hears a noise, and something glowing zooms over his head. Is it really a flying birthday cake? Or something else? The next day, a very strange new kid shows up at school. . . .
Horrible Harry Bugs the Three Bears
by Suzy KlineHorrible Harry has always loved insects, and he's recently discovered a new favorite: earwigs! When he tries to share his passion for the creepy critters, though, no one but Song Lee will listen to him. So when Miss Mackle assigns the class to act out a fairy tale, Harry takes the opportunity to rewrite the classic "Goldilocks and the Three Bears. " And his version gets everyone in room 3B to pay attention to earwigs. But will the class think his play is hilarious . . . or horrible? As an added bonus, the complete text of Harry's play is included in the back of the book, so readers can perform it, too.
The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate and Patricia CastelaoIvan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home-and his own art-through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
Newbery Medal Winner
Crazy Lady
by Jane Leslie ConlyReceiving less and less attention from his widowed father, Vernon joins with his friends as they ridicule the neighborhood outcasts--Maxine, an alcoholic prone to public displays of crazy behavior, and Ronald, her retarded son. Then the social service decides to put Ronald into a special home, and Vernon finds himself fighting the agency. 1994 Newbery Honor Book
Notable Children's Books of 1994 (ALA)
1994 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
1994 Young Adult Editors' Choices (BL)
1994 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
Young Adult Choices for 1995 (IRA)
Waiting for Normal
by Leslie ConnorAddie is waiting for normal.
But Addie's mom has an all-or-nothing approach to life: a food fiesta or an empty pantry, jubilation or gloom, her way or no way. All or nothing never adds up to normal. All or nothing can't bring you all to home, which is exactly where Addie longs to be, with her half sisters, every day. In spite of life's twists and turns, Addie remains optimistic. Someday, maybe, she'll find normal.
Leslie Connor has created an inspiring novel about one girl's giant spirit.
Schneider Family Award Winner
Big Bad Detective Agency
by Bruce HaleFrom the comic genius behind CHET GECKO comes a new kind of fairy tale hero -- and a big, bad, crime-solving adventure! The houses of all Three (not-so-) Little Pigs were broken into and ransacked, and the Pigs are squealing for justice. So Prince Tyrone, ruler of Fairylandia, drags in the obvious suspect: Wolfgang. The lone wolf has big teeth, sharp claws, no alibi -- and a single day to find the real culprit and clear his big bad name. When Wolf (reluctantly) teams up with the fourth Little Pig to crack the case, the Big Bad Detective Agency -- and an adventure way funnier than your average fairy tale -- is off to a howling start!
Dash
by Kirby LarsonNew from Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson, the moving story of a Japanese-American girl who is separated from her dog upon being sent to an incarceration camp during WWII.
Commander Toad and the Space Pirates
by Jane YolenIt's been a long trip, and Commander Toad and the crew of the Star Warts are bored. They've played all the games and watched all the movies and read all the books on the ship .Then, suddenly, the alarm goes off. Before they know what is happening, the Star Warts has been boarded by pirates, led by Commander Salamander, Scourge of the Skies and Goon of the Galaxies. He's ugly, green and very mean, and he likes to make his captives play Hop the Plank--an extremely dangerous game in outer space. Can Commander Toad and his crew escape?
Judy Moody Gets Famous!
by Megan McdonaldGood moods, bad moods, can't-stand-Jessica-Finch moods. Judy Moody is back with her many hilarious moods. Fans of Judy Moody already know that Judy has a mood for every occasion--and this time Judy is in a jealous mood. Jealous of classmate Jessica Finch, that is, who gets her picture on the front page of the newspaper. When Judy sets off in pursuit of her own fame and happiness, watch out! She's so determined, she just might find it, or she might merely become more INFAMOUS than ever. Her latest adventures are sure to put readers in a very Judy Moody mood!
Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth
by Barbara Park and Denise BrunkusSometimes life is P.U.Junie B.'s having a rough week. First she got punishment for shooting off her mouth in kindergarten. And now she's in big trouble again! 'Cause Monday is Job Day, and Junie B. told her class that she's got the bestest job of all. Only, what the heck is it?
Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook
by Barbara Park and Denise BrunkusA terrible thing happened to Junie B. Jones! And it's called -- someone took her new black furry mittens! And they kept them! They didn't even put them in the Lost and Found at school. So when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen on the floor, she should be allowed to keep it, too. Right? That's fair. Right? Right?
Junie B., First Grader
by Barbara ParkShip Ahoy! Room One is putting on a play. And guess what? It's about explorers looking for the New World! And there's ships and sea captains and everything! Plus here's the bestest news of all--Junie B. Jones thinks she might be the star of the whole entire production! Only, sailing the ocean blue is not as easy as it looks, apparently. 'Cause problems keep on happening. Like the actors keep catching the flu. And bossy May keeps trying to take over the show. Can this play be saved? Will the ships ever get to land? Or is Room One in for a disaster at sea that they will never forget?
The Class Election From The Black Lagoon
by Mike ThalerEveryone has to run for something in the class election. But youd rather run for your life! Even worse, youre running against Doris, whos bought whole classs votes with ice cream. And if you lose the election, they might vote you out of school!
Superfudge
by Judy BlumeSometimes life in the Hatcher household is enough to make twelve-year-old Peter think about running away. His worst problem is still his younger brother, Fudge, who hasn't changed a bit since his crazy capers in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. If you ask Peter, Fudge is just an older — and bigger — pain.Then Peter learns that his mom is going to have a baby and the whole family is moving to Princeton for a year. It will be bad enough starting sixth grade in a strange place and going to the same school as Fudge. But Peter can imagine something even worse. How will he ever survive if the new baby is a carbon copy of Fudge?
Superfudge
by Judy BlumeSometimes life in the Hatcher household is enough to make twelve-year-old Peter think about running away. His worst problem is still his younger brother, Fudge, who hasn't changed a bit since his crazy capers in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. If you ask Peter, Fudge is just an older — and bigger — pain.Then Peter learns that his mom is going to have a baby and the whole family is moving to Princeton for a year. It will be bad enough starting sixth grade in a strange place and going to the same school as Fudge. But Peter can imagine something even worse. How will he ever survive if the new baby is a carbon copy of Fudge?
Superfudge
by Judy BlumeSometimes life in the Hatcher household is enough to make twelve-year-old Peter think about running away. His worst problem is still his younger brother, Fudge, who hasn't changed a bit since his crazy capers in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. If you ask Peter, Fudge is just an older -- and bigger -- pain.
Then Peter learns that his mom is going to have a baby and the whole family is moving to Princeton for a year. It will be bad enough starting sixth grade in a strange place and going to the same school as Fudge. But Peter can imagine something even worse. How will he ever survive if the new baby is a carbon copy of Fudge?
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
The Littles Give a Party
by John PetersonIt's a dangerous life, being smaller than six inches tall so it's truly amazing that Granny will be turning eighty on her Fourth of July birthday. Instead of being excited about it, she's worried that she's too old and has stopped paying attention to anything. Tom and Lucy, her great grandchildren and their family think a big party will cheer her up. The trouble is, most of Granny's favorite people think they are too old to travel to the party and riding in Cousin Dinky's glider is too risky. The Little's have a long list of adventures ahead to pull off the party. They must rig up a swimming pool, smuggle hot dogs, and hardest of all, they have to sneak young Henry's toy airplane out of his room at night to fly the guests to the party. Except for having to hear Dinky's terrible singing, it's all worth it because Granny is so excited to see her friends. Bookshare has many more books about the family who uses thimbles for wastebaskets and finger puppets on cereal boxes for costumes. Some of the Little's books are: The Littles, The Littles Take a Trip, The Littles and the Surprise Thanksgiving Guests, The Littles to the Rescue, Tom Little's Halloween Scare, The Littles and the Trash Tinies, The Littles Go to School, The Littles Get Trapped, and The Littles and the Missing Cat.
Arthur's Thanksgiving
by Marc BrownArthur the Aardvark finds it's hard to direct the Thanksgiving play. His classmates forget what to say, their costumes don't fit, and they're going to quit if he can't find someone to be the turkey. Ages 4-8. The pictures are described. A short fun read aloud or alone book. Read more about Arthur, his sister D. W. and his Friends. Bookshare has: Arthur Goes to Camp, Arthur Helps Out, Arthur Loses A Friend, Arthur Lost and Found, Arthur lost in the Museum, Arthur Tells A Story, Arthur Tricks The Tooth Fairy, Arthur and the Dog Show, Arthur to the Rescue, Arthur's April Fool, Arthur's Birthday, Arthur's Chicken Pox, Arthur's Eyes, Arthur's Family Vacation, Arthur's Halloween, Arthur's Mystery Babysitter, Arthur's Reading Race, Arthur's TV Trouble, Arthur's Teacher Moves In, Arthur's Teacher Trouble, Arthur's Tree House, Arthur's Underwear, D. W.'s Guide To Good Manners, D. W. Flips, D. W. Go To Your Room, Glasses for D. W. and more.
Horrible Harry and the Mud Gremlins
by Suzy KlineNo one knows why Harry is wearing a necklace. Sidney thinks they're for girls. But when Harry opens the necklace cover to reveal a mini-microscope, the whole class is intrigued. Everyone wants to try it, so Harry promises to show them all some wicked-looking fungi at recess. But he doesn't mentiom that to see them they'll need to go outside the fence-and that means breaking a school rule. Will everyone follow him? What if Miss Mackle finds out? Has Harry gone too far this time? Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. .
April Fool's Day
by Carolyn Keene and Macky PamintuanNancy, George, and Bess have been invited to an April Fool's Day party at their new schoolmate's house. It sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun -- each guest is bringing a gag to the party, and the best prank will win a special prize.
When two of the guests' fancy new electronics go missing, Nancy knows something's up. Is this someone's idea of a joke? The Clue Crew certainly isn't laughing, and they're on the case to find the missing gadgets.
Treasure Trouble
by Carolyn KeeneIn #20, the girls run into trouble at Barnacle Beach when a party's treasure chest is stolen. In #21, a rival sleuthing club is formed at River Heights Elementary School, will Nancy's club be permanently off the case?
Double Take
by Carolyn KeeneIn Treasure Trouble, Nancy, George, and Bess are headed to Barnacle Beach for a pirate-themed birthday party. But when the treasure chest filled with party favors disappears, playtime is over. With the help of a mysterious treasure map, the Clue Crew needs to reclaim the missing loot before the party’s completely ruined. In Double Take, the Clue Crew has competition—one of their classmates has started a rival sleuthing club! Can Nancy and the girls solve the latest case before the phony detectives do?