AFTER THE TRAIN
Gloria Whelan
HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780060295967
Ages 8-12
160 pages

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Peter Liebig can't wait for summer. He's tired of classrooms, teachers and the endless lectures about the horrible Nazis. The war has been over for 10 years, and besides, his town of Rolfen, West Germany, has moved on nicely. Despite its bombed-out church, it looks just as calm and pretty as ever. There is money to be made at the beach, and there are whole days to spend with Father at his job. And, of course, there's soccer. But when Peter stumbles across a letter he was never meant to see, he unravels a troubling secret.

EMMALINE AND THE BUNNY
written and illustrated by Katherine Hannigan
Greenwillow Books
ISBN: 9780061626548
Ages 7-12
112 pages

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Emmaline lives in a very tidy town, but she isn’t tidy. She likes to hop, hop, hop and holler “Hoopalala!” And, more than anything, Emmaline wants a bunny.

Orson Oliphant is mayor of the town. He is very tidy. Orson Oliphant does not like hopping and hollering. And, more than anything, Orson Oliphant does not like animals. He has banished them all, including bunnies.

But there is still one special, secret place in town where animals can hop and fly and be free --- a place where there is a bunny.

Is there a way for Emmaline to have a bunny of her own?

THE FARWALKER’S QUEST
Joni Sensel
Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
ISBN: 9781599902722
Ages 8-12
384 pages

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Ariel has always been curious, but when she and her best friend Zeke stumble upon a mysterious old telling dart, she feels an unexplained need to figure out what it means. Magically flying great distances and only revealing their messages to the intended recipient, telling darts haven’t been used for years, and no one knows how they work. So when two strangers show up looking for the dart, Ariel and Zeke realize that their discovery is not only interesting, but very dangerous. The telling dart and the strangers lead them on a journey more perilous and encompassing than either can imagine, and in the process both Zeke and Ariel find their true calling.

THE MOUSEHUNTER
Alex Milway
Little, Brown for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316024549
Ages 8-12
448 pages

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In Emiline's world, there are thousands of species of mice, some rarer than others. Mousehunters travel the world collecting the rarest and most special breeds, from the wily and deadly Sharpclaw Mouse to the dog-sized Elephant Mouse and the quick-as-lightning Comet Mouse.

For Emiline, a mousekeeper in the employ of wealthy Isiah Lovelock, there is no greater dream than becoming a famous mousehunter. So when she is given the opportunity to join the hunt for the legendary pirate Mousebeard, she sets off on the most dangerous, most thrilling, most swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime.

SENSIBLE HARE AND THE CASE OF CARROTS
Daren King
Putnam Juvenile
ISBN: 9780399250385
Ages 7-9
96 pages

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Sensible Hare is on the hunt for lovely Mazy Rabbit’s missing suitcase of carrots. But Mazy’s case turns out to be more than Sensible bargained for. A bunch of poker-playing villains are also after the suitcase and lead Sensible on a wild adventure of train chases, secret tunnels leading to secret hideouts, and bad guys in disguise, putting Sensible on the wrong side of the law. But not to fear! Sensible has his very clever friend, Ottoman Otter, and his kung-fu feet and ears to see him through.

THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY
Kathryn Fitzmaurice
The Bowen Press/HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780061624971
Ages 9-12
288 pages

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Eleanor "Groovy" Robinson loves cooking and plans to go to culinary school just as soon as she's old enough. But even Groovy's thoughtfully planned menus won't fix the things that start to go wrong the year she turns 11. Suddenly, her father is in jail, her best friend's long-absent mother reappears, and the swallows that make their annual migration to her hometown arrive surprisingly early. As Groovy begins to expect the unexpected, she learns about the importance of forgiveness, understands the complex stories of the people around her, and realizes that even an earthquake can't get in the way of a family that needs to come together.

100 Cupboards

DANDELION FIRE: Book 2 of the 100 Cupboards
N.D. Wilson
Random House Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780375838835
Ages 9-12
480 pages

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Henry York never dreamed his time in Kansas would open a door to adventure --- much less a hundred doors. But a visit to his aunt and uncle’s farm took an amazing turn when cupboard doors, hidden behind Henry’s bedroom wall, revealed themselves to be portals to other worlds. Now, with his time at the farm drawing to a close, Henry makes a bold decision --- he must go through the cupboards to find the truth about where he’s from and who his parents are. Following that trail will take him from one world to another, and ultimately into direct conflict with the evil of Endor.

Sassy

SASSY: LITTLE SISTER IS NOT MY NAME!
Sharon M. Draper
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780545071512
Ages 7-10
112 pages

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It’s not easy being nine, especially when you’re Sassy Simone Sanford. Especially when you were named for sticking out your tongue on the day you were born. Especially when everyone in your family calls you Little Sister. And if that’s not bad enough, imagine being the youngest in the family. Imagine watching your big brother and sister have all the fun. Imagine being left out of the cool stuff your older siblings get to do --- just because you’re younger. Just because you’re in the fourth grade. Just because Mom and Dad rule. Well, nothing stops Sassy. All she has to do is reach into her Sassy Sack to find the right lip gloss, hair clip or rubber band, and life’s problems get solved. And thanks to her best friends, Carmelita, Jazzy and Tandy, the most sour situations can become as sweet as honey!

Seekers

SEEKERS #2: GREAT BEAR LAKE
Erin Hunter
HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780060871253
Ages 10-up
320 pages

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Young black bear Lusa has left the comfort of the zoo, determined against all odds to make her way in the wild. It is there that she encounters grizzly cub Toklo and a mysterious changeling named Ujurak. Once united, the cubs find themselves on a journey toward a mystical place --- if only they knew where.

Meanwhile, separated from her family, polar bear cub Kallik trusts her intuition to lead her on a path traveled by many bears before her. At last the four cubs meet at the sacred Great Bear Lake, a place of peace and healing where bears gather to celebrate the longest day.

But all is not harmonious. Danger lurks beneath the calm surface of the lake, and only if they put aside their differences and truly come together will the young bears have any chance of surviving the harsh realities of the wild.

Skeleton Creek

SKELETON CREEK
Patrick Carman
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780545075664
Ages 10-up
144 pages

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Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek --- and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her videocam to search things out…and then email the clips for Ryan to see.
In a new, groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts --- Ryan's text in the book, and Sarah's videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

Suddenly Supernatural

SUDDENLY SUPERNATURAL: SCAREDY KAT
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Little, Brown for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316066853
Ages 8-12
256 pages

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In this second Suddenly Supernatural book, Kat can see spirits, but what’s even worse is the fact that the spirits --- especially the exceptionally needy ones --- can see her. As she discovers, there’s really no way to run from dead people, and sometimes being sought out by a whole bunch of them can be pretty scary. So when an exploration of the abandoned house next door leads to Kat and her best friend Jac on a search for a missing boy, Kat is not sure if she wants to help, or even if she can.

Sequel to THE NEDDIAD

THE YGGYSSEY: How Iggy Wondered What Happened to All the Ghosts, Found Out Where They Went, and Went There
Daniel Pinkwater
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780618594450
Ages 10-up
256 pages

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La Brea Woman is missing, and so is Valentino. The ghosts of Los Angeles are disappearing right and left! Iggy Birnbaum is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, no matter what Neddie Wentworthstein and Seamus Finn say. There’s just the little matter of traveling to another plane of existence…and then, of course, not getting on a witch’s bad side once she arrives.

From L.A. to Old New Hackensack, fans of THE NEDDIAD will be delighted to join up with Iggy, Neddie, Seamus and the usual apparitional entourage for another weird and wonderful adventure by Daniel Pinkwater.

ELEANOR, QUIET NO MORE: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt
written by Doreen Rappaport
illustrated by Gary Kelley
Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 9780786851416
Ages 8-up
48 pages

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Eleanor Roosevelt was raised in a privileged but stern Victorian household, with an affectionate but mostly absent father and a critical mother who made fun of her daughter's looks. Alone and lonely for much of her childhood, Eleanor found solace in books and in the life of her lively and independent mind. Her intellectual gifts and compassionate heart won her the admiration of many friends --- and the love of her future husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

While other young women of her class were spending time at dances and parties, Eleanor devoted her energies to teaching children in New York City's poorest neighborhoods. Later, she became the most socially and politically active --- and controversial --- First Lady America had ever seen. Ambassador, activist and champion of civil rights, Eleanor Roosevelt changed the soul of America forever.

THE EMPEROR OF ABSURDIA
written and illustrated by Chris Riddell
HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780061449291
Ages 4-8
32 pages

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What kind of world is it where children are in charge and fishes swim the skies? Where dinner comes before lunch, but then lunch hatches and runs off to fetch its --- uh-oh --- big, bad mama? But that's nothing compared to what the Emperor discovers when he wakes up the next morning!

From a two-time winner of the most prestigious picture-book award in Britain comes an adventure in which the extraordinary is ordinary and nothing is ever quite what it seems.

PRINCESS BESS GETS DRESSED
written by Margery Cuyler
illustrated by Heather Maione
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN: 9781416938330
Ages 4-8
32 pages

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Princess Bess spends her days in fancy, perfect princess clothes. For a ball, she wears a gown with sequins and lace; for muffins with the queen, it’s velveteen; and for her ballet lessons, pink is a must. Her favorite outfit of them all, however, is a secret: It’s what Bess wears underneath her many princess clothes!

SPARROW GIRL
written by Sara Pennypacker
illustrated by Yoko Tanaka
Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 9781423111870
Ages 5-9
40 pages

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Ming-Li looked up and tried to imagine the sky silent, empty of birds. It was a terrible thought. Her country's leader had called sparrows the enemy of the farmers --- they were eating too much grain, he said. He announced a great "Sparrow War" to banish them from China, but Ming-Li did not want to chase the birds away. As the people of her village gathered with firecrackers and gongs to scatter the sparrows, Ming-Li held her ears and watched in dismay. The birds were falling from the trees, frightened to death! Ming-Li knew she had to do something --- even if she couldn't stop the noise. Quietly, she vowed to save as many sparrows as she could, one by one...

YOU NEVER HEARD OF SANDY KOUFAX?!
written by Jonah Winter
illustrated by André Carrilho
Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House
ISBN: 9780375837388
Ages 4-9
40 pages

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In this striking picture book biography, an old-timer tells us what made Sandy Koufax so amazing. We learn that the beginning of his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers was rocky, that he was shy with his teammates and experienced discrimination as one of the only Jewish people in the game. We hear that he actually quit, only to return the next season --- different --- firing one rocket after another over the plate. We watch him refuse to play in the 1965 World Series because it is a Jewish high holy day. And we see him in pain because of an overused left arm, eventually retiring at the peak of his career. Finally, we are told that people are still “scratchin’ their heads over Sandy,” who remains a modest hero and a mystery to this day.