Geo Librarian

1 2 3 Moose An Animal Counting Book photography by Art Wolfe, text by Andrea Helman little bigfoot, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-63217-032-3 Ages 0-3 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK 1 wolf, 2 moose, 3 cougars, and more! Award-winning nature photographer Art Wolfe’s engaging photos of animals introduce young children to wildlife while also teaching them numbers and how to count in this colorful and educational board book. REVIEW For parents and youngsters who are great animal and nature fans this makes for a great read.  In addition to the counting aspect of the book (from 1 to too many to count!), there are gorgeous photographs representing different animal species, including moose, a wolf pup, orcas, auklets, and snow geese.  The author also includes an interesting fact about each species, such as the fact that cougar kittens purr when they are happy or that orca babies double in size in their fi...

SUMMERLOST by Ally Condie Dutton Children's Books, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-399-18719-3 Ages 9-12 ABOUT THE BOOK It's the first real summer since the devastating accident that killed Cedar's father and younger brother, Ben. But now Cedar and what’s left of her family are returning to the town of Iron Creek for the summer. They’re just settling into their new house when a boy named Leo, dressed in costume, rides by on his bike. Intrigued, Cedar follows him to the renowned Summerlost theatre festival. Soon, she not only has a new friend in Leo and a job working concessions at the festival, she finds herself surrounded by mystery. The mystery of the tragic, too-short life of the Hollywood actress who haunts the halls of Summerlost. And the mystery of the strange gifts that keep appearing for Cedar. Infused with emotion and rich with understanding, Summerlost is the touching middle grade debut from Ally Condie, the international bestselling author of the Matched series,...

SECRETS OF THE DRAGON TOMB by Patrick Samphire, illustrations by Jeremy Holmes Henry Holt & Company, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-8050-9906-5 Middle Grade Spec/Fantasy Age 9-12 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Mars in 1816 is a world of high society, deadly danger, and strange clockwork machines. Twelve-year-old Edward Sullivan wants to become a spy like the ones he reads about in his favorite magazine, Thrilling Martian Tales , but he’s far too busy keeping his eccentric family from disaster. All of that is about to change. In the north, great dragon tombs hide marvels of Ancient Martian technology, and the villainous archaeologist Sir Titus Dane is determined to loot one. When Sir Titus kidnaps Edward’s parents, Edward, his sisters, and their mysterious cousin set off in pursuit across the Martian wilderness. Together they must battle Sir Titus’s minions, dodge hungry pterodactyls, and escape fearsome Martian hunting machin...

STOWAWAY! Puppy Pirates #1 by Erin Soderberg, illustrated by Russ Cox Random House, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-553-51167-3 Ages 6-9 Source: ARC from author All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Ahoy, mateys! Set sail for fun and adventure on a pirate ship full of puppies! Wally is a pup with a nose for adventure. So when he stumbles onto a ragtag group of puppies who sail the seven seas, he knows he has to join the fun! But if pirates are supposed to be gruff and tough, this furry little guy isn’t exactly first-mate material.  Does he have what it takes to become a full-fledged puppy pirate? Two perennial kid favorites—dogs and pirates—combine in this new chapter-book series perfect for fans of the Rainbow Magic series and all things piraty! REVIEW Wally, a golden retriever pup, left the farm in order to find a place to call home.  When he encounters a crew of puppy pirates he is determined to join them.  The problem is that he is ...

RASCALLY RABBITS! And More True Stories of Animals Behaving Badly! by Aline Alexander Newman National Geographic Kids, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-4263-2308-9 Ages 7-10 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK These bunnies may look adorable, but there's more than meets the eye! In Rascally Rabbits, meet some rabbits that cause nothing but trouble, a rescue pup who will eat ANYTHING, and a sneaky bear with a taste for treats. Readers won't stop laughing as they read these hilarious--and completely true!--stories. Filled with engaging photos, fast facts, and fascinating sidebars, readers won't want to put this book down. REVIEW Animals can add a great deal to our lives, but like children they can be difficult at times as well.  In this National Geographic Chapters book the stories of trouble-causing animals are presented.  Escaping rabbits, rabbit and goat friendships, a thieving bear, and a mischievous dog all make an appe...

I SURVIVED THE JOPLIN TORNADO, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis Scholastic, 2015 ISBN: 9780545852326 MG Historical fiction  Ages 8-12 Source: school library All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A destructive force is about to hit the city of Joplin... Eleven-year-old Dexter has always wanted to see a tornado. So when he gets the incredible opportunity to go storm chasing with the famous Dr. Norman Gage, he has to say yes!  Dr. Rays is the host of Tornado Mysteries, the show that Dex and his older brother, Jeremy, watched every night until Jeremy joined the U.S. Navy SEALs and left Joplin. Dex certainly knows how deadly tornadoes can be, but this one isn't heading toward Joplin, and wouldn't it be great to have a brave and exciting story of his own to tell Jeremy when he comes home? But when the tornado shifts direction, Dexter's bravery is about to get seriously tested... REVIEW This I survived series is one of the most popular ...

STICK DOG WANTS A HOT DOG by Tom Watson Harper, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-06-229593-4 Ages 6-10 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In Stick Dog Wants a Hot Dog , Tom Watson's hilarious sequel to Stick Dog , Stick Dog returns with the same crew of friends, and they're hungrier than ever. As the dogs embark on their quest for hot dogs, they learn they're not the only ones on a mission—a band of raccoons are following close behind, and they're ravenous, too! In this second book, Stick Dog and his four friends, Poo-Poo, Mutt, Stripes, and Karen, must execute a master plan for stealing hot dogs. The closer they get to the hot dog vendor, the more difficult their mission becomes. With the same hilarious antics, the five dogs are met with many challenges along the way, including having to distract the frankfurter guy and Karen getting locked in a human's house. No matter what, these dogs have their eyes—and stomach...

THE CASE OF THE GIRL IN GREY The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency #2 by Jorda Stratford, art by Kelly Murphy Alfred A. Knopf, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-385-75444-6 Historical mystery Ages 8-12 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK This history-mystery series continues with another fine display of brains and bravery from the Wollstonecraft Girls—Ada Byron Lovelace and Mary Shelley. Inspired fun for middle grade readers and fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and Lemony Snicket! The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency was supposed to be a secret constabulary, but after the success of their first case, all of London knows that Lady Ada and Mary are the girls to go to if you have a problem. Their new case is a puzzle indeed. It involves a horrible hospital, a missing will, a hasty engagement, and a suspiciously slippery servant. But Mary’s stumbled onto a mystery of her own. She spotted a ghostly girl in a grey gown dashing th...

THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE HUNGRY BUNNY HORDE by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham Candlewick Press, 2016 ISBN: 978-0-7636-6513-5 Early Chapter Book Ages 6-9 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It’s a case of monstrous cuteness as the Princess in Black encounters her biggest challenge yet: a field overrun by adorable bunnies. Princess Magnolia and her unicorn, Frimplepants, are on their way to have brunch with Princess Sneezewort, an occasion Frimplepants enjoys more than anything in the world. But just when he can smell the freshly baked bread and the heaping platters of sugar-dusted doughnuts, Princess Magnolia’s glitter-stone ring rings. The monster alarm! After a quick change in the secret cave, Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants are transformed into the Princess in Black and her faithful pony, Blacky. But when they get to the goat pasture, all they can see is a field full of darling litt...

BRAIN GAMES The Mind-Blowing Science of Your Amazing Brain by Jennifer Swanson National Geographic Kids, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-4263-2070-5 MG/YA Nonfiction Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK QUICK: Name the most powerful and complex supercomputer ever built. Give up? Here’s a hint: It’s housed in your head and it’s the one thing that makes you YOU. Your brain is mission control for the rest of your body and steers you through life. Not bad for something the size of a softball that looks like a wrinkled grey sponge! In this fascinating, interactive book -- a companion to the National Geographic Channel hit show – kids explore the parts of the brain and how it all works, brainy news nuggets from a neuroscientist, plus fun facts and crazy challenges. REVIEW National Geographic has a wonderful way of creating books that are chock full of child appeal while presenting a tremendous amount of information....

THE CASE OF THE MISSING MOONSTONE The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency #1 by Jordan Stratford, art by Kelly Murphy Alfred A. Knopf, 2015 ISBN; 978-0-385-75440-8 Historical Mystery Ages 8-12 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK History, mystery, and science collide in a new series for middle-grade readers, perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and Lemony Snicket!   Jordan Stratford imagines an alternate 1826, where Ada Lovelace (the world’s first computer programmer) and Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein ) meet as girls and form a secret detective agency!   Lady Ada Byron, age eleven, is a genius. Isolated, awkward and a bit rude—but a genius. Mary Godwin, age fourteen, is a romantic. Adventurous, astute, and kind, Mary is to become Ada’s first true friend. And together, the girls conspire to form the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency—a secret constabula...

THE SPINNY ICKY SHOWDOWN The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut #3 by Laurie Keller Henry Holt & Co, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-8050-9074-1 Ages 6-10 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Now that Arnie has conquered the bowling alley and the planet Ufonut, he's back for another round of wild adventures. This time the venue is a traveling game show (in the spirit of WIPEOUT!) that comes to town. Arnie, Peezo, and their other friends can't wait to participate in the crazy obstacle course. But Arnie and his crew are in for a challenge once they see their competition! REVIEW Arnie and Peezo are back in an all new adventure.  This time they are excited to be participating in their favorite 'reality' show called The Spinny Icky Showdown.  But with a pickpocket hiding amongst the participants and Peezo's fear of the Pumpernator (a pumpernickel loaf who is very muscly) threaten to ruin things for everyone.  But Arni...