Tag Archives: Kid Life

Nov11

Staff Recommend – Piper Reed Navy Brat

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Staff Recommend – Piper Reed Navy Brat

Piper Reed Navy Brat

Piper Reed is a great character to read about on Veteran’s Day – today – the day our country honors the men and women who serve or have served in the military.

Piper Reed is proud of her Navy Dad and her Navy family. Piper calls her father Chief and loves to salute. She has never minded the moves the family must make because of the military but then again she has never had to move in the middle of the school year before. In Piper Reed Navy Brat, Piper’s father announces they are moving from a very comfortable home in San Diego to military housing in Pensacola, Florida. Piper feels her life has come undone. But change can bring surprises as Piper finds out. Piper is an adventurous fourth grader never lacking in excitement. -Recommended by Laura Dixon, Outreach Service Section

Piper Reed The Great GypsyIn Piper Reed The Great Gypsy, Piper’s Dad ships out for six months leaving Piper, her Mom and her sisters to face many months — even Christmas — all alone. Dad’s girls make the best of it and try as hard as they can to keep their Dad in the loop of family news and activities. Two good stories about a proud girl doing her part to keep the home fires burning for her Navy Dad. Author Kimberly Willis Holt Illustrator: Christine Davenier

#1: Piper Reed Navy Brat on CD
#2: Piper Reed the Great Gypsy on CD
#3: Piper Reed Gets a Job on CD

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Jul30

The Aurora County All-Stars

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The Aurora County All-Stars

Aurora County All-StarsHouse Jackson, team captain and star pitcher of the Aurora County All-Stars, loves baseball. He’s had a bum year nursing a broken elbow – an elbow broken by his least favorite girl in the world, Frances Shotz.  While sitting out the last season, House’s father ropes home into reading classic books outloud to a bed bound old guy the other kids call “mean man Boyd”.  The thing is, House likes Mr. Norwood Rhinehart Beauregard Boyd.  Embarrassed about how he’s spent his time, House manages to keep his reading aloud secret, until Mr. Boyd dies and leaves House a note that sets in motion the revelation of several town secrets.  The secrets unravel as Frances and House battle over which event will occur on July fourth, the town’s bicentennial pageant or the annual fourth of July baseball game. Author: Deborah Wiles

  • Read an Interview with the author, Deborah Wiles
  • Read Chapter One
  • The Aurora County All-Stars on CD

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Jul23

The Penderwicks

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The Penderwicks

The PenderwicksLike you, the four Penderwick sisters are on summer vacation.  Their Dad has rented a house in the Berkshire Mountains where he lets the girls roam on their own to seek out adventure.  Rosalind (the boss), Jane (the dreamer, novelist), Skye (the temperamental competitor) & Batty (the shy animal lover) find adventure next door when one of the girls spots a figure looking out the window of the fancy mansion next door.  The girls set out to investigate the mountain, the mansion & the figure in the window and find an unlikely kindred spirit. Author: Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks Series:

#1: The Penderwicks on CD, Downloadable eBook and eAudio
#2: The Penderwicks on Gardam Street on CD, Downloadable eBook and eAudio
#3: The Penderwicks at Point Mouette on CD, Downloadable eBook and eAudio

The Penderwicks have more fun together on Gardam Street – don’t miss that one. If you like the idea of a bunch of sisters, try Little Women or The Callahan Cousins: Summer Begins.
The Penderwicks of Garham Street Summer Begins Little Women Any Which Wall
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Jul18

Waiting for Normal

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Waiting for Normal

Waiting for NormalSixth grader Addison had a taste of “normal” while her mother and step-father Dwight were married.  She even had two younger half sisters to share her life with.  But after the divorce, Dwight got custody of her two half sisters and Addie began a new and different life with “Mommers”.

Addie’s mom sleeps most of the day and then leaves Addie alone at night to “go out” or follow her “business interests” with a new boyfriend.  It isn’t that Mommers doesn’t love Addie, it’s that she doesn’t take care of her.  Mommers is irresponsible, doesn’t tell the truth and often leaves Addie alone for days with very little food.  Mommers shows up with food and promises for the future just enough times to keep Addie believing that things will get better…get more normal…but things don’t get better.

Addie works hard in school, practices her flute and tries really hard to make it appear that her life is normal to her Grandpa, to Dwight, to her neighbors and to her teacher.  More than anything, Addie doesn’t want to get Mommers in trouble.  Addie loves Mommers, but deep down longs for the life her half sisters have with Dwight and his new wife.  A near tragedy when Addie is left alone brings out the truth and helps Mommers make a choice that for once, is all about Addie. Author: Leslie Connor

  • Read Chapter One
  • Read Waiting for Normal Online
  • Read an Interview with the author, Leslie Connor
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Jul11

The Gollywhopper Games

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The Gollywhopper Games

The Gollywhopper GamesGil Goodson has been studying for months, cramming information and trivia about the Golly Toy & Game Company.  If he’s lucky, he’ll be a contestant at The Gollywhopper Games, a trivia, puzzle and stunt contest sponsored by his town’s candy factory.  If you like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, go on this competitive challenge with Gil.  Solving riddles and puzzles is only part of the fun.  Gil has to sniff out the cheaters before they sabotage his chances and figure out which competitors are friends.  Gil wants to win, and he wants to win bad…and it isn’t just the prize money…he’s got something to prove to Mr. Golliwop, his Dad’s former boss, and if winning the Games is his only chance to get Mr. Golliwop’s attention, Gil is definately up for the challenge. Author: Jody Feldman Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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