THE CHRISTMAS PIG by J.K. Rowling. Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve when something terrible happens -- DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life... even toys. And Jack’s newest toy -- the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) -- has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost and to save the best friend Jack has ever known. Great family read-aloud.
EGG MARKS THE SPOT by Amy Timberlake/illust. By Jon Klassen. The second Skunk and Badger story. The two unlikely friends go off on a rock hunt to help complete Badger’s rock collection. Thieves try to thwart their quest. Friendship, light humor and the occasional treat of a Klassen illustration captures the essence of the friends and their journey. Gr 2-4
A SECRET SHARED by Patricia MacLachlan. Nora and Ben’s younger sister Birdy loves to keep secrets. Some are sweet and harmless, like keeping a kitten in her room. But when she secretly adds her spit to her mother’s genetic research tube, the answers that come back are surprising. A gentle, simple story about family, adoption, love, truth, and secrets. Gr 1-4
WHY I WAS LATE FOR SCHOOL AGAIN by Dan Greenburg. Heavily illustrated and hilarious. Daniel faces a series of comedic obstacles in his quest to get to class on time. Set in Chicago, he is confronted by a zombie, a troll in Lincoln Park, and pirates in Belmont Harbor. Great book for early chapter book readers who don’t want to invest in a series. Gr 2-4
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DAD by Gary Paulsen. Although best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness, the late author has written a laugh-out-loud eco-friendly adventure about a boy, his free-thinking dad, and the puppy-training pamphlet that turns their summer upside down. Twelve-year-old Carl is fed up with his father's single-minded pursuit of an off-the-grid existence. His dad may be brilliant, but dumpster-diving for food, scouring through trash for salvageable junk, and wearing clothes fully sourced from garage sales is getting old. Gr 3-7
THE BEATRYCE PROPHECY by Kate DiCamillo. Beatryce is found at the beginning of the story (or maybe not the beginning, but at least when we meet her) cuddled with the demon Goat Answelica. She cannot remember anything about herself, but we have been told that she, Beatryce, is the key to a prophecy. Adopted by monks and disguised as a boy, she ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of the one who wants her dead. Gr 3-7
A TALE OF SORCERY by Chris Colfer. 3rd in the new series, A TALE OF MAGIC. From the Land of Stories comes a new epic. When Brystal Evergreen stumbles across a secret section of the library, she discovers a book that introduces her to a world beyond her imagination and learns the impossible: She is a fairy capable of magic! Gr 3-7
TRUBBLE TOWN: SQUIRREL DO BAD by Stephan Pastis. The author of Timmy Failure books has started a graphic novel series. Wendy the Wanderer gets her wish when her overprotective father hires Willamina, the two-faced babysitter, who could care less what Wendy gets up to. Always hilarious! Gr 3-7
THE WOLF’S CURSE by Jessica Vitalis. Shunned by his fearful village, a 12-year-old apprentice embarks on a surprising quest to clear his name, with a mythic and dangerous wolf following closely at his heels. Gr 4+
CURSED CARNIVAL AND OTHER CALAMITIES by Rick Riordan and others. The authors of many of his Rick Riordan Presents each offer a short story based in the mythology they have been writing about (Aru Shah, Sal & Gabi, Tristan Strong …). Rick Riordan introduces a new hero in his story based on Irish folklore. Gr 5+
PONY by Patricia Palacio. After his father is kidnapped to help some counterfeiters, Silas recognizes the distinctive pony who shows up the next day. He believes they must follow the pony and save his father. It is a journey of danger, trust, and wonder. Gr 5+
KALEIDOSCOPE by Brian Selznick. A series of short stories, fantastic and dream-like, all interconnected, about two boys and their enduring friendship and love. His usual style is to write part of the story, then illustrate the same story and perhaps show us a little more. Gr 5+