LUCY By: Randy Cecil

LUCY  By: Randy Cecil

Everyday the music begins and the dog heads off to see what is happening in the neighborhood. She knows that when she gets to a certain house with the red door that a little girl will be in the window sending down food on a string. The little girl would love to have a dog. As time goes by you see that her father works during the day and is terribly shy. He likes to juggle and he is really good. But when he gets on stage he gets scared of the people. With the help of the dog and the people in the neighborhood things begin to change. A marvelous book about a dog that finds a home again. Illustrated in black and white it will leave you feeling good. The book is written in acts. Candlewick Press  $19.99

THIS IS MY BOOK By: Mark Pett

THIS IS MY BOOK  By: Mark Pett
A clever book with the author thinking he is in charge of what is going to happen in his book. Little does he know that panda has other ideas of what should really be in the book. Children will love the scribbles on the pages and the interactive pop-up. Fun to read. Alfred Knopf Publishers $17.99 

LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN By: Alice Schertle

LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN  By: Alice Schertle

Here comes another Little Blue Truck, that is sure to make you children want you to read it again and again. As the truck goes down the road he picks up all the animals in costume, and under each flap it reveals the sound the animal makes. A sure winner for the younger set. $12.99 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

FEROCIOUS FLUFFITY By: Erica Perl

FEROCIOUS FLUFFITY  By: Erica Perl
The kids in room 2-D got a new class pet, Fluffity. They were so excited, that was until Fluffity came out of her cage. Fluffity proceeded to bite all the children in the classroom. The kids ran to the safest place they could find, the library. But Fluffity soon followed. Even the teacher was bit. But now she is safely back in her cage and new pet was introduced to the classroom. Wait till you see what comes next! Ages 4-8 Abrams $16.95

THE INFAMOUS RATSOS By: Kara Lareau

THE INFAMOUS RATSOS  By: Kara Lareau
When Louie and Ralphie Ratso set out to be the worst notorious rats, things don't go as planned. Everytime they do something bad it turns out they do something great. Will they become the worst rats, or will they get a new reputation. A great read for those that have finished beginning reader books and want one with chapters! Ages 6-9 $14.99  Candlewick Press

EEK! HALLOWEEN! By: Sandra Boynton

EEK! HALLOWEEN!  By: Sandra Boynton
Absolutely laugh-out-loud outrageous Boynton. When the chickens freak out over the characters dressed up for Halloween. What will they do. Your little ones will enjoy this again and again. Can't wait to send it my Granddaughter! Workman Publishing $6.95 Board book for little folk.

GERTIE'S LEAP TO GREATNESS By: Kate Beasley

GERTIE'S LEAP TO GREATNESS  By: Kate Beasley
Gertie's mom has decided to leave their home in Alabama and send her to live with her father and her Great-Aunt Rae. Gertie is fine with the move, she is going to transform herself into the best student! All she has to do is write the best speech about her summer. So Gertie decides to bring a frog to school, that will show them. But the frog has different plans, Gertie must come up with something else. Only a new perfect girls comes to school, Mary Sue and the competition begins. A laugh out loud read that will leave you rooting for Gertie. Ages 8-12  Farrar Straus Giroux  $16.99

FINDING PERFECT By: Elly Swartz

FINDING PERFECT  By: Elly Swartz
Molly and her father live together after her mother leaves for a new job in another city. Molly is sure if she does everything perfectly and becomes the best in the Poetry Slam Contest at her middle school that her mother will come to see her there. So Molly set out to do everything she can to get top grades so this will happen. But in the process she begins to alienate her best friend. Will counting, cleaning and organizing be enough to make her mother come home? A realistic view of being OCD and not knowing what is causing the problem. A new author with a remarkable book. Ages 8-12  Farrar Straus Giroux  $16.99

CINNAMON MOON By: Tess Hilmo

CINNAMON MOON  By: Tess Hilmo
Did you know that on the day of the great fire that burned down Chicago that their was a devastating fire in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Here begins the story of Ailis and Quinn who survived the fire in Wisconsin and were placed in an boarding house in Chicago. Nettie an orphan lives at the house too. The person in charge of the boarding house hates the Irish, which Ailis and Quinn so happen to be. When six year old Nettie disappears, Ailis and Quinn know they have to find her. What they uncover is horrible, will they be able to find a new home for themselves and find Nettie in time? A great historical fiction novel.  Ages 10-12 $16.99 Farrar Straus Giroux

WOLF KEEPERS By: Elise Broach

WOLF KEEPERS  By: Elise Broach
Intrigue is what comes to mind when reading this novel. Lizzie lives with head zookeeper father at a zoo in California. The park is named after the naturalist John Muir. Lizzie pretty much has the run of the whole zoo, since she has grown up there. One day Lizzie stumbles across a boy that steals food from one of the patrons. Lizzie sets out to find the boy and sees he is living at the zoo. Instead of turning him in, she helps him. But while doing so they realizes that someone is hurting the wolves, her favorite animals. Will they be able to figure it out in time. Elise Broach is one of my favorite authors, she always has a twist that will leave you breathless. Ages 9-14  Henry Holt $16.99

THE UNCORKER OF OCEAN BOTTLES By: Michelle Cuevas

THE UNCORKER OF OCEAN BOTTLES  By: Michelle Cuevas  Illustrated by: Erin Stead
Probably my favorite book of the fall season. With fabulous illustrations helping to match the perfect text. The Uncorker of Ocean bottles lived by the sea. He watched for bottles that came his way, and would deliver the messages. It took a lot of work but he kept to the task. He wished that he would get a message someday, for he was lonely. Then one day he finds a bottle with a message of a party. He asks everyone around but it was a mystery. Will he find out, you need to read it yourself. A good book for letter writing. Will leave you feeling happy. Ages 4 and up. I read it to my Mom who is 96 and she loved it. $17.99 Dial Books

EVERYONE LOVES CUPCAKE By: Kelly DiPucchio

EVERYONE LOVES CUPCAKE  By: Kelly DiPucchio
Cupcake is so perfect and she lets everyone in the bakery know just how perfect. Soon the other bake goods get tired of her bragging. It only takes one smart fortune cookie to give her advice. "Be true, Be you." So heeding this advice Cupcake lets everyone know how she really feels about birthday parties and thus begins a new friendship at the bakery. $17.99 Farrar, Straus and Giroux  Ages 3-7

LITTLE ELLIOT, BIG FUN By, Mike Curato

LITTLE ELLIOT, BIG FUN  By: Mike Curato
Little Elliot and Mouse are on their way to the boardwalk. Mouse tells him they have games,rides and lots of fun. But Little Elliot is not so sure the rides are either too wet or too scary. So Mouse finds just the perfect thing for Little Elliot to do. A wonderful book about friendship. $17.99  Ages 3 and up  Henry Holt

SKUNKED By: Jacqueline Kelly

SKUNKED  By: Jacqueline Kelly

Callie Vee and her brother Travis are really getting into mischief. Travis has found a baby kit skunk in the hollow of a tree. He comes home with it and his sister finds out. Feeding the skunk scraps of food is working out well, until Travis finds another kit in the same tree. He is almost gone, enters Callie who finds out what they should do. Mix a dog into the mix and you might just have something a little smelly. Ages 7-10 $15.99  Henry Holt

SAMSON IN THE SNOW By: Philip Stead

SAMSON IN THE SNOW  By: Philip Stead

Samson sees a red bird gathering yellow flowers for a friend that is having a bad day. Soon the bird flies off and snow begins to fall. Samson is worried about the bird and start to go looking for it. Along the way he finds a mouse who is having a bad day, Samson asks him if he wants to come along, so the mouse "made the long journey up Samson's trunk past his vast ears, and under his thick blankets of fur." Together they went through the storm to find the bird. And when they did the bird had the yellow flowers for her friend the mouse. Samson took them to a cave to be safe from the storm. A finely crafted picture book with perfect illustrations, sure to delight your children. $17.99 Roaring Brook Press

THE SCOURGE By: Jennifer Nielsen

THE SCOURGE  By: Jennifer Nielsen
Ani is off trying to get some vinefruit when she slips from the tree and gets tangled in the vines. Here she is captured by the governor's wardens and sent off for testing to see if she has the scourge, a plague. She is about to shipped off to the colony where all people with the scourge are sent never to return. As she is about to be loaded into the boat her best friend Weevil says he has the scourge too. What happens to two river kids will astound you with their pluck and courage. It is an awful place and one they should never have been sent too. Nielsen is a brilliant writer that grabs your attention from the very start. A must read.  Scholastic Ages 12 and up $16.99

GOING WILD By: Lisa McMann

GOING WILD  By: Lisa McMann
Suspenseful and intriguing are words that come to  mind when you read this new book by Lisa McMann. Charlie short for Charlotte is moving with her family to Arizona. Her stay at home Dad is becoming a professor at a college and her Mom has a new position as a doctor at the local hospital. Before leaving Charlie gets a gift of a bracelet, when she puts it on strange powers come to her. With the help of her new friends, Maria and Mac, Charlie is learning that having superpowers may not be so wonderful. A must read and I won't give any more away. Can't wait to hear what  you think. Ages 8-12 $16.99 Harper.

FORGETTING By: Sharon Cameron

FORGETTING  By: Sharon Cameron
Nadia lives in Canaan, a city within walls. No one ventures outside of the those walls, and every twelve years they forget the past and start fresh. Everyone has a book tethered to their clothing that they write the truth in everyday, so the can remember. But Nadia is different than the rest, she has memories and she does go over the wall to find out what is outside. Only going during the resting so no one will notice. 
I would tell you more, but then I would spoil this unforgettable book. Cameron's style reminds me of the first time I read a Margaret Peterson Haddix novel. It take off at the first paragraph and keeps the reader engrossed till the very end. Personally I would recommend this novel to adults too. Ages 12 and up. Scholastic  $18.99

MAXI'S SECRETS By: Lynn Plourde

MAXI'S SECRETS  By: Lynn Plourde
Timminy is the smallest boy in the sixth grade at his new school, and to make matters worse his father is the vice-principal. When they have to move his parents let him get a dog as a pet. They go and pick out the perfect dog from a big litter and name him Maxi. Timminy is bullied from the very first day he arrives at school. He is shut in his locker, called shrimp and a host of other names. Then he befriends his neighbor Abby who is blind. Their friendship helps Timminy, but his dog becomes his comfort. This book needs a big box of tissues, but I would read it again for all the lessons it offers. Ages 10 and up. Nancy Paulsen Books  $16.99

ONE HALF FROM THE EAST By: Nadia Hashimi

ONE HALF FROM THE EAST  By: Nadia Hashimi
This is one cultural experience that I had little knowledge. Obayda is the youngest of four girls. She lives in modern day Afghanistan. When Obayda's family is forced to move to a small town after her father was hurt by a bomb, life really changes. Boys are valued more than girls and since she is still only ten she is chosen to be a bacha posh. So her name is changed to Obayd and she is transformed into a boy. There are no more chores, now she can wear pants and even get extra meat at dinner. But it is hard to go to school where the boys are on one side and the girls on the other. But in the school yard she is befriended by Rahim, formerly Rahima. What happens to these girls-boys is hard to imagine. A must read. Harper Ages 8-12 $16.99

WHEN FRIENDSHIP FOLLOWED ME HOME By: Paul Griffin

WHEN FRIENDSHIP FOLLOWED ME HOME  By: Paul Griffin
Ben Coffin is a former foster kid. He doesn't really fit in with other kids, but loves to read and spends countless hours at the library. Then one day he happens across a stray dog. Little does he know that this dog is about to change his life forever. Enter, Halley. Named after Halley's Comet they become fast friends. There are so many twists and turns to their friendship and some of them will need a big box of tissues. I don't want to give anything away, but it is a gut wrenching story that will leave stay with you. Ages 10 and up. Dial books. $16.99

NO FAIR! NO FAIR! AND OTHER JOLLY POEMS OF CHILDHOOD By: Calvin Trillin

NO FAIR! NO FAIR! AND OTHER JOLLY POEMS OF CHILDHOOD  By: Calvin Trillin

Funny poetry you will love to read-a-loud. Reminds me of Silverstein and Prelutsky. Sure to be a winner in your collection. Scholastic  $17.99

LAUGH-OUT-LOUD HOLIDAY JOKES FOR KIDS By: Robert Elliot

LAUGH-OUT-LOUD HOLIDAY JOKES FOR KIDS  By; Robert Elliot
Filled with spooky jokes and Christmas jokes a great book for the joker in your life.
"Q: What is Frankenstein's favorite food a a cookout?
A: Hallo-weenies"

"Q: Why did the snowman's mouth hurt?
A: Because he had a coal sore."
Kids will crack up and you may groan a little, but it will be well loved.  $10.99 HaperCollins

THE OTHER BOY By: M.G. Hennessey

THE OTHER BOY  By: M.G. Hennessey
Our culture is changing right before our eyes. It has always been this way, but we have chosen to ignore it. Now a bold new book has come out to educate us on how to respond to those who chose another path. So powerful a subject I had little knowledge of, but surely got a proper education. 
Twelve-year-old Shane Woods is just a regular, baseball playing boy. With his best friend Josh they both love the same things. Shane moved from one town to another with his mother. At his old school he was known as a girl. So when someone mentions his old school he thinks nothing of saying it was a good school. Little did he know that person would check up on him. This book gives you an inside view of what it is like to be transgender and how terrible bullying can make them feel. But true friendship will help you endure anything.  $16.99 HarperCollins  Ages 12 on up.

POET'S DOG By Patricia MacLachlan

POET'S DOG  By: Patricia MacLachlan
The story begins with a dog. He finds two children lost in the woods and they follow him. The children can understand the dog, as he learned to communicate when his owner was alive. He was a poet and read it to the dog. So off they go to the cabin. There are supplies in the cabin and they cook up food to eat. There is even a blizzard and they get stranded there. But the Irish Wolfhound, Teddy comforts Flora and Nickle and they read poetry that is in the cabin. A charming read that will captivate your imagination. Ages 6-10  $14.99  Harper

MOO By: Sharon Creech

MOO  By: Sharon Creech
The most fun read aloud, I laughed so hard at the descriptions of the children when they were told they were going to have to muck out the barn for Mrs. Falala. You are right with the children as they smell the hay, cow drippings and the annoying flies. What a cantankerous old lady: She even scared me. Poor Luke when he can't bear to be touched and she holds onto his arm. Reena really comes around to that wonderful cow Zora. For city kids to adapt to their life in Maine where there is a slower pace of life. 
When Luke starts teaching Mrs. Falala who to draw, Creech really got my heart with all her imagery.
Everyone will love their adventure. Ages 8-12  $16.99  Harper

LOCK AND KEY: THE INITIATION By: Ridley Pearson

LOCK AND KEY: THE INITIATION   By: Ridley Pearson
James Moriarty was known as a criminal mastermind in later life, but he is my brother.  We grew up in Boston and my father decided to send us both to Bakersville Academy. There my brother had Sherlock Holmes as a roommate. What happens when everything starts to go wrong in our lives is this incredible story. A great mystery. Ages 10-14 $17.99  Harper