Some New Books for September

Wild Card

by Tiki and Ronde Barber with Paul Mantell

Tiki and Ronde have entered the eighth grade season for the Hidden Valley Eagles, and everything is working out for the team. Everyone is getting along with each other and the coach. The boys believe that they will make it into the play-offs. Then when report cards go out, it is bad news. The kicker, Adam Costa, receives a bad grade and is put on the bench. The team believes that they have lost their shot at the play-offs. Will this be the first time in seven years that the Eagles are not in the play-offs? Will the team be able to help Adam improve his grades by studying together?

Grand Canyon National Park: Adventure, Explore, Discover
by Doreen Gonzales

This nonfiction book contains facts about the canyon, how the canyon was made, the park itself, the plants and animals that live there, and the challenges that the park faces. There are many beautiful pictures of the park, the canyon, and the plants and animals that can be found there throughout the book. At the beginning of the book, there is a map of the park, and at the end of the book, there is a website listed that has links to other websites with information about the Grand Canyon and the Grand Canyon National Park. There is even a glossary at the very end of the book.

Stagecoach Sal: Inspired by a True Tale
by Deborah Hopkinson and pictures by Carson Ellis

Sal is a young girl who loves to sing and ride with her father on the stagecoach while taking the mail and passengers from one place to another. The passengers and horses also enjoy her singing. Then one day, her father is stung by hornets, and it is up to Sal to get the mail where it needs to go. Her parents are afraid for her, because there is a bandit named Poetic Pete out there who likes to hold up stagecoaches. Sal knows, though, that Poetic Pete is incredibly polite and will not talk while a lady is talking. Then she sees a man in the road that needs a ride. She knows it is Poetic Pete, but she has a plan. Will her plan work? Will she be able to get the mail to town safely? This story is based on the life of Delia Haskett Rawson, who was the first woman to carry the mail by stagecoach in California. There is more information about Delia Haskett Rawson at the end of the story. The author even lists a website where you can go to hear some of Sal’s favorite songs.

Camping with the President
by Ginger Wadsworth and illustrated by Karen Dugan

This easy reader book is about the time when Theodore Roosevelt, after having read John Muir’s book Our National Parks and having read other books about nature, decided to go visit Yosemite and camp with John Muir. He also wanted to talk to John Muir about the park and Muir’s conservation ideas. Roosevelt was amazed by the beauty of the park and the giant sequoias, and was unhappy to see that some had been cut down. They camped for three days, and then Roosevelt thanked Muir for a great time and went back to Washington. The author writes about Roosevelt and Muir and their communication with one another. She also mentions that her story came from one eyewitness record of the trip. She also lists books that both men wrote themselves and books that are about them.

Friendship

Friendship

Dot in Larryland: The Big Little Book of an Odd-Sized Friendship
by Patricia Marx and illustrated by Roz Chast

Dot is very, very small (smaller than a glot and a zot), and for this reason, she is very, very lonely. It is very hard to make friends when you are that small, and all of the things her size do not have time to play. Larry is very, very tall, and he is also very, very lonely. The things that are his size do not want to play with him either. When these two meet, will they be able to be friends?
















Karate Kick
by Stephanie True Peters

Cole Richards is about to take a test to advance for the next belt level, but at the same time, the dojo announces a “create your own kata” contest for the same day as his test. Cole is not sure whether he should focus solely on his test or try to come up with a kata for the contest. His friends try to help him, but he does something that may ruin their friendship. Will Cole be able handle all of this pressure? This book is part of the Matt Christopher sports series.












Two of a Kind
by Jacqui Robbins and illustrated by Matt Phelan

Anna and Julisa are friends, and they have a lot in common. Kayla and Melanie are called “two of a kind,” but they are not nice to others. Then one day Kayla and Melanie offer to let Anna be their friend. Anna is happy to have new friends, but she feels guilty about leaving Julisa. Kayla and Melanie are also mean to Julisa and others, and Anna does not like that. Will Anna choose her new friends over Julisa?

Very Best (Almost) Friends: Poems of Friendship
collected by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Christine Davenier

What is it like to have a friend? These poems are about the ups and downs of friendship, from looking for a friend, to being angry with a friend, to really being happy that you have a friend. And remember to share these poems with a friend.

International Clean Hands Week

International Clean Hands Week

September 20-26

Keeping Clean
by Sharon Gordon

This book has good tips on how to stay clean and healthy. It discusses taking baths, washing hands, washing clothes, brushing teeth, and keeping your room and house clean. The book also has a list of key terms.















Hygiene and Your Health
by Jillian Powell

This books explains why good hygiene can keep you clean and healthy. The book goes over hand washing, keeping your skin clean, brushing your teeth, washing your clothes, keeping your room clean, keeping your food safe, bugs and infections, and fighting disease.














Wash Your Hands!
by Tony Ross

A princess wonders why she has to wash her hands after playing outside and with the dog and other daily activities. No one tells her the real reason until the maid finally tells her about “germs and nasties” and how they could affect her. With this in mind, the princess wonders about the state of other people’s hands.













Washing My Hands
by Elizabeth Vogel

Vicky’s mom tells her why she must wash her hands, and the book explains when it is a good time to wash your hands. The book also walks you through the process of washing your hands, and it names the key tools needed for good hand washing.

New Books

Encyclopedia Brown, Super Sleuth
By Donald J. Sobol and illustrated by James Bernardin

Known as Leroy only to his parents and teachers, Encyclopedia Brown (age 10) often helps his dad, Chief Brown, solve cases in his hometown of Idaville. Of course, his dad does not tell anyone that his son helps with his cases, as Encyclopedia wants to be a normal fifth grader. With these cases, you can try to figure out how the bad guys are committing their crimes, and if you get stumped, you can find the answers at the back of the book. Do you have what it takes to keep up with Encyclopedia Brown?

Homegrown House
By Janet S. Wong and illustrated by E. B. Lewis

As her family is constantly moving, a little girl learns from her grandmother that it takes time to settle into a house and get it “homegrown.” Grandmother tells her granddaughter it takes about thirty years. The little girl knows the perfect house, her grandmother’s, and wishes that she could have a “homegrown” house, as well, and not move all the time.

Sol a Sol: Bilingual Poems
Written and selected by Lori Marie Carlson and illustrated by Emily Lisker

The poems in Sol a Sol celebrate daily family life, and the poems are in both English and Spanish. There are poems about mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, friends, and even favorite foods and activities. The pictures are beautiful, very colorful, and really complement each poem.

The Spooky Tire
Written by Jon Scieszka with characters and environments developed by the Design Garage

Melvin has a flat tire and needs to find a new one. In a “spooky” junkyard he finds a golden one, but he is soon followed by a “spooky” voice asking “Who took my golden tire?” What will happen if that voice catches up to Melvin?