The Dictionary of Ordinary Extraordinary Animals by Lisa McGuinness and Leslie Jonath

Succinct descriptions and beautiful illustrations of over one hundred animals make up this elegant book. From Aardvark to Zigzag Salamander, this book provides information about animals both entirely ordinary, and wonderfully fantastical. Each page features a paragraph or two, an artistic rendering, and a "fun fact" about a different animal. This book serves as an introduction to the natural world for readers aged 4 and up. Younger readers will respond to the illustrations, and the older ones will love the writing and the facts.

The art is spectacular, and the descriptions of the animals are top notch. The inclusion of a "fun fact" about each animal helps underscore how an ordinary animal is actually extraordinary, and makes this book effortlessly informative. Some of the vocabulary used is a little upper level for it's intended age range which makes this book a great choice for a parent looking for something to read/look at/talk about with their child. If you have a few minutes (and it isn't already checked out by some other lucky patron) I highly recommend at least leafing through this title. Informative text, exquisite illustrations -- what more could you ask for from one book?

Also, the illustrator, Lisa Congdon, keeps a neat blog on her website. Also, also, check out her work on the cover of The Whale: In Search of the Giants of the Sea by Philip Hoare. I am a sucker for all things whale, but that's some great art.


This book can be found in the non fiction section, call number 590J. As always, if you need help finding anything, just ask a librarian!

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

Hands down, my favorite new book of 2013 is the laugh-out-loud funny Better Nate Than Ever, by Tim Federle. 

Nate Foster is 13-years-old and pretty miserable.  While his brother the jock gets nothing but accolades, all Nate gets is picked on.  He's short, a little overweight, and his love of Broadway musicals puts his "cool" factor in a deep, deep deficit.

Fortunately, he has a kindred soul in his best friend Libby.  Together they act out their favorite shows and dream of getting out of dull, grey Jankburg, PA to the exciting world of Broadway.  When Libby gets word there's an open-call audition for the upcoming "E.T. The Musical," together they concoct a plan for Nate to run-away to New York and audition for the role of Elliot.  After all, Nate's a "boy soprano with a ballsy chest voice" - perfect!


Once in Manhattan, Nate discovers a world he never dreamed existed: a place where there are entire stores that sell just cupcakes, and where grown men can enjoy musicals without anyone wanting to stuff their heads in the toilet.  Nate knows he's found a place that calls to him, but can he survive the audition process to get his shot at life in the city?

Nate's adventures in navigating the city are hilarious.  Not only will you laugh at his escapades, you'll be cheering for him the whole time, too!


(P.S. I loved Better Nate Than Ever so much I wrote to the author to tell him so.  He wrote back, and now we're friends!  Have you ever been so moved by a book that you wrote to the author?  What would you like to say to the person who wrote a book that you love?)

Millions directed by Danny Boyle

What would you do with a million dollars? That is the question that 7-year-old Damian Cunningham has to answer in this film when, right before the holiday season, a bag full of money literally drops out of the sky. Damian, who has recently lost his mother, believes that the money is a gift from above, and that he must use it to help those in need. His brother Anthony, however, has visions of wealth and power. While Damian gives what he can to charity (without arousing suspicion) and feeds local beggars, Anthony bribes children at the boys' new school into being his posse.


The two boys' need to deal with the money is only intensified by the fact that they have to get rid of it before New Years when it will become worthless. The money Damian and Anthony found is in pound notes, and, in the story, the Bank of England (not a real bank) will be switching to a different currency, the Euro, on New Years Day. When the boys find out more about where the money came from, and as more people find out about the money, the pressure on Damian mounts. Will he be able to come to peace with his mother's passing? Will he make a difference with the money, or will he find out it is more trouble than it's worth? Humor, drama, and more await in this winner of a film.

The screenplay of this movie was also made into a book, which won the Carnegie Medal (the British version of the Newbery Award) and is available in print and audiobook formats in the Youth Fiction section under J/COT. Check out Millions today and get in the holiday spirit!

Two Books by Adam Rex

It's a two-in-one this week!

Adam Rex is an author who was written many popular books.  One of his first novels, The True Meaning of Smekday, is currently being made into an animated movie (as of this writing, the movie is being called "Home").

But Adam Rex isn't just an author.  He's also an illustrator and a poet (wouldn't you know it?)

 If you think poetry is boring and hard to understand, then you don't know Adam Rex!!

We have two super-funny books of poetry by Adam Rex: Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich  and Frankenstein Takes the Cake.   Both feature monsters and food (not just Frankenstein, and not just cakes and sandwiches).

Some of the poems you'll find in Frankenstein Takes the Cake:

"Please Stop Staring at My Delicious Head"
"Dracula Jr. Wants a Big-Boy Coffin"
"The Sphinx Ain't All That - Yeah, You Heard Me"

And some of the poems you'll find in Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich:

"Godzilla Pooped on my Honda"
"The Yeti Doesn't Appreciate Being Called Bigfoot"
"Count Dracula Doesn't Know He's Been Walking Around All Night with Spinach in His Teeth"

As you can tell, these aren't your ordinary poems!  Some of them are even set to music, and all are illustrated (by Adam Rex, of course).

Give your funny-bone a treat and check out these collections of outrageous, quirky poems from Adam Rex.

Brixton Brothers #1 -- The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

Steve Brixton has a normal enough life. He goes to school every day, and tolerates his mom's new boyfriend Rick, and reads all the mystery books he can find. However, all this is turned upside down when, while working on a boring school assignment about early American needlework, Steve finds himself suddenly caught up in a dangerous mystery centered around, of all things, a library book. Chased by rogue librarians, and forced to hide out in his own hometown, Steve does everything in his power to solve his first case, and escape alive!

It helps that Steve loves mysteries and mystery stories. His favorite books are the Bailey Brothers mysteries, and his fail-safe, go-to guide to navigating the strange circumstances he finds himself mired in is the Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook. With his best friend Dana by his side, Steve knows that whatever the dangers and whatever the challenges he is equal to the task...right?

This book (and the others in this series) are funny, fast-paced, and full of quick witted banter and oddball humor. Steve is an unabashed mystery nut, and Dana is as indulgent of his flights of fancy as a friend can be. This book series is an excellent pick if you are looking for a little adventure and a lot of fun.

Note: The fictional Baily Brothers books mentioned in this series are based on the real life book series The Hardy Boys. If you have not read the Hardy Boys, now is the time. They are a fantastic set of thrill-a-minute adventures.The Hardy Boys books are available here in the fiction section under J/DIX.

Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

Fourteen-year old Sophie isn't excited about spending the summer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Having lived there as a little girl, she knows all-too-well about the dangers and instability facing the war-torn country.

But the DRC is where her mother lives, rescuing bonobos - a type of great ape found only in the DRC - for release into the wild.  In fact, Sophie's family split up because Sophie's mother was more committed to the bonobos than she was to her marriage.

When Sophie encounters an illegal trader selling an injured, orphaned bonobo, she purchases him and names him Otto.  As her mother explains, buying animals in that manner only encourages the illegal hunting and selling of bonobos.

Nonetheless, Otto becomes Sophie's responsibility, and it's the first time another creature has been totally dependent on her.  When her mother's sanctuary is attacked by rebel soldiers, Sophie's responsibility to Otto becomes even more pronounced: in order to safely leave under UN protection, Sophie would have to abandon Otto.  Unable to bring herself to do that, Sophie escapes with Otto into the African jungle, in hopes of finding her mother (who was not at the sanctuary when the attack occurred).

What happens next is a series of harrowing adventures as Sophie and Otto struggle to survive amidst horrors natural and man-made: they have to find food and water, they must deal with leeches, and of course they encounter poverty, chaos, fear, and violence as the war rages on all around them.

Endangered is a gripping novel that will appeal to animal lovers and fans of adventure.  The touching and beautiful story of Sophie and Otto's relationship is juxtaposed with stark scenes  of human and animal suffering that can be a little difficult to get through.  But ultimately, this is remarkable book about learning to care about the world beyond our own concerns.  There is a lot of information in the narrative about conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the lives and uncertain future of the bonobos.  In fact, one thing that really enhanced the book was the Author's Notes and interview with the author at the back of the book.  Eliot Schrefer was inspired to write Endangered after paying a visit to a real bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo!

A gripping, moving, and exciting read.  Grades 6 and up.

Lockwood and Company: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathon Stroud

The London setting in this book is a sort of present-day London, but unlike present-day London it is plagued by a huge number of ghosts, spirits and specters - all unfriendly.  Though these ghosts can cause a great deal of harm (both property-wise and bodily) they can only been detected or challenged by young people.  Because of this, young people with “physic abilities” are employed by Physic Detection Agencies, usually run by adults with kids doing the work.  But this is not so with Lockwood & Company.  Anthony Lockwood runs a small independent agency with only two other colleagues: the clever, but sometimes offensive George; and Lucy, new to the agency.  After having a less-than-successful experience on a new job, the Company receives an interesting and potentially fatal offer to investigate an infamous haunted estate.  The offer is almost too good to be true and suspiciously hints at ties to the previous botched case.


Will Lockwood and Company survive to continue their independent agency?
Will they survive at all?

Did I mention that ghosts are fought off by swords?

This is the beginning of a series.  The characters are intriguing and still need to be fully developed, but it’s a promising start.  This is almost like a kid centered Ghostbusters, with kid-centered humor intact.  The story gets a little spooky, but not too much.  I’m looking forward to the next one.

Swords: An Artist's Devotion by Ben Boos

This book is a globetrotting look at the history and artistry of swords. Ben Boos' meticulous illustrations and sparse prose provide an effective introduction to the subject matter. From the finely wrought swords of kings, to the simple knives of farmers, to the stealth-daggers of ninjas, this book gives life to the blades of ancient warriors.

The detailed illustrations are accompanied by succinct descriptions of what the different sword designs are meant to accomplish. The training and use of swords is also discussed. The number of different sword users is extensive, including even a group called the landsknechts, mercenaries of the 14-1600s. Who knew?!

The illustrations live up to the title – swords are clearly Ben Boos' devotion. The many designs he depicts are all referenced to different historical descriptions of blades, and his prose, while not extensive, is informative.

Ben Boos also wrote another book, Fantasy: An Artist's Realm, which can be found in our collection at 398.45J. Swords is also in the non fiction section, call number 623.441J.