Summer is (unofficially) here! If you haven’t already started your Summer Reading, make sure you do so. As always, a good book is its own reward, but we also have some fabulous prize drawings to offer a little extra motivation. And if you need book ideas, I’ve got some wonderful new books coming out this month!
Picture Books
“There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter” written by Elayne Crain and illustrated by John Ledda
Freddie is tired of a long string of lackluster babysitters. Whether too strict or too uninvolved, Freddie hasn’t liked a single one. So he doesn’t have high hopes for the evening, until he takes a closer look at the new babysitter. There’s something odd about them, but at least they’re not boring! After seeing them wash their hands in the dog’s bowl before preparing a dinner of garbage, Freddie realizes the new sitter might need a little help. Together, they turn the evening around and turn the sitter’s first job into an unqualified success! While the sitter is literally three raccoons in a trenchcoat, the narration never explicitly states this, and kids will love being in on the joke.
“The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing After World War II” written by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Boris Kulikov
After WWII, winter was approaching, and families throughout Europe were facing devastating food shortages. A journalist came up with the idea of a “Friendship Train” that would start on the West Coast and travel across the country collecting food donations for the people of France and Italy. The American people enthusiastically embraced the idea, especially children! Kids all throughout the country donated their allowances, went door-to-door for donations, and picked crops left over in the fields after the harvesters had been through. By the time the train made it from Los Angeles to New York, it was more than 500 boxcars long and needed four ships to transport everything to Europe! The people of France were so touched that they sent back a Merci Train filled with toys and gifts, with a boxcar for each state. I’d never heard of this historical event before, and I’ve gotta say that this international cooperation and kindness warmed my heart.
Chapter Books
“Dad Rock Dragon Quest” by Joan Reardon
Zadie is an aspiring rock star who loves nothing more than playing her electric guitar. She feels grossly misunderstood by her mom’s nerdy boyfriend and longs to spend time with her super cool park ranger dad who shares all her interests. When Dad invites Zadie and her older sister to spend the summer with him, Mom counters with one week and only on the condition that nerdy Lloyd comes along. After arriving at Dad’s cabin in the national forest, they’re soon attacked by poachers and Dad’s secrets are revealed. Zadie learns that he’s actually a magical Gamewarden, tasked with protecting magical creatures. The poachers have stolen his companion dragon, so all four of them set off on an epic road trip quest to rescue it. Naturally, their biggest challenge will be getting along. With nonstop action and chapter titles that are classic rock songs, this book promises a wild ride.
“League of Littles” by Casey Lyall and Sara Faber
This graphic novel takes sibling rivalry and perceived hierarchies and places it in a spy school context. Our heroes are training to become agents for the League of Littles, sworn to defend and uplift younger siblings everywhere. Their first mission is to help a girl who lost her big sister’s pet hamster. Things become complicated as it’s revealed that the hamster is secretly working for the Band of Bigs, the organization that supports older siblings. Full of high-stakes spy adventure, there’s plenty of emphasis on teamwork and learning your own strengths to accompany the action and humor. And of course, middle children shouldn’t feel left out, they’re represented by the Middles and Onlys Guild! Great for fans of spy novels.
