Wednesday, Nov.14

Our third annual birthday bash! Join us for a Dr. Seuss storytime then free balloons, treats, and Dr. Seuss give-aways all day!

by Craig Hatkoff,
Peter Greste (Illustrator)

The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee. When Owen was stranded after the Dec 2004 tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone's amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.

by Kate DiCamillo,
Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who treated him with the utmost care and adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost. Newbery-Award winning author, Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the top of a garbage heap to the fireside of a hobos camp, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. And along the way, we are shown a true miracle: even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

by Louis Sachar

In this sequel to Newbery Award winning Holes, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, after being released from Camp Green Lake, trying to turn his life around. But it’s hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems to be on the right path, until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. This leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation, Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly his life spins out of control, with only one thing for certain: He’ll never be the same again

by Mary Pope Osborne,
Sal Murdocca (Illustrator)
Release Date: Nov 14

Merlin sends Jack and Annie on a mysterious mission to Paris, France, over a 100 years ago. There they must find four magicians and give them an urgent message from Merlin himself. When Jack and Annie land in Paris, they make their way to the 1889 World’s Fair. Below the Eiffel Tower, built especially for the fair, there are thousands of exhibits from all over the world. But how will Jack and Annie find the magicians in the crowds of people? And who are the magicians anyway? Jack and Annie are about to find out in another adventure filled with history, magic, and amazing surprises!

by Adam Stemple,
Jane Yolen (Editor),
Will Hillenbrand (Illustrator)

A beautifully crafted, oversized anthology of more than 60 lap rhymes, songs, clapping rhymes, and finger and foot rhymes, all presented with explanations and simple instructions for parents to play with their babies and toddlers. Starred Review, School Library Journal.

Bookclub groups meet once a month on the designated Wednesday. Suggested grade levels are as follows:

Yellow: 1st - 3rd grades
Orange: 2nd - 4th grades
Green: 3rd - 5th grades
Blue: 5th - 7th grades

We have broken down the reading groups into these 4 color-coded reading levels so that parents can choose the bookclub which best suits their child's reading abilities. As kids improve through the year, they are encouraged to move up to the next reading level. Our intent is to have readers start at a level where they are comfortable, build confidence and skills, then move up.

Discussions include plot summary, evaluation of major characters and themes, and age-appropriate activity or discussion of overall content. Membership for the 2005-2006 school year is $20 and includes a $20 gift certificate to the store.