The City of Ember

The City of Ember

By Jeanne DuPrau

At age 12, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are finishing school and ready to begin working.  In the City of Ember, everybody works and contributes to the efficient running of the city.  

But city progress is faltering.  Ember is a city of darkness.  Its citizens rely completely on artificial light.  The lights come on in the morning and go out when it’s time to sleep. Rumour has it, however, that lightbulbs are beginning to run out, and blackouts are becoming more and more common.

Canned food is also getting scarce as the vast storerooms of Ember are emptying out.  Fresh food is grown in greenhouses using artificial light, but disease is starting to rot some of the produce.  Ember is in crisis.  

Lina and Doon are determined to help find a way to save the city.  When they discover an old box in Lina’s closet with partially destroyed instructions inside, Lina and Doon believe they may have found the answer.  But will anyone listen to a couple of kids?

Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember is a survival story with a twist.  The city itself is fascinating, and children will be captivated by the small details of life in a city of darkness.  Kids will also love the heroism of the two children who act boldly to do what they feel is right.

The Witches

The Witches

By Roald Dahl

I must warn you that this one really scared me as a child. Even though I was scared I would ask my Mom to read it to me again and again. This classic Roald Dahl adventure follows a young boy and his grandmother as they hatch a plot to rid the world of witches. This novel is also a movie directed by Nicolas Roeg. At Richmond Public Library we have this wonderful tale available in book, CD book, and eBook.

Roald Dahl opens this book with some important information about witches, real witches. For example real witches dress in ordinary clothes and live in ordinary houses. Real witches hate children and spend their time plotting how to get rid of children. With each chapter the reader is taken deeper into a world of witches and magic potions. Follow our young hero as he narrowly escapes their grasp with a little help from his loving grandmother.

Come and enjoy The Witches a cautionary and adventurous tale of friendship, family and fun. Pick up a copy at your nearest branch today!

The War that Saved My Life

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Britain is on the edge of joining World War II and after threats by the Germans the government decides that children living in London must be evacuated to the countryside. Ada lives in London in a one room apartment with her mom and younger brother. Born with a club foot that was never fixed, Ada is hidden away from the rest of the world and ostracized by her mother. When hearing of the evacuation notice, her mother decides Ada will stay while her brother Jamie is sent away. Against her mother's wishes, Ada joins Jamie on the day of evacuation and both arrive in the town of Kent. They are placed in the care of Miss Smith who is reluctant to take on the children. Gradually, Ada and Jamie settle into their new temporary home and Ada forms a strong bond with Miss Smith's pony Butter, teaching herself to ride the pony the best she can. Miss Smith shows confidence in Ada and Jamie; her home a completely different environment where both children are allowed to flourish. Their new formed family doesn't last long as Ada's mother arrives in Kent and forces her children to return home to London with her. Bombs are still dropping on the streets of London and the situation is precarious. Suddenly thrust back into the same conditions she endured before, Ada is determined to rescue her brother and herself for good this time.

Bad Hair Day

Bad Hair Day

By Sarah Mlynowski

Imagine having a magical mirror that allows you to cross over to all of your favourite fairy tales. You can walk through the mirror at midnight and play around in the fairy tale, you even have the power to change the story. This is number 5 in the Whatever After series; Bad Hair Day. Jonah and Abby have this secret magic mirror hidden in their basement, it takes them to Fairy Tale Land. Just knock on the frame three times and the fairy, Mary Rose, will let you in. This adventure takes the two into the tale of Rapunzel. These fractured fairy tales have humour, adventure and lessons to be learned. Abby and Jonah get into a bit of trouble and tangle this classic tale up, they need to make things right, but will they be able to? Find out by picking up a copy or listening to the audio book today!

This instalment is available in our junior series section and on audiobook from Hoopla. 

Stanley's Party

Stanley's Party

By Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin

Have you ever wondered what dogs do when they’re left alone?  Stanley gets bored when his people are out, so he decides to try something new.  He’s not allowed on the couch, but what harm could it do, right?   

The couch is more comfortable than he could have ever imagined! Once he gets used to the couch, Stanley discovers the fridge, the radio and more.  And really, why not enjoy yourself when you’re in your own home?

As Stanley gets more and more confident with his new behaviours, his proclivities lead him into trouble – big trouble with his owners. But Stanley will never forget the fun he had!  This is a very funny and readable picture book – a great for read-alouds!

365 simple science experiments with everyday materials

365 simple science experiments

By E. Richard Churchill

Here is a book filled with some fun and educational activities for the whole family to enjoy. I thought these might be interesting to try out over Spring Break. E. Richard Churchill, Louis V. Loeschnig and Muriel Mandell have collected and created experiments that children of all ages can enjoy.
Using the idea that science experiments are not just for scientists and students this book brings children and parents the magic of science using everyday materials that we can find in our own home. Some of the experiments will surprise you because of their outcome and others will amaze you because they actually work. The experiments in this book help to introduce children to the wonders of science, with chapters on how earthquakes and energy work; how everyday items can be used in extraordinary ways; and chapters on how to do cool tricks like catching a coin on your elbow. 365 simple science experiments with everyday materials should be a fun addition to your Spring Break reading.


For more great reads check out my helpful lists. Spring Break is just around the corner so place your holds today for some of these fun new titles about to hit the shelves!
Spring Break Reads - Junior Fiction
Spring Break Reads - Junior Non-fiction

Sleepover Sleuths

Sleepover Sleuths

By Carolyn Keene

Here is one from a classic series that many will remember from their youth; Nancy Drew is still at it after 85 years. She is still solving crimes and poking her nose in places that get her into trouble. The Nancy Drew writers continue to revamp and reinvent the classic stories about this iconic character. This newest evolution of the series follows an elementary school aged Nancy. Sleepover Sleuths brings us an 8 year old Nancy Drew who has been invited, along with her best friends, to a sleepover party with one of the moist spoiled and coolest girls in school. All invited to the sleepover must bring their "City Girl Dolls," only the niftiest dolls in town. Each sleepover attendee brings their prized City Girl Doll to Deirdre's party. They all enjoy pizza, cake, prizes and games as well as talk of the very special Hollywood Heather, City Girl doll, she's the rarest City Girl Doll on the market and all the party goers are talking about how cool this rare doll would be to have. The party is off to a great start but we all know that where there is Nancy Drew there is sure to be a mystery to solve.
Will all the girls be able to stay up all night? Will the Hollywood Heather doll make an appearance? Will Nancy save the day once again? Check out a copy today to find out. This is also available on Tumble Books as a read along story.