The Detective's Assistant by Kate Hannigan

I'm not personally a fan of historical fiction, or spunky girl characters, so I would have been very skeptical of this if I hadn't enjoyed Hannigan's previous title, Cupcake Cousins so much.

Nell Warne shows up at her aunt's boarding house in Chicago with plenty of misery and worries. She's an orphan with no other relatives but her Aunt Kate and her aunt seems none too interested in admitting any responsibility for her. Nell's best friend Jemma is far away in Canada and it looks like Nell is going to end up in an orphanage whether she likes it or not.

But Aunt Kate, while she may be a Pickled Onion, has an exciting secret; she's the first female detective for Mr. Pinkerton's detective agency. Nell is determined to stick to her newfound family and be part of Kate's life, including her cases. But there are frightening events on the move, more than just a few cases of stolen money or murder, and both Nell and Kate will have to adjust and grow to be able to face the coming challenges.

This maintains a light-hearted feel, even though it deals with serious events like the looming Civil War, slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the challenges faced by a single woman on her own. Nell's story is interspersed with letters to and from her best friend Jemma, which add to the plot until all the pieces come together at the end, revealing not only Nell's family secrets but Jemma's as well. I really enjoyed the small details that Hannigan included about everyday life for women; the financial struggles, clothing, sights (and smells) of Chicago. An author's note includes more information about the real-life Kate Warne and there are also more resources for readers who want to explore the history further.

Verdict: This historical fiction will appeal to readers who like history as well as those who enjoy exciting adventures. There are also several mysteries interwoven into the story from the individual cases to the mystery of Nell's family and I can booktalk mysteries to about 80% of my readers. A great blend of different genres that will introduce kids to several important historical events in a fun and interesting way. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9780316403511; Published April 2015 by Little Brown; ARC provided by publisher at ALA Midwinter 2015; Purchased for the library

Small Readers: Clara and Clem Under the Sea by Ethan Long

Clara and Clem have starred in several easy readers from Penguin. This Cybils finalist is fun, easy, and attractive to emergent readers.

Clara and Clem, two bulbous-headed pink siblings (who look rather like pink goldfish) are setting up blocks when their play morphs into a real ocean! They dive in and experience the wonders of the ocean, from dolphins to rays, in simple one or two-word rhymes. The words are presented in speech bubbles, green for Clara and red for Clem. "Gold! Bubble. I see trouble." Eventually they return to the real world, but they won't stay there for long as Clem demands "Again!"

Long's illustrations, outlined with white borders, are drawn in cheerful pastels, with Clara and Clem and their speech bubbles standing out strongly from the soft backgrounds. Little details, Clem's hat, Clara's clothes, are collaged photos. There are a few two-syllable words, but most are simple and there are only a couple three or four word sentences. The font is large and readable and the simple, cheerful illustrations add a light touch of humor but keep the focus on the words.

Verdict: It's not surprising this was a Cybils finalist. It's simple but funny and perfectly captures the right level of imagination, humor, and interest for a beginning reader. Highly recommended for your easy reader section.

ISBN: 9780448478128; Published 2014 by Penguin; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

When the Wind Blows by Linda Booth Sweeney, illustrated by Jana Christy

The cover picture here does not do justice to Christy's glowing, soft colors, so you'll just have to trust me - they're gorgeous.

Rhyming couplets in a small, white type are set unobtrusively at the corners of the page. The language is pleasant, but not memorable. Every few pages the refrain of the title is repeated, followed by several pages of couplets. "When the wind blows...Trees dance./Spiders curl./Mice shiver./Leaves swirl."

The real draw of this book, and what made me fall in love with what wouldn't normally be my cup of tea, is Jana Christy's art. It not only glows, it perfectly captures the swirl and dash of the wind. The art was created with pencil sketches and mixed media, then assembled and painted digitally. It gives the illusion of watercolors, but with richer colors and intriguing lines and textures in the background. The pictures follow a family; grandmother clad in bright pink, little boy in a green jacket, mom and the baby in a stroller, as they excitedly venture forth on a windy day. First they fly a kite in a windy field, with the grass swirling with colors. Then it's down to the seaside, where the boats are bobbing along. They walk along the beach and up into town. It's begun to rain and there are puddles to splash in. They visit the park, hats and leaves flying through the air around them. The storm is building and they hurry home, wet and tired but happy, to watch the rain through the window. A warm bath and it's time for one last cuddle before bed.

Verdict: Perfect for toddlers at a rain-themed storytime, or looking at with older kids and talking about what's happening in the weather in each picture. Or just cuddle up and read before bed on a windy, rainy day. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780399160158; Published February 2015 by G. P. Putnam's Songs/Penguin; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Nonfiction Monday: Dogs and Cats by Nolon Stacey

I'm still working on updating my activities/crafts nonfiction section and we always need new drawing books, so I decided to check out this title, which is a little different than the usual drawing books I purchase.

The book starts with a discussion of drawing tools. Although it says you can just use a pencil and paper, it goes into a lot of detail about special pencils, erasers, blending tools, paper, and other items as well as a drawing space. The next sections focus on basic drawing skills, shading, features like eyes, noses, etc. and drawing different types of fur. The actual drawing instructions all start with a lightly penciled outline and then demonstrate how to add details and shading to create the finished art. The pictures start out simple, with just animal faces, and get more complicated with different poses.

I was doubtful about this one at first, as it's much more advanced than any of the other drawing books I have for kids, and I can't exactly test whether it works or not because I have absolutely no artistic ability (as witness my aide's hysterical laughter when I sketched out a bulletin board design for her to create). However, I do have older kids that I think would enjoy trying out more complicated techniques and, more likely, I often get adults looking in the children's section for easy drawing books. This is available in paperback, so I think I'll take a chance on it.

Verdict: If you're looking to add drawing books for an older audience, I think this is a good selection, but I'm not an expert in this field.

ISBN: 9781939581402; Reprint edition published 2014 by Walter Foster/Lerner; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

This week at the library; or, ending and beginning

What's going on; in my head and at the library

The first photo, as I try to grasp what is happening.
There are unseen masses of stuff to the left and right.

Then I decided to clean from the back outwards.

But all that stuff had to go SOMEWHERE

• What a week. Meetings all afternoon Monday, then a scheduling snafu that ended up canceling Tiny Tots Monday night, then on Tuesday I dealt with building code and fire inspections and the aftermath; I've now got half the contents of my storage closet piled behind my desk because whoever designed the building didn't think to give us any storage space sans electrical panels. I'm going to be spending the next couple weeks juggling summer preparations, cleaning out the basement, and hauling stuff down to the basement. And a mess up with the donor letters, although hopefully I think that will be easily fixed. Then another schedule complication. OY.
• I spent a lot of Wednesday dealing with a string of stuff - I moved stuff around in the workroom (putting things on top of things) so we can at least see what needs to be reorganized, then I was able to get to some of the stuff on my desk. A few people came to storytime and I spent a while venting to my associate. We're trying middle school madness as a passive program because there really has been no turnout. It's just that kind of week.
• I started work on the basement Thursday morning, wishing I'd brought shorts or something as the weather has randomly turned hot and muggy and the basement is not air-conditioned of course.
• My coworkers are TAUNTING ME WITH SINKS.
• Hardly anyone came to our last Messy Art Club - probably due to the hot and steamy weather (which some people think qualifies as "gorgeous" but I call "disgusting")
• Friday morning - I moved a lot of stuff around in my office, thus my rather sweaty and disheveled appearance in the videos filmed this morning...finished a bunch of little projects, then left at 12:30 for a 2 hour trip to Walmart. Hopefully the last!
• Saturday - I went in around 9:30 to finish setting up. I also took all the crap from yesterday's 2 hour shopping trip out of my car. It took forever and I was miserably sweaty and now there is more stuff even than you see in the pictures. Despite all the little things indicative of this week - there was a baby shower in the community room, I had to move things around, the dancers had things go wrong and were late, in the end everything went fine and about 60 people came! The local ballet studio came and did some dances in the lobby, including stuff from their upcoming Cinderella show, then the kids could take pictures with Cinderella and Prince Charming and Cinderella read them her story. The best part was when one of my two special needs boys was so inspired by a dancer he got up and started leaping and twirling along with her! Also, I had craft materials to make cards and muffins and doughnuts out in the Storyroom all Saturday. I didn't stay though - I left around noon.

Some Projects Completed/In Progress This Week

More tidying, to soothe my nerves

• Staff meeting, summer planning meetings, staff evaluation
• Basement and desk, cleaning and reorganization

Programs

• Pattie's C.A.F.E. (Pattie)
• Toddlers 'n' Books (2 sessions) (Pattie)
• Bookaneers: Sailing into the Library Harbor
• Preschool Interactive: Spring into ABCs
• Books 'n' Babies (Pattie)
• Messy Art Club: Paper Gardens
• Dance into Summer

Ongoing and New Stealth Programs and Displays

Reorganized this section, with much crawling under to
re-plug things and squashing my fingers in the drawers
of the hitherto unused file cabinet.

• Middle School Madness: Duct Tape Designs
• Display: Get Graphic
• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
• Birdwatching station
• Take Home Storytime: What's hatching?
• Chick Central

What the kids are reading; A Selection

Lots of mess still left.

• A lot of requests for the Pigeon books.
• After book club the girls wanted Flat Stanley and Dog Diaries and Stink
• Read-alikes for Who's Hiding? by Satoru Onishi. I've worked with this patron before and horned in on her discussion with my associate to bring out the newest Britta Teckentrup - Where the Pair? and there was a Masayuki Sebe she hadn't seen yet.

However, there is still lots of work to do.

Lots of work

Donations are wonderful, but NOW?

Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner

When I first starting seeing blurbs for this, I thought "that sounds like an awesome idea for a beginning chapter book." And it absolutely is.

Sam Abbot and his family are getting ready to set out on the Oregon Trail, but Sam isn't very excited, since they've had to leave their old dog, Scout behind. Little does he know he will soon find a new friend...fast-forward to the present and Ranger, a friendly golden retriever, is digging in the yard. He's smart and obedient, but failed out of search-and-rescue training because of his lack of focus. But when Ranger digs up a mysterious tin box and gets transported back to the Oregon Trail, his training will come in useful. He misses his family and is confused by the strange place he finds himself, but he quickly becomes part of Sam's wagon train and helps them travel the Oregon trail through dangerous rivers, illness, and many other adventures until they reach their destination and Ranger finds his way back home.

At 144 pages, this is the perfect length for kids who are ready to start moving on from beginning chapters. The story doesn't gloss over the dangers and tragedies of the trail and there is death, disease, and other perils, but they're presented in a way that focuses on the families and their courage, rather than the horrors they endure. The story is interesting and exciting without being sensationalized and Ranger makes a good narrator of events, as well as adding his own perspective.

An author's note at the end fills in more about the historical context and includes lots of information, quotes, sources, and suggestions for further reading.

Verdict: I'm really pleased with this new series - it's a perfect choice for kids who are interested in history and animals and will be an easy sell to fans of the I Survived series. I'm using it in my book club and I think the kids will really love it. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9780545639156; Published January 2015 by Scholastic; ARC provided by publisher at ALA Midwinter 2015; Purchased for the library

Small Readers: Baby Dolphin's First Day by Peter and Connie Roop

Nonfiction easy readers are a trend that I absolutely get behind. They're super popular with both kids and parents and introduce beginning readers to a wider range of books, rather than just the typical odd couple friendship fiction of traditional easy readers.

Peter and Connie Roop, who have been authoring beginning chapters and easy readers for years, have adapted quite well to the new, photograph-illustrated model of easy readers.

Each page is arranged in two horizontal blocks. The top shows a dolphin photograph, matched by the simple text against a white background on the bottom half of the spread. Each side of the page has 1-2 short sentences. There is a lot of unused white space around the text and I felt the font could have been larger, especially since this is supposed to be the easiest reader level (although it's not aimed at emergent readers). I did appreciate that the photographs were laid out in conjunction with the text, so when it says "The pod swims fast. The dolphins jump into the air." the reader sees a photo of leaping dolphins.

The only thing that gave me pause was that in some of the pictures it appeared to me that it was a different baby dolphin, almost as big as the mother, although it's supposed to be a story of a baby dolphin's first day. However, some of the photos were unclear due to the poor binding, which gobbled up a lot of the gutter of the images. There's a "meet the expert" section at the back, which must be meant to be read aloud or by the parents. It's not really clear exactly what part the "expert" plays in the book, but I think these readers from the American Museum of Natural History have various museum staff vet them for accuracy.

Verdict: This isn't as eye-catching as, say, National Geographic Readers, but they can be quite busy for a beginning reader who needs less distraction. Dolphins are a popular topic and this is a serviceable selection that's reasonably well-written and has nice photographs. Recommended if you are purchasing additional nonfiction easy readers.

ISBN: 9781402777844; Published 2011 by Sterling/Prebound by Penworthy; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Nonfiction Monday: Sleepover Girls Crafts: Colorful Creations you can make and share by Mari Bolte, illustrated by Paula Franco

[Update and warning!! I purchased these in paperback - and, although there was no mention of it made in the record on Baker and Taylor, the paperbacks are 50% consumable and I had to return them. So it's the $25 library bound editions or nothing apparently]

This craft book is one of a set of four including fashion, spa projects, and recipes. They are intended to accompany a set of four books called The Sleepover Girls which each features a different girl of four friends who have weekly sleepovers.

I haven't read the original novels, which appear to be typical girl fiction fare - each one of the four friends has a different interest (fashion, boys, etc.) and they have friendship glitches, deal with crushes and so on.

This book features crafts, introduced by different members of the group. The book starts by introducing the girls and their backstories, then moves on to the projects. The projects include scrapbooking, decorating a box, creating a bulletin board, mini bottle cap pictures and several other things. There is a total of eleven projects. They vary in difficulty; some, like paper quilling or the bulletin board need additional tools and materials, while some could be done with a few simple, inexpensive items.

Of the four girls, two have darker skin and a different girl is featured on the cover of each book. They each present 2-3 projects. The instructions seem clear and simple and the illustrations, if a little overly slick and glossy to my taste, aren't completely unrealistic. This is available in both paperback and library bound.

Verdict: I'm looking for more craft books, but I don't really want to purchase the fiction titles that go with these as they don't stand out to me at all. However, I really think this could stand quite well on its own as a fun collection of crafts and projects. I will try it and the other craft books in paperback and see if anyone asks for the books to go with them.

ISBN: 9781491417348; Published 2015 by Capstone; Borrowed from another library in my consortium;

This week at the library; or, The countdown begins

What's going on; in my head and at the library

• It's preschool visit week and the second to last week of programs. I also took Monday and Wednesday off. I had to use or lose my last couple PTO days. I should just stop taking Mondays off - I always seem to have bad Monday vacations. I spent most of this one cleaning out my basement, hauling stuff to work, and buying vast numbers of pots and other supplies at Walmart. Wednesday I went to the zoo.
• Thursday was rather exhausting. I came in at 8ish for two kindergarten field trips, plunged a toilet, and then had 42 people at Lego Club. Jess helped me since my aide was gone and I left shortly before 6.
• I worked a half day Friday because I was working Saturday - this week felt like not much got done, but I was gone several days and then had all those programs! Not to mention gardening.

Some Projects Completed/In Progress This Week

• Interviewed the last two potential aides and made hiring decisions.
• Put together the book order for my baby toy bags
• Put together audiobook order
• Our adult services librarian put together the videos she took of me introducing parts of the children's area and booktalking.

Programs

• Tiny Tots (Pattie)
• Toddlers 'n' Books (2 sessions) (Pattie)
• Middle School Madness (Jess)
• Four year old kindergarten field trip: Pete the Cat (3 sessions)
• Books 'n' Babies (Pattie)
• Lego Club

Ongoing and New Stealth Programs and Displays

• Battle of the Books (district battle hosted at the library)
• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
• I Spy Aquarium
• Birdwatching station
• Take Home Storytime: What's hatching?
• Chick Central
• Culver's coloring contest (which isn't actually a contest)

What the kids are reading; A Selection

• Request for a book about gas for a four year old. Total blank after I realized that no libraries in our system own "The Gas We Pass" so I gave them Walter the Farting Dog.
• Books about turkeys
• Fan of Map to Everywhere - gave them Magic Marks the Spot
• Reluctant, or more appropriately, picky reader - I suggested nonfiction, Jeremy Bender, and a couple other things.

My life in dioramas by Tara Altebrando, illustrated by T. L. Bonaddio

Dear Ms. Altebrando, I really don't like you right now. Gentle readers, cast your minds back to when you were twelve. Who enjoys being twelve? I mean, really, anybody? For the past twenty years, I have successfully put out of my mind that period in my life. With one book, Ms. Altebrando brought it all back to me. I am not grateful.

Just kidding. Well, kind of. Is there such a thing as too well-written?

Kate is devastated when her parents tell her that they're putting Big Red, the huge old house they live in, up for sale. It's the only home she's ever known and she can't imagine living somewhere else, especially when they don't know where they're moving and it might mean leaving her best friends Naveen and Stella and having to drop out of her dance troupe. She starts creating dioramas of her memories in Big Red as well as a campaign to sabotage the sale of the house. But things get more and more complicated and Kate feels like everything is falling apart; is she losing her family and friends as well as her house?

Like Tara Altebrando's first book, The Battle of Darcy Lane, this perfectly captures the growing pains of a pre-teen as she becomes aware of her parents as people, with their own pasts and struggles, faces her own changing friendships and circumstances and starts defining herself. As an adult (with my own issues) I can't say this was an enjoyable read, remembering those miserable growing pains, but as a pre-teen I can see kids absolutely relating to this story and taking comfort from the hopeful ending. It's not all sunshine and flowers, but everything works out more or less. The descriptions of not just Kate's feelings and confusion but also of the house and land she loves and her poignant sadness at moving on to a different part of her life are absolutely pitch-perfect. The fight between Kate and her mom at one point seems to me the best way to describe the book:

"...when you're my age, you'll have maybe a handful of vague memories of what it was like to be twelve."
"That doesn't mean it's not real to me right now!" I was almost screaming. "That it doesn't matter!"

Altebrando's story makes those feelings and growing pains real and shows kids that they do matter and that, while change may be painful and difficult, they will get through it.

The cover doesn't have the glossy appeal of a lot of contemporary realistic fiction, but it does capture the quieter, reflective tone of the book. Most of the interior illustrations were unfinished, but I'm looking forward to seeing the final art, which I think will be a great addition to the book which often focuses on Kate's struggle to capture specific moments and memories as she deals with change.

Verdict: This is the kind of book that I'd recommend to my more thoughtful students, those who enjoy contemporary, realistic fiction and want a character they can relate to. While it may not have the wild circulation of Wimpy Kid and friends, when I'm building a balanced collection and looking for these quieter books Altebrando is becoming my new go-to author. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9780762456819; Published May 2015 by Running Press; ARC provided by publisher