Graphic Novel: Lunch Lady and the league of librarians

Lunch Lady is a superhero under her apron, and she's an expert at sniffing out crimes wherever they may hide! She's sure that there's something fishy happening in the library, because the normally friendly school librarians have become cold and secretive.

With the help of the Breakfast Bunch (5 feisty grade schoolers), Lunch Lady discovers that the librarians are aiming for nothing more than WORLD DOMINATION! And their terrible plan is to start by DESTROYING ALL VIDEO GAMES! These are truly evil, evil librarians.

Lunch Lady to the rescue! With the help of some taco night vision goggles and some truly appalling puns, Lunch Lady saves the day. Librarians will be especially fond of this title, because there's lots and lots of inside jokes that may whiz right over the heads of kids; but the funny art and likeable characters will be a sure hit with all.

Graphic Novel

Ages 8-10

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Science Fiction: The Sky Inside

It's rare to find well written science fiction books for kids or younger teens. Somehow, this genre is largely ignored by children's authors, which is a shame!

The Sky Inside, by Clare Dunkle, is an appealing new read for kids that are interested in futuristic novels. Martin is one of the older kids in suburb HM1. Like everyone else, his parents scrimped and saved up enough credits to qualify for a child; Martin was shipped out to them on the train, like all the other babies. They could barely afford to get his sister, Cassie, because she was one of the new super babies: genetically engineered to be the smartest, cutest, nicest kids ever.

Everything is perpetually stable and sunny under the blue dome of their suburb. They all gather in front of their TV every morning to vote on the president's latest intiative (for example, what colour his drapes should be) and then they all head off to jobs, or school. But Martin can't believe that that's all there is: it feels like there should be something more. Something bigger than his suburb. He starts poking around, and discovers some truly disturbing things about his so-called idyllic home.

When an outsider from the government arrives to take the superbabies away, Martin is torn. He wants Cassie to have a great education, and it's true that she's obviously not getting as much teaching as she needs from the ordinary people in HM1, but can he trust the government to take care of his beloved sister?

When Martin uncovers the government's horrible plan, there's only one way to save Cassie: break out of the Dome, and brave the wasteland that lies outside.

Science Fiction

Ages 10-13

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Fiction: The Magician's Elephant

Kate DiCamillo is the much loved author of The Tale of Despereaux, and Because of Winn Dixie. Her trademark writing style is showcased again in this new book about an orphan boy seeking his lost sister.

Young Peter Augustus Duchene spends his guardian's scarce coins on a fortuneteller instead of food. He is excited by her news: his long lost sister, separated from him at birth, still lives! However, the fortune teller's advice of "follow the elephant" seems improbable. Where would an elephant come from in their Baltese?

But magic is at work in the opera house, and an elephant does appear. Soon the various threads of townsfolk weave together to bring each of them solace and peace in the cold winter.

This atmospheric, elegant tale is similar in tone to The Tale of Desperaux. It has the same faint feel of a fairy tale, and it makes no effort to hide the fact that children and adults can be sorrowful, and can endure great suffering. In the end, I was very glad to see that DiCamillo pulls a satisfyingly happy ending out of the magician's hat.

Kids who like thoughtful, quiet books may find this one appealing. The mood is altogether restrained and somehow cool, so those who prefer fast plot driven action will look elsewhere. Again, this is a terrific book for the right kid, but one that will demand much of the reader.

Fiction

Grades 4-7

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Picture Book: The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear

Every once in a while, you come across a book that will surely change the face of childhood. This one is it! Remember Rock Paper Scissors? Kiss it goodbye. It's being replaced with Ninja Cowboy Bear!

This book tells the legend of three friends: ninja, cowboy and bear. They usually live harmoniously, but one day they all get in an argument about who's the best.

When they devise some tests to find out who's the best, of course they each win a different competetion. The cowboy is quick; the bear is strong; the ninja is agile.

After some thought, the friends decide that they are each best in their own way. The book ends with a visual description of how to play Ninja, Cowboy, Bear. Unlike the hand-based Rock Paper Scissors, playing Ninja Cowboy Bear is a whole body experience. Players stand back to back, then walk three paces as they count 1, 2, 3. On "turn", they turn around and pretend to be their chosen character. Ninja strikes a kicking pose; cowboy pulls his guns, and bear towers threateningly. Ninja beats cowboy, cowboy beats bear, and bear beats ninja!

Now you know; go forth and play childhood's newest tie breaking game! A fantastic pick for active kids, with a nice little moral hidden in the story.

Picture Book

Grades 2-6

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Nonfiction: Thumb Wrestling Federation

Thumb wrestlers, unite! This official handbook is your guide to the TWF, complete with thumb profiles, mask and outfit pictures, and top level training tips.

Those who are serious about thumb wrestling will find out how to create their own logo and costume. Full of hilarious and fun photos, this book is a great quick nonfiction read.

Nonfiction

Grades 3-6

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Fiction: Jolted

Arthur Slade is the Canadian author of Dust and Tribes. This book for younger readers has the same crackling energy and tension as his young adult books.

Newton Starker has always known that he will die by lightning. Every Starker relative except his mean, bitter great grandma has died by lightning strike, including his mother.

Newton is determined to fight the odds, so he signs on for the Academy for Survival, a boarding school in remote Saskatchewan where kids are taught wilderness and emergency survival skills alongside math and english.

But Newton has trouble dealing with the other students, rather than inclement weather. Although he's generally successful at avoiding deadly electricity, he's not having much luck making friends and keeping out of trouble. Things come to a head during the semester's final Wilderness Trip, and Newton has to decide who he can trust while the clouds gather!

This is a fast paced book with unique, standout characters. Great for boys or reluctant readers.

Fiction

Grades 5-7

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Graphic Novel: Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest

This fun graphic novel for younger kids follows the adventures of Sticky Burr. Yes, that's right: he's a prickly burr, and he lives in a village with the other burrs in Burrwood Forest.

Sticky Burr's adventures usually begin when he gets stuck to the tail of one forest animal or another. Sometimes it's a bird, sometimes it's a wild dog; but always, Sticky Burr has an exciting time getting back to his friends in the village!

In this book, Sticky Burr gets lost in a maze, and has to lead the lightning bugs (also lost) to safety. There's lots of fun, sweet humour in this short comic, and younger kids will love reading about Sticky Burr's adventures.

Graphic Novel

Grades 2-5

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