IMCPL Staff Recommends for Kids http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html Looking for a good book? Try these recommendations from Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library staff members! en-US The Door Within by Wayne (Thomas) Batson http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html Twelve year-old Aidan’s life has been turned upside down: he’s been forced to move to his ill grandfather’s house—leaving behind his only friend. Angry at his parents for moving him across the country, Aidan never expected anything interesting to happen this summer, but when strange things start happening at Grampin’s house, he leaps for a chance at adventure. With the discovery of three scrolls, Aidan enters a world of adventure where dragons fly the skies and men become knights. He has been called to The Realm to become the Twelfth Knight of a team sent to combat the plans of the evil lord, Paragor. But as a boy who loves his PlayStation and drawing castles in class, will he be able to survive the rigors of training to be a knight . . . and his mission?
Recommendation for the Week of July 14, 2008 The Z was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html

The lowly alphabet reaches star status in this zany and beautiful picture book created by the brilliant and creative Chris Van Allsburg, author of the Christmas classic, The Polar Express. Van Allsburg sets the stage for learning the alphabet.   At the Alphabet Theatre, a mystery play in 26 acts is playing and features each letter of the alphabet, a victim of an unfortunate event.  Readers of all ages will be intrigued and amused as they attempt to discover what happened to each of the actors, from A to Z...  Featuring dramatic black and white illustrations, this book will delight both young and old.


Recommendation for the Week of July 7, 2008 The Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html

If you like Sherlock Holmes, you will be excited by this Canadian author's exploration/invention of Holmes's life as a 12-year old. It is 1867 in London. A terrible murder has been committed and an Arab immigrant has been arrested for it. Young Sherlock Holmes, with his odd ways, gets sucked into the mystery and is accused of being an accomplice. He must find the real killer or face the gallows himself. In this tense and well-written mystery, we meet Holmes's parents and understand the circumstances of racism (Sherlock is half-Jewish) and poverty that led him to be the moody, brilliant detective he became as an adult. We also meet the younger versions of the mysterious Professor Moriarity and even Irene Adler (the only woman Sherlock Holmes ever loved). An attention-grabbing and creative book.


Recommendation for the Week of June 30, 2008 Minnie’s Diner:  A Multiplying Menu by Dayle Ann Dodds http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html If you think multiplication is not any fun, I'm sure after reading the picture book Minne’s Diner: a Multiplying Menu your opinion will be changed.  Young children will be delighted by the story of Papa McFay and his five sons.  From the youngest to the oldest each son stops by Minnie’ Diner for lunch and with each son the order multiplies.  And by the end of the story the reader is ready to stop by a diner for a slice of cherry pie.  Told in rhyme this funny story is sure to be a winner.
Recommendation for the Week of June 23, 2008 Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html It is December 1917 and 16-year-old orphan, Hattie, has just inherited 320 acres in Montana from her Uncle.  Hattie it thrilled to finally have a place of her own, after being shuffled between relatives for most of her young life.  The Montana claim needs some “proving up” before Hattie can truly call it her own.  She learns that she has to put up 480 rods of fence and 40 acres of crops before November.  Hattie works hard to meet the requirements while keeping in touch with her good friend, Charlie, who is fighting in France.  She befriends her neighbor, Perilee, who makes her feel like she’s one of the family.  This young pioneer experiences friendship, heartbreak and joy on her way to discovering the meaning of independence.
Recommendation for the Week of June 16, 2008 Alabama Moon by Watt Key http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html This action packed adventure set in rural Alabama revolves around Moon, a ten-year-old boy, who has lived his entire life living off the land in the forest with his father, a Vietnam Veteran survivalist, who dislikes rules and distrusts the government.  After his father dies from a broken leg, refusing to see a doctor, Moon is left on his own.  Before his father died, he told Moon to go to Alaska and he sets out to do this, but folks have different ideas of what is right for Moon.  When Moon makes his first friend, tastes his first sweet roll and begs to stay in jail saying it was the, “best bed he ever had”, he begins to wonder if everything his father told him was right.  This first time novel by author Watt Key introduced a memorable character in Moon that will not easily be forgotten!
Recommendation for the Week of June 9, 2008 Victory Garden by Lee Kochenderfer http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html Teresa wants her brother home from the War, and is doing her part on the home front.  She helps her father tend their Victory Garden so food from the farm can feed troops fighting overseas.  When their gruff neighbor,Mr. Burt goes into the hospital, it is up to Teresa to convince her father to save Mr. Burt’s garden, and convince her classmates to turn the garden into their summer war bond project.  Armed with her secret weapon, a garden, and summer sun, the fifth graders take on the largest garden in the town.
Recommendation for the Week of June 3, 2008 Reaching for Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html As the seasons change so does Josie Wyatt as she comes of age in a body (stricken with cerebral palsy) that refuses to move with the music of her mind.  Written in free verse, Josie’s voice rings true as her story of friendship, hardship and learning one of life’s most valuable lessons unfolds like a rose slowly blossoming.  Like riding with the flow of a river’s current, so is reading Zimmer’s prose filled with metaphors and similes.  This one will touch your heart.
Recommendation for the Week of May 26, 2008 The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E. L. Konigsburg http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html Any book written by E. L. Konigsburg is interesting with intriguing characters.  Meet Amedeo Kaplan, who yearns to discover something special, like cave paintings, fossils of previously unknown animals or a lost art masterpiece.  When his mother is transferred to St. Malo, Florida, Amedeo meets William Wilcox, whose mother is appraising the estate of Mrs. Zender, Amedeo’s eccentric next door neighbor.  What Amedeo and William discover among Mrs. Zender’s many possessions is, indeed, very special.  If some of the minor characters seem familiar, the reason is that this book is a companion piece to Konigsburg’s The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place.
Recommendation for the Week of May 19, 2008 Goldie and the Three Bears by Diane Stanley http://www.imcpl.org/kids/stories/staffrec/index.html The author takes the popular story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and puts a different spin on it. We meet Goldie who knows exactly what she likes and what she doesn’t.  She can’t help it that the children she invites over are too bossy, snobby, boring and rough.  She wants a friend who is just right and someone she can love with all her heart.  One day, when Goldie gets off at the wrong bus stop, she finally finds the right friend.  I think any young child would enjoy this story and illustrations as much as I did. 
Recommendation for the Week of May 12, 2008