Book Finder

A message from Headmaster Upchuck to the students at Rotten School sets the tone for the first in this humorous series that is decidedly boy-friendly though sometimes appalling to adults! The adventures of popular fourth grader Bernie Bridges and his nemesis, Sherman Oaks, continue in the Great Smelling Bee (2005).

At first Jerry is excited about taking piano lessons; he thinks the old piano is really neat. Then he meets his peculiar and slightly threatening music teacher, Dr. Shreek. Will Jerry come out of his lessons alive?

Max doesn’t want his family to move. He doesn’t want to leave Nicky and Tara, the young ghosts who inhabit Max’s house. Cliffhanger endings keep this series going at breakneck speed.

In a conversational way, the author of thriller for young readers reveals his early years and his path to becoming a writer. Black/white photographs are sprinkled throughout to present a look at this author’s life.

Pigeon is back, this time introducing young children to modes of transportation, from bus to bike. His slightly adult quips are sure to engage adults and children alike as are the bold lined, cartoon illustrations.

Pigeon is back on the bus and wants readers to know that he is not always happy. His range of emotions is conveyed in clean line and minimum text in this board book with lots of parent appeal.

Christine recalls growing up with her brothers (known as M.L. and A.D.) in a family in which laughter and love were celebrated. She describes a pivotal moment in their childhood when her brothers are told by the white boys who live across the street that they can no longer play together because the King’s are “Negroes.” The story provides insight into the child M.L. King was, and the man he would become. Realistic watercolors evoke the era and events of this well-told memoir.

At just over 5 feet tall, no one thought Mamie Johnson, also known as “Peanut” because of her size, would become a baseball star. But she sure could pitch! The author collaborated with the actual Mamie Johnson to tell the riveting — and real — story of how Peanut Johnson became one of three women to play professionally in the Negro Baseball League.

This poetic tribute to Langston Hughes introduces the poet and the time in which he lived and worked. An author’s note provides information about Hughes’ life and will likely generate interest in Hughes’ poetry. Stylized illustrations complement this unique story.

Reenie and her mother often fish along a river nicknamed Jim Crow, where they often see Peter and his father fishing, too. Since Reenie is black and Peter is white, they never speak — until Reenie reaches out to bridge a divide even wider than the river. A hopeful ending concludes this expressively illustrated recollection of the author’s childhood.

Named “Ugly” by the other ducks but loved by his mother, the big, gawky, and awkward bird has a tough go of it until he finds his real identity as a swan. This novelization of Hans Christian Andersen’s now classic tale of “the Ugly Duckling” is richly told with details of Tasmania and other parts of Australia.