I don't think we're in Kansas anymore...

Wilson, N.D. (2007). 100 Cupboards. 289 pages. Grades 4-6.

Henry's life changes dramatically after his parents are kidnapped. He leaves Boston, where he lived a sheltered life, and moves in with his Aunt, Uncle and their children in Kansas, where he can roam freely and even ride in the open cab of his Uncle's truck. Henry is given a cozy room in the attic, which has a secret waiting for him to discover. When pieces of plaster begin to fall from the wall, Henry finds hidden cabinet doors in all shapes, colors, and sizes. With his cousin, Henrietta, they discover that each door leads to a different world.

The story begins on the slow side, but the excitement picks up once Henry and Henrietta begin wandering through the different worlds. You can find the list and a drawing of the cabinets at the beginning of the book.

Fans of Funke's Inkheart Series

If you've finished reading Inkdeath or are waiting for your copy, you might enjoy these books:

Collins, Suzanne. Gregor the Overlander. (Underland Chronicles, bk.1)

11-year old Gregor and his 2-year old sister enter into a mysterious underground world where they embark on a quest to find their missing father.

Durst, Sarah Beth. Into the Wild.

Julie's mother, Rapunzel, escaped her fairy tale, but when "the wild" takes over the entire town, Julie must prevent everyone from being trapped in a fairy tale forever.

Gordon, Roderick. Tunnels.

Will Burrows and his friend Chester must venture into an underground world with cruel and evil inhabitants in order to rescue his father.

Kladstrup, Kristin. The Book of Story Beginnings.

After moving to Iowa with her family, Lucy finds a notebook that brings stories to life. When Lucy writes in the notebook, her story adventures lead her to her great uncle, who disappeared as a boy.

Celebrate Massachusetts Family Literacy Month

November is Family Literacy Month!

What can you do with your children to encourage literacy?

• Visit the library for a storytime, music program, or book group. Visit the Children's Website for event information. We have a variety of storytimes and programs for infants through grades 4!
• Encourage your child to read or listen to an audiobook. Find a book in our catalog or ask a librarian for a suggestion (781) 455-7559 ext. 204.
• Have a family read-aloud night. You can find many books that can be read-aloud and enjoyed by all ages. For starters, try: E.B. White's Stuart Little, Beverly Cleary's Henry Huggins, or Judy Blume's The Pain and the Great One.
• Participate in our Read-a-thon! You can win prizes and enter a raffle to win 1 ticket per family to a show at the Wheelock Theatre. Register online or at the Children's desk.

A story of friendship and a talking hen

Cowley, Joy (2008). Chicken Feathers. 149 pages. Grades 3-5.


During the summer while Josh's mother was in the hospital waiting for her baby to be born, Josh spent his time with a chicken who possesed a special talent. Her name was Semolina and she could talk! When Josh noticed that eggs were disappearing, he asked Semolina, who informed him that a fox was stealing them. Unfortunately, Josh's father didn't believe him, especially when he found out who it was that told Josh. Find out if Josh can convince his father in time and prevent Semolina from becoming fox's dinner.

Women who ran for president

Gephart, Donna (2008). As if being 12 3/4 isn't Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President! 227 pages. Grades 5-7.


Vanessa's mother, the Governor of Florida, is running for President! In addition to the normal stress of being in seventh grade, Vanessa begins receiving threatening notes from someone who doesn't want her mother to run for president.

Krull, Kathleen (2004). A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull. 32 pages. Grades 3-5.

Did you know that in 1872, Victoria Woodhull, was the first woman to run for president? Find out more about her life and role in politics.

Smith, Lane (2008). Madam President. Ages 4 and up.

A little girl imagines what her days would be like if she were President of the U.S.A.

St. George, Judith (2007). The Ghost, the White House, and Me. 153 pages. Grades 3-5.

Eleven year old KayKay has moved in to the White House with the President of the U.S.A., her mother. There are rumors that the White House is haunted and KayKay uses this knowledge to play a prank, which doesn't turn out as planned.

Thimmesh, Catherine (2004). Madam President. 80 pages. Grades 2-5.

Take a walk through history and explore the many women and their roles in politics, from the time of Abigail Adams to Benazir Bhutto.

Adventures of a small town boy and his dog

Ylvisaker, Anne (2007). Little Klein. 186 pages. Grades 3-6.


Nine-year-old Harold Sylvester George Klein, known as "Little Klein," is the smallest and youngest in his family, and his brothers, "the Bigs," never let him forget it. One day, a dog named LeRoy finds Harold and follows him home. Soon the two are inseparable and they find themselves having one adventure after another. But, when disaster strikes and his brothers are the ones needing help, Harold takes action and saves the day.
This is a great story for kids who enjoy reading realistic stories about adventure and friendship between children and animals. Other books to try include: DiCamillo's Because of Winn Dixie, Naylor's Shiloh, and Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Halloween books for the younger crowd

Brown, Margaret Wise (2003). The Fierce Yellow Pumpkin.

A little pumpkin dreams of the day when it will be a fierce, yellow pumpkin.

Fleming, Denise (2001). Pumpkin Eye.

Rhyming text describes the sights and sounds of Halloween night.

Schulman, Janet (2005). 10 Trick-or-Treaters: A Halloween Counting Book.

Count along as ten trick-or-treaters encounter ghosts, spiders, and other creepy creatures on Halloween night.

Imagine if another world existed underground...

Gordon, Roderick and Williams, Brian (2008). Tunnels. 472 pages. Grades 5-9.

The one thing that fourteen- year-old Will Burrows enjoys most is digging tunnels. He and his father frequently go on archeological digs to uncover lost items that are sometimes added to his father's museum collection. But when Will's father disappears, Will and his friend Chester embark on a dangerous journey to an underground world known as "The Colony." Will and Chester are shocked to find that there are people living under London with their own set of rules and punishments. Will is certain that this underground society is the reason behind his father's disappearance, but how will two young boys from London survive in this mysterious place, let alone rescue his father?

Interested in an Online Book Club?

In October, the 3rd - 4th grade book club will be reading:

Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux.

We will hold an online discussion on Wednesday, October 29 from 4-5 pm.

This wiki is only open to those who sign up for the book club and is monitored by the Children’s librarian.

To register and to access the Book Club wiki, please contact the Children's Librarian: 781-455-7559 ext. 204.

Get into the Halloween Spirit...

Irving, Washington (2007). The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Grades 4-8.

Irving's story of Ichabod Crane, a schoolmaster who falls in love with the farmer's girl and has an encounter with the headless horseman is newly illustrated by Gris Grimly. This rendition of Sleepy Hollow will leave you feeling spooked! The story is presented in a graphic novel format, with the illustrations complementing the original text.

Creative look at book making for children

Pietromarchi, Sophie Benini (2007). The Book Book: A Journey into Bookmaking. 131 pages. Grades 4-8.


In this book, Pietromarchi takes the reader on a journey in book making. She provides tips on finding everyday materials for illustrations, such as pencil shavings, beginning a story, and making different types of books. In each chapter, readers will find quirky illustrations and simple, but creative, ideas about book making. Children who enjoy writing or illustrating will find this book inspiring and can use it as a springboard for their own creative outlets.