Prequel to the "Tales of the Frog Princess"

Baker, E.D. (2007) The Salamander Spell. 248 pages. Grades 5-7.



Thirteen year old Grassina is a princess and the younger sister to Chartreuse, who is destined to become the Green Witch. Their mother, Queen Olivine, has been teaching Chartreuse the tools of the trade, but Chartreuse doesn't seem to have any magical ability. Tragedy strikes when a curse takes away Queen Olivine's powers as the Green Witch and the kingdom of Greater Greensward becomes at risk from werewolves and dragons. Will Chartreuse come into her magic or will Princess Grassina have to save the day?

Three Fantasy Books in One!

Stewart, Paul (2003). Muddle Earth. 450 pages. Grades 4-6.

Joe Jefferson can't think of what to write for his English assignment, which needs to be about an adventure. When he goes outside for a walk with his dog, he suddenly becomes part of another world, Muddle Earth, where he must play the role of warrior-hero. It is now up to Joe and his new friends to stop Dr. Cuddles from imprisoning the wizards and ruling Muddle Earth.

Calling all Pippi Longstocking Fans!

Orr, Wendy (2007). Mokie & Bik. 72 pages. Grades 2-4.


If you love to read about Pippi and her zany adventures, try this early chapter book! Mokie and Bik are twins who live on a boat called Bullfrog. Read all about their lives on the sea, playing games and trying to keep themselves out of trouble. There are plenty of great pen and ink drawings and interesting words made up by the twins that will keep the reader entertained!

Silly Picture Books

In Alethea Kontis’ Alpha Oops! The Day Z Went First, the alphabet is interrupted by the letter ‘Z’ and Zebra who are tired of going last. ‘Z’ gets his way and begins the alphabet, but he doesn’t get very far when ‘P’ interrupts him! Soon the middle letters want a change too and the alphabet is completely out of order with ‘D’ following ‘R’ and ‘B’ after ‘G’! Children who know their ABCs will find this book extremely funny.



Children will love Victoria Kann’s Pinkalicious in which a young girl has one too many pink cupcakes and becomes pink herself! At first she enjoys being pink, but when she turns red after eating sneaking one more cupcake she decides to take the doctor’s advice and eat her vegetables. This is a silly and imaginative lesson in what might happen if you over indulge in sweets.

Another silly book is David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes in which Camilla Cream who worries about what others think of her begins to turn different colors until an older woman helps her discover her true colors.

In Alan Durant’s Burger Boy, Benny only eats hamburgers and when his mother warns him that he will turn into a burger if he does not eat his vegetables, the prediction comes true! It is then up to his mother to turn Benny back into a regular boy by feeding him vegetables. A perfect and very funny book for picky eaters!

Curtis, Christopher Paul (2007). Mr. Chickee’s Messy Mission. 230 p. (Gr. 3-6)
Join the Flint Future Detectives on another mystery and fantasy adventure. When Russell’s dog, Rodney Rodent, chases a gnome and disappears into a mural, Steve Carter and his friends follow him and meet Mr. Chickee. If they want to return to their own universe, the detectives have to find Rodney Rodent and save the alternate universe of Ourside at the same time.

Fontes, Justine & Ron (2007). The Trojan Horse: The Fall of Troy. 48 p. (Gr. 4-6)

If your kids like to hear myths and legends, but can’t read Virgil on their own, then have them try this refreshing new take on Greek myths in the form of a graphic novel (comic book). Kids will enjoy learning about the battle of Troy and the story behind the wooden horse through scenes full of action and color.

Gifford, Peggy (2007). Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little. 92 p. (Gr. 3-5)
Meet nine year old Moxy who realizes that summer is ending and she has not yet read her summer reading assignment! Does this sound familiar? The book that she has put off reading is “Stuart Little,” but not because she doesn’t like it. Moxy brings the book with her everywhere, including the pool. It’s just that she hasn’t managed to spare any time to read it. Will Moxy finish the book the day before she starts fourth grade or will she have to face the consequences?

McAllister, Angela (2006). Digory the Dragon Slayer. 124 p. (Gr. 3-5)

Digory was an average boy until he found a dragon’s tooth while walking through the forest. Suddenly, the people of his village think that he has slayed a dragon! Now he is considered a knight, but can Digory face a real dragon?