Six EPIC Books

In case you guys were looking for suggestions of what to read during Summer here’s a list of books about epic girls! These girls do epic things like hanging out with REAL wolves, ACTUAL trolls, totally LEGIT villains and WEIRD circus folk. They would be ideal for kids reading at a 12 year old level and older. All are available in our libraries and on our eLibrary as well.

The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell

Hey I’m serious: this book is a-mazz-ing. Katherine Rundell has written a few other children’s novels and all of them are highly cool! This book is available in most of our libraries and also on Overdrive.

Feodora and her mother live in the snowbound woods of Russia, in a house full of food and fireplaces. Ten minutes away, in a ruined chapel, lives a pack of wolves. Feodora’s mother is a wolf wilder, and Feo is a wolf wilder in training. A wolf wilder is the opposite of an animal tamer: it is a person who teaches tamed animals to fend for themselves, and to fight and to run, and to be wary of humans. What follows is a story of revolution and adventure, about standing up for the things you love and fighting back. And, of course, wolves.” Goodreads.

 

The Girl who Walked on Air by Emma Carroll

Who doesn’t love a good circus story! This is a really popular book in our collection guaranteed to entertain and thrill you. Copies available in our libraries and also on Overdrive!

“Abandoned as a baby at Chipchase’s Travelling Circus, Louie dreams of becoming a ‘Showstopper’. Yet Mr Chipchase only ever lets her sell tickets. No Death-Defying Stunts for her. So in secret, Louie practises her act- the tightrope- and dreams of being the Girl Who Walked on Air. All she needs is to be given the chance to shine …” Goodreads.

 

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Solan

This is a slightly more serious story about a really clever girl! This heart-warming read is available in our libraries and on Overdrive.

“Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life… until now. Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy … Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.” Goodreads

 

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

You’ll love reading about how Esperanza grows and changes – she’s such a cool character! This book is available in our libraries and on Overdrive too!

“Esperanza thought she’d always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico–she’d always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances–Mama’s life, and her own, depend on it.” Goodreads.

 

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Here’s a book which is waaay better than the movie! There are copies of Coraline available in most of our libraries and on Overdrive!

Coraline’s often wondered what’s behind the locked door in the drawing room. It reveals only a brick wall when she finally opens it, but when she tries again later, a passageway mysteriously appears. Coraline is surprised to find a flat decorated exactly like her own, but strangely different. And when she finds her “other” parents in this alternate world, they are much more interesting despite their creepy black button eyes …” Goodreads

 

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This story is a well loved book in our collection! Some of the things that happen to Miranda seem to defy the laws of time and space. When You Reach Me is available in most of our libraries and on Overdrive.

“By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:

I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter … ” Goodreads.

 

City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

City of Ember is the first book in the Ember series and it’s available in most of our libraries and on Overdrive. The main character, Lina, is definitely epic enough to finish this list with!

“Many hundreds of years ago, the city of Ember was created by the Builders to contain everything needed for human survival. It worked…but now the storerooms are almost out of food, crops are blighted, corruption is spreading through the city and worst of all—the lights are failing. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness…

But when two children, Lina and Doon, discover fragments of an ancient parchment, they begin to wonder if there could be a way out of Ember. Can they decipher the words from long ago and find a new future for everyone? Will the people of Ember listen to them?” Goodreads

 

 

 

Latest New Kids Fiction

Image courtesy of SyndeticsNest by Esther Ehrlich

On Cape Cod in 1972, eleven-year-old Naomi, known as Chirp for her love of birds, gets help from neighbor Joey as she struggles to cope with her mother’s multiple sclerosis and its effect on her father and sister.

 

 

 

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsA Wonderlandiful Life by Shannon Hale.

“When a mysterious being from Wonderland begins to infect Ever After High with a strange magic, everything goes topsy-turvy. Lizzie Hearts, Wonderland’s future queen; Cedar Wood, daughter of Pinocchio; and Madeline Hatter, heir to the Mad Hatter’s Haberdashery & Tea Shoppe, seem to be the only ones who haven’t completely lost their heads. It’s up to them to save their best friends forever after from a curse that threatens to give their school–and their lives–a very unhappy ending”– Provided by publisher.

 

 

image courtesy of SyndeticsThe Girl who Walked on Air by Emma Carroll

Louie, was abandoned at Chipchase’s Travelling Circus as a baby and dreams of becoming a ‘Showstopper’. She secretly practises the tightrope and dreams of being the Girl Who Walked on Air. Mr Chipchase reluctantly lets Louie perform. She is a sensation, and gets an offer from the sinister, opposition, Mr Wellbeloved to perform… over Niagara Falls. But nothing is quite as it seems and soon Louie’s bravery is tested not just on the highwire but in confronting her past and the shady characters in the world of the circus.

 

 

 

Image courtesy of SyndeticsAngels in training  by Karen Mccombie

Riley’s life has changed a lot since she discovered the Angelos sister’s secret. You see her new neighbours are a little bit …magical. They know things that no-one else does and that’s why she thinks they can help her find out about mum. But just as she’s about to get some answers, mysterious events start happening at school. As things get stranger and stranger, Riley begins to suspect that they’re the only ones who can work out what or who is behind them.

 

 

 

The Winter WolfImage courtesy of Syndetics by Holly Webb

Amelia is exploring the huge, old house, where her family are spending Christmas when she finds a diary hidden in the attic. It was written by a boy struggling to look after an abandoned wolf pup. Before she knows it, Amelia is transported into the wintry world of the diary…

 

New Non Fiction: Let us entertain you!

The holidays are about two weeks away and winter’s almost on it’s way.  Worried about what you are going to do over the holidays? Never fear, come on down to Wellington City Libraries, get stocked up on new books (and maybe some DVDs for good measure)  and let us entertain you!

Wellington City Libraries has more new non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure. This month’s blog post pays tribute to the entertainment industry.

Here you will find a list of books that can give you ideas on how to make your own film (whether as a hobby or if you aim to be the next Sir Peter Jackson); getting schooled up on your favorite Disney, Pixar and Star Wars characters (maybe revisiting and watching your favorite Disney, Pixar and Star Wars movies), drawing SpongeBob SquarePants characters and even running away to join the circus!

There are three more books have been published from the series, Inspirational Lives that focuses on influential people and key figures in the public eye, in the case this month, a writer, a rap star and the creator of Apple! Who knows, maybe reading about their inspiring lives may inspire you to follow your creative dreams and goals.

 

Behind the Scenes: Film.

If you’re a movie buff (like I am) and interested in what happens behind the scenes of your favorite movies, then have a read of this new revised and updated book on what goes on in the film industry. You will learn about how things work in film, inside knowledge about the jobs people do and even tips on how to get experience and your first job if you are looking to pursue a career in the film industry.

 

Disney junior encyclopedia of animated characters : Includes characters from your favorite Disney Pixar films.

So you think you’re a Disney expert? Sure, you may know the words to every Disney Song and able to recite all the lines from your favorite Disney movie. But do you know the answers to questions like what is the dentist’s address in Finding Nemo?, what is Mulan’s family name? and why the words “Meega na la queesta!” makes an alien want to throw up? Hakuna Matata! All the answers are in this new encyclopedia from A to Z about all your favorite Disney and Pixar animated characters. If only they had published this when I was a kid.

Also check out my personal Disney favorites: Lilo and Stitch, Finding Nemo, The Lion King and The Incredibles. 

 

  

A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away… Three new books on Star Wars arrived at Wellington City Libraries!

In the mood for Star Wars non fiction? For all you Star Wars fans, you get three for the price of one. Three books that are guaranteed to make you the ultimate Star Wars expert!

Star Wars Character Encyclopedia explores over 200 heroes, villains, droids and weird aliens from the Star Wars series. It’s great for anyone who wants to gain further insight to their favorite Star Wars characters. Also find out if you have what it takes to be a Jedi… or a Sith Lord by reading Who are the Jedi and What is a Sith Warrior from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series. In Who are the Jedi, you will read and uncover secrets of the most powerful and heroic Jedi Knights of all time, while Who Are the Sith explores the most fearsome fighters of all time and their deadly secrets.  Grab them down at your local library before someone else does.

 

 

Circuses.

Roll up, roll up! The Circus has come to the library!… Well almost. We now have a new and exciting book about all you ever wanted to know about circuses. Read all about the history of the circus from 18th century to present day, the use of animals, famous circuses around the world and even tips of how to be a circus performer. You will learn lots of amazing facts and information like the first circus that started was in London, 1768 by Philip Astley and the Cirque du Soleil employs over 5,000 people around the world.

 

How to Draw SpongeBob SquarePants.

Ahoy  SpongeBob SquarePants fans! Now you can bring SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and Mr. Krabs to life… on paper. This book will show you how to draw these characters with simple step by step instructions. There’s lots of cool drawing tips and sketching ideas, including how to make your own flip book that brings your drawing to life as if there were on film or TV. This book is bound to keep you entertained for many hours on end.

 

If you enjoyed the last post on Inspirational Lives, get ready for more biographies on your favorite celebrities and key figures in the public eye:

 

Steve Jobs: Digital Innovator.

Read all about  Steve Jobs, the  American entrepreneur and best known as the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc, the  co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios! (Yup, the company responsible for our favourite Disney movies like Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Toy Story 3!) and how this  man, from San Francisco revolutionized the way we think about computer, music, entertainment brought the world the  iPod, iPhone and iPad! You will learn all about this amazing genius’ inspiration life from how is interest in electronics developed, the founding of Apple, his family life and how his career came to an end due to an illness that led to his death in 2011.

Check out some of the Pixar DVDs like Brave, Up, WALL-E and Toy Story 3.

Anthony Horowitz: Creator of Alex Rider.

We all know him as the best selling author of children and young adult fiction, mostly popularly known as the author of the Alex Rider series, but what don’t you know? Read the latest and revised biography of Anthony Horowitz and find out everything you have ever wanted to know about him:  His childhood, his inspiration for writing and how Alex Rider came to life and things you didn’t know about him, like his mum giving him a human skull for his 13th birthday and spending his gap year in Australia working as a cowboy. You find information on tips to be a writer and a quiz that can show you if you have what it takes to be a writer.

 

Jay-Z: Megastar Rapper.

This book is the mother of all inspirational lives! We all know Jay-Z as the multi-platinum rap icon,  shrewd businessman and husband of famous R&B singer, Beyonce, who went from being a  kid from the ghetto and a high school drop put to a man who sold 50 million albums around the world, who won 15 Grammy Awards and who even owns his own basketball team! (A life we can envy.) Now is the chance to read about the man behind the multi-million dollar brand. You will read all about his troubled childhood, brush with the law, finally hitting the big time and how his performance in Glastonbury, 2008 brought acceptance of hip hop to a traditionally rock audience