Ask Me What I'm Reading

Weekly write-ups of books recently read by the Youth Department staff.

Old MacDonald Had a Dragon
by Ken Baker — E Bak
Picture Book

Old MacDonald sings the song and allows a dragon on his farm.  The other farm animals are not happy about it. Disaster occurs as the dragon starts swallowing up all the animals. (EM)

A Rock Is Lively
by Dianna Hutts Aston – j 552 Ast
Nonfiction

Welcome to the world of rocks. Learn about different types of rocks from the oldest to the most beautiful. Discover how rocks are helpful, and how they have been used for many years to create amazing things. (KAW)

A Smidgen of Sky
by Dianna Dorisi Winget – j Dor
Realistic Fiction

After her father’s disappearance in a plane crash at sea, ten-year-old Piper Lee has gotten used to being just her and her mom. Now that her mom is engaged to Ben (who comes as a package deal with a daughter of his own), Piper comes up with a plan to get the wedding called off. As her plan starts to work, she decides maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all!  Can she put a stop to it before she destroys any chance at happiness for them all? (MK)

Little White Duck: A childhood in China
by Na Liu & Andres Vera Martinez – j741.59 Liu
Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction

Some things are good, some things are bad.  In graphic novel format (comics), the author gives glimpses of a 1970s childhood in China that is very different from what Saline kids experience. (PS)

Oliver
by Birgitta Sif – E Sif
Picture Book

Oliver is a little bit “different,”  but he doesn’t seem to mind, since he has 3 toys for friends. He prefers to play alone, having pretend adventures with his toy friends. But one day, a ball bounces through the gate. Oliver follows it and realizes what he’s been missing. Unique illustrations. (RD)

Three Times Lucky (Audiobook)
by Sheila Turnage – j CDAB Tur
Narrated by Michal Friedman
Fiction – 2013 Newbery Honor Award

6th grader Mo LoBeau from small-town Tupelo Landing, NC, and her friend Dale become detectives to solve a murder, a kidnapping, and a case of amnesia, while also running the local café, looking for lost mothers, and surviving a hurricane. (AE)

The Wizard of Dark Street: An Oona Crate Mystery
by Shawn T. Odyssey —  j Ody, v. 1
Fantasy, Mystery

Oona Crate would rather be a detective than the Wizard’s natural apprentice. But when her Uncle, the Wizard of Dark Street, gets stabbed by a mind dagger during the next apprentice’s selection process, Oona knows she is destined to solve the crime and the mystery. (AE)

Ask Me What I'm Reading Monthly Compilations

February 2013
March 2013
April 2013