Fun
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The Golden Compass
British author Philip Pullman takes readers to a world where humans have animal familiars and where parallel universes are within reach.
The Golden Compass is the story of Lyra, an ordinary girl with an extraordinary role to play in the fates of multiple worlds, in an entirely fresh way.
It is the story of Lyra’s journey to the far north, her rescue of the kidnapped children at Bolvangar, her escape via hot-air balloon, and her crucial role in Lord Asriel’s ambitions to build a bridge to another world.
Lyra is rushing to the cold, far North, where witch clans and armored bears rule. North, where the Gobblers take the children they steal – including her friend Roger. North, where her fearsome uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world.
Can one small girl make a difference in such great and terrible endeavors? This is Lyra: a savage, a schemer, a liar, and as fierce and true a champion as Roger or Asriel could want.
But what Lyra doesn’t know is that to help one of them will be to betray the other….
A masterwork of storytelling and suspense, Philip Pullman’s award-winning The Golden Compass is the first in the His Dark Materials series, which continues with The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.
It’s for readers 10 and up.
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Eat Like A Horse
Have you heard the saying “eat like a horse”?
It often means eating a large volume of food, devouring food or eating fast, helping yourself to someone else’s food, and other (sometimes) unflattering examples, like “making a pig of yourself”. That’s another crazy idiom meaning, among other things, eat too noisily or eat more that your share.
“Eat like a horse” is a contradiction, because for one thing, horses don’t eat fast. Nature built them to walk and graze all day long, snatching mouthfuls of feed here and there. This results in frequent and small meals, keeping their digestive systems moving and healthy.
Now, about eating noisily—when I feed my horses their supplements and some small form of pelleted food, they can eat like pigs!
My dun horse slobbers and loudly chomps (despite receiving regular dental care—the slobbering is just plain poor manners). My 8-year old gelding tries to grab the feed bucket before I can get it into his stall, often spilling the contents onto the flooring. Can you imagine grabbing your plate from the server at a restaurant, spilling everything on the table? My retired reiner closes his eyes and savors every bite, like it’s a scrumptious dessert. But don’t get too close to his feed bucket or he will pin his ears at you, clearly saying “Don’t even think about it!”Truly an example of the three little pigs.
Each of them receive a portion of hay specific to their weight requirements. Still, they shove their hay around with their muzzles, trying to get to what they think are sweeter or more tender bits, and some good amount of their hay goes flying into their neighbor’s stall, under the pipe rails. So of course, the other horse, let’s say it’s Topper, thinks, “Oh hey! How nice of you. I’ll stop eating my own hay and go eat yours.” Or, if Topper’s hay lands just inside his stall, his neighbor will try all kinds of contortions to reach Topper’s hay. This includes practically getting down on their knees, sticking their heads under the lowest rail, and stretching their lips and tongues out to snatch any morsel they can—even when there’s plenty of hay in their own stall.
So I guess I could say, my horses do eat like pigs. Shocking!
On a more serious note, horses’ digestive systems are very sensitive. Horses can “colic”, which is a term for any type of digestive blockage, indigestion, gas, abdominal pain, etc. Colic can be deadly. Horses can also develop stomach ulcers.
Sudden changes in feed should be avoided, along with foods such as rhubarb, dairy products, potatoes, avocado, lawn clippings (because clippings ferment too quickly), tomatoes and other vegetables, as examples. However, apples and carrots are always welcome, in moderation.
So, is the idiom “eat like a horse” really correct? Or, do horses “eat like a pig”?
What’s really important here is to understand how and what horses should not eat, and always provide them with good feed appropriate to their nutritional needs, exercise, fresh water, dental care and more.
Check out the internet for more information.
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City of Bones
Discover this first installment of the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series and “prepare to be hooked”.
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…
Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end. Once you read the first book in this exciting series you will definitely want to continue with the rest of the series.
Readers Mature 12 and up
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Strange Languages
Did you know twins sometimes make up a language all their own so they can have secret conversations? It’s called cryptophasia. This word comes from the Greek “crypto,” or secret, and “phasia” or speech.
Did you also know the black American slaves invented a secret language to teach each other how to read when it was against the law for them to learn? It is called Tut Language.
Most made-up languages use a few easy rules you can share with friends, but to someone who doesn’t know the rules, it can sound like you are speaking gibberish (which is a great word to know when you want to explain your secret language). Here are two well-known made-up languages, and one easy way to make up your own.
Pig Latin has been around since before William Shakespeare’s time. He even used it in his play, Love’s Labor’s Lost. The simple rule is to take a word like “pig” and move the first letter to the end. Then add “ay” to the end. So “pig” would be “igpay.” Latin would be “atinlay.” Igpay Atlinay! You will have to practice some, but it would be fun to try it out with a group of friends. Once you get good at it (fluent), it will be your secret language! For some help, here is an English to Pig Latin translator: http://www.snowcrest.net/donnelly/piglatin.html
Skimono Jive is a bit easier to learn—all you have to do is add “sk” to the beginning of each word. For instance, “twinkle, twinkle little star” would be “sktwinkle, sktwinkle sklittle skstar.” I guarantee this will make skgiggle a lot!
You can make your own language up by either adding a sound to the beginning of a word or the end of a word. Maybe you could use “bop” at the end of each word, so twinklebop, twinklebop littlebop starbop.” Try out different sounds with different words until you get one that is easy to learn but sounds like gibberish to anyone else.
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Explorer Academy: The Falcon’s Feather
In Book 2 of this great series it’s an adventure of a lifetime when Cruz Coronado sets sail aboard the Explorer Academy ship to continue his studies at sea. But, things take a turn while exploring the icy north, when he embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the first piece of an important puzzle his mother left behind.
In the exciting follow-up to The Nebula Secret in the 7-book Explorer Academy series, Cruz, Sailor, and Emmett, along with their new ally Bryndis, embark on their first globe-trotting mission aboard the ship Orion. Cruz jumps right back into school and starts using the latest technology in submersible underwater dives, but is soon reminded of the dangers of exploration when his equipment fails and he almost drowns. Determined to keep his eyes on the prize, Cruz sneaks away to try to find answers, but unknowingly lures his friends into bigger trouble. When a friend of Cruz’s mom meets an untimely end, Cruz’s luck really seems about to run out and the questions multiply. What does the message mean? Where will it lead? Who is following him? And why?
A great read for explorers 8-12.
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THE WATERHOLE
My body glided effortlessly through the green-tinged water, my legs floating over the back of my golden horse, Penny Boy. His ivory white mane drifted alongside his neck, and I grasped a handful of the soft strands so as not to float away and be left behind. I could feel the movement of each of his legs as they rhythmically propelled us across the swimming hole. I looked back over my shoulder just enough to see his white tail streaming behind us, rippling water marking our progress.
It was the closest thing to feeling weightless, to stopping time, not having to think about anything—just feel peace, and relish the trust and companionship between me and Penny Boy, and tell him how much I loved him.
All too soon, the water became shallow and hooves met sand. My hips and legs settled back into place on Penny Boy’s back as we emerged, water streaming down our shoulders, sides and legs, and dripping from Penny Boy’s mane and tail. I knew my cut-off shorts and t-shirt would smell like pollywogs once I got home, but I hardly cared.
Looking back now, I’m amazed that Penny Boy never stopped to shake the water off his body. It’s hard enough to stay on with a saddle when a horse shakes, but bareback—well, maybe I would have stayed on. But no matter. Those were the days when I could mount up Indian-style, grabbing a handful of mane and swinging my leg over Penny Boy’s back, pulling myself into place while he stood patiently.
And now, after all these years, I can still close my eyes and—I’m back at the swimming hole, floating weightlessly and carefree above Penny Boy’s back, a fistful of soft wet mane in my hands, pollywog smell tickling my nose, and whispering to Penny Boy how much I love him.
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Unplugged
From New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious middle grade novel about a group of kids forced to “unplug” at a wellness camp—where they instead find intrigue, adventure, and a whole lot of chaos. Perfect for fans of Korman’s The Unteachables and Masterminds series, as well as Carl Hiaasen’s eco mysteries.
As the son of the world’s most famous tech billionaire, spoiled Jett Baranov has always gotten what he wanted. So when his father’s private jet drops him in the middle of a place called the Oasis, Jett can’t believe it. He’s forced to hand over his cell phone, eat grainy veggie patties, and participate in wholesome activities with the other kids whom he has absolutely no interest in hanging out with.
As the weeks go on, Jett starts to get used to the unplugged life and even bonds with the other kids over their discovery of a baby-lizard-turned-pet, Needles. But he can’t help noticing that the adults at the Oasis are acting really strange. Could it be all those suspicious “meditation” sessions?
Jett is determined to get to the bottom of things, but can he convince the other kids that he is no longer just a spoiled brat making trouble?
For readers 8 – 12.
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Little Free Libraries
Have you noticed little tiny houses with little doors and books inside scattered around your neighborhood? If not, one may be coming to your area soon. Or maybe, you can encourage your family and friends to build and stock one.
A man named Todd Bol started the first Little Free Library in 2009 in Wisconsin after his schoolteacher mother died. He thought it would be a good way to honor her memory to share her love of books with the world. The first one was built to look like a little red schoolhouse. He made many more of them, and the idea caught on in cities all over the world. Today there are more than 90,000 Little Free Libraries in 91 countries.
These libraries work by exchange, which means you take a book you want to read and replace it with one you think someone might like to read. It is free! Little libraries have helped nurture the love of books and encouraged community sharing.
The idea of little libraries has extended to Little Pantries where people in a neighborhood stock the small public cupboards with food and other items for those in need. This is a quiet and gracious way of helping others and coming together as a community.
Another idea that grew out of these little libraries is a Toy Exchange. Families can get together and trade toys their children have outgrown for someone else’s toys. Toy Exchanges can also be small structures found in parks and beaches or wherever children play. Anyone can use the toys—all they have to do is replace them when they are done.
Keep a lookout for small little houses on sidewalks and lawns near you.
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The Eyes of Pharaoh
1177 BC: During the reign of Pharaoh Ramses the Third, Seshta, a 13-year-old dancer in the Temple of Hathor, dreams of becoming a famous entertainer. Horus, the brother of her heart, is content as a toymaker’s apprentice. Reya, at 16, has joined Egypt’s army with hopes of becoming a hero. When Reya hints that Egypt is in danger from foreign nomads, Seshta and Horus don’t take him seriously. How could anyone challenge Egypt?
Then Reya disappears. Seshta and Horus set out to find him—and discover a darker plot than they ever imagined. To save their friend, Seshta and Horus spy on merchants, soldiers, and royalty, and start to suspect even The Eyes of Pharaoh, the powerful head of the secret police. Will Seshta and Horus escape the traps set for them, rescue Reya, and stop the plot against Egypt in time?
Set in ancient Egypt, the ideas in this book resonate today, while the power of friendship will touch hearts both young and old. Suitable for ages 9 and up.
Chris Eboch is the author of over 60 books for children, including nonfiction and fiction, early reader through teen. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure; The Genie’s Gift, a Middle Eastern fantasy; and the Haunted series, about kids who travel with a ghost hunter TV show, which starts with The Ghost on the Stairs.
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The Proving Ground
The Proving Ground by the late Elaine Marie Alphin is for readers 9-14.
When Kevin Spencer’s father, a lieutenant colonel in the army, is transferred to a new post at the military Proving Ground in small rural town, Kevin assumes he’ll have a tough time adjusting, but he can’t anticipate just how tough. The entire town bears a grudge against the military, and Kevin has to deal with antagonism from everybody at school – including Charley Hanson, the feisty red-haired girl on whom he has an enormous crush.
His personal problems fade into insignificance, though, when Kevin finds himself the center of an attack on the Proving Ground. An attack that could result in disaster, not only for the military, but for the whole town. For Kevin the Proving Ground becomes not just a place where ammunition is tested, but the place where he finally makes the decision to stand up for what he believes.
My dun horse slobbers and loudly chomps (despite receiving regular dental care—the slobbering is just plain poor manners). My 8-year old gelding tries to grab the feed bucket before I can get it into his stall, often spilling the contents onto the flooring. Can you imagine grabbing your plate from the server at a restaurant, spilling everything on the table? My retired reiner closes his eyes and savors every bite, like it’s a scrumptious dessert. But don’t get too close to his feed bucket or he will pin his ears at you, clearly saying “Don’t even think about it!”
