General
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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.
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Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret
In Book 1 of the Explorer Academy series Cruz Coronado leaves his tranquil home in Kauai, Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world’s leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there’s more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of code breaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why?
Readers 8-12 can get in on the excitement with puzzles and codes embedded throughout the book.
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The Deep End
In book #15 of the wonderful Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, written by Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that’s not exactly a summertime paradise. When the skies open up and the water starts to rise, Greg and his family wonder if they can save their vacation—or if they’re already in too deep.
And while you’re at it you definitely don’t want to miss the all new adventures of Greg’s best friend Rowley, who has two books of his own out—Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid Rowley Jefferson’s Journal and his second book Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure.
These books are great for kids 8-12.
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Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
For readers 8 – 12. The author is Chris Grabenstein.
Mr. Lemoncello is a billionaire, who made his fortune from the creation of whacky and creative games, and he couldn’t have done any of it without his local library. When the library is turned into a parking garage, he funds a new library, which takes 12 years to build.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, by Chris Grabenstein, is the story of an eccentric billionaire named Luigi Lemoncello and his plan to share his love of libraries with the children of Alexandriaville. Mr. Lemoncello gives a great deal of money to have the former Gold Leaf Bank renovated as the town’s new library.
When Kyle learns that the world’s most famous game maker has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on the first night, he is determined to be there. But the tricky part isn’t getting into the library – it’s getting out. Kyle’s going to need all his smarts, because a good roll of the dice or lucky draw of the cards is not enough to win in Mr. Lemoncello’s library.
Twelve-year-old Kyle Keeley is obsessed with the board games of Mr. Luigi L. Lemoncello, the world’s most renowned game maker. Big news hits his town when Mr. Lemoncello transforms Alexandriaville, Ohio’s old bank into a state-of-the-art, into a technologically advanced library, and he’s holding an essay contest where twelve students from the middle school can spend one night in a lock-in before the library’s opening. Although Kyle misses the essay deadline, he rewrites his essay to email it to Mr. Lemoncello despite a reply that the sending had been unsuccessful. But Kyle’s knowledge of games and his friends’ knowledge of books and libraries are put to the test when they have to play the biggest game yet; having to escape from the library using only their wits and the clues scattered around the library’s different sections.
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The Seventh Most Important Thing
Here’s a great book for kids 8-12. The author is Shelley Pearsall
This story of anger and art, loss and redemption will appeal to fans of Lisa Graff’s Lost in the Sun and Vince Vawter’s Paperboy.
Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. Arthur had his reasons, and the brick hit the Junk Man in the arm, not the head. But none of that matters to the judge-he is ready to send Arthur to juvie forever. Amazingly, it’s the Junk Man himself who offers an alternative-120 hours of community service . . . working for him.
Arthur is given a rickety shopping cart and a list of the Seven Most Important Things- glass bottles, foil, cardboard, pieces of wood, light bulbs, coffee cans, and mirrors. He can’t believe it-is he really supposed to rummage through people’s trash? But it isn’t long before Arthur realizes there’s more to the Junk Man than meets the eye, and the “trash” he’s collecting is being transformed into something more precious than anyone could imagine. . . . Inspired by the work of folk artist James Hampton, author Shelley Pearsall has crafted an affecting and redemptive novel about discovering what shines within us all, even when life seems full of darkness.
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Rocks
Rocks. They are everywhere. Very, very small ones that make up pebbles and dirt. Medium-sized ones that fit in your hand. Big rocks a stonemason can make walls out of. And huge rocks, like boulders and whole mountains.
Geologists are scientists who study the earth (geo), including volcanos, earthquakes, and rocks.
According to them, all rocks fall into three categories. These categories are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. These are three words I think are fun to say. And here are their definitions:
Igneous rocks are formed inside volcanos. The heat is so intense, rock melts and starts to ooze and flow out of the top of these volcanos. Once they are out, they start to cool off and harden. Igneous rocks are the cooled and solidified result.
Metamorphic rocks are igneous rocks that start to change under pressure, heat, and sometimes chemical processes, usually while they are buried deep under the Earth’s surface. They alter or change from simple harden, molten rocks.
The third kind of rock is called sedimentary. The earth is changing all the time. It rains, it snows and freezes, winds blow, and earthquakes shake things up. All this activity affects the rocks and dirt. Rain pounds down on mountains and huge rocks are loosened, small rocks are sent tumbling, and small bits of sand and dirt get washed down rivers into the ocean where it settles to the bottom. After millions of years of layers and layers of dirt and rocks pressing down change the composition of the dirt. It gets pressed into a new kind of rock—sedimentary, which means it is made from sediments, or leftover bits of rocks.
Look around when you are outside. Can you spot each different kind of rock? I found these three in the wall outside my house.
