At home resources #30

Book suggestions
Younger readers

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt
I NEVER leave my nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. I could encounter germs, poison ivy or sharks. If danger comes along, I'm prepared. I have antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute.
But things really get shaken up later in the book when I'm forced out of my tree by a vicious intruder!
Available as an ebook on Overdrive

Middle grade students

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis
Meet Timmy Failure, founder of the 'best' detective agency in town - Total Failure, Inc. Timmy may only be 11, but with the help of his polar bear, Total, he already has plans for world domination. Plans that will make his mother rich and unpaid bills a thing of the past. And plans that will defeat Corrina Corrina, 'The One Whose Name Shall Not Be Uttered'. But she's not going away. Available as an ebook on Overdrive.

Upper grade students

Hideout by Watt Key
Twelve-year-old Sam has been given a fishing boat by his father, but he hates fishing. Instead he uses the boat to disappear for hours at a time, exploring the forbidden swampy surroundings of his bayou home. Then he discovers a strange kid named Davey, mysteriously alone, repairing an abandoned cabin deep in the woods. Not fooled by the boy's evasive explanation as to why he's on his own, Sam becomes entangled in his own efforts to help Davey. This book is set in Mississippi and the author does a great job of describing the setting which is so different from what we're used to in Massachusetts. Available as an ebook on Overdrive.

Kids Ask Authors podcast: Linda Sue Park

Grace Lin recenly asked Linda Sue Park a question from a listener and they had an interesting conversation about the cultures in which they were brought up. Ms. Park's book, Prairie Lotus, pictured above, was recently published.


Toys of the Past

Check out some vintage toys on this Smithsonian Museum webpage! Ask your family members if they've ever played with these! (I had the Fisher Price dollhouse when I was young!)