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Enoch Pratt Free Library

Enoch Pratt Free Library

Pratt Picks

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Children - Fabulous Fiction

Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School: Fear Itself

Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School: Fear Itself (2011)

Clements Andrew

Ben and Jill must follow clues to solve a mystery and stop the building of an amusement park on school grounds. The retired school janitor, Mr. Keane, dies without revealing secrets that would prevent their school from being torn down. Ben and his friend are determined to find out the truth, but the new janitor is behaving strangely and just as determined to stop them. (Book 2 of the series)

For ages nine to twelve.

The Mighty Miss Malone

The Mighty Miss Malone (2012)

Christopher Paul Curtis

"We are a family on a journey to a place called wonderful.”— from The Mighty Miss Malone, by Christopher Paul Curtis

Miss Deza Malone loves her family, her dictionary, and her thesaurus; smart as a whip, she makes her way in Gary, Indiana with her best friend Clarice by her side. When times get hard and things start to change, will Deza and her family have the courage to carry on?

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Stickman Odyssey. Book One, An Epic Doodle

Stickman Odyssey. Book One, An Epic Doodle

Christopher Ford

Join stickman Zozimos in his quest to return to Sticathia in this funny and sometimes gross graphic novel.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: PN6728.S748 F67 2011

Junonia

Junonia (2011)

Kevin Henkes

10-year-old Alice is looking forward to her annual vacation on Sanibel Island. She is disappointed that the same families and friends are not there this year. Alice learns to adapt to the change and enjoy collecting sea shells with new friends.

For ages nine to twelve.

Chomp

Chomp

Carl Hiaasen

When Wahoo's father takes a job as the animal wrangler for an Everglades episode of the reality show Expedition Survival!, he and his father must contend with the show's misguided star, Derek Badger, as well as a classmate's abusive father and assorted wild animals.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009)

Grace Lin

Inspired by her father’s tales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, Minli decides to make a magical journey to ask the Old Man of the Moon questions to change her poor family’s fortune. Along her journey, Minli meets many interesting characters including a dragon that can’t fly. Interwoven into the main story are fairytales told by the characters Minli meets along her journey.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Wildwood

Wildwood (2011)

Colin Meloy

After Prue’s little brother is carried off by crows, she and her classmate Curtis head into the Impassable Wilderness around Portland, Oregon to find him. There they are separated and find themselves fighting on opposite sides of a war which includes talking animals and a mysterious dowager governess. This is book #1 in The Wilwood Chronicles series.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure

NCBLA

Sixteen authors and five illustrators tell the story of twins Joe and Nancy who must locate and reassemble the parts of a mysterious robot in order to rescue their parents.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck

Brian Selznick

Ben is on a trip to New York City to solve a family mystery. Rose who is deaf embarks on a journey to the City as well. The lives of 2 adventurous children are chronicled separately until they meet. Using only pictures to tell Rose's story and only words to tell Ben's Selznick has once again created an awe-inspiring book.

For ages nine to twelve.

Boys Without Names

Boys Without Names (2010)

(1)

Kashmira Seth

Eager to support his struggling family when his father goes missing, Gopal gets tricked into working for a one-room sweatshop. While at the sweatshop, Gopal uses his skill of storytelling to befriend the other trapped boys and keep his spirits up while planning his escape.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Liar & Spy

Liar & Spy (2012)

(2)

Rebecca Stead

A great story about anxiety, friendship, and lying; Georges and his family have just moved into an apartment, leaving behind their beloved home, and lots of things are different now, but, as Georges' mother says, you have to focus on the big picture. Read it today and discover what happens when Georges finally takes a step back and sees all the pieces.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

The Emerald Atlas

The Emerald Atlas (2011)

John Stephens

Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma have lived in orphanages for a decade, but they refuse to believe that their parents are dead. Finally, they are shipped off to an “orphanage” in mysterious Cambridge Falls, where they discover a powerful book and a witch who wants to take it from them. This is book #1 in The Books of Beginning series.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Pie

Pie (2011)

Sarah Weeks

Polly Portman made her small town famous with her award-winning pies, but she never shared her secret pie crust recipe. After her death, it seems that almost everyone in town wants to be the next award-winning pie baker, and the search is on to find the secret recipe.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Locomotion

Locomotion (2003)

Jacqueline Woodson

Eleven year old Lonnie starts a poetry journal about his life after the death of his parents. His teacher encourages him to express himself through writing. As a result, Lonnie is able to cope with difficult family events.

For ages nine to twelve.

Call Number: J

Historical Fiction

The Danger Box

The Danger Box (2010)

Blue Balliett

A nearly blind boy named Zoomy discovers a box with a mystery. He takes daily walks to the library to meet his friend Lorrol and investigate. Zoomy and his friend engage in dangerous adventures involving his troubled brother Buckeye, a police officer, and some beetles. Clues from The Gas Gazette lead the 2 investigators to the famous Charles Darwin, father of the theory of evolution.

For ages nine to twelve.

Revolution is Not a Dinner Party

Revolution is Not a Dinner Party (2007)

Ying Chang Compestine

In 1972 nine-year-old Ling is living in Communist China during the Cultural Revolution. She fears for her family's safety from the repressive government. Ling's father shows her how to maintain courage and hope during a tumultuous time.

For ages nine to twelve.

Inside Out & Back Again

Inside Out & Back Again (2011)

Thanhha Lai

As a refugee 10-year-old Ha must leave all she loves to emigrate to the U.S. She leaves behind the beautiful papaya trees, Buddhist culture and the gentle people of Vietnam. After arriving in a strange country she faces prejudice and the daunting task of learning a difficult language. Fortunately, she also experiences joy and success by celebrating both her intact Vietnamese culture and her new home.

For ages nine to twelve.

Breaking Stalin's Nose

Breaking Stalin's Nose (2011)

(1)

Eugene Yelchin

10-year-old Sasha Zaichik experiences the hardship of life in the former Soviet Union. His family has to live with 47 strangers in a cramped apartment. He believes it is all for the good of the country. Though Sasha is a proud member of the Young Pioneers he begins to have doubts about the intentions of the Communist government. His father is forcibly arrested by soldiers leaving vulnerable Sasha to muddle through on his own. The innocence of childhood is lost in a place where people are persecuted for what they believe.

For ages nine to twelve.

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