Special Collections

Class President

by Louis Sachar and Amy Wummer

It's no ordinary Thursday for Marvin Redpost and his class...It's "hole day," and even Mrs. North and Principal McCabe are wearing their very worst clothes. It seemed like a fun idea that morning, but now they're expecting company. The president -- of the United States! -- is on his way. And there's no time to change! Marvin must do math on the blackboard with television cameras pointed at him. And the day is just beginning!

Date Added: 09/17/2019

Counting by 7s

by Holly Goldberg Sloan

In the tradition of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and Mockingbird, this is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family.Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn't kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now. Suddenly Willow's world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read."Holly Goldberg Sloan writes about belonging in a way I've never quite seen in any other book. This is a gorgeous, funny, and heartwarming novel that I'll never forget."--John Corey Whaley, author of Where Things Come Back"Willow Chance subtly drew me into her head and her life, so much so that I was holding my breath for her by the end. Holly Goldberg Sloan has created distinct characters who will stay with you long after you finish the book."--Sharon Creech, Newbery Award-winning author of Walk Two Moons"In achingly beautiful prose, Holly Goldberg Sloan has written a delightful tale of transformation that's a celebration of life in all its wondrous, hilarious and confounding glory. Counting by 7s is a triumph."--Maria Semple, author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Date Added: 09/17/2019

Finding Buck McHenry

by Alfred Slote

Eleven-year-old Jason, believing the school custodian Mack Henry to be Buck McHenry, a famous pitcher from the old Negro League, tries to enlist him as a coach for his Little League team by revealing his identity to the world.

Date Added: 09/17/2019

Stef Soto, la reina del taco

by Jennifer Torres

En esta novela divertida y conmmovedora, Stef descubre lo que es realmente importante y, en última instancia, abraza su identidad. Una historia acerca de la familia, los amigos, y de cómo es posible encontrar tu voz incluso envuelta en una tortilla de taco.Estefania "Stef" Soto, sólo quiere ser una típica chica de séptimo grado. Quiere tener amigos, ser aceptada, y tener un poco de independencia de sus sobreprotectores padres inmigrantes. Stef sabe muy bien que no puede tomar el autobús para ir a la escuela, porque sus padres lo consideran demasiado peligroso. Su papi insiste en recogerla cada día en su viejo camión de tacos llamado Tia Perla. Todos los días le pregunta, «¿Aprendiste algo?» y luego buscan un lugar para estacionar el camión y su padre trabaja mientras Stef hace sus tareas escolares.En el fondo, Stef está orgullosa de sus padres y sabe que están trabajando arduamente para proveerle, pero a la vez también resiente la facilidad con la que algunos de sus compañeros de clases, especialmente Julia, consigue cosas como tickets para el concierto de Vivian Vega. Incluso si ella pudiera conseguir el dinero para los tickets, está segura que sus padres nunca la dejarían ir.Esta historia destaca un narrador familiar, amigos leales, y padres responsables que trabajan duro y luchan por salir adelante. Una novela tierna y encantadora acerca de la familia, los amigos, y de cómo es posible encontrar tu voz incluso envuelta en una tortilla de taco.

Date Added: 09/17/2019

Stef Soto, Taco Queen

by Jennifer Torres

A heartwarming and charming debut novel about family, friends, and finding your voice all wrapped up in a warm tortilla.

Estefania "Stef" Soto is itching to shake off the onion-and-cilantro embrace of Tia Perla, her family's taco truck. She wants nothing more than for Papi to get a normal job and for Tia Perla to be a distant memory. Then maybe everyone at school will stop seeing her as the Taco Queen.

But when her family's livelihood is threatened, and it looks like her wish will finally come true, Stef surprises everyone (including herself) by becoming the truck's unlikely champion. In this fun and heartfelt novel, Stef will discover what matters most and ultimately embrace an identity that even includes old Tia Perla.

Date Added: 09/17/2019

Oggie Cooder

by Sarah Weeks

From the author of So B. It—now a major motion picture. “A loveable character . . . Fans of Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid titles will be drawn to Oggie.” —School Library JournalOggie Cooder has a talent—he can charve better than anyone else in Truman Elementary School. (Charving, for the uninitiated, is the carving of a piece of cheese with one’s teeth.) Oggie doesn’t think this is anything special—but his whole school will soon be disagreeing with him. Because after he inadvertently charves during a nationwide hunt for unusual talents, his charving puts him on the path to fame and fortune. Suddenly, he’s the star of the school . . . but he’s not sure that he wants to shine that way. This is Sarah Weeks at her best—funny, clever, and kid-friendly.“Oggie’s adventure delivers a message about staying true to oneself, but the lesson is never cheesy; it is as light-hearted and tasty as Oggie’s charving lessons.” —Kidsreads.com“What is refreshing is that Oggie doesn’t have to change his nature to change his social status. Gentle humor with a satisfying message for middle-grade readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

Date Added: 09/17/2019

The Man Who Loved Clowns

by June Rae Wood

Delrita likes being invisible. If no one notices her, then no one willnotice her uncle Punky either. Punky is a grown man with a child's mind. Delrita loves him dearly and can't stand people making fun of his Down's syndrome. But when tragedy strikes, Delrita's quiet life—and Punky's—are disrupted forever. Can she finally learn to trust others, for her own sake and Punky's? This story captures the joy and sorrow that come when we open our hearts to love. .

Date Added: 09/17/2019

The Man Who Loved Clowns

by June Rae Wood

Thirteen-year-old Delrita, whose unhappy life has caused her to hide from the world, loves her uncle Punky but sometimes feels ashamed of his behavior because he has Down's syndrome.

Date Added: 09/17/2019