Kids are heading back to school, and before you know it the required reading list gets sent home, making little to no time for kids or adults to make it out to the library to pick out a book.
Haddonfield children’s librarian Dorothy Peppard recommends that children take a break from the new school year and visit the library to pick out a book not on the reading list. Peppard recommends a wide variety of books for children in all grade levels:
• “The Riot Brothers” a series by Mary Amato is a quick and funny read for children in grades second and up.
• Author Gordon Korman has a few books out that might be of interest to children ages 8 and up. “Hideout” is one of the newer arrivals at the library and “Schooled” will arrive shortly. “Spymaster: The 39 Clues: The Cahill Files,” series “continues to save the world,” Peppard said, adding if your child read “The 39 Clues,” he or she would enjoy all of these books.
• If your child enjoys “comics that aren’t really comics,” borrowing “Dodsworth,” a series by Tim Egan, “will take you around the world and make you smile along the way,” Peppard said. Egan’s book is appropriate for children ages 6 to 9.
• If mysteries are right up your child’s alley, Peppard recommends “Haunted Mysteries,” by Chris Grabenstein for ages 8 and up.
• If you are looking for more of an eerie, creepy book, borrow “Tales from Lovecraft Middle School,” by Charles Gilman. This book is recommended for children ages 10 and up.
• “Sweet and sassy girly reads” would be better fit with “Cupcake Diaries,” (ages 8 and up) and “Just Grace” (ages 6 to 9) by Charise Mericle Harper, or the “The Winnie Years” series by Lauren Myracle for ages 8 and up.
• Sports fans might enjoy the “Travel Team” series by Tim Green and Mike Lupica for grades six to eight.
• For new readers, Peppard recommends “Fly Guy,” a series by Tedd Arnold and “Elephant and Piggie” books by Mo Williams. She said “Frog and Toad” books by Arnold Lobel have been reprinted and are another good choice for beginners.
Teens have more of an interest in reading books written for their age group. Peppard recommends author Anthony Horowitz’s books such as “Alex Rider, “The Last Apprentice” series by Joseph Delaney, “My Father’s Dragon,” by Ruth Gannet and “All-of-a-Kind Family” books by Sydney Taylor.
“So, if you have finished your homework and have an hour before soccer practice or piano lessons, grab that book instead of tuning out on the television,” Peppard said.
Technical services supervising librarian Kathleen Metrick also has a few recommendations for teens and adults.
“For teens, here’s a peek at new fantasy, sci-fi and mystery titles in the library’s 15 and up area. Squeeze in some last-minute vacation reading or take a study break this fall with these fun novels,” she said.
• “Undercurrent,” by Paul Blackwell
• “Parallel,” by Lauren Miller
• “Period 8,” by Chris Crutcher
• “Rules of Summer,” by Joanna Philbin
• “The Forsaken,” by Lisa Stasse
• “Plague in the Mirror,” by Deborah Noyes
For adult readers who are looking for a diverse selection of new nonfiction books, she recommends titles ranging from sports, biographies, art, history, travel and health/beauty:
• “These Few Precious Days: the Final Year of Jack with Jackie,” by Christopher Andersen.
• “On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome, with Love and Pasta,” by Jen Lin-Liu.
• “The Time Traveler’s Guide to Elizabethan England,” by Ian Mortimer.
• “Natural Beauty: Homemade Recipes for Radiant Skin & Hair,” by Elizabeth TenHouten.
• “Going Deep: How Wide Receivers Became the Most Compelling Figures in Pro Sports,” by Cris Carter.
• “Jersey Shore Impressionists: the Fascination of Sun and Sea 1870–1940,” by Roy Pedersen.
• “Margaret Thatcher: the Authorized Biography,” by Charles Moore.
• “The Three Rules: How Exceptional Companies Think,” by Michael E. Raynor.
• “Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting & Decorating Guide.”
If you have more of an interest in reading fiction, Metrick has recommendations from mystery, suspense, fantasy and historical fiction:
• “Heirs and Graces,” by Rhys Bowen.
• “The White Princess,” by Philippa Gregory.
• “Ghosts of Bungo Suido,” by P. T. Deutermann.
• “Midnight,” by Kevin Egan.
• “Blood & Beauty,” by Sarah Dunant.
• “Flat Water Tuesday,” by Ron Irwin.
• “Sisterland,” by Curtis Sittenfeld.
• “Transatlantic,” by Colum McCann.
• “The Last Alibi,” by David Ellis.
• “Visitation Street,” by Ivy Pochoda.
• “Light of the World,” by James Lee Burke.
• “The Husband’s Secret,” by Liane Moriarty.
• “The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic,” by Emily Barker.
• “Enigma of China,” by Qiu Xiaolong.
Most books are available in both paperback and eBook format. For information visit www.haddonfieldlibrary.org or call 429–1304.
The library is located at 60 N. Haddon Ave.
