Judy Blume tells behind-the-scenes stories of making 'Tiger Eyes' into a movie
June 9, 2013
By: Carla Hay
Judy Blume, Lawrence Blume and Amy Jo Johnson at the "Tiger Eyes" Q&A in New York City, on June 7, 2013
Credits:
Carla Hay
Judy Blume has been a best-selling author since the 1970s, but it wasn't until 2013 that a movie based on one of her novels was finally released. "Tiger Eyes," the movie based on Blume's 1981 book of the same title, tells a poignant coming-of-age story of high schooler Davey Wexler (played by Willa Holland), a sensitive teenager who is grieving over the sudden death of her father. Davey and her mother, Gwen Wexler (played by Amy Jo Johnson), and Davey's younger brother, Jason (played by Lucien Dale), move from New Jersey to New Mexico to start a new life.
While in New Mexico, Davey meets a mysterious young man nicknamed Wolf (played by Tatanka Means), who will change Davey's life forever. On June 7, 2013 (the same day that "Tiger Eyes" opened in limited U.S. release and premiered on demand), Judy Blume, her son Lawrence Blume (who directed and co-wrote the "Tiger Eyes" screenplay) and Johnson did a Q&A after a "Tiger Eyes" screening at the AMC Empire 25 multiplex in New York City. Here is what they said when they took questions from the audience.
Amy, what was your favorite part of filming “Tiger Eyes”? Johnson: First of all, working with Judy Blume. Lawrence was amazing. It was awesome. This was my first time seeing [“Tiger Eyes”]. And also, I loved New Mexico, and I loved Santa Fe. It was such a treat to be there. It was a magical place. Judy Blume: I have to tell a story. Amy Jo got to the set … and had never met any of us and had never met Willa, who played Davey. And there at the top of the mountain mesa canyon, way up high, 50-mile-an-hour winds blowing, the light is dying, it’s freezing and cold, and the rest of us are huddled around heaters. And they [Amy Jo Johnson and Willa Holland] had to play the last scene that you just saw them in, mother and daughter, coming together on a beautiful spring day, never having met. Johnson: In, like, 15 minutes. Judy Blume: Before the light was gone. Not only that, but that was the one day on the set when the money people were there. It was like, “Oh my God, if we don’t get this scene, we’re dead.” We only had three days to shoot all the scenes that happen in the canyon. And it was tough. Considering all the books that you’ve written, why did you choose “Tiger Eyes” when you got a chance to make one of your books into a movie? Judy Blume: There was never any question. Larry and I had talked for years about making “Tiger Eyes.” I think it’s the most cinematic of all of my books. I think the beautiful landscape of New Mexico was an important character in the story.
We lived there. I lived there when I wrote the book. I didn’t know until I saw it finished how much feelings came from the loss of my own father and learning that what he would want most foe me is to go on and to enjoy life to the fullest. Lawrence Blume: Well, I had read the book when Judy had finished it. I was 18 and going off to college … And it sort of knocked my socks off. I didn’t really know this at the time, but I was just very moved by it. It felt like a reflection of my own life because we were living in New Jersey, and then abruptly went to live in Los Alamos, N.M.
So the story of losing your place, your friends, everything, and going a new place and having to start again, I guess it resonated with me. And I thought, “Oh, I’m going to catch it as a movie someday.” And 30 years later, here we are, What was it like to adapt the “Tiger Eyes” book into a screenplay? Judy Blume: When we were talking about doing it, Larry said, “I want it to be as intimate as a first-person book, as one of your first-person books.” I write all these inner monologues because that’s what I like to write. And how do you do that in a movie? And we are very thankful that we have Willa Holland and that expressive face to help tell the story and save pages and pages of inner monologue.
I still heard the gasps when Walter slapped Davey. I’ve probably seen the movie a hundred or 50 times … And let me not leave out my fabulous husband, George Cooper, who came in and saved us and became an executive producer, when we were all out in the canyons and people were yelling and screaming in the office, George did it in his quiet way, and he’s problem solver and solved the problems — we did it together. Lawrence Blume: I try and think a little bit structurally. I tried to pull scenes and pages out of the book. Primarily, my objective was to be as faithful to the book as possible, because I was living in terror that all of Judy’s fans who love the book would say horrible, horrible things and hate me forever. So we tried to be as faithful as possible to try and turn a book into a movie. It’s obviously not the same medium. We tried to everything we could use from the book, every piece of dialogue, every scene. Some of the scenes are verbatim right out of the book. Judy Blume: Which you know. Lawrence Blume: And some things we had to invent or bridge. It was just a process of trying to be as faithful as possible. Judy Blume: To the spirit. Not faithful to every page of the book, but to the spirit of the book and the emotionality of the characters. And let me tell you something: If I were writing this book today, there’s no way in the world I would get rid of Wolf three-quarters of the way into the book. I don’t know what I was thinking, because when I see it now, Wolf, their connection makes the story. Of course, [Davey] kept writing letters to him [in the book], but that’s not visual. So we knew from the start.
And when Larry says a little bit of structure, he’s a lot of structure. He knows structure and I don’t. And I write — well, I don’t know how I write — on instinct. Whatever happens happens. And you can’t do that as much in the movie with a lot of people and relationships and dialogue. And so we worked well together. We don’t work as mother and son. We work as Judy and Larry. Amy Jo, how do you create a level of mother/daughter intimacy with someone you’ve just literally met? Johnson: I don’t know. Maybe it’s from doing years and years of television, which is just so fast-paced. Watching [“Tiger Eyes”], I’m really happy … Maybe it worked because it happened so fast. I don’t know. It worked though. Lawrence Blume: This is a little technical, so I won’t waste a lot of time on it, but that scene, I had this idea to use a crane so we could kind of come down and see the landscape, but then we couldn’t afford a crane. This was a really low-budget movie. So we built a ramp and got a Steadicam, which is a rig that the cameraman holds, and we would walk at the top of the ramp and would walk down as they did their scene. I had to do the whole thing in one take because the sun was going down.
And we only had light for two takes. And you wouldn’t think that in any movies like this that there are any effects shots, but there are actually 20 effects shots in this movie. And that one, we used computer technology to stabilize it. It was a mess ... because of the wind. And for digital technology to turn that into a smooth, beautiful shot, and let the actors shine was kind of incredible. For more info: "Tiger Eyes" movie
In "Water in the Park," a storm arrives at the end of a long, hot day.
By CAROLYN JURIS
Published: May 31, 2013
“Rain, rain, go away.” Kids have always chanted the familiar refrain — gazing out the window wistfully, chin on fist — as if they had the power to make it happen. But these days, what’s a little precipitation when there are peevish birds to be flung and other indoor, on-screen distractions? In an era in which the directive “Go play” no longer implies “outside,” the idea that rain may affect a child’s fun is perhaps a quaint one. But four new picture books remind us that no matter how cosseted we are by technology, a downpour still holds the power to move us.
RAIN!
By Linda Ashman
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
32 pp. Houghton Mifflin. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8)
WATER IN THE PARK
A Book About Water and the Times of the Day
By Emily Jenkins
Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
40 pp. Schwartz & Wade. $16.99.(Picture book; ages 3 to 6)
THUNDERSTORM
Written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert
32 pp. Enchanted Lion. $17.95. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8)
BOOM!
By Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrated by Steven Salerno
40 pp. Disney-Hyperion. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 7)
Two very different attitudes about the weather go head-to-head in Linda Ashman’s buoyant “Rain!” All furrowed brow and put-upon frown, an older, balding man grumps “Rain!” at the drops he sees outside his window. Meanwhile, in another apartment building, a little boy throws his arms up and delights at the “rain!” plinking on the fire escape. As the two go about their respective days — the boy with his green froggy hat and cheery disposition, the man with his pessimistic attitude — their moods are reflected in their environments and in the faces of the people they encounter. Christian Robinson, whose illustrations for “Harlem’s Little Blackbird,” by Renée Watson, made for a winsome debut last year, uses paint and collage to render the man’s home in muddy colors; the boy’s room, by contrast, has buttery yellow walls and circus polka dots. Everyone the man meets is soured by the experience, as shown by a downturned mouth here, an aggrieved expression there. The boy, on the other hand, spreads metaphorical sunshine, prompting enthusiastic waves and indulgent smiles. When the two inevitably cross paths, it’s no surprise the boy’s positive outlook wins over the grouch — eventually — but their interaction still feels fresh and natural. By the time the man returns to his apartment building, the sun is out; but the implication is that, having embraced the boy’s viewpoint, he’d be happy either way.
Unlike Ashman’s story, in which rain drives the plot, “Water in the Park” showcases a sweltering summer day, and the storm arrives only in the final few pages. But water is everywhere: from the pond in which a small fleet of dogs goes splashing, to the hoses volunteers use to nourish thirsty flower beds, to the pails that industrious children fill from sprinklers and pour onto slides. In an author’s note, Emily Jenkins says she was inspired by the various ways she saw people and animals use water during one punishing Brooklyn summer. Her story’s characters are as diverse as their real-life counterparts in Prospect Park: multiracial families headed by straight or gay parents; nannies and their charges; an elderly couple who’ve not only grown to look like each other but who also resemble their stoop-shouldered, geriatric dog. Stephanie Graegin’s pencil-and-ink washes depict more than a hundred individuals (go on, ask your child to count them), and several recur throughout the book, just as you might run into a neighborhood friend. Jenkins taps out the day’s rhythm in clear, unadorned prose, as early-walking dogs give way to midmorning babies, who then make room for adults on lunch break and the after-school crowd, and onward until the skies open up at dusk.
While the average evening storm is rarely more than a nuisance for most city dwellers, farmers, typically, are far more vulnerable to capricious nature. It’s this exposure that drives the story in the wordless “Thunderstorm.” The illustrator Arthur Geisert grew up in Los Angeles, lived for many years in Galena, Ill., and now makes his home in rural Iowa. He may be best known for his anthropomorphized pigs, seen most recently in “Ice” and “The Giant Seed,” but his new work is more in the spirit of 2010’s earthy “Country Road ABC,” in which “E” stood for Erosion and “I” for Inoculate. “Thunderstorm,” too, is grounded in the real world, down to the time stamps that mark a squall’s progress across Midwestern farmland over the course of one Saturday afternoon. The artist’s trademark copperplate etchings, tinged with watercolors, lend a timeless feel to his slice-of-life illustrations, which show how a farm family and various animals weather the storm. Though the story line isn’t always easy to track — Whose fence is being torn up? And where did that tornado come from? — each page’s abundant details invite lingering and repeated visits. Cutaways reveal where foxes have burrowed for shelter, and offer a glimpse into the farmhouse kitchen, where the family warily eyes the leaking ceiling. Geisert allows the storm to do real damage, but he also shows the community getting to work once the skies clear, determined to set things right.
“Boom!” tells a more finite story, and one many children will relate to. Pert-nosed Rosie is a brave little dog. She gamely faces down tigers (well, a stuffed toy one) and house cats, and fears neither sudsy baths nor roaring vacuum cleaners. But the first crack of thunder sends her whimpering for comfort from, as Mary Lyn Ray affectionately describes him, “the boy she knew best.” Though plenty of pups cower under the sofa when a storm rages, Rosie seems to be as much reader (or one-being-read-to) surrogate as pet. While the unnamed boy tries to explain away the noise with fanciful stories — “Thunder was watermelons rolling from a watermelon truck” or “a block fort falling” — the way a parent might, Rosie knows what’s really happening. “It was the big, big sky growling big, big growls,” she determines, and though she tries, she can’t find a place where she feels truly safe. Eventually the boy scoops her up in his arms and they wait it out together; she imagines “the boy may have felt a little frightened, too,” though the serene look that Steven Salerno has drawn on his face belies that notion. At story’s end, the sun shines once more, Rosie yaps happily and the storm is but a memory, except for a few wooden blocks (perhaps from that aforementioned fort) strewn across the floor. In other words, this too shall pass.
Carolyn Juris is associate children’s book editor at Publishers Weekly.
A version of this review appeared in print on June 2, 2013, on page BR32 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: Splish Splash.
"Beginning with pages that open vertically instead of horizontally, this
tongue-in-cheek tale takes a typical love story and sets it squarely and
amusingly on end. Ross's vibrantly hued pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons
depict the edge of the pond where a caterpillar and a tadpole meet and fall in
love. . . Willis strikes the perfect balance between the deadpan telling and the
humorously overblown dialogue shared by the star-crossed pair, while the artwork
masterfully enhances each and every nuance.' —School Library
Journal
"Breaks the mould in form as well as content." —Sunday Times
Theodora is a perfectly normal duck. She may swim with a teacup balanced on
her head and stay north when the rest of the ducks fly south for the winter, but
there's nothing so odd about that.
Chad, on the other hand, is one strange bird. Theodora quite likes him, but
she can't overlook his odd habits. It's a good thing Chad has a normal friend
like Theodora to set a good example for him.
But who exactly is the odd duck here? Theodora may not like the
answer.
Sara Varon (Robot Dreams) teams up with Cecil Castellucci
(Grandma's Gloves) for a gorgeous, funny, and heartwarming examination of
the perils and pleasures of friendship.
"Varon’s gentle art and Castellucci’s nuanced writing combine in a sweet,
quiet tale that celebrates the joys of being unique." -- Booklist
* "This clever celebration of individuality delights." -- Kirkus
Reviews, starred review
"A lively friendship story that shows it’s more fun to be different than
“normal,” and most fun of all to be different with a buddy." -- The Horn
Book
* "Warm and with solid insight into the nature of quirk, this title will
amuse most readers, and it may be a welcome balm for those who feel a bit
different." -- School Library Journal, starred review
About the Author
Cecil Castellucci's books include Boy Proof (Candlewick, 2005),
The Plain Janes (Minx/DC Comics, 2007), and The Year of the Beasts
(Roaring Brook, 2012). She collaborated with artist Sara Varon on Odd Duck,
a graphic novel for young readers. She is the YA editor of the Los
Angeles Review of Books and a two time Macdowell Fellow. She lives in Los
Angeles.
Originally from the Chicago area, Sara Varon now resides in Brooklyn,
New York. When not drawing, she likes to visit the flowers in her yard and pet
the neighborhood dogs. Like Theodora, she might be considered an odd duck. Her
books include Robot Dreams, Bake Sale, Chicken and Cat, and Chicken
and Cat Clean Up. Odd Duck is her most recent graphic
novel.
Spend the summer with some new books! While there is no reading requirement, we encourage you to enjoy our suggestions. Find this list at each library’s website, via www.wellesley.k12.ma.us. The list is linked to the Wellesley Free Library online catalog at www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org.
Wellesley Public Schools Elementary Librarians Pamela Allen, Rachel Keegan-McGlinn, Ellen Mandel, Liz Rey, Lisa Rogers, Roxanne Scott, Elisabeth Zimmer
Wellesley Public Schools Grades K-5
Picture Books Abe Lincoln’s Dream by Lane Smith Lincoln’s ghost returns to see how things have changed. 32p. A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Everby Marla Frazee James and Eamon have a wacky week at nature camp! 40p. Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnicby Ginnie Lo A Chinese American girl’s auntie begins an Illinois picnic tradition. 32p. Because Amelia Smiledby David Ezra Stein A little girl’s smile inspires a chain of loving reactions. 40p. Boot and Shoeby Marla Frazee Life’s perfect and predictable for these two pups, until a squirrel mixes things up. 32p. The Boy Who Cried Alienby Marilyn Singer Who will believe Larry when he tries to help a group of friendly aliens? 40p. Cheetah Can’t Lose by Bob Shea Cheetah thinks he’s the best, but two clever kitties have other ideas. 40p. Doug UnpluggedbyDan Yaccarino A robot unplugs to discover the world around him. 32p. Dragons Love Tacosby Adam Rubin What might go wrong at a party for dragons? 40p. Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycleby Chris Raschka Expressive pictures describe the frustrations and joys of learning to ride. 32p. Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Exclamation Mark tries to blend in but always stands out! 56p. Extra Yarnby Mac Barnett With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits and knits for everyone in her town. 40p. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmoreby William Joyce Dropped into a strange land by a tornado, Lessmore changes lives by giving people books to love. 56p. Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger How many types of green can you name? This clever, creative book has beautiful art! 36p. The Granddaughter NecklacebySharon Dennis Wyeth A mother passes along a necklace with the history of her family’s women. 32p. Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? by Eve Bunting A duck misplaces his socks—or does he? 32p. Hello! Hello! by Matthew CordellA child tries to communicate with her busy family.
The Highway Ratby Julia Donaldson A dastardly rat terrorizes the countryside in this story inspired by The Highwayman. 32p. Harry and Hopperby Margaret Wild A touching story about a boy who grieves when his dog dies. 32p. Homerby Elisha Cooper A dog is content to watch from the porch as his family goes out to enjoy the day. 32p. H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imaginationby Christopher Myers Two friends compete and learn what’s possible when they dream. 32p. If I Built a Houseby Chris Van Dusen Jack fromIf I Built a Caris back with his futuristic dream home, complete with giant slide! 32p. I’m Bored by Michael Ian Black A bored girl tries to convince a potato that children aren’t boring! 32p. Imagineby Bart Vivian The ordinary becomes extraordinary in this beautiful book. 32p. Inside Outsideby Lizi Boyd Peek through die-cut windows to reveal surprises. 40p. It’s All About Me-owby Hudson Talbott A cat gives three kittens advice on charming their new human family. 32p. Just Ducksby Nicola Davies Mallard ducks are fascinating—and fun! 26p. Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore It takes a village to rescue five ducklings who fall into a storm grate. 32p. The Matchbox Diaryby Paul Fleischman An Italian immigrant’s story told through the contents of an old cigar box. 40p. Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseballby David A. Kelly A coach discovers a special mud that primes baseballs for the game --– and is still used today! 32p. Mossyby Jan Brett Mossy is a turtle with a garden on her back that is so beautiful, she’s put in a museum. But is this where she belongs? 32p. Nelly May Has Her Say by Cynthia DeFelice Nelly learns a new language to work for Lord Pinkwinkle in this funny tale perfect for reading aloud. 32p. Nurse Clementineby Simon James Clementine loves practicing her first-aid skills, but her brother does not want to be her patient! 40p. Olive and the Big Secretby Tor Freeman Olive learns the hard way that keeping secrets is tough. 28p. Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite.byNick Bromley What would you do if a crocodile fell into your storybook? 32p. Peanut and Fifi Have a Ballby Randall de Seve Peanut doesn’t want to share her new ball. 40p. Picture a Tree byBarbara ReidA celebration of all kinds of trees, in all seasons. 32p. Puffling Patrolby Ted and Betsy Lewin Each year, children on an island off the coast of Iceland rescue puffins. Nonfiction. 56p. The Quiet Placeby Sarah StewartIsabel’s letters to her aunt tell of her adjustment to life in the U.S. 44p. Sleep Like a Tigerby Mary Logue A girl tries to convince her parents that it’s not bedtime. 40p. Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! A Sonic Adventureby Wynton Marsalis A rollicking tour through a neighborhood’s sounds. 34p. Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon A boy enjoys baseball, in America and in Japan, with each of his grandfathers. 40p. The Three Ninja Pigsby Corey Rosen Schwartz Three pigs train at a ninja school to battle a wolf. 40p. Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty? And Other Notorious Nursery Tale Mysteriesby David Levinthal A toad detective tracks down criminals in classic tales. 40p.
Biography A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jennifer Bryant Pippin overcame obstacles to succeed at his art. See one of his works at Wellesley’s Davis Museum! 40p. Baby Flo: Florence Mills Lights Up the Stageby Alan Schroeder The story of the Harlem Renaissance-era dancer, singer, comedian. 40p. Drummer Boy of John Johnby Mark Greenwood A fabulous story inspired by the boyhood events of Winston "Spree" Simon, the inventor of the steel drum. 31p. BecomingBabe Ruth by Matt Tavares Ruth’s path to becoming a star player. 38p. Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909by Michelle Markel One girl helps workers stand up for their rights. 32p. Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklinby Robert Byrd A fascinating biography of an amazing American icon. All. 40p. The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel. With no training, 40-year-old Rousseau reinvented himself as an artist. 32p. Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Millsby Renee Watson The daughter of former slaves, Mills fought her way to Broadway during the 1920s. 40p. Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Kellerby Doreen Rappaport A look at the experiences that shaped Keller’s life. 48p. Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution by Don Brown How a bookseller brought cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to drive the British from Boston. 32p. Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketballby John Coy The story of the game’s 1891 invention in Springfield, Mass. 32p. It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to DrawbyDon Tate. At 85, a former slave began drawing memories of his life in Alabama. 32p. Looking at Lincolnby Maira Kalman. A girl wonders about Lincoln’s life. 32p. Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little WomenbyKathleen Krull How Alcott’s experience nursing wounded soldiers influenced her writing. 48p. Monsieur Marceauby Leda Schubert The world’s most famous mime spoke volumes without words. 40p. Mrs. Harkness and the Pandaby Alicia Potter Ruth Harkness explored China’s wilderness to bring the first Giant Panda to the U.S. 32p. On a Beam of Light: The Story of Albert Einsteinby Jennifer BerneAn inspiring take on Einstein’s lifelong curiosity and genius. 56p. The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veteransby Barbara Elizabeth Walsh How Flanders Fields’ red poppy came to symbolize our soldiers’ courage. 40p. Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy by Bill Wise The story of the first deaf baseball player to have a long career in the Major Leagues. 32p. There Goes Ted Williams, The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Livedby Matt Tavares Lyrical prose and stunning art tell how Ted became the greatest hitter ever. 40p. Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone How the first American female doctor opened doors for future generations. 40p. You Never Heard of Willie Mays?! by Jonah Winter The all-around great baseball player helped break down barriers for African Americans. 40p.
Poetry
A Meal of the Stars: Poems Up and Down byDana Jensen Some poems read up, others down. All are delightful. 32p. African American Poetryby Arnold Rampersand, ed. Part of the Poetry for Young People series. Classic poems by Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and more, accompanied by beautiful illustrations. 48p. The Arrow Finds its Mark: A Book of Found Poemsby Georgia Heard, ed. Poets mash up words found all around: advertise-ments, signs, and Facebook status updates. 40p. Follow, Follow: A Book of Reverso Poemsby Marilyn Singer Fairytale-based poems that have different meanings when the lines are read in reverse order. 32p. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! by J. Patrick Lewis, ed. This book combines animal poems with amazing photos. 192p. Pug and Other Animal Poemsby Valerie Worth Eighteen beautiful poems with collages by Steve Jenkins. 40p. Seeds, Bees, Butterflies, and More! Poems for Two Voicesby Carole Gerber Nature poems designed to be read by two voices. 32p. Poems to Learn by Heartby Caroline Kennedy, ed. A varied collection of poems, beautifully illustrated, to share. 192p. Poetry for Young People (series). Various authors. Step Gently OutbyHelen Frost Gorgeous close-up photographs illustrate a poem celebrating insects. 32p.
Grades K-2
A Little Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke Facts and adorable photos from a sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica. Nonfiction. 64p. Anton Can Do Magicby Ole Konnecke The illustrations tell what really happens when Anton makes things disappear! Picture book. 32p. At This Very Momentby Jim Arnosky Imagine what marvelous things animals around the world are doing at this second. 32p. Awesome Coin Tricksby Steve Charney Step-by-step instructions on how to do magic with coins. Nonfiction. 24p. Benjamin Bear in "Bright Ideas!" byPhilippe Coudray One-page comics about the hilarious adventures of a bear who rides a square-wheeled bike. Graphic novel. 32p. Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Foreverby Kate DiCamillo Celebrate a fun, entertaining friendship. 96p. Brigid Lucy and the Princess Towerby Leonie Norrington Brigid Lucy is sure Princess Rapunzel is trapped inside a tower and decides she must rescue her. 104p. Castle: How it WorksDavid Macaulay Take a tour of a medieval castle! Beginning reader. 32p. Also: Jet Plane. Dodsworth in Tokyoby Tim Egan Dodsworth’s mischievous duck finds adventure in the big city. Beginning reader. 48p. Frog and Friends: Best Summer Everby Eve Bunting Frog loves his pond life, but learns to appreciate new friends. Beginning reader. 45p. Let’s Go For a Driveby Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie are back with everything they’ll need for a drive. Beginning reader. 64p. Like Bug Juice on a Burgerby Julie Sternberg Eleanor’s excited to go off to camp, but she becomes homesick in this novel in verse
Sequel to Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie. Realistic fiction. 176p.
Libby of High Hopesby Elise Primavera Horse-loving Libby longs for riding lessons, but how can she convince her mom? Realistic fiction. 192p. Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay Lulu brings a duck egg to school even though she knows she shouldn’t. Realistic fiction.104p. National Geographic Readers: Tigersby Laura Marsh Fascinating facts and photos. Nonfiction beginning reader. 32p. Penny and Her Marbleby Kevin Henkes Penny longs to keep a beautiful marble, though she knows she shouldn’t. Beginning reader. 48p. Pete’s Big Lunch (Pete the Cat I Can Read series) by James Dean What a problem—Pete’s lunch is too big to eat! Beginning reader. 32p. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttonsby James Dean and Eric Litwin Does Pete cry when he loses his buttons? Goodness, no! Picture book. 40p. Rabbit and Robot: the sleepoverby Cece Bell Why isn’t Robot following the plan for the best sleepover ever?! Beginning reader. 56p. Sadie and Ratzby Sonya Hartnett Hannah and her naughty hands, Sadie and Ratz, get into lots of trouble. Beginning reader. 59p. That is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems Goslings warn their mom about the dangers of getting too close to a fox in this cinematic tale. Picture book. 48p. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen When a little fish steals a hat from a big fish, trouble follows! Picture book. 40p. A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouseby Frank Viva Mouse and his explorer friend journey to Antarctica. Are we there yet? Graphic 32p. Undergroundby Denise Fleming A boy plants a tree and wonders what’s going on just below the surface. Picture book. 40p.
K-2 Series
Amanda Pig by Jean van Leeuwen Andy Shaneby Jennifer Jacobson Bad Kittyby Nick Bruel Calendar Mysteriesby Ron Roy Cam Jansen by David Adler Catwingsby Ursula LeGuin Cork and Fuzzby Dori Chaconas Cowgirl Kate and Cocoaby Erica Silverman Daisy Dawson by Steve Voake Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems EllRay Jakes by Sally Warner Fly Guyby Tedd Arnold Franny K. Steinby Jim Benton Frog and Toadby Arnold Lobel Horrible Harryby Suzy Kline Houndsley and Catina by James Howe Ivy and Beanby Annie Barrows Keena Ford by Melissa Thomson Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik The Littlesby John Peterson Max and Pinky by Maxwell Eaton Mercy Watsonby Kate DiCamillo Minnie and Mooby Dennis Cazet My Weird Schoolby Dan Gutman Nate the Greatby Marjorie Sharmat Roscoe Rileyby Katherine Applegate Scaredy Squirrelby Melanie Watt Skippyjon JonesbyJudith Schachner Splat the Catby Rob Scotton You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You by Mary Ann Hoberman Zelda and Ivy by Laura Krasnovsky
Grades 3-5
The Mysterious Benedict Societyby Trenton Lee Stewart A peculiar newspaper ad leads four children on a quest to stop villains trying to take over the world. Mystery. 512p. Navigating Earlyby Clare Vanderpool Miserable at boarding school, Jack befriends Early, whose obsession with finding his brother leads to adventure. Historical fiction. 306p. One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Carley’s mother is far from perfect, and she longs to stay with her foster family. Realistic fiction. 224p. One Year in Coal HarborbyPolly Horvath Primrose tries to save a boy who might be her first best friend. Sequel to Everything on a Waffle. Realistic fiction. 216p. Penelope Crumb Never Forgetsby Shawn K. Stout Sequel to Penelope Crumb. Penelope’s best friend is becoming best friends with another girl, so Penelope tries to win her back. Realistic fiction. 211p. Seymour Simon’s Extreme Earth Recordsby Seymour Simon Explore the extreme parts of our amazing planet. Nonfiction. 60p. Splendors and Gloomsby Laura SchlitzA tale set in Victorian England about a girl named Clara, a puppeteer, two orphans and a mysterious witch. Historical fantasy. 384p. Sports Illustrated Kids Full Count: Top 10 Lists of Everything in Baseball by Sports Illustrated Kids All the baseball facts you could want to know! Nonfiction. 96p. Starry River of the Skyby Grace Lin A runaway finds the key to returning the moon to the sky. Fantasy. 288p. Stars in the Shadows: The Negro League All-Star Game of 1934by Charles R. Smith Jr. Meet Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and other famous baseball players in this historic All-Star game. Nonfiction. 106p. Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogsby Michaela Muntean How one man rescued dogs everyone else considered hopeless. Nonfiction. 40p. Storyboundby Marissa Burt Una finds a mysterious book in the basement of her school library and finds herself written into the land of story. Fantasy. 406p. The Technology of Basketballby Suzanne Slade Learn about the technology that has revolutionized the game of basketball. Nonfiction. 48p. Three Times Luckyby Sheila Turnage Washed ashore as a baby and yearning for her mother, Mo LeBeau finds herself in the middle of a Southern mystery. Mystery. 256p. Top 25 Football Skills, Tips, and Tricksby Jeff Savage Also: hockey and gymnastics. Nonfiction. 48p. Twelve Kinds of Iceby Ellen Obed A lovely reminiscence of ice skating on a family’s homemade rink. Memoir. 64p. Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole In this wordless picture book, a girl discovers a runaway slave and decides to help him. Historical fiction. 32p. Wonderby R.J. Palacio Auggie's facial abnormalities shock most people when they meet him. He and his new classmates spend the year moving beyond first impressions. Realistic fiction. 315p. The Year of the Book byAndrea Cheng When fourth-grader Anna needs company, she turns to her favorite books for insight. Realistic fiction. 146p. Zombie Makersby Rebecca Johnson These parasites control the minds and bodies of other animals. For real! Nonfiction. 48p.
3-5 Series The Borrowers. Mary Norton Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl The Cricket in Times Square. George Selden Finn Family Moomintroll. Tove Jansson From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. E.L. Konigsburg Half Magic. Edward Eager Henry Huggins. Beverly Cleary The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. Julie Andrews Edwards The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S. Lewis Little House series. Laura Ingalls Wilder Matilda. Roald Dahl The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Beverly Cleary Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Richard Atwater Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Robert C. O’Brien My Father’s Dragon. Ruth Stiles Gannett The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster Pippi Longstocking. Astrid Lindgren The Secret Garden. Frances Hodgson Burnett Stuart Little. E.B. White The Twenty-One Balloons. William Pene du Bois. The Wind in the Willows. Kenneth Grahame The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. L. Frank Baum 39 Clues. Various authors Almost Identical .Lin Oliver Alvin Ho. Lenore Look Artemis Fowl. Eoin Colfer Babymouse Jennifer Holm Ballpark Mysteries .David A. Kelly Big Nate. Lincoln Peirce Binky. Ashley Spires Charlie Bone. Jenny Nimmo Clementine. Sara Pennypacker Daniel Boom, Loud Boy. David Steinberg Dragonbreath. Ursula Vernon Emily Windsnap. Liz Kessler Fablehaven. Brandon Mull Jake Maddox sports series. Jake Maddox Judy Moody. Megan McDonald I Survived... Lauren Tarshis Katie Kazoo Nancy Krulik Lucy Rose. Katy Kelly Lunch Lady. Jarrett Krosoczka Magnificent 12. Michael Grant Mallory. Laurie Friedman Martin Bridge. Jessica Scott Kerrin N.E.R.D.S. Michael Buckley Nikki and Deja. Karen English Origami Yoda. Tom Angleberger The Penderwicks. Jeanne Birdsall The Red Pyramid. Rick Riordan The Secret Series. Pseudonymous Bosch Septimus Heap. Angie Sage Squish. Jennifer Holm Swindle. Gordon Korman Who Was? biographies. Various authors
Classics
The Borrowers. Mary Norton Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl The Cricket in Times Square. George Selden Finn Family Moomintroll. Tove Jansson From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. E.L. Konigsburg Half Magic. Edward Eager Henry Huggins. Beverly Cleary The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. Julie Andrews Edwards The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S. Lewis Little House series. Laura Ingalls Wilder Matilda. Roald Dahl The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Beverly Cleary Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Richard Atwater Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Robert C. O’Brien My Father’s Dragon. Ruth Stiles Gannett The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster Pippi Longstocking. Astrid Lindgren The Secret Garden. Frances Hodgson Burnett Stuart Little. E.B. White The Twenty-One Balloons. William Pene du Bois. The Wind in the Willows. Kenneth Grahame
![Judy Blume, Lawrence Blume and Amy Jo Johnson at the "Tiger Eyes" Q&A in New York City, on June 7, 2013](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/c3/e2/c3e271993f4561a0d496fcd0cc60b43a.jpg?itok=7Zgb-zR4 "Judy Blume, Lawrence Blume and Amy Jo Johnson at the "Tiger Eyes" Q&A in New York City, on June 7, 2013")
