Cool New Books for November
Strong. Courageous. Determined. Helpful. "Cool." These are just a few of the words that describe the characters featured in this month's roundup of cool new books. Although they're fictional, you'll find yourself genuinely caring for these young people, no matter how big or small their problems are. And be sure not to miss Madonna's second book for children or INKHEART, an engrossing fantasy written by Cornelia Funke, whose debut novel THE THIEF LORD was a huge success.
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 THE BOY WHO SPOKE DOG
Clay Morgan
Dutton Books
ISBN: 0525471596
Ages 9-12
144 pages
Jack is a cabin boy who washes up on a mysterious island due to a storm. He finds sheep, sheep dogs, and wild dogs called fangos, but strangely, no people. Jack struggles to survive, understand the dogs, and befriend a little Border collie named Moxie. She and the other sheep dogs are mystified by the skinny boy, who does not fit their myths about people.
During a final battle between the fangos and the sheep dogs, Jack finds he can communicate with the dogs, a discovery that deepens his friendship with Moxie and validates his life on the island. The crew from Jack's ship returns to rescue him --- but Jack does not want to be saved anymore.
 CHIG AND THE SECOND SPREAD
Gwenyth Swain
Delacorte
ISBN: 0385730659
Ages 8-12
208 pages
Read a Review and Excerpt
Being small is a major concern for Chig Kalpin. She has a heartfelt desire to become a big person, both in stature and in spirit, and soon her adventures culminate with the Great Niplak Train Disaster, where she helps the people of southern Indiana make it through the Great Depression.
 INKHEART
Cornelia Funke
The Chicken House/Scholastic
ISBN: 0439531640
Ages 9-12
544 pages
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Meggie lives alone with her father, a book restorer. But her father has a deep secret --- he possesses an extraordinary magical power. One day, a mysterious stranger arrives who seems linked to her father's past. Who is this sinister character, and what does he want? Suddenly, Meggie is involved in a breathless game of escape and intrigue as her father's life is put in danger. Will she be able to save him in time?
 IQBAL
Francesco D'Adamo
translated by Ann Leonori
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689854455
Ages 8-12
128 pages
Francesco D'Adamo has written a fictionalized account of a courageous Pakistani boy named Iqbal Masih, who escaped from slavery in a carpet factory and went on to help liberate other children who were in similar situations before being gunned down at the age of thirteen.
 LILY B. ON THE BRINK OF COOL
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060005866
Ages 9-13
256 pages
Lily is having the most boring summer ever. Her best friend has abandoned her for Young Executives Camp, and there is nothing to do but go on family outings with her parents. Then Lily meets the coolest girl, Karma, and her incredibly cool parents. It turns out that these people are her relatives! The summer is finally looking up, and Lily thinks she just might be on the brink of cool.
 ANDREW LOST: In the Whale - Book 6
ANDREW LOST Series
J. C. Greenburg
Random House
ISBN: 037582524X
Ages 7-10
96 pages
After escaping an underwater volcano, Andrew, Judy and Thudd drive their vehicle, the Water Bug, right down a whale's throat! This is the second in a four-book set that will take the kids on a tour of undersea phenomena --- from the Great Barrier Reef to the Mariana Trench to the inside of a whale --- as they try to find their way home.
 ELISA MICHAELS, BIGGER & BETTER
Johanna Hurwitz
illustrated by Debbie Tilley
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060096012
Ages 6-9
128 pages
Now that Elisa is in second grade, she's taking charge of whatever comes her way --- from a babysitter who doesn't know how to change a diaper to an airplane trip without her parents. Of course, it's not easy taking charge when your big brother thinks you're too little and your little brother is completely out of control. But Elisa is determined to make everything work out in the end.
 HOPE IN MY HEART: Sofia's Ellis Island Diary, Book One, 1903
MY AMERICA Series
Kathryn Lasky
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439449626
Ages 7-10
112 pages
When Sofia and her family arrive in Ellis Island after a long and difficult journey from Italy, a cruel twist of fate separates Sofia from her parents and sends her into "quarantine." There, in a state-run hospital, she and her new friend Maureen must learn to overcome the hardships of immigration and alienation, while they maintain hope that eventually they will be reunited with their families.
 HOME AT LAST: Sofia's Ellis Island Diary, Book Two, 1903
MY AMERICA Series
Kathryn Lasky
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439206448
Ages 7-10
112 pages
After her dramatic release from quarantine and reunion with her family, Sofia moves to the North End of Boston, where the Monaris start their new lives in their new country. While her parents struggle to make ends meet, Sofia must adjust to her American school, friends and job.
 MINNIE AND MOO & THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Denys Cazet
Atheneum
ISBN: 0689853300
Ages 7-10
144 pages
Minnie and Moo are best friends. Moo has her books, and Minnie has her espresso machine. Life on the farm is perfect, until one day when Moo overhears the not-so-good news that the farmer needs money so desperately that he must sell the farm. Minnie and Moo will do whatever they can to prevent such a disaster from occurring --- even if it means organizing a paid tour of Moo's version of the Seven Wonders of the World!
 MR. PEABODY'S APPLES
Madonna
Callaway Editions
ISBN: 0670058831
Ages 4-8
32 pages
Madonna's second book for children takes place in 1949 in Happville, USA. Mr. Peabody is a beloved elementary school teacher and baseball coach. One day, though, he finds himself ostracized when rumors spread through the small town. Mr. Peabody silences the gossip with an unforgettable and poignant lesson about how we must choose our words carefully to avoid causing harm to others.
--- Compiled and written by Tom Donadio
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