Video: Summer Reading best bets!

Summer Reading Best Bets from Amanda Hurley at Inkwood Books

For the little ones (4-8)

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney-- Not a new book, but we are having a llama llama pajama party at the end of the month (with a costume character!), and the new book in the Llama series will be out in August. (http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/event/llama-llama-storytime)

Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon -- This is a great, fun series for boys (and girls). Hilarious, action-packed and easy to read, with illustrations throughout.

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg -- Eleanor's summer gets off to a rocky start without her beloved babysitter Bibi, who has just moved away. Everything she does reminds her of Bibi, to whom she sends letters all summer, and her new babysitter (while kind of fun) just doesn't match up. This is a sweet story about growing up and transitioning into new things. Cute illustrations throughout to keep the young readers interested.

For the middle ones (8-12):

The Books of Elsewhere: The Shadows by Jaqueline West -- Love this series! Olive Dunwoody has just moved into a new, creepy old house. While exploring the dusty rooms, she comes across a pair of glasses that allows her to travel through the house's paintings. What she discovers is a very real--and spooky--life within the walls of her new home. Olive is a funny, spunky new character girls and boys will love. Sequel hits this month (The Books of Elsewhere: Spellbound) and is my staff pick and 20% off.

Relic Master: The Dark City by Catherine Fisher: A fun, futuristic series. There will be a new book released every month this summer (May-August). This is my blurb from last month (it was a staff pick): "What an exciting ride this book is! The first in a four part series, The Dark City chronicles the journey of Galen and his apprentice Raffi, outlawed keepers of a demolished Order, who travel to the once great city of Tasceron both to restore Galen's power and to bring hope to the scattered remains of the Order. Joined by a young spy from the governing Watch and a member of the curious Sekoi tribe, the foursome must combat terrifying monsters - and their own self-doubt - if they hope to release their world from the dark grip of the Watch.  This is a promising start to a great new adventure!"

Wild Wings by Gill Lewis: This book was honestly one of the best middle reader novels I've read in a very long time. I could not put it down, and was very touched by the beautiful story. It takes place in the Scottish highlands and centers around 11-year old Callum and his new friend Iona, a social outcast in their small village. When Iona shares a secret with Callum--that the endangered osprey have returned to Scotland after many years--the two embark upon a mission to keep the birds safe. Callum's life is forever changed by this friendship and by his connection with the osprey.

Raider's Ransom by Emily Diamand -- Laura's book club book. An adventure that takes place in futuristic, flooded England. The Prime Minister's daughter has been kidnapped, and Lilly's village blamed for the deed. In order to prove her village's innocence, she has to muster up some bravery and set out into pirate-infested waters with a ransom for the kidnappers. Book club for this book meets on July 27 @ 5 for $15. Cost includes book, drink, and discussion!

For the older ones (12 thru high school):

Matched by Allie Condie: Wonderful new series about a society that controls every aspect of your life, from the job you will have to the person you will love. 17 year old Cassia is attending her Matching Banquet, during which she will discover the man she'll spend her life with. She's thrilled to be matched with her best friend Xander, but then something happens that causes her to question the match--and the society's rule over her life. Strong new heroine, sequel hits in November.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher: Clay Jensen discovers a box of tapes left for him by a classmate who comitted suicide. At first he doesn't want to listen to them, but soon he is drawn into her story of why she ended her life, and why he was, in part, responsible. A fast-paced mystery that is actively changing lives: http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/06/13/jay-asher-thirteen-reasons-why/

Divergent by Veronica Roth -- Another great new dystopian thriller. In a new society that neatly separates its populace into five sections- Candor, Abnegation, Amity, Dauntless, and Erudite--Beatrice Prior has never really felt like she belonged. When it comes time for her to decide what faction she will spend the rest of her life in, she must choose between her family and her own true self. As usually happens, the carefully constructed society begins to rip at the seams and soon Beatrice and her loved ones find themselves in a fight for their lives.