OUR SCHOOL
PARENTS
STUDENTS
STAFF
Skip to content
![]()
Allison Spracklen
Library Media Technologist
(217) 648-2302
BOOK OF THE WEEK
11/11/24
Bad Apple
Lewis-Jones, Huw
A truly terrible piece of fruit is wreaking havoc far beyond the rim of the fruit bowl. Bad Apple is dead set on making life miserable for Pear, Plum, Cat, and Spoon, and it seems like no one will stop him. He pinches, steals, and breaks his way through the kitchen--until he encounters Snake.
11/4/24
Woodpecker Wants a Waffle
Breen, Steve
Benny the woodpecker makes a brilliant plan to eat a tasty plate of waffles.
10/28/24
Harry and the Terrible Whatzit
Gackenbach, Dick
When his mother is slow returning from the basement, Harry goes downstairs and confronts the terrible, two-headed Whatzit.
10/21/24
The Librarian from the Black Lagoon
Thaler, Mike
Sometimes things "they" say are not always true, as in the case of the school librarian.
10/7/24
Actual Size
Jenkins, Steve
This book discusses and gives examples of the size and weight of various animals and parts of animals.
9/30/24
See the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See
LaRochelle, David
The cat, the dog, and the book are grappling with some curious things they can't see.
9/23/24
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Pett, Mark
Beatrice is so well known for never making a mistake that she is greeted each morning by fans and reporters, but a near-error on the day of the school talent show could change everything. The coauthor is Gary Rubinstein.
9/16/24
Interrupting Chicken
Stein, David Ezra
It's bedtime for the little red chicken, and Papa starts reading her a story, but she can't help herself. As soon as the story gets going, out jumps the little red chicken, right into the story, saving characters from danger and ending the story early.
9/9/24
The Alphabet Tree
Lionni, Leo
After a storm blows some of them away, the letters on the alphabet tree learn from a strange bug to be stronger by forming words.
4/22/24
How to Apologize
LaRochelle, David
This humorous and practical guide explains how and how not to apologize.
4/15/24
Not A Monster
Martinez, Claudia Guadalupe
An axolotl may look like one, but it is certainly Not a Monster. This curious creature, made popular by Minecraft, is actually a salamander that will never lose its gills or fins. Not a Monster explores the traits of the axolotl, the Aztec origin myth about the species, and the way pollution is affecting its natural habitat: the canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City.
4/1/24
Amos McGee Misses the Bus
Stead, Philip C.
Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper, is very considerate and always on time. But after a late night, Amos is tired. So tired, in fact, that he falls asleep during breakfast and misses his bus to the zoo.
3/18/24
Fox and the Jumping Contest
Tabor, Corey R.
Fox really wants to win the jumping contest. He knows just where he'll put that first-place trophy. The only problem? Fox is not a very good jumper, but he is a very good schemer.
3/11/24
Lala's Words
Zhang, Gracey
Every day, no matter how hot, Lala carries a pot of water around the corner to a patch of dirt and concrete, waters the tiny weeds sprouting there, and whispers words of encouragement to her plant friends.
3/4/24
Going Places
Reynolds, Peter H.
Rafael has looked forward to the Going Places contest and builds his go-cart from a kit in record time, but his neighbor, Maya, has a much more interesting and creative idea for her entry, and Rafael decides to help.
2/26/24
All We Need Is Love and a Really Soft Pillow!
Reynolds, Peter H.
Poppy believes that all they need in life is love. Little One keeps coming up with other things that will make their life comfortable, until it is all swept away in a storm.
2/19/24
Don't Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog
Petty, Dev
Chip the dog warns other pups that cats are not their friends, among other nuggets of wisdom.
2/12/24
Chick 'n' Pug: The Love Pug
Sattler, Jennifer
When a new neighbor visits, Chick can hardly believe his eyes. Her name is Daisy, and she's beautiful. She would be a perfect match for his best buddy, Pug. Daisy is instantly smitten, even if Pug doesn't seem to notice.
2/5/24
The Elephant's New Shoe: A True Rescue Story
Neme, Laurel
This sweet true story stars a tiny, orphaned, injured baby elephant who was given another chance.
1/29
Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox
Blackaby, Susan
Brownie the groundhog encounters a fox while waiting for winter to be over, and through clever maneuvering and tasty snacks, the two become friends.
1/22/24
Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy
Sams II, Carl R.
The resident birds and animals react to a snowman appearing in their woods after a winter storm. The coauthor is Jean Stoick.
1/15/24
A Thing Called Snow
Zommer, Yuval
Best friends Fox and Hare set out into the forest during their first winter to find out what snow is.
1/8/23
The Snowy Day
Keats, Ezra Jack
A small boy experiences the joys of a snowy day.
1/1/23
The Luckiest Snowball
by Kreloff, Elliott
Izzy brings his new friend, Larry the snowball, home and, over the course of a year, introduces him to each season before rushing him back to the freezer.
12/11/23
The Night Before Christmas
A Michael Hague Pop-Up Book
12/4/23
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Wilson, Karma
Bear's friends awaken him the day before Christmas and help him to stay awake as they bake fruitcakes, hang stockings, and sing carols. Then while they sleep, he prepares his own surprise.
11/27/23
Extra Yarn
Barnett, Mac
With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town, until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.
11/13/23
Don't Blow Your Top
Dyckman, Ame
Big Volcano and Little Volcano live side by side in paradise, but when a silly bird drops a coconut (or two) on Little Volcano's crater he blows his top.
11/6/23
Don't Eat Bees (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog)
Petty, Dev
Chip the dog shares the wisdom of his seven fruitful years of eating things he shouldn't.
10/30/23
Hank the Clank
Coleman, Michael
Hank is lonely and just wants to make friends.
10/23/23
Don't Be Scared
Lang, Suzanne
On the spookiest night of the year, Jim Panzee and his jungle friends brave the dark to collect treats. Not only does the jungle look different at night, it sounds different. What's that knock-knock-knock and that HAHA HAHA HAHA? And the smell? PEE-YEW! 'Don't be scared,' they tell Jim. But then two glowing eyes flash overhead, and looking for treats is almost abandoned.
10/16/23
What Could That Be?
Dalvand, Reza
In a clearing in the forest, there is something small and dark, but none of the animals know what it is.
10/9/23
Simon and the Better Bone
Tabor, Corey R.
One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him. That dog has a bone just like his, only better, and knows all the same tricks as Simon.
10/2/23
The Baddies
Donaldson, Julia
The Baddies are the meanest, nastiest ghost, witch and troll in the land. They just adore being bad, and fight over who is the worst. When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can't wait to scare her out of her wits. But the little girl quickly shows them that you don't have to be big to be brave, and baddies don't always win.
9/25/23
Cat up a Tree
Hassett, John
With rapidly increasing numbers of cats stuck in her tree, Nana Quimby asks for help from the firehouse, the police, the pet shop, the zoo, the library, and even city hall: but no one will help rescue the cats.
9/18/23
A Seed Grows
Portis, Antoinette
To understand how a seed becomes a sunflower, you have to peek beneath the soil and wait patiently as winding roots grow, a stalk inches out of the earth, and new seeds emerge among blooming petals.
9/11/23
Always in Trouble
Demas, Corinne
Even after attending obedience school, Emma's dog Toby misbehaves, until she takes him back to become a "specially trained dog."
9/4/23
The Book of Mistakes
Luyken, Corinna
As an artist creatively incorporates her slipups into a drawing, readers see the ways in which mistakes can provide inspiration and opportunity and reveal that both the art and artist are works-in-progress.
5/8/23
Summer Days and Nights
Yee, Wong Herbert
A little girl enjoys the activities of a warm summer day and night.
5/1/23
We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish
Higgins, Ryan
When Penelope Rex brings home Walter, the class goldfish, for the weekend, she is not sure how to feel, but when Walter goes missing, Penelope searches high and low for her fishy classmate.
4/24/23
Drawn Together
Lê, Minh
A boy and his grandfather cross a language and cultural barrier using their shared love of art, storytelling, and fantasy.
4/17/23
Monet's Cat
Murray, Lily
Artist Claude Monet's porcelain sculpture of a cat, named Chika, springs to life and runs through all of Monet's most famous paintings
3/20/23
Dandy
Dyckman, Ame
When Sweetie names and cares for the sole dandelion in his perfect lawn, Daddy does all he can to get rid of the weed before it spreads.
3/13/23
Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers
AlHathloul, Lina
Loujain watches her beloved baba attach his feather wings and fly each morning, but her own dreams of flying face a big obstacle: only boys, not girls, are allowed to fly.
3/6/23
Bald Eagles
Bowman, Chris
Simple text and photographs introduce beginning readers to bald eagles
2/27/23
Knight Owl
Denise, Christopher
Owl wants nothing more than to be a knight. When his dream comes true, he proves to be both brave and clever.
2/20/23
Change Sings: A Children's Anthem
Gorman, Amanda
As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes--big or small--in the world, in their communities, and most importantly, in themselves.
2/13/23
Who Will Be My Valentine This Year?
Pallotta, Jerry
When Hippo asks her friends to be her valentine, they all refuse because she is different
2/6/23
Ship in a Bottle
Prahin, Andrew
A valiant mouse sets sail in her ship in a bottle to seek a better life.
1/30/23
Milton & Odie and the bigger-than-bigmouth bass Fraser, Mary Ann
It's ice-fishing season for two very opposite otters. Pessimism, prepare to meet optimism!
On one side of a frozen lake, Odie imagines all the fish he'll catch today. On the other side of the lake, Milton is doubtful he'll catch anything at all. As each otter imagines what lurks--or doesn't lurk--under the ice, opposites attract, attitudes change, and a friendship is formed.
1/16/23
Mel Fell
Tabor, Corey R.
Follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.
12/19/22
Santa Bruce
Higgins, Ryan T.
The forest animals line up to give Bruce their Christmas wishes when he becomes the victim of mistaken identity -- again.
12/12/22
The Night Before Christmas
A Michael Hague Pop-Up Book
12/5/22
Extra Yarn
Barnett, Mac
With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town, until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.
11/28/22
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Barnett, Mac
Three clever billy goats outwit a big, ugly troll who lives under the bridge they must cross on their way to a greener hillside.
11/21/22
How to Catch a Turkey
Wallace, Adam
A group of school children and staff set out to capture a turkey, but it manages to escape all their traps.
11/14/22
Pig the Rebel
Blabey, Aaron
Pig the Pug tries to get out of an unpleasant situation in this rhyming story of a dog's rebellion and downfall.
11/7/22
Nanette's Baguette
Willems, Mo
It is Nanette's first trip to get the baguette.
10/31/22
Diary of a Spider
Cronin, Doreen
A young spider discovers, day by day, that there is a lot to learn about being a spider, including how to spin webs and how to avoid vacuum cleaners.
10/24/22
The Doll in the Hall and Other Scary Stories
Brallier, Max
The Jack-O'-Lantern: When Lila moves to a new town before Halloween, she carves a jack-o-lantern named Willy. But what happens the next Halloween?
10/17/22
Dog on a Frog?
Gray, Kes
Frog decides that he does not want to sit on a log, and he definitely does not want a dog to sit on a frog. The coauthor is Claire Gray
10/10/22
Stick and Stone
Ferry, Beth
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. When Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?
10/3/22
Even Superheroes Make Mistakes
Becker, Shelly
A group of superheroes demonstrate that even they make mistakes, and when they do, they admit their mistakes and move forward
9/26/22
If I Built a School
Van Dusen, Chris
Imaginative Jack describes the kind of school he would build.
9/19/22
The Queen's Hat
Antony, Steve
A sudden gust of wind takes the Queen's favorite hat. The book follows the hat until the Queen gets it back
5/2/22
Clifford Keeps Cool
Bridwell, Norman
This is a story about how Clifford, the dog, keeps cool in the heat of the summer.
4/25/22
Roy Digs Dirt
Shannon, David
Roy is a West Highland terrier who loves to dig in the dirt and mud; sometimes he buries things, and sometimes he finds things, but mostly he just likes to dig.
4/18/22
Swimmy
Lionni, Leo
A little fish makes the most of his smallness in a big way.
3/28/22
Chez Bob
Shea, Bob
A lazy alligator comes up with a plan to lure his prey as it flies in from all over the world.
3/14/22
I Am a Tiger
Newson, Karl
Mouse believes he is a tiger, and he tries to convince Fox, Raccoon, Snake, and Bird he's one, too.
3/7/22
Spoon
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse
Spoon, feeling rather envious of Fork, Knife, and Chopsticks, gets a lot to think about when his mother reminds him of all the things he can do that they cannot.
2/28/22
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
LaRochelle, David
Spoofing classic primers, Max the Dog talks back to the book in a twist that will have fans of funny early readers howling.
2/21/22
The Way Home for Wolf
Bright, Rachel
Wolf cub Wilf is convinced that he has what it takes to lead the pack, but the adults just laugh. When he falls behind and finds himself alone in the dark of the Arctic night, he discovers that it is really important to have friends
2/7/22
Valentine's Day
Grack, Rachel
This book introduces the history of Valentine's Day and how people celebrate the holiday.
1/24/22
The Bad Mood and the Stick
Snicket, Lemony
Curly's bad mood travels from person to person, unexpectedly leaving opportunities for forgiveness, laughter, and love in its wake.
1/17/22
Fussy Flamingo
James, Shelly Vaughan
Lola doesn't like her dinner, so she sneaks other foods ... with hilarious results.
1/10/22
Cat Problems
John, Jory
A pampered house cat complains about the daily struggles he faces.
12/13/21
Christmas Cricket
Bunting, Eve
It is Christmas Eve. Cricket feels small and worthless. He hops up some steps and finds himself in a place filled with light and warmth and a tall, sparking tree. Soon Cricket begins to sing...and that is when he makes a marvelous discovery.
12/6/21
Jack and Santa
Barnett, Mac
Jack the rabbit tries to make sure Santa gives him presents.
11/29/21
Extra Yarn
Barnett, Mac
With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town, until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.
11/15/21
Last Stop on Market Street
de la Peña, Matt
A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.
11/8/21
Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever
Ferry, Beth
Stick searches for his family tree and discovers the importance of found family and forever friends.
11/1/21
Bad Dog
Boldt, Mike
A little girl gets a cat as a new pet. She insists the cat is a dog, even if it doesn't act very dog-like.
10/25/21
Hoodwinked
Howard, Arthur
A young witch searches for a creepy pet.
10/18/21
Harry and the Terrible Whatzit
Gackenbach, Dick
When his mother is slow returning from the basement, Harry goes downstairs and confronts the terrible, two-headed Whatzit.
10/11/21
Hi, Jack!
Barnett, Mac
Jack takes a bag and some lipstick from a lady and uses them and a dog, Rex, to get into mischief. Book #1
10/4/21
Yesterday I Had the Blues
Frame, Jeron Ashford
A young boy ponders a variety of emotions and how different members of his family experience them, from his own blues to his father's grays and his grandmother's yellows.
9/27/21
My Dog Is as Smelly as Dirty Socks: And Other Funny Family Portraits
Piven, Hanoch
A young girl draws a family portrait and then makes it more accurate by adding common objects to show aspects of each member's personality.
9/13/21
14 Cows for America
Deedy, Carmen Agra
This book presents an illustrated tale of a gift of fourteen cows given by the Maasai people of Kenya to the U.S. as a gesture of comfort and friendship in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001. The coauthor is Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah.
3/9/20
Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face
Theule, Larissa
AR Quiz No. 501068 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.7 - AR Pts: 0.5
Louise Belinda Bellflower lives in Rochester, New York, in 1896. She spends her days playing with her brother, Joe. Joe gets to ride a bicycle, and Louise Belinda doesn't.
3/2/20
Judge, Lita
AR Quiz No. 168058 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.1 - AR Pts: 0.5
Little Penguin, who has the "soul of an eagle," enrolls in flight school.
2/24/20
Barnett, Mac
AR Quiz No. 501133 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
This book is about Circle, Triangle, and Square and how Circle makes a rule and has to rescue Triangle when he breaks that rule.
2/17/20
The Evil Princess vs. the Brave Knight
Holm, Jennifer
AR Quiz No. 503744 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
Two siblings exemplify their titles of "Evil Princess" and "Brave Knight." He, with sword and armor, protects the castle, while she, in cape and crown, actively spites him. Book #1
2/10/20
Sima, Jessie
AR Quiz No. 501740 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.9 - AR Pts: 0.5
A little robot named Z finds a message signed, "Love, Beatrice." Unable to learn what love is from other robots, he decides to find the answer.
2/3/20
Biedrzycki, David
AR Quiz No. 186698 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.7 - AR Pts: 0.5
Little Phil Groundhog and his shadow do everything together, but when they grow up, the more adventurous shadow wants to travel, and soon Phil goes on a search for his friend.
1/28/20
Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem
Barnett, Mac
AR Quiz No. 132155 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 3.0 - AR Pts: 0.5
When Billy's mother follows through on her threat to buy him a blue whale if he refuses to obey, he finds himself the owner of an enormous pet that he must take with him everywhere, which does not make him popular at school.
1/20/20
Grack, Rachel
AR Quiz No. 188919 EN Nonfiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
Beginning readers are introduced to Chinese New Year.
1/13/20
Pilkey, Dav
AR Quiz No. 18642 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.9 - AR Pts: 0.5
A paperboy and his dog enjoy the quiet of the early morning as they go about their rounds.
1/6/2020
Keats, Ezra Jack
AR Quiz No. 6092 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.5 - AR Pts: 0.5
A small boy experiences the joys of a snowy day.
12/16/19
The Night Before Christmas
Moore, Clement
Pop-Ups by Michael Hague
The classic Christmas poem with pop-up illustrations.
12/9/19
Cronin, Doreen
AR Quiz No. 177186 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 1.1 - AR Pts: 0.5
As Farmer Brown prepares the house for Christmas, Duck tries to play Santa but gets stuck in the chimney, along with all the other animals who try to help.
12/2/19
Barnett, Mac
AR Quiz No. 148457 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town, until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.
11/26/19
Mora, Oge
AR Quiz No. 199108 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
When the aroma of Omu's homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until the pot is empty.
11/18/19
Brosgol, Vera
AR Quiz No. 184630 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.9 - AR Pts: 0.5
Grandmother wants so badly to be left alone to finish the knitting for her grandchildren that she leaves her tiny home and her big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting.
11/11/19
Higgins, Ryan T.
AR Quiz No. 195764 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
Penelope, a T. rex, has a hard time making friends - especially when her classmates are so delicious.
11/4/19
Willems, Mo
AR Quiz No. 185161 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
It is Nanette's first trip to get the baguette.
10/28/19
Buehner, Caralyn
AR Quiz No. 504202 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 3.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
After a Halloween snowfall, a pair of children build some snowmen and imagine the snowmen's nighttime adventures.
10/21/19
Pilkey, Dav
AR Quiz No. 13785 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
All the other dogs make fun of Oscar the dachshund until one Halloween when, dressed as a hot dog, Oscar bravely rescues the others.
10/15/19
Palacio, R.J.
AR Quiz No. 188348 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 1.5 - AR Pts: 0.5
This book shows readers what it's like to live in Auggie's world, a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he's not always seen that way.
10/8/19
Munson, Derek
AR Quiz No. 45222 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
Hoping that the enemy pie which his father makes will help him get rid of his enemy, a little boy finds that it helps make a new friend.
9/30/19
Miller, Pat Zietlow
AR Quiz No. 195356 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
This moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind and how each act, big or small, can make a difference.
9/16/19
Betton, Jen
AR Quiz No. 198160 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.6 - AR Pts: 0.5
Hedgehog wakes up needing a hug but has trouble finding a friend who will get close to his prickles.
9/9/19
Barnett, Mac
AR Quiz No. 169653 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 1.9 - AR Pts: 0.5
Sam and Dave are on a mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole and keep digging and they find nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all.
9/2/19
Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library
Gassman, Julie
AR Quiz No. 185269 EN Fiction
IL: LG - BL: 2.6 - AR Pts: 0.5
A child learns a valuable lesson: libraries and dragons do not mix.