Spurger ISD Library Media Center
For more information,please call 429-3464,ext. 250
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On the Library shelves:
The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter
This is a very funny book about a very good boy who always tries to do the right thing,but somehow things seem to always go astray. Kids and adults will both laugh out loud at Thaddeus’take on the adult world. Great book for kids,parents,teachers and principals.
This book is available for checkout to grades 5-8.
Michael Vey:The Prisoner of Cell 25
To everyone at Meridian High School,fourteen-year-old Michael Vey is nothing special,just the kid who has Tourette’s syndrome. But in truth,Michael is extremely special—he has electric powers. Michael thinks he is unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor has the same mysterious powers. With the help of Michael’s friend,Ostin,the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up with their abilities,and their investigation soon brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric teens—and through them,the world.
This book is available for checkout to grades 8-12.
This book is available for checkout to grades 1-2.
The three little pigs aren’t so little anymore,so Mama Pig tells them it’s time they go out into the world on their own. It’s a dark and scary night in the forest,but they each manage to build a house. One is made of straw,one is made of wood,and one is made of strong bricks. The three little pigs feel safe in their cozy new homes,until a hungry wolf comes for a visit.
It’s Thanksgiving,but the kids at Ella Mentry School aren’t feeling very thankful. That’s because Dr. Carbles is grumpier than ever,and he wants to fire Mr. Klutz! Will A.J. and his friends be able to save their principal’s job?
available for checkout to grades 3-4
How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Young Hiccup may be the son of Stoick the Vast,chief of the Hairy Hooligans,but he isn’t exactly heroic Viking material. When he and the other boys of his tribe are sent on a mission to fetch dragons to train,Hiccup comes back with the scrawniest creature ever seen. Toothless,as Hiccup names him,is also rude,lazy,and greedy,but when the tribe is faced with horrible danger,Hiccup’s unorthodox dragon-training techniques prove successful and he and his unique beast become true heroes. Sprinkled throughout with funny sketches,scribbles,and ink blots,this is a goofy and exciting tale of an underdog who proves that brains can be just as important as brawn. Kids will hoot at the ridiculous names and sympathize with Hiccup’s exasperation with his truly obstinate but strangely lovable dragon – a very delightful read.
Students in grades 4-6 may checkout this book.
This first of the Dragon Slayers’Academy series,Wiglaf,the put-upon sensitive son in a family of louts,heads off to school along with his faithful pet pig,Daisy. On the way,he meets a wizard who gives him a magic sword,although he has forgotten the magic words to make it work,and gives Daisy the power of speech (in pig latin). Once at the Academy,Wiglaf discovers that it’s not all it’s advertised to be,and his first chance to slay a dragon comes all too soon. This lightweight,amusing adventure rattles right along,without pretensions and with,given the series title,a resolution that cleverly avoids violence–Wiglaf slays the dragon with bad jokes.
available for checkout to grades 3 –4
This sequel to Hannah Pritchard:Pirate of the Revolution is easy to read and fast moving. Courageous,strong,and determined are just a few of the adjectives that describe the 14-year-old Hannah. The year is 1779,and Hannah,posing as a boy named Jack,works on a ship owned by an American privateer. She and other crew members are eventually captured by a British prison ship. As they follow Hannah and fellow captives during their imprisonment, readers will understand the deplorable conditions,including spoiled food and cruelty. After escaping,Hannah and her companions take a British vessel and head out to find treasure in the Carolinas. The lively and descriptive narrative will hold readers’interest. A short section discusses the history of the period. Students who read this novel will learn some history and be engaged at the same time.
This book is available for checkout to grades 5-8.
DEAR DUMB DIARY:This series is a hilarious,candid (&sometimes mean) diary of Jamie Kelly,who promises that everything in her diary is true…or at least as true as it needs to be. In this book,Jamie contends with Angeline,the school’s prettiest,most popular girl (who Jamie thinks is a goon!) and the impending visit of her troll-like little cousin. Will Jamie survive? Will she go mad? Will she send her mom’s nasty casserole to starving children in Wheretheheckistan? You’ll just have to read the first installment of Dear Dumb Diary to find out.
available for checkout to grades 5-8 
Each entry in the Dragonblood series contains a story about a young person who has an unusual dragon-shaped birthmark. As the kids grow up they discover they have certain strange abilities that seem to be connected to the birthmark. There is no need to read this series in any particular order. Each book has a fabulous cover as well as colorful and engaging interior illustrations. The text is sparse yet tells a complete story. This series is a fabulous find for boys of all ages,particularly reluctant readers. Girls might like it too,but it is definitely geared towards boys.
These books are available for 3rd and 4th grades checkout.
The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas
Antonia Lucia Labella,15,strives to become the first living saint in the history of the Catholic Church. She petitions various saints for any number of reasons,big and small,serious and amusing.
Every month for the last eight years,she has written to the Vatican with a new idea for a patron saint for everything from fig trees to kisses and offered herself as a candidate for the position. Her first request after the death of her father was to become the Patron Saint of Daddy’s Heart. Each suggestion has been met with silence,but Antonia hasn’t given up hope.
The teen’s life revolves around working at Labella’s Market (the best homemade pasta in Rhode Island),school,boys,and saints. Freitas brings to life the protagonist’s experiences at a Catholic school and in an immigrant family. First loves and family feuds fill the pages. Antonia wants nothing more than to experience her first kiss with her longtime crush and is horrified when his advances indicate a desire for more.
This book is available for high school checkout.
Stormbreaker:An Alex Rider Adventure
When the doorbell rings at three in the morning,it is never good news. Alex is told that his uncle dies in an accident,and he wasn’t wearing his seat belt.
Fact #1:Uncle Ian ALWAYS wore his seatbelt.
At the graveside address the vicar describes Alex’s uncle as a “patriotic man.”
Fact #2:As far as Alex knew,his uncle barely spent time in his country,and he certainly had never been one for waving the Union Jack.
Alex locates the wrecker service that towed his uncle’s car to the junkyard. Alex searches for and finds his uncle’s car. The windshield had been smashed,along with all the windows on the driver’s side. Alex froze.
Fact #3:Ian Rider had not died in any accident!!
This book is available for middle school and high school checkout.
Did you know these books have been banned?
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is too political!
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has too much sex!
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is socially offensive!
Wondering what to read next? Do you like a certain author,book,or genre? Then you will want to visit What Should I Read Next at http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com
Library Media Center
409-429-3465 x250
Mercedes Hall,Librarian
Check out the inside of our Library!
Our Tweens section serves students in grades 5-8.
Our TEEN CENTRAL section serves students in grades 8-12.
Our KIDS CORNER serves students in grades K-4
