by Debra Orado

Summer is slipping away and these last two weeks are a great time to check off some of those last few books before school starts. The end of August is an invitation to read more widely and deeply, to check things off your bucket list.  If you are not sure what to choose, I have some suggestions.  Here are some of the books I enjoyed reading this summer before all the books were boxed up and stored away.

First up, Gordon Korman’s latest book Snoops. This will appeal to many of our Adams school students who will relate to Carter’s plight. He is stuck at home with two broken legs after a skiing accident.  Bored, he starts checking out the live feeds from police cams around his town. Before he knows it, he’s obsessed — watching his classmates when they don’t know he’s looking, and discovering some other VERY STRANGE things going on that no one else is noticing. Second, on my list is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman.  This book is difficult to describe, but an excellent choice for animal and nature lovers. It is an animal fantasy starring Clare, a fox who was spared death so he could become a guide to lost souls trying to pass on to the afterlife. He leads a solitary but meaningful life,until Gingersnips the badger shows up without a clear or easy way to pass on that Clare starts sensing trouble. As the mystery unfolds these two realize they need to work together.  Read this book,it is timeless and magical. The last book I recommend is Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina. Meg is a fantastic storyteller not to mention a Newbery Medalist. In this book Graciela Lima was 12 years old when a gust of wind knocked her into the sea, where she sank and slept for 100 years before awakening as a sea spirit. Under the tutelage of a Spirit Guide, Graciela begins to learn the ways of the deep and takes on work as a glazier, grinding broken bottles into beautiful sea glass. Meanwhile, in the mortal world on land, twelve-year-old Jorge Leon works in his family’s forge. He’s heard of the supernatural spirits living beneath the ocean’s waves. What happens when these two characters collide? A high stakes underwater adventure! If none of these books interest you stop by the library. We are still here even though our room is undergoing an adventure of its own. 

I know the Children’s Room is closed for renovation, but there are some great options. Why not take a look at the Hancock County Download Library where you can access audio books and eBooks, and on your Kindle or reading device with the Libby app. If you love the real thing, why not check out some of the amazing libraries on the peninsula, such as the Blue Hill Library or Friend Memorial Library in Brooklin. Most of the towns in Maine have a library and they each have a unique feeling and culture. 

See you soon, September is only a few weeks away.  I suggest you spend your last few weeks with a new book. Can you get through a book before school starts? Give it a try. Don’t forget to track your progress. Summer reading tracking sheets are available in the library.