LET YOUR IMAGINATION GO WILD

What has your imagination been doing lately? Does it take you to strange lands, or introduce you to imaginary people you would love to have for a friend? Does it take you back in history, or let you soar into the future? Does it make your private adventures seem real?

Mine does all those things, but without reading great books, my imagination wouldn't have enough ideas to do all these things. I'm so glad that I have always loved to read.

Let me tell you a little bit about some of the newest books that will fuel your imagination. Some of them have old friends in new adventures and some will introduce new characters for you to love.

Of course everyone is familiar with Geronimo Stilton.....he has written, and starred in, 48 grand adventures. Now he has written about a new character (of course Geronimo is in the book too). Meet Creepella von Cackelfur, She is also a mouse journalist, and is busy hunting ghosts in this exciting new series...three books so far.

Here are a few recommendations for you to consider:

Creepella Von Cacklefur #1:The Thirteen Ghosts
Geronimo Stilton
Ages 7 to 10

Geronimo Stilton is a mouse journalist on the case --- if anything is happening in New Mouse City, you will find out about it from him. But now he is going to have a run for his money as Creepella von Cacklefur becomes a journalist, too! By day, she's a mysterious mouse with a pet bat named Bitewing. By night, she's a creepy movie director. Now she's working on a spooky story for The Shivery News that will change her life forever.

Creepella takes her niece, Shivereen, to Squeakspeare Mansion to interview actual ghosts. When they meet Billy Squeakspeare, the writer who inherited the mansion, they lead the way through his new home. Will the frightened writer-mouse find something to be really scared about in the mansion?

Creepella Von Cacklefur #2: Meet Me in Horrorwood
Geronimo Stilton
Ages 7-10

There is a moat surrounding Cacklefur Castle, and in it lives the monster Gorgo. He seems to be having some issues these days, not the least of which is his unrequited love for movie star/monster Blobbina. Creepella delivers Gorgo's love letter to Blobbina, only to find out that Blobbina is missing. With the help of Billy Squeakspeare, Creepella tries to solve this missing monster case.

Can they do it, or is Gorgo never again to see his beloved Blobbina?

A Diamond in the Desert
Kathryn Fizmaurice
Ages 8-12

On December 6, 1941, Tetsu is a 12-year-old California boy who loves baseball. On December 7, 1941, everything changes. The bombing of Pearl Harbor means Tetsu's Japanese-American family will be relocated to an internment camp.

Gila River camp isn't technically a prison, but with nowhere to go, nothing to do, and no time frame for leaving, it might as well be. So when someone has the idea of building a baseball diamond and starting a team, Tetsu is overjoyed. But then his sister gets dangerously sick, forcing him to choose between his family and his love of the game. An exciting slice of history....it will change the way you look at things...but it is also a baseball book.

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip
Jordan Sonnenblick

Peter was heading into his freshman year with it all figured out. He was an ace baseball pitcher and dreamed about making the high school team and achieving sports superstar status along with his best friend, AJ. The last pitch of his middle-school career, though, ended his dream. Peter’s elbow was rendered useless, and the doctor informed him that he would never pitch a ball again. Without baseball, Peter is convinced that he doesn’t have an identity, and he isn’t sure how to tell AJ that he won’t be able to play ball again. So he doesn’t and instead throws himself into his other interest: photography.

Pinch Hit
Tim Green
Fiction, Sports

Trevor’s a Hollywood star who wishes he could play baseball like a real kid. Sam’s a real kid who wouldn’t mind taking a swing at acting. It seems everything might work out if the boys switch places. That is, if they can get away with it.

King of the Mound: My Summer with Satchel Paige
Wes Tooke
Ages 8-12

Nick was going to be a star baseball player, no doubt about it. People for miles around talked about the 12-year-old boy with the golden arm. And then Nick is diagnosed with polio --- a life-threatening disease in the 1930s. Everyone is devastated, especially Nick’s father, who copes by closing off from his son. When Nick finally leaves the hospital, he wants nothing more than to get back in the game, but he seems to be the only one who thinks it’s possible. But after he begins working for Mr. Churchill, the owner of a minor league team, Nick meets Satchel Paige, arguably the best player in baseball. Satchel faces obstacles of his own --- his skin color prevents him from joining the major leagues --- and he encourages Nick to overcome the odds and step out of the dugout.

ABCs OF BASEBALL
Peter Golenbock
Illustrated Dan Andreasen
ages 6-up

From young to old, new to tried-and-true, here is the baseball book for every fan. With one or more baseball-related terms for each letter arranged in alphabetic order, accompanied by a stirring illustration, this gorgeous compendium celebrates America's game. Large paintings of scenes alternate with scrapbook-style pages. Facts, figures, faces, lists and other information comprise an additional resource in the back of the book. As contemporary as today's sports page and as nostalgic as an old baseball card, this is an alphabet book for kids, their parents and grandparents that can be used all through the year.

And some upcoming books that just sound like great reading:

Embrace
Jessica Shirvington
Fantasy, Paranormal Romance,
Young Adult 12+

On her 17th birthday, everything will change for Violet Eden. The boy she loves will betray her. Her enemy will save her. She will have to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice.

Chomp
Carl Hiaasen
Fiction, Humor, Mystery
Young Adult 10+

In three previous mysteries --- HOOT, FLUSH and SCAT --- Carl Hiaasen has offered young readers entertaining comic mysteries that combine environmental concerns and social issues with plenty of wacky laughs. Now, in CHOMP, he extends his winning streak with a funny novel that dives into the world of reality television.