spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade

Series Collections
106
THE GECKO & STICKY
VILLAIN’S LAIR
Dave Sanchez is your average boy with a
younger sister who loves to torment him,
an after-school job and a pet gecko named
Sticky. All very normal—until the day Sticky
talks back.
“Peppered with exaggerated alliteration and
the excitable lizard’s Spanish-tinged
‘Stickynese’, the wisecracking narrative
bounds from one slap-stick scenario to another.”—Publishers
Weekly
“Marc Cashman’s narration is delightful, easily
changing voices from narrator to character
and back again…A fun listen.”
—School Library Journal
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-7920-2 • $24.00
Grade: RL: 4.8 • IL: 3-7 • LL: NA • 2 hrs. 52 mins.
THE GECKO & STICKY
THE GREATEST POWER
When evil treasure hunter Damien Black
robs the local bank, Dave Sanchez retrieves
the bank’s money. But Damien wants his
cash back. And, he wants the Aztec wristband
that provides Dave’s superpowers. Damien
intends to lay a trap not even an invisible boy
can slip through.
“Cashman exaggerates the author’s wordplay,
rhymes, and alliteration…[his] characterizations
are masterful.”—AudioFile
AudioFile Earphones Award
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-7924-0 • $24.00
Grade: RL: 5.3 • IL: 3-7 • LL: 860 • 2 hrs. 30 mins.
WENDELIN VAN DRAANEN’S
GECKO & STICKY
read by Marc Cashman
THE GECKO & STICKY
SINISTER SUBSTITUTE
Dave’s most despised teacher is absent and
her students are psyched! When the substitute
teacher turns out to be Damien Black, Dave
and Sticky realize that if they want him out
of their school they’ll have to rescue their
horrid teacher.
“A perfect choice for the audio format….Marc
Cashmam’s performance is sure to promote a
love of wordplay in young readers. This humorous,
action-driven title is recommended for
school and public libraries.”
—School Library Journal
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-7928-8 • $30.00
Grade: RL: 5.4 • IL: 3-6 • LL: 860 • 3 hrs. 4 mins.
THE GECKO & STICKY
THE POWER POTION
Dave finds himself facing off with six-horned
goats, terrifying tarantulas, a java-junkie monkey
and, of course, the dastardly treasure
hunter Damien Black!
“Cashman clearly enjoys his role as narrator as
he brings these stories and their characters to
life. His pleasure is evident as he delivers the
fast-paced yet easy-to-follow humor, antics,
and adventures.”—AudioFile
“Filled with action, bathroom humor, and
unrelenting silly rhymes, this is a listening
delight. Marc Cashman delivers with fast-paced
narration and energetic sound effects.”
—Sound Commentary
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-7932-5 • $25.00
Grade: RL: 5.7 • IL: 3-6 • LL: 920 • 3 hrs. 19 mins.
See page 15 for THE RUNNING DREAM
GERTRUDE CHANDLER WARNER’S
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
MYSTERIES
read by Phyllis Newman
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
COLLECTION
Meet Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden
—the orphans known as the Boxcar Children
—who live in an old red boxcar after their parents
die. Soon their grandfather finds them and
gives them a wonderful home, but their adventures
don’t stop there. They travel to all parts of
the country and become involved in many
mysterious happenings.
Includes: The Boxcar Children, Surprise
Island, and The Yellow House Mystery.
6 CDs • 978-0-7393-6454-3 • $50.00
Grade: RL: 3.8 • IL: 2-5 • LL: 490 • 7 hrs. 16 mins.
FACT: Warner’s Boxcar Children was
published in 1942 to mixed reviews. Parents
were alarmed that the novel’s child heroes,
the Alden siblings, got on so well without
adult intervention. Children, however, felt
empowered and enthusiastically applauded the
young survivalists and their numerous further
adventures.
RUTH WHITE’S
THE BELLE
PRATER NOVELS
read by Alison Elliott
“Elliott reads the parts as a gifted storyteller
might perform them…[she]
becomes a conduit for the story, shaping
the words and feelings into thoughts that
flow into the listener.”—AudioFile
BELLE PRATER’S BOY
NEWBERY HONOR
When Woodrow’s mother suddenly disappears,
he moves to his grandparents’s home in a
small Virginia town where he befriends his
cousin. Together they find the strength to face
the terrible losses and fears in their lives.
“This Newbery Honor Book is wonderfully
read by Alison Elliott, whose changing voices
add much to the story...recommended for all
listeners and libraries.”—KLIATT
3 CDs • 978-0-307-20748-7 • $30.00
Grade: RL: 4.7 • IL: 5-12 • LL: 760 • 3 hrs. 38 mins.
THE SEARCH FOR BELLE PRATER
“This sequel continues Woodrow’s story…
Alison Elliott’s reading is spot-on, true to the
1950s’ Virginia setting…An interview with the
author, offering insight into the writing
CD
process, is icing on the cake.”—AudioFile
BONUS FEATURE—Author Interview
3 CDs • 978-0-307-20678-7 • $30.00
CX
Grade: RL: 4.8 • IL: 5-12 • LL: 830 • 3 hrs. 42 mins.
See page 12 for YOU’LL LIKE IT HERE
(EVERYBODY DOES)
ELIZABETH WINTHROP’S
CASTLE SERIES
performed by the Author and the
Words Take Wing Repertory
THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC
Ten-year-old William’s beloved nanny entrusts
him with a mysterious model castle. When
the tiny silver knight magically springs to life,
he takes William on a fantastical quest.
“Elizabeth Winthrop’s fantasy comes to life in
this multi-voiced reading...[A] very satisfying
and well-presented tale.”
—School Library Journal
ALSC Notable Children’s Recording
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-7378-1 • $30.00
Grade: RL: 5.0 • IL: 3-5 • LL: 750 • 3 hrs. 30 mins.
THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE
Twelve-year-old William returns to the
mystical world of Sir Simon’s castle.
“In a lavish, full-cast production, Winthrop's
sequel to The Castle in the Attic springs to life
for young listeners…sure to entice and satisfy
CD
the many fantasy fans.”—AudioFile
ALSC Notable Children’s Recording
4 CDs • 978-0-7393-7376-7 • $38.00
CX
Grade: RL: 6.1 • IL: 4-12 • LL: 700 • 4 hrs. 33 mins.
See page 47 for COUNTING ON GRACE