Kid Tested, Librarian Approved: The old & the new

Summer is the perfect time to visit old friends before the hustle and bustle of school and fall take over our spare time. It’s also a perfect time to revisit our old book friends. When I was visiting my old book friends I discovered favorite books that just got a sequel or prequel. Check out these old and new titles today.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

This book follows a bright vibrant young girl, Melody, who just happens to have cerebral palsy. She seeks ways to communicate with her family, teachers and peers so she can show them all just how brilliant she really is. With Melody's new device she can speak the words she has always wanted to use to talk with everyone around her. My heart ached for her when she wasn’t treated fairly, solely because she wasn’t typical. I cheered for her successes as she proved her disability didn’t define her.

Out of My Heart by Sharon M Draper

In this sequel we follow Melody as she moves beyond her home and classroom. She seeks to venture out into the world as the preteen she has become. Melody wants to experience the same things that excite her classmates.

Her next focus is summer camp. Can Melody face her first overnights away from her family. Will she overcome her fear of horses to learn to ride horseback? Can someone with cerebral palsy even ride a horse? Melody is a truly inspiring girl who shows us challenges can be overcome and dreams really can come true.

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Mr. Lemoncello, world famous game maker, designed the town’s new library. Kyle and a group of other kids get to spend the night inside for the grand opening. The excitement begins the next morning when the group prepares to leave the library and realize they are locked inside.

Together, the kids must gather clues and solve puzzles to find the way out. How will they escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s library? I know and I think you should read this book to find out.

Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein

Before Mr Lemoncello built his library he was a young boy who loved games and stories. In this book we learn how Luigi Lemoncello spent a summer working at the carnival for the world-famous Professor Marvelmous.

When the carnival leaves town the puzzles continue with a left behind puzzle box. Will the puzzles be solved and the treasure found? Follow Luigi and his friends as they seek the answers to unlock the box.

Other older titles from this series include: Mr Lemoncello’s library Olympics, and Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race.

Another newer title from the series is Mr Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket.