Magical Car Rides

Our family just finished a suspenseful car ride with our ears tuned to the audio rendition of The Dragon of Doom, the first title in Bruce Coville's Moongobble and Me series. This tale of magic and adventure begins magician-in-training Moongobble's quest to complete three tasks and join the Society of Magicians. Young Edward is bored in his village of Pigbone and jumps feet first into a friendship with Moongobble and a talking toad named Urk. The full cast of voices, performed by eight actors, made us laugh and want to stay in the car even after we had arrived at our destination. Background music introduces each chapter and sound effects add to the story's suspense. Young readers will love this light-hearted fantasy that's not truly scary - just full of action and fun.

To find this and other Moongobble and Me series audio books in the library, go to our catalog at www.ci.newberg.or.us/library

Reviewed by Amanda

Sci-fi for middle schoolers

From the author of the popular Sci-Fi series, Shadow Children, comes a new adventure: Found (The Missing: Book 1). Jonah has always known he was adopted, but when strange messages begin appearing in the mail, Jonah begins to ask questions about his origins. When he discovers his friend Chip, also adopted, has received the same messages, they begin to investigate, discovering just how many kids are part of an FBI cover-up of a catastrophic event transcending time and space. Jonah, Chip and Jonah's sister, Katherine, begin a race for their lives through time to make things right.

Found, by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2008) (grades 4-7)

If you like this book check-out: Among the Hidden (Shadow Children: Book 1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix, The Book of Time by Guillaume Prevost and Larklight by Philip Reeve.

To find these books in the Library go to our catalog at www.ci.newberg.or.us/library

Reviewed by Korie

Bee-bim Bop by Linda Sue Park

Inspire your preschooler and/or early reader to step into the kitchen with this playful dinner-time tale. A young girl narrates the preparation of her favorite family dish, bee-bim bop, a popular Korean meal meaning 'mix-mix rice.' The rhyming cadence is great practice for pre-readers and captures the fun each member of the family seems to have shopping, frying, flipping, boiling, chopping and eating together. A recipe is included at the the end with instructions for both kids and their grown-ups. Bee-bim bop was a huge hit at our house and inspired my preschooler to eat cabbage using chopsticks! A testament to a great picture book.

To find this book in the library go to our catalog at www.ci.newberg.or.us/library

Reviewed by Amanda L.

Dads gone wild

I am mesmerized by Augusten Burroughs. This guy has had quite a life and knows how to tell his story in a hilariously acerbic fashion. You may know him from his first memoir Running with Scissors. But he’s also written several other books chronicling his battle with alcoholism and other aspects of his life (Dry, Magical Thinking, Possible Side Effects).

In his latest memoir Wolf at the Table, Burroughs gets a little darker (ok, a whole lot darker) in describing his father; a distant, unaffectionate, alcoholic, perhaps even psychotic man. This was a man who played cruel head games with his son including (possibly) killing and tortuing some of his pets. Burroughs was a sensitive, loving, artistic child and only wanted his father’s love. He writes in anguished detail about how far his father went to withhold that love, even on his deathbed.

If you’ve enjoyed Burrough's other books, I would recommend this one to get more of his story, but be prepared: you won’t be laughing much.

To find this book in the Library go to our catalog at www.ci.newberg.or.us/library

Reviewed by Lori M.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series can sink their teeth into something different while they await the next adventure of Bella, Edward and Jacob (place your hold now for Breaking Dawn).

Meyer's newest novel, the Host, is told from the view of the Wanderer, an alien soul whose race has taken over human bodies. Both Science Fiction and Romance, this story focuses on one alien whose human host won't fade away. Although Melanie's body is no longer her own, her consciousness won't leave the Wanderer in peace. As both struggle for control and understanding, Melanie tempts her with memories of the life and love she had with Jared, a survivor of the alien invasion. As they set out to find him, their lives intertwine binding them together. Can they continue to exist together?

To find this book in the Library go to our website at www.ci.newberg.or.us/library

reviewed by Korie

Let's Celebrate!

We are celebrating 100 years of service here at the Newberg Public Library during the week of May 27th - May 31st. The first public library in Newberg opened on May 26th, 1908 (we're closed that Monday for Memorial Day so we're starting the celbrations on Tuesday). The Library will be having fun activities throughout the week and a big party on Saturday, May 31st with food, fun and festivities. Come on down and help us celebrate!

Sumptuous Reading

The Last Chinese Chef
After an American food writer’s husband dies, she returns to China to “clear up some family business” and to write a story on traditional Chinese food. To get her story, Maggie follows a Chinese-American-Jewish chef as he prepares to enter a cooking contest and she learns about the history and meaning of food and family in the Chinese culture. Intertwined is the story of Maggie’s grief, her relationship with the chef and his family, and how food can be healing. If you like stories about relationships, food, and culture, you might like The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones.

To find this book in the library go to our catalog at www.ci.newberg.or.us/library
Reviewed by Denise