Quail Ridge recommends new kids' books for summer reads

Want to keep your kids reading this summer? The great staff in the children's book section at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh recommends these new books for kids.

Posted 12:06 a.m. Jun 18, 2012 — Updated 12:06 a.m. Jun 18, 2012

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Want to keep your kids reading this summer? The great staff in the children's book section at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh recommends these new books for kids.

Here's what they recommend:

Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey (Knopf $16.99) by Mini Grey takes the ever-brave Traction Man and his pet Scrubbing Brush to the shore with their boy and Grandma. Her new puppy, Truffles, sets a series of mishaps, adventures, and reunions in motion. Rescue at sea! Castle earthquakes! Beach-Time Brenda and her accessories! Life is always treacherous by the ocean. You can see why Mini Grey is an award-winning author/illustrator in England. For ages 4 and up.
Quail Ridge's Rosemary adores Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs (Scholastic $16.99) by Michaela Muntean. "If you're a dog lover, an optimist, a believer in second chances, you'll love Stay. A performer who grew up in the circus must reinvent himself to continue in the circus life he knows. Ten dogs with troubled pasts (at least deemed “troubled” by others) find a second act with Luciano. He may be the most intuitive dog trainer alive. And I defy anyone to read Kate DiCamillo's touching introduction without crying. Photographs of Luciano and his endearing Pound Puppies bring them even more to life." For ages 5 and up.
You'll eye your breakfast cereal in a new way after reading Adam Rex's Cold Cereal (Balzer & Bray $16.99). Scott sees things no one else can – and his latest discovery is Mick, a leprechaun on the run from the Goodco (not very!) cereal company. Is it out for world domination by way of tasty flakes and clusters? Get it for the very clever dust jacket alone! Ages 9 and up.
N.C. author John Claude Bemis (The Clockwork Dark Trilogy) debuted a new fantasy with an ecological theme recently: The Prince Who Fell From the Sky (Random House $16.99). In a post-apocalyptic world now covered in forest, a flying machine crashes and a child of the long-gone “Skinless Ones” emerges. A bear chooses to shelter the human cub and find him safety. The forest animals, especially the ruling Wolves, do not want the return of humans, who once damaged their world. Is Casseomae risking the animals' way of life in protecting the child? Ages 9 and up. Autographed first editions available.
Jennifer Nielsen's The False Prince (Scholastic $17.99) begins a medieval adventure trilogy, The Ascendency. A nobleman with questionable motives gathers four orphans to compete to impersonate the long-lost prince. Without a ruler, civil war is about to break out. But is Conner entirely altruistic? And what of the street-wise Sage, who realizes his only hope to survive is to win the role. Ages 12 and up.
Michael Scott concludes his saga of Nicholas Flamel, which began with The Alchemyst, in The Enchantress (Random House $18.99). Time is running out for Nicholas and Perenelle, and both San Francisco and the human race are in peril. Which side of destiny are Josh and Sophie on? For ages 12 and up.
The always popular John Feinstein has a new entry in his sports mystery series. In Rush For the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics (Knopf $16.99), the Summer Olympics are here, and this time young reporter Susan is part of the story – she's swimming in her first Games. Stevie is reporting on her instead of with her. As agents, media, and sponsors swarm, his instincts tell him something is not right. With serious money to be made, is someone trying to fix the outcome? Ages 11 and up.
The Simple Joys of Grandparenting (Skyhorse $19.95) by Abigail Gehring is an all-inclusive package of delights for new grandparents. Stories, nursery rhymes, activities – all you need to enchant, entertain, and maybe spoil (a little). From Carol, a grandma of three: “This is an unusually charming and practical compilation – highly recommended!”

Quail Ridge on Wade Avenue in Raleigh offers regular events and programs for kids, including a 10 a.m. Monday storytime for preschoolers. For details about its events, these books and others, click here.

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