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GAI
Odd and the Frost Giants (age 8-11)
by Neil Gaiman
magic ... adventure ... folklore ... traditions
Publisher comments: In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back. In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy. Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell. Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.
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LIN
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (age 8-11)
by Grace Lin
traditions ... folklore ... fantasy
Publisher comments: In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz.
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WAL
The Dog Who Thought He Was Santa (age 8-11)
by Bill Wallace
traditions ... animals
Don Franklin's dog, Frank, is a bloodhound, so he can smell when something's wrong. And a lot seems to be wrong in Don's family. Mom and Dad are worried about money, especially with Christmas right around the corner and the threat of the mine closing. Don's worried because he's just discovered how dangerous Dad's job in the mine is. And they're all worried about getting Don's little sister, Susan, what she wants for Christmas, when she won't tell anyone but Santa Claus what it is. It looks as if Christmas might not be all that merry at the Franklins' house.
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HIS
Scoop Snoops (age 8-11)
by Constance Hiser
traditions ... mystery
When their neighbor is robbed on Halloween night, a group of fourth-grade reporters decide to try to find the thief.
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CHO
A Very Special Kwanzaa (age 8-11)
by Debbi Chocolate
traditions ... school ... folklore
Charlie, an African-American fourth-grader, is embarrassed when his class is asked to organize a school-wide Kwanzaa celebration, but as everyone prepares for the festivities, Charlie comes to understand what the holiday is all about.
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EST
The Witch Family (age 8-11)
by Eleanor Estes
traditions ... humor ... fantasy
Old Witch, Little Witch Girl, Weeny Witch, and two real girls in a fantasy that blends the worlds of reality and imagination. A Halloween classic about the power of make-believe.
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CUY
Invisible in the Third Grade (age 8-11)
by Margery Cuyler
traditions ... humor ... magic
Alex has fun fooling his family and his fellow third graders when he finds a brand of bubble gum that turns him invisible, but his pranks get out of hand on Halloween night.
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ROC
Strudel Stories (age 8-11)
by Joanne Rocklin
traditions ... folklore ... short stories ... historical ... family
Imagine a cozy kitchen in another time and place. A family is baking apple strudel together. And while they work, they tell each other stories of the past. There are the boy who danced with ghosts, the apple that turned to gold, the greatest baseball moment ever, and the almost-a-disaster day. This warm and touching novel follows a Jewish family through seven generations as they brave war, immigration, and enjoy the simple pleasures of friendship, sports, and a life together.

Hoover Elementary School, Sat Aug 25 11:55:31 2012
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