On the shelves - July 1

The following books are available at:

Clovis-Carver Public Library

"Frog and Toad Together" and "Days with Frog and Toad" by Arnold Lobel were given by Lennis and RoseEllen Dunn in memory of Greg Moore.

Ideal for sharing with beginning readers, each book contains five wonderful stories relating ten further adventures of two best friends as they fly a kite, share cookies, plant a garden, test their bravery, and have fun together every day of the year.

"26 Letters and 99 Cents" and "Let's Count" by Tana Hoban were given by Lennis and RoseEllen Dunn in memory of Bruce R. Smith.

"26 Letters and 99 Cents" is a two-in-one, innovative concept book in which young readers can first learn the alphabet, then turn the book over and count from 1 to 99 using photographs of various combinations of coins.

"Let's Count" employs full-color photographs including one chicken, two ice cream cones, 50 eggs, and other child-centered images to add a new dimension to the excitement and fun of counting.

"Restless in the Grave" by Dana Stabenow teams up the Aleut private investigator Kate Shugak with Alaska state trooper Liam Campbell as they probe into the murder of Finn Grant, a pilot with a private air freight business who gave virtually everyone in southwestern Alaska motive to kill him.

"Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting" by Pamela Druckerman presents the author's observations on the families she encountered while living in France whose babies sleep through the night, children eat well-rounded meals, and parents are fully committed to their children while remaining reasonably relaxed as they maintain an easy, calm authority.

"Oath of Office" by Michael Palmer combines medical science with political intrigue as Dr. John Meacham, a recovering alcoholic with anger management issues, goes on a shooting spree at his office, and the blame falls on his counselor and friend, Dr. Lou Welcome, who is convinced that Meacham was completely rehabilitated and clean.

"Run to Failure: BP and the Making of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster" by Abrahm Lustgarten explains not just why the gulf oil spill happened, but why it didn't have to, and reveals how the dominoes began falling years before big oil's nightmare moment occurred.

Portales Public Library

"A Girl Named Digit," by Annabel Monaghan

High school used to be about hanging with the popular crowd, trying to blend in and avoid getting outed as the math genius that she is for Farrah "Digit" Higgins. After unlocking the code of an ecoterrorist group, there's just no hiding it anymore and the FBI needs her brainpower to catch the culprits. The young FBI agent assigned to help her, actually finds it cute when she explains the Fibonacci code to him. Digit never would have thought being a brainiac would help her romantic life, but this isn't a game, and Digit's not looking for a prom date. There are criminals out there intent on killing innocent people and Digit's going to have to be at her smartest and bravest to bring them down.

"Welcome to Your Child's Brain," by Sandra Aamodt, Ph.D and Sam Wang, Ph.D

How children think is one of the most enduring difficulties and mysteries encountered by parents. In an effort to raise our children happier, smarter, better, and stronger, parents will try almost anything, from vitamins to toys to DVDs. We forget one thing though, that brains do most of the work themselves and if we know how they do it, we can worry less, enjoy our children more, and fill the right roles in their lives at the right time. Neuroscientists Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang explain the functions and facets of the developing brain, discussing subjects like sleep problems, language learning, gender differences and autism. They address many important subjects, including the value of educational videos for babies, the meaning of ADHD in the classroom, and the best predictor of academic success. This book helps you know how to respond, when to worry, and most important, when to relax.

"Porch Lights" by Dorothea Benton Frank. Jackie and her ten-year-old son, Charlie, are devastated when her fireman husband is killed in the line of duty. The once outgoing and curious Charlie has now become quiet and reserved and Jackie decides to return to her childhood home on Sullivans Island trusting in the healing power of family. Crossing the bridge from the mainland, Jackie and Charlie enter a world full of wonder and magic where awaiting them is Annie Britt, the family matriarch who has kept the porch lights on to welcome them home. Even though relations between mother and daughter have never been what you'd call smooth, Annie promises to make their visit perfect. Mother, daughter, and grandson will share a memorable, illuminating summer captivated by the island's alluring natural charms and inspired by colorful Lowcountry lore.