Great reasons for kids to swing into their library

With toys, food coupons and other prizes waiting, there’s no reason

for kids to monkey around this summer. They can go ape over books in

the Newport Beach Public Library’s 2003 children’s summer reading

program, “It’s a Jungle Out There.”

There’s no dearth of new titles to inspire toddlers through

sixth-graders who sign up at any library anytime between June 23 and

Aug. 16. Some of the most popular include updates to series by

award-winning authors.

For preteens lured by the underworld, Darren Shan continues his

“Cirque du Freak” saga with “Trials of Death.” Set in a shadowy

universe leading to a Hall of Death, this thriller will enthrall

readers who’ve devoured previous offerings in Shan’s Dracula-inspired

chronicles.

The stakes keep getting higher in Lemony Snickets’ “Series of

Unfortunate Events.” In “The Carnivorous Carnival,” the ninth of a

proposed 13 outings, the unlucky Baudelaire orphans find themselves

in the trunk of Count Olaf’s getaway car on the way to a carnival,

where they dress as freaks to escape a bogus murder charge. Suddenly,

they’re in more trouble than ever, in a cliffhanger that will appeal

to adults as well as kids.

More down-to-earth trauma will draw eight- to 12-year-olds into

“Wenny Has Wings.” In Janet Carey’s newest heart-render, 11-year-old

Will is recuperating from an accident in which his little sister was

killed. Even if they haven’t faced such serious loss, children will

find much to learn about grief and guilt in the poignant story.

Love and loss are similar themes in “Sweet By and By,” Patricia

Hermes’ intergenerational yarn set in Tennessee during World War II.

Orphaned at age 2, 11-year-old Blessing lives with her aging

grandmother. While she doesn’t want to think about life without

Monnie, her grandmother wants to prepare her for the inevitable,

which will include choosing a new home.

For lighter diversion, readers can rely on Alice Hoffman to

deliver a tale of enchantment in “Aquamarine.” In their last summer

together, Hailey and Claire discover a disgruntled mermaid into the

pool at their favorite beach hangout. While they’d like to return her

to the sea, the stubborn fish-woman refuses to leave without meeting

the handsome boy who runs the gift shop.

Kristiana Gregory takes a more historical approach to storytelling

in “Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine.” In the newest entry in the

Royal Diaries series, a disobedient 13-year-old flowers into the

queen of France when she marries and assumes her royal duties at the

tender age of 14. In a fictional diary that reveals much about life

in the 12th century, young readers may find much to be grateful for

in modern times, in addition to great books to inspire summer

reading.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with

Bonnie McLaren. All titles may be reserved from home or office

computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.