Books recommended for October

《灭绝动物的故事》

Grade Level：G1-G6

Author：[法] 埃莱娜·拉杰克 [法]达米安·拉韦尔杜恩

Translator: 马青

Publisher：北京联合出版有限公司

ISBN：9787559651471

Shelf Number：1F-新书速递书架

From prehistoric times to modern day, countless animals have disappeared from our midst. This book, serving as a ‘museum on paper’, guides us through 27 extinct animals from the different continents. Students can learn about the stories of the paleontologists, animal artists, scientists, and indigenous people involved in paleontological discoveries and research. They also gain a poignant understanding of the direct or indirect relationships between animal extinction and human activities such as colonization, maritime activities, and urban industrialization, which have led to the extinction of Bali’s wild tigers, the Steller’s Sea Cows, and the Yangtze River dolphins.

The language of this book is simple and easy to understand. Every two-page spread introduces an extinct animal: the left page features retro-style comics that narrate historical events related to the animal, while the right page showcases a realistic comic depiction of the extinct animal along with scientific information. The introductory map of extinct animal distribution provides an overview of the global situation of animal extinction, helping students establish a comprehensive and global understanding. The end of the book includes a timeline of extinct animals and explanations of professional terms for young readers to reference.

This book has received the “Earth Award” from the French Youth Publishing Union. The authors have also collaborated on The Microscopic World: Mysterious Tiny Life, which received the 2017 Bologna International Children’s Book Fair’s “Special Recommendation” in the non-fiction category. Students can find related recommendations in our September book recommendations list.

Hardly Haunted

Grade Level：G1-G5

Author：Jessie Sima

Publisher：Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN：9781534441705

AR Level/ Lexile measure: 1.7LG/AD450L

Shelf Number：1F-新书速递书架

Halloween is indeed a popular festival celebrated on 31 October each year, and has become a widely recognized festival observed in various countries. People of all ages often dress up in costumes, ranging from traditional monsters like witches and vampires to more modern pop culture figures. Children typically go door-to-door in their neighborhoods, saying “trick or treat” and then receiving candies and other treats from their neighbours. Carving pumpkins and turning them into jack-o’-lanterns is a well-loved Halloween tradition. It’s also a fun activity for families and friends. The book we introduce here is related to the Halloween festival.

House was distraught.⁠⁠

“I’m a house. People are supposed to live in me!” ⁠⁠

But no one did! She was worried that maybe she was…⁠⁠

HAUNTED!!⁠⁠⁠⁠

House tried to quieten her squeaks and creaks to appeal to a family that would make this house a home, but when a gust of wind howls through her roof, she realizes that she likes the house she is, haunted or not, and wishes for a family that will appreciate her as she is.⁠⁠

Jessie Sima personifies a house and makes you fall in love with it. Her charming, detailed illustrations draw you in. Check out this book and see if this house can become a home, haunted or not.⁠⁠

Dr. Boogaloo and the girl who lost her laughter

Grade Level: G4+

Author: [澳]丽莎·尼科尔（Lisa Nicol）

Publisher：中信出版社

ISBN: 9787521718577

Shelf Number: IF-LRC 新书速递书架

Blue grew up in a wealthy and prosperous family. Her mother was an elegant woman with exquisite taste, who traveled around the world frequently. Her father, dashing and charismatic, often went on business trips and was a successful businessman. They seemed incredibly happy, but Blue hadn’t laughed out loud for 749 days.

Then, Blue met Dr. Boogaloo, and that’s when the magical story began! Dr. Boogaloo and his wife helped Blue, who hadn’t laughed for 749 days, find her laughter again through music therapy!

This book not only tells the story of a friendly doctor and a kind girl but also serves as a tribute to music and an encyclopedia of musical instruments. Lisa Nicol uses vivid language and perfect rhythm to transport young readers into the world of the doctor’s music therapy school. The text also mentions many traditional Australian instruments, such as the Australian Wobble Board and Didgeridoo, making it a must-read for those interested in Australian instruments.

The Jungle Book

Grade Level：G3+

Author：Rudyard Kipling

Publisher：Vintage Books London

ISBN：9781784872380

Shelf Number：2F-0456

AR Level/ Lexile measure: 7.6MG/1020L

The Jungle Book is the masterpiece of the first British Nobel Laureate in Literature, Rudyard Kipling. It was published in 1894 and is a collection of jungle adventure stories.

The main story revolves around “Mowgli,” the ‘man-cub’ who, as a baby, was lost in the jungle and raised by a mother wolf. He becomes close brothers with the wolf cubs and learns the “Law of the Jungle” under the guidance of the black panther Bagheera and the brown bear Baloo. Together with his animal friends, he defeats the monkey tribe and the heinous tiger who constantly seeks to eat him, growing into a brave and clever young boy.

In addition to the main storyline, the book also weaves in other impressive animal stories, such as the awakening journey of the unique white seal in The White Seal and the enchanting scene of a midnight dance party among the elephants in Toomai of the Elephants.

Kipling had a deep love and attachment to his birthplace, India. His descriptions of the scenery are intricate and exquisite, reminiscent of Indian miniature paintings, with a sense of timelessness and profound Indian cultural influences. The portrayal of motherhood in this work is also profound, depicting it as not a constraint on women but a source of strength.

It is said that this book influenced Sigmund Freud’s thinking, helped Mark Twain rediscover the joy of literature, and is J.K. Rowling’s beloved book!