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Children's librarian Tracy Kampa recommends new books

Tracy Kampa reading a book to a child
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Tracy Kampa
Children's librarian Tracy Kampa

New book recommendations from children's librarian Tracy Kampa include stories from Deborah Underwood, a debut from Ruth Chan, and Gordan Korman.

A new picture book and two middle-grade books are included in Tracy Kampa’s newest recommendations. Tracy is the children’s librarian at the Grand Rapids Area Library and recently on What We’re Reading, she talked about these new books.


Book cover depicting a man with a cat and several other animals trying to get into his house.
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HarperCollins
Deborah Underwood's new book is The Man Who Didn't Like Animals.

The Man Who Didn't Like Animals, by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by LeuUyen Pham. Published by

HarperCollins.

Who was Old MacDonald before he had a farm? New York Times bestselling children’s book writer Deborah Underwood brings us this fun origin story about the farmer we all grew up singing about and his animal friends. Wonderfully illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist LeUyen Pham.

Tracy’s Take: E-I-E-I-O… I was utterly, and udder-ly delighted with The Man Who Didn't Like Animals.


Cover of a the book "Uprooted."  A young girl standing giant-like among city skyskrapers.
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Macmillan
Ruth Chan's debut graphic novel is called Uprooted.

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back, by Ruth Chan. Published by

Macmillan

A middle-grade graphic memoir debut about 13-year old Ruth, whose family returns to Hong Kong after living in Canada for most her life. In Hong Kong, her family fits in but, for her, it's nothing like home.

Tracy’s Take: If you know anybody who might be nervous about changes in their life, this is the book for them. For me, it was a delightful reminder about how difficult life can be when you're 13 and how the key to overcoming those obstacles might be in just doing it. I highly recommend the lovely graphic novel Uprooted by Ruth Chan.


Book cover with a fake disguise of eyeglasses with bushy eyebrows and a fake large nose with moustache attached.
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Scholastic
Gordan Korman's new book is Faker.

Faker, by Gordan Korman. Published by

Scholastic.

Trey’s father is a con man who only steals from the rich. His schemes always involve getting Trey into a school full of kids with rich parents. After Trey makes friends, his dad makes connections and runs his schemes. Once Trey’s father has the money, they take off and set up somewhere else and start again. But Trey is finding it harder to keep this up. How can he stop it?

Tracy’s Take: Do yourself a favor and check out Faker by Gordon Korman. Gordon Korman is one of my favorite authors to hand to the kids who are just looking for a really good book, and this one doesn't disappoint.

Looking for a good book recommendation? Want to recommend a book you've just read? Check out our What We're Reading page on Facebook, or text us at 218-326-1234.

What We're Reading is made possible in part by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.

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Tammy Bobrowsky works at Bemidji State University's library. She hosts "What We're Reading," a show about books and authors, and lends her talents as a volunteer DJ.