AT THE LIBRARY

"Night of the Howling Dogs" by Graham Salisbury, Wendy Lamb Books, 191 pages

Read aloud: age 9, 10 and older

Read yourself: age 10, 11 and older

On the Big Island of Hawaii in 1975, 11 boy scouts and their leaders are camping on a remote beach below the island's ancient volcano. The trip begins as an exciting adventure for Dylan and his fellow boy scouts as they make the long trek across the ancient lava flow, but trouble is about to explode around everyone.

Dylan senses something isn't right and is particularly spooked by the sound of wild dogs howling at night. Shortly thereafter, terror strikes. Over the next several hours the small group of people are tested to their limits and discover the real meaning of leadership, friendship and the human will to survive.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Bill Memorial Library, 240 Monument St., Groton

Library Director: Hali Keeler

Children's Services: Mary-Jane Carle

Choices this week: "Bark, George" by Jules Feiffer; "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy; "The Napping House" by Audrey Wood

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"Charlotte's Web 60th Anniversary Edition" by E. B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams, Harper, 184 pages, $8.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 6, 7 and older

Read yourself: age 9, 10 and older

First published in 1952, "Charlotte's Web" illustrates the joys that pure friendship can bring. When Wilbur the pig is born, 8-year-old Fern pleads with her father to let her take care of him. When Wilbur grows bigger, he is sent to live with Fern's uncle, farmer Zuckerman, but the affectionate little pig is quite lonely. Crying to himself one night, he hears a voice call, "Do you want a friend, Wilbur? I'll be a friend to you . . . I like you."

Wilbur's new friend is Charlotte, a large grey spider. Charlotte is beautiful, wise and kind. When it becomes apparent that farmer Zuckerman intends to serve Wilbur for Christmas dinner, Charlotte's love of her friend propels her into action. Aided by the cranky barn rat, Templeton, Charlotte devises a plan to save her friend by convincing the farmer and the community that Wilbur isn't an ordinary pig and should be saved.

"Bye-Bye Baby Brother!" by Sheena Dempsey, Candlewick, 2013, 28 pages, $15.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 and 5

Read yourself: age 6 to 8

Ruby loves to play games with her mom and her dog Rory. But ever since Ruby's baby brother Oliver was born, Mom always seems to be busy taking care of him, and that means less time for her to play with Ruby. Ruby decides she wants Oliver to disappear forever and thinks of several (very funny) ways she might be able to make that happen. But after a thrilling imaginary space adventure with Mom, Rory the dog,and Oliver, Ruby has a change of heart.

www.greatestbooksforkids.com