New Books Are Here!

Bella Vista Library received over 75 wonderful new books now available for you to check out! There is a variety of biographies, informational books, holiday books, and graphic novels. Sports biographies to check out: 

• Derrick Rose
• Kevin Durant
• Kevin Garnett
• Landon Donovan
• LeBron James
• Lionel Messi
• Peyton Manning
• Shaun White

Eye to Eye:  How Some Animals See the World (1st-4th grade) by Steve Jenkins is a fascinating non-fiction book with intricate paper collage artwork of each animals' eyes.


I especially love the book, Helen's Big World:  The Life of Helen Keller (Kindergarten and up) by Doreen Rappaport. This biography inspires me as I read quotes from Helen Keller and
learn about her life. She started out as a normal toddler who was struck with an unknown illness at the age of 18 months that left her unable to see, hear or speak. The illustrations by Matt Tavares are beautiful. Check this one out!

A humorous series both boys and girls will like are the Clementine (1st-3rd grade) books by Marcia Frazee. We received:

• Clementine's Letter
• Clementine and the Family Meeting
• Clementine and the Spring Trip

Great graphic novels for all reading levels are here:

• Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas (K-3rd grade)
• The Baby-Sitters Club:  Mary Anne saves the Day (2nd-5th grade)
• Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales:  Donner Dinner Party (3rd-7th grade)
• Sisters (3rd-7th)
• Bluffton:  My Summer with Buster Keaton (4th-7th grade)

 Fiction books you should check out are:

• School of Fear:  The Final Exam (3rd-7th grade)
• Fortunately, the Milk (3rd-7th grade)
• How to Catch a Bogle (4th-7th grade)
• Zebra Forest (4th-7th grade)
• Al Capone Does My Shirts (5th and up)
• Counting by 7s (5th and up) 

You should each be able to find something great to read!                          

Fiction and Nonfiction, What's the Difference?

A long time ago when I was an elementary school student, I remember never really grasping the difference between fiction and nonfiction books. I wish the book, "Bored Bella Learns About Fiction and Nonfiction" was around back then. It would have enlightened my understanding like it is doing for elementary school students today. Thank you Sandy Donovan and Leeza Hernandez for making this remarkable book!

According to Sandy Donovan, there are many ways to find out if a book is fiction or nonfiction. One way is to read the description of the book on the back cover or inside flap. When you read it, ask yourself:
*What is the book about? What happens in the book?
*Is the purpose of the book to give information or tell a story?

If a book gives information, helps you learn something about real people, places and events it is nonfiction. If a book tells a story with content or characters that don't exist in real life, yet may contain true facts, it is fiction.

"Bored Bella Learns About Fiction and Nonfiction" was a gift from our school district office. It is not available in retail stores...yet.

www.facthound.com is a child-friendly website to search for relevant topics.
"FactHound" will fetch the best sites for you!"