Is Robot Gone Forever?

As the Robinson family travels through space, ten-year-old Will suddenly picks up a signal from a nearby planet. Before he can decipher it, the family Robot goes berserk and programs the Jupiter 2 to land. There, the crew discovers an alien planet ruled by robots. And these robots want something - the Robinson's Robot.
Can Will and his sister Penny save Robot - and the rest of their family - from being taken over by a planet full of alien androids? Or is everyone doomed in Robotworld forever?
Book #1 in the continuing adventures of Will, Penny, Robot, and the J2 crew - lost in space!
Read Book #2 - THE PASSENGERS

The Winter of the Red Snow: the revolutionary war diary of Abigail Jane Stewart (Valley Forge, Pennsylvanian 1777) (1999/6/27, Sunday):
By Kristiana Gregory *
Copyright 1996 by Kristiana Gregory, published by Scholastic Inc., New York, 555 Broadway, New York, New York 10012. /ISBN: 0-590-22653-3; $9.95 US / $13.99 Can
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why

December 19, 1777, Friday
I woke to sleet hitting the window and another sound I'd not heard before.
A drumbeat.
Papa came in from milking and said, "The soldiers are coming."
...Finally, through the gray, we saw them. Three officers on horseback led. We ran outside to cheer, but the men were quiet and thin. The sight of them took my breath away.
"They have no shoes," Elizabeth whispered.
We watched for several minutes as they passed by. We were unable to speak.
Their footprints left blood in the snow.
As I write this upstairs, my candle low and our room cold, I think I shall never again complain.

About the author

Kristiana Gregory is well-known for her accurate and compelling historical fiction for middle-grade and young-adult readers, bringing the adventures and struggles of young people during many different times in American history vividly to life. The Revolutionary War period has always held a particular personal interest for her.
"I've always felt a kinship with this period of history because many of my ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, including one who was camped at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778. His name was William Kern, and he was a sergeant in Daniel Morgan's 11th Virginia Regiment.
"One of my visits to Valley Forge was on a Christmas day. It was bitterly cold and the snow was knee-deep. Shivering, I peered inside one of the log huts and tried to imagine the poor soldiers without shoes or warm clothes. It fascinated me to realize that Gregory Washington had ridden his horse along that very road. My ancestor may have spoken to him."
Writing The Winter of Red Snow allowed her to imagine what it really would have been like to watch the young American soldiers prepare for war and also to experience the excitement of meeting Gregory Washington. And though the diary is a work of fiction, most of the events and characters are real, including von Steuben's 17-year-old interpreter, Pierre Etienne Duponceau, and his polite greyhound, Azor, as well as George Washington's expense account, which records a payment of "40 shillings a month, plus 4 shillings per dozen pieces" to a laundress named Peggy Lee.
MS Gregory discovered that, "After the war, William Kern's brother, Adam, married a young woman named Christina, coincidentally my name-sake."
Ms Gregory's historical fiction novels include Jimmy Spoon and the Pony Express and The Stowaway, both published by Scholastic, as well as Jenny of the Tetons, The Legend of Jimmy Spoon, and Earthquake at Dawn, all for Harcourt Brace. She lives in Colorado with her family.

Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway? (1999/6/27, Sunday)
By Avi” *
Copyright 1971 the Radiola Co. Copyright 1992 by Avi; published by Orchard Books, 95 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. /ISBN: 0-531-05457-8
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why)

'And now' ta-da!”
'Shredded Corn Crunch brings you another thrilling adventure of Chet Barker, master spy! Chet Barker, ruthless, clear-eyed, brave, and smartly dressed! Chet Barker, thundering out of the dim past in a constant search for his true identity! Chet Barker, fighting hand-to-hand for what's right!
'With his faithful but brilliant sidekick, Skipper O'Malley, Chet Barker believes in the American way!”
'Ta-da!”
'And now for today's adventure'”

In fact, it's spring 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, and Franklin D.Wattleson and Mario Calvino inspired by the heroics of the Lone Ranger, the Green Hornet, and Buck Rodgers, among others set out to right the wrongs of their world' for instance, getting Frankie's parents or war-wounded brother Tom, the upstairs boarder (an evil scientist?), or Miss Gomez, their sixth-grade teacher can escape being part of the boy's imaginative and hilarious adventures. This truly uniqe novel entirely in dialogue, with excerpts from old radio shows will make laugh, may make you sad, but above all, will have you hearing voices you'll never forget.

Recent books by AVI

Nothing but the Truth, 1992 Newbery Honor Book

'Like the best in children's literature, it will be talked about and read again and again.' Starred review, Booklist

'Freshman Philip Mallow wants to be on the track team and is sure of winning a place, but a failing grade in English makes him ineligible. A personality conflict with his English teacher also his homeroom teacher eems to Philip to be the root of the problem. He determines to find a way out of her class. Whether by accident or design, his persistent humming of the National Anthem, played at the start of each school day, supposedly 'to respectful silence,' is the vehicle that gets him out so far out that he is suspended from school The tragedy moves inexorably to an ironic conclusion that raises gooseflesh. A powerful, explosive novel that involves the reader from start to finish.' Starred review, The Horn Book
'Admirably well crafted and thought provoking.' Starred review, School Library Journal

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, 1991 Newbery Honor Book, 1991 Boston Globe' Horn Book Award for Fiction

'A breathtaking seafaring adventure, set in 1832. Charlotte Doyle, 13, returning from school in England to join her family in Rhode Island, is deposited on a seedy ship with a ruthless, mad captain and a mutinous crew'. There is no doubt that she will survive, however, for the telling is all hers, masterfully related in a voice that perfectly suits the period and thwe heroine'”
- Starred review, School Library Journal

'This is a story not easy to forget.'  - Starred review, Booklist

About the author

AVI is the popular author of two Newbery Honor Books, Nothing but the Truth and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, and many other books. Among these are The Man Who Was Poe, Something Upstairs, Romeo and Juliet-Together (ans Alive!) at Last, Wolf Rider, S.O.R. Losers, and The Fighting Ground.
He lives with his wife in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Far North
   I have read the book Far North. Its author is Will Hobbs. He had written books such as BEARDANCE, BEARSONE, THE BIG WANDER, KOKOPELLI'S FLUTE, and FAR NORTH.
   Will Hobbs came under the spell of mountains and rivers as a child in Alaska and has been returning to the North in recent years in his wilderness adventures and in his writing. A graduate from Stanford University, Will makes his home in the mountains near Durango, Colorado, with his wife, Jean.
   This book, Far North, was awarded quite a few prizes: An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, An American Library Association Top Ten Book for 1996, An American Library Association Quick Picks for Reluctant YA readers, Colorado Book Award, A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, A Notable Children's Book in the Filed of Social Studies, and The Western Writers of America, Spur Award.
   The story Far North tells about a fifteen-year-old boy Gabe Rogers who is from Texas. He is getting his first look at Canada's magnificent Northwest Territories with Raymond Providence, his roommate from boarding school of Yellowknife. And an old guy who is sitting beside Raymond is Raymond's great uncle, Johnny Raven. Below them is the spectacular Nahanni River' wall-to-wall whitewater racing between sheer cliffs and plunging over Virginia Falls. The pilot sets the plane down on the lake-like surface of the upper river for a closer look at the thundering falls. Suddenly the engine quits. The only sound is a dull roar downstream, as the plane Cessna drifts helplessly toward the falls. Finally, Gabe Rogers, Raymond Providence, and Johnny Raven have survived. But the pilot died. They had only got four rifle shells and a rifle. After a few weeks, the old man Johnny Raven died, too. Gabe and Raymond soon find themselves stranded in Deadmen Valley. Trapped in a frozen world of Moose, Wolves, and Bears, two boys from vastly different cultures come to depend on each other for their very survival. At last, they got a Moose's meat and walked back to Nahanni Butte with their deep pains and frightening.
   From this book, I have learned to work hard and so I can have my work done. And also when I was reading the letter by Johnny Raven in this book, I realized that we have to take care of our land, each other, and ourselves. And we need to study hard to make our homeland more marvelous.

ALIENS FOR BREAKFAST (1999/6/27, Sunday)
By Jonathan Etra and Stephanie Spinner
A STEPPING STONE BOOK by Random House, New York
Copyright 1988
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why

"MOM,MY CEREAL IS ALIVE!"
When Richard Bickerstaff sits down to breakfast one morning, he gets the surprise of his life. An alien climbs out of his cereal bow! Aric is a tiny, wisecracking creature who has been freeze dry and beamed to Earth in a cereal box. He's on a very important mission. He's got to stop an alien takeover, and he needs Richard's help—fast!
   In a wild and funny race against time, Richard and Aric battle a deadly enemy in a clever disguise—he's the cool new kid in Richard class!

The Avion Mt Uncle Flew (1999/6/27, Sunday)
By Cyrus Fisher
Published by Scholastic Inc., New York (Toronto London Auckland Sydney), 730 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. ISBN: 0-590-46242-3.
Copyright 1946, first Scholastic printing Oct 1993./Newbery Honor Book
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why

The adventure of a lifetime
Johnny Littlehorn is on his way to France t live with his Uncle Paul. But what starts off as an exciting trip soon turns into a frightening adventure. A strange man trailed Johnny throughout Paris, and since to follow him to his Uncle's home into small street Charmant. And then, as Johnny explores the town with his friend, he comes to realize something even worse: a Nazi spy is hiding in the mountains, hatching an evil plan. Could the two men be one and the same? And Johnny foil the villainous plot?

"Seldom do we find so happy a combination of charm of style, local color; humor and thumping good adventure as is set forth in this tale." School Library Journal

CONTENTS
 Foreword
 1 My Farther Returns
 2 The Man with the Crooked Beard
 3 The Bargain
 4 Oncle Paul
 5 Le Village de St. Charmant
 6 La Mission de Ta Mire
 7 The Pig of the Mayor
 8 Le Trouble Vient
 9 Charles Veut Voir l'Avion de Mon Oncle Paul
10 L'Avion Est Cassé
11 Monsieur Simonis Voit Charles et Moi
12 "L'Avion Est Pret Partir!"
13 Le Jour de la Fete
14 La Lettre

The Egypt Game
Stevie Liu/Sept. 13,1999
By Zilpha Keaeley Snyder
Main Characters
April Hall, a sixth grade girl from Hollywood
Melanie Ross, April's best friend
Marshall Ross, Melanie's brother, four years old
Elizabeth Chung, a fourth grader from China
Toby, April and Melanie's classmate
Ken, best friend of Toby
Caroline Hall, April's grandmother
Mrs. Ross, Melanie and Marshall's mother
Dr. Huddleston (the professor), a kind doctor
Setting
Orchard Avenue, university town, California, USA
Plot Summary
A 6th grade girl named April Hall comes to the Orchard Avenue, California, and she meets Melanie Ross, a classmate who loves ancient Egypt as much as she does. Soon they discover that the deserted storage yard behind the professor's Curio Shop is a great and perfect spot for playing the wonderful Egypt Game. Then the two girls are joined by four more players, and they together make up an Egyptians encounter group. The 'Egyptians' are Melanie, April, Marshall, Elizabeth, Toby, and Ken. These six 'Egyptians' often appear in costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Things go on like this with the kids for sometime and they have lots of fun in playing the game. However, one evening, a murderer who has killed two kids accidentally runs into the storage yard. April and Marshall becomes his target. The professor who seems bad in everybody's eyes calls the police. The murderer is caught and the kids' lives are saved. From then on, everyone begins to like the professor, and the Orchard Avenue returns to a safe quietness again.

ALIENS FOR LUNCH (1999/6/27, Sunday)
By Jonathan Etra and Stephanie Spinner *
Copyright:1991 / ISBN: 0-679-81056-0
An International Reading Association Children's Choice; A Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why)

Dessert Wars?

Richard and his friend Henry are making microwave popcorn when --Boom!--a tiny pink alien pops out of the bag! It's Aric, the bossy extraterretial from Aliens for Breakfast. He's back, and he needs Richard's help once more. Creatures from the planet Threll are threatening to attack Earth -and steal all its desserts!
Before Richard can say "cupcake", he's off on another awesome adventure - in deepest space!

Here's what reviews said about Aliens for Breakfast:

"An off-the-wall delight, crammed with one-liners."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A wacky, wisecracking race against time ... Clever plotting, right-on characterization, and a jet-propelled pace give this book, peppered with line drawings, high appeal." -Booklist

About the Authors
Johnathan Etra is a novelist and magazine journalist. He lives for dessert, but says, "It is always takes at least 11, 976 years to get here." Johnathan Etra lives in New York City.
Stephanie Spinner is a children's book editor and author who lives in New York city. She never eats desserts.

About the Illustrator
Steve Bj?rkman is an artist whose work often appears in advertisements, magazines, and greeting cards. He notes, "I have been drawing ever since I was a kid. I was often reprimanded for doodling in class and now find it a great relief to do drawing without having to hide it from the teacher." Steve Bj?rkman lives in Irving, California.

King of the Wind, The Story of the Godolphin Arabian  (1999/6/27, Sunday):
By Marguerte Henry *
Aladdin Paperbacks, an imprint of Simon & Schutster Children's Publishing Division, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020; Alddin Books, Macmillan Publishing Company, 866 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
Text Copyright ©1948; illustration copyright © 1947. Copyright renewed 1976 by Morgan and Charles Reid Dennis. ISBN: 0-689-71486-6.
The John Newbery Medal has been awarded annually since 1922, under the supervision of the American Library Association, to books that are considered the most distinguished contributions to literature for children.
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why)

He was named "Sham" for the sun, this golden red stallion born in the Sultan of Morocco's stone stables. Upon his heel was a small white spot, the symbol of speed. But on his chest was the symbol of misfortune. Although he was as swift as the desert wind, Sham's proud pedigree would be scorned all hif life by cruel masters and owners.
This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. Their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara to the royal courts of France and, finally, to the green pastures and stately homes of England. For Sham was the renowned "Godolphin Arabian" whose blood flows through the veins of almost every superior Thoroughbred. Sham's speed - like his story - has become legendary.

"A book to delight all horse lovers." - The Horn Book
"...told with dash and drama..." - San Francisco Chronicle

Marguerite Henry is the beloved author of such classic horse stories as Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Misty of Chincoteague, and Stormy, Misty's Foal, all of which are available in Aladdin paperbacks.

Animorphs: The Underground (1999/6/28, Monday)
By K. A. Applegate
An Apple Paperback, First Scholastic Printing in April 1998
Copyright 1998 by Katherine Applegate./ISBN 0-590-49436-8; $3.99 US / #4.99 CAN
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why)

We can't tell you who we are. Or where we live. It's too risky, and we've got to be careful. Really careful. So we don't trust anyone. Because if they find us...well, we just won't let them find us.
The thing you should know is that everyone is in really big trouble. Yeah. Even you.

What's tasty, good for you, and only takes about sixty seconds to make? Oatmeal. And it's making the Yeerks more than a little crazy. Now Rachael, the other Animorphs, and Ax have a new weapon against the Yeerks. Sounds good, right?
Wrong. Because it means another trip to the Yeer pool. And the possibility of running into Visser Three. And of not being able to get back up to the surface. The Animorphs and Ax have taken chances before and been very lucky. But this time their luck may be about to run out. ...

The Extreme (1999/6/27, Sunday)
K.A. Applegate
SCHOLASTIC INC.

CONTENTS:
     Marco, the other Animorphs, and Ax have managed to find out where the Yeerks are planning to built their next ground-based Kandrona. That's a good thing. The location is supposed to be somewhere around the North Pole. That's a bad thing. The Animorphs and Ax that the Yeerks are a 'cold-blooded' species, but this is a little nuts! Who wants to be anywhere near the North Pole without Arctic morphs---and wearing spandex?
     Even so, the kids know if the Yeerks succeed with their plan, Earth is prety much done for. And Marco, the other Animorphs, and Ax aren't quite ready to give up the fight....

I learned a lot from this story, most of all, I like the adventure of the book. It got terrific telling by the author. The author has magnificent idea and great dreams. That's all I will talk about the book.

The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #11: Claudia and the Mystery at the Museum (1999/6/28, Monday)
By Ann M. Martin *
Copyright 1993 by Ann M. Martin; published by Scholastic Inc., New York, 555 Broadway, New York, New York 10012. /ISBN: 0-590-47049-3
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why

America's favorite baby-sitters are detectives, too!
Claudia can't wait for the new museum in Stonebrook to open. They're featuring an exhibit of her favorite scuptor.
But while Claudia's visiting the museum, someone steals some priceless coins! And later when she's looking at the sculptures, Claudia is sure that one of them is a fake.
Burglaries, forgeries' something nasty is going on in little Stonebrrok. But Claudia and the BSC are on the case!

The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #12: Claudia and the New Girl (1999/6/28, Monday)
By Ann M. Martin *
Copyright 1989 by Ann M. Martin; published by Scholastic Inc., New York, 555 Broadway, New York, New York 10012. /ISBN: 0-590-25167-8
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why)

The best friends you'll ever have!
Claudia has always been the most outrageous girl in her class' until Ashley Wyeth comes along. Ashley's really different' she dresses in hippie clothes, wears six earings, and is the most fantastic artis Claudia has ever met.
Ashley says Claudia has artistic talent, too. She thinks Claudia should spend more time on her  calling and forget about the Baby-sitters Club: It's just a waste of time.
The baby-sitters are sick of Ashley Wyeth, and they think Claudia's a traitor. Claudia's got to decide:: either the Baby-sitters Club ot the new girl  one of them's got to go!

About the author

Ann M. Martin did a ot of baby-sititng when she was growing up in Princeton, New Jersey. She is a former editor of books for children, and was graduated from Smith College.
Ms Martin lives in New York City with her cats, Mouse and Rosie. She likes ice cream and I Love Lucy; and she hates to cook.
Ann Martin's Apple Paperbacks include Yours Truly, Shirley; Ten Kids, No Pets; With You and without You; Bummer Sumer; and all the other books in the Baby-Sitting Club series (about 50 in all!).

Goofy Joins the Circus: An Adventure in Russia (Disney's Small World Library)
By Grolier Enterprises Inc., Danbury, Connecticut

   'Gawrsh!' said Goofy. 'Moscow sure is a pretty city!”
   Michey, Minnie, Goofy, Morty, and Ferdie were visiting Moscow, the capital of Russia. They were riding through a part of town know as Red Square, when Mickey asked the taxi driver to stop.
   'This looks like a good place to take some pictures,' he said.
   'Look at the building over there!' cried Morty.
   'It looks like a fairy-tale castle,' said Minnie.
   'That's St. Basil's Cathedral,' Mickey explained, glancing at his guidebook, 'and that's the Kremlin. It says here that the Kremlin is filled with splendid paintings, called icons, and golden treasures from long ago.”
   Their next stop was Gorky Park, a huge public park in the center of Moscow. Mickey and Minnie went for a ride on a boat with Morty and Ferdie while Goofy rode the giant Ferris wheel.
   When they got off the ride, they joined Goofy for a stroll through the park. All around them were flowers and fountains and people playing chess.
   'Look!' cried Morty. 'There's some kind of show over there.”
   'He ran over and asked a man what was going on.
   'It's a juggling contest,' the man said. 'The winner gets to perform with the Moscow Circus when it goes to St. Peterburg.”
   'Imagine that!' exclaimed Minnie. 'The Moscow Circus is one of the most famous circuses in the world.”
   'Gawrsh!' exclaimed Goofy, his eyes glued to one of the performers. 'Look at how many rings she has in the air at once. That sure looks like fun.”
   Each juggler was better than the one before. Then Goofy noticed some clowns juggling balls while riding unicycles.
   One clown kept pretending to fall, but he always managed to catch himself just in time.
   'Why is he dropping all those balls?' asked Morty as, one by one, the balls flew into the audience.
   'It's just part of the act,' said Mickey. 'He's got lots more to juggle.”
   But Goofy was eagerly waiting for his chance to help out.
   'Ill catch them for you!' he shouted. And with that, he danced toward the clown, catching the falling balls and tossing them back again. The crowd began to laugh. Goofy was a hit! His timing was perfect, and he didn't miss a single ball.
   When the last ball flew far from where he was standing, Goofy dived to catch it in his hat. By this time, the crowd was roaring with laughter. Everyone began to clap.
   'Gawrsh, thanks!' said Goofy as he took a bow. The crowd went wild.
   'You've won the contest!' cried the ringmaster.
   'Me?' said Goofy. 'I was just having fun. I'm no juggler. Tell him, Mickey!”
   'Why?' Mickey asked. 'You were terrific. And we can all go to St. Peterburg to watch you perform.”
   'Great! Then come with me,' said the ringmaster excitedly. 'There are some people I'd like you to meet.”
   The ringmaster took Goofy to the circus hall, where he introduced Goofy to two jugglers named Andrei and Tanya. The jugglers showed Goofy around and took him to meet other performers.
   Katerina, the trapeze artist, was practicing part of her act.
   'Im so happy to meet you, Goofy,' she called down. 'I hear you are quite a juggler.”
   'Gawrsh, I don't know about that,' replied Goofy, blushing. 'But I'm going to try my best.”
   'I'm sure you'll be terrific,' said Katerina.
   Goofy began to get nervous. 'What if I can't juggle?' he thought to himself. 'What if they boo me off the stage?”
   Andrei and Tanya took Goofy to meet Misha, the animal trainer.
   Misha handed several clubs to two bears and beamed proudly as they began to juggle them.
   'Oh, no!' Goofy said to himself, even more worried. 'Even the bears can juggle better than I can!”
   Then the loud trumpeting of an elephant made Goofy forget all about juggling.
   'Come meet Natasha,' said Misha, leading Goofy to the elephant's cage. 'She's quite a performer. But I can't wait to see your act,' he continued.' I hear you're quite a performer, too.”
   Goofy got even more nervous. He fainted into a big pile of Natasha's hay.
   Natasha didn't want anyone taking a nap in her hay. She woke Goofy up with a trunk of water!
   'Wh-wh'where am I?' stamered Goofy.
   'You're still at the circus,' said Misha, laughing. 'But you should probably get some rest. I'll show you to your dressing room.”
   Goofy had a very bad case of stage fright. 'I don't feel very well,' he said., clutching his stomach. 'Maybe I shouldn't juggle after all.”
   'Don't worry,' said Misha. 'We'll help you feel better in no time.”
   Katerina fed Goofy some borscht, a Russian soup. Alexi, the clown, gave him some thin pancakes called blinis, served with caviar, a Russian delicacy of fish eggs. Andrei and Tanya gave him tea with honey.
   Goofy was starting to feel a little better.
   'I have a confession to make,' he said. 'I'm not really a juggler.”
   'That's all right, Goofy,' replied Olga, the acrobat, kindly. 'Don't be nervous. You're going to do just fine.”
   Goofy felt a little more cheerful in the morning.
   It was fun being part of the circus, he decided. There so much to do and see. He had new friends, and his old friends were there, too. Best of all, new friends and old were going to St. Peterburg on the circus train together!
   They all arrived in St. Peterburg on a beautiful sunny morning.
   'You must let me take you and our friends to see some of the sights of this wonderful city,' said Tanya to Goofy and his frends. 'Let's began with the Summer Palace of Czar Peter I, who ruled our country for many years. The hydrofoil will get us there in no time,”
   'What's a hydrofoil?' asked Morty.
   'You'll see,' said Tanya, as she led everyone to a dock.
   Everyone climbed aboard a strange-looking boat. Slowly the vehicle pulled away from the dock. Then suddenly, as it picked up speed, it rose out of the water.
   'Gawrsh!' said Goofy. 'How did we do that?”
   'We're riding on special water wings. The trip will be very fast and very smooth,” explained Tanya.
   'Peter the Great was one of the most powerful rulers in history,' Tanya told Goofy and his friends. 'He spared no expense when he had this palace built for himself and his wife, Catherine I.”
   'I have never seen anything so grand!' said Minnie.
   Later when they were touring the grounds, Goofy discovered the trick fountains.
   'You need to have perfect timing to avoid getting wet,' said Tanya.
   But it was too late. Goofy was already soaked.
   'I sure hope my timing is better than this during the show,' Goofy said to himself.
   That night Tanya and Andrei invited everyone to see the Kiev Ballet. Inside the building the twinkling lights from crystal chandeliers made everything glow.
   Suddenly, the lights dimmed and the music began. No one said a word as the dancers performed the ballet of Swan Lake. When it was over, Goofy stood up to applaud. He couldn't help but notice how proud and happy the dancers looked as they took their final bows.
   'I'll do my best tomorrow night,' Goofy said to himself. 'Then everyone will stand up and clap for me, too!”
   Goofy woke up early the next morning and began to practice. By the time of the show, he was ready. Goofy waited to hear the lively, funny music. Then he ran out into the center ring.
 The audience watched as Goofy did crazy flips and somersaults while he juggled balls and then rings. Then Goofy took his eyes off the rings for a minute, and they began to slip right over his head and down past his shoulders one by one.
'It's mighty hard to juggle this way, folks!' said Goofy, whose arms were now clamped close to his body. Before he knew it, there weren't one ring left in the air!
The crowd stood up and chanted his name.
'Goofy! Goofy! Goofy!' they cried.
Goofy stood there proudly and took one bow after another.
'Gawrsh!' he said. 'I had no idea I was this good!”
'You were great!' said Mickey, running up to congratulate him.
'Well, I tried as hard as I could,' said Goofy. 'And that's the most important thing!”
 Did you know...?

   Every country has many different customs and places that makes it special. Some of the things that make Russia special are mentioned below. Do you recognize any one of them from the story?

   The Kremlin is a walled area within the city of Moscow, which is the capital of Russia. It was once a mighty fort, but now visitors from all over the world come to see the beautiful old palaces, cathedrals, and museums it contains.
   Red Square in Moscow isn't really red at all. Its name comes from an old Russian word that means 'red', but also means 'beautiful'. On holidays people come into the huge square to watch parades and celebrate.
   Trained bears have been entertaining Russians for hundreds of years in circuses and other places. They are taught to juggle, dance, and perform all sorts of tricks.
   Moscow's Gorky Park has something for everyone. Besides a big amusement park, Gorky Park has tennis courts, ice skating rinks, and an outdoor theater.
   St. Peterburg is built on 101 islands that are connected by bridges. Many people consider St. Peterburg the most beautiful city in the country.
   Peter the Great, the Russian czar (ZAR), or emperor, had the city of St. Peterburg built. Peter had many talents, and he was a skilled carpenter, blacksmith, tailor, and drummer.
   The summer palace of Peter the Great still stands outside St. Peterburg. It is famous for its beautiful gardens and fountains. Many of the fountains turn on and off at different times, playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors.
   Russia is well known for its dancers. Many cities have their own ballet companies, and folk dancing is enjoyed everywhere. Each region has its own folk dances and colorful folk costumes.
   Caviar is a favorite special food in Russia. This delicacy is actually the salted eggs of fish. The most expensive caviar can cost up to hundreds of dollars for a pound or less!
   Zdravstvuyte!” (ZDRAHAT-vooyt-eh) means 'Hello" in the Russian language.

Goosebumps #23: Return of the Mummy (1999/6/28, Monday)
By R. L. Stine
An Apple Paperback, A Parachute Press Book, Scholastic Inc., New York (Toronto)
Copyright 1994 by Parachute Press, Inc./ISBN 0-590-47745-5
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why

Dead ...or alive?

After last year's scary adventure, Gabe's little nervous about being back in Egypt. Back near the ancient pyramids. Back where he saw all those creepy mummies.
Then he learns about an Egyptian superstition. A secret chant that is supposed to bring mummies to life. Gabes' uncle says it's just a hoax.
But now it sounds like something's moving in the mummy's tomb.
No way a couple of dumb words can wake the dead.
Can they?

Reader beware - you're in for a scare!
Also available from R. L. Stine: Phantom of the Auditorium.

Goosebumps #7: Under the Magician's Spell (1999/6/28, Monday)
By R. L. Stine
An Apple Paperback, A Parachute Press Book, Scholastic Inc., New York (Toronto)
Copyright 1996 by Parachute Press, Inc.
ISBN 0-590-67321-1; $3.99 US / $4.99 Can
Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why)

Beware!!
Do not read this book from beginning to end!
Bummer! You are to take your bratty little sister Joanie with you to the mall. Before you and your friend Sid can stop her, Joanie runs into a magic shop. Of course, she touches everything in the store. But when Joanie leaves the shop carrying a big book of magic spells, you know you're headed for trouble. Big trouble!
The book of spells belongs to an evil magician. And he's going to use every terrifying magic trick - sawing you in half, throwing knives at you, his book back! Time is running out. The magician has put a powerful spell on Joanie - her body is slowly evaporating. And you're next!
Can you destroy the magician before he waves his wand and makes you disappear into thin air?
You're in control of this scary adventure. You decide what will happen. And how terrifying the scares will be!
Start on page 1. Then follow the instructions at the bottom of each page. You make choices.
So take a deep breath. Cross your fingers. And turn to page 1 now to give yourself goosebumps!

It's a little chop of horrors...

You, and your little sister, and your best friend just found a new magic shop at the mall. The man inside calls himself the Magician. He's pretty creepy. Before you know it, your little sister runs out of the shop with his book of magic spells.
If you read one of the spells, you find yourself in the magician's workshop. Suddenly you are part of a magic act. You are forced onstage, about to be sliced into a million pieces!
If the three bellies from school grab the book, you must find it before the magician makes your sister disappear ... forever!
The choice is yours in this scary GOOSEBUMPS adventure that's packed with over 20 super spooky endings!

Reader beware - you choose the scare! GIVE YOURSELF GOOSEBUMPS
Don't miss the next book in this series: The Curse of the Creeping Coffin

More Goosebumps books by R. L. Stine:
1 Welcome to the Dead House
2 Stay out of the Basement
3 Monster Blood
4 Say Cheese and Die!
5 The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb
6 Let's Get Invisible!
7 Night of the Living Dummy
8 The Girl Who Cried Monster
9 Welcome to Camp Nightmare
10 The Ghost Next Door
11 The Haunted Mask
12 Be Careful What You Wish for
13 Piano Lessons Can Be Murder
14 The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
15 You Can't Scare Me
16 One Day at Horror Land
17 Why I'm Afraid of Bees
18 Monster Blood II
19 Deep Trouble
20 The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight
21 Go Eat Worms!
22 Ghost Beach
23 Return of the Mummy
24 Phantom of the Auditorium
25 Attack of the Mutant
26 My Hairiest Adventure
27 A Night in Terror Tower
28 The Cuckoo Clock of Doom
29 Monster Blood III
30 It Came from Beneath the Sink
31 The Night of the Living Dummy II
32 The Barking Ghost
33 The Horror at Camp Jellyjam
34 Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes
35 A Shocker on Shock Street
36 The Haunted Mask II
37 The Headless Ghost
38 The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena

Tht twists
By Roald Dahl
Published by Bantam Books, 1980

Contents:
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Twit. This nasty couple just loves to play little tricks on each other.  She feeds him worms instead of spaghetti. He slpis a frog in her bed. On and on, each prank is more terrible than the one that came before. And here are the Muggle-Wumps- a nice family of monkeyswhom the Twits are training for the first Great Upside-Down Monkey Circus.  The Muggle-Wumps don't like that very much. So the Muggle-Wumps, along with the Roly-Poly Bird, give the Twits the nastiest, biggest, most horribl surprise of all.

The voyages of Doctor Dolittle (1999/6/27, Sunday)
By Hugh Lofting, adapted for younger readers by N. H. Kleinbaum
A Yearling Book, Published by Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Younger Readers, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. 1540 Broadway New York, New York 10036  ISBN: 0-440-41240-4
US $3.99 / $4.99 Can/Copyright 1922, 1950, 1988, 1997/Winner of the Newbery Medal

Contents of the book (Do include the "5 Ws": what, who, when, where, and why)

Doctor Dolittle and all his animal friends head for the high seas in this amazing adventure told by nine-and-a-half-year-old Tommy Stubbins. The Doctor and his crew survive a shipwreck and land on the mysterious floating Spidermonkey Island. There Doctor Dolittle meets the Great Glass Sea Snail, who holds the key to the most extraordinary mystery of all.

Contents
Prologue 1
Part I
1 The Cobbler's Son
2 I Hear of the Great Naturalist
3 The Doctor's Home
4 The Wiff-waff
5 Polynesia
6 The Wounded Squirrel
7 Shellfish Talk
8 "Are You a Good Noticer?"
9 The Garden of Dreams
10 The Private Zoo
11 My Schoolmaster, Polynesia
12 My Great Idea
13 A Traveler Arrives
14 Chee-Chee's Voyage
15 I Become a Doctor's Assistant

Part II
1 The Crew of the Curlew
2 Luke the Hermit
3 Jip and the Secret
4 Bob
5 Mendoza
6 The Judge's Dog
7 The End of the Mystery
8 Three Cheers
9 The Purple Bird of Paradise
10 Long Arrow, the Son of Golden Arrow
11 Blind Travel
12 Destiny and Destination

Part III
1 The Third Man
2 Goodbye!
3 Our Troubles Begin
4 Our Troubles Continue
5 Polynesia Has a Plan
6 The Bed-Maker of Monteverde
7 The Doctor's Wager
8 The Great Bullfight
9 We Depart in a Hurry

Part IV
1 Shellfish Languages Again
2 The Fidgit's Story
3 Bad Weather
4 Wrecked!
5 Land!
6 The Jabizri
7 Hawk's Head Mountain

Part V
1 A Great Moment between Doctor Dolittle and Long Arrow
2 The Men of the Moving Land
3 Fire!
4 What Makes a Land Float?
5 War!
6 General Polynesia
7 The Peace of the Parrots
8 The Hanging Stone
9 The Election
10 The Coronation of the King Jong

Part VI
1 New Popsipetel
2 Thoughts of Home
3 The Red Man's Signs
4 The Sea Serpent
5 The Shellfish Riddle Solved at Last
6 The Last Cabinet Meeting
7 The Doctor's Decision

About the Author

Hugh Lofting was born in Maidenhead, England, in 1886 and was educated at home with his brothers and sisters until he was eight. He studied engineering in London and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After his marriage in 1912 he settled down in the United States.
During World War I he left his job as a civil engineer, was commissioned a lieutenant in the Irish Guards, and found that writing illustrated letters to his children eased the strain of war. "There seemed to be very little to write  to youngsters from the front; the news was either too horrible or too dull. One thing that kept forcing itself more and more upon my attention was the very considerable part the animals were playing in the war. That was the beginning of an idea: an eccentric physician with a bent for natural history and a great love of pets..."
These letters became The Story of Doctor Dolittle, published in 1920. Children all over the world have read this book and the eleven that followed, for they have been translated into almost every language. The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle won the Newbery Medal in 1923. Drawing from the twelve Docotor Dolittle volumes, Hugh Lofting's sister-in-law, Olga Fricker, later compiled Doctor Dolittle: A Treasury, which was published by Dell in 1986 as a Yearling Classic.
Hugh Lofting died in 1947 at his home in Topanga, California.