Tag: the nerviest girl in the world

Kids Book Review: The Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley

Reviewed by Harriet Engle

This is a story about Pearl, a nine-year-old girl with three older brothers. With three older brothers, she had to be nervy. Pearl and her family live on a ranch in southern California where they raise cattle, sheep, and ostriches. Pearl takes care of the ostriches as her daily chore – feeding them, collecting their eggs, and cleaning out their pen.

This book was written about a time before automobiles became the common way to travel, early 1900s. It also was a time before smart phones, “You Tube,” instant entertainment, and, of course, two-car garages. In fact, if anyone wanted to get anywhere, they rode a horse. It is about silent movies, the entertainment of the time. The silent-movie producer comes to town to make movies, and he needs fast-riding cowboys. He hires Pearl’s brothers. An unexpected fast and nervy ride of her own puts Pearl in the sights of the camera and the producer, and before she knows it, she is in the movies.

Ms. Wiley lived in this part of the country for more than ten years, and to write this piece of historical fiction, she thoroughly researched the silent movie industry. She catches the attention of the reader with some tricky stunts that only a nervy little farm girl with three older brothers can do.

 

From the publisher:

  • Reading age : 8 – 12 years
  • Lexile measure : 900L
  • Grade level : 3 – 7

New Books and DVDs for Kids!

We’ve got some exciting new books and DVDs in our children’s area! Whether your kids enjoy graphic novels, engaging nonfiction, or a favorite series, there’s something for you to take home today. The following items are geared mostly toward elementary and middle-school aged kids. Our next post will feature new picture books, so stay tuned!

New graphic novels:

 

 

 

Dork Diaries

We’ve got THREE new books about Nikki Maxwell’s humorous & dramatic life written in diary format for kids in grades 4-8. Not “technically” graphic novels, these books include paragraphs of text with lots of illustrations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dog Man

We know you’ve been waiting to get your paws on the next Dog Man book….come in and fetch it today!

 

 

 

 

Narwhal and Jelly

These are Lindsay’s favorites! Cute, easy-to-read, and silly! Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do both love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together. Perfect for grades 1-3, or older reluctant readers.

 

New nonfiction:

 

Wicked History Series

These intriguing looks into history’s bad guys (and girls) are perfect for middle schoolers. Upper elementary avid readers with a strong interest in history will also enjoy these wicked tales of real-life villainy! You’ll find Catherine the Great in the YA section, but Cixi and Henry VIII are catalogued at juvenile fiction.

 

 

 

 

Who Was/Who Is

We’ve got some funky new titles in this popular series for elementary kids. Learn more about authors R.L. Stine and Roald Dahl, the brave Tuskegee Airmen, candy man Milton Hershey, master of the self-portrait Frida Kahlo, and Broadway-inspiring founding father Alexander Hamilton!

 

 

New Fiction:

 

The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch

Not only is the name of this series a secret, but the story is, too. For it concerns a secret – a big secret – that has been tormenting people like you for over… oh no! Did I just mention the secret? Then it’s too late. I’m afraid nothing will stop you now. Read this series if you must. But please, tell no one.

Kids in grades 3-7 will love these humorously suspenseful books!

 

 

The Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley

A feisty girl from a family of ranchers lands a job as a daredevil stunt girl in the early days of silent film in this adventurous and funny cross between Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken and Ramona. 

Saddle up for kicking ostriches, pestering brothers, and silent movie stardom!

 

 

 

 

 

Boxcar Children

A new classic, ready to check out today! Curl up with your favorite kid and read this one while the snow falls this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivan and Bob!

If you enjoyed the book or movie of The One and Only Ivan, you’ve got to check out the sequel, The One and Only Bob! We’ve got both books on the shelf and ready to go.

 

 

 

New DVDs:

Family movie night, anyone?

We’ve got Frozen II, Pinkalicious, Swift, and Oceanea!