Action-packed books hold appeal for boys (and girls!)

May 16, 2009 Last Updated: May 18, 2009 01:42 PM Community

Girls are typically agreeable to reading books about heroes or heroines. That's not necessarily true for boys.

Boys are more inclined to gravitate to stories that feature heroes in action, adventure, and humor. Boys are also often interested in good nonfiction (you know -- dinosaurs, trucks, trains, and so on).

With this in mind, the books reviewed today and those recommended by your local librarian will have specific appeal to boys.

Since girls aren't as particular, these books will be equally enjoyed by the opposite gender. The net result is reading success for boys and girls alike. Who can argue with that?

The following book is available at many public libraries."Little Blue Truck" by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry, Harcourt, 32 pages; read aloud: age 2 to 4; read yourself: age 7.Little Blue Truck might be small, but he's got a big heart! As he rolls down the road, he toots his horn to all his animal friends.Suddenly, a big yellow dump truck zooms past Little Blue Truck.The yellow dump truck shouts that he is big and important and doesn't have time for small talk.Moments later, the boastful dump truck doesn't feel so important -- he's stuck in the mud!Little Blue Truck arrives on the scene, and with a little help from his animal friends, they push the dump truck out of the mud. The dump truck is grateful for their help, and tells his rescuers, "Now I see a lot depends on a helping hand from a few good friends."Told in rhyme, young children will enjoy this colorful story of trucks, friendship, and helping others.

Library: Carroll County Public Library, 136 Court St., Carrollton, KYInterim Director: Hillary ArneyChildren's Librarian: Leslie SutherlandChoices this week: "The Great Dragon Rescue" by M.P. Robertson; "Earth Quack" by Margie Palatini; "There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea" by Jennifer Ward

The following books are available at favorite bookstores."Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow" by James Rollins, HarperCollins, 2009, 399 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 9 to 10 and older; read yourself: age 10 to 11 and older.Three years ago, Jake Ransom and his older sister, Kady, had a crushing blow when their parents, renowned archaeologists, disappeared while on an important dig in Central America.Sometime after their disappearance, Jake and Kady received a package containing their father's diary, their mother's sketchbook, and two gold coin pieces with a Mayan glyph on each. Since then, the gold coins have never left Jake's or Kady's necks.Suddenly a curious invitation arrives for Jake and Kady to attend the first public exhibit of the very artifacts excavated by their parents.Soon after their arrival the two realize something peculiar about those hosting the exhibit, but before anything further can be ascertained, Jake and Kady are mysteriously transported to a strange world inhabited by long-lost civilizations from varying points in time.This world is at once bizarre and wonderful, and may hold the very key to what happened to their parents, but a powerful force is intent on making sure that never happens.A wildly adventurous ride that brims with imagination, suspense, and a fascinating blending of factual information on the Mayan culture in particular, this book (the first in a series) will leave readers breathless with its thrilling, unpredictable twists and turns."Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain" by Dave Keane, illustrated by David Clark, Clarion, 2009, 32 pages, $16 hardcover; Read aloud: age 6 to 8; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Bobby Bramble is a very active boy. He is always climbing, swinging, jumping, running, and hanging upside down. His mother worries he will fall and crack his head open like Humpty Dumpty, and guess what? It happens. And when it does, Bobby's brain runs away.Now what? Well, family and friends concoct several plans to help find Bobby's runaway brain. It won't be easy, though. After all, Bobby's brain is superactive and super-fast. Will Bobby and his brain ever be reunited?A hilarious romp full of action, surprise and unpredictable fun, this selection is a must-read.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.