Library Goddesses Fiction for Kids

2012-01-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

Following the death of Alice's popular pie baking aunt, Polly Portman, Alice and her friend Charlie begin a quest to find the recipe for Polly's secret pie crust. Set in Pennsylvania in the 1950's the adventure includes a famous pie baking contest, a mysterious burglar and a cat named Lardo. A quiet, gentle story that evokes an earlier time with a mystery that isn't too scary for the average reader.

Also try:
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
Elvis & Olive: Super Detectives by Stephanie Watson
The Cupcake Caper by Gertrude Chandler Warner

James and the Giant Peach

2012-01-23T17:24:00.000-05:00

In my opinion, Roald Dahl can do no wrong. James and the Giant Peach has always been one of my favorites, combining the absurd, the fantastic, the hilarious, and the cruel, resulting in a book that makes an impression. This particular edition is sparsely illustrated by Lane Smith, adding just enough images to allow the imagination to run. The story of James, in the "care" of his two evil aunts, who accidentally causes a peach to grow to an enormous size, befriends some enormous insects, and takes off on an adventure of a lifetime, is sure to delight children and adults alike, more than 50 years after its writing.

Try also:

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Superfudge by Judy Blume
Holes by Louis Sacher
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Harriet the Spy

2012-01-23T17:10:00.000-05:00

This book brings me back to my childhood, and was most likely the reason I started at least three different "spy clubs" with my neighbors. Harriet watches everything, and keeps a detailed log in her notebook. Not only does she spy on neighborhood characters, peeking in their windows and hiding in their dumbwaiters, but she makes notes about her friends and classmates. When this top-secret spy notebook becomes not-so-secret, Harriet learns a hard lesson...

Try also:
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Matilda by Roald Dahl
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Moon Over Manifest

2012-01-23T17:00:00.002-05:00

In honor of this week's Youth Media Awards, I am writing about last year's Newbury Medal winner, Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool. A historical mystery that jumps back and forth between 1918 and 1936, this is a complex story for sophisticated readers. It takes place in Manifest, Kansas where Abilene has been sent by her father to live. This small town is her father's former home, and Abilene slowly discovers his past and some town secrets, through a cigar box hidden in the floorboards of the old church/saloon where she lives.

Try also:
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Coraline by Neil Gaiman

One Crazy Summer

2012-01-21T15:55:00.000-05:00

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (not to be confused with the 1980's movie of the same name starring Demi Moore and John Cusack) was one of my favorite books of 2010. With its list of awards and honors including:

2011 Coretta Scott King Award Winner

2011 Newbery Honor Book

2011 Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction

(just to name a few), and Williams-Garcia's history of writing excellent books, I don't even have to tell you that this book is extremely well-written.

It is 1968, and Delphine and her two sisters leave New York to spend the summer in Oakland with their mother, who abandoned them when they were very young. As their mother does not seem very interested in mothering them, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern eat a lot of take-out Chinese food, and spend their summer at a Black Panther summer camp. Weaving in history with the story of an adolescent girl figuring out where she fits in the world, this book is a must-read.

Try also:

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Heart of a Samurai by Morgi Preus

Dead End in Norvelt

2012-01-21T14:47:00.000-05:00

We all know Jack Gantos from his Joey Pigza books, but this pseudo-biographical novel for a slightly older reader is something a bit different. Gantos writes about...Jack Gantos, a 12 year old boy growing up in the tiny town of Norvelt, PA (where, incidentally, Gantos also spent his childhood years). Being "grounded for life" during the summer and developing a new friendship with an elderly neighbor leads to solving not only the biggest mystery in town, but the question of how to cure his chronic nosebleeds!

Although it takes place in 1962, Jack's story will ring true to any kid living in a two-horse town with not a whole lot to do. I won't be surprised on Monday if this title shows up with a Newbery honor, or the medal itself!

Try also:

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
The Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillon
Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Out of Patience by Brian Meehl
Pie by Sarah Weeks

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins

2012-01-21T14:31:00.000-05:00

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins, by R.A. Spratt, illustrated by Dan Santat is about a pig who has run away from the circus (where she was regularly shot out of a cannon and billed as "The Flying Pig"), and becomes the nanny for the Green Family. Nanny Piggins has a chocolate habit, an identical twin sister, and a tendency towards adventure. This book is a joy to read, with an illustration thrown in here and there, making the characters really come alive.

Try also:

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by W.R. Philbrick
Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson

All Alone in the Universe

2012-01-18T16:36:00.003-05:00

All Alone in the Universe by Lynne Rae Perkins, is about a 13-year-old girl's feelings of abandonment when her best friend finds a new close friend. The ending is realistic. There are no magical solutions or potions that bring the former friends back together. As in real life, growth occurs, relationships change, and the girls move on. A poignant story written with sensitivity and tenderness.

ALSO TRY:

-Perfect World by Brian James

-Well Wished by Franny Billinglsey

- Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

2012-01-16T12:40:00.005-05:00

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading, by Tommy Greenwald

Not everyone can love reading. Not everyone can even like reading. Charlie Joe Jackson, for one, will stake his entire summer on the principle that he should avoid reading at all costs.

This is funny--genuinely funny. We've all tried to avoid some odious task, only to have our schemes backfire. These results were comical enough to make me laugh and pass the book to the person sitting next to me.

Highly recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise, and to reluctant readers who like to laugh at their books (and themselves).

Also try:

Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets, by Eric Luper

Liar, Liar, by Gary Paulsen

Origami Yoda, by Tom Angelberger

Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows

2012-01-13T16:11:00.003-05:00

The Ivy and Bean Books (there are 8 ) are fantastic reads for kids in Kindergarten and up. Ivy and Bean are neighbors and friends who find themselves in all sorts of hilarious situations. The supporting characters, such as Beans Dad, add to the humor.

Also Try: Ramona the Pest
Clarice Bean
Haley Twitch is Not a Snitch

out of my mind

2010-03-26T13:15:00.003-04:00

out of my mind, by Sharon Draper

the latest novel from Sharon Draper leaves the reader considering what it means to have a voice in the world...full of heartache and hope, this is one story which will stay with you for awhile. -Morrigan

A Nest for Celeste

2010-03-26T13:11:00.002-04:00

A Nest for Celeste, by Henry Cole

a tender story about art, inspiration, and the meaning of home...illustrated throughout...for the animal lover in all of us. ~Morrigan

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson

2008-05-28T13:26:00.000-04:00

In 1908 Lucy Maud Montgomery had her first book published, Anne of Green Gables, and 100 years later it is still a best seller! It was in this book that the world met a feisty, imaginative, red-headed orphan named Anne Shirley. Although by the time she passed away in 1942, Montgomery had written 20 books along with over 500 poems and short stories she is best known for her books about Anne.

I remember my mother reading me Anne of Green Gables as a child. I loved Anne's character from page one in all her humorous, imaginative, day dreaming glory. She was so passionate about everything, her imagination was wild and wonderful. I started pretending that I had imaginary friends in any glass surface in the house and started talking about kindred spirits and bosom friends. My speech was littered with descriptive words like exquisite and marvelous. When I was upset about something, I was not just upset but in the depths of despair.

For the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables the Montgomery Estate in conjunction with Penguin books decided to produce a prequel to Anne of Green Gables. When I heard this I was a little incensed. How could anyone think that they could write like Lucy Maud Montgomery? How could anyone do the character of Anne justice? Then I heard who would be writing the book, Budge Wilson. Being from Nova Scotia, I have had the enormous pleasure of meeting Ms. Wilson on several occasions and I have read several of her books. She has received numerous awards for her writing and in 2004 was made a Member of the Order of Canada. I decided I would give this prequel a try.

Although I still felt a great deal of trepidation as I began reading Before Green Gables I was quickly pulled into the story of how Anne came to be Anne. Wilson did not try to write like Montgomery but instead used her own unique writing voice to tell the story of Anne's journey from birth in Nova Scotia to that train platform in Prince Edward Island. The book was exquisitely beautiful, heart wrenchingly sad and absolutely perfect in every way. Ms. Wilson did a marvelous job and I believe this is a must read for any one who has enjoyed the Anne books.

~ Beag

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

2007-10-24T15:46:00.000-04:00

One of my all-time favorites from childhood now illustrated by Lauren Child! I can't think of an illustrator working today that could more ably capture the charm and quirkiness of Pippi. Even if your library already has multiple copies of Pippi Longstocking, don't miss out on this one!!

The Scarecrow and His Servant

2007-06-24T13:19:00.000-04:00

The Scarecrow and His Servant by Phillip Pullman. Read by Graeme Malcolm

Phillip Pullman (The Golden Compass) turns to lighter fare in this quirky adventure story. A scarecrow is struck by lightening and comes to life, where he is found by a young homeless boy. The scarecrow turns out to have a wonderful personality, honorable, trusting, and entirely impractical, so that the more worldly-wise servant boy is left to manage the practical side of things. Lord Scarecrow's quest is to win a fortune and go back to claim his ancestral home of Spring Valley. He also believes himself and all humans to be at war with the Kingdom of the Birds. On their way to fame and fortune, Lord Scarecrow and his servant deal with brigands, actors and fortune-tellers. Unbeknownst to them, they are being pursued by a lawyer representing the powerful Buffaloni family, which wants to build poison factories in Spring Valley. The ending is gratifying and a little surprising, if not kind to lawyers or big businesses. Still, this is a delightful adventure story. The narrator was most excellent, doing voices for all the characters and especially the rich, sonorous voice of the scarecrow.

- Idun

The Strictest School in the World by Howard Whitehouse

2007-04-17T15:59:00.000-04:00

The full title of this book is actually The Strictest School in the World: Being the Tale of a Clever Girl, a Rubber Boy and a Collection of Flying Machines, Mostly Broken (The Mad Misadventures of Emmaline and Rubberbones) by Howard Whitehouse. Quite a mouth-full, huh? Well worth the read, though! Even though some characters' dialogues are harder to read than others -- like Princess Purnah, who doesn't speak English very well -- the level of entertainment far outweighs any difficulties I had in reading this book. The thing I am actually having the most difficulty with is deciding on a favorite character. Was it Emmeline? She reminds me, a lot, of one of my former classmates -- clever enough to invent a flying machine, but too afraid of getting hurt to try and fly it herself. Was it Rab, a.k.a. Rubberbones? Just imagine being able to fall out of a tree or get hit by a brick and suffer no damage! Or was it crazy, old Aunt Lucy? Always cooking up something horrible, and supposedly healthy -- like earwig curry. Ewwww! If you want to read a comical story about the adventures of a girl trying to break out of a dreadful boarding school, this book is definitely for you! -- Hestia

Alice in Wonderland illustrated by Alison Jay

2007-03-20T13:57:00.000-04:00

I love Alison Jay's picture books and was delighted to see that she has illustrated one of my all-time favorite books. (I own four different versions and will be adding this to my collection!) This is a lovely new addition and should be added to any library or home shelf! -Rhiannon

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

2007-03-10T13:04:00.000-05:00

Every now and then a new book is written for children that is so unique, it is difficult to reference against other writing for children and The Mysterious Benendict Society is one of them. I LOVED this book. Somehow managing to remind me of Phantom Tollbooth, The Westing Game and Harry Potter, this is a charming and engaging book that I would recommend to any kid looking for something a little "outside the box"

Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow

2007-02-28T17:03:00.000-05:00

529 p. Fantasy/Humor
2006©

Under cover of night Arthur uses mechanical wings to fly through the streets of Ratbridge foraging for food. One night, he surfaces from his Underworld home stumbling upon an illegal cheese hunt. A man called Snatcher and his associates are capturing cheese to make a nefarious fondue. Worse yet, Snatcher seals the holes that lead to the Underworld trapping Arthur in Ratbridge. Arthur then discovers that peaceful creatures from the Underworld are disappearing from their homes. Several rats have also gone missing from a former pirate ship in the harbor that now acts as a first-rate laundering service. Arthur teams up with the pirates on a rescue mission to save the captured rats and Underworld creatures and – hopefully – to find a way back home to his grandfather.

Snow is a fantastic creature creator. There are cabbageheads, green-thumbed critters who wear cabbages upon their heads. There are the boxtrolls, gentle fanged mechanical geniuses in box outfits. There are the rabbit women in their knitted rabbit suits. They were once girls who fell down rabbit holes to be raised by the rabbits.
Featuring a climactic cheese explosion and a butt shrinking machine, the humor here is perfectly pitched for 3rd & 4th grades, but the length and the Briticisms make it better for 5th & 6th grade readers or strong younger readers. There are over 500 illustrations throughout so you don’t need to guess what a rabbit woman looks like. Reminiscent of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake’s work together, I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Dahl and to readers who appreciate Daniel Pinkwater.

The Lightning Thief & The Sea of Monsters

2007-02-17T15:26:00.000-05:00

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is one of those books I have been intending to read for months. It never remains on the shelf very long before being checked out and now with the Sea Monsters enjoying as much popularity, I finally decided to make the time to read it when it came across the desk

last week. It is indeed a fantastic read...filled with characters from Greek mythology, magical legends and monsters, mysterious schools and training grounds, and the everyday problems one encounters when navigating their way through life as a twelve year old. It is the story of Perseus Jackson, the son of (unbeknownst to him) Poseidon and a mortal woman who discovering his heritage takes readers on a fantastic quest from Yancy Academy for Troubled Youth through the Underworld and through many places in between. Don't miss this one. - Morrigan

Award Winners Announced!

2007-01-23T20:14:00.000-05:00

Big congratulations to the following authors and illustrators!

******

Caldecott Medal winner:
Flotsam by David Wiesner

Caldecott Honor books:
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom illustrated by Kadir
Nelson written by Carole Boston Weatherford

******

Newbery Medal winner:
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron, illustrated by Matt Phelan

Newbery Honor books:
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Rules by Cynthia Lord

******

Michael L. Printz Award:
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Michael L. Printz Honor Books:
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Surrender by Sonya Hartnett
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

******

For a complete listing of the awards, go to www.ala.org/mw07winners.

******

The Adbooks JHunt Award:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Adbooks JHunt Award Finalists:
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson
This Is All by Aidan Chambers
Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud
The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Learn more about the JHunt Award here!

-Hestia

Dangling by Lillian Eige

2007-01-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

"You know how it is: you don’t believe what you are seeing. One minute he is there laughing, and the next, gone. Then it hits us. He doesn’t pop back up. He’s nowhere in sight."

In Dangling, Ben recalls his relationship with Ring, an enigmatic young man who disappears during a family picnic. During their friendship Ring reveals little about his background, but he has many tales of the daring adventures of his friend Fox. Ring’s disappearance weighs heavily on Ben; Ben never really understood Ring and can’t figure out why his friend left so suddenly. When Ring’s body doesn’t turn up after days of searching, Ben questions whether or not Ring really died in the river.

Winner of the 2002 Edgar Allen Poe Award

~Califia

Arthur and the Minimoys

2007-01-19T19:07:00.000-05:00

Luc Besson, director and producer, has written a book for children entitled Arthur and the Minimoys. Arthur and his Grandmother are about to be evicted from their farmhouse unless they can come up with the money due for back taxes. Arthur finds out that his Grandfather, who disappeared years ago, hid jewels somewhere in the yard. He is determined to save their house, find his Grandfather and the treasure. Arthur encounters a miniature race of people from Africa who will help him on his quest. And so the adventure begins. Although children who enjoy fantasy stories might like this book, I felt as if I was reading a movie script. Surprise,surprise! This book has already been turned into a movie- Arthur and the Invisibles. Xochiquetzal

Free Baseball

2007-01-12T10:59:00.000-05:00

School Library Journal reviewed this book as, "An engaging, well-written story with a satisfying ending." I think a lot of kids might agree. As an adult and a mom, though, I am a little hesitant to praise a book in which a kid runs away with a minor league baseball team by hiding in the luggage compartment of their bus, lies to everyone so he can be batboy for a couple of days, and, in doing so, saves the day for his single mom. Call me a party pooper, if you wish. I just thought that the so-called "satisfying ending" was very predictable and a bit unrealistic. I was happy to learn a little more about baseball so I can have somewhat of a clue before World Series talk starts... Still, I guess I just have to admit that I cannot always relate to the reading tastes of all kids! Nevertheless, kids who like baseball might want to give this one a try. -Hestia

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

2006-12-27T23:02:00.001-05:00

“I don’t want to/because boys/don't’ write poetry/Girls do” writes Jack, a student struggling to understand poetry in Miss Stretchberry’s class. He is encouraged to write about a pet but doesn’t have one. When he finally gets a dog, Sky, he finds inspiration to try concrete poems. Now, Jack feels his poem is good enough to bear his name when it's posted on the class bulletin board. Over the course of a school year Jack goes from wrestling with poetry to becoming Mr. Walter Dean Myers’ number one fan, composing a poem Love That Dog after Myers’ poem Love That Boy.

Love That Dog is humorous and sometimes sentimental, written in free verse from Jack's perspective. The novel has won several awards: 2001 SLJ Best Book and 2002 ALA Notable Children’s Book. ~Califia

The Tales of Olga da Polga

2006-12-20T16:14:00.000-05:00

Michael Bond, author of the Paddington Bear books wrote a series of lesser known books about a mischievous guinea pig. The Tales of Olga da Polga is the first one in the series.The stories are about Olga and her wild imagination. She constantly tells outrageous tales of derring-do. She keeps the Sawdust People, her term for her human owners, quite busy. This book first came out in 1971, and was re-issued in 2001 to coincide with the publication of a new story entitled Olga Follows Her Nose. A funny and sweet story of a cuddly cavy. Xochiquetzal

Help! I'm a Prisoner in the Library

2006-12-18T08:16:00.000-05:00

Sisters Mary Rose and Jo-Beth find themselves trapped in a locked library/museum during a snowstorm. Older sister Mary Rose is practical, younger sister Jo-Beth is dramatic and has quite a vivid imagination. She is convinced the spooky old mansion is haunted. A mystery filled with humor, this would appeal to 8-11 year-olds. Originally published in 1979, this book by Eth Clifford(Ethel Clifford Rosenberg), has been reprinted several times. Xochiquetzal

Octagon Magic by Andre Norton

2006-12-15T15:41:00.000-05:00

Octagon Magic was one of my favorites as a child. It is about an eleven year old girl, Lorrie Mallard, who was forced to move from Canada to live with her Aunt in the US. Her new classmates tease her, calling her Cannuck because she is from Canada. One day while she is running home to escape her tormentors she finds herself at Octagon House. All the kids say Miss Ashemeade is a witch but Lorrie soon discovers there is much more to Octagon House than anyone realized. A wonderful addition to your fantasy collection.

Andre Norton has writen hundred of books since the beginning of her career in the early 1930's. She is one of the most popular science fiction and fantasy writers the world over. There is a timelessness about her books that make them enjoyable to this day. Till her death in 2005 Ms. Norton continued to write. Octagon Magic was originally published in 1967. It has recently been re-released together with five other books that Ms. Norton wrote for children, ages 9 to 12. They are refered to as The Magic Books. ~Beag

Octagon Magic
Steel Magic
Fur Magic
Dragon Magic
Lavendar-Green Magic
Red Hart Magic

Chestnut Hill: Making Strides

2006-11-28T13:30:00.000-05:00

This is a lovely series that follows Malory O'Neil as she charts her course through the exclusive and rarified world of boarding school--boarding school with a top-notch equestrian program. You can bet that schoolwork comes in a distance second to barnwork! These books are a nice starting point for girls ready to graduate from the formulaic "Saddle Club" series but still want horsey literature. Lauren Brooke (who also authors the "Heartland" series) clearly knows her way around a horse and the books ring true. Brooke is not an author who simply did some research to lend credence to her tales. She truly understands horses and the girls who love them--- the boys in these book take a distinct backseat to horses and friendship. These books are head and shoulders above much of what is available to "'tweens".---Rhiannon

The Prophecy by Hilari Bell

2006-11-21T15:44:00.000-05:00

Hilari Bell is not among the most well-known fantasy writers, but she definitely deserves to be. In her latest novel, The Prophecy, Perryn is the underappreciated scholarly son of the warring king of Idris. Instead of mastering the arts of war, 14 yr old Perryn has spent the past 5 years searching through the dusty palace library looking for a solution which will help him defeat the dragon that is destroying the kingdom. Predictably, he happens across a suitably cryptic prophecy which he sets out to fulfill. He is thwarted not only by his inexperience and lack of self-confidence, but by the tricky Cedric, his father’s second in command. True to the fantasy formula, he recruits several allies in his quest to avoid Cedric and slay the dragon. While the plot is fairly standard stuff, the characters and superior writing raise this novel above the usual fantasy fare. Indeed, it is a testament to Bell’s ability that she is able to take such a familiar storyline, and still craft an adventure that feels thoughtful, enterprising and fresh.

Little Fur: The Legend Begins

2006-11-19T09:54:00.000-05:00

With its fuzzy brown cover, this "eco-fantasy" by Isobelle Carmody, is the tale of a half-elf, half-troll girl who lives in a wilderness area nestled within a human city. When Little Fur learns that evil forces are out to destroy trees including her seven ancient ones, she goes on a perilous journey to save them and the earth spirit as well. Some children might have problems understanding the "bird" language and the environmental message gets somewhat preachy at times. As the title indicates, there will be more books in this series.-Xochiquetzal

The Lost Colony

2006-11-02T19:58:00.000-05:00

Artemis Fowl is back (this is Book 5), and he's better than ever. No, seriously! Arty is a good guy this time around, pretty much from the start. The lost colony is on the island of Hybras -- which was lifted out of time by a magic spell. The problem is that the spell was never completed correctly, so it has been slowly unraveling for the past 10,000 years. The island, along with all of its inhabitants, is about to be sucked back into the present day and time... Really bad news, considering the possibility of a catastrophic tidal wave and/or the potential for a war between humans and the fairy people. Artemis and Holly are responsible for the fate of fairies everywhere (again)... Can they manage now that Holly is no longer
a LEP Recon Officer? -Hestia

Kira-Kira

2006-10-31T18:44:00.000-05:00

The 2005 Newbery Award winner by Cynthia Kadohata, follows the Takeshima family from Iowa to Georgia in the 1950's. The funny and poignant story shows the working conditions in a non-unionized poultry plant and the racial prejudice the Japanese-American family experiences.Kira-Kira is the Japanese word for glittering, and the character Katie uses it frequently. When her older sister, Lynn, becomes ill, Katie tries to find ways to ease her sister's pain. Often sad, but also inspirational, this well-written novel will touch hearts.-Xochiquetzal

Gilda Joyce and the Ladies of the Lake

2006-10-31T11:39:00.000-05:00

Gilda Joyce and the Ladies of the Lake by Jennifer Allison is a mystery with ghostly overtones. Gilda, the "psychic investigator", finds out that the new school she is attending may be haunted by the ghost of a student who drowned some years before. Told from the perspective of the main character, you will laugh at Gilda's feisty and humorous take on life. Although merely a teenager, she is often more "adult" than the grown-ups around her.-Xochiquetzal

Criss Cross

2006-10-12T13:12:00.000-04:00

This Newbery Award winner by Lynne Rae Perkins, is a character study involving 14-year olds, coming to terms with life as they enter adulthood. Cleverly written in various styles, including haiku, question and answer and poetry, this book also includes many illustrations.-Xochiquetzal

The Looking Glass Wars

2006-10-06T15:13:00.000-04:00

Think you know the story of Alice and Wonderland?
Well...it's time you knew the whole story...
Travel through the Pool of Tears back to London with Alyss Heart, the heir to Wonderland, and get ready for a captivating ride with plenty twists and turns...Don't miss this Book! - Morrigan