Book News & Reviews

BEST OF 2013: Adult Fiction & Nonfiction

Posted on by Tracy

There are a lot of potentially great 2013 books that I haven’t gotten around to reading yet (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah and  Charles Graeber’s The Good Nurse are next up in my towering to-read pile!), but
after surveying our entire library staff, here are our picks for 2013’s
Best Books for Adults:

Fiction

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
Weaving back and forth through time and across characters, this compelling first novel begins with an eight-year-old girl who watched as her father was “disappeared” by Russian soldiers in the middle of the night.  Akhmed, the not-so-good physician of the local Chechen village and a family friend, is determined to rescue Haava from a similar fate and seeks the assistance of a cynical, tough-minded surgeon at a nearby hospital. The story centers on just five days of the lives of Haava, Akhmed, and Sonja, and yet it provides an almost magical look at the myriad connections—both discovered and never realized—that shape peoples lives, especially in a time of war.

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
Even before it was discovered that Robert Galbraith was a pseudonym for author J.K. Rowling, this compelling mystery  about a P.I. and his new office temp teaming up to investigate the suspicious death of a young model had the attention of critics. Describes by one reviewer for Library Journal as “a mash-up of Charles Dickens and Penny Vincenzi.”

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
In this mesmerizing story of love, loss, obsession, and the haunting power of art, a young man who lost his mother in an tragic accident grows to adulthood, only to become entangled in the art underworld of New York City

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
In this stunning, thought-provoking novel, Ursula Todd goes through a series of  lives and deaths, experiencing wars and epidemics in ever-changing circumstances. Every time she hits a bad end—done in by Spanish flu, murdered by an abusive husband, killed in a bombing raid—it all begins again. Often, she has a nagging sense of déjà vu, but she can never put her finger on why. Reading Life After Life is like reading a sophisticated Choose Your Own novel for grown-ups, one that resets itself. Atkinson weaves an intricate web of parallel paths, detours, and intersections which is utterly fascinating, sometimes heartbreaking, and frequently startling with  unanticipated moments of sharp humor.

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

This emotionally powerful story of two brothers born in a quiet village outside Calcutta spans decades and continents. In an era of political turmoil, the brothers choose divergent paths—Subhash retreating to a quiet university in New England while Udayan becomes increasingly involved in a Mao-inspired rebellion against India’s social iniquities—and yet their lives remain almost fatalistically entwined despite their estrangement. Perceptive and universal in theme, the story explores the myriad nuances of guilt, marriage, parenthood, moral conviction, loyalty, and betrayal through day-to-day events against the more expansive backdrop of world affairs. The Lowland unfolds slowly, but Lahiri’s elegant prose and full characterizations make for a riveting tale.

 

From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Interpreter of Maladies.

The Obituary Writer by Ann Hood
A woman stuck in a loveless marriage and an obituary writer looking for her lost love discover a surprising connection. Part literary mystery and part love story, this novel is full of grief, shame, and hope.

The Returned by Jason Mott
The world is turned upside down in this emotional novel in which people inexplicably begin returning from the dead. At the heart of the story is an elderly couple whose 8-year-old son suddenly reappears nearly 50 years after his death.

Six Years by Harlan Coben
Six years after the love of his life left him to marry another man, Professor Jake Sanders learns that this rival is dead and that the woman of his dreams is not who she claimed to be. Betrayals and secrets are unearthed as Jake then races against the clock to track down the real woman he once loved and lost.

Sycamore Row by John Grisham
Reader favorite Jack Brigance, the attorney from A Time to Kill, makes a reappearance in Ford County, Mississippi, in this surprisingly suspenseful courtroom drama about wills, racial tension, and family secrets.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
The author of The Jane Austen Book Club creates another unforgettable work in this heartbreaking work about family dysfunction. This is a book best read “blind”; spoilers contained in some reviews and blurbs may ruin the experience otherwise.

Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
Eli Landon is suffering from the public and police scrutiny after being wrongly impli- cated in the murder of his soon-to-be wife. He then takes refuge in a old family home and falls in love with resident housekeeper Abra Walsh, with whom he is entangled in an old, life-threatening mystery.

Nonfiction

Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr.
A Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and a distant family member reconstruct the life of a reclusive copper heiress in this fascinating tale of family scandal, privilege, and a surprising path to happiness.

Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson
The Duck Dynasty star chronicles his unusual life from childhood through the founding of the family business.

A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
Through clear, gorgeous prose and raw honesty, Lindhout recounts the year she spent as a hostage in Somalia for over a year. The harrowing story is balanced by Lindhout’s descriptions of her childhood, her youthful interest in world travel inspired by National Geographic, and her almost-accidental introduction into the world of combat-zone reporting.

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Facebook COO and and top-ranked
businesswoman Sheryl Sandberg shares though-provoking advice for women, urging them to seek professional challenges and take more risks to find work that they can feel passionate about.

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
Through the deaths of five young men in her Mississippi community over the course of four years, the National Book Award–winning author explores the realities of poverty and blackness in America. This candid, beautifully wrought account maintains a light, humanistic touch but does not gloss over the gritty details.

BEST OF 2013: Teen Books

Posted on by Tracy

Okay, so there are still TONS of probably awesome 2013 YA books that I haven’t gotten around to reading yet, though over the last several weeks I sure have done my best to read EVERYTHING I can get my hands on. Some of the promising titles I still have yet to read include Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick, The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal, Sex and Violence by Carrie Mesrobian, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, and The War Within These Walls by Aline Sax. It sounds like I haven’t been doing much reading, doesn’t it? But really, for every book that made our list there are several more professional  reviewer favorites that just missed out. These include high profile titles by Patrick Ness, Marcus Sedgwick, Andrew Smith, and Maggie Stiefvater (my reviews are soon to come though!).

As for those titles I haven’t yet gotten around to reading… Well, they’re still on my ever-growing TBR and any title I feel should have been on this list will be added in later updates. So with that said, these are the best teen books of 2013 that we’ve read  (so far).

All the Truth That’s In Me by Julie Berry*
In an alternate world that evokes the New England Puritan settlements of the 17th century, 18-year-old Judith is an outcast in her community and even in her own family. She disappeared without a trace at the age of 14 only to mysteriously reappear at 16 physically mutilated and unable to share what happened to her. Only now that her community is under attack, Judith must find the courage to face the past and make her silenced voice heard in a desperate bid to save them all. Poetic and gorgeously written, this is a stunning mystery, told entirely through Judith’s imagined conversations with the boy she has loved since childhood.
Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang
Both intimate and epic in scale, these companion novels tell the story of China’s Boxer Rebellion from opposing viewpoints.

Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn
Strange, beautiful, and unsettling, this is a story is told from two directions. In the present, Win is a weird, bitter loner at a Vermont boarding school who believes there is a wolf inside him, struggling to break free. When a dead body is found in the woods, he believes he is responsible. In the past, Win is ten years old and goes by a different name—Drew. Drew looks up to his older brother and loves his little sister, but it’s clear there is something wrong in Drew’s world. Slowly, the two separate narratives merge; along the way, the reader becomes completely immersed in piecing together the mystery of Win and his past.
Read Tracy’s Review

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Tana woke up surrounded by carnage. While she was passed out in the bathroom, vampires savaged and killed her fellow partiers—all except her ex-boyfriend, now infected, and a mysterious, chained vampire boy who’s sanity is in question. With nowhere else to go, the three uneasy allies travel to the nearest Coldtown, where vampires, the infected, and desperate wannabes are segregated from the outside world. Tana is determined to hang on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, but Coldtown is even more dangerous than she expects. A fascinating world and wonderfully flawed, intriguing characters highlight this layered story of guilt and vengeance, with a bit of love and redemption thrown in for balance. Still, this is not your average teen vampire romance, where black and white are clear and everything is wrapped up neatly. Chilling and wholly original, this is a vampire novel with a difference.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Park thinks the crazy-haired, oddly dressed new girl on his bus looks like a victim waiting to happen. Meanwhile, Eleanor is too concerned with her problems at home to think much about the “stupid Asian kid” who reluctantly scoots over to share his seat, cursing under his breath all the while. For days they share the seat in awkward, sometimes hostile silence. But then… Something changes. Soon, Eleanor is surreptitiously reading Watchmen comics over his shoulder and Park is making Eleanor mix tapes of his favorite bands. Slowly, tentatively a friendship develops and then friendship becomes something more. But love doesn’t solve everything. Together they must face disapproving parents, mean-spirited classmates, and the dark truths about her family that Eleanor never wants Park to discover.
Read Tracy’s Review

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
A quiet introvert whose passion is writing fan fiction faces her first year of college in this captivating novel about growing up without letting go of the things you love.

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
Blending a contemporary mindset with the heart of classic fairy tales, this is the atmospheric tale of a young man who can speak to ghosts—specifically, Jacob Grimm himself—and finds himself in a dark, sort-of fairy tale of his own.

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
After falling for a mysterious Dutch boy after a whirlwind day in Paris, a young American woman wakes up alone and retreats home, never knowing what truly happened. But over the course of her freshman year of college—with a little help from Shakespeare and some unexpected friendships—she finds the courage to take risks and follow her heart, in love and life.

Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff
Mila has a special ability to observe beneath the surface; she reads people and her surroundings to solve real-life puzzles. So when her father’s best friend turns up missing, Mila is determined to solve the mystery of his disappearance. The result is a secret-revealing journey through upstate New York with her father, where she is presented with clues that don’t quite add up and learns complicated truths about mistakes, compromise, and consequence. Mila is a fascinating, vibrantly realized character, and this novel presents an intriguing, cerebral mystery full of realistic suspense.
Reality Boy by A.S. King
Gerald is very, very angry. It seems like he has always been angry, and there are three seasons worth of reality TV to prove it. Of course, the nanny show that made Gerald infamous when he was five years old showed very little of what actually went on in his house. Now seventeen, Gerald’s just trying to keep it together so he doesn’t end up dead or in jail. Then he meets Hannah, who has a screwed up homelife herself. Gerald’s is a unflinchingly honest voice, full of anger, insight, and pain, and his story is as riveting as any reality show. With her trademark combination of magical realism and gritty drama, King’s latest offering is another winner.
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
In this wildly inventive fantasy set in an alternate version of America, a special cadre of “Rithmatists” train from the age of eight to protect the American Isles from an infestation of Wild  Chalkings, drawings which have the ability to interact in the three-dimensional world and even kill. Sixteen-year-old Joel, a student at an elite school with a special program for Rithmatists, longs to be part of that privileged group, but he already missed his chance. First of a new series.

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
In this gripping companion novel to Code Name Verity, a young American pilot becomes a prisoner at Ravensbrück, a German concentration camp. Although beloved and controversial characters from Verity are revisited, this novel belongs entirely to Rose and her fellow prisoners. It’s a different story entirely—we know early on Rose survives to tell her story—but the journey is equally tense and dramatic.

The Symptoms of My Insanity by Mindy Raf
As if romantic tangles, school pressure, and family drama weren’t enough to deal with, Izzy also has to cope with panic attacks and hypochondria. With self-deprecating humor and wry observations, Izzy offers up a realistic coming of age tale with depth. One reviewer dubbed it “Woody Allen for the teenage set.” This is the only title on our list I haven’t read myself, but one of our circulation clerks highly recommends it!

So, that’s our list so far. What titles would you add to your own best-of-the-year list?

REVIEW: Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Audience: Teen/Young Adult

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Win is an outsider at his exclusive Vermont boarding school, and that’s
the way he wants it. It’s safer for him, and, perhaps more importantly,
safer for his classmates. Something wild and dangerous lives inside him ready to emerge at any moment, and he can’t wait. When a dead body is found in the woods near his school, Win believes he’s responsible, that his inner wolf has finally found a way to come out. But will Win ever truly be able to break free, or will the tragedies of his childhood trap him forever? 

First Line: “I don’t feel the presence of God here.”

Tracy’s Thoughts:
This book pulled me in from the first moment and never let me go. I picked it up early on a Saturday morning, and I didn’t want to leave the tormented mind of Drew/Win for even a minute. Three hours later, I was hungry (no breakfast yet) and needed to use the bathroom, but I was completely full of awe at Kuehn’s writing, particularly the perfect interweaving of voice, character, and pacing. I needed several moments to process what I had just read. What I had experienced, thanks the amazing voice of its troubled narrator(s).

Readers are presented with a character study and mystery from two directions. In the present, Win is a bitter loner, angry and undeniably weird. His thoughts are strange and philosophical and his mind is clearly (or at least probably) confused. No one understands him, and he does not understand himself either. A dead body was found in the woods and Win suspects he’s responsible, though he has no memory of killing anyone. As a reader, I was aware something terrible had happened—leaving Win alone and abandoned—and I wanted desperately to understand his past and what was happening to him in the present. Is he crazy? Is he a werewolf, as he seems to believe? Is he both?

In the past, Drew (Win’s name before the Something Terrible happened) is ten years old and—like the present Win—suffers from severe motion sickness and has strange thoughts and impulses. There is a pervasive sense of doom, though the source of Drew’s troubles is merely hinted at. Through both alternating narratives, Kuehn reveals bits and pieces of the past and their consequences in the present, so that readers are kept constantly on edge, always adjusting and readjusting theories about Win.

Win’s not a particular likeable guy, but it is impossible to read his
confused and caustic words in juxtaposition with his past without feeling sympathy and fascination. I was
determined to unravel the mystery of Win’s past and present. And even
when I thought I understood what was going on in Win’s mind, there was
always a niggle of doubt where I wondered if Win’s strange, confused
thoughts were true after all.The uncertainty and fascination created through voice and structure are the heart of Kuehn’s amazing storytelling in this novel. And the writing itself is beautiful, unsettling, and—even though I suspected the big reveal at the end—completely gutwrenching.

Charm & Strange isn’t a perfect book, but it is powerful and emotionally intense from start to finish. Although a handful of recent YA books have held me in their spell (e.g., this one, this one, and this one), not since first reading Sara Zarr’s Story of a Girl have I been so completely absorbed and unwilling to put a book down.

BEST OF 2013: Middle Grade/Tween Books

Posted on by Tracy

From gut-busting humor to historical adventures to captivating fantasies, middle-grade authors had a lot to offer readers in 2013. My personal favorite so far? I think I’ll have to go with either Counting by 7s or Better Nate Than Ever for their strong narrative voices and unique character perspectives. I also LOVED Look Up!, although I have no interest in birdwatching. Or at least I didn’t until recently…

Of course, I might give you an entirely different list of favorites if you ask me tomorrow 😉 Each of the books listed below appealed to me for different reasons. (Also, I am still reading From Norvelt to Nowhere, the sequel to Jack Gantos’s darkly comic, Newbery winning Dead End in Norvelt… Plus there may be another wonderful title I’ve yet to discover. But don’t worry; I will update this list to add any deserving titles I may have missed this time around.)

So, without further ado, my favorite middle-grade titles of 2013 (that I’ve read so far!) are:

Fiction 

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
In this hilarious romp full of Broadway references and misadventures, an eighth grader (with the encouragement of his best friend Libby) concocts a plan to run away to New York and audition for a new musical adaptation of E.T. Nate’s inner monologue and offbeat personality are laugh-out-loud funny, but the story also dexterously addresses deeper issues, such as bullying, disappointment, family, religion and sexuality. However, all of this is handled with a light touch, so that Nate is allowed to shine all on his own, without judgment or labels. Ages 9–13.

Bluffton by Matt Phelan (graphic novel)
In 1908, when a troupe of vaudevillians turn up for the summer in his sleepy Michigan town, young Henry is fascinated—particularly by a young prankster named Buster Keaton. Ages 9–13.
Read Tracy’s Review

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Willow Chance is not your usual twelve-year-old. She’s fascinated by medical ailments, is an avid gardener, and counts by sevens for fun.Most people think she’s strange, but at least she’s always had the support of her parents… until everything changes. Luckily, an odd assortment of characters—including her sad-sack school counselor and a Vietnamese family living below the poverty level—are there to help her. In turn, Willow changes their lives as well. This transformative story about loss, community, and resilience is both heartwarming and surprisingly funny. Ages 10–14.

Doll Bones by Holly Black
An eerie ghost story combines with a tale of friendship, adventure, and growing up in this wonderfully imaginative book from the co-author of The Spiderwick Chronicles Ages 10–14.

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
This story about a comic-reading cynic; a poetry-writing, superhero squirrel; and a temporarily blind boy all begins with an out-of-control vacuum cleaner. It’s a smart and sensitive tale of friendship and forgiveness, but there are plenty of laughs and adventures along the way. Ages 8–12.

The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy
In this sequel to The Hero’s Guide to saving Your Kingdom, the League of Princes (and their princesses) reunite for a new adventure in bumbling heroism. Perfect for lovers of humor and fairy tales of all ages. Ages 8 and up.

Jinx by Sage Blackwood
When he is abandoned in the deep, dark forest by his stepfather, Jinx is adopted (sort of) by a mysterious wizard who may or may not be evil. But as he grows up to learn more about the magic and the world outside of the Urwald, Jinx begins to see that life and magic are more complicated–and more dangerous!– than he thought. First of a new trilogy. Ages 9–13.

Navigating Early by Claire Vanderpool
Reality and imagination overlap in expected ways in this epic, Odyssey-like quest wherein two young teens track a bear in the wilds of Maine. Both boys have suffered recent losses, but through strange encounters with pirates (sort of), hurricanes (sort of), and buried secrets discovered along the Appalachian Trail, they come to a new understanding of one another, themselves, and the people they love. Ages 10–14.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Every four years, two children—one nice child and one nasty child—are spirited away from Gavaldon by the mysterious School Master to be trained as heroes and villains, eventually graduating into fairy tales of their own. But when princess wannabe Sophie and her witchy, loner friend Agatha are selected, the girls find that their presumed destines are flipped and the school is far more dangerous than they anticipated. Ages 8–13.
Read Tracy’s Review

The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata
Twelve-year-old Summer nearly died from malaria last year, her weird younger brother can’t make any friends, and just when things can’t get any worse, her parents have been called to Japan to take care of dying relatives. Which just leaves Summer, her brother, and her aging grandparents to do the family’s annual harvest work and earn enough money to make the mortgage. As they travel with the harvesting crew, Summer goes on her own journey of self-discovery, examining her feelings about life, death, her family, and who she truly is. Ages 10–14.

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt
Tall tale meets ecological fable in this folksy romp full of humor and heart.When he learns their landlord plans to evict his mother and destroy his beloved swamp to build a alligator-wrestling theme park, twelve-year-old Chap is determined to save Paradise Pies Café. Meanwhile, Bingo and J’miah, two raccoon brothers guarding the swamp, must locate the ancient, sleeping Sugar Man to stop a rampaging horde of feral hogs headed their way. Ages 8–12.

Nonfiction

Courage Has No Color by Tanya Lee Stone*
Through fascinating photos and engaging, conversational text, Stone introduces readers to the history and character of the United States’s first black paratrooper unit. Ages 10 and up.

Emancipation Proclamation by Tonya Bolden
This browsable commemorative title has the look of a scrapbook, with facsimiles of numerous period documents, drawings, and photos. Together with the accessible text—with its passionate, personal tone—this book offers a dramatic and informative portrait of abolitionism and the nation leading up to the Civil War. Ages 10 and up.

Look Up! by Annette LeBlanc Cate*
This chatty, humorous beginner’s guide to birdwatching uses hilarious, tongue-in-cheek cartoons to build enthusiasm and explain to readers how they can begin in their own backyards. Simply wonderful, from the ‘Bird Watching Do’s…and Don’t’s” on the front endpapers to the very end.

*Please note that some titles are still on order and are not yet available for checkout at BCPL.

Awesome NEWS + REVIEW: Bluffton by Matt Phelan

Posted on by Tracy

NEWS: Earlier today we hit a major milestone. We surpassed 50,000 page views! I would like to thank all of our readers and followers for their support. Here’s to 50,000 more views, and years more of posts and reviews at Book News and Reviews!  –Tracy

 REVIEW

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction (Graphic Novel)
Audience: Middle Grade/Tween

Summary: The year is 1908, and a vaudeville troupe has arrived in sleepy Muskegon, Michigan to summer in nearby Bluffton. Henry—bored of the everyday sameness of Muskegon and working in his father’s shop—is fascinated by the animals and performers, but mostly with a slapstick comedian his own age named Buster Keaton. Henry quickly becomes a fixture in Bluffton, palling around with Buster and another boy traveling with the troupe. He yearns to perform like Buster, but all Buster wants to do is orchestrate pranks and play baseball.

First Lines: “Life in Muskegon, Michigan, was quiet. Ordinary.”

Tracy’s Thoughts: With gentle nostalgia, humor, and perfect pacing, award–winning graphic
novelist Matt Phelan brings to life a bygone era in this compelling
fictionalized account. Watercolor washes bring the place and period to life through soft focus, and yet the characters’ actions and emotions—from Buster’s pranks to Henry’s envy—are powerfully visualized. Like the illustrations, the story is a quiet one, but dynamic just the same. There are plenty of laughs (some of Buster’s pranks will delight and inspire mischievous kids) and there are many small, though-provoking moments of note. For example, there are small subplots about child labor laws and a romantic rivalry, but moral judgements aren’t overt; instead, readers are left to examine their own beliefs and draw conclusions of their own.

Despite its historical setting, many of the events and situations of the book have a timeless feel and are perfectly relevant to today. It might be tough convincing kiddos who have no idea who Buster Keaton is to give this book a try, but then the book isn’t really about Buster. It’s about Henry, who in his summers with Buster is encouraged to think more widely about the world, but also learns to appreciate the world closer to home. It’s a coming of age story about taking the things you love and becoming the person you are meant to be in adulthood.

BEST OF 2013: Picture Books and Early Chapter Books

Posted on by Tracy

Over the last couple of months, I read nearly 200 picture books in my attempt to narrow down our picks for the Best of 2013. Children’s Programmer Allison and Lebanon Junction Asst. Supervisor Pam also helped in the selection. It was tough to narrow our choices down to these final selections (hence the Honorable Mentions listed below!), but I eventually reached a final list I am satisfied with.

Anyway, without further ado, BCPL’s favorite 2013 books for young children are:

Picture Books (Fiction)

Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Burnett, Illustrated by Matthew Myers
What if a creative, action-thriller-loving kid took a saccharine old book about a bunny’s birthday party and turned it into a good-and-evil caper about a supervillain plotting to blow up the world? You’d probably get something like this subversive tale, where you can read the sweet “original” story and the newly created, over-the-top warrior-tale side by side. The doodles and redesigned illustrations are fabulous and might inspire younger readers to revamp their own discarded books.



Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Kevin Cornell*
Tongue-in-cheek humor and delightfully exaggerated animals make this delightful picture book far more fun than your average counting book—though it’s educational as well! This makes a great read aloud, with plenty of opportunities for audience participation.



The Dark by Lemony Snicket, Illustrated by Jon Klassen
This artfully illustrated book about a boy who lives in fear of the dark until—one night—the dark speaks to him is an eerie and original take on nighttime fears.
Read Tracy’s Review



The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Duncan’s crayons are fed up. Whether worked down to a nub or ignored in favor of other colors, each crayon states its grievances  in this hilarious picture book. Oliver Jeffers’s (author/illustrator of Lost and Found, Stuck, and This Moose Belongs to Me) illustrations are comprised of the crayons’ handwritten letters and childlike artwork designed for Duncan’s consideration. Allison and I read this one together in my office  few months back, and by the end we were both laughing so hard we cried.



Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenfeld*
Who would have thought that punctuation could be both funny and heartwarming? Apparently Amy Krouse Rosenthal  and Tom Lichtenfeld, the author/illustrator team behind the fabulous Duck! Rabbit!



Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
Whimsical and gently humorous, this wordless lift-the-flap gem creates the feeling of an animated short. Think of the ostriches and hippos dancing in Fantasia.
Read Tracy’s Review



How To by Julie Morstad
This breezy, inventive picture book features whimsical drawings and text that will inspire children to explore the world around them from a new perspective. The artwork is timeless and engaging, paired with “how tos” ranging from “How to wash your socks” (splash in puddles of course!) to the more profound “How to be happy.”



I Am Blop! by Hervé Tullet
In this fantastic concept book from the author of Press Here, readers are urged to let their imaginations soar simply by following the adventures of a nebulous shape, or “blop.”  This inventive book will help children explore shapes, counting, color, nature, art, and more.

If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano, Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Poetic text and soft pencil illustrations punctuate this quiet meditation on watching and waiting as a young boy hoping to see a whale discovers the many other wonders around him. Another wonderful book about patience and dreaming from the team behind  And Then Its Spring.
Journey by Aaron Becker*
Bold, magisterial artwork and a strong narrative perfectly mesh in this wordless picture book about a bored, resourceful young girl who creates a doorway into a magical land where she fearlessly faces danger and adventure.
Read Tracy’s Review

Little Red Writing by Joan Holub, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
In this inventive and funny meta picture book, a little red pencil armed with a basket of words must make her way through a
collage forest, where storytelling challenges and the Wolf 3000
pencil sharpener lie in wait. Younger children will simply enjoy the journey of this fractured fairy tale, while older kids will appreciate the abundant grammar and punctuation puns. (Really.)



The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman, Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
In this poignant tale about immigration and nostalgia, a young girl examines her grandfather’s collection of matchboxes and their contents, each of which represents an important moment in his past. This is a powerful and inspiring tale for curious and sensitive children interested in the stories behind personal treasures.



The Mighty Lalouche by Matthew Olshan, Illustrated by Sophie Blackwell
At the turn of the last century, a thin, delicate Paris mail carrier loses the job he adores. Then, using his quick reflexes and uncanny speed, he becomes an unlikely success boxing against much bigger opponents. Pen-and-ink illustrations featuring three-dimensional cut outs create a bold, colorful, collage-like style that is both charming and reminiscent of a silent film after color is added in. A marvelous fable that manages to be both funny and quietly captivating.



Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown
A suited-up tiger living in a drab, cookie-cutter world decides to break from convention and indulge his deepest desires, to the astonishment and disapproval of his neighbors. A wonderful ode to freedom and self expression.



Mr. Wuffles by David Weisner*
Subtly humorous and through-provoking for little animal-lovers, this boldly illustrated wordless picture book provides a unique perspective on beloved pets’ secret adventures.
Read Tracy’s Review



Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller & Anne Wilsdorf
This charming, offbeat tale of a girl who picks up a squash at the market and adopts it as her new best friend turns into a lovely lesson in life, love, and gardening. The quirky story and cheerful, wonderfully expressive artwork work to create one of the most lovable children’s book characters of the year in the imaginative, irrepressible Sophie.



The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman
In yet another metabook in which books are presented as worlds in and of themselves, best friends Fish and Snail consider jumping from their own story into another book, where they can explore mysteries unknown. A lovely and surprising tale of adventure, friendship, and finding the courage to try new things. From the author/illustrator of Blue Chicken.



Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
In this fabulous interactive picture book reminiscent of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here, readers are encouraged to tap, blow, rub, shake, etc., in order to make an apple tree bloom, produce fruit, and more. With its simple, colorful illustrations and gentle instructions, it is a wonderful exercise in imagination and wonder, with the added benefit of exploring the seasons and cycles of nature. Magic indeed.



This Little Piggy by Tim Harrington*
The classic nursery rhyme is expanded into a fun, off-kilter escapade when readers are encouraged to imagine the adventures of all the little piggies not represented in the original. An amusing tale that encourages children to explore individuality and possibility. Perfect for lapsits, there is also a free song download available.



Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea
This delightfully silly and energetic story about jealousy features a goat who feels pretty good about himself until he is suddenly upstaged by a sparkly, rainbow-spewing, cupcake-making unicorn. Goat’s complaining perfectly captures the  tone of a pouting child, but of course everything works out perfectly in the end when  both Goat and Unicorn appreciate the other’s abilities and join forces. A laugh-out-loud parable with expressive cartoon-style artwork layered with simple humorous embellishments (at one point, Goat sports a plunger on his head in mockery of Unicorn’s horn) and memorable dialog.



Wait! Wait! by Hatsume Nakawaki, Illustrated by Komako Sakai
Delicate oil and pencil drawings and simple, lyrical text perfectly capture the wonder and unsteady movements of an emerging walker just beginning to explore the natural world.
Read Tracy’s Review



Year of the Jungle by Suzanne Collins, Illustrated by James Proimos
Yes, that Suzanne Collins. Inspired by her own experience as a second grader when her father fought in Vietnam for a year, this picture book perfectly reimagines the sense of loss and increasingly wild imaginings of any child missing a parent, coupled with a slow, childlike realization of the dangers of war. 

Honorable Mentions:
The Bear’s Song by Benjamin Chaud*
Ben Rides On by Matt Davies
The Bicklebys’ Birdbath by Andrea Perry
Bluebird by Bob Staake
Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg by Lori Mortenson and Michale Allen Austin (Illustrator)*
Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell (Illustrator)
The Deep, Deep Puddle by Mary Jessie Parker and Deborah Zemke (Illustrator)
Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey by Emily Winfield Martin*
Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird and Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)
Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon
Inside Outside by Liz Boyd
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty*
Lazy Daisy, Cranky Frankie: Bedtime on the Farm by Mary Ellen Jordan
My Father’s Arms Are a Boat by Stein Erik Lunde and Oyvind Torseter (Illustrator)
Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales*
No Fits, Nilson! by Zachariah OHora*
Off We Go by Will Hillenbrand
Oliver and His Alligator by Paul Schmid
Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier and Suzy Lee (Illustrator)
Papa’s Mechanical Fish by Candance Fleming and Boris Kulikov (Illustrator)
Red Hat by Lita Judge
Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folgueira and Polly Bernatene (Illustrator)
Saturday Is Dadurday by Robin Pulver
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
This Is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson*
Tiger in My Soup by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler*
A Vacation for Pooch by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Picture Books (Nonfiction)

The Boy Who Loved Math Deborah Heiligman, Illustrated by Pahm LeUyen*
Explores the childhood of the unconventional, brilliant mathematician, his interests (largely, math, math, and more math), and his impact on the field with energetic language and images that a child can relate to. An inspiring and educational true story about individuality and following your interests.



A Little Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke*
A real-life animal book with heart and candid, adorable photos that will appeal to all ages. Younger children will enjoy the photos and personalized stories of the featured sloths while older kids will enjoy each detail of the full, lighthearted narrative.



Locomotive by Brian Floca
With rhythmic prose and gorgeously realistic illustrations, this is a moving tribute to the role of railroads in American’s westward expansion. Perfectly evoking the sounds, sights, and even feel of 1869 train travel through onomatopoeia, expressive typography, and fabulous paintings that convey movement and wonder, this is a masterpiece that manages to be both epic and intimate.



Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson*
In this latest artistic triumph from Kadir Nelson (I Have a Dream), he traces the amazing journey of Mandela from his rural childhood to protest rallies to prison to the presidency of South Africa. While the narrative is a powerful one indeed, the star here is Nelson’s stunningly detailed, expressive oil paintings.



On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne, Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
Approachable yet highly informative, this child’s picture autobiography of Albert Einstein uses story and complimenting layered illustrations to convey Einstein’s insatiably curious personality and big ideas.  Perfect and inspiring for the child who questions everything and wonders about the world around him, it would pair well with The Boy Who Loved Math, which actually shows how Edros and Einstein are connected (sort of).



A Splash of Red by Jen Bryant, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This heartfelt picture book biography explores the art, determination, and obstacles of African-American artist Horace Pippin, and the folksy illustrations perfectly compliment the style of Pippin himself.

Early Chapter Books


Odd Duck by Cecil Castelluci, Illustrated by Sara Varon
This fun and whimsical ode to eccentricity and friendship is a crowd pleaser for ages 6 and up. Humor-laced, detailed drawings presented in graphic novel format; careful prose; and subtle irony keep this story feeling freshly original rather than trite or predictable.



 
Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes
The Penny early reader series is better than ever with this story of  acquisitiveness and secret guilt. When Penny discovers a marble on the sidewalk outside of her neighbor’s house, she furtively claims it for her own. But, before long, she is riddled with guilt. Henkes’s soft, pastel-hued illustrations of the winsome Penny are simple, but her expressions and movements perfectly capture her inner turmoil. 

*BONUS* Longer Chapter Books for Newly Independent Readers (Grades 1–3)

Gone Fishing by Tamera Will Wissinger
This novel in verse for young readers tells the story of sibling relationships and family outings through a series of poems about a fishing trip with a boy, his father, and his annoying little sister. It also gives a subtle and tidy lesson on different poetry forms. It’s fresh and original, with plenty of appeal for kids—particularly budding young fishermen (or fisherwomen).



The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
While the page count may appear intimidating for some new independent  readers, ambitious young readers will relate to this “ordinary” tale of a second grader who worries that he isn’t smart enough, gets annoyed with his little sister, and  concocts a plan to secretly stay up until midnight just because. The story is divided into four bite-sized chunks, each of which focuses on Billy’s interaction with an important person in his life—his teacher, his sister, and each of his parents.




*Please note that some titles are still on order and are not yet available for checkout at BCPL.

FLASH REVIEWS: 5 Great Wordless Picture Books of 2013

Posted on by Tracy

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Audience: Preschool–Grade 2
This wordless lift-the-flap book seamlessly reproduces the grace and movement of live animation. Clumsy, round Flora wishes to dance, so she watches and imitates a tall, elegant flamingo. Despite comical poses and a few mishaps, the mismatched pair eventually find their rhythm in a surprisingly graceful ballet. Expansive white space across the two-page spreads allow the dancers and Flora’s facial expressions to shine. This is visual storytelling at its best, with a bonus interactive component for hands-on children who enjoy lifting flaps and controlling the pace.
 

 Bluebird by Bob Staake
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Kindergarten–Grade 3
A muted palette of blues and grays is offset by a bright, cheery bluebird in this graphic-novel style wordless picture book. A lonely boy in the city is befriended by a bluebird until tragedy strikes. The illustrations of the boy—who, like the rest of the book’s images, is composed of minimalistic geometric shapes—still manages to perfectly convey his emotions of isolation, joy, fear, and hope. But beware, this book also has the potential to be upsetting (or confusing) for certain readers. Despite the potentially controversial last pages, this book is a fine exploration of friendship, sacrifice, loss, and hope. It may serve as a wonderful discussion opener for topics like bullying and grief in the right hands. The boy’s expressions and actions in themselves may provide insight for children regarding emotional sensitivity and how to interpret (and appreciate) the feelings of others through visual cues.




Journey by Aaron Becker
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Audience: Preschool–Grade 3
This magical, gloriously illustrated picture book about a girl’s adventure into an enchanted land begins with boredom in the the ordinary world and a fat red marker reminiscent of Harold’s purple crayon. (The beginning also reminds me somewhat of John Rocco’s Blackout, although the solution here is quite different.) Determined and fearless, the girls faces challenge after challenge before returning home to an unexpected surprise. The strong narrative, bold artwork, and imaginative settings will inspire awe and fascination.Young readers who enjoy fantasy and flights of imagination won’t want to miss this one! Journey definitely gets my vote when Caldecott time rolls around (not that I have a vote :)) (BCPL copies on order)



Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Preschool–Grade 2
David Weisner (Tuesday and Flotsam) is pretty much the king of wordless picture books, and his latest offering doesn’t disappoint. With bold, well-balanced artwork presented in a combination of full-page spreads and panels, he creates a secret world that humans cannot detect. The cat, Mr. Wuffles, however, can’t help but be intrigued by the tiny spaceship toy and whatever drama may exist within. Animal lovers in particular will adore this comical tale.

Inside Outside by Liz Boyd
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Preschool–Grade 2
This book follows a boy and
his dog playing inside and outside through the seasons. Die-cut windows
allow the reader to view the scenes both in juxtaposition, and out from spread to
spread. It’s a simple but brilliant concept. The natural-toned pages and myriad homey details add further interest. This is a book that begs to be experienced over and over so that each detail can be absorbed and appreciated.


BEST OF 2013: Favorite Book Trailers

Posted on by Tracy

Happy New Year! New Year’s Day is traditionally the time for looking forward, but
first we would like to  look back on the year that is past. Over the next few
weeks, I will be posting about our favorite books of 2013. But before I
identify our Best Books of 2013, we thought it might be nice to whet
your appetite a bit!

So here are our favorite Book Trailers of 2013… Don’t they make you want to read the book?!

Honorable Mentions

The Dark by Lemony Snicket & Jon Klassen (Illustrator)
I love seeing the use of lights and shadows from the book in full animation.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Appropriately eerie and intriguing.

Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
An abbreviated version of the book, wonderfully brought to life with vivid animation. Is it bad that I enjoyed the trailer more than the book? I wonder if the e-book has enhanced animation…

Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by Dave Sedaris
I love that the trailer is built around the title itself. It’s funny and a little bizarre, as we have come to expect from Mr. Sedaris 🙂


The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Short, but powerful. And the sound editing is genius.

Pawn by Aimée Carter
Simple, but appealing. I’m getting a bit burned out on dystopian fiction, but this trailer does such a good job of quietly establishing the the world setting and creating a bit of mystery that I find myself intrigued.

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff
This trailer truly captures the book’s tongue-in-cheek humor. Also, the narration and added sound effects are perfect.

Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel
I really like the shadows and contrasts of this 3-color trailer..

 
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
I loved this wordless picture book, and adding music and animation almost perfectly replicates my experience of reading the book.

 
I Am Blop! by Hervé Tullet
An imaginative and colorful introduction to a fun concept book. I like that it goes beyond the book to show real-world applications. Its beginning reminds me somewhat of a PBS promo.

 
Journey by Aaron Becker
The magisterial wonder of the picture book is brought to life in this trailer. I love that the animation is only very slight, allowing the illustrations to shine, and the musical clip perfectly echoes the sense of magic and discovery the book brings.

 
Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman
I usually hate author intros in book trailers—but this is Neil Gaiman 🙂 Like the book, this trailer takes itself none too seriously and kids will get as kick out of the silly humor.


Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
The simple narration is compelling, and the music, text, and imagery work together perfectly to instill a sense of eeriness and intrigue.

The Top 5

#5

More Than This by Patrick Ness
Intense, dramatic, and ultimately intriguing. It sets the stage for the mysteries of the book without giving anything away.

#4



 
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Is it cheating to choose a series of trailers? If it is, then I guess I’m a cheater. I love how these trailers build on one another and let the characters’ inner thoughts shine, giving equal time to each of the alternating narratives. I think the excerpts from Park’s POV are particularly affecting. Oh, and the animation is great too.

#3

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
This highly polished trailer has it all: spooky narration, striking animation, and interest-inspiring testimonials. And it successfully conveys the basics of the plot (or the setting at least) without giving away any of the particulars. Probably because of the mood-setting music, it sort of makes me think of an animated version of a Harry Potter movie trailer. Which is a perfect reference for this Potter-like faiy tale.

#2

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis
The use of animated illustrations here is fantastic, as is the comedic timing. The music and sound effects (whistling, scribbling, etc.) are spot-on.

#1

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith
Creepy and completely captivating, atmospheric and oh so mysterious. It leaves me feeling as if I watched an entire short film and eager to see/read the expanded version. Unfortunately, according to Hatchette, the book won’t be released until April 2014—and I can’t wait. (Though the UK edition comes out two months earlier…)

So, those are our favorites from 2013. If you want more great Book Trailers, please check out our Book Trailers and Other Videos board on Pinterest!

REVIEW: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Audience: Adult
Format: Audiobook

Summary: Katey Kontent and her roommate meet Tinker Gray by chance on New Year’s Eve 1937 at a jazz bar in Greenwich Village. Both girls are fascinated by the sophisticated yet boyish banker and the trio struck up an immediate if tenuous friendship. That meeting and the resulting friendship leads to far-reaching consequences for each of their lives. The novel focuses on Katey’s life and choices of the following year, as she finds herself forming new relationships and mingling in the upper echelons of New York society.

First Line: “On the night of October 4th, 1966, Val and I, both in late middle age, attended the opening of Many Are Called at the Museum of Modern Art—the first exhibit of the portraits taken by Walker Evans in the 1930s on the New York subway with a hidden camera.”

Tracy’s Thoughts: First, let me say that I adored this book. Amor Towles’s rich language and vivid description bring to life a fully realized world and nuanced characters I did not want to leave behind. I don’t think the setting could have been any better depicted. The dialog, the real-life settings—everything comes together perfectly to recreate the golden ear of Manhattan, reminiscent of classic movies starring the likes of Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, or Katherine Hepburn. Towles creates a lush yet uneasy world of artifice and hidden agendas that intrigues and delights. For its emphasis on betrayals, disappointments, class tensions and iniquities, Rules of Civility has even been compared to works of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

But Katey is not your average socialite-wannabe. She is also a bit of an enigma herself, having recreated herself more than once, but she does not put on airs or deny her humble origins. She is a devoted reader (an interest which plays quietly but significantly into her story) and is determined to earn her own way. As a narrator, Katey is sharp-tongued, witty, and just a little vulnerable. As her choices throughout the year reveal their consequences, the reader can’t help but feel her disappointment, uncertainty, and determination. As circumstances shift and new opportunities arise, Katey proves herself a worthy—though far from perfect—heroine.

Instead of huge events, this is a novel full of a series of small
revelations and shifts in circumstance that simultaneously feel both startling and inevitable.
Earlier clues and dropped threads reappear in a way that feels natural
and realistic rather than manipulative. But ultimately, this is a book that will appeal to readers more interested in character development that plot-driven narratives.With its careful, subtle plotting, intriguing characters, and atmospheric setting, it was the perfect book for me. It is a superbly told story of random chance, everyday life-altering decisions, and reinvention. All in all, a perfect read as the New Year approaches.

REVIEW: Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger, Illustrated by Cece Bell

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Picture Book/Humor
Audience: Pre-K–Grade 2

Summary: Crankee Doodle is bored. But when his pony helpfully suggests several possible solutions for the tedium, Crankee is unreceptive and becomes increasingly contrary with each of the pony’s ideas.

First Line: “I’m bored.”

Tracy’s Thoughts: The song “Yankee Doodle” has never made much sense to me, but I absolutely loved singing it as a kid. (Truthfully, it’s still kind of fun to sing.) But in this hilarious picture book, the nonsense lyrics take on new life and even get a bit of much needed clarification.

The illustrations are simple, in bold primary (and patriotic) colors. As Crankee becomes increasingly…well, cranky, squiggly, wavy lines are introduced in the background. Other subtle artistic touches add humor—particularly in the last pages, when Crankee and his pony finally make it to town. The highlight here, though, is Angleberger’s (the Origami Yoda books) dialog between the cranky Yank and his pony. Crankee’s escalating rants grow more and more long-winded and personal until  both characters unravel in complete (and highly hilarious!) meltdowns.This book makes for a great read aloud and will prove particularly relevant for a child in the midst of his own irritable day.

REVIEW: Wait! Wait! by Hatsue Nakawaki and Komako Sakai (Illustrator)

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Pre–Kindergarten

Summary: A toddler explores the outside world, chasing after a variety of creatures only to have them escape. Eventually the child is scooped up by dad for the trip home from the park.

First Lines: “Wait! Wait!”

Tracy’s Thoughts: Gentle, minimalistic text and delicate acrylic and oil pencil illustrations beautifully capture a child’s sense of wonder and growing independence in this quiet picture book originally published in Japan. Simple lines and smudges are used to convey both emotion and movement. The child’s facial expressions and movements are perfectly rendered in realistic, subtle detail.Curious children will almost feel the cat slipping from their grasps and will fully relate to the child’s startled awe when the pigeons take flight and flap away.

The book’s palette is mostly neutrals, with small splashes of color to emphasize flushed cheeks and background details. But the focus throughout is on the toddler, who is at the center of a series of two-page spreads. Dressed in a black and white ensemble of overalls, shirt, and chunky shoes, the child could be either a boy or a girl, adding to the universality of her actions. This is a tender and lovely work which perfectly illustrates a child’s curiosity and early interaction with the natural world.

REVIEW: The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale
Audience: Middle-Grade/Tween

Summary:
Children have been disappearing from the village of Gavaldon for generations. Adults claim children simply get lost in the forest and disappear, but the children know the truth. Every four years, two children—one nice child and one nasty child—are spirited away by the mysterious School Master to be trained as heroes and villains, eventually graduating into fairy tales of their own. Sophie has always believed she will be selected for the School of Good and groomed to become a princess. And surely her witchy, loner friend Agatha is destined for the School of Evil. Only once Sophie’s dream comes true and she and Agatha are taken by the School Master, the girls find that their presumed destinies are flipped and the school is far more dangerous than they anticipated.

First Line: “Sophie had waited all her life to be kidnapped.”

Tracy’s Thoughts:
I adored this book, with its twisted fairy tales and imaginative world building. At first glance, The School for Good and Evil might feel a bit like a Harry Potter rip-off, with its predestined school divisions, secret corridors, magical creatures, and deadly challenges. The Rowling influence here is undeniable. And yet—for the most part—The School for Good and Evil feels fresh and new. Much of this is due to its examination of the middle ground between good and evil and the unlikely, occasionally uneasy friendship between its two heroines.

Sophie—with her princess hair, flouncy pink dresses, and daily good deeds—is the picture of a Disney princess, while Agatha—a dire, black-clad loner who prefers the companionship of her cat and a quiet cemetery—thinks villains are far more interesting. Which is why the girls are so surprised when pretty Sophie is dropped at the School for Evil and Agatha is
assigned to the School for Good. Readers may think they know the “moral of the story”—truth lies beyond appearances, blah, blah, blah. But fortunately for us, the story and its characters are more complicated than that.

The School for Good and Evil is a bit lengthier than necessary, with a somewhat repetitive series of trials and tests, but I was entertained throughout and frequently amused by the snappy dialog and moral dilemmas. Despite its flaws, the The School for Good and Evil is a clever, adventure-filled read that turns the expected clichés of fairy tales upside down. Luckily, this is only the first title of a planned trilogy. A sequel (A World Without Princes) is due out in April 2014 and a film adaptation is currently in development. But for those eager for more, check out the dedicated website and take the exam to determine which school is right for you. (My results: 66.7% Good, 33.3% Evil. Sounds about right ; ) )

REVIEW: Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird, Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Picture Book/Humor/Fantasy
Audience: Preschool–Grade 2

Summary: Six-year-old Lexy loves dancing. But every time she tries to perform in front of a crowd, she freezes completely. So she decides to quit and become a teacher. Unfortunately, no one wants to learn from a kid—until a group of fuzzy blue giants turn up at her door looking for dance lessons.

First Line: “One day Lexy decided that when it came to dancing, she was done.”

Tracy’s Thoughts: 
This highly enjoyable story comes from a well-known children’s librarian and blogger, and it’s clear she knows her stuff. Bird’s action-packed language and Dorman’s energetic artwork fairly leap off the page, creating a fantastic read aloud. Vivid, full-color digital art and a likeable, exuberant protagonist
will capture the attention of readers, and the humorous text and story
will hold it. I was charmed when Lexy refers
to herself as an “ice pop” after freezing onstage (anyone want to guess how the giants
are described when they too suffer from stage fright?), and laughed out
loud when the giants practiced a wide variety of dances, from the chicken dance to
krumping. The story nicely weaves together a tale of realistic fears
with fantasy elements, and the result is a fun, engaging read that
makes Lexy’s eventual triumph less pointedly didactic than many other
picture books dealing with childhood fears. Even better, the final page leaves room for a follow up title—or so I
hope.


REVIEW: The Blind Contessa’s New Machine by Carey Wallace

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction/Love Story
Audience: Adult

Summary:  In 19th century Italy, a young Contessa recognizes that she is losing her eyesight. She tries to tell her fiancé and parents, but no one believes her. That is, no one with the exception of her friend Turri, a married, eccentric inventor who lives on the estate adjoining her father’s. Slowly, images become increasing blurred and distorted until, shortly after her wedding, Carolina finds herself in complete darkness. Yet in her dreams, she see everything in magnificent color, imagining a glorious world of possibility. In her sleep, she finds freedom in glorious adventures but during the day she cannot even walk alone to her beloved lake or pen a letter to a friend. Longing to stay in contact his friend, Turri in turn designs a machine that will help her with the everyday task of communicating with distant friends and family—a writing machine. Somehow, the gift ignites a spark that leads to a passionate, clandestine affair that changes both their lives.

First Line: “On the day Countess Carolina Fantoni was married, only one other living person knew that she was going blind, and he was not her groom.”

Tracy’s Thoughts: Lush, vivid detail and lyrical prose make this slim novel a truly absorbing read. The description of Carolina’s loss of sight and her slow acclimation to her condition are particularly vivid and affecting. Cary Wallace’s writing is almost magical at times, evocative and dreamy as she describes the Italian countryside, Carolina’s impressions, and others’ reactions to her blindness. Though simple, the story too is intriguing. Based on the man who invented the first working typewriter prototype for the blind woman he is rumored to have loved, it weaves a romantic fable around historical events. Throughout the course of the novel, the reader is taken on a journey right along with Carolina, from flashbacks of her courtship with her husband Pietro to her encroaching blindness and impulsive, inevitable affair with Turri.

The focus here is more on tone and character than specific events, though. The characters are well developed yet mysterious, from Carolina herself to secondary characters like Liza, Carolina’s odd serving girl who adds small lies and fictions to the stories she reads to Carolina. The ending here is a bit abrupt though not unsatisfying. Instead, it preserves a sense of ethereal mystery that reflects the tone of the rest of the novel. Ultimately, The Blind Contessa’s New Machine is an intelligent, whimsical tale that balances tragedy with inspiration and understated humor.

REVIEW: Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale
Audience: Middle-grade (upper elementary & and younger middle school)

Summary: In a land where your destiny is determined by your name, Rump is out of luck. No one—not Rump and not even his beloved grandmother —knows his true name because his mother died before she could tell anyone. All she was able to get out was the first part: “Rump.” Now he spends his days dodging bullies and toiling away in the mines, digging for enough specks of gold to scrape by and appease the greedy miller and the king. Then Rump uses his mother’s old spindle and makes a magical discovery: He can spin straw into gold! Unfortunately, magic can have terrible consequences, and Rump is quickly in over his head. Now Rump must cope with pixies, trolls, and fairy tale villains on his journey to discover his true name and gain control over the magic that binds him.

First Line: “My mother named me after a cow’s rear end.”

Tracy’s Thoughts:
Rumplestiltskin has been one of my favorite fairy tales ever since I saw the 1987 film adaptation starring Amy Irving and Billy Barty. Despite his creepiness and unmitigated selfishness, I was curious about Rumplestiltskin’s motives and background. I wanted to know more. Though I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Once Upon a Time, the character of Rumple—as portrayed by the supremely talented Robert Carlyle—has succeeded in making the story of Rumplestilkskin even more intriguing to me. Somehow, this adaptation by Liesl Shrutliff creates an alternate version that includes all the key elements of the original but turns the story inside out, making Rumplestiltskin the hero.


Suffice it to say that I enjoyed this novel immensely. Rump’s story is set in an unnamed kingdom, a well-developed world where fairy tales intersect just the teeniest bit. Clear, energetic writing and a cheeky narrative voice help create a story to capture the interest of even the most reluctant readers. The writing is full of silly humor (fart jokes even!) and adventure, yet there is substance here as well. Rump’s quest for self-confidence and hope in an unfair world is truly touching. It also addresses—and presents possible answers to—a lot of the questions I’ve had from previous versions, such as why Rump’s true name is so important. Although the action wanes from time to time into predictability, this is an appealing fantasy filled with laughter, cleverness, and magic.

REVIEW: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Love Story
Audience: Young Adult/Teen

Summary:  For Eleanor and Park, it is far from love at first sight. Park thinks the crazy-haired, oddly dressed new girl looks like a victim waiting to happen, and the minute she steps on to their shared school bus he’s proven right as the bullies zero in for the kill. Meanwhile, Eleanor is too concerned with her problems at home to think much about the “stupid Asian kid” who reluctantly scoots over to share his seat, cursing under his breath all the while. For days they share the seat in awkward, sometimes hostile silence. But then… Something changes. Soon, Eleanor is surreptitiously reading Watchmen comics over his shoulder and Park is making Eleanor mix tapes of his favorite bands. Slowly, tentatively a friendship develops and then friendship becomes something more. But love doesn’t solve everything. Together they must face disapproving parents, mean-spirited classmates, and the dark truths Eleanor never wants Park to discover.

Celebrity Stamp of Approval: “Eleanor & Park reminded
me not just what it’s like to be young and in love with a girl, but also
what it’s like to be young and in love with a book.”—John Green, The New York Times Book Review

First Lines: “He’d stopped trying to bring her back. She only came back when she felt like it, in dreams and lies and broken-down déjà vu.”

Tracy’s Thoughts: I practically inhaled this book from start to finish. Told through the alternating perspectives of Eleanor and Park, it is a fast, engaging read that brings its characters to vibrant life. Both protagonists feel incredibly real, flawed yet wholly sympathetic. Though they come from different worlds, I completely bought into the idea that Eleanor and Park are destined to meet and fall in love. Yet even they have doubts that their love can last, especially considering their circumstances. Eleanor is keeping secrets from Park about her disadvantaged home life and abusive, skeevy stepfather, and Park’s Korean-American mother is less than approving of Eleanor and her appearance. Plus Park has some difficulty coping with the shameless bullying some students at the school direct at Eleanor. (Though he adores her, he’s also a little embarrassed by her at times.) And then there’s Eleanor’s own insecurities and her trouble believing that slender, calm Park is attracted to her chubby, difficult self. Suffice it to say, they have a lot to deal with, and every bit of it feels realistic and essential to the story.

Despite the undeniable dark side to this novel, it is also funny, heartbreaking, and extremely sweet. In many ways, the novel is like Eleanor herself: gritty and perhaps a little abrasive, but also extremely lovable. There is a good deal of profanity and crude language, but, to me, the language is authentic to the characters and place rather than gratuitous. And the dialog is smart and clever; it’s no wonder John Green so enthusiastically recommends this book. Though it is solidly grounded in the period (did I forget to mention the book is set in 1986?), Eleanor and Park is a timeless, universal story of first love.

REVIEW: The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Preschool to 2nd Grade

Summary: Laszlo lives in a large house with a creaky roof and several intimidating staircases, but it is the dark that scares him. It hides in corners and comes out at night, but most of all, it lives in the basement. Then one night, the dark comes to Laszlo’s room and speaks to him, urging Laszlo to visit the one place he fears most.

First Line: “Laszlo was afraid of the dark.”

Tracy’s Thoughts: From the moment I first heard of this book, I was psyched. Yes; I’m a grown woman without children excited over a picture book! But it’s a collaboration between Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen! I loved the dark, edgy humor of Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back and thought a book by Klassen and Lemony Snicket about a child’s fear of the dark would be perfect. And the duo does not disappoint.

This imaginative, suspenseful picture book manages to be both appropriately eerie and oddly comforting (in a Lemony Snicket kind of way!). Here, the dark is a living, breathing entity. As least it is to Laszlo, who sleeps with a flashlight and avoids shadowy corners. Most of the illustrations are deceptively simple two-page spreads depicting the interplay of light and shadow, with solemn little Laszlo looking on warily. The house is austere and barren, giving the dark room to expand. Overall, the muted color scheme and mildly creepy tone of the text compliment one another perfectly. And after Laszlo comes to an understanding of sorts with his nemesis, the ending comes full circle. Only now, instead of watching the creeping shadows with suspicion as the sun sets outside, Laszlo is oblivious to the coming night and plays happily with his toy trucks, his flashlight nowhere in sight.

For a completely different take on nighttime fears, I highly recommend I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll.

Fall 2013 Giveaway Winners + Last Chance Giveaway!

Posted on by Tracy
Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens
Cover Description:
Grace Doll had everything a girl could want:      
Fame. Fortune. Beauty. Everything except her      
freedom. So
when a powerful movie producer      
forces an experimental treatment on Grace–one      
that’s purported to make beauty immortal–she      
stages her own
death to escape him. With the      
help of trusted friends, Grace slips into
hiding.        
She’s forever flawless. Forever young, and      
forever pursued by
her past.       
But when a stranger arrives on
her doorstep,        
holding the key to a life she thought she’d       
left behind,
Grace must decide   between the      
safety she’s known…and embracing the
role      
she was born to play.      

And the winners are…
# 127  Jada Redmon
# 53  Pinky028
# 62  Pinky028
# 56  Pinky028
# 6 Bethany
# 65 Pinky028
# 68  Kari Crum
# 134  Jada Redmon
# 85  Anonymous (Jen)
# 135  mrsshreve
# 80  Anonymous (Jen)
# 18  Jessica Cooper
# 88  Anonymous (Jen)
# 103  Kayla Druin
# 140  Catherine Spann
# 93  Anonymous (Jen)

….But wait! We have an extra giveaway available. For those of you who didn’t win, Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens
is now up for grabs.The book goes to the
first person to leave a comment below (be
sure to leave your e-mail address so I can arrange pickup!) Ready…
Set…Go!

FLASH REVIEWS: Recent Audio Reads in Historical Fiction

Posted on by Tracy

I’m back with more quick reviews of my recent audio reads! I just finished two Bloody Jack Adventures  plus a couple of adult historicals. So here goes…

The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O’Melveny
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Audience: Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

When the powers that be try to keep her from practicing her craft as a physician, Renaissance woman Gabriella Mondini decides now is the time to go searching for her long-lost father. What follows is a journey across Europe and beyond that calls to mind the Canterbury Tales. Through her entries in her diary and additions made in an anthology of diseases begun by her father (also a physician), readers are privy to Gabriella’s adventures and obsessions. A woman physician in sixteenth-century Venice, Gabriella
Mondini had the potential to become a fascinating character. The plot in and of itself is certainly intriguing, but the pacing is uneven and the supernatural elements are clumsily integrated and all too predictable. O’Melveney is a poet, and the prose is lyrical and striking at times; however, it also frequently veers into pretension and excessive description. Probably the only reason I finished this audiobook is Katherine Kellgren, whose magnificent voice performance kept me engaged.

Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert  Goolrick
Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Audience: Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction/Psychological Suspense/Southern Gothic

When Charlie Beale arrived in the small Southern town of Brownsburg with a suitcase full of money, it was the summer of 1948. Decades later, a man who knew Charlie and was witness to Charlie’s torrid, fateful affair with the young bride of the town’s wealthiest man recounts the story. I was downright mesmerized by Goolrick’s A Reliable Wife, but Heading Out to Wonderful lacked the tension and immediacy I expected in his follow-up novel. The setting and storyline had the haunting, nostalgic quality of a folk ballad, but the finale seemed forced and arbitrary. Also, I was troubled by the occasional awkwardness of the narrative voice and some unacknowledged loose ends. For example, it is never explained (MILD SPOILER AHEAD…HIGHLIGHT TO READ) how Charlie came by that suitcase of money. Although this was the most interesting part of the story to me, I would have understood if that particular plot point remained a mystery. But the fact that none of the book’s characters seem to wonder or question it makes no sense. Still, even with all that being said, I think Heading Out to Wonderful would make a fantastic book club read. The recurring themes of lost innocence, sin and forgiveness, identities abandoned and recreated, and memory itself leave much to discuss.

Mississippi Jack by L.A. Meyer
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Historical Adventure/Humor
Series: Bloody Jack Adventures #5

I am still a little furious at Jamie. But at the same time, I also like him a bit better now. In the past, Jamie has been almost too perfect for the wonderfully flawed adventuress that is Jacky Faber. Now, I see him as a more developed, if flawed character and I like him better for it. In this latest adventure, Jacky and Jamie are once again separated as Jacky makes her way down the Mississippi in a rollicking adventure reminiscent of the best tall tales. Legendary boatman Mike Fink even plays a significant role in the story. New love interests also emerge—most notably the irascibly charming Sir Richard Allen—to throw a wrench in Jacky and Jamie’s relationship. Not to mention the intervention of the British Navy and Intelligence Agency, marauding Indians, and a homicidal Mike Fink. Also, did I already mention that I love Katherine Kellgren? Because I do. Her fabulous performances make the Bloody jack series a joy to listen to, bringing Jacky and the gang to vivid life.

Mt Bonny Light Horseman by L.A. Meyer
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Audience: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Historical Adventure/Humor/War Story
Series: Bloody Jack Adventures #6

This time around, Jacky is tasked by British Intelligence to act as a spy against the French. Those who love the battle scenes of earlier Bloody Jack novels won’t be disappointed. And Jacky being Jacky, there are also new flirtations for the more romantically minded (though the new love interest fails to live up to the standard set by Jamie’s previous rivals for Jacky’s affections, IMHO).

Tracy’s Favorite YA Reviews

Posted on by Tracy

It’s hard to believe, but Book News & Reviews hit its two-year anniversary back in August! More than 70 reviews later, I’ve given out only a handful of 5 and 4.5 star reviews so readers would know which books really stand out for me. Many of those selections have been YA books, so to wrap up Teen Read Week, I thought today would be a great time to look back on some of my favorite teen titles reviewed here on the blog.

Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewed: August 9, 2011

This book is still very close to my heart. It was my very first review for Book News & Reviews, but more importantly I read it at a time when, like Amy, I was coping with my own grief and guilt over the loss of a loved one. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour deals with some difficult issues, but it is also an undeniably fun book about music, friendship, and adventure. It made me cry, it made me laugh, and it made me reflect. Amy and Roger’s playlists inspired me to create my own mixes in memory of my mother, a task which gave me something concrete to do and helped me deal with her loss. Sometimes you are lucky enough to discover the perfect book at just the right time. I’m glad that I found Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour when I did. Read my original review »

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Reviewed: December 6, 2011

Now that Divergent is one of the “It” books, with a devoted fandom and a highly anticipated movie on the way, I can proudly say that I discovered it fairly early on. (I actually read it months before I wrote my review because I was waiting for library copies to come in.) As I said in my original review, I liked it far it more than The Hunger Games. For me, Tris is a more believable character and I love the dynamic between Tris and Four. Which makes me wonder why I STILL haven’t read Insurgent although it’s been sitting by my bedside since shortly after the release date. I think secretly I know the wait for the final book would drive me crazy. But since Allegiant comes out this month, it may be safe to proceed… Read my original review »

I’ll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewed: December 23. 2011

This book was such a surprise to me. There was very little buzz, and it wasn’t a contender when awards time rolled around. But, trust me, it’s a gem. This is what I wrote in my original review:

Intertwining a gripping survival story with a sweet tale of first love, I’ll Be There
is one of the best, most heartfelt books I’ve read in ages. It’s one of
those stories that completely mesmerizes you and still lingers in your
mind weeks later. And puts a smile on your face. There is a magic to
Sloan’s prose: it is thoughtful and yet carries an immediacy that makes
each page a joy to read. There is nothing flashy in her writing; it is
vivid and precise, allowing the extraordinary characters and their
predicaments to move the story along. Am I sounding a bit fan-girl crazy
and over-the-top in my praise? I apologize. But. I love this book.

Excessive and gushy perhaps, but I stand by what I wrote 100%. Read the full original review »

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Reviewed: February 22, 2012

Unlike I’ll Be There, this is a book that was on everyone’s radar. Well, anyone remotely familiar with YA literature who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past few years. Almost universally known as the book that will have you crying your way through at least one box of Kleenex, The Fault in Our Stars actually did not push those particular buttons for me. It was heartbreaking but, for me, not tear-inducing. Instead, I simply enjoyed the heck out of the smart, quirky, book-loving characters and John Green’s always stellar dialogue. Read my original review »

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Reviewed: June 23, 2012

This is the fifth book in the series and easily my favorite yet. I wasn’t fully on board the Mortal Instruments bandwagon early on, although I enjoyed the books well enough. I simply felt that Clare’s writing was not as polished as I wanted it to be. I got a kick out of her sharp, snarky humor and strong characterizations, but I also spotted a lot of plot inconsistencies. Maybe that was related to errors in the audiobook recordings, but I doubt it. But City of Lost Souls won me over once and for all. The tension and angst were at full throttle from start to finish, and the audiobook was fantastic. (Seriously, I am so glad the producers ditched Ed Westwick and stuck with Molly Quinn on her own.) The City of Bones movie may have been a HUGE disappointment, but I can’t wait till the final installment of the series comes out in May 2014. Read my original review »

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbotsky
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewed: August 16. 2012

I was a late discoverer of this fabulous cult classic. My love for this book is mostly down to the strong, engaging voice. The fact that it’s set during in the 1990s, when I was a high school student myself, probably has a little something to do with it at well. This is an engrossing, full story with excellent characterizations and relatable issues. Although on the surface my high school experience was nothing like Charlie’s, I still felt like we had everything in common. I especially recommend the audiobook, which brings out Charlie’s voice perfectly.
Read my original review »

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Reviewed: February 11, 2013

This book made a huge impression on the 2013 Youth Media Award committees (<—check out that cover to see the evidence), and it’s clear why. The simple narrative, without any unnecessary literary embellishments, packs a powerful punch. This is a novel that succeeds on multiple levels and tackles A LOT of issues without ever becoming heavy handed or preachy. In hindsight, I am seriously tempted to bump up my star rating to a five!  Read my original review »

The Diviners by Libba Bray
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Reviewed: June 12, 2013

Urban fantasy meets horror meets historical fiction in this near-perfect series opener. The 1920s have never been creepier or more intriguing, and I love the diversity of the characters and personalities.This is a book that works both as a self-contained novel and as a wonderful lead-in for the rest of the series. Although I read it months ago, The Diviners is a book that I keep coming back to in my mind over and over. I can’t wait to see what comes next and how the many disparate characters will eventually come together.  Read my original review »

If you’re interested, other books I’ve awarded 4.5 or 5 stars to include:

BCPL’s Ultimate Teen Booklist, 2013 Updates

Posted on by Tracy

As promised last year, BCPL’s Ultimate Teen Booklist has been updated! We have carefully selected a few new titles to add and have updated title lists for ongoing series. Here is a quick summary of our additions for 2013:

New to the List:

Aristotle and Dante and the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz  (2012)
In the summer of 1987, two 15-year-old loners meet and forge a powerful friendship. This stunning novel about identity and acceptance deals with several teen “issues,” including sexual and ethnic identity, but never comes across as heavy handed. With simple, lyrical prose Sáenz creates a magical tale that speaks of universal truths and fears. High School.

 
Blankets (graphic novel) by Craig Thompson (2003)
This graphic memoir is a poignant tale of sibling rivalry, first love, artistic inspiration, and personal faith. Thompson’s relationships are skillfully depicted in all their nuances, and he is brutally honest about his struggles with his fundamentalist upbringing and the complexities of young love and sexuality. Blankets is a compulsively readable story, and the pen and ink drawings are sensitive and dynamic, perfectly capturing the characters’ moods and the snowy Midwest setting. High School (mature).

 
The Diviners by Libba Bray (2012)
Featuring disparate teen protagonists with nothing in common other that a secret special ability, a ghostly serial killer, and the vivid setting of Prohibition-era New York, this is a vivid historical fantasy with a horror spin. Best of all, while the story comes to a satisfactory resolution, there are overarching mysteries that promise good things to come in the rest of the planned quartet. High School.

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson (2003)
With short, spare sentences that say everything, Johnson tells the story of a sixteen-year-old single dad. The fear, the exhaustion, and the overwhelming love for his newborn baby daughter all come through perfectly as Bobby comes to grips with what parenthood means for his life and struggles to make the best decisions he possibly can for his daughter. Short, poetic chapters alternate between “now” and “then,” creating a suspenseful mood that will translate well for reluctant readers. High School.


 Hate List by Jennifer Brown (2009)
When Valerie and her boyfriend compiled a “HateList” of all the people they dislike or who have wronged them, she had no idea he would come to school with a gun and use it as a checklist for a killing spree. Five months later, school is back in session and Valerie is a social outcast struggling with her own guilt and grief. This is a wrenching, intimate portrayal of the aftermath of a tragedy, told from a unique perspective. High School (mature).

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (1970)
In this first volume of her autobiography, poet Maya Angelou reflects on her life up until the age of seventeen. Told through a series of scenes depicting both gut-wrenching moments of heartbreak and fear and life-affirming events and relationships, Angelou’s story is a poignant tale of growing up in 1930s rural Arkansas. With bare honesty, humor, and grace, Angelou weaves a lyrical masterpiece that is both timeless and inspirational. High School.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (2005)
After reuniting with two former classmates from her “special” English boarding school, a thirty-something woman begins to reconsider her supposedly idyllic years at the school only to question friendships and unearth disquieting memories. Set in a fully realized dystopian world, Never Let Me Go paints a gripping portrait of adolescence in an increasingly bleak future. High School.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (2000)  

In this allegorical story about popularity and the courage of nonconformity, an eccentric new student named Stargirl arrives at Mica High School  to inspire fascination and scorn with her oddball behavior and strange dress. Her ebullient, uninhibited ways and determined kindness attract 11th grader Leo Borlock immediately, but when the rest of the school shuns them both, will Leo be able to balance his need for acceptance with his love for Stargirl? Middle School/High School.

Series Updates:
Bloody Jack Adventures by L.A. Meyer
Xanth by Piers Anthony

So what do you think of our additions? What are your favorite titles from this year that we should consider for the next update?

Get the complete annotated list on our library website »

Fall 2013 Giveaway!

Posted on by Tracy

I just finished my annual Fall cleaning, and guess what I found? A handful of ARCs (Advance Reading Copies), just waiting for you to claim them!

Rules of entry are at the end of the post. Please note that all prizes must be picked up at a BCPL location. Contest ends at 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013.


Here are the titles I have available:

Enon by Paul Harding (September 2013)
A devastating portrait of a father desperately trying to come to terms
with the loss of his beloved thirteen-year-old daughter, killed in an
accident. –NoveList
The 100 by Kass Morgan (September 2013)
When 100 juvenile delinquents are sent on a mission to
recolonize Earth, they get a second chance at freedom, friendship, and
love, as they fight to survive in a dangerous new world.   –NoveList
Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole (July 2013)
A love story told in letters spans two world wars and follows the correspondence between a poet on the Scottish Isle of Skye
and an American volunteer ambulance driver for the French Army, an
affair that is discovered years later when the poet disappears.   –NoveList
Blood & Beauty by Sarah Dunant (July 2013)
A tale inspired by the lives of Borgia
siblings Lucretia and Cesare traces the family’s rise in the aftermath
of Rodrigo Borgia’s rise to the papacy, during which war, a terrifying
sexual plague, and the family’s notorious reputation forge an intimate
bond between brother and sister.   –NoveList
Mother, Daughter, Me by Katie Hafner (July 2013)
A health and technology journalist documents
the author’s efforts to promote family bonds and healing during a
haphazard year spent sharing a home in San Francisco with her
complicated octogenarian mother and teenage daughter.   –NoveList
The Village by Nikita Lalwani (July 2013)
Traces the
efforts of a team of journalists to understand and document life in an
experimental open prison where convicted murderers share their lives in a
humble village, a site that becomes increasingly and dangerously subject to the dubious moral codes of its drama-seeking visitors.   –NoveList
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (June 2013)
Traces the story of an American rowing team from the University of Washington that defeated elite rivals at Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics, sharing the experiences of their enigmatic coach, a visionary boat builder, and a homeless teen rower.   –NoveList
The Execution of Noa P. Singleton by Elizabeth L. Silver (June 2013)
Visited by a high-powered attorney who has initiated a clemency petition on her behalf and who is also the mother of her victim, death-row inmate Noa is slowly persuaded to share the events surrounding the murder in spite of her reluctance to reveal the whole story or have her life extended.   –NoveList
Transatlantic by Colum McCann (June 2013)
A tale spanning 150 years and two continents reimagines the peace
efforts of democracy champion Frederick Douglass, Senator George
Mitchell and World War I airmen John Alcock and Teddy Brown through the
experiences of four generations of women from a matriarchal clan.   –NoveList
Walking with Jack by Don J. Snyder (June 2013)
Documents the author’s efforts to fulfill a
promise to caddy for his son if the latter qualified for a professional
tour, describing his training at age fifty-seven to study caddying in
Scotland, where he lived like a monk.   –NoveList
Icons by Margaret Stohl (May 2013)
Icons #1
After an alien force known as the Icon
colonizes Earth, decimating humanity, four surviving teenagers must
piece together the mysteries of their pasts–in order to save the
future.  –NoveList
Wasteland by Susan Kim & Laurence Klavan (April 2013)
Wasteland Trilogy #1
In a post-apocalyptic world where everyone
dies at age nineteen and rainwater contains a killer virus, loners
Esther and Eli band together with a group of mutant, hermaphroditic
outsiders to fight a corrupt ruler and save the town of Prin.   –NoveList
Game by Barry Lyga (April 2013)
I Hunt Killers #2
After solving a deadly case in the small town
of Lobo’s Nod, seventeen-year-old Jazz, the son of history’s most
infamous serial murderer, travels to New York City to help the police
track down the Hat-Dog Killer.   –NoveList
Read Tracy’s review of Book 1, I Hunt Killers.
A Week in Winter by Paul Harding (February 2013)
Follows the efforts of a woman who turns a
coastal Ireland mansion into a holiday resort and receives an assortment
of first guests who throughout the course of a week share laughter and the heartache of respective challenges.   –NoveList
Niceville by Carsten Stroud (June 2012)
Niceville Trilogy #1
When a young boy literally disappears before
security cameras while walking home from school, an ensuing search is
conducted by ex-Special Forces veteran Nick Kavanaugh, who with his
lawyer wife encounters an ancient malevolent power linked to a deep
crater.   –NoveList

Rules of Entry

1. To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. To be eligible for the drawing, you are required to log in to the widget with your e-mail address or Facebook account AND leave a comment at the bottom of this post
stating which ARCs you would like to receive. (Choose up to ten. You
are not guaranteed to win your top choices, but we do our best). Click
“+1” and
“Enter” on the widget only after you have posted your comment below. After
completing the first task, you can also earn bonus entries by following
the directions in the widget.


2.  All ARCs must be picked up at a Bullitt County Public Library location. Winners will be notified via e-mail and will be posted on this blog. Contest ends at 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Updated on 10/18/13 to add:

Apparently there is still some confusion about entry. Basically, there are two separate steps which MUST be completed to finalize your entry.

#1 Make sure you leave a comment at the bottom of this post stating which ARCs you would like to receive. Otherwise, I will not know which prize(s) to give you if you win the drawing.

#2 Log in to the widget above and click “Enter.” (See image below.) You must log in with your e-mail or Facebook account so that I will be able to contact you if you win. I began using the Rafflecopter widget for two reasons: 1) to protect contact information of participants; only I will see your e-mail address as opposed to if you were required to post it with your comment and 2) to facilitate multiple prize entries and select winners randomly.

There are also additional tasks, such as liking the BCPL Facebook page or commenting on another post on this blog. You will earn extra entries for completing these tasks

FLASH REVIEWS: Recent Audio Reads with an International Flavor

Posted on by Tracy

As I mentioned in my last post, my pleasure reading of late has been almost entirely limited to audiobooks. It’s been a while since I finished some of these, but here are some quick reviews of international-themed books I’ve been reading/listening to over the past few months:

Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Adult/YA Crossover
Genre: Coming-of-Age Story/Political Fiction/War Story

This stunning coming of age novel tells the story of Jean Patrick Nkuba, a young Rwandan who dreams of running in the Olympics. He is a kindhearted and slightly naive boy, but as he grows older he becomes increasingly aware of the stark ethnic divide in his country and the challenges his Tutsi heritage will present to achieving his dream. Gripping and frequently distressing—this is one of the few novels that has made me cry—Running the Rift is nevertheless a story of hope, love, and perseverance. Benaron does not shy away from the escalating violence that eventually leads to the Rwandan genocide, but the story is not sensationalistic in any way. Instead, through the fictionalized account of Jean Patrick, it brings a relatable voice to an unimaginable tragedy and shows that there is much more to the country and its people than can be surmised from political reports and news stories. In contrast to the unflinching portrait of violence and moral complexities are Jean Patrick’s genuine love of his sport, his country, his family, and a young woman for whom he would do almost anything.

The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Audience: Adult
Genre: Literary Fiction/Political Fiction/Dystopia

Set in the real-world dystopia of North Korea, this Pulitzer Prize–winning novel takes readers on a weird and wonderful journey along with its anti-hero protagonist. Jun Do begins life with the unlucky reputation of being an orphan—although in actuality he is not—and through a series of strange circumstances and fateful choices he finds himself filling unlikely roles, from professional kidnapper to national hero to romantic rival of the Great Leader himself. Set in a world where the “story” is so much more important than truth—where the story becomes truth—Jun Do seizes opportunities to reinvent himself over and over, and yet the nature and politics of North Korea can easily take him on a detour that will rewrite his story all over again. Perhaps because the world it explores is so very alien, I must admit that I initially found this book a bit difficult to connect with. I also wonder whether my occasional dissatisfaction might be related to the audio format. There are multiple voices and frequent interruptions from propagandist loudspeakers that perhaps did not translate well in this audio adaptation. But while it becomes a bit tedious at times (whether due to format or subject matter), The Orphan Master’s Son is also frequently brilliant, fascinating, and surprising.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Adult
Genre: Nonfiction/Social Issues/Travel Writing

In this intimate and poignant book, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist creates a extraordinary portrait of India’s urban poor. By focusing on Annawadi, one of dozens of tiny slums that exist alongside the modern new airport and luxury hotels of Mumbai, Katherine Boo is able to bring to life the everyday realities faced by so many. While the story centers on the accusations of a woman who set herself on fire and the repercussions for the family accused of harming her, several key residents of the small undercity are examined. From petty squabbles that escalate into tragedy to a murdered garbage thief left ignored on the side of the road, death and survival in Annawadi is brought to vivid life by Boo’s compassionate yet clear-eyed reportage. There is Abdul, the quiet, diligent garbage collector; Asha, an ambitious kindergarten teacher determined to work the corrupt system for her own betterment; and Manju, Asha’s disapproving, intelligent daughter who hopes education will be her way out. Readers are left both frustrated by the actions of some residents and cautiously hopeful for the futures of others; but, in the end, the people of Annawadi are portrayed at complex individuals, not as collective objects of pity but as human beings fighting for survival and carving out a life in a flawed and corrupt system.  

REVIEW: Overseas by Beatriz Williams

Posted on by Tracy

Rating: 3/5 Stars
Genre: Love Story/Fantasy/Time-Travel
Audience: Adult

Summary: In modern day Manhattan, newbie Wall Street analyst Kate Wilson is mystified and intrigued when billionaire Julian Laurence begins pursuing her after little more than a passing glance. But their love story is not an easy one: Julian’s pursuit blows hot and cold despite their irresistible attraction, and he also seems to be keeping secrets. Interspersed with this tale are scenes from World War I–era France, to which modern-day Kate has somehow traveled on a mission to find Captain Julian Laurence Ashford and protect her lover from the future.

Tracy’s Thoughts: As regular Books News & Reviews readers
may have already guessed, I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump of
late. I’ve been enjoying audiobooks on my commute to and from work, but it’s been difficult to find the time and focus for any pleasure reading beyond that. I’ve started several (print) books over the last few months, but sticking
with them has been a different story. And yet I finished Overseas in two days, staying up till 2 a.m. on a work night in order to finish. Overseas isn’t great literature or even particularly original, but it held my attention and made me care about the characters. I simply enjoyed it.

At times, it reminded me of Fifty Shades of Grey with less angst and a time travel twist. Overseas
doesn’t feature erotic sex scenes—love scenes are more in the
fade-to-black tradition, though Kate and Julian’s relationship is certainly
passionate. Julian isn’t nearly as tortured as Christian Grey, but he
does have secrets. Also, the writing is better (thankfully, none of the
characters have bickering conversations with their “subconscious”). So as much as I hate the habit of comparing recent reads to the latest big-hit book phenomena, the push-pull dynamic between the characters and the development of their relationship did call to mind James’s trilogy.

The two entwined settings of Overseas make for a suspenseful, perfectly-paced story that answers one question only to raise another. The reader is able to piece just enough together to feel informed and invested, and yet all the the whys and wherefores remain a mystery until the perfect moment. Overseas is a charming and imminently readable love story that will likely appeal to fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife, Outlander, and perhaps even Fifty Shades of Grey fans who are interested in the powerful man/ordinary girl relationship dynamics but who are not necessarily looking for BDSM or erotic fiction.

FLASH REVIEWS: Dot by Patricia Intiago & Flood by Alvaro Villa

Posted on by Tracy

With the reintroduction of Toddler Storytime and Storyhour this week at BCPL, I thought it would be a good idea to explore some recent additions to our children’s picture book collection. Here are my thoughts on two titles that recently caught my eye:

Dot by Patricia Intriago
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Audience: Preschool–Kindergarten
Genre: Picture Book/Concept Book

This book is a restful and appealing way for young children to explore the concept of opposites. There are occasional splashes of color—such as with the red “Stop dot” and green “Go dot”—but most of the work is in black and white, placing greater emphasis on the simple, side-by-side juxtapositions. For example, one left page shows a a large black dot with concave indentations suggesting a bowling ball. The text labels it as “Heavy dot.” On the right-side page are “Light dots,” differently sized circles—sketched out in thin black lines drawn with a white center against the white page—all floating near the top of the page to resemble bubbles. For me highlights include the humor-laced images depicting a dot with a bite taken out of it (“This dot is yummy”) and its opposite, a similar dot with the removed portion discarded to the side as if spit back out (“This dot tastes bad”). All in all, this is a clever and well designed book that encourages children to explore an important concept and sparks imaginations. The simplicity of the design and the many opportunities for reader interaction are somewhat reminiscent of Hervé Tullet’s fabulous Press Here.

Flood by Alvaro F. Villa
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Audience: Kindergarten–Grade 2
Genre: Picture Book/Wordless Picture Book

Flood begins with an idyllic two-page painting of two children playing outside with their dog on the water’s edge, a lovely cottage looming large in the foreground. But then the clouds roll in, bringing a sense of menace. Interior shots show the family gathering information and discussing the incoming storm before eventually shoring the house up and evacuating. The storm then comes in full force, devastating the land and house despite the precautions taken. A bird perched
on a broken branch—perhaps the same bird seen flying overheard in an earlier illustration—seems to be the lone survivor. When the family
returns, their grief is clear, but with the help of the community everything is rebuilt, allowing a return to a new idyllic world. Often, the appeal of wordless picture books is lost on me, but this is a
gripping story of loss and regeneration featuring beautiful
illustrations that skillfully relate the story, no words required. Flood provides many opportunities for children to interpret and discuss the
family’s emotions, and parents may also want to introduce the subject of persevering after an unexpected loss or setback.