We now have 2 locations open 7 days a week! Our Mt. Washington branch has joined Central Library as our second location to offer Sunday hours from 1:00–5:00 PM.
FRIDAY, MAY 10th | All BCPL locations will be closed for staff development.
With thousands of items in our collection, BCPL offers something for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to help you discover great books, movies, and more!
Whether you want to build computer skills, master a language, or just learn something new for the fun of it, we offer resources and services to help you become the person you want to be.
Use the menu to the right to learn about all available resources for a particular format (like e-books!), or click on a specific resource icon (like Hoopla!) to begin exploring available titles. With just a few simple clicks, you can access thousands of free e-books, audiobooks, music albums, videos, and more.
Stream quality children's shows—no play credits required!
Switch to Libby!
The legacy OverDrive app will be fully discontinued in early 2023, but Libby offers the same Kentucky Libraries Unbound titles you love with new features and an improved user experience!
YALSA’s Teen Read Week 2013 will be here before you know it, and we here at BCPL are busily updating our Ultimate Teen Booklist in time for the October event.
Last year’s inaugural list included 102 books and series. This year, we want to know what titles YOU would like to see added to the list. Which of your all-time favorites and new loves from the past year merit inclusion?
You can vote here for your favorites, or e-mail titles to me at [email protected]. Top vote getters will not be automatically added to the list, but each of your favorites will be read by a member of the organizing committee for consideration.
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Rig Googles his sister, who he is missing camaraderie with
since his parents’ divorce, and finds that there is a website dedicated
to her. He feels that the person who put the pictures
of his sister on the website is a stalker, though he has trouble trying
to convince his mother of that fact. She feels that
the site dedicated to her daughter is created by an
admirer. Rig skips school and takes a bus to his old
hometown to show his father what he has found. While
his mother is obviously looking at things pessimistically, his more
down-to-earth father shares his concerns. The two of
them embark on a journey where Rig has to look into himself to “connect”
with the website creator in order to save his sister from what he sees
as a threat. Allison’s Guest Review:
This will be a good read for reluctant readers, especially among young men. It is a quick read; it took me just under two hours to read. It will be perfect for those who just want a quick mystery, but some readers used to in-depth novels will be asking for more detail. Rig is a typical sixteen year old, struggling to adjust to a new town and a new school after his parents’ divorce. He feels more connected to his mother than his father, and begrudgingly admits to missing his sister, too. He must connect with his father in order to warn his sister of the danger he feels she is in, and discovers that he has the quality traits his father has always professed to not seeing in Rig. The two embark on a trip to save Rig’s sister dealing with knife-wielding maniacs, an inability to communicate, and inner turmoil in order to accomplish their goals.
Eight down… and seventeen more to go. That’s not a very encouraging statistic considering I began this challenge back in February and I now have only until 11:59 p.m. (because every minute counts!) on Saturday, June 22nd to live up to my reading pledge. But as this is Summer Reading season and I HATE to fail at anything, I still think I can do it. Maybe. Possibly. Okay, my chances aren’t great, but I refuse to give up!
Anyway, here are the three books that I have read for the challenge and haven’t yet reviewed. (Thumbs up on all three, by the way. Although one definitely stands out for me far and above the others.)
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater Genre: Fantasy/Mystery/Paranormal Romance Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
I soooo wanted to love this book. And I did like it—a lot. But for me it did not quite have the same magic and ingenuity that made The Scorpio Races so enthralling. I think part of the problem is that I missed the first-person narration that allowed me to empathize so strongly with previous Stiefvater characters. (Although switching to third-person narration does fix the tendency I’ve noticed wherein Steifvater’s dual narrators often read as too alike and not fully distinct from one another.) But ultimately The Raven Boys lacked the lyrical qualities that drew me to Shiver and (most particularly) The Scorpio Races.
That is not to say that the book isn’t well written. It is, very much so. And the premise is intriguing. Blue is an interesting, likeable character who comes from a family of clairvoyants but remains a bit of an outsider. After all, she is not clairvoyant herself, though her presence somehow acts as an amplifier for others’ gifts. Meanwhile, there are the “Raven Boys” of Aglionby Academy. Gansey is the de facto leader of a group of misfits at the prestigious boys’ school. He feels responsible for guarding his troubled friends’ well-being and is obsessed with unraveling a mystical mystery that becomes key to the book (and presumably the rest of the series). Like most of the locals, Blue wants nothing to do with the stuck-up Raven Boys, but then she meets Gansey, whose fate seems tied to Blue and a deadly curse. All the elements—mystery, heartbreak, friendship, betrayal, moral dilemmas—are there, but they only began to come together for me near the book’s end. It was well past the mid-way point that the characters and their relationships began to fully engage my interest, but once this happened I was hooked. Luckily, this is only the first book in the Raven Cycle quartet. I think now that the characters have been introduced and the tone set, The Dream Thieves (due out in September) has the potential to far surpass its predecessor.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier Genre: Graphic Novel/Realistic Fiction Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
This graphic novel from the author of Smile is a quick and amusing read. I loved Callie and really enjoyed all of her
interactions with her drama club pals, particularly her friendship with Liz. However, I do feel like the book reinforces stereotypes by [POTENTIAL SPOILER: Highlight to read!] having all three of
the male performer characters turn out to be gay (or potentially gay)
and making the only female performer into a self-absorbed, melodramatic
diva. But then this title was selected as one of the Great Graphic Novels Top Ten 2013and as a 2013 Stonewall Honor Book, so maybe it’s just me. I have yet to see any other reviews that raise the same concerns. But regardless of my quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a perpetually lovestruck 7th grader who adores the theater and her role on the crew of the school play. This title should find particular favor with middle-school Glee fans.
The Diviners by Libba Bray Genre: Horror/Historical/Speculative Fiction Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
As The Diviners wasa2013 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Top Ten selection, I chose to listen to this book in audio format. It was a much better experience than my last encounter with a Libba Bray audio book. At first, the 1920s slang and historical background seemed a bit gimmicky and overdone, but I was quickly drawn into the creepy, atmospheric world Bray creates. The Diviners is shamelessly excessive—the slang, the numerous characters, the mysteries—but this perfectly reflects the sumptuous excess of the era and lends the book an epic quality that promises good things to come. 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 one of the most memorable series openers I’ve read in ages. Even better, while reaching a satisfactory resolution to the main plot of this book, there are overarching mysteries that have me eagerly awaiting the second book of the planned quartet.
Rating: 3/5 Stars Genre: Picture Book Audience: Toddler-Preschool
Summary: Using single-word text on each page, Nikki McClure gives the reader a glimpse into what a cat’s day might look like.
Lucinda’s Views: With its simple text and black, white and blue pictures, this eye-catching picture book is good for younger preschoolers and toddlers, especially if there is a cat in the house. The illustrations are basic, but manage to convey a great deal of action with just the simple, bold line drawings. The actions of the cat could be easily mimicked by young children, which makes this a fun read aloud that would be ideal for active kiddos. A fun read!
A Note from Tracy: I am sorry to report that this post will be our final review from Lucinda at Book News & Reviews as she has decided to resign from her position here at BCPL. (Unless we can convince her to send us the occasional guest review? :))
Thank you, Lucinda, for all of your contributions here at Book News & Reviews and to BCPL. There would be no Book News & Reviews without your efforts and enthusiasm to get us started. (Check out the new statement in the footer!) I wish you the best of luck in whatever the future brings.
I have been woefully remiss about posting book reviews lately, but here are some quick reviews of some of the YA books I’ve read and enjoyed over the last few months. We are undergoing a few changes right now at Book News & Reviews, but I promise we will continue to publish “reviews of all sorts” for your reading pleasure—and hopefully with greater frequency than ever!
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour Genre: Realistic Fiction/Coming of Age Rating: 4/5 Stars
Colby’s plan for after high school has always been to spend the year after graduation exploring Europe with Beth, his best friend—and secret crush. Only now suddenly Beth has other plans that don’t include Colby and he must figure out both his confused feelings for his best friend and what her deviation from the plan means for his own future. In the meantime, he is on an adventure-filled road trip with Beth and her punk-rock girl band, The Disenchantments. This is a fantastic novel, full of humor; quirky, complex characters; and deeply felt emotions. Hauntingly beautiful and rawly honest without becoming overly heavy, it is a perfect summer read.
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick Genre: Realistic Fiction/Romance Rating: 4/5 Stars
Perfect good-girl Samantha Reed has been fascinated by the messy, complicated lives of the large Garrett family since the day they moved next door 10 years ago. Her state senator mother, on the other hand, considers them a blight on the neighborhood and so the ever-dutiful Samantha has kept her distance. But then Samantha finally meets Jase Garrett and the perfect bubble she lives in under the dictates of her mother suddenly seems sterile and unsatisfying. This book has far more depth than a typical summer romance, with strong characters and a slowly unfolding plot. Complicated family dynamics, shocking secrets, and difficult moral dilemmas come into play to create a compelling read sure to appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, Elizabeth Scott, and Deb Caletti.
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley Genre: Realistic Fiction Rating: 4/5 Stars
Told in alternating viewpoints—part prose, part poetry—this is a lyrical, edgy read that will especially appeal to creative and artistic teens. Set over the course of a single night, the story follows a group of teens on a mission to uncover the identity of a talented local graffiti artist who goes by the name Shadow. Lucy, an aspiring glassblower, has always felt a special connection to Shadow’s work and believes they are fated to meet. What Lucy and her girlfriends don’t know is that Ed, a boy with whom she once shared a disastrous date and who now claims to know the whereabouts of Shadow, is actually the reclusive artist himself. Over the course of the night, the teens encounter several misadventures and Lucy and Ed gradually move from adversaries to confidantes as they share their inner thoughts about past failures, artistic inspiration, and deeply held beliefs. The beautiful imagery and innovative writing falters a bit here and there, but overall this is a wonderfully written novel with well-developed, believable characters and motivations.
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer Genre: Realistic Fiction Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Ever since her parents split up and she moved with her father to the U.S., Sophie spends her summers with her mother in the Congo helping out at the wildlife sanctuary that has become her mother’s obsession. But after Sophie impulsively purchases a mistreated bonobo from a street seller, her mother leaves on a business trip and assigns Sophie the task of caring for the animal while she is away. Then fighting breaks out across the country and the sanctuary is ransacked by rebels. Somehow, Sophie manages to escape into the jungle with several of the apes in tow, and she must find a way to survive both the dangers of nature and the threat of human killers. Though the story occasionally pushes the limits of credulity, this is a harrowing, vividly realized novel with wide appeal.
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos Genre: Realistic Fiction Rating: 4/5 Stars
Struggling with her own inner guilt and determined to locate her missing drug-addict brother, Rachel teams up with Tyler—a former bandmate of her brother’s—to look for clues to Michah’s whereabouts. Together, they travel to a beach town believed to be Micah’s last-known residence, all while Rachel desperately searches to understand what became of her brother and what it all means for her life. Flawed but believable characters, emotional revelations, and short, fast-paced chapters, make for an absorbing and powerful story. Frequent flashbacks showing Rachel’s unraveling relationship with her brother make the narrative even more compelling and heartbreaking.
Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Picture Book Audience: Preschool–Kindergarten
Summary: Again! Again! is the refrain of Cedric the little dragon, whose poor Mommy dragon is trying to get him to go to bed. Mommy dragon reads the story again and again, until she falls asleep and then something surprising happens!
Lucinda’s Views: As the mother of a three-year-old girl, I completely identified with this book’s premise. How many times have we as parents had to read or repeat an action “Again!” The illustrations of Cedric’s patient mother are hillarious as she gets more and more exhausted as the book progresses. Cedric, in spite of his demands, is just an adorable little dragon and preschool children will completely identify with his wish for his mommy to read the story “Again!” The ending has a surprise twist that I won’t spoil here, but needless to say, kiddos will enjoy the novelty and the imagination of the ending. A fun read!
Lucinda’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Tracy’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Picture Book Audience: Preschool to 1st grade
Summary: In this cautionary tale for all would-be hosts of parties for dragons, Adam Rubin gives tips for what to feed the guests at your party. In short: DRAGONS LOVE TACOS! However, do not ever feed your guest dragons spicy salsa. (Dragons hate spicy salsa! It makes them “hot under the collar!”)
Lucinda’s Views: This cute, imaginative book’s title was what really caught my attention. How often do you see the words dragon and tacos in one title? Exactly….Anyway, with its cute tale of what to feed dragons this book is a humorous read aloud that kids of all ages will enjoy. With its fanciful art and innovative subject matter, this is a book that your kiddos will want you to read again and again.
Tracy’s Thoughts: This cute and clever picture book is virtually guaranteed to tickle any young child’s fancy. The story revels in its silliness, and the colorful pencil and watercolor artwork is both fabulous and hilarious. Despite an unfortunately abrupt ending (from my point of view, and the primary reason I didn’t select it for our Best of 2012 list), this is a fun and cheerful story with a lot of kid appeal.
All winners have been notified by e-mail. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].
….But wait! We have an extra ARC available. For those of you who didn’t win, Soho Teen: Spring 2013 Sampler
is now up for grabs. It contains excerpts of some of this spring’s most anticipated titles from Soho Press. The sampler 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!
Ever get sick of hearing what Lucinda and I think of our latest reads? Ready for a fresh opinion? How about some of your fellow BCPL patrons? Here are several guest reviews we received as part of our 2013 Cabin Fever program. Thanks to all of our guest reviewers for sharing!
Summary: Travis Maddox, Eastern University’s playboy, makes a bet with good girl Abby that if he loses, he will remain abstinent for a month, but if he wins, Abby must live in his apartment for the same amount of time.
Anonymous Patron’s Review: This story was amazing! I literally could not put it down! This was a wonderful love story about two people you would not think should be together until all the “pieces” unfold. I am looking forward to reading the author’s other books.
Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon Reviewer: Heather Lawrence (Mt. Washington Library) Heather’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Christian Fiction/Romantic Suspense Audience: Adult Series: Guardians of Justice #2
Heather’s Summary & Review: The story of Allison Taylor and Mitch Morgan pursuing their admiration and affection for each other has enough love, adventure, and danger to keep the reader wanting to know “What happens next?” There was enough character development to understand the good guys from the bad guys but still leave a little suspicion and doubt of some of the characters’ overall intentions and roles in the story. The theme of faith and belief in God is dispersed throughout the story, helping the reader see connections to events and understand why things happen from a spiritual standpoint. The book is a great example of how when a person puts his/her trust in God, even the most dangerous of situations can become a moment of strength and courage.
Summary: Convinced a headstrong American woman and her auction house are connected to the theft of a priceless statue, an Arabian prince kidnaps her.
Debbie’s Review: A funny romance with a spunky couple that are attracted to each other as soon as they meet. Good read.
Let It Sew by Elizabeth Lynn Casey Reviewer: S. Jeanine Hall (Hillview Library) Heather’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Cozy Mystery, Humor Audience: Adult Series: Southern Sewing Circle #7
Jeanine’s Summary: It’s Christmas in Sweet Briar, South Carolina. A grinch has taken over the towns Christmas Decorating Committee, and Tori, Dixie, and Rose have been drafted to help. Charlotte Devereaux, a founding member of the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle, has passed away. She left behind a sketchbook of clues indicating her husband was murdered. Will Tori and her sewing circle gals have time to solve a murder and de-throne a grinch before Christmas? After all, they have a hundred Christmas stockings to make!
Liberator by Bryan Davis Reviewer: Marie Webb (Lebanon Junction Library) Marie’s Rating: No star rating was given. Genre: Christian Fantasy Audience: Young Adult/Adult Series: Dragons of Starlight #4
Summary: The resurrected Starlighter,
Cassabrie, may be the humans’ last hope on Starlight as Jason, Koren,
and Elyssa struggle to warn the soldiers of the dragon king’s plan to
wipe them out using a deadly disease that already threatens Koren’s
life. Marie’s Review: Liberator is the 4th book in a series “Dragons of Starlight.” I found the books to be interesting and captivating. Davis has created a world within a world with a lot of intriguing characters. This keeps you guessing as to the outcome and actually who the good guys are and who will prevail.
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares Reviewer: Anonymous Patron (Mt. Washington Library) Marie’s Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Chick Lit Audience: Adult Series: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants #5
Summary: In this final Sisterhood, published as an adult novel, the girls are now in their late twenties. The pants are long gone and each is missing the closeness they once shared, so Tibby organizes a reunion that could change their lives in unexpected ways. Anonymous Patron’s Review: It was good to revisit old friends from the previous Sisterhood books. The girls learned to be bold and embrace both the joys and sorrows of a well lived life.
Super Finishing Techniques for Crocheters by Betty Barden Reviewer: Lisa Houchins (Mt. Washington Library) Lisa’s Rating: No star rating was given. Genre: Adult Nonfiction/Crafts Audience: Adult
Lisa’s Review: Lots of information for the beginning crocheter. Laid out well and easy to follow. Lots of pictures. Even a few cute ideas and patterns.
Summary: Forced to find another job due to the Great Recession,
web designer Clay Jannon finds himself the night clerk at the
mysterious Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, a bookstore where there are
few regular patrons and where the regulars borrow books rather than buy
them. Little does Clay know that by walking into this bookstore he will
discover a secret world that will shape his future in ways he could
never imagine and irrevocably alter his view of the world.
Lucinda’s Views:
This book possessed a carefully crafted plot that keeps the reader
interested even to the end. The seamless blend of cutting edge
technology and the history of the book will delight the reader. The
mystery that comprises much of the plot is believable and works to
propel the story forward. The characters are likable, believable, and
fit into this tale of one young man’s quest to find himself in a world
which is not quite what he thought it was. For those who love a good
book, but also like their technology this is a perfect read.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
I didn’t know quite what to expect from this book. It appeared on a number of “Best of 2012” lists and won a 2013 Alex Award.
Lucinda told me she stayed up ridiculously late to finish it. And yet
I’ve also read some less than positive reviews and a co-worker whose opinion I trust told me that it was “weird” and “disappointing.” Well…
I generally like “weird” so that didn’t do a lot to dissuade me, but my
co-worker’s inability to pinpoint exactly what didn’t work for her left
me feeling less than enthused about reading it. But then I read more
glowing reviews and I needed to read more eligible books for the Hub Reading Challenge… so I decided to take my chances.
Unfortunately, I too ended up disappointed. For me, it was a really
rough start as I found nothing engaging about
the voice (as a reader, I’m all about voice :)). I wasn’t interested in
Clay as a narrator, and I also thought Sloan’s prose was choppy and even
clunky at times. The overabundance of modifiers in particular kept
yanking me out of the story, inspiring annoyance rather than interest in
whatever was being described:
This place was absurdly narrow and dizzyingly tall, and the shelves went
all the way up—three stories of books, maybe more. I craned my neck
back (why do bookstores always make you do uncomfortable things with
your neck?) and the shelves faded smoothly into the shadows in a way
that suggested they might just go on forever. (Page 8)
As a not-so-secret bibliophile, a description that should have inspired
awe or curiosity at the very least simply left me cold. I’m a girl who
enjoys lengthy sentences and detailed description, but clearly Sloan’s
prose just isn’t for me. However, I appreciate that this is an entirely
subjective reaction—there’s nothing really wrong with the writing after
all—and that the prose will speak differently to different readers.
I also felt that the characters were a bit underdeveloped. Penumbra
could have been a figure of great curiosity but instead seemed barely
present. While Lucinda saw the characters as likable and believable, I
interpreted them as one-dimensional and uninteresting. Luckily, about
80 pages in the thematic element of antiquity vs. technology emerged to
advance the story. I enjoyed the idea of how technology and antiquity
(in this case, old books and the knowledge they contain) can be seen as
opposing forces but at the same time act as partners in advancing human
knowledge and possibilities. For me, this concept was the heart of the
book.
In the end, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is firmly in my
“meh” category. The concept was promising but, for me, never fully
realized. The story and characters ultimately fell flat, but the
intriguing juxtaposition of traditional books and technology
(particularly Sloan’s imagined Google world and underworld hacker/pirate
network) kept me interested enough to finish the book. For a better,
more fully realized read with a similar feel (though, alas, without the
book emphasis), I suggest reading Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One.
Yay!… As of 7:02 this morning, it is officially spring! Which means it’s time for our annual spring cleaning! Lucinda and I have once again bravely faced up to the piles of Advance Reading Copies (ARCs) invading our offices and homes, and we’ve ruthlessly decided to
part with the bulk of them. The good news for you? We’ve got 25 ARCs up for grabs, 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 Wednesday, April 10, 2013.
Here are the titles we have up for grabs!
The Wednesday Daughters by Meg Waite Clayton (July 2013)
Companion Novel to The Wednesday Sisters
In the tradition of Kristin Hannah and Karen Joy Folwer, Meg Waite Clayton,
bestselling author of The Wednesday Sisters, returns with an enthralling new
novel of mothers, daughters, and the secrets and dreams passed down through
generations. –Excerpt from Publisher Overview
Five Star Billionaire by Tash Aw (July 2013)
Phoebe is a factory girl who has come to Shanghai with the promise of a job—but when she arrives she discovers that the job doesn’t exist. Gary is a country boy turned pop star who is spinning out of control. Justin is in Shanghai to expand his family’s real estate empire, only to find that he might not be up to the task. He has long harbored a crush on Yinghui, a poetry-loving, left-wing activist who has reinvented herself as a successful Shanghai businesswoman. Yinghui is about to make a deal with the shadowy Walter Chao, the five star billionaire of the novel, who with his secrets and his schemes has a hand in the lives of each of the characters. All bring their dreams and hopes to Shanghai, the shining symbol of the New China, which, like the novel’s characters, is constantly in flux and which plays its own fateful role in the lives of its inhabitants. –From Publisher Overview
Second Suns by David Oliver Relin (June 2013)
“Two Doctors and Their Amazing Quest to Restore Sight and Save Lives,” from the author of Three Cups of Tea.
Transatlantic by Colum McCann (June 2013)
Three iconic transatlantic flights—Newfoundland, 1919; Dublin, 1845 and ’46; and New York, 1998—are interconnected in this latest from the National Book Award–winning author of Let the Great World Spin.
The Blood of Heaven by Kent Wascom (June 2013)
The Blood of Heaven
is the story of Angel Woolsack, a preacher’s son, who flees the
hardscrabble life of his itinerant father, falls in with a charismatic
highwayman, then settles with his adopted brothers on the rough frontier
of West Florida, where American settlers are carving their place out of
lands held by the Spaniards and the French. The novel moves from the
bordellos of Natchez, where Angel meets his love Red Kate to the
Mississippi River plantations, where the brutal system of slave labor is
creating fantastic wealth along with terrible suffering, and finally to
the back rooms of New Orleans among schemers, dreamers, and would-be
revolutionaries plotting to break away from the young United States and
create a new country under the leadership of the renegade founding
father Aaron Burr.
The Blood of Heaven
is a remarkable portrait of a young man seizing his place in a violent
new world, a moving love story, and a vivid tale of ambition and
political machinations that brilliantly captures the energy and wildness
of a young America where anything was possible. It is a startling
debut. –Publisher’s Overview
Crime and Privilege by Walter Walker (June 2013)
In the tradition of Scott Turow, William Landay, and Nelson DeMille, Crime of Privilege is a stunning thriller about power, corruption, and the law in America—and the dangerous ways they come together. –Excerpt from Publisher Overview
Fox Forever by Mary E. Peterson (March 2013) Jenna Fox Chronicles #3
Before he can start a life with Jenna,
seventeen-year-old Locke, who was brought back to life in a newly
bioengineered body after an accident destroyed his body 260 years ago,
must do a favor for the resistance movement opposing the nightmarish
medical technology.
Criminal Enterprise by Owen Laukkanen (March 2013) Kirk Stevens and Carla Windermere novels #2
When a secretly unemployed man begins robbing
banks in a desperate struggle to hold onto his once-successful life, FBI
Special Agent Carla Windermere and Minnesota state investigator Kirk
Stevens approach the case from respective angles and reconnect when the
robber develops a taste for violence. –NoveList
The Still Point of the Turning World by Emily Rapp (March 2013)
Relates how the
author’s hopes for her infant son were shattered when he was diagnosed
with a fatal degenerative disorder at nine months, and describes how she
coped with her grief by studying great works of art, literature, philosophy, and theology. –NoveList
A Thousand Pardons by Jonathan Dee (March 2013)
Forced back into the working world after her corporate lawyer husband’s spectacular downfall, Helen discovers a talent for public relations and is tempted away from her dysfunctional family by her childhood crush, now a movie star who needs her professional assistance. –NoveList
A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff (February 2013)
“Destiny leads 11-year-old Cady to a peanut butter factory, a family of children searching for their own Talents, and a Talent Thief who will alter her life forever. –Provided by publisher. Includes cake recipes
The Ambassador’s Daughter by Pam Jenoff (February 2013)
Margot Rosenthal is brought by her father, a
diplomat, to a peace conference in Paris where she meets Georg, who
gives her a job and a reason to question everything she thought she knew
about where her true loyalties should lie. –NoveList
Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman (January 2013)
Describes the author’s experiences as a young widow and the pivotal relationships she forged with five other widows, recounting the stories of their losses and bravery as exchanged throughout a year of monthly Saturday night meetings, during which the author met and fell in love with her current husband. –Novelist
Everything Was Good-Bye by Gurjinder Bastan (January 2013)
The story of an Indo-Canadian woman as she
struggles to compromise the demands of her tradition and culture and her
wish for a Canadian lifestyle. –NoveList *Two Copies Available!*
The Intercept by Dick Wolf (January 2013)
Jeremy Fisk #1An adrenaline-fueled thriller debut in the tradition of Three Days of the Condor from the
famed creator of TV’s Law & Order, featuring NYPD Special Agent
Jeremy Fisk, who is New York City’s last hope against an ingenious,
multi-pronged terrorist attack. –From the Publisher
Accelerated by Bronwen Hruska (2012)
Single dad Sean Benning begins to question the ethics and motives behind the administration at his son’s accelerated school for the gifted and talented when he is pressured to put his son on medication for ADD. –NoveList
The Dog Lived (and So Will I) by Teresa J. Rhyne (2012)
Recounts the author’s journey nursing her adopted
beagle Seamus through his cancer treatment as she learned to deal with
medical situations, unknowingly preparing herself for her own later
triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. –NoveList
The Pleasures of Men by Kate Williams (2012)
When a murderer strikes the city, ripping open the chests of young girls and stuffing hair into their mouths to resemble a beak, the press christen him the Man of Crows. Catherine becomes obsessed with the grim crimes, and as she devours the news, she discovers she can channel the voices of the dead, and comes to believe she will eventually channel the
Man of Crows himself. –NoveList
Other Waters by Eleni N. Gage (2012)
Her happy life in New York shattered by a
property dispute in India that culminates in her father’s claim that a
curse has been placed on them, Maya rejects family superstitions until a
series of misfortunes prompts her to visit relatives in India to break
the curse. –NoveList
The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams (2011)
Offered a second chance by the Atlanta Police
Department to catch a serial killer who has eluded them for years,
former FBI profiler and alcoholic Keye Street begins a deadly
cat-and-mouse chase with an adversary who has taken a personal interest
in her. –NoveList
Wildefire by Karsten Knight (2011) Wildefire Series #1
After a killing for which she feels
responsible, sixteen-year-old Ashline Wilde moves cross-country to a
remote California boarding school, where she learns that she and others
have special gifts that can help them save the world, but evil forces
are at work to stop them. –NoveList
Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey (2011) Marie Antoinette Triligy #1
Imagines the early life of the doomed
eighteenth-century queen, who at a young age learns from her mother, the
ambitious Empress of Austria, that she must leave her coddled life in
the Austrian court to marry the dauphin of France. –Novelist
The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy (2011)
As World War II draws closer and closer to
Guernsey, Vivienne de la Mare knows that there will be sacrifices to be
made. Not just for herself, but for her two young daughters and for her
mother-in-law, for whom she cares while her husband is away fighting.
What she does not expect is that she will fall in love with one of the
enigmatic German soldiers who take up residence in the house next door
to her home. As their relationship intensifies, so do the pressures on
Vivienne. Food and resources grow scant, and the restrictions placed
upon the residents of the island grow with each passing week. Though
Vivienne knows the perils of her love affair with Gunther, she believes
that she can keep their relationship- and her family- safe. But when
she becomes aware of the full brutality of the Occupation, she must
decide if she is willing to risk her personal happiness for the life of
a stranger–From book cover.
Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant (2009)
Condemned by sixteenth-century demands for
lucrative dowries in order to marry, young Serafina is ripped from an
illicit love affair and confined in an Italian convent, a situation
against which she passionately rebels and reminds the convent’s doctor
of her own unhappy early years. –NoveList
Rules of Entry
1. To enter,use the Rafflecopter widget below. To be eligible for the drawing, you arerequired 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 Do It!” 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 Wednesday, April 10, 2013.
I keep getting distracted by other books (and work, and school, and life in general), but I have managed to make a little headway into those 25 books I pledged to read for the Hub Reading Challenge. So far, I’ve discovered some great YA books—and I finally got around to reading Code Name Verity, one of last year’s most buzzed about books.
So anyway, here’s a quick look at my progress so far:
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Genre: Realistic Fiction Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Greg’s strategy for surviving high school is to stay under the radar. He doesn’t want true friends but maintains a superficial sort-of-friendship with every group in the school, from the jocks to the Goth kids. Of course, none of the other groups is meant to know that he is “friends” with the others. In a school full of cliques, Greg is Switzerland. But when his mom pushes him to befriend (or refriend) a classmate recently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, his plan goes to hell. Suddenly, Greg is facing uncomfortable, emotionally charged situations and he has no idea how to react. Even worse, people find out about his secret filmmaking hobby. This book is far from the sad, angsty teen “cancer book” you probably expect from the description. Biting, frequently crude humor and a strong narrative voice make Jesse Andrews’s debut novel a truly compelling read. Greg’s lack of self-awareness and total cluelessness about the male/female dynamic reminded me of Brent Crawford’s Carter Finally Gets It. While the characters of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl aren’t exactly endearing, they are nuanced, believable, and incredibly well-grounded in the novel’s Pittsburgh setting.
Boy21 by Matthew Quick Genre: Realistic Fiction Rating: 4/5 Stars
Finley is used to being an outsider. He’s the only white guy on his high school basketball team and he doesn’t have much to say, even to his longtime girlfriend. But in a town ruled by gangs and the Irish mob, that may not be such a bad thing. Then his basketball coach encourages him to befriend a new student. Russell is really a basketball phenom from an elite private school in California, but he claims to be an alien called Boy21. This is a unique story, subtly told. The writing is clear and simple, perfect for reluctant readers, and the characters and relationships are well-drawn and compelling.
Cool fact: Quick is also the author of the adult novel The Silver Linings Playbook, the film adaptation of which is nominated for several Academy Awards this year (including Best Picture and a Best Actress nom for Jennifer Lawrence, otherwise known as Katniss Everdeen). The Awards will air this coming Sunday.
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Rating: 3/5 Stars
When Sunday Woodcutter befriends an enchanted frog, she has no idea that her new friend is really Prince Rumbold of Arilland, the man her family blames for the death of her brother Jack. This reinvention of the “Frog Prince” fairy tale is full of twists and frequently intertwines with other fairy tales, yet it is a wholly original story that stands on its own. Personally, I felt that Sunday and Rumbold’s relationship need more development. Also, although some of the fairy tale tie-ins were amazingly clever, sometimes the multitude of fairy-tale references became overkill, stealing focus from the main story. Still, I am eager to learn more about some of Sunday and Rumbold’s relatives in the next installment of the Woodcutter saga.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Genre: Historical Fiction/Suspense Rating: 4/5 Stars
Probably the least said about this book plot wise, the better. Suffice it to say, it is about friendship, espionage, and courage. When a teenaged spy is captured by the Nazis, she agrees to confess everything. It is then up to the reader to read between the lines of that confession and discover the truth of who “Verity” really is. Incredibly compelling and carefully plotted, with convincing historical detail, this is a multi-layered tale well worth reading.
Next up:Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, which my blogging partner Lucinda has already read any enjoyed. (So you know a Dual Review will be coming soon!)
For those of you participating, how many titles have you checked off your list so far? Which is your favorite book so far?
Summary: In the summer of 1987, two 15-year-old loners meet and forge a powerful friendship. Ari is a brooding “tough guy” who obsessively questions his place and purpose in the world; Dante is his complete opposite, relentlessly positive, self-assured, and emotionally open. Over the course of a year and through his friendship with Dante and Dante’s parents, Ari finally comes to terms with himself and the unspoken secrets that haunt his family.
First Line: “One summer night I fell asleep, hoping the world would be different when I woke.”
Tracy’s Thoughts:
This book blew me away. The writing is deceptively simple, poetic, and quietly powerful. It’s easy to slip right into Ari’s mind, to feel every nuance he is feeling, from confusion to impulsive anger. Despite this, Ari remains a bit of a mystery—he refers to himself as “inscrutable”—as even he does not understand himself. I love that Ari is more than a little angsty as a character, but it’s not a dark and overblown angst. Yeah, he’s confused and often feels quite lost and even angry, but the book never once feels depressing. Not that certain issues addressed in the book aren’t emotional and potentially upsetting. Yet Sáenz handles it all gracefully without being heavy-handed in the slightest; in his capable hands, Aristotle and Dante’s story is far more sweet than bitter, but it never minimizes those ever-present “issues.”
Family drama, issues of sexual and ethnic identity, and even PSTD play a part in this stunning novel, and yet none of these elements overwhelms the story. Ari’s coming of age plays out slowly and patiently, and the novel unfolds in a realistic manner. Although one particular family revelation feels a bit coincidental, I bought it. And although it may seem a bit unlikely, I loved that the parents were so accepting of Ari, Dante, and their possible more-than-friends feelings for one another. Perhaps this wouldn’t have been the norm in 1980s Texas, but I appreciated that Sáenz didn’t need to go there. There is a lot going on in this book, but it all works together seamlessly, without any wasted subplots or characters. At its core it is less a book about sexual identity than about family, friendship, and having the courage to speak honestly and freely to the people who matter.
So the HUB Reading Challenge began yesterday, and I didn’t even know it. For years, I’ve been seeing blog posts about reading challenges and I’ve always wondered… Am I up to it? This year, I’ve decided to find out!
The bad news is that I’ve already read several of these books, so they don’t count (unless I read them again). The good news is that I’ve already gotten started without even knowing it: I read Me and Earl and the Dying Girl—a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten selection—on Sunday, the first official day of the challenge 🙂 Now only 24 more to go!
So… Is anyone crazy enough to join the challenge with me?
… Cause what ya’ll really want to know is what I think, right? Hey, humor me here.
So, the Newberys, Caldecotts, Printz Awards, and other key ALA book awards were announced yesterday, and I was rather proud of myself for having read so many of the honorees. Here’s how things played out (with a little commentary from me :)).
Medal Winner: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
This book was unique and absorbing, bittersweet and altogether lovely. I approve 1oo%. Many of the past medal winners have skewed more toward tweens (10–14), but The One and Only Ivan is perfect for younger ages as well. Again, I approve.
Newbery Honor: Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
Not long after I started reading this book, I found myself thinking This is a book that will win awards. I also thought that it was a book that might have more appeal for adults than kids, one of those books that adults really, really want kids to love, but which turn out to be right only for that small, perfect audience. Who will love it with a passion. It’s undeniably well written, but I couldn’t bring myself to get excited about it although I enjoyed it and admired it in a impersonal kind of way. But if you (or your child) always wished Oliver Twist had a bit of dark fantasy mixed in, this may be just the book for you. (Okay, that sounds really intriguing. Maybe I should give this one another go…)
Newbery Honor: Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
In my mind, this one was pretty much a shoe-in for a nod. I’m not a huge reader of juvenile nonfiction, but the storytelling here was compelling and informative. Thumbs up. Bomb was also the winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award and of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.
Newbery Honor: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
I was so excited—and the teeniest bit surprised—to see this one get an honor nod. While there is no magic in this book in the supernatural sense, it is magical nonetheless. Turnage’s storytelling—the sense of place, character, voice, and tone—here is fantastic, and Mo is an unforgettable heroine if there ever was one.
**What’s Missing: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
I adored Wonder and firmly believe it should be required reading for every upper elementary or middle school student. And then their parents and older siblings need to read it too.
Medal Winner: This Is Not My Hat, illustrated and written by Jon Klassen
Personally, I thought Klassen was cheated out of a Caldecott last year for I Want My Hat Back. He’s a genius when it comes to providing subtle visual cues to punctuate the sly humor that makes both of his “hat” book shine.
Caldecott Honor: Creepy Carrots!, illustrated by Peter Brown and written by Arron Reynolds
This was one of my absolute favorite picture books of 2012, and I am pleasantly surprised to see it get a nod here. I loved the cinematic feel (one review I read likened it to a Hitchcock horror movie—for kids of course), and the palette of orange, black, and gray. A fascinating combo of kiddie horror and humor. Well done, Caldecott committee.
Caldecott Honor: Extra Yarn, illustrated by Jon Klassen and written by Mac Barnett
So they’re really making up for overlooking Klassen last year. Although the text/story of Extra Yarn didn’t completely do it for me, I loved Klassen’s artwork—which is what counts for the purpose of this award.
Caldecott Honor: Green, illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
This is the book I expected to win, though I am quite pleased with the final outcome. Seeger’s work here is innovative, and the wonder of Green is made abundantly clear in this book trailer.
Caldecott Honor: One Cool Friend, illustrated by David Small and written by Tony Buzzeo
I liked it, but didn’t love it, which is why it didn’t make the cut for our list of the Best Children’s Picture Books of 2012. But, as with Extra Yarn, I quite liked the illustrations. So I’m totally “cool” with this one too.
Caldecott Honor: Sleep Like A Tiger, illustrated by Pamela Zagaresnski and written by Mary Logue
Once again, I liked the book and the illustrations but it didn’t really make a strong impression on me one way or the other.
**What’s Missing:Oh, No!,illustrated by Eric Rohmann and written by Candace Fleming and Nighttime Ninja by illustrated by Ed Young and written by Barbara DaCosta, both of which I expected to make the list. And—while I always saw it as a long shot—I really, really love Ashley Wolff’s artwork in Baby Bear Sees Blue. I also think illustrator Doug Santat did some phenomenal work this year. But then, everybody can’t win 🙂
Medal Winner: Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Okay, not only does this one break my reading streak—I hadn’t even heard of this book yet. But then I already admitted that I’m not much of a juvenile nonfiction reader…
King (Author) Honor: Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
A gentle yet powerful picture book about bullying from the side of the (belatedly regretful) bully, and one of our picks for Best Children’s Picture Books of 2012
King (Author) Honor: No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie I’ve heard fabulous things about this one, and it is currently sitting at home waiting for me to find time to read it.
King (Illustrator) Medal: I, Too, Am America, illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Langston Hughes
I read it and loved the art. Unfortunately, the Langston Hughes text didn’t quite resonate for me (I know; awful, right?). As a result, the book wasn’t very memorable for me. But I may have to take anthor look.
King (Illustrator) Honor: H.O.R.S.E., illustrated and written by Christopher Myers
I am not familiar with this title 🙁 .
King (Illustrator) Honor: Ellen’s Broom., illustrated by Daniel minter and written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Don’t know this one either.
King (Illustrator) Honor: I Have a Dream., illustrated by Kadir Nelson and written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yay!!!! Enough said.
Michael L. Printz Award
As a side note, I must say: There was LOTS of debate yesterday and into today on librarian listservs and blogs about the recent winners of this category, some stating that the winners are often too literary to appeal to teen readers or that engaging stories are overlooked in favor of technical writing or literary experimentation. As this is an award for literary excellence, I would say the winners should be extremely well written. But in my view, literary merit depends upon that magical element of good storytelling as well as good technical writing. I’m not going to comment on how these specific qualities do or don’t apply to the specific winners and honorees (past or present) because here’s the thing: judging books—anything really—is SUBJECTIVE. Rant over.
Medal Winner: In Darkness by Nick Lake
I haven’t read this one yet and have read mixed reviews, but can’t wait to read for myself.
Printz Honor: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Just finished this last weekend and immediately it became my Printz sleeper favorite. It’s compulsively readable plus incredibly well written (but not in a showy or gimmicky way). I couldn’t be happier that Sáenz also nabbed the Pura Belpré (Author) Awardand the Stonewall Book Award. I really have to read his highly praised book Last Night I Sang to the Monster ASAP.
Printz Honor: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I know people who absolutely LOVED this book and others who found it so confusing they couldn’t finish it. Based on early buzz, I thought for sure it was going to be selected as the medal winner. It’s still sitting at home in my (rather tall and wobbly) to-be-read pile.
Printz Honor: Dodger by Terry Pratchett
Haven’t read this one, and haven’t heard too much buzz up till now. But you can never count out Terry Pratchett, and I will get to this one someday…
Printz Honor: The White Bicycle by Beverly Brenna
This one was a surprise to many; at least many of the commenters to my various listservs hadn’t yet heard of it. But then, that’s what I love about book awards: the chance to discover wonderful books that might’ve been otherwise overlooked.
**What’s Missing: Lots of people are up in arms over the exclusion of John Green’s A Fault in Their Stars, which I adored and agree to be incredibly well written. At the same time, I didn’t think it was a perfect book and am not overly disappointed. Maybe I’m just too happy about Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. And A Fault in Our Stars wasn’t completely left out as it garnered the Odyssey Awardfor the audiobook.
Other ALA Award winners announced yesterday include:
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, William C. Morris Award winner
I found this to be an excellent debut novel featuring a well-developed fantasy world and an intriguing take on dragons. I can’t wait for the sequel. The Miseducation of Cameron Post by emily m. danforth, William C. Morris Award finalist
I found this book quite engaging, but for me it begins to drag a bit in the middle. I actually had to set it aside for a while. That being said, even though I wasn’t reading it for a while, the writing and characters stayed in the back of my mind. I completely understand why the book has been compared to The Catcher in the Rye, although Cameron is a gay girl in 1980s small-town America and the book actually takes place across several years (as opposed to a few days). That being said, I was surprised that it wasn’t a Stonewall Honor Book
For a complete list of awards, winners, and honorees (if you’re not sick of awards lists by now), you can read yesterday’s ALA Press Release.
Sorry for the long wait between Best of 2012 posts. We’ve been frantically reading books that we somehow missed last year, books we felt needed to be considered for our Best of 2012 list. And our reading certainly paid off—otherwise, we would have missed out on the fabulous The One and Only Ivan, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal. (But more on that tomorrow…)
So, without further ado, here are our favorite 2012 books for middle-grade readers and tweens:
Fiction:
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen Ascendance Trilogy #1
In the country of Carthya, a devious nobleman
engages four orphans in a brutal competition to be selected to
impersonate the king’s long-missing son in an effort to avoid a civil
war. –NoveList
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy The four princes erroneously
dubbed Prince Charming and rudely marginalized in their respective fairy
tales form an unlikely team when a witch threatens the whole kingdom. –Provided by publisher.
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
At age twelve, Sophie learns that the remarkable abilities that have
always caused her to stand out identify her as an elf, and after being
brought to Eternalia to hone her skills, discovers that she has secrets
buried in her memory for which some would kill. –NoveList
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a
house to an apartment, his father’s efforts to start a new business,
his mother’s extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and
Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their
building. –NoveList
The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
With love and determination befitting the “world’s greatest family,” twelve-year-old Deza Malone,
her older brother Jimmie, and their parents endure tough times in Gary,
Indiana, and later Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression. –NoveList
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pilcher With his family still grieving over his sister’s death
in a terrorist bombing seven years earlier, twelve-year-old Jamie is far
more interested in his cat, Roger, his birthday Spiderman T-shirt, and
keeping his new Muslim friend Sunya a secret from his father. –NoveList
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a
down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has
been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life. –NoveList
The Second Life of Abigail Walker by Frances O’Roark Dowell
Bullied by two mean girls in her sixth-grade class, a lonely, plump girl
gains self-confidence and makes new friends after a mysterious fox
gently bites her. –NoveList
See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles
Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible in her family, where grumpy eighteen-year-old Sarah is working at
the family restaurant, fourteen-year-old Holden is struggling with
school bullies and his emerging homosexuality, and adorable,
three-year-old Charlie is always the center of attention, and when
tragedy strikes, the fragile bond holding the family together is
stretched almost to the breaking point. –NoveList Read Tracy’s Review
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
A foster child named Angel and eleven-year-old Stella, who are living with Stella’s great-aunt Louise at the Linger Longer Cottage Colony on Cape Cod, secretly assume responsibility for the vacation rentals when Louise unexpectedly dies and the girls are afraid of being returned to the foster care system.
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
Washed ashore as a baby in tiny Tupelo
Landing, North Carolina, Mo LoBeau, now eleven, and her best friend Dale
turn detective when the amnesiac Colonel, owner of a cafe and co-parent
of Mo with his cook, Miss Lana, seems implicated in a murder.
The Unfortunate Son by Constance Leeds
Luc, a youth born with one ear and raised by a
drunken father in fifteenth-century France, finds a better home with
fisherman Pons, his sister Mattie, and their ward Beatrice, the daughter
of a disgraced knight, and even after being kidnapped and sold into
slavery in Africa, he remains remarkably fortunate.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial
abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being
home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in
Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his
classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student.
Nonfiction:
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
Recounts the scientific discoveries that
enabled atom splitting, the military intelligence operations that
occurred in rival countries, and the work of brilliant scientists hidden
at Los Alamos.
We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Cynthia Y. Levinson
Discusses the events of the 4,000 African American students who marched to jail to secure their freedom in May 1963
Summary: Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible in her family. Her dad is obsessed with the family restaurant and hardly ever comes home for dinner anymore; her mother is constantly escaping to her special room to meditate; and her perpetually critical sister Sara is miserable to be stuck at working at the family diner while her friends are all away at college. Fern has always had a special bond with her older brother Holden, but now that he’s started high school he’s busy coping with school bullies and his own emerging sexuality. And then there’s adorable, irrepressible three-year-old Charlie, the constant center of attention within the family.
The only person keeping Fern sane is her eternally calm and optimistic
best friend Ran, who almost makes her believe that “all
will be well.” But then tragedy strikes and even Ran can’t see how things will ever be okay again.
First Line: “The very best day of my life, I threw up four times and had a fever of 103 degrees.”
Tracy’s Thoughts: This is a book that will make you laugh, break your heart, and then somehow, against all odds, make you smile again. Knowles’s characters are fully developed, with authentic emotions and flaws. Quiet, introspective Fern makes a wonderful narrator, and though the lens through which she sees each of her family members is necessarily skewed by her own perspective, readers are able sympathize with each of the characters. Fern’s voice is distinct and engaging, often with shades of unintentional humor. This is especially true when she talks about her family:
Holden is always running off in a huff, and I am always the one searching for him and bringing him home. Holden’s named after the main character in The Catcher in the Rye. I wasn’t supposed to read it until I’m older, but I snuck my mom’s paperback copy out of her room last year. The pages were all soft from her reading it so many times. The book is about this boy who’s depressed because he thinks everyone he knows is a phony, so he runs away. I understand why my mom liked the book and all, but I personally think is was a big mistake to name your kid after a boy who tries to kill himself, even if he is thoughtful and brilliant. My favorite parts in the book are when the main characters talks about his little sister, Phoebe. Sometimes I think I’m a little like Phoebe to our Holden. Because in the book she’s the one he goes back for. And that’s sort of like me. Only I have to go looking for him first. (25–26)
The first third of the book introduces the quirk-filled family, from
Fern’s goodhearted, embarrassing father to demanding, loveable Charlie.
But then everything—the simple coming-of-age story you thought you were
reading—comes to a devastating halt as tragedy strikes. The emotions
become even more palpable, and the characters more real.
Relationships shine in this book, particularly the bond between
Holden and Fern—and later, when she steps up after the tragedy, Sara.
Fern’s friendship with Ran and Cassie—which also adds a minor love triangle to
the mix—rings equally true and enjoyable. I don’t want to spoil the “tragedy” that shifts the direction of the
narrative, so there is not much more I can say about this gripping
story. Characters must cope with guilt, grief, and other complex emotions, but the story never becomes maudlin or melodramatic. But there are hints of brightness amidst the darkness that comes. This is a simply but incredibly well-written story, full of humor, compassion, heartwrenching tragedy, and, eventually, healing.
And BCPL’s favorite 2012 books for young children are:
Picture Books (Fiction)
And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illus. by Erin Stead
A boy plants a seed in a brown world. And waits. And waits. And then it’s spring. A gentle lesson in patience and the cycle of nature. Pre-K–2nd Grade.
Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff
Leaving the den as the weather warms, Baby Bear explores to discover blue birds, red strawberries, orange butterflies, and more. What really makes this book shine are Ashley Wolff’s vibrant illustrations, which manage to convey both gentleness and a sense of adventure. Pre-K–Kindergarten.
Bear Has a Story to Tell by Phillip C. Stead, illus. by Erin E. Stead
Bear has a story to tell, but as all his animal friends are busy preparing for winter, will there be anyone to listen? This is a gentle and heartwarming story about friendship and nature, superbly illustrated. Pre-K–1st Grade.
The Bear in the Book by Kate Banks, illus. by Georg Hallensleben
Books and reading are the stars of this picture book, not a bear. The clever structure allows readers to peek in on the intimate process of a mother and child reading together at bedtime, then offers glimpses into the book they are reading within the story. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein*
It all begins when Amelia smiles. Someone sees her smile and is inspired to do a good deed and so on, and so on. The effects of that one smile cross oceans and then somehow make their way back to Amelia. A lovely concept, and a great jumping off point for a discussion between kids and parents. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman, illus. by Dan Yaccarino*
Despite their differences, a boy and a robot become true and caring companions. This sweet-natured tale is enhanced by charming artwork and humor-inflected dialog. Pre-K–Kindergarten.
Charley’s First Night by Amy Hest, illus. by Helen Oxenbury
This tender and warm story chronicles a little boy’sfirst night with his new puppy. A timeless tale, lovingly illustrated and sure to have the kiddos clamoring for puppies of their own. Pre-K–2nd Grade.
Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illus. by Peter Brown*
The carrots growing in Crackenhopper Field are the yummiest around and Jasper Rabbit can’t resist grabbing a snack every time he passes by. But then Jasper begins seeing creepy carrots stalking him wherever he goes—even watching him brush his teeth. This is a horror story for the kiddos, with an equal dose of humor. Brown’s contrasting orange/gray illustrations are fabulous, creating a classic horror movie vibe, and the subtle lesson on greediness won’t go amiss. Pre-K–1st Grade.
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
In this fifth book of the beloved Pigeon series, the duckling gets a cookie by asking politely. Meanwhile, Pigeon rants and raves about all the things he has wanted and been denied. This is a wonderfully fun read aloud, which also offers material for a discussion about politeness and making reasonable vs. unreasonable requests. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by E.B. Lewis*
Quiet yet intense, this story of bullying and remorse is told from the bully’s point of view. When her teacher gives the class a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes the opportunities for kindness she has missed, especially in relation to a classmate she has refused to play with and has made fun of in the past. Some of the depictions of schoolyard bullying are truly striking, and Chloe’s regret when she looks back on her actions is almost palpable. Kindergarten–3rd Grade.
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illus. by Job Klassen
After discovering of magical box of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town—until an evil archduke decides he wants the box for himself. Kindergarten–2nd Grade. Read Lucinda’s Review.
Fire! ¡Fuego! Brave Bomberos by Susan Middleton Elya, illus. by Dan Santat*
Rhythmic rhyming text interspersed with Spanish words tell the story of a brave group of firefighters off to battle a blaze. Context clues make it easy to guess the meaning of most of the Spanish words, though a glossary is provided at the end of the book. Santat’s bold pencil drawings are vibrant and appealing. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
When Goldilocks wonders into the home of three dinosaurs, will she be able to escape? Or will the dinosaurs have a tasty treat awaiting them when they return home? This clever fairy tale with a twist will amuse adults and children alike. Pre-K–3rd Grade.
Good News, Bad News by Jeff Mack
While on a picnic, Bunny and Mouse see everything that happens to them from opposite points of view: Bunny sees only the good, while Mouse sees only the bad. The repetitive, rapid-fire call-and-response text makes it a great read aloud, but this also works well for independent readers. Pre-K–1st Grade.
The Hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers*
This wordless picture book follows a boy’s escape from bullies into a museum, into a series of paintings, and back out again—with reinforcements to take on his tormentors. It’s a grand adventure, presented in graphic novel format. The art is rich with nuance and humor, providing a clear and detailed story despite the lack of words. Book three in the Boy, Bear series. Kindergarten–3rd Grade.
A Home for Bird by Phillip C. Stead
Sweetness and gentle humor punctuate this tale of a frog who meets a bird who seems sad and doesn’t talk, then becomes determined to help the bird finds his home and be happy. A lovely book about kindness and perseverance. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show by Michael Buckley, illus. by Dan Santat*
A daring preschooler invites readers to watch as he
performs such daring stunts as eating broccoli, dressing himself, and
going to bed without checking for monsters. As always, Santat’s illustrations are rife with humor and bold as can be—just like Kel Gilligan. We dare you not to laugh! Pre-K–1st Grade.
King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel
On his sixth birthday, Henry Alfred Grummorson, sets off in search of adventure, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, King Arthur. This picture book has the feel of a classic, with its timeless illustrations, and provides ample discussion material on themes of bravery, aggression, and friendship. Pre-K–2nd Grade.
Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Kids Counting Money by Emily Jenkins, illus. by G. Brian Karas
It may be winter, but Pauline is determined to set up a lemonade stand and her brother John-John is happy to help. This is a lovely and entertaining book about money, the entrepreneurial spirit, and sibling relationships. As Pauline teaches her little brother to count change, she also provides a lesson to the reader. Pre-K–3rd Grade.
Magritte’s Marvelous Hat by D.B. Johnson*
This unusual, surrealist-inspired picture book is sure to inspire imagination and creativity as readers explore a world with Magritte and his hat where ordinary objects become extraordinary. Kindergarten–4th Grade.
Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, illus. by Ed Young
Stealthily and oh-so-quietly, the ninja creeps through the house on a late-night mission. It’s a deadly serious journey—until the lights go on and the secret mission is revealed. DaCostsa’s spare, elegantly crafted text and Young’s expressive collage artwork bring to life a young boy’s fantasy. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole by Stan and Jan Berenstain
When a little penguin receives a blank book in
the mail he is eager to fill it up with exciting things, but while he
is seeking adventure he misses the action right before his eyes. Pre-K–2nd Grade.
Oh, No! by Candace Fleming, illus. by Eric Rohmann*
A tiger stalks its prey hungrily through a bamboo forest, while accident-prone forest creatures have close escapes and take turns rescuing one another. The woodblock artwork is wonderfully expressive, and lots of repetition and silly sounds make it natural read aloud material. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Oh No! Not Again!: (Or How I Built a Time Machine to Save History) (Or at Least My History Grade) by Mac Barnett, illus. by Dan Santat*
Some kids are too smart for their own good…and maybe for everybody else’s good too. The overly ambitious little girl from Oh No!
is back; this time, she has a problem of historic proportions on her hands. She got a wrong answer on her history quiz! The only thing to do now is to build a time machine and travel back in time to make
her wrong answer right! This is a hilarious adventure, from the construction of the time machine (among the parts: an original Nintendo game controller), to the search for the correct time period, to the unforeseen consequences of the journey. Kindergarten–3rd Grade.
Olivia and the Fairy Princess by Ian Falconer
In the seventh Olivia book, the funny, strong-willed piglet is having an identity crisis or sorts. Pre-K–2nd Grade.
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illus. by James Dean
In this third installment of the Pete the Cat series, Pete loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing. Pre-K–1st Grade.
The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle*
Nothing interesting ever happens in the boring town of Dull-on-Sea—until a pirate family moves into town. Despite the suspicion of her parents and neighbors, Miranda can’t wait to befriend her new neighbors. Told in buoyant, comic rhyming text with just the right amount of absurdity mixed in, this is a jolly fun tale. Pre-K–2nd Grade.
Stay Close to Mama by Toni Buzzeo, illus. by Mike Wohnoutka
A curious baby giraffe wanders away from his mother to explore the interesting sights and smells of the savanna. Includes a note on giraffes. Pre-K–Kindergarten.
Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds
Marisol is an artist. When her class learns that they will work together to create a mural, Marisol wants to be in charge of the sky. But there is no blue paint. What will she do? This is a gorgeously illustrated, whimsical book about problem solving, artistic expression, and the power of imagination. Pre-K–2nd Grade.
This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
Yet another hat is stolen in Klassen’s latest solo effort—and yet this time around, we see things from the point of view of the thief, who rationalizes his thievery and is confident in his escape. Clever readers will notice the hints that getting away with it may not be so easy after all. Sly and suspenseful, with plenty of ironic humor, the text and illustrations combine perfectly for another winner. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Z Is for Moose by Kelly Bingham, illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky
This is not your average ABC picture book. When Zebra gathers the animals together to create a picture book, Moose simply cannot wait for his turn. So he tries to insert himself a bit early in the roster only to be forcibly removed. But when it’s finally time for “M,” Zebra chooses someone else to represent the letter. That’s when things get really crazy. Delightfully silly humor makes this one a sure-fire hit. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Picture Books (Nonfiction)
The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel, illus. by Amanda Hall*
This charming child’s biography of painter Henri Rousseau explores the late-life painter’s many rejections before he was hailed as a great artist. Bright, gorgeous illustrations create a fanciful world, from Henri’s jungles to the galleries where his work is eventually displayed. Pre-K–3rd Grade.
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger*
This concept book explores a variety of shades of the color green before delving into more abstract ideas. Simple rhyming text and clever die-cuts create texture. Pre-K–1st Grade.
Here Come the Girl Scouts! by Shana Corey, illus. by Hadley Hooper
This fresh and lively picture book explores the unconventional life of Girl Scouts founder Juliet (Daisy) Gordon and the establishment of the organization in 1912. Mixed media art and a plenitude of Girl Scout creeds enhance the story and provide an authentic, crafty feel in keeping with the subject. Kindergarten–2nd Grade.
How Things Work in the House by Lisa Campbell Ernst*
From cats to popcorn to plumbing, Lisa Campbell Ernst explains simply and clearly how a variety of household objects “work.” In addition, she provides interesting facts and even a few projects to undertake (with a responsible adult, when appropriate). The collage art is wonderfully balanced and fully illustrates the text. Kindergarten–3rd Grade.
I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illus. by Kadir Nelson
An abbreviated version of King’s iconic speech provides the text for Nelson’s fabulous paintings. Together, the unforgettable words and perfectly done illustrations inspire and captivate. As a bonus, the entirety of King’s speech is printed in the back, and the book comes packaged with a CD recording of King himself delivering the speech. All ages.
Island by Jason Chin*
This visual tribute to the evolving terrain and animals of the Galapagos Islands perfectly simplifies a complex subject and presents it in a balanced and entertaining format. Pre-K–5th Grade.
Beginning Reader/Early Chapter Books
Bink and Gollie: Two for One by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illus. by Tony Fucile*
This early reader/picture book hybrid—the second in the Bink and Gollie series—includes three short stories within a larger tale. This time Bink and Gollie are at the State Fair, and their friendship is as steadfast as ever. These two opposites know each other inside and out, and their loyalty is unquestioned. Fucile’s illustrations are brimming with humor, and the vocabulary is rich yet approachable. Kindergarten–2nd Grade.
Penny and Her Doll by Kevin Henkes
This feel-good beginning reader tells the story of Penny and her search for the perfect name for her new doll. Penny’s voice is authentic, and according to a School Library Journal reviewer, “[the] sight words and repetition are perfect for emerging readers.” Kindergarten–1st Grade.
Sadie and Ratz by Sonya Hartnett, illus. by Ann James
Hannah frequently gets in trouble. Or, more specifically, it is her hands—whom she has named Sadie and Ratz—that cause all the trouble. Sadie and Ratz especially love tormenting Hannah’s younger brother, Baby Boy. But then bad things start happening when Sadie and Ratz aren’t around, but Hannah is still getting in trouble. This humor-laced early reader has a bit more edge than the usual beginning reader books, but despite her troublemaking—and occasionally violent ways—Hannah is a sympathetic character. Hartnett’s themes of imagination and sibling rivalry receive realistic and original treatment. Kindergarten–3rd Grade.
*Library copies for some titles are not yet available for checkout.
Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Nonfiction Audience: Adult/Older Teen
Summary: Straight from an episode of CSI, this book details the life and times of Dr. Bill Blass, who established “The Body Farm”. The Anthropological Research Center, colloquially known as “The Body Farm” is a one-of-a-kind research facility that studies how the human body decomposes after death by studying actual human subjects (most are donated by well-meaning donors after their deaths) through the various stages of decomposition. This research has and is aiding forensic scientists all over the world in the quest to identify remains and identify murders, charlatans, and criminals.
Lucinda’s Views: As a person with an interest in forensic anthropology, this book was right up my alley. Dr. Bass brings a very technical and intense branch of science down to an approachable, layman’s level. Through easily understood, but fascinating scientific tidbits, Dr. Bass relates some of his more memorable cases and even the mistake that lead to the establishment of “The Body Farm”. Over his more than forty year career, Dr. Bass has been called upon to aid with many interesting, unique cases, from 3,000 year old Native American burials to a man who was shot, blown apart, and then had his house burned down around him in order try and conceal his murder. If you are interested in forensic science and love CSI, then this book would definitely be of interest.
Happy New Year! New Year’s Day is traditionally the time for looking forward, but
first we are looking back on the year that is past. Over the next few
weeks, I will be posting about our favorite books of 2012. But before I
identify our Best Books of 2012, we thought it might be nice to whet
your appetite a bit!
Here are our favorite Book Trailers of 2012… Don’t they make you want to read the book?!
Honorable Mentions
The Case of the Deadly Deperados by Caroline Lawrence
The unabashedly cheesy sound effects and continued shooting effect won me over.
In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
Short, sweet, and visually appealing, with a touch of humor.
Team Human by Justine Larbalestier
Wonderfully silly satire, and the back-and-forth suits the book and keeps the pace moving.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente
The accompanying song has definite earworm potential and Ana Juan’s fabulous illustrations get animated. What’s not to like?
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
While I’m not a fan of the unreadable overlapping of colored text midway through, the rest of the trailer is delightfully fun and loopy. Definitely makes me want to read the book to see if it is equally amusing.
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Madeleine L’Engle; adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson
I love how this trailer pays tribute to L’Engle’s classic and yet make it seem like a completely fresh story. The music, brief comments, and—most of all—the wonderful panels from the graphic novel itself are all that’s needed.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
I haven’t seen a bad trailer yet for a Maggie Stiefvater book. I love that she does her own animation and music. As I’ve said before: A very talented lady!
The Insomniacs by Karina Wolf
Gorgeous illustrations come to life, with an extra sense of wonder. Also, the it’s superbly narrated.
The Diviners by Libba Bray
I love the innocent, silent movie treatment at the start—which serves to make what comes next all the more deliciously creepy.
52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody
Fun and funny. The cinematic treatment—surprisingly close to movie trailer quality—works well here.
The Top 5
#5
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
This trailer has a charming, free-spirited energy that I love. Rather than reiterating plot, it captures the tone and relationships of the book visually. For some reason, I just can’t stop watching it. It just makes me happy 🙂
#4
Beautiful Creatures Novels by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
This is actually a trailer for the entire saga, leading up to Beautiful Redemption (2012), which I think is brilliant. Even more brilliant: the trailer brings life to the eerie “Sixteen Moons” song that is revised throughout the series and shows artistic representations of key scenes and images from across the series. It’s creepy, romantic, and irresistibly mysterious. My one quibble is the image immediately before the “Beautiful Darkness” title. I think it’s supposed to be Ridley with one of her lollipops, but it looks more like an olive on a stick…
#3
Breasts: A Natural and Unnantural History by Florence Williams
The book is a mix of
serious scientific observation interspersed with amusing humor and
anecdotes, and this trailer is the perfect compliment: funny and
irreverent, but with some factual and intriguing scientific data mixed
in. Plus, I love the candid interviews and clever imagery. And though it’s more than a little silly, I can’t help but admire the cleverness of the boob-inspired rewrite of “99 Luftballons.”
#2
This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
Clever, sly, and suspenseful, with plenty of ironic humor. Love it!
#1
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Such a simple idea, superbly executed. The music adds a magisterial quality to the artwork that kept me mesmerized from page to page.
So, those are our favorites from 2012. If you want more great Book Trailers, please check out our Book Trailers and Other Videos board on Pinterest!
Summary: Caren Gray is a strong, educated African American woman and a single mother. She has mixed feelings about managing Belle Vie, the sprawling plantation where she grew up and where her ancestors were once slaves. Despite the unease that the former slave cabins instill in her, she feels tied to the place. But when an immigrant sugar cane worker is found dead on the edge of Belle Vie and Caren decides to launch her own investigation, all of her latent misgivings are stirred up again. And even as centuries-old secrets from the past rise up from the past, in the present Caren begins to fear that her nine-year-old daughter may know more about the murder than she’s telling.
First Line: It was during the Thompson-Delacroix wedding, Caren’s first week on the job, that a cottonmouth, measuring the length of a Cadillac, fell some twenty feet from a live oak on the front lawn, landing like a coil of rope in the lap of the bride’s future mother-in-law.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
A nuanced mystery with gothic undertones, Attica Locke’s second novel (after Black Water Rising) is far more than a typical whodunit. The atmospheric Southern setting and eerie history of slavery permeate the plot, adding depth and weight to the story. Issues of race, class, and history are key, but these themes are seamlessly and subtly integrated into the plot rather than a carelessly tacked on “moral.”
Attica Locke’s writing is stellar, descriptive and even poetic at times: “[B]eneath its its loamy topsoil, the manicured grounds and gardens, two centuries of
breathtaking wealth and spectacle, lay a land both black and bitter,
soft to the touch, but pressing in its power.” However, I did not find the characters quite as captivating as the setting. I had a bit of a struggle warming up to Caren, who is a bit of a mystery herself. I appreciated that she is a strong but flawed woman, and I was pulling for her 100%, and yet, for me, she remains distant throughout the novel.
But despite my quibbles (and, if you haven’t noticed by now, I almost always have quibbles), I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The linkage of past and present, along with the blending of history, social issues, and various relationship issues make for a complex and satisfying read.
Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Post-apocalyptic/Science Fiction Audience: Young Adult/Adult
Summary: Set in a post-apocalyptic world where everyone upon reaching their fifteenth birthday undergoes extensive plastic surgery to become “pretty” and anyone who does not undergo the transformation is an “ugly”. Tally must ultimately decide for herself what she values the most; meeting her society’s expectations or being true to herself.
Lucinda’s Views: With its original setting and original premise, this book is an enjoyable, memorable read. Tally’s battle within herself and the expectations of her society beg the question to the reader, “is it better to conform and be accepted by society or to be true to oneself?” Tally’s struggle also mirrors that struggle that all go through in order to come to self-knowledge. Well-written and wholly original, this book is worth read! I would also like to recommend the remainder of the series, Pretties, Specials, and Extras.
Have you been wondering what happened to our Ultimate Teen Booklist? Well, now we’re ready to wrap it up—for this year anyway!
102. The Queen’s Thief (series) by Megan Whalen Turner (1996–2010)
Gen is a thief—a very, very cocky one. He boasts he can steal anything, and after his boasting gets him caught with the just-stolen seal of the King of Sounis, the king’s advisor decides to take advantage of Gen’s skills. So Gen is released from prison and sent on a mission to steal an object that will cement the King’s power. And thus begins an adventure story that is much more complex that it first seems. For Gen is also a very, very clever thief. As Gen grows older and the novels’ plots become more sophisticated, the series becomes even more compelling. Set in a world that is much like ancient Greece—only not quite—these books are full of political intrigue, unexpected shocks, and hidden clues that come together perfectly in the end. Middle School/High School.
Titles include:
1. The Thief
2. The Queen of Attolia
3. The King of Attolia
4. A Conspiracy of Kings
103. Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, illus. by Nathan Hale (2008)
In this boldly illustrated reimagining of the classic fairy tale, the adventure is just beginning with Rapunzel’s escape from the tower. Instead of a languishing princess awaiting rescue, ‘Punzie is a self-sufficient, tomboyish cowgirl determined to right the wrongs of the evil Mother Gothel and rescue the downtrodden. Along the way, she teams up with a charming huckster named Jack (and his Goose Goldy). Middle School/High School.
104. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier (1938)
Young and naive, the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter arrives at her new husband’s sweeping Cornish estate in a state of awe. There she finds that her life is overshadowed by the beautiful Rebecca, Maxim’s first wife, dead but still a source of mystery. High School.
105. Rocket Boys/October Sky by Homer Hickman (1998)
It was 1957, and the small mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia, was slowly dying. Faced with a dead-end future, teenaged Homer Hickam dreamed of sending rockets into space. In pursuit of his unlikely dream, he joined forces with a group of misfits, and they learned to build sophisticated, working rockets from scraps of metal. This is a well-loved memoir full of hope and inspiration; originally titled Rocket Boys, the book was later rereleased as October Sky after the success of the film of the same name. Middle School/High School.
106. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (series) by Ann Brashares (2001–2011)
After finding a pair of jeans that are a perfect fit for all of them, four childhood best friends form the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Across the series, these teenage girls grow up, dealing with complicated romantic and family issues, but through it all they have each other and the “magic” jeans that help them reconnect each summer. The later books in the series—especially the final title, which was published as Adult Fiction and revisits the quartet in their late twenties—may be best for more mature readers. Middle School (mature)/High School.
Titles include:
1. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
2. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
3. Girls in Pants
4. Forever in Blue
5. Sisterhood Everlasting
107. Skip Beat (manga series) by Yoshiki Nakamura (2006–Ongoing)
After discovering that her rock idol boyfriend is using her as a maid, Kyoko undergoes a makeover and adjusts her attitude before joining showbiz and seeking revenge against Sho. Using the manga style drawings, Kyoko’s looks and features change depending on her mood and the inner demons she is trying to keep under control. To date, there are 29 volumes in the series. Middle School/High School.
108. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron (2007)
Eighteen-year-old James Sveckis is an extremely intelligent, lonely, and confused Manhattanite who is searching for direction. He’s been accepted to Brown but dreams of bypassing college and settling alone in a sleepy Midwestern town. He might be gay, but prefers not to discuss it. This novel focuses more strongly on character than plot as James psychoanalyzes himself and his disconnect with the world around him. High School (mature).
109. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (1962)
Fantasy meets horror in this modern classic about a nightmarish traveling carnival and the two teens who notice something is very, very wrong with the carnival and its effect on the people of their hometown. This novel is tangentially related to Bradbury’s earlier work, Dandelion Wine; together, along with the Dandelion Wine sequel Farewell Summer, the books make up the Green Town Trilogy. Middle School/High School.
110. Song of the Lioness (series) by Tamora Pierce (1983–1988)
Eleven-year-old Alanna of Trebond was suppose to go to a convent to learn to be a lady. Instead, she disguises herself as a boy and travels to court to pursue her dream of becoming a knight. Across the span of the series, Alanna encounters friends, foes, and numerous misadventures as she learns to embrace her magic and to use it wisely. Middle School/High School.
Titles include:
1. Alanna: The First Adventure
2. In the Hand of the Goddess
3. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
4. Lioness Rampant
112. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (1998)
Melinda became a pariah last summer when she called the cops and busted up the end-of-the-year party. High school should be the best time of her life, but instead every day of Freshman year is a struggle as she finds herself rejected by her former friends and alienated from her parents. Now Melinda’s barely speaking at all. But inside, beneath the silence, Melinda is witty, ironic—and hurting terribly over what really happened that night. High School.
113. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher (1993)
Outcasts Sarah Byrnes and Eric Calhoune were each other’s only friend since childhood. They were bonded by her terrible scars and his layers of fat, but things were never quite the same after Eric discovered swimming, slimmed down, and made new friends. Still, their friendship persevered and their loyalty remained unquestioned. But now that Sarah Byrnes—the smartest, toughest person Eric knows—sits catatonic in a mental ward, he can’t help but wonder what he should have done differently. Eric is determined to find a way to help his friend, even if it means digging into the secrets Sarah Byrnes wants to keep hidden. Like most of Crutcher’s novels, this book tackles a whole boatload of Big Issues, many of them potentially inflammatory. It’s no coincidence that most of Crutcher’s works are regular targets of censors. But whether you agree with the characters’ views or not, this is a book that inspires thought and critical debate on important issues. It’s also a funny, irreverent, and suspenseful story of perseverance and friendship. Middle School (mature)/High School.
114. Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr (2007)
Deanna was thirteen when her father caught her in the back of a Buick with her older brother’s friend, seventeen-year-old Tommy. Three years later she is still unfairly branded as the school slut and her father can hardly look at her. Deanna dreams of escaping, perhaps with her brother—who now lives at home with his girlfriend and their child. This is a wonderful, absorbing book that is impossible to put down. It is realistic fiction at its best—a compelling story with believable, likable characters and a satisfying conclusion that in no way minimizes or oversimplifies the lives of its characters. High School.
115. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (2007)
When Clay Jensen finds a mysterious box with no return address waiting on his front porch, he is intrigued and excited. But he is shocked by its contents: 13 tape recordings from Hannah Baker, his former classmate and secret crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier. The tapes serve as a type of suicide-note-cum-chain-letter and each recording is about a different person who is somehow connected to Hannah’s reasons for committing suicide. Following the instructions on the tapes, Clay ventures out with a (stolen) Walkman on an all-night journey to try to figure out why Hannah made such a terrible choice—and to discover what part he played in her decision. This is an intense, compulsively readable novel for mature readers who will be just as curious and anxious as Clay as they learn all the reasons, great and small, that influenced Hannah’s awful decision. High School.
116. A Time to Kill by John Grisham (1989)
John Grisham’s first novel is an excellent legal thriller about racism and uncertain justice in a small Southern town. When the two white men who attacked his ten-year-old daughter go free, a black father decides to take the law into his own hands and shoots them. Now it is up to young criminal lawyer Jake Brigance to defend Carl Hailey’s actions, all in the midst of a deep well of racial prejudice and violence. High School.
117. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
In this classic tale of courage and morality in a small, Southern town, a young tomboy tells the story of the summer her father defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. This is a powerful look at discrimination and an emotional exploration of human instinct, as viewed through the eyes of a child. Middle School/High School.
118. Twilight Saga (series) by Stephenie Meyer (2005–2008)
When Bella Swan leaves her life in Phoenix to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she is instantly drawn to Edward Cullen, a handsome and mysterious boy who she later learns is a vampire. Over the course of the series, Bella and Edward face several challenges to their relationship and to their lives, and Bella learns more about the secrets of creatures she once thought were only make believe. Middle School (mature)/High School.
Titles include:
1. Twilight
2. New Moon
3. Eclipse
4. Breaking Dawn
119. Uglies Quartet (series) by Scott Westerfeld (2005–2007)
In a future society where people are required to undergo extreme plastic surgery at the age of sixteen—transforming teens from “ugly” to “pretty”—Tally rebels against the enforced conformity and the operation which may affect more than just her appearance. Middle School/High School.
120. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (2007)
In a future world where teens under the age of 18 can have their lives “unwound” and their body parts harvested for use by others, 16-year-old Connor is stunned to learn that his parents have signed the order. Determined to escape his fate, Connor goes on the run and encounters Risa and Lev while eluding the police. The three teens have anything in common—except that each of them has been marked for Unwinding. This is an action-packed thriller filled with thought-provoking moral questions. Middle School (mature)/High School.
121. Watership Down by Richard Adams (1972)
One of the most beloved fantasy novels of all time, this heroic adventure is the story of what happens when a small band of young males go in search of a new home after Fiver, a clairvoyant, has a terrible vision of the future. But few in the group have been far from home, and their journey is filled with unforeseen dangers and epic struggles. The protagonists of this dynamic tale may be rabbits, but they aren’t the rabbits of Beatrix Potter’s children’s stories. Middle School/High School.
122. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)
Set during the 18th century in the harsh and beautiful landscape of the English moors, this novel follows the intertwined lives of two families over several decades. Heathcliff is a powerful, moody figure who dominates those around him, and his relationship with Catherine and is all kinds of twisted. Whether you see the book as romantic like Twilight’s Bella or think the characters are obsessive and crazy, it’s a captivating story of love, jealousy, and revenge, a masterpiece of Gothic literature. High School.
123. Xanth (series) by Piers Anthony (1977–Ongoing)
This is a comic fantasy series set in the magical world of Xanth, where every person is born with a unique magical ability called a talent. Xanth is also populated by centaurs, demons, dragons, goblins, harpies, merfolk, ogres, zombies, and other creatures of legend. There are currently over 30 titles in this series, but these pun-laden adventures don’t need to be read consecutively. Middle School (mature)/High School.
Titles include:
1. A Spell for Chameleon
2. The Source of Magic
3. Castle Roogna
4. Centaur Aisle
5. Ogre, Ogre
6. Night Mare
7. Dragon on a Pedestal
8. Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn
9. Golem in the Gears
10. Vale of the Vole
11. Heaven Cent
12. Man from Mundania
13. Isle of View
14. Question Quest
15. The Color of Her Panties
16. Demons Don’t Dream
17. Harpy Thyme
18. Geis of the Gargoyle
19. Roc and a Hard Place
20. Yon Ill Wind
21. Faun and Games
22. Zombie Lover
23. Xone of Contention
24. The Dastard
25. Swell Foop
26. Up in a Heaval
27. Cube Route
28. Currant Events
29. Pet Peeve
30. Stork Naked
31. Air Apparent
32. Two to the Fifth
33. Jumper Cable
34. Knot Gneiss
35. Well-Tempered Clavicle
36. Luck of the Draw (December 2012)
As always, we welcome your opinion… Did all of your favorites make the list? If not, let us know. We will happily consider them for next year’s update to our Ultimate Teen Booklist.
Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Urban Fantasy/Fairy Audience: Adult/High School
Summary: When her sister is murdered in Dublin, Ireland MacKayla Lane travels there in order to bring the murderer to justice. Little does she know that there she will discover a world of Fae, Druids, and other realms. Along her journey MacKayla will learn dark family secrets as well as discovering untapped supernatural talents. She will find she has strength and resources that she never thought she possessed as she fights for her very soul and even the fate of the world.
Lucinda’s Views: A departure from her Highlander novel series, the Fever series is pure urban fantasy. In MacKayla’s quest to find the fiend who murdered her sister she is caught up in a world she never dreamed that she was a part of, let alone responsible for saving.
Abounding with Celtic and Irish lore, this series pulls in legends, bardic tales, and modern fairy tales and ties them together into a cohesive whole that will entertain but at the same time make you wonder….What if? The Fae of MacKayla’s world are nothing like the Tinkerbell of modern ideology. These Fae are dangerous, frightening and out to satiate hungers that have been harnessed for millennium.
MacKayla’s journey from Southern socialite to a strong, independent woman will keep you interested as well as the myriad of characters that MacKayla encounters. The dark, sexy Jericho Barrons, the Seelie Prince V’Lane, and the irrepressible Dani O’Malley, who is not what she seems, are all well-developed and mysterious. If you like Urban Fantasy and want to read a well-written original series I encourage you to check this series out!
We have a new guest review! Christie—wife, mom, musician, and BCPL employee—is a first time reviewer here at Book News and Reviews. She is an avid reader and especially loves books with happy endings. Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Fiction Audience: Adult Series: Virgin River #20
Christie’s Summary & Guest Review: It is always nice to visit Virgin River. This time Robyn Carr took us on a journey with Jack’s niece, Angie, and the youngest Riordan boy, Paddy. Now that Ms. Carr has introduced us to so many characters I almost feel like she has to skim the surface on each character. Each time she mentions someone that has been in a previous story she has to give a small back story. For someone who has already read the series this is not always necessary and for someone just starting with this book, they wouldn’t know anyway. I felt like some of the back stories took away from Angie and Paddy’s story.
I found Angie and Paddy to be very likeable, but their story seemed very similar to Luke and Shelby’s: A younger girl, who just went through a traumatic experience, falling in love with someone emotionally unavailable and a man, struggling with a life decision and not really knowing what he wants, then they both realize it is each other they want. A lot of Paddy’s thoughts were the same thoughts his brothers had already experienced. I found Shelby to be stronger than a lot of heroines, but still young and naive.
With all that being said, it is still nice to visit the city and see that things have not changed; in fact they just keep getting better. The people of Virgin River still band together to get all things needed done and still put their armed forces up on the highest pedestal. It would be so neat to walk into Jack’s Bar, eat one of Preacher’s meals, and just listen and observe all things happening in that small, quaint town that holds everyone together.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
