We can’t resist letting you know that a stunning historical novel, set in Boston, by Dennis Lehane will be published in October. Entitled THE GIVEN DAY, this book has had all early readers staying up into the wee hours, completely absorbed in the time of the Boston Police Strike in 1918. This is a must read! ...More

Dede writes:
Jennifer Haigh, one of our favorite authors, has written a new novel THE CONDITION (9780060755782). Her earlier books MRS. KIMBLE and BAKER TOWERS both won PEN awards and were number one Book Sense picks. We think THE CONDITION is her best yet. A New England family falls apart when Gwen, one of the three privileged children is diagnosed with Turner’s Syndrome, a genetic condition which prevents her from maturing physically beyond her twelve years. But as Janet Maslin put it in the New York Times July 21, this is more than a story of coping with a tragic situation. Her characters- the scientist father, the repressed, starchy mother, the golden boy, Billy, and the slacker, Scott, are fully realized and their lives are as interesting and their challenges as real as that of young Gwen’s. Deeply compassionate and sharply observant, the author shows us a family in crisis and in repair....More

Stephen L. Carter’s third NOVEL PALACE COUNCIL (9780307266583 ) reunites the reader with some characters from THE EMPEROR OF OCEAN PARK and those from NEW ENGLAND WHITE, a well connected group of highly educated and wealthy black Americans. In this sophisticated and suspenseful tale, national security is nearly compromised by a nefarious plot, hatched by powerful men who will murder anyone who comes near their plans. An acclaimed black writer Eddie Wesley stumbles on the very dead body of a prominent attorney and begins a twenty year search for the truth about this murder and the victim’s ties to “the group of twenty”. Complications abound in matters of trust and matters of state- from the jungles of Vietnam to Richard Nixon’s oval office. Stephen L. Carter is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale University. ...More

I am in the middle of two engrossing novels –the first is HALLAM’S WAR by Elizabeth Payne Rosen (9781932961492). This is an American Civil War family story set in West Tennessee. Hardcover. The second IS A POCKETFUL OF NAMES by Joe Coomer (155974619) about a young artist, nearly a recluse, living on an island off the coast of Maine, and how her life is altered when she allows the world in. Paperback. Both are worth your reading time....More

Hannah's life is rudely interrupted one summer when a dog arrives with the tide. He is soon followed by a teenage runaway, a mainland family in need, and a trapped whale. Now Hannah faces new emotional challenges as alarming family secrets are uncovered....More

Marilyn writes:
I have almost finished reading DEEP ECONOMY: THE WEALTH OF COMMUNITIES & THE DURABLE FUTURE (0805087222) by Bill McKibben, released this past March in paperback. This is a wonderful book for the thoughtful reader who enjoys non-fiction. McKibben, who teaches and is the author of numerous books, makes a cogent argument for changing the way we think about economics and economies, drawing on psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Some of the changes he suggests are in the works already, for example, the growth of community farms. Does produce taste better when it comes fresh from a farm that's just down the road, or only a short drive away, compared to what comes from across the country and ripens in a truck? Is it better economics, once all the costs are considered?

This book is sure to spark some lively discussion, and one hopes, generate some good ideas for improving our future, locally and globally....More

Judy H. writes:
THREE BAGS FULL: A SHEEP DETECTIVE STORY (0767927052) by Leonie Swann is a great, fun summer read. Set in the coastal Irish village of Glennkill, it is the tale of the murder of a local shepherd, George Glenn, and the investigation of this crime by his sheep. Led by Miss Maple, the sheep decide to find out who killed their beloved shepherd. According to the sheep, George was the best shepherd a flock could have. He was kind and even read books to them. The story culminates in a hilarious “Smartest Sheep In Glennkill” contest that eventually leads to a solution to the crime. This book gives you a new perspective on sheep!!!!...More

Pat writes:
August is a wonderful month for star gazing. Summer nights spent outdoors watching the sky is a fun activity for families, and Book Ends has many books at different levels to help identify what we see. Titles for the young astronomer include FIND THE CONSTELLATIONS by H.A. Rey (0395244188), THE PLANETS by Gail Gibbons (0823421570) and CONSTELLATIONS, A GLOW IN THE DARK GUIDE TO THE NIGHT SKY, by Chris Sasaki (1402703856). ...More

Descriptions of the sun and all the planets in the solar system. This nonfiction picture book, illustrated with watercolors, is an introduction to astronomy....More

Reach for the stars, with this beautiful glow-in-the-dark guide to the science and mythology behind the constellations.
Children will see the stars shining brightly right in their own room with this glow-in-the-dark introduction to the night sky. Each constellation sparkles brilliantly on the page, thanks to the special ink that illuminates the lush artwork. And even as the luminous illustrations encourage stargazing, the kid-friendly text presents a perfect mix of simple science and storytelling. Along with very basic astronomical facts about our galaxy and the major constellations are the world myths of the gods and heroes whose names grace today's star maps. Take the tale of Andromeda--the princess sacrificed to save her father's kingdom who lives in the long, curved "V" of stars best seen in late fall. With information on constellations from Cygnus the Swan to Orion the Hunter, it's an appealing, interactive approach to a popular subject.
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Although summertime and vacations are drawing to an end, we still have time to plan and take trips, whether close or far. When the kids begin to get antsy, asking “what can we do?”, Book Ends has many things to keep one entertained, on the road, or at home. A few of my favorites are DOODLES (0811852504), SCRIBBLES (0811855090), and Squiggles (0811861511), big, thick, long lasting books with each page having just a hint of an idea of what to draw. Also fun is 65 SHORT MYSTERIES YOU SOLVE WITH SCIENCE (0967802016), WHODUNIT PUZZLES (1402724535), and SCRATCH AND SOLVE HANGMAN (available at different levels of difficulty). For the young sticker fan, the Usborne sticker stories such as RUSTY’S TRAIN RIDE, WOOLY STOPS THE TRAIN, and fairy tale stories like THREE LITTLE PIGS, SLEEPING BEAUTY, and CINDERELLA provide fun read aloud stories where an occasional word is replaced by an appropriate sticker....More

Summer Activities with Stickers (0794503985) as well as Step-by-Step Crafts for Summer (1590784774) are just a couple of titles for the arts and crafts-minded kids. Scribbles (0811855090) and Doodles (0811852504) are two really giant drawing and coloring books in the anti-coloring book style. Each page has just a suggestion of what to draw, helping the young artist get past the feeling of intimidation from a “blank” page. ...More

Following the enormously successful "Scribbles" and "Doodles," Taro Gomi invites kids of all ages to not only color, but paint, draw, and imagine. Playful drawings and fun-to-follow instructions make this book easy to start but hard to put down. Illustrations. Consumable....More

Not an ordinary mystery book, One Minute Mysteries makes science fun! Each one-minute mystery (solutions included) exercises critical thinking skills while covering earth, space, life, physical, chemical, and general science. A bonus section includes five mysteries from our upcoming title in the series, One Minute Mysteries: Solve 'em with Math! This entertaining and educational book is great for kids, grown-ups, schools, educators, homeschoolers and anyone who loves good mysteries, good science, or both!...More

Fire up the brain--a mystery needs solving and smart young sleuths can help! It's happening at the Riddle Middle School, where a group of suspended students hacked into the computer and stole the big midterm exam. Now, the mischief makers threaten to give the test to everyone unless the principal drops their punishment. Instead, the principal orders the six department heads to find the culprits...or face demotion. Join forces with the faculty and new pupil Rodman as they search for the thieves, and along the way take brainteasing challenge after challenge--including lateral thinking puzzles, tricky logic questions, and mathematical conundrums--to capture the crooks. Of course, all the solutions are right in the back of the book, thoroughly explained....More

Marilyn writes:
August 2nd is the eagerly awaited release date for BREAKING DAWN (031606792x), the fourth book in Stephanie Meyer’s exceptionally popular Twilight series. In TWILIGHT, the first book, Meyer introduces her heroine, Isabella Swan, who has moved from sunny Arizona, where her mom lives with her new husband, to dreary, rainy Washington to live with her dad, the police chief in Forks. From the first day at her new high school she is drawn to Edward Cullen, whose interest in her seems erratic. The typical girl meets boy, star-crossed lover’s romance story gets a twist here. Edward is a vampire. Though he and his family are not the type to feed on humans, there are others who will, and Edward’s love for Bella puts her at risk in more ways than usual.
The romance, and its complications, continues in NEW MOON, the sequel to TWILIGHT, and ECLIPSE, the third book.. This series is recommended for ages 14 and up- we know of at least a few moms who are also enjoying the books....More

Judy H. writes:
Brian Lies, author and illustrator OF BATS AT THE BEACH, has written another charming book, BATS AT THE LIBRARY (9780618999231). In verse form, this book chronicles the adventures of bats in the town library. The bats have waited all year for a chance to sneak into the library, and when they do, some interesting events follow. Some bats discuss books, others read guides on fancy foods, and a few play with overhead projectors to make shadows or make copies of themselves on the Xerox machine. Not only does Lies write a witty story, but he also draws very clever illustrations. The book Make Way for Ducklings becomes Make Way for Bats, and Goodnight Moon is Goodnight Sun while Winnie the Pooh becomes a bat as does Little Red Riding Hood, Paul Revere, the Mad Hatter and other children’s story characters. This picture book provides fun for parent and child alike. ...More

Walter Dean Myers has written another poignant war novel about the Iraqi War for the high school reader, SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH (0439916240). The narrator is Robin Perry, the 18 year-old nephew of Richie Perry, the protagonist of Myers’ other war novel about the Vietnam War, FALLEN ANGELS. Robin is deeply moved by the events of September 11, and over his parents’ objections, decides to postpone college and enlist in the Army. Through Robin’s teenage eyes, the reader sees the heroics, horror, and complications of the present war with IED explosions, civilian and military casualties, and the prospects of a longer than anticipated conflict. If you are looking for a book on a current problem, this is it!
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Royden, age 14 writes that GROOSHAM GRANGE (0399250611) by Anthony Horowitz “is a delightfully creepy story about a boy named David Elliot who has been accepted to a school that he, and most people, has never heard of. Even before he arrives at the school, things seem wrong. This book, like most of Anthony Horowitz’s books, is directed at boys around the age of 11-15. If you read HOROWITZ HORROR: STORIES YOU WISH YOU NEVER READ and enjoyed it, then this is definitely a book for you.”...More

Ari, also age 14, writes:
HECK: WHERE THE BAD KIDS GO (9780375840753) by Dale E. Basye “was one of the strangest books that I have ever reviewed. It was also one of the most memorable. It made me laugh a lot and at the same time, it kept me on the edge of my seat. This was the first book I have ever read about children dying. Even though that sounds like a sad theme, Mr. Bayse was able to convert it to a comedy. The main characters are Milton and Marlo Foster. Marlo is a juvenile delinquent; she is a thief. Milton is her angelic brother. Together, after a giant marshmallow explosion, they journey to HECK, a world where kids go until they get sorted into their correct realms of the underworld. The ruler of HECK underestimated Marlo’s cunning and Milton’s smarts. Only one of them, in the end, is able to return to the living. You will have to read the book to find out which sibling escapes alive. I recommend this book to anyone who likes comedy, adventure, and other worldly creatures.” ...More