Judy H. writes:

Grab yourself a pint of Guinness and sit awhile to read the hilarious new novel THE PIG DID IT by Joseph Caldwell (1883285291). You are instantly drawn into the Irish atmosphere of beautiful rural scenery, magnificent storytelling, a raucous wake, long-standing family feuds and lively pubs. Aaron McCloud, an American who is trying to recover from being rebuked by a young woman, decides to visit his Aunt Kitty McCloud in County Kerry. Aaron arrives at his Aunt’s cottage with a pig ( it’s a long story). The pig proceeds to unearth the skeleton of a local handyman, Declan Tovey. That’s when the fun begins. From then on the pig influences everything, including the hysterical climatic ending. This book will keep you laughing from cover to cover....More

Alice writes from afar:

HOPE’S BOY (1401303226) is a memoir about growing up as a foster child in Southern California. Torn from his mother’s arms when he was seven years old, Andrew Bridge spent his next 11 years as a foster son in a loveless house that would never and could never feel like home. Defying odds, Bridge breaks about of the system, attending Wesleyan College and Harvard Law School before becoming a Fulbright Scholar and an advocate for children’s rights. Heart-wrenching and honest, this foray into the foster care system is not as much about the abuses of a substitute family, as it is about the unbreakable and unending connection between a boy and his mother....More

Dede writes:

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK by Geraldine Brooks (9780670018215) is the latest offering from this Pulitzer Prize winning author. You will remember her novels MARCH and A YEAR OF WONDERS, as well as NINE PARTS OF DESIRE, a study of the lives of Muslim women in the Middle East. In her new novel, she bases her story on a real life event when a priceless medieval illuminated Hebrew manuscript, the Sarajevo Haggadah, was saved by a Muslim librarian during the Bosnian conflict. She traces the book from Sarajevo to Seville to Venice to wartime Vienna, and uncovers the heroes who have saved it for centuries and the artists who created it. A modern love story is woven into the tale, when Hannah Heath, an Australian book restorer, meets the Muslim librarian who is the latest person to save the book from destruction. To be human, rather than blindly cleave to any faith or political position, is her theme....More

BEGINNER’S GREEK by James Collins ( 9780316021555) is a delightful Valentine of a book from a former editor of Time Magazine. Larry Dolye calls Collins…” like Jane Austen, only taller”, and he is right on the money. If you loved the urbane and funny novels by the late great Laurie Colwin, you will find this a wonderful read. Boy meets girl on a flight to California, falls in love, then loses her telephone number. A few years later they meet again, when she marries his best friend. Resigned, he marries another. Fate intervenes dramatically, and, guess what – a happy ending. This is a witty, warmhearted book with a moral compass....More

When you consult with Judy, Pat and Marilyn (and with our student, Perry) you can be sure you are getting the best advice about books for children and young readers. Their backgrounds as teachers and mothers, and the wide-reading they do, contribute to this expertise.

Judy H. writes:

Jackie Urbanovic has a new picture book DUCK SOUP (0061214418), featuring Max who appeared in her last book, THE DUCK AT THE DOOR. Max is back and is now trying his hand ( or should we say wing) at being a soup chef. Using others’ recipes he creates such delicacies as Fish Soup with Curry and Pickled Lemon, or Cracker Barrel cheese and Marshmallow Soup. Max wants to create a soup of his own, but it needs one more ingredient. Max leaves home to find this ingredient and that’s when the fun begins, or some think the “ horror” begins. Urbanovic has created another fun book with a delightful ending....More

Norma Fox Mazer has written a psychological thriller for the 12 and older reader, THE MISSING GIRL (0066237769). The story is told from alternating points of view of the five Herbert sisters and a male stalker and predator. The Herbert family is experiencing economic difficulties because their father is unable to work due to a job related accident. Tensions build in the family, culminating in the abduction of the youngest girl,Autumn. The alternating points of view give great insight into family relationships and into the sick mind of a child predator....More

The protagonist of the new novel WAITING FOR NORMAL BY Leslie Connor (0060890886) is Addie, a spirited, determined young girl who wants just a normal life. Addie lives in a trailer with her mother who is “all or none”, either very depressed or very frenzied. Left on her own much of the time, Addie desperately wants to live with her stepfather and half sisters and have a normal life. Addie is befriended by wonderful, eccentric neighbors and through their help, she eventually gets what she wants. Connor has created such a strong and memorable character in Addie. This is a great read for the older elementary reader....More

Marilyn writes:

We have several new fantasy titles, sure to please. In 100 CUPBOARDS (97880375838811) by N.D.Wilson, twelve year old Henry York, whose parents have been kidnapped while biking in South America, moves to the small town of Henry, Kansas, to live with his uncle, aunt and cousins. He’s enjoying his new life, doing things like riding in the back of his uncle’s truck and playing baseball without a helmet, although he does miss his parents. When he wakes up one night to find bits of plaster in his hair, Henry discovers cupboards hidden behind beneath the plaster of his bedroom wall, each a different size and shape. Through the open door of one he hears falling rain, through another he sees a glowing room where someone is walking back and forth. With the help of his adventurous cousin Henrietta, he uncovers 100 cupboards in all, the last one in the locked bedroom of their dead grandfather. This is the portal to the different universes of the cupboards, but it can also let intruders into their own world as well. This first book in a series introduces some delightfully quirky characters, in addition to some sinister ones, and is appropriate for older elementary and middle school readers....More

Sensible, steadfast Leo inherits a family heirloom music box from his Aunt Bethany in THE KEY TO RONDO (054503535x) by Emily Rodda. Along with the box comes rules on its use: only three turns of the key and never turn the key, close the lid, or move the box while it is playing. When Leo’s headstrong cousin Mimi arrives for a visit, she winds the box four times; the paintings on its side comes to life, and release an evil sorceress who steals Mimi’s beloved dog. Mimi follows them to the magical kingdom of Rondo depicted on the music box, and Leo reluctantly follows Mimi. There is more at stake than Mimi’s dog, however. The children must learn to work together, despite their very different personalities, and try to figure out whom they can trust while negotiating an alternate reality where fairy tales are not only real, but involve the adventures of members of their own families. A good fantasy adventure for ages 8 to 12....More

RUNEMARKS (9780375844447) by Joanne Harris is set in the world after “the end of the world”, the battle of Ragnarok, as predicted by Norse mythology. In this new world, anything imaginative or magical is at best barely tolerated, at worst, outright taboo. Fourteen-year-old Maddy was born with a strange birthmark on her hand. A wanderer called One-Eye, the only one who seems to treat her with any kindness, tells her that what she has is a runemark, and he teaches her about magic and the legends of the Aesir and Vanir. When Maddy’s powers awake sleeping magic, she discovers that the legends are true and that she has an important role to play in the next battle between good and evil. Aided and opposed by a variety of gods, goblins and humans, she learns the truth about her world. In weaving this complex tale- and with characters like Odin and Loki involved, how could it be anything else- Harris has created a rich fantasy that will appeal to older middle school and high school readers....More

Pat writes:

January is the month when the American Library Association announces the Caldecott and Newbery Medal award winners, choosing from American children’s books published the previous year. The 2008 Caldecott Medal for picture books went to THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick and the Newbery Medal for 2008 to GOOD MASTERS! SWEET LADIES!: VOICES FROM A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE by Laura AmySchlitz.

Lucy Cousins’ MAISY BIG, MAISY SMALL, A BOOK OF MAISY OPPOSITES (9780763634063) is a bright and colorful concept book. Maisy demonstrates opposites like we have never seen her before- tall and thin, fluffy and spiky, clean and messy. Minimal text, with illustrations in bold and vibrant colors are just what Maisy’s fans want and expect. ...More

Usborne (a publisher of many children’s books) has two wonderful, small compact books titled USBORNE ILLUSTRATED STORIES FOR GIRLS (0794514198) and USBORNE ILLUSTRATED STORIES FOR BOYS (9780794514204). They are filled with short stories that are wonderful to read aloud or independently for a young reader from ages four to eight.There are princesses and fairy tales, pirates and knights, adventures that boys and girls like to read about, with colorful and whimsical illustrations....More

Usborne (a publisher of many children’s books) has two wonderful, small compact books titled USBORNE ILLUSTRATED STORIES FOR GIRLS (0794514198) and USBORNE ILLUSTRATED STORIES FOR BOYS (9780794514204). They are filled with short stories that are wonderful to read aloud or independently for a young reader from ages four to eight.There are princesses and fairy tales, pirates and knights, adventures that boys and girls like to read about, with colorful and whimsical illustrations....More

A KITTEN TALE (9780517709153), written and illustrated by Eric Rohmann, former Caldecott Medal winner for MY FRIEND RABBIT, is a sweet and simple story about four little kittens who one spring day find a postcard with a snowy, winter scene. Three little kittens become frightened and fearful of what the snow will bring, while one kitten can hardly wait. Finally, when the snow falls, fearless Kitty goes out into the wonderland of white, rolling and jumping with glee, having a great time. The three kittens inside see that there is nothing to fear and decide to join the fun. Good for ages 3 to 6. ...More