Also, Vikram Chandra’s vibrant novel of Mumbai (Bombay), Sacred Games (0061130362), is just out in paperback. Don't miss it!...More

Have law professor Stephen L. Carter’s NEW ENGLAND WHITE (9780375712913), also in paperback, on hand for your return to the United States in his suspenseful mystery set in academia. These are only two novels to whet your appetite. Ask us for suggestions for summer reading- we love to recommend our favorites!...More

Dede writes:
How about a mystery set in Saudi Arabia? Now that’s different! FINDING NOUF by Zoe Ferraris (9780618873883) introduces the reader to a pair of unlikely sleuths: Nayir, a desert guide and Katya, a biologist in a Burqa. When the sixteen year old daughter of a rich Saudi family is found dead in the desert just days before her wedding – and dead of drowning, of all things- the action that will devastate her family is set in motion. Despite a hasty cover-up by the ultra conservative family, Nayir cannot let the matter rest. How could this protected girl, surrounded by every luxury and comfort, meet death in the desert? Was she kidnapped? If not, what was she running from? The suspense and the exoticism of the closed society of the Saudis will fascinate the reader. I hope we will hear more from this author, who lived in Saudi Arabia with her former husband and his Bedouin family....More

Sarah Addison Allen is the best selling author of the charming novel GARDEN SPELLS (9780553384833) now in paperback. Her new book, THE SUGAR QUEEN (9780553805499) is set in a mountain town in North Carolina and features a ghost in the closet of a young woman who despairs of ever freeing herself from her cold and dominating mother and the reputation of being anything but a typical Southern Belle. The reader can surrender to the author’s use of magical realism and humor as we pin our hopes on three young women who find the courage to own their own lives and their love stories....More

Sarah Addison Allen is the best selling author of the charming novel GARDEN SPELLS (9780553384833) now in paperback. Her new book, THE SUGAR QUEEN (9780553805499) is set in a mountain town in North Carolina and features a ghost in the closet of a young woman who despairs of ever freeing herself from her cold and dominating mother and the reputation of being anything but a typical Southern Belle. The reader can surrender to the author’s use of magical realism and humor as we pin our hopes on three young women who find the courage to own their own lives and their love stories. ...More

Isabel writes:
Eric Carle’s latest book, THE RABBIT AND THE TURTLE (9780545005418), has just arrived at our store. If you have never read an Eric Carle book, be prepared for a real treat. If you are already a fan of this best selling and beloved author, this book will take you to new levels of appreciation. In THE RABBIT AND THE TURTLE, Eric Carle brings to life a wonderful collection of classic Aesop’s fables and morals, complimented by his world-renown illustrations. This book will be a treasured addition to any child’s library....More

Summer is coming! WAVE by Suzy Lee (9780811859240) is a wordless book that perfectly captures a day frolicking with the waves at water’s edge. Stunning in their simplicity, Lee’s illustrations create a charming story of a day at the beach filled with fun and laughter. ...More

Pat writes:
We have all heard of the sandman, but I haven't thought of him for years. A new picture book, THE SANDMAN (080507726x), written by Ralph Fletcher with illustrations by Richard Cowdrey tells us the legend of Mr. Sandman with colorful and charming pictures. It started long ago when a tiny, little man named Tor discovered that a dragon's scale held strange and magical powers. Purely by chance he finds that when he sharpened the scale, the dust made him fall asleep. Deciding to test the sand from the dragon's scale by sprinkling it in the eyes of children at night, Tor was thrilled to find that it worked and helped even the most wide awake child get to sleep. Night after night he used this magic sand to help children fall asleep, until there was no more. Where and how he was able to find more make for an exciting story. Good for the preschool through primary age child....More

Marilyn writes:
Elizabeth, age 10, tells us that “THE SHERLOCK FILES #1: THE 100-YEAR-OLD SECRET (0805083405) by Tracy Barrett is a well written book. It is about a brother, named Xander, who’s 10, and a sister Xena, who’s 12, solving cases that were left unsolved by their “illustrious ancestor”. Whether Xena and Xander are touring the damp streets of London, or walking along the lanes in Taynesbury, they won’t leave the mystery of the missing “Girl in the Purple Hat” unsolved. Whoever enjoys a mystery is sure to enjoy this amazing book.” Maggie, age 8, agrees. “If you like Sherlock Holmes”, she writes, “then you’re sure to like this book! This was a book I loved. I hope others enjoy it too!”...More

In THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY (0316057800) by Trenton Lee Stewart, sequel to the MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are reunited for another exciting adventure. Mr Benedict has brought the children back together for a treasure hunt but he and his assistant are kidnapped by Mr. Benedict’s evil twin. The children must use their unique abilities to unravel the clues Mr. Benedict has left behind, but instead of leading to the pleasant surprise he had planned, they are now on a mission to rescue him from the evil Mr. Curtain and his creepy henchmen. Recommended for ages 10 and up....More

Ari, age 14, writes that THE MAGIC THIEF by Sarah Prineas (006137587x) “has great characters and a great plot. The main character, Conn, is an orphan living on the streets. Conn picked a wizard’s pocket and pulled out his Locus Magilicus stone, a wizard’s source of power. As soon as he touched the stone it started to glow and it engulfed Conn in a big light. The wizard was so intrigued by the fact that Conn survived the stone’s power that he took him on as his apprentice. Not long after that, Conn is accepted to a wizard day school and he starts learning some very interesting spells. Conn and his master are on a mission to find out why the magic level in their hometown is decreasing. That means crossing paths with two very evil men…I recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and wizards.” ...More

Aidan lives in a tenth-century Celtic abbey. Life isn’t usually very exciting there, but he is prepared to take his vows, and fulfill his dream of painting illuminated texts. Then a new person enters the abbey, a beautiful girl with unusual talents, and Aidan’s life is turned upside down. Before he can sort out his feelings for Lana, Viking raiders attack, and only Aiden and Lana can save the village. Student reviewer Erica, age 14, writes “THE HUMMING OF NUMBERS (0805083278) by Joni Sensel… is a great combination of action and drama and is very hard to put down!” We recommend this for older middle school and high school readers. ...More

Student reviewers Anisha, age 12, Amy, age 13, and Perry, age 15, all agree that THE PRETTY ONE (9780385733731) by Cheryl Klam is a great read. Perry writes, “On the surface, THE PRETTY ONE may seem to be just another cliché book about high school- yet, as this book forces one to realize, nothing is what it appears to be on the surface. Though Megan Fletcher is a witty, realistic heroine, she is a social pariah at her school because she is fat and ugly. She feels especially inadequate when compared to her gorgeous older sister. But after a random accident, Megan must undergo plastic surgery to restore her face, and when she recovers, everyone is shocked to discover that she is now absolutely stunningly beautiful. Suddenly Megan’s life is completely changed. She becomes “the pretty one”, with boys declaring their love at every turn and friends appearing out of nowhere. Although at first it seems like a dream, Megan’s new face soon begins causing hopelessly tangled problems, and the confused girl must learn to play a whole new role in life. I adored this funny, thought-provoking story.” ...More

Amy, age 13, reviewed THE SECRET RITES OF SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES (0670062170) by Lizabeth Zindel. She writes, “As Maggie starts a new life as a senior at the all-girls Berkley Prep, she hopes to make a few new friends, and maybe turn herself into a popular girl. Maggie never imagines that she’ll be part of the most powerful clique at Berkley, the Revelers. Once Maggie is part of the Revelers, she has to collect secrets of the people at school, and report it to the “wall”. At first, Maggie thinks her new friends are actually true friends, but when the Revelers use her to find out about one of Maggie’s true friends for their own benefit, Maggie starts to have second thoughts about their friendship and has to set things right. This was a great book for ages twelve and up....More

Judy H. writes:
DOLPHIN SONG (0803732147) is the second novel by Lauren St. John with Martine Allen as the main character. In this adventure, Martine and her classmates set out on a two-week environmental “cruise” off the coast of South Africa. When a severe storm strikes, Martine and five of her classmates are tossed over board, saved by a pod of dolphins, and land on a deserted island. On the island Martine and her classmates undergo tremendous personal growth along with saving the lives of the dolphins who aided them. This is a great book for elementary and middle school readers; it has mystery, adventure, survival, and teaches important lessons about environmental issues....More

TROUBLE (9780618927661) by Gary Schmidt is a wonderful book for the middle school reader. The book tells the story of Henry Smith and his family, a well-to-do clan who has lived for generations in a coastal town on Massachusetts’ north shore. Henry’s family has always believed that “If you build a house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.” But Trouble does find the Smith family. Henry’s older brother, Franklin, is fatally struck by a pick-up truck while jogging. The person who supposedly was driving the truck is Chay Chouan, a Cambodian immigrant who attends the same prestigious prep school as Franklin and his sister, Louisa. The accident causes a firestorm of anger, prejudice, and other unseemly emotions in Henry, in his family, and in the whole community. Henry decides to climb Mt. Katahdin, which is his way dealing with his brother’s death. On his journey, Henry finds out much about himself, his family, and his town. However, the most important lesson Henry learns is that “You have to live where Trouble is.” You have to learn to deal with it. Schmidt has written a powerful book, which addresses many relevant issues for teens. ...More