Dede writes:
SONG YET SUNG by James McBride (isbn 9781594489723) is a compelling and powerful novel by the author of the best-selling memoir THE COLOR OF WATER. The novel is set in 1850 in the beautiful and dangerous Chesapeake Bay area and concerns a runaway slave pursued by slave catchers and helped by an old woman who teaches her “the code”, a way to survive and communicate known only by slaves. The characters are sharply drawn, the innocent and the evil, and the slave Liz, called ‘the dreamer” for her visions of the future, is one you will not soon forget. McBride tells us in an author note that he was inspired to write this book by the life of Harriet Tubman, and one of the people he thanks is Winchester’s own Kate Clifford Larson and her biography of Tubman. ...More

LUNCHEON OF THE BOATING PARTY by Susan Vreeland (isbn 9780143113522) will make you think of spring. Her novel is based on Renoir’s magnificent painting that is familiar to most people in the Western world. The novel shows us Renoir, poor and struggling at 39, hoping that this picture will make his reputation. He envisions a gathering of friends on a riverside terrace and gathers them up for Sunday afternoons at a restaurant owned by a sympathetic friend. To keep their interest and to capture the light off the water that is the glory of the painting is difficult- and he is in love with a charming girl whose mother thinks he is not worthy of her. The people in the picture come to life as the painting progresses and we travel between Paris and the idyllic setting on the Seine. P.S. He does marry the girl- she is in the left hand corner of the picture playing with a little dog. ...More

Marilyn writes:
THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE (isbn 1590200330) by Laura Joh Rowland is a richly imagined mixture of mystery, history, adventure and romance, set in Victorian England. Upon learning that she has been falsely accused of plagiarism, the normally mild-mannered Charlotte Bronte (yes, that Charlotte Bronte), accompanied somewhat reluctantly by her sister Anne, ventures to London to clear her name. As a result of a chance meeting on a train, and later, once in London, witnessing a murder, Charlotte is drawn into a web of intrigue that will threaten the safety of herself, her family, and her country. ...More

Judy M. writes:
Here is a book to help young readers celebrate Women’s History Month in March, HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Larson (isbn 0440239419 ). It is 1918 and Hattie Inez Brooks is 16 years old. Orphaned at a young age, Hattie has moved from one distant relative to another. Finally, she gets a “break” and moves from Iowa to Vida, Montana, where her uncle left her his homestead claim. Hattie has many amazing experiences with hard work and new friends. She sends frequent letters to her childhood friend overseas and the local “war time” tensions give readers a memorable glimpse into this stressful time in our nation’s history. This is great historical fiction for young readers 12 and up. ...More

Marilyn writes:
UPRISING (isbn 1416911715) by Margaret Peterson Haddix tells the story of three young women whose lives become entwined; Yetta, a Jewish immigrant from Russia and a fervent believer in the nascent union movement, Bella, a naïve, newly arrived immigrant from Italy who is desperate to send money to her starving family back home, and Jane, brought up in pampered privilege but stifled by society’s expectations and the cold, sterile environment of her home. These vividly imagined characters bring this period in history to life, the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and the struggle for workers’ and women’s’ rights. Recommended for older elementary and middle school readers....More

THE LONDON EYE MYSTERY (isbn 9780375849763) by Siobhan Dowd is a terrific read for older elementary and middle school kids. Ted and Kat’s Aunt Gloria has come to visit, along with her son, their cousin Salim. The relatives are on their way to a new life in New York, but Salim vanishes. With the grown-ups in a dither, it’s up to Kat and Ted, a ‘differently- abled’ kid with a unique way of looking at things, to solve the mystery and save Salim. ...More

Student reviewer Colin, age 13, tells us THE BIG FIELD (isbn 9780399246258) by Mike Lupica, “describes the journey for a group of teenagers to the state finals in a legion baseball tournament. Hutch has always been a shortstop, until now. D-Will, a major prospect for the pros has just moved to Hutch’s town. Hutch has to cope with D-Wills’s attitude and the transition from short to second. He is also living in the shadows of his father who was said to be the best baseball player ever to come out of Hutch’s town. Hutch has to find a way to be a leader, become closer to his father, and deal with D-Will. This is a great book for baseball fans and a pleasure to read. This book deserves 4 out of 5 stars. ...More

Judy H. writes about three of the new picture books in the children’s room:
In FANCY NANCY BONJOUR, BUTTERFLY (ISBN 9780061235887), the third of the Fancy Nancy books by Jane O’Connor, Nancy is planning her friend’s (Bree), birthday party with a butterfly theme. Everyone invited will dress up as an “exquisite” (according to Fancy Nancy, a fancier word than beautiful) butterfly. Unfortunately, Nancy is unable to attend; she has to go to her grandparents’ anniversary party, which makes Nancy mad. To use Nancy’s words, she “scowls, sulks, and storms” because she will miss Bree’s party. However, Nancy has a wonderful time at her grandparents’ and even goes to the Butterfly Museum where she is so fancy and talks to the butterflies in French!! This is another great book featuring the so sophisticated Fancy Nancy. ...More

FAIRY TALE FEASTS: A LITERARY COOKBOOK FOR YOUNG READERS AND EATERS (isbn 9781566566438) is a terrific book by Jane Yolen, who has retold some of the standard fairy tales and some obscure ones as well. Heidi Stemple developed recipes around the foods mentioned in those tales. For example, in the tale “Little Red Riding Hood,” the recipes include what was in ‘Red’s picnic basket: Deviled Eggs, Granny’s Potato Salad, and Chicken Salad Pockets. From “The Little Mermaid” a recipe for Seaweed Stuffed Shells is given and “In the Fox and the Grapes” a Fruit Salad recipe is included. The book is divided into tales about Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, and Desserts and has beautiful illustrations by Philippe Beha. ...More

LARUE FOR MAYOR (isbn 9780439783156) by Mark Teague tells the story of former police chief Hugo Bugwort, who has decided to run for mayor of Snort City. One of his campaign promises is to crack down on the dogs of the town that have become a menace to the community. Ike, one of the canine members of Snort City, decides to run against Bugwort. Through a series of news articles, letters from Ike, and illustrations (including some comical campaign posters), we learn the amusing adventures of how Ike LaRue becomes assistant mayor of Snort City. I particularly loved one of the illustrations where the dogs change one of Bugwort’s campaign posters from “Vote Bugwort for a Strong Snort City” to “Sniff Bugwort for a Strong Odor. Maybe the upcoming political races will prove as entertaining as this book! ...More