Dede writes:
If you are looking for something wonderful for a gift, or for you to read, UNACCUSTOMED EARTH by Jhumpa Lahiri (0307265730) is a sure winner. Some of the toughest literary critics have hailed her new book about the immigrant experience. One of the toughest, Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times praised her “emotional wisdom and consummate artistry”. Pulitzer Prize winner Lahiri is the author of THE INTERPRETER OF MALADIES and THE NAMESAKE (which was made into a very good film). I found this young writer’s compassion and gift for observation stunning. It is a present-day classic. ...More

A few years ago, beloved writer Elinor Lipman published a novel called THEN SHE FOUND ME (0671686151). Hollywood stepped in not long ago when Helen Hunt bought the rights to the novel, wrote the screenplay and now stars in the new movie with Colin Firth and Bette Midler. The film reviews have been very good but we always double check to make sure that Elinor Lipman gets proper credit, too! This is a witty and wonderful novel. Be sure to read THEN SHE FOUND ME first, and then see the movie....More

ALL THE WAY HOME: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House by David Giffels (0061362867) is a new book that captivated me. There are two groups of people who will like this book: 1.the folks who know where everything is located in the nearest Home Depot and 2. The folks who love old houses in a gauzy, romantic way but who use a butter knife for a screwdriver. This true story of a young couple who fell in love with a stately but decrepit Tudor house in Akron, Ohio is a terrific read. David and Gina Giffels are searching for a bigger family house when they visit a wreck of an old house, look up and see an exquisite chandelier in the sun porch. They are hooked, and after years of back-breaking work (with some very funny and moving stories) turn it into their true home. It was good for me, in this cozy corner of New England, to read about Akron, Ohio. Newspaper man David Giffels’ sense of place is very strong and the city comes alive in his book. We are not the center of the universe, after all!...More

Marilyn writes: Michael, one of our 8th grade reviewers, writes “GODS OF MANHATTAN (0525479554) by Scott Mebus is about a kid named Rory, who discovers a magical land in Manhattan. There, gods such as Babe Ruth roam and ancient Indian sachems roam Central Park, along with a paper boy and some kung-fu animals. But all is not right. Hex, a great magician, tells Rory that the Indians are trapped in Central Park and only they can free them. So they travel deep into the Bank of the Gods, risking life and limb. But is Rory being tricked? This book is fantastic. It is a fantasy story, filled with action and mystery. The plot is deep and intense. There is always something happening. It also does a little bit of a history lesson of Manhattan. It is somewhat funny as well, but gets serious in the end. I give this book eight and half stars.” ...More

Perry, age 16, reviewed AUDREY, WAIT! (159514191X) by Robin Benway. She writes “I really enjoyed this book! Ok, so maybe it’s not my new absolute favorite, but it was a fun, unusual and hilarious look at what it’s like to be famous. The main character, Audrey, is a realistic, normal high school girl who decides to break up with her boyfriend Evan, who’s just a little too obsessed with his music and his band, the Do-Gooders. Unfortunately, after the breakup Evan writes a slightly embarrassing song called “Audrey, Wait!” that becomes the band’s big break. When the song becomes popular, Audrey finds herself famous. All of a sudden, she can’t leave her house without being mobbed by fans screaming “Audrey, WAIT!” There are embarrassing pictures of her all over the internet and her whole life is being turned upside down. Can Audrey learn to deal with her crazy new life? This is a great book for high school girls!” ...More

Perry also reviewed SEBASTIAN DARKE: Prince of Fools (0385734670) by Phillip Caveney. She tells us “This book was SO MUCH FUN! I absolutely loved it. It was an inventive, madcap fractured fairy tale with a terribly unsatisfying ending that makes me unable to WAIT until the second book comes out! I hope it’s soon because I definitely want to read more by this author. This is the tale of a struggling young jester named Sebastian Darke who is determined to get a job in the court of king Septimus of Keladon. Unfortunately, his jester skills are not quite up to par, and his problems increase once he learns that king Septimus is actually an evil tyrant who has plotted to murder the lovely Princess Kerin, the rightful queen. After Sebastian falls in love with the princess, he, along with his faithful yet sarcastic buffalope Max and dwarf friend Cornelius must rescue the princess from Septimus’ evil plotting! But can a jester, a buffalope and a dwarf defeat Septimus and his army? And more importantly, can Sebastian win Princess Kerin’s heart. I would say this book is an excellent read for middle school boys or girls.”...More

Judy H. writes:
SAVVY (0803733062), Ingrid Law’s new book for the 9-12 year old reader has an intriguing plot. Each member of the Beaumont family has a different supernatural power or “savvy” which begin at age 13. The main character, Mibs Beaumont, is about to turn 13 when a family tragedy occurs. Her father is severely injured in a car accident and is left in a coma in a Salina hospital. When the opportunity to get to Salina hospital arises, Mibs, two of her brothers, and two of the minister’s children stow away in a traveling Bible salesman’s bus, which supposedly is headed for Salina. The kids are horrified when they realize the bus is headed in the opposite direction. So begins the children’s odyssey. On her “bus adventure,” Mibs begins to learn what her supernatural power is, learns more about her brothers, and discovers the secrets of the minister’s children. This is a terrific read. ...More

JULIA GILLIAN AND THE ART OF KNOWING (0545033489) by Alison McGhee is a charming book for the early reader. Julia is a master at the Art of Knowing, but during this summer she is plagued by some fears---the constant bad news articles her parents are always reading and the green book she just can’t finish because she is afraid it will have an unhappy ending. With the help of her unique babysitter, Enzo and Enzo’s brother, Zap, and Julia’s dog, Bigfoot, and a neighborhood child scared of entering kindergarten, Julia realizes that sometimes you have to face your fears and keep on going even if you are afraid. This is a book with a good message. ...More

THE CALDER GAME (0439852072) is another hit for the elementary and middle school aged reader. We again see Petra, Tommy, and Calder solving a challenging mystery. Calder and his class visit the museum to see the exhibit of moving mobiles of Alexander Calder, the artist for whom Calder is named. Shortly afterwards, Calder and his dad go to England on a trip and stay in the village of Woodstock. By chance, in the village square is a large mobile of Alexander Calder, The Minotaur. When Calder, the boy, and Calder’s mobile disappear, the mystery begins. Balliett has written another great mystery with many twists and turns and also has educated the reader in the works of another great artist. ...More

Pat writes:
CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER by Gig Amateau (0763634395) is a heart-warming story for the elementary age (10-14) horse lover. On the night of his birth a fire star streaks across the sky, signaling that a great horse has come into the world. Told through the voice of Chancey, an albino Appaloosa, we learn what life is like in a small Virginia stable. Orphaned shortly after birth, Chancey’s owner decides she no longer wants to keep him. After much difficulty, they finally find a home at the Maury River Stables. There, Chancey finds a special purpose in life with a girl named Claire who needs him as much as he needs her. Training together, despite his aching joints and near blindness, they begin a new challenge as a therapeutic horse, helping children in need. Things are not easy for this wonderful big-hearted horse, but through his eyes we get a look at life at the stable. ...More

SUITE SCARLETT (0439899273), by Maureen Johnson is a fun but fluffy book for the high school girl. Scarlett Martin lives in her family run hotel, The Hopewell, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her parents, her wannabe actor older brother Spencer, her sister Lola and younger sister Marlene, each with their unique personalities. Having seen better days, the hotel’s guests are few and far between. A permanent guest arrives, an ageing actress, hoping to write her biography, who has been away from the city for many years. Hiring Scarlett as her assistant, the Martins and the hotel are thrown into a whirlwind of activity and adventure. This is a fun read for older girls. ...More

THE MISSING: BOOK 1 FOUND (1416954171) is the first book of a trilogy by Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of the popular series The Shadow Children. It begins a suspenseful and riveting new series about a group of young friends discovering something about their past that was unimaginable. The story begins 13 years before when a plane appears from nowhere with no pilot or passengers other than 36 babies on board. The airline employee that witnesses this is told to never mention it to anyone and to just forget it. A little more than thirteen years later two boys living next to each other begin receiving mysterious notes telling them that they are one of the missing and to beware. The boys discover they had both been adopted and begin trying to find out who is sending the messages. In their search they discover other adoptees in the same situation and that they had been the most famous missing children in history. A very exciting and mysterious read for the 8 to 12 year-old, and waiting for book two will be a challenge....More

Isabel writes:
With gentle encouragement, any new skill is within reach. This is the lesson of LITTLE BY LITTLE by Amber Stewart (0545061636), a delightful book about Otto the otter who can do many things --- except swim. He wished and wished he could learn but nothing worked, until his sister decided to help. She showed Otto that he could do whatever he set his mind to if he just started small and kept on practicing. This sweet book is a perfect read for preschoolers who are learning the many new skills that come with the start of the good weather....More

In WAY BACK HOME (0399250743), Oliver Jeffers, the multi-award winning author-illustrator of HOW TO CATCH A STAR, LOST AND FOUND, and THE INCREDIBLE BOOK EATING BOY, delivers another fun and original take on children and the many worlds of their imaginations. When a boy finds a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would do – he flies into outer space. He has many adventures and discovers a friendship that’s out of this world!...More