Staff Favorites

Angie:
Angie YA Book Review Blog
Having trouble shopping for your teen and need book ideas? Are you a teenager who is looking for your next new read? Angie, from Children's Book World, has decided to put her knowledge of young adult literature to good use and has started a YA book review blog. You'll find reviews for future, new and past releases. You can check out her blog at www.beneaththejacket.blogspot.com.

Blood Red Road
By Moira Young
Ages 8 and up
With so many mass-produced dystopian novels being released, it's nice to find a diamond in the rough. Saba lives in a desolate wasteland with her loony father, twin brother Lugh, and younger sister. Her whole life, Saba has happily followed in Lugh's shadow until one day, men on horses show up and kidnap him. Saba makes the decision to leave the only home she's ever known to rescue her brother. I loved the world that Moira Young built, showing a very real and very bleak future for humanity. The book is written in Saba's dialect and with no quotations around the dialogue. It did take some getting used to, but after a few pages I didn't even notice it anymore and began to enjoy it. I don't know how much closer to Saba you can get than reading the story directly through her.

Cupid & Psyche
By M. Charlotte Craft, illustrated by K.Y. Craft
Ages 8 and up
M. Charlotte Craft and her mother K.Y. Craft have come together and recreated my favorite myth to perfection (well, as perfect as any abridged story can be). K.Y. Craft's illustrations are truly something to behold and complement her daughter's retelling of Cupid & Psyche's story of love, envy, and betrayal. This is definitely a picture book for the "older crowd" and whether a fan of mythology or not a fan, the beautifully illustrated Cupid and Psyche can be enjoyed by anyone, except those who hate good stories.

Enna Burning
By Shannon Hale
Ages 10 and up
I have a fascination with fire, but that's not why I love this book (though the word "burning" drew me to it, I must admit). Enna finds something that gives her the ability to start a fire without a spark. The more Enna uses the power, the more difficult it becomes for her to control it, and without control, the fire will eventually consume her. This is my favorite book in Hales' Bayern series (they do not need to be read in order). It has an amazingly strong female protagonist, secondary characters that are hard not to love, and a heart-warming ending. No pun intended.

The Enemy
By Charlie Higson
Ages 12 and up
Zombies. Zombies. Zombies. They have overrun London. All of the adults are either dead or have become creepy monstrosities running around the city eating children. Things seem pretty grim and that is when Higson is at his best. The Enemy is full of suspense, action, and sadness. Things are not easy for the children in The Enemy, and if you have read any of my other reviews, then you know that is the way I prefer it. Higson presents the real struggles of living in a city full of zombies. Kind of reminds me of the last time I was in London. Seriously, I loved this book; it is dark, wicked, and perfect for late night reading.

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1
By Alexander Gordon Smith
Ages 14 and up
Alex Sawyer is framed for the murder of his friend and sent to the Furnace, an underground prison for juvenile criminals where they are never seen or heard from again. He is surrounded by murderers, thieves, and other miscreants, and that is just the inmates. During the day they are put into hard labor; and at night, lock your cell because that is when the fun begins. Mutant dogs, brutal guards, and ghastly creatures from the Blood Watch roam the halls. Mildly graphic and with just a few choice words, Lockdown is a plot driven thriller with no time to catch your breath. Suspend some of your disbelief and take a trip to this dark dystopian inferno. This novel had me from the first line, "If I stopped running was dead."

Ideas That Changed the World
By DK Publishing
Ages 10 and up
This is my new favorite book to pass the time. Did you know that the idea for a microwave (1947) started when a scientist accidentally melted a chocolate bar in his pocket? From the crane (515 B.C.E), to the Tesla Electric Car (2008), this book explains where everyday products come from. Do you know how many things needed to be invented just so I could enjoy Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream? It even talks about one of the greatest video games ever- Pong (1972)! What is Pong you ask? It is just like World of Warcraft or Call of Duty, except instead of futuristic graphics and overdubbed music it has dots and lines, and beeps! Well not as exciting, but if not for the invention of the Atari (1972) and Pac Man (1980) you would probably not be fighting ogres and elves right now. Without half of the items in this book, we would be sitting around the campfire, eating whatever we found lying around that day, and playing with a rock and some sticks. Ideas That Changed the World is a great gift for that budding inventor in your family.

Herbert's Wormhole
By Peter Nelson
Grades 4 and up
Have you ever had one of those summers where your mom makes you go outside to play with Herbert, one of the kids next door? You know, the summer where he creates a wormhole that sends you both into a future filled with crazy aliens (maybe from Australia?), and all kinds of new gadgets? You remember right? That summer where you end up battling some wicked aliens, saving the planet, and then somehow finding your way back home in time for dinner? Yeah, those are my favorite kind of summers too. With sarcastic wit and funny illustrations, Peter Nelson creates one of my favorite summer reads. If you are a fan of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you have to check this out.

How Angel Peterson Got His Name
By Gary Paulsen
Grades 5 and up
Every 13-year-old boy should read this book. There, I said it. Fifty years before the term "Extreme Sports" became overused and outdated, Gary and his friends invented it. Ever borrow a quarter to wrestle a bear to impress a girl? That is in this book. Ever try to shoot a barrel down a waterfall? They got it covered. Almost electrocuted? Check. And they did it with no sports trainers, no Gatorade, and (sorry Mom and Dad) no helmets. While the events in this book are extreme, Gary recounts his wild days like we were all in his living room for a fireside chat. Some of the events may be slightly embellished, but they all happened. I also recommend this book to all the adults out there who (self included) have forgotten how to enjoy the outdoors. No Playstation, no ipods, and no internet. But please, don't try this at home.

Nation
By Terry Pratchett,
5th grade and up
I love robots, spies and time travel. This book had none of those, but it makes up for it with tidal waves, ancient gods, raiders, and a young boy named Mau. Throw in a shipwrecked girl, and a long-lost civilization and you have one of my favorite books in this store. It is clever, witty, and a great novel for adults, too. Oh, and did I mention it comes with a surprise ending inside?

Ashley:
Anna Hibiscus' Song
By Atinuke; illustrated by Lauren Tobia
Ages 4-8
Anna Hibiscus is so incredibly happy! And you shall be too when reading this delightful and vibrantly illustrated picture book by Atinuke. Centered around the same lively characters and close-knit family of the Anna Hibiscus chapter book series, this book tells the story of young Anna who, when asking each member of her family how to express the happiness she feels, grows increasingly happier and happier until she can hardly contain herself! Her mother, the last member of the Hibiscus family to be consulted, finally helps Anna to channel her enthusiasm into song. The joy and familial love so expertly conveyed through story and illustration is contagious. Sit and read this with your loved ones and you might find yourself wishing you could join Anna at the center of this bustling African city. A few lines from the book sum it up: "Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa. Anna Hibiscus is amazing too." Yes, indeed!

Halibut Jackson
By David Lucas
Ages 4-8
A standout picture book about a shy tailor whose only wish is to blend in. Halibut Jackson prefers to live his life hidden in the background, staying at home where there's no threat of being noticed. But an invitation to the Queen's birthday party forces Halibut to get creative - and out of his comfort-zone! How will he manage to visit the palace without anyone noticing? This delightful and sweet story shows us how sometimes you can stand out just for being yourself, and that you might even like it!

Cheryl:
Beauty Queens
By Libba Bray
Ages 16 and up
So, a plane full of young beauty pageant contestants crashes on a deserted island. Do they devolve into a pack of wild animals like the boys in Lord of the Flies? No! In fact, these young women stop competing with each other and begin cooperating to build up a nice little utopian community of girl power. Almost every aspect of contemporary American life is satirized in this uproarious novel: consumerism, reality television, boy bands, politics, militarism, megalomaniacal dictators, sexuality, and of course, beauty pageants and our notions of femininity. Mature themes abound in this novel, so it is not for everyone. There is frank sexual content, but rather than debase and exploit the young women, it serves to empower them and emancipate them from society's hypocritical strictures. Highly recommended, but please get your parent's blessing before reading it so I don't get in trouble.

Three Stories You Can Read to Your Dog
By Sara Swan Miller, illustrated by True Kelley
Ages 4 - 8
Just as the title claims, this is a collection of three stories you can read to your dog…or your children, or a friend, or anyone of any age who loves all things doggie. Each story is playfully narrated to "good dog" and is chock-full of canine antics that will make adults and children alike laugh out loud. True Kelley's light-hearted illustrations featuring a big, furry, sweet, earnest clown of a dog perfectly complement Miller's whimsical stories.

Stand Straight, Ella Kate: The True Story of a Real Giant
By Kate Klise & M. Sarah Klise
Ages 4 - 8
This charming book is based on the life of Ella Kate Ewing who was born in 1872 to average-sized parents, but who was destined to grow and grow and grow to the astonishing height of 8 feet, 4 inches! Instead of feeling sorry for herself and hiding from the world when called a freak, Ella Kate used her unusual height to earn a good living and travel around the globe. Ella Kate narrates this inspiring story of a woman who stood straight and proud in spite of looking "different." The book also includes a note from the author at the end discussing Ella's condition of gigantism, and adding a post script about her fascinating life.

Serious Farm
By Tim Egan
Ages 4 - 8
Farmer Fred believes that farming is serious business, and even though all of his farm animals understand that, they long to smile and laugh, and they worry that Farmer Fred is all work and no play. In an effort to make Farmer Fred lighten up a little, they indulge in some farmyard high jinks, but Farmer Fred doesn't even crack a smile. When the animals decide they can't take it anymore, they run away. What happens next results in a happy ending that should make everyone smile. This slim book is a delight, and the illustrations, especially the expressions on the animals' faces, will even make adults chuckle.

Sitting Ducks
By Michael Bedard
Ages 3 - 8
When an egg rolls off the conveyor belt at the Colossal Duck Factory and cracks open, the baby duck that emerges is discovered by one of the worker alligators who then sneaks the little duck out of the factory to his home. The alligator intends to keep the duck locked up in his home until the duck grows fat enough to become a tasty meal, but much to his surprise, the alligator finds that he greatly enjoys the duck's company, and soon they are best friends. Their friendship inspires the duo to undertake a brave and risky mission to save a town full of captive ducks. This is a wonderful story of the transcending power of friendship. Kids and adults alike will adore the lively illustrations, and adults in particular will appreciate Bedard's humorous homage to Edward Hopper.

Half Magic
By Edward Eager
Ages 9 - 12
One listless summer afternoon, four children discover an old coin on a sidewalk and soon learn that it possesses the power to grant wishes. When their wishes result in wild, unpredictable misadventures through time and around the planet, the children gradually realize that the coin is only half magic and thus they must be very careful in their wish-making. Delightfully written, with simple, appealing illustrations, Half Magic is a charming, sweetly funny book that you will read with great pleasure many times over.

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins
By Barbara Kerley,
Illustrated by Brian Selznick
Ages 6 and up
In Victorian England, Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins was an artist and sculptor who became fascinated by the discovery of gigantic animal bones that we now recognize as dinosaur bones. Since no complete dinosaur skeleton had yet been found, scientists of the day used their knowledge of biology to speculate about the construction of these bizarre animals. Hawkins made it his mission to construct life-size models of the creatures to educate and amaze the general public. This superb book traces Hawkins' efforts, successes, mistakes, and crushing defeats. Engagingly written by Barbara Kerley with Brian Selznick's lavish illustrations, The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins captures both the excitement and the small-mindedness of the era. Copious endnotes by the author and illustrator expand on the fascinating story of this largely unknown figure.

Diane:
The Empty Pot
By Demi
Ages 4 to adult
Demi's The Empty Pot is a stunning Chinese folktale about integrity. The emperor announces an unusual test to choose his heir. Getting flower seeds to sprout is the simple task. A year later Ping returns with an empty pot, but he is rewarded!

Not a Box
By Antoinette Portis
Ages Newborn to 6
The book's cover is made of cardboard and the very creative story shows a line drawn bunny using a box as a great plaything. Not a Box by Antoinette Portis depicts an ordinary carton as a car, a boat, a hot-air balloon, a robot, and other imaginative toys. Looking for a great summer activity? Unplug the electronics, read the book, and find a box. (We usually pile them by the store's back door.)

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin
By Lloyd Moss
Ages 3 - 7
Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin is a picture book that introduces the instruments of the orchestra. Author Lloyd Moss creates music with his poetic text, and illustrator Marjorie Priceman's whimsical art completes a delightful story that is also educational.

The Listening Walk
By Paul Showers
Ages 4 - 8
Father-and-daughter stories are in short supply; the 1961 The Listening Walk is a delightful picture book. Aliki's drawings complement Paul Showers' story of a little girl, her father, and her dog walking around the neighborhood. They quietly listen to the sounds of nature and their community. There is not one electronic device in evidence!

Elizabeth:
Saffy's Angel
By Hillary McKay
Ages 10 and up
In Saffy's family, both of the parents are artists and all of the children are named after colors that appear on their mom's color chart: Cadmium, Indigo, Rose and Saffron. At least, that's the story they're told. By the time Saffy is old enough to read, she notices that "Saffron," in fact, is missing. Stunned, she starts asking questions, and discovers she belongs to the family in a much different way than she'd always believed. Determination to learn as much as she can about the mother she never knew takes Saffy on a journey through loss, friendship, adventure, and, finally, home. After you read Saffy's Angel, you'll want to follow this quirky family through the entire series. Each book is full of warmth, heart, and hope.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
By Louise Rennison
Ages 12 and up
Georgia Nicolson is 14 and any ridiculous/embarrassing/hilarious/awkward thing that could possibly happen to anyone happens to her. I could give you some examples, but it wouldn't be nearly as funny as reading it in Georgia's own words. This is her journal. Enjoy. You will laugh until it hurts. I promise.

Strange Case of Origami Yoda
By Tom Angleberger
Grades 4-8
Join Tommy as he sets out to discover the truth behind Origami Yoda, an oracle finger puppet operated by none other than Dwight, possibly the weirdest most clueless kid in middle school. You know, the kid eating glue in the corner or making jokes that no one else understands, that's Dwight. So if it's really him doing the advice giving, why is Origami Yoda always right??? Tommy has compiled a notebook of evidence and needs your help to decide: is Origami Yoda real or not?

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie
By Jordan Sonnenblick
Grades 7 and up
Just so you know, this is a story about a teenager whose 5-year-old brother is diagnosed with cancer. So, yes, it has its tear-jerking moments. However, it also manages to be absolutely laugh-out-loud hilarious and a stunningly accurate portrayal of teenage life. Even when bad things are happening, you can still have a crush on the most gorgeous girl in school and not notice the amazing best friend who's always been there for you. Read this and get ready to have your heart broken and sewn back together again.

Orwell's Luck
By Richard Jennings
Ages 9 and up
In Orwell's Luck, a child finds an injured rabbit and decides to nurse him back to health. Inexplicably, wonderful things appear as the rabbit heals, including: horoscopes that actually predict the future, secret messages, and winning lottery tickets. As you spend time with these honest, unaffected characters, you may find yourself believing magic waits just around the corner.

Home of the Brave
By Katherine Applegate
Ages 10 - 14
Kek, a boy from Africa, is sent to live in America after his mother, the only surviving member of his immediate family goes missing. Written in sparse, but elegant lyrical verse, the novel explores the humor and heartbreak of the immigrant experience and takes us inside Kek's mind as he struggles to negotiate the modern world. Although this story opens the door for a discussion of the political unrest in Sudan, it does so in as delicate a way as possible with such an emotionally charged subject. Readers are guaranteed to fall in love with this bright character who refuses to let go of hope.

Janet:
Okay for Now
By Gary D. Schmidt
Ages 10 - 14
It's 1968, the Vietnam War is raging, and Doug Swieteck is an eighth grader with problems: his family has just been forced to move - again - to tiny Marysville, New York. His father and both his brothers are bullies (one brother is serving in Vietnam), the gym teacher and the principal at his new middle school are hostile, and sometimes he can't keep his big mouth shut. But he's got help in the unlikely combination of Yankee legend Joe Pepitone, the Moon Shot, a Broadway playwright, Audubon's Birds of America, and the game of horseshoes. Add an empathetic librarian, a supportive teacher, and a smart girl, and Doug is on his way to unexpected maturity and healing. Mr. Schmidt creates characters the reader remembers long after the book ends.

Un Lun Dun
By China Mieville
Ages 10 and up
Pet milk cartons that follow you around. Books that read themselves. Black Window spiders that live in Webminster Abbey. Propheseers. Half ghosts. World hoard Pit Librarians. Puzzleborough postal workers. Umbrellas and rebrellas. Sentient, carnivorous Smog. All just normal life in UnLunDun. You can get to UnLunDun from London, but not via Expedia or your travel agents, You must read the book. Deeba, our heroine, is the Unchosen One. With the help of the most inventive characters and creative wordplay since Alice fell down the rabbit hole and Milo drove through the phantom tollbooth, Deeba manages the almost Unimaginable in a manner that's hightly Unlikely. But then, that's UnLunDun. Book now. As you'll see; pun intended.

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword
By Barry Deutsch
Ages 9 to adult
The byline alone, "yet another troll-fighting 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl," tells the reader that this isn't your ordinary superhero story. Mirka, living the life of a conventional Orthodox Jewish girl, would rather be slaying dragons than sitting in class or doing household chores. Family, presented with its realistic complexities, plays an essential role in this graphic novel. In particular, Mirka's stepmother--though demanding--demonstrates both unexpected wisdom and a loving heart. And Mirka gets her wish to be a hero: she wrestles an enormous pig, outwits a witch, and battles a troll, in a story that seamlessly knits together the mundane and the magical.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
By Isabella Hatoff, Craig Hatoff, Paula Kahumbu
Ages 4 and up
When a baby hippo, Owen, was orphaned in the tsunami of 2004, he was rescued and placed in a Kenyan animal sanctuary. There he was adopted by the most unlikely of foster fathers, a 130-year-old giant tortoise named Mzee, whose species is known for being cantankerous loners. The story of their "family" highlights the best in all that share our planet: courage, love and cooperation in the face of great adversity. The photos alone will capture your heart. Though the official audience for this book is 4 to 9 years old, Owen & Mzee is for everyone who has hoped or worked for a better world.

Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour
By Michael D. Beil
Ages 10 and up
Adventure! Suspense! Heroism! Humor! Homework! HOMEWORK? Yes! Sophie, Margaret, Rebecca, and Leigh Ann are 7th graders proud to wear the Red Blazer of St. Veronica's Catholic School. They use not only their considerable talents, but also the invaluable knowledge harvested from their school assignments, to decode a series of riddles, find a rare treasure, solve a mystery, and reunite a family. I liked the characters so much that I didn't even try to solve the puzzles - and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the story. For girls and boys, ages 10 and up.

Time You Let Me In: 25 Poets under 25
Ages 12 and up
Award-winging poet and Guggenheim Fellow Naomi Shihab Nye is known for her poems about the beauties and challenges of daily like and the importance of family. She consistently champions the voices of new poets. Time You Let Me In startles and touches readers with lines like:

"I'm like the weather, never really can predict
when this rain cloud gonna burst..." Lauren Stacks

"The Bodhisatta Cat is, of course, a vegan:
He will not eat the inexpensive dry food
I fed my last cat, who was unenlightened..." by Margaret Bashar

Tender and tough, these poems resonate with love, loss, struggle and strength. A wonderful gift for the youthful poet in your life, or within yourself.

Hope Was Here
By Joan Bauer
Ages 12 and up
Make mine the Combination Special. I'd like a tale about a hardworking 16-year-old waitress named Hope and her Aunt Addie, an extraordinary cook, who moves from Brooklyn to Mulhoney, Wisconsin, where they encounter an ethical employer, a despicable antagonist, politics, and romance. No one captures the profound satisfaction of humble work -- honorably performed -- and of families, however we build them -- like Joan Bauer. If books were food, this novel would be an immensely satisfying meal followed by your favorite dessert, all served with intelligence, insight and wit. Come on in, take a seat, and savor an inspiring story.

The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey:
A Graphic Novel of Jewish Wisdom and Wit
By Steve Sheinkin
Ages 10 and up
Rabbi Harvey travels from New York to the mythic "wild West" in search of work. Upon arriving in Elk Spring, Colorado, he vanquishes a band of bad guys, using not a 6-shooter, but his signature wit. The grateful citizens of Elk Spring hire him as their rabbi. He proceeds to counsel the confused, confound the corrupt, and comfort the clueless. Harvey's common sense, good heart and deadpan humor rule the day. For readers 10 to 100 -- of any religion, or none.

Keith:
Kon Tiki
By Thor Heyerdahl
Ages 12 and up
Allow me to admit up front that I am a bit of a dreamer. I spend a lot of time making up stories and thinking about all of the crazy and impossible things I'd like to do with my life. It is this part of my character that makes me LOVE the "Exploration" section of our store. Each book in the section details the lives of men and women who dreamt big and tried to discover something new and exciting that they could then share with their fellow man. Some suceeded , some failed, but they all took a chance on something that others thought to be totally crazy.

Thor Heyerdahl exemplifies exploration to me. Imagine thinking to yourself, " I wonder if it's possible to sail across the Pacific Ocean in a raft made out of some logs and reeds?" Then imagine that you actually did it! Thor Heyerdahl had an idea, a wildly different and potentially dangerous idea, and he decided to take the risk and see if his idea could become a reality. People thought he was nuts, and maybe he was, but he lived an adventure the likes of which most people (like me) can only dream of. Read it and then come up with some "crazy" dreams of your own.

And Then There Were None
By Agatha Christie
Grades 8 and up
This book hooked me on the mystery genre for almost a solid year in Junior High. It has everything that you could possibly ask of a whodunit: an inhospitable island setting, a large and oddly terrifying mansion, and a group of eccentric characters who are introduced as strangers but who are all actually connected to each other by an unexpected and potentially fatal set of circumstances. It's the kind of book that you should read at night before bed. It will keep you up later than you like, but that's half the fun!

Pete and Pickles
By Berkeley Breathed
Ages 4 and up
I love this book because it covers a lot of ground (dealing with loss, trying new things, making friends, accepting others’ differences, overcoming fears, the power of the imagination, and on and on…) in such a seamless way that you barely notice the life lessons until your third read-through. Even better, the illustrations are so good that you’ll want to crawl inside them.

Bears in the Night
By Stan & Jan Berenstain
Ages 4 - 8
This is the first book that I can remember really wanting my parents to read to me every night, sometimes twice a night. The text couldn't be easier to understand, the illustrations are spooky and fun, and the story will appeal to any boy or girl who likes a little mischief and adventure.

Kevin:
Dark Night
By Dorothee de Monfried
Ages 4 - 8
Dark Night is my favorite kind of picture book: strange, silly and just a little bit spooky (not to mention, very, very French). Dorothee de Monfried's watercolor illustration is loose, colorful, and they bring a sense of life and movement to the story, so that you can practically imagine the characters jumping off the page. Dark Night is a story about using wits, courage, and friendship to overcome life's scary problems, be they wolf, tiger, or even crocodile-related.

The Emerald Atlas
By John Stephens
Ages 9 - 12
I love fantasy novels, and sometimes I think the real magic of the genre is in the details. The Emerald Atlas starts slow, and it takes its time to develop wonderful characters and a believable, well-detailed world. This is not to say it's a slow-moving book. Atlas is filled with action: battling sorcerers, sinister monsters, desperate fights for survival. The heroes possess great depth and resolve, and the villains are so utterly odious you find yourself booing and hissing whenever they appear. The Emerald Atlas is a perfect book for anyone who misses Harry Potter, or just for anyone who wants a funny, thoughtful, and warm yet totally epic adventure.

Luke:
Wolf Brother: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness 1
By Michelle Paver
Grades 5 and up

If you're like me, you may fantasize about one day walking into the wild, flint knife fastened firmly to your side, befriend/trained wolf scouting ahead for a trail...and that's it. Can you survive with only a sharp knife and even sharper wits? Can you make a shelter? Find food? Find water? Find a path that will lead you someplace better? "Someday," you think..."someday I'm going to find out..." Well, in the meantime, read this book! Through the adventures of Torak, Ren & Wolf, not only will you glean important survival skills like tracking a wild animal (and what to do once you've found them), but you'll also experience a dark and mystical story of long forgotten times, when people formed tribes that lived only by the laws of the forest. Michelle Paver is a fabulous writer and her words and descriptions will pull you right into the action from the very first page! What's that? You can't read?!? Then listen to the audiobook read by the award-winning actor who played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings movies (his name is Ian McKellen, and he's awesome!).

The Game of Sunken Places
By M. T. Anderson
Ages 11 and up

Wow! This book is weird! But in the greatest ways- eccentric characters, strange goings-on, and a fabulous off-beat humor throughout the entire story, no matter how dire the circumstances become. The story begins when two friends decide to stay with an eccentric Uncle for a short vacation, but when they find an old board game in the enormous Victorian mansion where they are staying, strange things begin happening. Let me repeat that, VERY STRANGE things begin happening. It may be too late when the boys find out that they both are enrolled in a dangerous game of life and death and they have no idea 1) What the object of the game is, 2) What the rules to the game are, and 3) Who their opponents are. BUT, the biggest selling-point of this story is that it is guaranteed to rock your world not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! Three amazing plot twists come at you from nowhere- ZING! BANG! KA-POW! So if you're in the mood for a strange and very entertaining adventure, pick up this book!

Everything for a Dog
By Ann Martin
Ages 10 and up
Three narrators: Bone, a stray dog; Charlie, a boy who loses his older brother in a freak accident and seeks solace in his brother's dog; and Henry, who longs for a dog of his own, especially after his best friend moves away. How these characters intersect and how the love for a dog unites them is the secret revealed in this skillfully written and moving tale.

A Faraway Island
By Annika Thor
Ages 9 - 12
Twelve-year-old Stephie's experiences as a post-Kristallnacht Jewish refugee from cosmopolitan Vienna resettled in a remote area of rural Sweden are poignantly realized in their specific historical context and as the universal adolescent yearnings that unite Anne Frank and today's middle-school girl. Placed in a different family than her younger sister Nellie, Stephie encounters additional challenges ranging from the rigid, narrowly Protestant personality of her adoptive mother to the anti-foreign, anti-Jewish prejudice of several villagers and schoolmates. Her concerns about her absent parents' fate are intertwined with her jealously of Nellie's seemingly effortless adjustment to her new family.

Maureen:
Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre DVDs
Ages 5 and up
This was a wonderful television series that retold some of the best-loved fairy talks of all time. Lavish costumes and sets and an all-star cast that includes Robin Williams, Bernadette Peters, Tim Curry and Mick Jagger made this must-see-TV in my house when I was a kid. Two episodes that I particularly cherished were The Snow Queen starring Lee Remick and The Dancing Princesses starring Leslie Ann Warren. A little funny, a little scary, and always entertaining, these are perfect for kids ages 5 and up.

The Fairy Rebel
By Lynne Reid Banks
Ages 9 - 12
This was one of my favorite books when I was a young girl; I think I ended up buying it three times because I read it so much. The Fairy Rebel is the story of an unlikely friendship between Tiki, a tiny pink-haired fairy, who is a bit of a troublemaker, and Jan, a young woman who yearns for a baby girl for herself and her husband. When the Fairy Queen finds out that Tiki has defied her laws by consorting with humans, she is furious, and Jan and Tiki, with the help of Tiki's friend Wijic, must use all of their wits to defeat her. A charming and heartfelt story of what it means to stand up for yourself no matter what the cost, and what it means to be a true friend.

Nikki:
The Cardturner: A Novel About a King,
a Queen, and a Joker*
By Louis Sachar
Grades 7 and up
Have you ever heard of a little game called bridge? If so, you probably have visions of old ladies gossiping over cards and snack bowls filled with pistachios, prunes, and stale taffy. You would be wrong. Bridge, as Alton Richards, underdog hero of The Cardturner, learns, is cut-throat: "more like a sport, a mental sport, like chess...." Pressured by his family to win the esteem of his rich, blind uncle in order to ensure a healthy inheritance, and pining over an ex-girlfriend who is now dating his best friend, Alton is relegated to spending his summer as his uncle's card turner. Alton soon realizes there is more to his uncle than anybody realizes, and that bridge is way more than just a game. Hilarious, moving, and peppered with romance, strategy, synchronicity, and even philosophy, The Cardturner is a game-changing summer read. *Warning: upon finishing the book, you will probably not be able to rest until you've established a bridge club.

A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers
By Nancy Willard, Illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen
Ages 6 - 10
An ideal mixture of whimsical illustrations and magical, humorous poems, this muse on William Blake's original works collected both the Newbery Medal, and a Caldecott Honor Award in 1982. Peppered with wonder, wisdom, and colorful characters such as the King of the Cats, the man in the marmalade hat, and the namesake poet himself, this book is perfect for introducing poetry to young readers. It definitely deserves your visit!

Monkey Business
By Wallace Edwards
1st - 5th grades
Can of worms? Fish on a bicycle? Ever have difficulty "wrapping your head" around expressions like these? Well, "sink your teeth into" Monkey Business. Edwards' humorous and richly illustrated collection of idioms offers visual puzzles to delight and challenge readers of all ages. Perfect for interactive use, this text is an enjoyable tool for teachers and parents interested in exploring figurative language with students. Plus, there is a monkey hidden on every page. Who wouldn't go bananas for that?

Rebecca:
Catalyst
By Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages 13 and up
I have not yet read a Laurie Halse Anderson novel that I did not love, but Catalyst is without a doubt my favorite. Kate is the ultimate Type-A high school student: great grades, good at sports, perfect boyfriend, ideal daughter. She is a devoted chemistry student with little time or patience for the ambiguous nature of the Humanities. The structured way in which she organizes her life is mirrored in the novel's breakdown of chapters into chemistry terms. On the outside, Kate appears to be in complete control of her world with a shining future ahead of her; however, internally she is plagued by self doubt. A personal catastrophe and a devastating revelation about a classmate Kate has always despised, shatter this division. In the end, Kate is forced to change the way she rigidly evaluates the world, and likewise, after reading Catalyst the reader cannot help but look at the world with a new perspective.

Ronia the Robber's Daughter
By Astrid Lindgren
Ages 8-12
Ronia is born during a terrible thunderstorm, the first child of the chief of a band of robbers all overjoyed at her arrival. She grows up learning to jump, dance and yell as well as any of the rest of the robber band. Although adored and spoiled by all around her, Ronia feels most happy during her solitary explorations of the forest around her home. On one of these she meets Birk, the son of her father's greatest rival. The two quickly become friends. As their friendship grows so does the animosity between their fathers, which erupts into a bitter feud. Forbidden to see each other, Ronia and Birk run away together to the forest that they both love. There they face storms, hunger and fearsome creatures. Join Ronia and Birk in this exciting and fantastical adventure about the power of friendship and importance of staying true to oneself. Ronia the Robber's Daughter is often overlooked next to Lindgren's better know Pippi Longstocking series; however, it is truly a classic in its own right, a book I personally have re-read nearly every year since I first read it at 9 years old.

Sharon Hearn:
Life-Size Zoo: From tiny rodents to gigantic elephants, an actual-size animal encyclopedia
By Teruyuki Komiya
Grades 4-8
This Parents' Choice Gold Award-winning oversized photographic book will enchant animals lovers young and old. With actual-size pictures of the faces of the larger animals and full-size of the smaller ones, photos so crisp that one is tempted to reach out and pet the gentle looking ones and jump back from the tiger's huge fangs, Life-Size Zoo is captivating. With simple informative text accompanying the photos and sidebars filled with more interesting facts (I didn't know that a baby koala is the size of a jelly bean at birth - a fact that delighted my 3 year old grandson Jack), the book spans the full age range of young kids who will be read to through older kids who will are ready and eager for more information regarding these fascinating animals. Other titles in the Life-Size series: More Life-Size Zoo and Life-Size Aquarium.

Where the Sidewalk Ends
By Shel Silverstein
Grades 3 and up
Do you know any children who say they don't like books, or poetry, or both? I dare a child or adult to crack open any page of Where the Sidewalks Ends: The Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein and not instantly break into a smile. The delightfully silly and expressive black and white line drawn illustrations add to the humor of the brilliantly witty poems. From the cautionary plight of "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Who Would Not Take the Garbage Out" to the "Crocodile's Toothache", this book is filled with humor guaranteed to enchant!

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
By Jacqueline Kelly
Ages 10 and up
This 2010 Newbery Honor Book was my favorite read of last year. It's the summer of 1899 in a small Texas town and 11 year old Calpurnia Tate wants nothing more than to be the young naturalist she is at heart, exploring the flora and fauna of her surroundings, recording her observations in the notebook just given to her by her favorite brother Harry, and assisting her cantankerous Granddaddy with his scientific endeavors. But being the youngest and only girl among 7 children, and challenging her mother's traditional views of appropriate activities for a girl, means life is never dull. This thoroughly engaging read is filled with humor and charm and a heroine you will cheer for.

Tuck Everlasting
By Natalie Babbitt
Ages 10 and up
When asked what my favorite book written for children is, Tuck Everlasting always tops my list. A beautifully written story of 10 year old Winnie Foster, who is kidnapped and then befriended by Jesse Tuck and his family. The family has a secret, a secret they will go to any extremes to protect. The Tucks drink from a spring that allows them to live forever, without aging or injury. So even though Jesse Tuck has been alive for 104 years, in body and spirit he is still a 17-year old. Jesse wants Winnie to wait 7 years and then drink from the secret spring, so he can have a wife and they can enjoy life eternally together. But is the ability to live forever a blessing or a curse? This captivating story gives the reader much to ponder.

Marcelo in the Real World
By Francisco X. Stork
8th grade and up
Marcelo is a 17 year old boy with a condition similar to Asperger's who is greatly looking forward to his summer job tending the ponies at his school for students with special needs. His plans are derailed by his father who wants Marcelo to work at his law firm instead. Marcelo's father believes that Marcelo has the abilities to function more fully in "the real world" and feels a summer job at his firm will help Marcelo develop the necessary skills and confidence. I found this a very moving, engaging read as I rooted for Marcelo while following his ups and downs as he navigated the complexities of romance, friendship, family loyalty, and the need to follow one's own sense of right and wrong when he discovers a photograph in a discard pile of a girl disfigured by a malfunctioning windshield produced by the firm's biggest client. Marcelo in the Real World is the 2010 winner in the young adult category of The Schneider Family Book Awards which honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience.

Sharon Howard:
Stargirl
By Jerry Spinelli
Middle school through early high-school
I loved Stargirl -- both the book and the character! Stargirl possesses those rare qualities that we all long for: goodness, optimism, and the confidence to just be ourselves, despite intense peer pressure to conform.