All are invited to attend a talk by E.Lockhart at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 on Thursday Feb. 16, 5pm. Copies of her books will be for sale through an arrangement with Politics and Prose Bookstore. She will sign books after her talk.
The Washington Children's Book Guild is hosting author Ruta Sepetys, author of the book Between Shades of Gray, a popular book among our group, at a luncheon at the Channel Inn in Washington D.C. on Thursday January 19. The meeting begins at noon and ends at 2 p.m. For details about Ruta's talk, luncheon options and the work of the Guild check out the guild's blog, www.childrensbookguildblog.blogspot.com
If you would like to attend contact member Edie Ching, edie.ching@verizon.net
In 1957 the Little Rock Nine integrated Central High School. The following year all the high schools in Little Rock were closed to stop integration. This little-known piece of history is brought to life through the character of 12-year-old Marlee Nisbett, who is so shy she appears mute. Everyone in Marlee's family and community is affected by the closure of the high schools, and when Marlee is faced with bullies, racism and injustice, she finds her voice. 10-14. Lisa Cosgrove-Davies
After her father's death, Liesl is determined to bury his ashes next to her mother's. With the help of Po, a ghost from the Other Side, she escapes her step-mother's attic, steals the box of ashes and sneaks aboard a train. Only, the box doesn't actually contain ashes. Will, an alchemist's apprentice, has bungled his deliveries. Liesl is actually carrying terrifically powerful magic. Narrator Jim Dale shines as the characters and storylines come together for a rather satisfying conclusion. (Appears to be available for download only. Both Fairfax and Arlington have copies via Overdrive). Audiobook. Colleen Beaupre
In his new school, eighth grader Travis hides the fact that he can't read but his secret is discovered by mouthy Velveeta and a perceptive and sympathetic teacher who sets him on the road to literacy with a Kjelgaard book. Everyone has secrets in this moving story: Travis's grandfather doesn't tell him what happened to his dog; Velveeta won't reveal where she actually lives. References and parallels to THE BOOK THIEF abound, and Travis's pejorative nickname comes from the Dr. Seuss book. This is a book about reading both for those who struggle and those who love it. Ten to fourteen.
Two new boys in Margie's Year Six class draw her into their longing for their old Mongolian home and their fear of a demon which turns out to be deportation. Julie recalls her friendship with Chingis and Nergui, accompanying her narrative with the series of Polaroid photographs Chingis took to describe his homeland. Much is left unstated here. Like the empty space on the cover, it demands to be filled in. Seven to Ten (upper end).
A glorious retelling of of Aesop's fable, lushly presented with Nancy Burkert's intricate drawings, setting the story in the Aha Hills on the border of Botswana and Namibia in southern Africa. These extraordinary illustrations emphasize the space around the animals as well as details of their bodies and coloration but the retelling matches them in quality, giving the mouse top billing, using interesting language and plentiful dialog. It's a treat to read aloud. This complements Pinkney's version; they make a grand pair. Up to Seven (and older).
Delicately detailed watercolors on luxuriously thick cream-colored paper reveal a brave little mouse’s encounter with a fearsome feline in this retelling of Aesop’s famous fable. Generous use of white space lets readers focus on and delight in the world as this tiny hero sees it.
Hazel’s father has left, creating emotional and financial hardships which force Hazel to leave her creativity-fostering school for one of multiple-choice tests and straight rows of desks. Here, though, she has her best friend and companion in magic and fantasy super-hero baseball games, Jack. But taunting classmates, Jack’s own family troubles and a mysterious shard of glass in the eye pull them apart. When Jack disappears, Hazel sets off on a journey through frozen woods populated with the Snow Queen and other characters from Andersen’s fairy tales to save him. Spell-inducing prose convincingly interweaves a harsh reality with perilous fantasy to evoke the power of love and friendship. Ten to Fourteen. Kathleen Neil
Already worried because Eighteen, her science project rat, has disappeared, eight-year-old Clementine is dismayed to learn that her perfect four-person family is about to become five. Things are changing too fast. Pennypacker continues to find new areas to explore in this popular middle-grade series about families, friendship, and sibling rivalry. Clementine's concerns about her mother's pregnancy are presented with understanding and sympathy, as is her lively but distractible nature at school. The first-person narrative introduces a new side of Clementine -- she wants to build things, like her dad does -- and a new friendship issue with Margaret's sudden interest in make-up . Frazee's line drawings show close family scenes as well as Clementine with her schoolmates. Both familiar and new, this would work just as well to introduce this appealing character as to satisfy those who are already fans. Seven to Ten
Narrated by Laura Flanagan. This story grabs you from the beginning. Jessica, a track star & junior in high school, wakes up in a hospital where she is recovering from a bus accident in which she lost her leg. Jessica's world is understandably turned upside down; healing - learning to put one foot in front of the other - takes time. The characters are engaging and the pacing of the reading is very well done. Performed by a single reader, it is fully voiced; female voices are very well-done, each one distinct and remains recognizable; male voices are less distinct. The few sound effects, mostly running or walking noises, are well-done. Recommended for grades 7-12. Audio. Rhonda Belyea.
Straightforward, evocative, teen-friendly art combines beautifully with succinct dialogue and narrator asides in this graphic novel that smoothly takes on issues such as relocation and subsequently finding one's footing in a new place in high school. Paige (a thinly veiled fictional version of the artist/author) moves with her parents from small-town Virginia to Brooklyn. Through her art, Paige observes her emotions and eventually connects with other artists who understand her. Fourteen and up. -Todd Krueger
Neilly's mom is having Declan's dad's baby. Neilly's dad is marrying a man. Declan's mom was killed by a drunk driver. Pretty, popular Neilly is a feature in Declan's fantasies, but now they are about to become step-brother and sister. With alternating boy's voice /girl's voice chapters in "he said, she said" style, Notes has laugh-out-loud moments. Declan's edgy, yet vulnerable voice is particularly believable. Two teens with baggage begin to trust and bloom in a situation not of their own making. Valerie Diamond
