Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Josie Moraine lives a - well - unusual life. She adores books, and works, and lives, in a local bookstore. She also cleans the house where her mother lives - notorious Madame Willie Woodley's house. Yes, this means Josie's mother is a prostitute. Josie definitely does not want to follow in her mother's footsteps, but... Continue Reading →
Eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson is looking forward to exploring Spain, the lad of his mother’s birth. He and his parents are in Madrid - his mother to reconnect with her country; his father to sign an oil deal with General Francisco Franco. Daniel befriends other Americans - Ben, a newspaper reporter, and Nick, the son of... Continue Reading →
When Theodora’s grandfather dies suddenly, she’s left to fend for herself and her mother in the family’s duplex. Her grandfather’s last words to her lead her on an odyssey, looking for a treasure that would keep her and her mother afloat. Along the way, Theodora learns she can trust her instincts, and other people. Mostly.... Continue Reading →
I admit. I am very late to this party. But people are still talking about Harry Potter, still love Harry Potter, and I know many people who haven’t yet read Harry Potter. I have finished book one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and I have to say I was expecting much worse. As I’ve... Continue Reading →
This is one of those books I picked up, and put down, over and over again at the library. The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry - the title both thrilled and scared me. I finally decided to listen to it - how scandalous can a middle grade book be really? Rather scandalous,... Continue Reading →
Abilene Tucker has only known life on the road. She and her daddy followed the railways, living in camps while her daddy worked odd jobs to keep them fed. Then one day, her daddy sent her away to live in Manifest, Kansas. Manifest, Kansas. Why there? Why now? Abilene feels abandoned. She knows how to... Continue Reading →
Bronze and Sunflower are the names of two children in China who become inseparable friends - and eventually family. This sweet story by Cao Wenxuan was translated from Chinese by Helen Wang. Set during the Cultural Revolution, Bronze and Sunflower is a story of love, hardships and family life in the Chinese countryside (and not... Continue Reading →
On the last day of summer, Julie and her little sister Martha find a baby. A real, live baby in a basket on the steps of the library. Their neighbor, Bruno, is on his way to catch the train on an important errand for his older brother when he spots them. Errand forgotten, he follows... Continue Reading →
Wayne Grover met the real-life Ali in the mid-1970’s when he was in Saudi Arabia for his job. A lifelong mountain climber, he wanted to explore the deep rifts he’d heard about along the western edge of the Arabian desert. As he explored, he came upon a remote village deep in a rift larger than... Continue Reading →
When Turtle’s mom gets a maid position with a woman who doesn’t like children, her mom sends her to her aunt’s house in Key West. In the middle of the Great Depression, you do what you have to do to get by. Turtle’s aunt and cousins aren’t thrilled to see her. And she isn’t thrilled... Continue Reading →
