Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't.) by Barbara Bottner

This is a great book about a young student who is convinced there is no book she would ever want to read willingly and the librarian who finds just the right book to change her mind. I wish I was as much fun and as cool as Miss Brooks.

Miss Brooks is the kind of librarian I want to be - if I didn't have to spend so much time checking the block on dry topics that the students could care less about. Her whimsical approach to sharing books with children is sure to entice even the most reluctant of readers. This one is not only worth checking out, but it's worth adding to your personal collection, too.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

In Katsa’s world being “graced” is not necessarily a blessing. Katsa is a Graceling, a person with two different colored eyes and an extraordinary gift. Katsa’s “gift” is the ability to kill people with her bare hands. It is something she has been able to do since she was small child. As the niece of the king, she should be enjoying a life of luxury. Instead, she spends her days as the king’s enforcer – torturing people to follow the king’s wishes. In secret rebellion, Katsa has formed the Council, which provides justice and fairness for those mistreated. It is during Council business that Katsa meets Prince Po, another Graceling, with an unusual ability. Together, they take on an incredible evil.

This is a great book for teen girls. Katsa is a strong female character that reader gets the pleasure of seeing of grow and mature through out the book. For those who like a little romance, the relationship between Katsa and Po does not disappoint. Cashore’s characters are well developed with plenty of depth. She paints a colorful and beautiful, though at times frightening picture of the Seven Kingdoms. This is a wonderful addition to the fantasy genre. Cashore’s next book Fire is a prequel to Graceling. I’m looking forward to reading it.

What are you reading?

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry

I admit that I picked this book because of the title. I have a pet hedgehog and for some reason thought this would be a good read. I tried the book on audio and just could not get in to it. I did not find the book's main characters at all likable. Renee Michel, the 54 year old concierge of a luxury Paris apartment building was a bombastic snobbish bore. Twelve year old Paloma was not much better. I opted not to torture myself by forcing myself to finish the book. I am not listening to Michael Scott's "The Magician" - a much more enjoyable and interesting story. Check back for the scoop on this book.

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

I did enjoy this book, but I did find it strange that Deirdre just accepts the idea of faeries without any question. Where was the struggle to accept something as real that most people consider to be legend or fairy tale? I was very pleased with the ending as it was not what I expected. Deirdre Monaghan is a gifted harpist with gut wrenching stage fright. She is physically ill before each performance. During a typical pre-performance bout of vomiting she meets incredibly handsome Luke Dillon who comes into the restroom to hold her hair. He is a flautist who proceeds to accompany her in a heart wrenching, out of this world performance. As four-leaf clovers start appearing everywhere, Deirdre develops magical powers and encounters strange, unworldly people who seem to bear her ill will. Her best friend, James, a talented piper; her beloved grandmother; and her mother all are in danger, as the Faerie Queen tries to have Deidre killed. Who is the killer? You guessed it - Luke. Deirdre eventually discovers that she is a cloverhand, a person draws the fey to her like a magnet. The love story of Deidre and Luke is accented by James’ unrequited love for Deidre, Deidre’s battle with her somewhat overbearing mother and Luke’s struggle to follow his heart and defy the Faerie Queen. If you enjoyed Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series or Need by Carrie Jones, you will enjoy this series as well. As for the comparison of Deirdre's relationship with Luke to that of Bella and Edward - well that sort of relationship wasn't invented by Meyers (though I believe she did a great job with it). I think Deirdre is a strong character, likable character. I hope we get to see more of here. I've already added "Ballad" to my to read list.

Three Questions by Jon J. Muth

This is a great life lesson book for kids. But, I would not use it with the younger kids. They would not understand the message. It's best for 4th grade and up, I think. It's a great way to start discussions about how do you know what is the right thing to do. It's also inspired me to find Tolstoy's original short story. The story is also enhanced by the beautiful water color illustrations. I checked this one out from the library. After reading it I added it to my Amazon shopping cart.

When You Reach Me By Rebecca Stead

Over the years I’ve found myself disappointed numerous times over the winners picked by the Newbery committee. That’s not to say that I don’t have some favorite books that happen to be a Newbery (Holes, Number The Stars, The Messenger, and The Graveyard Book, to name just a few). Lately, however, I feel as though the committee tends to forget that a book written for children has to appeal to children or they are never going to read it. If a book doesn’t meet that criteria, then it shouldn’t even be considered for the award. Those of you, who know me, have heard all of this before. So I’ll try not to get on my soapbox. Last year I was pleasantly surprised by The Graveyard Book. Strange tale, but one that does appeal to students (at least my students). I wasn’t sure this year’s committee would stick to the trend. But I was wrong. When You Reach Me is not only well written, but it will have an appeal to children. There’s a mystery. There’s a sci-fi angle to it. And there are the everyday conflicts that kids face. What’s not to like? Don’t forget there’s the connection to another Newbery winner – Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle In Time. (Perhaps my favorite Newbery of all time.)

I often say that a sign of a good book is if when you read it you feel as though the author has reached out a hand, grabbed you by your collar and pulled you into the story. This happens from the beginning of When You Reach Me. Miranda is a six grader in 1978 New York City. She lives with her single mom who spends her spare time practicing for The $20,000 Pyramid. Miranda’s favorite book is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. She carries it with her everywhere. When she begins to receive a series of notes from an unknown person claiming to want to save the life of her friend, Miranda must decide if she will tell her story as the notes ask. Readers who have L’Engle’s book recognize the ties between the two plots and adult readers may also recognize a hint of The Time Traveler’s Wife.

This is a well written story with a strong plot. Students will find themselves easily engaged by story. This is one Newbery that librarians will not hesitate to recommend to their students.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

This is a beautiful love story with a supernatural twist. While not as intense as The Twilight series, Shiver is an intensely gripping story about a young girl who is fascinated by the wolves that live in the woods near her home. The story is told in alternating chapters by Sam and Grace. Sam is a wolf, but not your ordinary garden variety wolf. He is a were-wolf that changes, not with the rising of the moon, but the dropping of the temperature. Grace, also has her own strange connection to the Sam and the other wolves. As a child she was bitten by the wolves, but for some mysterious reason has never changed from human to wolf and back. While the couple searches for a way to keep Sam human, the reader can see that the intense bond between the two is more than just the wolf connection and more than just young love. It is easy to get lost in their story. When the book ends, the reader is left wanting more. Fortunately, there is a sequel on the way.