Summer of the Gypsy Moths

Nothing is going the way that Stella planned, and for a girl obsessed with keeping things in order this is a very bad thing. Stella's mother has gone off to "find herself" (again), and so she has been sent to live with her great-aunt Louise at the small Cape Cod resort that Louise runs. To complicate matters Louise has also taken in a foster child Stella's age, and unfortunately Stella and Angel do not get along very well. Things get even more troublesome when, just as school is ready to end for the summer, Louise suddenly dies. What are Stella and Angel to do? Neither of them has family that can take them in or anywhere else to go. The only option the two girls see is to bury Louise in the garden and hope that nobody notices...

Author Sara Pennypacker has made a name for herself with her early chapter books, especially the lovable "Clementine" series. Summer of the Gypsy Moths is her first foray into writing for somewhat older readers and it's a real gem. It's easy to see why this book has been generating a bit of buzz this year as the writing expertly blends humor and heart. It's just a delight watching Stella and Angel's relationship develop as their unusual circumstances throw them together. And who can resist a story where two girls hide a dead body? Pick this book up today. You'll be glad you did.

This book should appeal easily to fans of Suzanne LaFleur's Love, Aubrey and/or Jennifer Holm's Turtle in Paradise.

Overall Grade: A

If You Liked The Hunger Games

Not too long ago when The Hunger Games movie was released, I started a book display in the teen area full of Hunger Games read-alikes. The book has been so popular and was made even more so with the movie's release, so it seemed like a good idea to give teens something to read until their holds came in. Needless to say, the display has been popular.


Here are just a few of the books included in the display:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas wakes up in an elevator with no memory of his past. He finds himself in an area known as The Glade with other boys who have been trying to survive and find a way out of the maze that surrounds them. Action and a sinister setting make for a compelling read.

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Finn is a prisoner who is convinced that he once had a life outside of Incarceron and is determined to escape. Claudia is the warden's daughter who is desperate to find a way out of her arranged marriage and the political games that go with it. When the two find a way to communicate Claudia realizes that they may be able to help each other. This book is more fantasy than sci-fi, but it does have the adventure elements and political intrigue that will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future where it is illegal for parents to have more than two children, Luke is a third-born hidden away in his attic where no one will find him. Then he meets another third-born girl who makes his dream of freedom seem real. I like to give this book to middle-schoolers and other younger readers who are interested in The Hunger Games but might be too young for some of the other books on this list.

Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines
Lyn watches her seventh step-father die as a gladiator in the arena. She then realizes that she will have to marry the man who killed him. Much like The Hunger Games, fights to the death are televised on live TV as a part of the culture.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
In this book's universe, the people of what was once Chicago are divided into factions, each of which values a specific virtue above all else. Like the rest of her peers Beatrice takes a test when she turns 16 to determine which faction she is best suited for. Unfortunately Beatrice's results are inconclusive - a feat which is rare and places her in danger. Beatrice must decide which faction she wishes to join and hope that she can survive the rigorous initiation process.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Saba lives in a wasteland, and her family finds what they need by scavenging old landfills. But when her brother Lugh is captured, Saba teams up with a group of freedom fighters to get him back.

A Dog Called Grk

I've picked up a surprisingly large number of British books over the past two or three months, and the latest addition to this trend was highly enjoyable. A Dog Called Grk is the story of 12-year-old Timothy Malt, whose life consists of fairly normal activities like going to school and playing computer games. One day Tim stumbles upon a small black and white dog called Grk who doesn't seem to have a home to go to and is in need of something to eat. A bit of investigation shows that Grk was owned by a girl named Natascha Raffifi, the daughter of the former ambassador from the country of Stanislavia who has recently been forced to return to his home country. When his parents will not let him keep Grk, Tim sees no other choice: He must travel to Stanislavia and return Grk to Natascha himself.

What Tim does not immediately realize is that Natascha and her brother Max are being held captive in a high-security prison and thought (incorrectly) to be traitors to their home country! The evil Colonel Zinfandel, who has taken over Stanislavia and rules with an iron fist, will stop at nothing to make sure that Natascha and Max remain locked away. But what chance to a boy and a rather foolish dog have against an army?

This book is a zany adventure that's a ton of fun. Most of the action is fairly unrealistic, but this only helps to add to the fun of the adventure. Fans of other quirky reads, especially Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, will definitely enjoy this book. The only flaw in this book is the ending, which was just a bit too quick and tidy for my taste. However, additional books about Grk and his human friends will surely keep readers on their toes as they have other adventures.

Overall Grade: B+

I've read a lot of good reads by British authors recently and have enjoyed the different sort of humor that they use. I also just kind of get a kick out of the different words that are sometimes used ("lift" for "elevator, or "knickers" for "panties," for instance). But I guess not everyone can be a fan, and these differences could be (but are not necessarily) challenging to some readers who have never before experienced these differences. Anyone else have any thoughts about British books?

My Dad's a Birdman

In My Dad's a Birdman, author David Almond's first book for young readers, we meet a young girl named Lizzie whose very eccentric father is building wings so that he can fly like a bird. Everyone, including Lizzie's dumpling-obsessed Aunt Doreen, is sure that Lizzie's father is off his rocker is will only get himself and Lizzie into trouble or even seriously hurt. Lizzie, however, ultimately joins her father on his quest to enter the Great Human Bird Competition and discover a way to make his dreams really take flight.

The wacky characterizations are very reminiscent of Roald Dahl's writing, while the bright illustrations by Polly Dunbar remind us of Quentin Blake. Readers will realize that while Aunt Doreen may be logically correct - that flying is best left to the birds - in the end it is really more important that Lizzie and her dad try their best. After all:

"It doesn't matter if we fly of if we fall. We've got each other. We're doing it together. That's all that matters."

Overall Grade: B

For the Birds!

Beloved author and illustrator David Graham has produced yet another beautiful picture book. How to Heal a Broken Wing tells the story of a pigeon that falls out of the sky and lands in the middle of a busy city. No one seems to notice this poor bird, except for a little boy named Will. With the help of his mother he brings the bird home. Will and his parents nurse the bird back to health and mend its broken wing until finally the pigeon is able to fly away and rejoin the other birds in the wild.

The illustrations are done in a very similar style to David Graham's other books (think "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate), but the lighting and the sparsity of text makes the images incredibly powerful. This is a soothing story and the bird's successful recovery is incredibly uplifting. Perfect for those seeking stories about healing broken bones, taking care of wildlife, or simply a story with a happy ending.

Overall Grade: A+

This fabulous book has reminded me of other great books about birds:

The True Story of Sellina by Italian-American author Matteo Pericoli contains many similarities to David Graham's book as both describe a bird alone in the city who needs help. Instead of having a broken wing, however, little Stellina has abandoned her nest as a baby and is unable to care for herself until Pericoli's wife Holly finds her and takes her in. Pericoli describes how Holly would take care of the little bird and how Stellina would become a part of their lives. Touching and sweet, the text is written in what seems to be lines of free verse poetry

Overall Grade: A+

How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird is an adaptation of a poem by French author Jacques Prevert. Translated and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Mordicai Gerstein, it is a beautifully poetic story that is not so much about healing or even birds, but about the power of art. The story provides instructions on capturing a bird to paint, beginning with directions to sketch an inviting birdcage to attract the bird. The fantasy of this procedure is whimsical and filled with child-like creativity as it celebrates the creative process and creative solutions to difficult problems. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and seem to call to mind the very portrait that the poem calls its readers to paint.

Overall Grade: A+

Thank You, Lucky Stars

Friendship is sometimes a fickle thing, and this is certainly true for fifth-grader Ally Miller in the book Thank You, Lucky Stars by Beverly Donofrio. Her longtime best friend Betsy has ditched her at the start of the school year, leaving her sad, alone, and without any hope of finding someone to perform with for the fifth grade talent show. Bizarre new student Tina, however, seems eager to have Ally as her new friend. Ally doesn't really want to be friends with the Princess Leia bun-wearing, loudmouthed girl who doesn't care what people think of her, but the two are nonetheless drawn together. How will Ally balance her yearning to be popular and well-liked with the true friendship that Tina has to offer?

Fans of Stargirl may wish to take note! While this book is geared for a slightly younger audience, Tina's free spirit is very similar to Stargirl's, and funky disco dancing is a fairly adequate substitute for the bunny hop. However, while the side story of Tina's mentally ill mother has the potential to be truly moving and interesting to the reader, it seems more like a plot device than anything else in some places, burried underneath Ally's dominating story. Despite this flaw, Ally's tale is strong and emotional, and her fears are well drawn.

Overall Grade: A-

Savvy

Savvy - written by new author Ingrid Law - tells the story of Mibbs Beaumont and her remarkable family. Whenever one of the Beaumonts turns thirteen, they become blessed with some sort of extraordinary gift known as a savvy. Mibbs' oldest brother Rocket creates electricity. Her grandfather moves mountains. And her brother Fish can control the weather - the entire family has recently relocated to the Kansas/Nebraska boarder so that he could not cause another destructive hurricane. As Mibbs' own thirteenth birthday approaches, she dreams of what her own savvy will be. When her father is in a terrible car accident just before the big day, however, Mibbs' world is turned upside down. Convinced that her new savvy will be enough to save him, Mibbs sneaks aboard a buss with a few stowaways in the hopes that it will take her to see her father in the hospital, only to have the bus turn the wrong way! The journey is made even more dangerous as she desperately tries to hide her savvy from her companions - a challenge since even she is not entirely sure how her savvy works.

This book reads quite a bit like Sharron Creech's Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons. Fans of this beloved book should take note! Mibbs' voice resonates throughout the book, and I am eager to hear an audio version of this book.

Overall Grade: A+



Edit 1/26/09: Today it was announced that Savvy won one of this year's Newbery Honor Awards. Congratulations to Ingrid Law on a job well done!