A good recommendation, a pleasant surprise and more.

Dear Blue Sky - Mary Sullivan

This book was mentioned to me by my boss, at the new library I sub at and I was not disappointed. The book is in the Children's section at this library, but I would consider it more YA. The book tells the story of Cassie and her family throughout one year. Cassie's brother has just enlisted and been shipped to Iraq in 2007. Every member of the family has trouble coping at first, but they rally around each other. A great story that deals not only with the loss of a family member, but with all the difficulties of middle school including losing your friends, finding yourself and standing up to bullies.

Emma on Thin Icing - Coco Simon

This is another on the MCBA list this year. I went in not expecting much (what can you expect from something with a series title The Cupcake Diaries?) and I was pleasantly surprised. Each book on the series focuses on four girls, who are members of the cupcake club. This book focuses on Emma who is struggling to pay for a junior bridesmaid dress, babysit her brother and maintain her commitments to the club after her mother is laid off. While short and sweet it dealt with more than I anticipated and certainly issues that are very relevant today. Plus, someone on Goodreads compared it to the Babysitter's Club, which we all loved as children.

The Unwanteds - Lisa McMann

I'm not quite done this book yet, but very nearly. At 13 citizens of Quill are sorted into three groups - wanted, necessary and unwanted. The unwanteds are sent to die, but instead they find a magical, marvelous land, Artime. But unwanted Alex can't stop thinking about his wanted twin brother Aaron. Will he put all of Artime at risk just to see his brother again? I've enjoyed this so far and kids will eat up this new fantasy series (book 2 is already out). Also on a MCBA pick, The Unwanteds is far more satisfying than the other fantasy on the list (Peter Nimble).

The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan

I've been working my way through a lot of myths and Rick Riordan in preparation for my new program this fall. While they are enjoyable I think I've hit my Rick Riordan limit at three very close to each other. They are just a bit too similar with not enough character development between the action for me. I'm slightly afraid to start Loki's Wolves (same idea, different author) which must come soon, if not next.

Beginning of the 2013-2014 MCBA List

I've been working through the Massachusetts Children's Book Award List for the the 2013-2014 school year.

The Mighty Miss Malone - Christopher Paul Curtis

Deza Malone from Bud, Not Buddy is back, but to be honest, I don't remember her in that book. I find Deza a little annoying in the beginning of the book, but I did warm up to her. The book, which takes place during the great depression, takes Deza, her mother, brother and father on the road, to a camp until they finally get back on their feet. While there is a happy ending I will say there is a fair amount of upsetting events that take place  (including Deza's father killing someone in self-defense) so I wouldn't hand it to anyone sensitive.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths - Sarah Pennypacker

This is another I wouldn't hand to just any kid, but was very enjoyable for adults (or children you know can handle it). Stella goes to live with her great aunt, who also takes in another foster child, Angel. Her aunt dies and the girls manage to live and provide for themselves for a month on Cape Cod. I'm all for books about children being on their own, but the fact that Stella and Angel bury great aunt Louise is a bit much. Stella even has nightmares when she hears animals outside and believes it to be her aunt underground.

However, despite that the book deals with a lot of great issues and guilt that many children feel when placed in foster care (it's revealed that Stella called 911 herself). Both Stella and Angel end up in safe and happy homes (one with family, one without), but it may not be for everyone.

We the Children - Andrew Clements

This books is the first in a series where Ben and his friends must help save the school and stop the site from being turned into an amusement park. A cute premise and the clues are fun to follow, but the book is so short, leaves off and not much happens. This book is clearly mostly setting up for a series meant to be read together.

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes - J. Auxier

There were parts of this book, particularly the writing that I really enjoyed. I liked the narrator's voice. However, I couldn't get into it and I'm not sure why. It has all the markings of a good book, but something in the plot was lacking for me. I'm sure children and many adults will enjoy it more than me.

Chomp - Carl Hiassen

This book is not my cup of tea. I read it awhile ago to have read one of his and it was fine for what it was. Adventure in nature, with a "take care of plants and animal" feel. If you enjoy that or his other, then this is for you.

Small As An Elephant - J. Jacobson

Another I read ages ago. It starts at Acadia National Park and when Jack's mother takes off during their camping trip. Jack is used to his mother disappearing and makes his own plans to visit the elephants in southern Maine. The book follows him on his bike ride and adventure. Being a native Mainer, I have a bit of trouble believing he traveled so far on his bike, but suspend belief and it's good.

Inside Out and Back Again - T. Lai

Just finished this book written in verse that covers a year of Ha's life. Ha, her mother and brothers travel from South Vietnam to American is 1975. I don't love novels in verse, but this did a great job of showing the difficulties Ha struggled with throughout the year and the reduced amount of text could entice some reluctant readers.

Jake and Lily - Jerry Spinelli

Jake and Lily are 11 year old twins who struggle to find who they are without each other and what kind of person they want to be. The story is told by both Jake and Lily. A very cute, very quick read.

 I'll keep reading throughout the year, although I've been reading a lot of Rick Riordan and original myths for a program I'm planning at the library. While cute I'm pretty much "mythed" out for awhile and won't be getting to The Lost Hero anytime soon, not that it needs any booktalking anyways.

I'm Back! A few favorites from while I was gone.

So school started again and I of course had no time to blog between classes, papers and work. Not to mention continuing to read throughout the school year. However, I am back and happy to report that I have now graduated! While I continue to work (part-time at two jobs) and job-hunt for something full time with benefits, I'll try to write about a few books now and again. You know, for all the people who knows it exists.

So a few favorites to get started.

The Lions of the Little Rock - Kristen Levine

This historical fiction book set in Arkansas in 1958, sadly has little mass child appeal. But adults (and certain kids) will eat it up. Mostly the story of two girls and how their friendship forces them to become better, braver people, it's set against the fight for and against integration.

Son - Lois Lowry

So it's now quite late to be blogging about it, but if you don't know. Son is the fourth installment of The Giver series by Lois Lowry. The Giver has been one of my favorite books and while the other two (Gathering Blue and Messenger) are good, this gives a better sense of an ending.

Other fantastic children's books that you've probably heard of before, but I read which are great:
Wonder, Starry River of the Sky,  and Shooting Kabul

And a few YA

Seraphina - Rachel Hartman

This YA fantasy books is everything you want it to be. Seraphina is half dragon, but hiding amongst people as the court musician. Peace between the dragons and humans has been tentative for 50 years, but as celebration of the treaty nears, Seraphina uncovers a plot to destroy it. Can she with the help of a few friends save her country and gain acceptance?

Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein

The first part of the book is interesting enough on it's own. A female British spy captured by Nazi's in France, but it's Part 2 of the book that makes it such a fantastic and well-crafted novel. Don't pick it up if you aren't going to finish it.

And for all that I've been up to this year, that I'm not writing about, check out my Goodreads.

Between the Lines - Jodi Picoult

Between the Lines is one of the newest Young Adult books to be written by an adult author. A trend I think we will continue to see as books like The Hunger Games and The Fault of Our Stars (both highly recommended) become popular not only among teens.

I have read a lot of Jodi Picoult, and while I stopped because her books are formulaic and I now can see the end coming quite quickly, I enjoy how well researched they are and my favorites are always about the cultures or issues I'm most interested in. So when I saw that her daughter had pitched her an idea for a young adult novel she wrote, I was intrigued.

The basic ideas is that characters in a fairy tale are actually alive and somewhat actors themselves. When the book is closed, the actors can do whatever they want and all Oliver (the prince and hero of the story) wants to do is escape. When he finally gets a reader, Delilah to notice he is alive they attempt plan after plan to get him out of the book. I thought this idea would be great because it could not resort to the courtroom that Picoult's books always do. Which is true, it didn't, but I'm left with mixed feelings at the end.

The book itself is a bit slow moving. The conversations between Delilah and Oliver get old as the attempts continue to fail. I do enjoy the fact that Delilah is in high school and when Oliver in all his fairy tale glory, proposes she says no. Delilah,  while wanting a boyfriend and a companion like so many of us has a great moment of independence when she states that she wants her life, with Oliver in it, but not for him to be her entire life. However, that said - it seems extreme the measures she continues to go to release him from the book.

*Major Spoilers ahead*

In the end -  Oliver switches places with the author's son who looks just like him (she drew him as he hoped he'd look). The son has never come to terms with losing his father and is unhappy, however the switch feels abrupt and I'm not quite satisfied with this "happy ending".  Edgar, the son, is now trapped in the book and while he says he'll be happy as he's rewritten the story to include elements of his favorite video game, I'm extremely sad for him. I would rather had Edgar stay out of the story and Delilah begin to help him heal. Just my personal preference I guess.

I enjoyed most of the story - the illustrations are great, but I don't think I'll be recommending this one much when there are so many others out there that I enjoyed more.

Also note: Palace of Stone, Shannon's Hale's sequel to The Princess Academy came out in August. I devoured it. While perhaps not quite as good as the first, the sequel does not disappoint. Pick it up, along with The Princess Academy, if you haven't read that one yet.

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 - Sally M. Walke

I read this book because in the ignorance that has become my life after school I had never heard of the Halifax Explosion. I don't actually enjoy reading many informational books, but I figured a good children's book was the way to go to get just enough information. Plus, in my quest to be a Children's Librarian I really need to know more informational books.

This one was fine, I have it three stars on Goodreads overall, but in terms of informational books, I'd probably give it four. The book does a good job of weaving together stories about people from the time - enough to keep my interest throughout the book. I did lose focus when it described the events leading up the explosion in great detail, though I have no doubt others will love the specifics.

I'll certainly recommend this to people who enjoy reading informational books, but it didn't make me want to start reading them all the time.

Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale

This book is Young Adult, not Children's, but I figured I can do what I want with this and at the moment I want to write about how much I love Shannon Hale's books. I have read all of the Books of Bayern, Princess Academy as well as both Austenland novels (what can I say? They're a guilty pleasure).

So I picked up Book of a Thousand Days knowing with almost certainty that I would love it, which I did. The book itself follows Dashti as she pledges service as a lady's maid to Saren. Both girls get locked in a tower when Saren refuses to marry the man her father has chosen for her.

Saren might be an annoying character, but through the eyes of Dashti you feel the same compassion that Dashti does. Throughout the book, Saren orders Dashti several times to pretend to be her. In the last instance, I was afraid that this book would turn into something we see too often in cases of deception, but I should have known better. Hale creates a face paced novel that weaves together an interesting ideas on faith and social classes that leaves the reading thinking throughout the book, with of course, the satisfying happy ending I have come to expect from her.

I highly recommend picking up this title or any of her others.

The Fairy-Tale Detectives: Sisters Grimm Book 1

I picked up the The Fairy-Tale Detectives because I don't read many mysteries and felt I should try to expand my knowledge of the genre a bit. I thought this would be a great one for me in particular because I love retellings - especially fairy tale retellings.

And the book was fine - certain twists were particularly cute (insinuating that Prince Charming has at one time been married to all the princesses was my personal favorite). But I wasn't wow'd. Particularly because I was expecting a mystery book and it felt more like an adventure book after their grandmother gets kidnapped.

All in all it was fine and I may recommend to some children, but I won't be handing to to a lot.