Picture Book Roundup

I think most of the books we ordered for March are in (hurry up, Ten Miles Past Normal!), including some awesome picture books. I even added two to my Caldecott shortlist!





Blue Chameleon


Unfortunately, Blue Chameleon isn't one of them. Rats! There's that whole pesky US residency requirement thing for the Caldecott (and Newbery). Sigh. Chameleon wants to fit in with the other animals, so he changes his color to match each animal he encounters. At the end, he discovers the wonder of being a chameleon. Like Emily Gravett's other picture books, there's a minimal amount of text surrounding dreamy illustrations; the story also continues on the end papers of the book. Very creative, but a wee bit frustrating when you're dealing with a library book. (My teeny tiny complaint).




Won Ton

Told through a series of senryu, a form of haiku that expresses “the foibles of human nature—or in this case, cat nature” that are “expressed by a narrator in a humorous, playful, or ironic way” (haiku traditionally focuses on a moment in nature), Won Ton is the story of a shelter cat who finds a forever home. This is not only a great read aloud; I can see teachers using this in a writing exercise. Adorable, and on my Caldecott list.



Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems

I fell in love with this the moment I read the first poem and gazed at the illustration. Emma Dilemma is narrated by big sister Jessica. “I wish grownups would quit saying/I’ll bet you’re a very good big sister./Know what? They never ask Emma/if she is a very good little sister./Not once./Not ever.” Here’s the thing: Jessica is a very good big sister, because even though she yells at Emma when she causes her to almost miss the bus, gets frustrated when Emma repeatedly invades her room, and gets embarrassed when Emma wears her dress up clothes and yells her name at her soccer games, Jessica spends her field trip souvenir money to buy a present for Emma, is the only one who remembers the names of Emma’s rocks, and reads Emma picture books (“When I read/my picture books/to Emma,/I feel/as if/I’m visiting/old friends”). There’s unexpected drama, which adds to the poignancy of the book (it all ends well). This is adorable, honest, heartwarming, and precious. Illustrations fit perfectly with each poem. Love it, love it, love it. Beautiful. When I finished reading it, I went back and read it again. I told a coworker that she had to read it; she loved it too. Definitely one of my favorites for 2011. Also on my Caldecott list.

I See the Rhythm of Gospel (2010 book)




This is an informative and inspiring salute to the importance and power of gospel in African-American history. As a companion to the Coretta Scott King Award winning I See the Rhythm, I See the Rhythm of Gospel traces the origins of gospel from its roots in slavery to modern gospel, including gospel hip hop. There’s a lot to look at in every page; the poem, the bold illustrations, and sidebar history facts. The book is accompanied by a CD featuring 5 songs exemplifying the different styles of gospel through the years (Gospel Quartets, Gospel Women, Gospel Soul, Gospel Power, and Holy Hip Hop). The CD is fantastic; I particularly appreciated the hip hop song, because I am not at all familiar with gospel hip hop.



Hey Diddle Diddle

Love it. I really got a big kick out of this. This is a takeoff on the “Hey Diddle Diddle” nursery rhyme; in Eve Bunting’s version, animals play their instruments in an orchestra. The surprise ending is a hoot. Very cute; can’t tell you much about it, because I don’t want to ruin the surprise. I was grinning the entire time I read it.




No Sleep For the Sheep

Okay. Farm-themed books that rhyme are hardly anything new. However, few have as polished a rhyme scheme as this one. Do you know what I’m talking about? If you’ve read a rhyming story in which the rhyme falls flat or the author stretches the rhyme, you know what I mean. Poor sheep just can’t get some decent shut-eye without all the carrying on from the other farm animals. Can’t wait to share this in a farm story time.




Red Wagon


Lucy loves playing with her little red wagon; she has all sorts of adventures! When her mother asks her to go to the market to haul some vegetables home, Lucy does so reluctantly, but passes the time quickly with her imagination. This sweet simple story is a charming testament to the power of imagination. (Unfortunately, it’s also ineligible for the Caldecott. Too bad.)




The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred

As a takeoff on “The House That Jack Built,” this is a bilingual celebration of arroz con leche (rice pudding). Animals help make the delicious rice with milk recipe; when the pot threatens to overboil, it’s all hands on deck until the situation is clear. And they all say gracias before eating. Includes a recipe for arroz con leche and a glossary of Spanish words used in the book.




Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, A History of Messy Rooms

When a little boy asks why he has to make his bed, his mother tells him a story about his grandmother when she was a little girl. “And that little girl was as grumpy as a groundhog, and she said, ‘I already washed and dried the dishes. I dusted my rock ‘n’ roll records. I even picked up my slinky, my Hula-hoops, and my roller skates. Gee whiz, why do I have to make my bed?” This prompts *her* mother” “That reminds me of a story about your grandfather…” and so on, until we go all the way back to a little cave boy. Indeed, why does he/she have to make his bed? Because Mother says so. “Oh.” And the beds are made. An addendum to the book details chores and children’s games throughout the ages. This is a neat little book.

Wonderful picture books! I'll write up Four Seasons and Inside Out and Back Again soon. I'm currently reading Small Persons With Wings, and have already added it to my Newbery shortlist (also added Inside Out and Back Again). Folks, I am so not a fairies person, so I started Small Persons With Wings with some reluctance. I am totally hooked. Totally. Young Fredle has some comp-et-ti-tion.

Recent Reads Roundup

I'm hitting the jackpot recently.

Close to Famous

If there's one word I would use to describe Joan Bauer's books it would be...satisfying. Her books are full of memorable characters and solid storytelling; while she doesn't shy away from serious topics, her books are generally ideal for readers putting their toe into young adult fiction. Set in fictional Culpepper (that's the way it's spelled in the book), West Virginia, Close to Famous tells the story of twelve year old Foster McFee, cupcake maker extraordinaire. After Foster and her mother end up in Culpepper after fleeing from her mother's abusive boyfriend, Foster makes a name for herself with her delicious cupcakes, yet fears that her inability to read will be discovered. As in Bauer's other novels, there are intriguing secondary characters, including a faded movie star, and a small town struggling to survive. Although certain issues are a bit too neatly wrapped up (such as Foster's illiteracy problem) this is a heartwarming story written by a gifted storyteller.

Matched

Oh, you crazy dystopian YA novels. I always think that I don't really like you. When you're written well, you're compelling, but just as it was with people jumping on the romantic vampire bandwagon, it's getting to the point where there's entirely too many of you. I'm waiting for someone to do the ultimate YA trends mashup. Something involving vampires and fallen angels living in a society in which society elders decide everything for them.

But I digress. Let's talk about a dystopian YA novel that I can get behind. It has a surprising amount of romance in it for a dystopian novel (nothing beyond longing looks and quick kisses), and it's not outstanding literature, but I was entertained. It does has its haters (some think it's a leeetle too similar to The Giver). Bad news for the haters: this is the first in a trilogy (second one is out this fall), and Disney has picked up the movie rights. I can't tell you much without giving away too much of the story, but it involves a young girl and forbidden love. It truly stinks to be Cassia, because she's living in a society in which everything is decided for her: her status, her meals, her job, and her spouse. She doesn't think much about it until she falls in love... not with her Match (an old friend), but with one of the society's outcasts. Dun dun DUN. The title refers to the matching ceremony in which teenagers are matched to future spouses. The sequel, Crossed, will be released on November 1. I'm making no apologies-I'm looking forward to it.

The Running Dream

Jessica's running ambitions are dashed when a horrific car accident leaves her an amputee. Understandably depressed, she thinks all her dreams are finished until she draws inspiration from her teammates, a young adult amputee, and a fellow classmate with cerebral palsy. I learned a lot about life as an young amputee while enjoying this inspirational yet realistic novel.







Young Fredle

I still adore this beautiful story about a young mouse thrust into the outside world. The ending is gorgeous. I have my eye on upcoming novels (including the sequel to the wonderful Our Only May Amelia), but this remains my top favorite for the Newbery (yes, yes, it's only March...we have a way to go).

I just finished Four Seasons and I'm currently reading Inside Out and Back Again. More on those later.

Picture Book Roundup

Another picture book roundup, and another addition to my 2012 Caldecott list! Yay!




Mini Racer

This is a fun racing title that I'm looking forward to using in an upcoming transportation story time. Animals in various modes of transportation (including a rockin' wheelchair, which is a nice touch)race to the finish line.




If You're Hoppy

This takeoff on "If You're Happy and You Know It" features a bunch of hopping, happening animals. This would be a great interactive read aloud!




There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs

I'm pleased as punch that all our copies of Johnette Downing's picture book are checked out. Downing is a fabulous children's performer in Louisiana; her CDs are a welcome relief from sugary-sweet children's music CDs. Downing adapted the traditional "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" (instead of "perhaps she'll die," it's "perhaps she'll cry) with a fun twist at the end.




Little White Rabbit

I didn't think I would find a lovelier spring-theme picture book than Henkes's My Garden, but then I read his latest, Little White Rabbit. Little White Rabbit wonders what it would like to be green, or to flutter through the air like a butterfly, until he encounters a cat. Too frightened to wonder about anything else, he high-tails it back home, where he continued to wonder "about many things, but he didn't wonder who loved him." Oh, MELT. This is adorable. I love it. You will too. It's on my 2012 Caldecott shortlist.




Except If

This is quite the clever book. "An egg is not a baby bird/but it will become one/except if/it becomes a baby snake." And so on. You can have fun predicting what's coming next, and younger children can chime in on the "except if" part. Very nice.




Jam and Honey

Told from the perspective of a young girl and a young bee, Jam and Honey tells the tale of how both learn to respect and coexist with each other. A lovely read aloud.




A Call for a New Alphabet

This is an odd little book, but I really enjoyed it. X is tired of being at the end of the alphabet. He stirs up the other letters to form a new alphabet order, but eventually realizes that he's happy right where he is. Jef Czekaj is a linguist and sneaks in spelling rules quite cleverly. I got a kick out of X trying to rile up I and E: "And I and E, aren't you tired of having to switch places every time C comes into the picture?" C appears with a big "I Before E Except After C" sign. I: "Here he comes!" E: "You should get on this side." Z wonders why it's the sound of snoring (and hilariously demonstrates why it's actually quite perfect for demonstrating snoring!), K realizes that it doesn't like being silent when it's before an N, etc. Really fun and clever (did you realize that V is not allowed to end words in English? I sure didn't!).




Pick a Pup

I love this book because its underlying message is so true: when you pick an animal from the shelter, you often realize that he/she picked you. Sam and his grandmother are off to adopt a dog from the shelter, but Sam is unsure as to what kind of dog he should get: a "sit-in-you lap dog/likes to take a nap dog," a "runs-right-up pup/always-wakes-you-up pup," or something entirely different? "You'll know," reassures Grandma. And indeed, Sam does. Awww. Not only is this a great story about getting a shelter dog, but it's also a lovely grandson-grandmother story. Sam's neighbors are also multicultural, which is always appreciated.

What a lovely collection of picture books. You really can't go wrong with any of them!

New Books Are Marching In, Part II

So much goodness that I had to break it into two posts.

The Queen of France




This looks very cute, and it's written by a librarian! Not only that, it's received excellent reviews, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. This will appeal to little girls who love to play dress-up. Luckily for parents, School Library Journal assures that "it's a story that will never grow tired."


Red Wagon




Here's another book with two starred reviews (Kirkus Reviews and Booklist). This gentle story about a young fox and her favorite red wagon sounds like a keeper. Kirkus declares it "[A] winner."


Shout! Shout It Out!




It's always a good day when Denise Fleming has a new book out. "Grownups, get your earplugs ready: story time is about to get loud," warns The Horn Book Magazine. "Everybody loves to shout. So, if you know it, SHOUT it out! Ready, set, GO!" Numbers, colors, names of animals and types of transportation are presented via a mouse and his/her (human) students. Sounds perfect for a story time; I will definitely try it out!


Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit





Books about the seasons and holidays are in perpetual demand, so we can never really have enough of them. When a particularly special one comes along, it's a double blessing. Reviews have been extremely positive for this winter-to-spring story, including two starred reviews (Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal).

Star Wars Craft Book




Total Star Wars girl here (the original trilogy, although I don't hate on the newer ones as much as some super fans do). I grew up with the series, dressed up as Princess Leia for Halloween (Star Wars Princess Leia, not Return of the Jedi Princess Leia-I was six or seven). If I catch one of the movies on TV, I have to stop and watch it if I can. Written by a writer for StarWars.com, the Star Wars Craft Book shows us how to make Star Wars-inspired crafts using everyday materials. Cool. "Geek crafts" are all over the place on the Internet, so I'm sure this will appeal to geeks with glue guns.

(Speaking of Star Wars, Carrie Fisher is publishing a memoir next year about the Star Wars phenomenon; if you're familiar with her first memoir, her other writings, or her interviews, you know that she has a *wicked* wit. Cannot wait-it's been postponed from this summer, unfortunately!)


Storm Runners




I'm super excited about this, because I'm always on the look out for good series that might appeal to boys (and girls as well). Storm Runners is the first in a trilogy about a young boy and his storm-chasing father.

The Unforgettable Season: Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and the Record-Setting Summer of '41





It may be March Madness for the next two weeks, but baseball fans know that baseball season is just around the corner. Baseball books are coming out in droves, just like every year. Anyone know why baseball is the most "literary" sport? Good sports writing is some of the finest writing out there, and much of it is about baseball. The Unforgettable Season chronicles that amazing 1941 season, in which DiMaggio and Williams set records that still stand today. Publishers Weekly, in its starred review, calls this "conversational yet informative."

Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku






This looks and sounds outstanding (starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and School Library Journal-wow!) . A cat narrates his life story, from his shelter days to his eventual adoption. Publishers Weekly recommends it as a "surprisingly powerful story in verse."

Ooooh. So much goodness. I think I need to learn how to read faster. It's only March, and I have so many awesome books to get to. Plus, there are some fabulous veteran authors with new books coming out in the next few months, along with some cool-sounding books by debut authors. 2011 is looking like an outstanding year for children's/YA literature!

New Books Are Marching In, Part I

The Spring 2011 publishing year is well underway. March brings us more terrific picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, and YA books. Let's take a look, shall we?




One, Two, Buckle My Shoe: A Counting Nursery Rhyme

My favorite board books are REAL board books, not picture books squeezed into board book format. This is a die-cut picture presentation of the familiar nursery rhyme, using a circus theme. Not only that, it's interactive; squares on each page reveal a peek at the next page's illustration. Cute!



Ten Miles Past Normal

I'm a huge fan of Frances O'Roark Dowell. The Kind of Friends We Used to Be is a realistic, funny, and heartfelt middle school friendship story, while Falling In is a wild and hilarious fariy tale. Dowell's books usually straddle the children's/YA divide, but her latest, Ten Miles Past Normal, is solidly YA. Her debut YA novel about the daughter of modern-age hippie parents was called a "completely refreshing take on the coming-of-age novel" by School Library Journal, and according to The Horn Book Magazine, Dowell "gets all the details of ninth grade right." Can't wait to read it!






13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System

Oh, that wacky International Astronomical Union. Demoting planets, adding planets...it's enough to make you dizzy! Not to mention that all these changes quickly make solar system books out of date. Thankfully, David Aguilar and the National Geographic Society are here to explain it all to you. Aguilar profiles all 13 planets (wait, what?), the sun, comets, and all that jazz. Does he also provide a new mnemomic phrase for remembering the planets? Because "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pies" obviously won't work anymore. And since it's published by the children's division of National Geographic's publishing house, you know it's going to be high quality.




Angel in My Pocket

Angel in My Pocket sounds like a sweet and unique story; after finding and forgetting about an angel coin in her pocket, Bette and her classmates discover new ways to move forward from loss and hardships. Publishers Weekly praised its "introspective" and "lovingly crafted" story.






Ant and Grasshopper

I'm eager to read this retelling of the Aesop fable; Kirkus Reviews found it "joyful": School Library Journal admired its "humorous, fluid retelling" and recommended it for a read aloud. Yes! We often find Aesop's fables collected in volumes rather than in single-title format; I'm excited to find an excellent picture book retelling.




Between Shades of Gray

While Between Shades of Gray may not immediately fly off the shelves due to its subject matter, I couldn't ignore the multiple starred reviews that this debut novel has received. This historical fiction novel features an aspect of history that is rarely discussed in youth fiction: Stalin's reign of terror. Through the story of 15 year old Lina, the mass deportation of the Baltic people to Siberia is told. While reviews note that the story is incredibly sad and tragic, Ruta Sepetys's writing is acclaimed: "Sepetys' flowing prose gently carries readers through this crushing tragedy of this tale that needs telling (Kirkus Reviews)"; "...the novel illuminates the persecution suffered by Stalin's victims (20 million were killed), while presenting memorable characters who retain their will to survive even after more than a decade in exile (Publishers Weekly)"; "Unrelenting sadness permeates this novel, but there are uplifting moments when the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for compassion take over (School Library Journal)." Sounds like a difficult read, but definitely a worthwhile one.






Bless This Mouse

Lois Lowry's latest sounds like a hoot. It's the story of a colony of church mice facing the most dreaded day in the church year: the feast of St. Francis. Like many Catholic and Episcopalian churches, St.Bartholemew observes this feast by encouraging parishoners to bring their pets to church for a blessing (I haven't figured out if St. Bartholomew Church is Catholic or Episcopalian; the Mouse Mistress is Hildegarde, which makes me slightly lean toward Episcopalian, since Hildegard of Bingen is not officially a saint in the Catholic church, but is in the Episcopalian/Anglican church, yet the priest is named Father Murphy, which makes me think that it's Catholic... although Episcopalian priests are addressed as "Father So-and-So"....perhaps it's intentionally not clear?). Meaning that CATS will be present in the church. And frankly, Mouse Mistress Hildegarde is tired of the church mice being the only animals to not receive a blessing from the priest. Oh, what to do? Reviews have been positive, with Publishers Weekly being over the moon for it: this "fun and lighthearted" story is "an impeccably constructed, good-humored adventure filled with master plans, near disasters, and brave rescues..." Great!





Blink & Caution

Tim Wynne-Jones's thriller about two street kids caught in a criminal plot has been applauded as his "finest, most beautifully written yet" by Kirkus Reviews. Publishers Weekly declares it a "dazzling crime novel that evokes the taut writing and tropes of hard-boiled fiction while interweaving social justice themes and a solid sense of realism." Authors dream of reviews like this; I'll definitely have to check it out.





Blue Chameleon



I adore Emily Gravett's picture books; unfortunately, unless she decides to take up residency in the United States, she's ineligible for the Caldecott Medal. Boo. I'm looking forward to this story about a chameleon trying to find his place in the world. I don't need to quote any reviews; as usual, they are exceptional.





Busy Elephants



I love the "Busy [Animal X]" board books by John Schindel. That is all. Here's the latest one.




The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred



Based on the "House That Jack Built" refrain, The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred is a "wonderful read aloud (Kirkus Reviews)" detailing the making of arroz con leche. Perhaps one to watch for the Pura Belpre Award?




Chime


A girl who sees spirits, a mysterious young man, and family secrets that threaten to be revealed? Sounds like a page turner! "...Billingsley's plot involves murder, mystery, romance, ancient lore, family drama, and sisterly love," according to The Horn Book Magazine. Sounds like a lot to juggle. Yet Billingsley takes her time to develop the story, resulting in a YA novel that is a "darkly beguiling" (Publishers Weekly) and "delicious" (The Horn Book Magazine).





Hey Diddle Diddle



Eve Bunting doesn't normally "do" lighthearted picture books; her picture books are usually known for their sophisticatication and maturity. This take on the familiar Mother Goose rhyme appears to be one of her exceptions; I'm anticipating this for an upcoming Mother Goose-themed story time.


That's enough for one post; to be continued!

Picture Book Roundup

I know I don't cover picture books enough, so I'm trying to change that. I'm aiming to read at least five picture books during lunch breaks. Yesterday I picked up a mix of 2011 picture books and several 2010 books; all were terrific reads and I highly recommend them all.




I Must Have Bobo

This is a charmer. Willy wakes up one morning, only to find that his beloved Bobo (a stuffed monkey) is missing. Willy's grey cat, Earl, loves Bobo too. Apparently, he's a wonderful chew toy. There's very little text; one sentence or two at the most on every page. I got a real kick of out the illustrations, especially when Earl is caught in the act of stealing Bobo. This is an adorable tribute to those special lovies cuddled by toddlers.



Painter and Ugly

I've long been a fan of Robert J. Blake, and wish that he would get recognition for his picture books. Perhaps 2012 will be the year? Blake returns to a familiar theme: sled dogs. Painter and Ugly are the best of friends and race on the same dog sled team. On one cruel day, they are sold to separate teams, presumably never to see each other again....until they catch each other's scent on the Junior Iditarod trail.

The illustrations are in Blake's familiar Impressionist-like style. The stark Alaska winter chills the pages, while Painter and Ugly have such soft and expressive personalities that you just want to reach out and pet them. The illustration of Painter and Ugly joyfully racing together is absolutely beautiful. The vocabulary and story line makes this a great choice for kindergarten and lower elementary school students; it would work well for a classroom read aloud or for a child that can sit still for a longer picture book. This is on my 2012 Caldecott shortlist.




Animal Crackers Fly the Coop

This is a very funny and clever book. However, I wonder if some of the humor is a bit too clever. In the end, some of the humor may go over young children's heads, but they'll enjoy the animals' antics, and might even want to commit the jokes to memory. Loosely based on The Bremen Town Musicians, Animal Crackers Fly the Coop is the story of a ragtag bunch of animals and their quest to build a comedy club.




The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah

The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah was widely praised when it was published last year; unfortunately, I either saw it too late or it was published too soon to Passover (meaning that by the time it reached our shelves, Passover 2010 was likely to be done) that I decided to wait on it until this year. Obviously, this is the story of The Little Red Hen, Jewish style. Little Red Hen is busily preparing for Passover, but her no-goodnik friends have no interest in helping her....until it's time to eat the Passover meal.

Now, I normally dislike Little Red Hen versions in which the hen relents and lets her lazy acquaintances eat the bread. It defeats the moral of the story. However, I'll make a distinction for this little mensch (as the Little Red Hen calls herself), for after Little Red scolds them for not helping her, and then asking to partake in the Seder:

Sheep, Horse, and Dog couldn't think of a thing to say. The Little Red Hen was right; they hadn't been very good friends. The three animals silently hung their heads in shame.

The Little Red Hen was quiet too. Now I should invite them to my Seder? she thought. Then she remembered the words written in the Passover Haggadah: Let all who are hungry come and eat.

Aww. How can you mind that?

(Spoiler alert: Her friends do the dishes at the end of the story!)

Very cute; Little Red is quite the character. Yiddish-isms are sprinkled throughout the story; if you're not familiar with them, they won't hamper your enjoyment of the story. There's also a short "About Passover" essay, a matzah recipe, and a glossary (for those Yiddish-isms). How cool is that!




Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night


Oooh, I can't wait until the National Poetry Month questions come in. This will definitely be at the top of my list! Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night was a 2011 Caldecott Honor Book, which it richly deserves. Joyce Sidman's poems salute nocturnal nature, from the great horned owl (the dark emperor), the oak tree tending to recovery and repair efforts, and the little porcupette (in my favorite poem, "I Am a Baby Porcupette"). Evocative and mesmerizing illustrations form duets with outstanding poetry, while factual tidbits about each poem's subject add to the experience (such as this accompanying "I Am a Baby Porcupette": "A baby porcupine-called a porcupette-spends the day hidden under a stone or log while its mother sleeps on a branch above. When evening falls, the mother comes down to greet her baby, and the two "sing" to each other while the porcupette nurses.")

There now. I bet you never imagined that you would think a porcupine could be the most adorable animal ever created. What a fantastic book!

In an upcoming post, I'll tell you about some great books that we just ordered for March.

Recent Reads Roundup

Readers, 2011 is already proving to be a terrific year in children's/YA literature. I'm going to tell you about two fantastic books I've recently read AND tell you about my current read, which is just amazing. Oh, it is amazing. But first-the already-reads.




The Great Wall of Lucy Wu

This book made me all feel warm and fuzzy inside. It's just a darling and thoughtful story with a terrific girl character. Lucy thought that this year was going to be great; her older sister, Regina, was off to college, and she would finally have her own room!

Enter Great Aunt Yi Po. Great Aunt Yi Po, her late grandmother's sister, is visiting from China. She's also sharing Lucy's room. But that's not the only thing that's completely gone topsy turvy; Lucy has to attend Chinese school, which threatens to interfere with basketball practice. To top it all off, Lucy also has mean girl problems with Sloane, who will stop at nothing to be the captain for the students vs. teachers basketball game.

Lucy works through her challenges in an endearing and believable way. Her changing relationship with Great Aunt Yi Po is a lovely multigenerational story. She finds a way to stand up to Sloane that is funny and pointed, yet doesn't stoop to Sloane's behavior. Lucy's reluctant friendship with a quiet, studious, and annoying (to Lucy) is also charming and understandable.

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is heartwarming, but it also touches on the brutality of China's Cultural Revolution. Lucy also faces instances of racist bullying from Sloane, but this is handled appropriately and truthfully. All in all, this is fun, honest, and delightful storytelling from a northern Virginia author. As this is Wendy Wan-Long Shang's debut novel, I look forward to reading her future gems.




Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

Every so often, bits of information or new theories arise about Earhart's fate, fueling massive amounts of articles and spots on news broadcasts. Earhart's larger than life personality and the unsolved mysteries surrounding her disappearance continue to fascinate us 74 years after her presumed death. In her latest stellar biography, Candace Fleming presents Earhart's difficult childhood, her emerging career in aviation, and her meteoric rise to fame alongside alternating chapters mapping out her fatal flight and the ultimately unsuccessful search and rescue efforts. Fleming also introduces us to people who (convincingly) claim that they heard Earhart's final broadcasts and pleas for help.

Fleming brilliantly shows how Earhart's red-hot popularity was largely manufactured by her husband, George Putnam (who was married at the time he met Amelia). Amelia's image was used to sell everything from cigarettes to her own fashion line. She wrote a column for Cosmopolitan magazine and was on non-stop publicity tours. All this attention and activity naturally took away from flying practice, which Earhart needed for her upcoming flight; unfortunately, she blew off and cut short lessons in learning how to navigate new equipment due to her packed schedule (her original navigator for her final flight eventually quit because he lost confidence in her flying ability).

So! If you're expecting a heroine-worshipping biography of Earhart, keep looking. However, if you want an engrossing, thrilling, and honest read about an amazing character from a master of children's biography, definitely read Amelia Lost.

And now.....my "amazing" current read.




Young Fredle

SQUEE!

Oh, you HAVE to read this! Please, please, please! Read it, and you'll love it, and you'll want to tell everyone about it. That's what I'm planning to do. Do you remember the quote I posted from The Horn Book Magazine? Saying that this is in the territory of Charlotte's Web and Watership Down, but is in "a country all its own?" They weren't lying. I love, love, love this book, and I'm nearly halfway done. It has heartpounding adventure, it's laugh out loud funny at times, it's sweet, it's adorable, and it's beautifully written. I won't tell you more until I finish it, but you will absolutely fall in love with Fredle (and Sadie the dog-she's a trip). This is already on my list for 2012 Newbery hopefuls. Read it!