Spooky Stories

Confession: I am not a big fan of horror novels. I'll admit that I chicken out. However, horror/"scary stories"/ghost stories are very popular with children and young adults, so I need to read a few every now and then in order to be able to make recommendations. If you or your young reader are in the mood for creepy stories, here are some great titles:

Among the Dolls is a short read (under 100 pages), but definitely a creepy story. Vicky is quite bummed when she receives a dollhouse instead of a ten-speed bike. Vicky has a vivid imagination, and finds that playing with the dollhouse is a welcome escape from her parents' arguments. When she finds herself actually trapped in the dollhouse, she must find a way to escape before she faces further danger.

It's no accident that two of my titles are about dolls; I find doll stories (and talking toy stories) to be creepy!  For the most part, Doll Bones (a 2014 Newbery Honor recipient) is not scare-your-socks-off scary, but it definitely has a spooky undertone. Even though Zach, Alice, and Poppy are in middle school, they still enjoy making up stories and adventures about pirates, mermaids, and a doll they've named The Great Queen. Zach's dad is pressuring him to give up the make-believe, so he quits their regular story sessions. Spurred on by Poppy's consistent dream about a girl ghost that will not be restful until the doll (made from bone china) is buried, the three friends set off to bury The Great Queen. Mishap after mishap mars their journey, with events becoming more sinister as the friends continue on. If you're familiar with The Spiderwick Chronicles (or Holly Black's other stories), you know that Black's tales are quirky, vivid, and full of action and surprises.

R.L. Stine's horror novels include slapstick and humor, so It's the First Day of School-Forever! is no exception. Artie has a tremendously epic first day of school--epically awful, that is! Starting with his brother squirting syrup in his hair, getting splashed by a poodle (which makes it look like he wet his pants), and getting on the wrong side of a bully makes for an extremely tough day; much to his horror, he finds that the events of this horrific day are repeated every day. Is there anyway to break this Groundhog Day cycle? Although this taps more into psychological fear (which is plenty freaky!), there are some monsters and classic horror hijinks at the end to make Goosebumps fans happy.

Parents of some of our young patrons might remember reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (or Alvin Schwartz's sequels). Not only are these short stories enjoyed by both avid and reluctant readers, but they are actually drawn from American folklore and ghost stories. Plans for a movie version of the stories are finally moving forward, so expect renewed interest in these titles when that happens.

If Alvin Schwartz's short stories are "been there, done that" for your young reader, Terrifying Tales and Thriller from the super fun Guys Read series should definitely be on your list. Top-notch authors such as Walter Dean Myers, Bruce Hale, Rita Williams-Garcia, and more contributed original stories perfect for Halloween reading.

Need reads that are even scarier? Try these YA titles:

Anna Dressed in Blood is my litmus test for scary and violent stories (I tried to read Darren Shan's Zom-B and failed; I can do ghosts, but zombies are not my thing); Kendare Blake's tale of a boy who gets caught up with a vengeful ghost is definitely for mature readers; Blake creates a gripping story line that's filled with careful characterization and world-building.

The Dead of Winter and Forbidden are my kind of horror--historical horror! Both novels feature Victorian era orphaned children who realize that weird and sinister things are happening in their new homes: The Dead of Winter is set in Victorian England, while Forbidden takes place along the Scottish coast.

Some readers enjoy cozy winter reads; Trapped is the antithesis of a cozy winter read. Seven high school students are trapped in their high school during a freak blizzard--and not all survive. Make sure you have plenty of time carved out when you start Trapped, because you'll hate to put it down.


Happy Halloween!

Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library 

Ridiculously Good Reads: Fall Edition

I haven't written a Ridiculously Good Reads since August, so I am overdue! I've read a bunch of awesome reads, so I hope you'll find something that entices you:

Just in time for the centennial celebration of the 19th amendment comes Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists,A Kitten, And 10,000 Miles. Nell Richardson and Alice Burke drove through a blizzard, participated in a circus parade, drove long days through the desert, and even dodged bullets in a rough neighborhood in order to promote women's voting rights. Yellow was a prominent color in the suffragist movement (which was new to me, since I only associated white with that movement!), and it is cheerfully celebrated in Hadley Hooper's irresistable illustrations. This is a late addition to my Caldecott 2017 shortlist! If you're familiar with Mara Rockliff's Mesmerized, you know that she presents nonfiction in a lively and super fun way; don't pass this one by.

The Bolds may just be the funniest--or stupidest--book you'll read this year. You just have to roll with the premise of a family of hyenas impersonating a typical suburban British family. They manage to pull it of with most people not suspecting anything (they have a few close calls)...save for their surly and VERY suspicious neighbor (who turns out to have a few surprises of his own!). If you're in the mood for a ridiculous read, this is the one for you. Roald Dahl fans will love this.

On the other hand, The Door by the Staircase might be the creepiest book you'll read this year. Twelve year old Mary is delighted to finally be adopted; she now has a warm bed and scrumptious meals. Things seem to be rather strange in her new home; the nearby town is filled with fortune tellers, magicians, and the like (who are scorned by Mary's new mother). When she discovers that her new mother is actually Baba Yaga (a witch in Russian folklore) and is actually fattening her up for a delicious meal, she must quickly plan her escape from her new home, aided by the son of a town illusionist. Not only is this a top read for those that like scary stories that are creepy rather than bloody, it's also one for those that revel in vivid descriptions of food (blini, farmer's cheese with rye bread, etc) and indepth characters. On my list for Newbery 2017.

I love finding stories about little-known American heroes and heroines, which is why The Extraordinary Suzy Wright: A Colonial Woman on the Frontier is one of my top favorites this year. Susannah Wright was indeed extraordinary; this Quaker woman was influential with Benjamin Franklin, advised Native Americans on their legal rights, was a successful businesswoman, and wrote poetry. If you're a fan of American history (especially colonial America), don't delay in reading this book.

Whenever I see a dog on the cover of a book, I'm reminded of Gordon Korman's hysterical No More Dead Dogs ("Go to the library and pick out a book with an award sticker and a dog on the cover. Trust me, that dog is going down."). Even books that don't have an award sticker but do have a dog on the cover often feature a dog in peril. Readers that love dog stories but dread sad books about dogs in danger, dogs being taken away from their owner, dogs dying, etc will find Fenway and Hattie, told from the perspective of Fenway (the hyper Jack Russell Terrier on the cover) to be a huge relief. Many changes are happening in Fenway's life: his humans move him from a city apartment to a suburban home, Hattie seems to be developing interests outside of Fenway....and he's attending training classes (these scenes, which include the dogs talking to each other about the classes, are highlights). If you need a good laugh and escape, this is the book for you. If you've ever had or even known a JRT (or loved a dog that was a good dog but definitely needed to learn its manners), you will love this (the scenes between Fenway and the dogs next door are fantastic). Victoria J. Coe is planning to continue more adventures with Fenway and Hattie, so stay tuned!

I am all about funny and fun stories this days, which is why I was thrilled to find The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever. Fifteen year old Justin and his friends are making an epic zombie movie...as epic as it can with limited funds for special effects, an unfinished script, and a demanding fifteen year old leading lady. Add in the fact that the principal will absolutely not let them film at school, and you have quite a challenge for these young filmmakers. This is hysterically funny and snarky, but never mean. Although it's marketed for YA, there's no mature language or content (there's an on-screen kissing scene that like nearly everything else in the production, ends up being a disaster). Zombie fans will definitely love the jokes and references, but anyone in the mood for a fun and funny read will not be disappointed.

Hannah and Sugar beautifully capture a common childhood fear: a fear of dogs. Dealing with a fear of dogs can be difficult, especially if you're surrounded by kids who love the neighborhood dog. Although Sugar is quite a polite dog and loves the children in the neighborhood, Hannah would rather just avoid him. When Sugar goes missing one day, Hannah is ultimately the hero in bringing him home.

I reviewed The Infinity Year of Avalon James months ago for School Library Journal, and I can't wait for other readers to discover it! Avalon James and her best friend, Atticus, are waiting for the infinity powers that have been promised to them by the end of their eleventh year. While they wait, they have to deal with everyday issues such as a mean kid taunting Avalon about her incarcerated father, the spelling bee, and the inevitable fallout that happens when a friend shares an embarrassing secret about another. Although there are serious issues throughout the story, the overall feel remains light and positive. This is a superb boy-girl friendship story; no snarkiness or putdowns. This is very light fantasy, so realistic readers that like a touch of whimsy and magic in their stories will appreciate this.

Although we are seeing more historical fiction set in the 1970s and 1980s, not all of them fit the need for a historical fiction title that truly embraces important historical events (some just incorporate fads/fashions of the time for background stuff). It Ain't So Awful, Falafel memorably and sensitively captures the worry and dread felt during the Iranian hostage crisis in the late 1970s from the perspective of an 11 year old Iranian-American girl. Zomorod really wants to fit in with her new school and neighborhood, which is difficult when you have an unusual name and your family comes from America's new enemy. Being called on to explain Iranian history and the hostage crisis in class is also a challenge, especially since she barely remembers Iran and like most 11 year olds, doesn't have a firm grasp on the political implications! Like Margarita Engle's Enchanted Air (a memoir), this is a deeply felt, remarkable, and eye-opening look at what it feels like to feel like an outsider in your own country (The No Dogs Allowed Rule is another excellent title in this regard, although not to the extent of these two books). Readers familiar with the experience of moving many times to different homes will also relate. There's also tons of light moments that make this a warm and positive read.

I have a low tolerance for bathroom humor and anti-girl/anti-boy attitudes, so I was quite skeptical of Slingshot and Burp. Can I just say that I really hope we have more Slingshot and Burp stories very soon? I got a huge kick out of this short chapter book featuring two active, rambunctious boys who love playing cowboys (but have a great honor code and do not play "Cowboys and Indians"). Whether they are searching for rattlesnakes or outlaws, scorpions or ghost cats, Slingshot and Burp are always on the move. Their most daunting foes, however, might just be their sisters, who have commandeered their bunkhouse (and decorated it pink!). There is some limited pretend gun play and some "eww girls" moments, but overall, this is a purely fun chapter book about boys with lots of energy and imagination.

If When I Grow Up: Misty Copeland is any indication of the other books in Scholastic's "When I Grow Up" series, then I hope that other titles will be published soon! Told from Misty Copeland's perspective, this sketches the career of this ballet superstar. If you're familiar with Copeland's life story, you know that there were issues between her mother and her mentor; this is presented as her mother not wanting Misty to be separated from the family, etc. A young readers edition of Copeland's memoir will be released in December for those wanting a more in-depth but still child-friendly look at Copeland's life.

When Woodpecker smells the delicious waffles wafting from the local diner, he becomes obsessed with getting a bite (or more) of this breakfast treat. Unfortunately, the waitress is not at all charmed by his attempts to gain entrance to the diner! Woodpecker Wants a Waffle is a laugh-out-loud tale of great hijinks--you just might have a craving for some waffles at the end of the story (and if you're into the diner theme, check out Everyone Loves Bacon).


Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library 

Looking Ahead: Caldecott 2017 Favorites

Back in June, I discussed my favorites (so far) for the Newbery, Caldecott, etc awards that will be announced on January 23rd (a rather late date, which gives me more time to read and order more potential titles). This has been an extraordinary year, in my opinion, for illustration. I have so many favorites for Caldecott 2017 that I don't have room to discuss Newbery or Printz, so that will be for another post! After eliminating some titles due to the citizenship/residency requirement for illustrators (such as Cloth Lullaby, unfortunately) Here's my shortlist (so far):

Few people would choose the coyote as a beloved animal. After reading Coyote Moon, however, you'll probably gain a better understanding of this creature. As a coyote hunts late at night in a suburban neighborhood, a golf course, near a library, and by a lake, she uses her heightened senses to capture food for her babies. Not only is the artwork evocative and gorgeous, but the text (which is not evaluated for the Caldecott) makes this a perfect read aloud for young listeners, provided they aren't too squeamish about the predator-prey relationship (information about coyotes follows the story). Nature in the suburbs is rarely depicted, which makes this quite special! Author Maia Gianferrari is a Virginia author. 

Like many people, I have a long-held interest in World War II. However, my interests are not so much with battles and such, but with the way ordinary citizens lived day by day. The many home front campaigns (and the propaganda for them) amaze me, especially the Victory Garden project, which involved both young and old citizens. Diana's White House Garden introduces us to Diana Hopkins, daughter of President Roosevelt's chief advisor. Diana is quite the lucky girl, because she lives in the White House! Like many children, Diana wants to be part of the war effort; after a few false (and funny) starts, Eleanor Roosevelt seeks her help with the White House's own Victory Garden. I adore this story; not only are the illustrations divine, but it also speaks to the importance of taking children seriously and involving them in important work. An afterword gives further information about Diana Hopkins (including photographs--yes, this is a true story!). Although there are many superb picture books about World War II, many are rather lengthy (The Greatest Skating Race and Boxes for Katje) and/or appropriate for older children (The Cats in Krasinski Square); this is a first-rate choice if you need a World War II read aloud for a lower elementary classroom.

Barbara McClintock has never won a Caldecott. Not even an Honor. Could Emma and Julia Love Ballet be the ticket? This sweet story about a young ballet student and a professional ballerina who also attends her school is among her best (and the perfect gift for young ballerinas).

Freedom in Congo Square has earned a ton of Caldecott buzz ever since it was published, and rightfully so. R. Gregory Christie's skillful and unforgettable illustrations of enslaved African Americans gathering every Sunday in New Orleans's Congo Square to market and socialize are among the best this year. Definitely would not be surprised to see this capture the Medal, or an Honor.

How This Book Was Made  pairs two of my favorite funniest authors/illustrators into a book that is not only hysterical, but a genuinely informative story on the book making process. Everything from the author writing several drafts, the editor making her corrections, the book publishing overseas and being shipped on a boat back and forth (they don't go into the economics behind that reasoning), and finally, to the book being made available to readers is included. A must read for classrooms writing, drawing, and "publishing" their own books!

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood  is an inspiring and joyful testament to the power of art (and community involvement) in everyday life. No one would think Mira's city neighborhood is beautiful or anything special, until an artist (inspired by Mira taping her artwork to a gray wall) helps her neighborhood create vibrant murals along their drab buildings. This is based on illustrator Rafael Lopez's own experiences with San Diego's Urban Art Trail; further information is included at the end of the story.

 I agree with Betsy Bird that Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus  might be an outlier for Caldecott 2017, but I share her appreciation for the exquisite artwork in this moving depiction of Jesus's life. This is an extraordinary gem.

The Night Gardener is offbeat, wondrous, and a glorious reminder of the importance of mentorship and creativity--things that Caldecott committees tend to love. William (like Mira in Maybe Something Beautiful) lives in a dull-looking neighborhood (he actually lives in an orphanage). No one is really connected to their community or thinks much about it--until a mysterious gardener sculpts amazing formations. As the neighbors are awed by the transformations in their community, they also began to take pride in their houses and land, thus adding to their neighborhood's vitality. This book has grown on me since I first read it, and it's now one of my top favorites this year.

You think you have problems? Try putting a gorilla to bed! This gorilla wants to party. Unfortunately, it's bedtime for both the gorilla and the little boy.  Playtime? is nearly wordless (I think the only words are "playtime" and "bedtime" repeated throughout the story); the  humor is all in the illustrations. This might not have a great deal of Caldecott buzz--and I don't normally warm to most wordless or near wordless books--but this has tons of charm and fun. I would be very happy to have a book full of charm and fun win the Caldecott (or an Honor).

The Storyteller has Caldecott written all over it: the illustrations are detailed and immense, it's quite a sophisticated and lengthy picture book (make sure you have time to sit with it), and it is all about the power of storytelling. A community is threatened by a Djinn and its monstrous sandstorm; can it be saved by a young boy and an elderly storyteller? This profoundly beautiful story is set in Morocco; Evan Turk includes an afterword, in which he explains that Morocco's legendary storytelling tradition is being severely threatened by the the proliferation of the entertainment industry and smartphones/tablets (however, steps are being made to preserve this ancient tradition with storytelling cafes).

  

I love, love, love Thunder Boy, Jr. Little Thunder admires his father, Big Thunder, very much, but he wants a name that makes him distinct. Father and son consider names before choosing the perfect name. The story is simple, but the illustrations are so sweet; this is a darling father-son story. As you might guess (or if you know who Sherman Alexie is), Little Thunder's family is Native American. Modern representations of Native American children in children's literature is maddeningly rare; this is a much-needed story.

The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Neighborhood will break your heart, but its strong message of peace and hope helps to balance the tragedy of Anne Frank's life being cut short. Through the perspective of the tree growing near the annex in which Anne Frank spent two years hiding from the Nazis, this chronicles the legacy of both Anne Frank and the tree in inspiring peace and strength long after their deaths (seeds from the tree have been planted in places such as Central High School in Little Rock and the September 11th memorial in New York).

For some reason, seasonal books don't tend to receive Caldecott recognition. When Spring Comes  is just so fabulously pastel and adorable that I can't leave it off. All the wonders of spring are celebrated, including the cool days of early spring. Spring doesn't just happen overnight; you have to be patient for the animals to awake and for the flowers to blossom. This is one of the best spring books out there, and I hope it gets recognized.

What an incredible year for illustrations! I'll update my list when we are closer to the actual ceremony in late January.

Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library 

Star Wars Reads Day

Star Wars Reads Day is October 10th, but this annual celebration of Star Wars books has turned into a month-long celebration! Now that the franchise has been reignited, the amount of Star Wars books has exploded (the quality of the books for children and teens has greatly improved as well). My last Star Wars post was back in December (and in May before that), but we have even more awesome books to tell you about!

I am not a Star Wars Rebels viewer, but I know many of our patrons do watch the series. (From what I know and seen, Ahsoka is pretty cool.)  It's also quite impressive (or should I say, most impressive) that E.K. Johnston is the author of this first YA novel about Ahsoka.

Claudia Gray is the author of the fabulous Lost Stars (among other things), which quickly became a favorite for Star Wars fans of all ages, so her Leia-centric novel (not YA, unlike Lost Stars) was eagerly anticipated.  Bloodline sees Leia as she grapples with the fact that Darth Vader is her biological father and the dangers that threaten to destabilize the fragile peace that was established after the Empire was defeated. A must read for Leia fans! (Adult fiction)

Aftermath was the first Star Wars novel I read (I'm late to the Star Wars books world); I wasn't sure if I would really care about reading Star Wars characters that were not in the movies, but Chuck Wendig got me hooked (Star Wars characters--except for Luke, who at the moment is not featured in the post Return of the Jedi literature--are prominent throughout the story, but are not the central characters)! Aftermath: Life Debt is even better, with Han Solo and Leia being very central to the events. The final book in the trilogy will be released in early February. (Adult fiction)

Don't expect too many books about Rey until her past is fully revealed, so Rey's Survival Guide will probably be it for a while (other than easy readers that retell events in The Force Awakens). Boys and girls have both enjoyed this heavily illustrated volume (it's written in script; I haven't read the entire thing because it drives me crazy).

If you can't deal with the script in Rey's survival guide, check out Star Wars: Before the Awakening, which reveals limited information about the origins of Finn, Rey, and Poe Dameron. (Poe's recent comics will be released as a bound volume in the near future; his heritage has already been revealed in post-Return of the Jedi comics, so his background is not being kept secret).

Th ever-popular Star Wars Character Encyclopedia has been updated to include new characters introduced in The Force Awakens and Star Wars Rebels.

The Star Wars comic book collections continue to be very popular, so I add them when they are bundled into a collection. Arriving soon will be  Star Wars: Darth Vader 3: The Shu-Torun War, Star Wars: Vader Down, and Star Wars 3: Rebel Jail . 

We are celebrating Star Wars Reads Day during our What's Up Wednesday programs on October 19th (4-5 PM at all libraries). 

But, wait! There's more!

When I sent my orders for new fall/winter books, I was determined not to order any more titles for those seasons unless I came across something extraordinary. Well...I did:

Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep (not necessarily fall related, but squirrel stories are often part of fall learning themes and story times)

Wonderfall follows a tree throughout the seasons, so this can be enjoyed year round!

Yellow Time has received superb reviews and looks gorgeous.

Mary Engelbreit retells the Nativity events in the guise of a children's Christmas pageant. Hello. How could we not have this? CANNOT WAIT. A Night of Great Joy is beautifully multicultural (as are other Engelbreit creations) and should be extremely popular; reviews have noted that she includes little mishaps and surprises that inevitably happen when  young children are on stage.  (Also see The Christmas Pageant for a sweet rendition of a children's Nativity pageant.)

So many outstanding books are coming our way!


Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library 

Seasons Readings

Last week, I told you about the awesome books that we will soon receive for the fall holidays. Now, it's time to discuss new winter holiday reads for 2016! These books should start showing up mid-October through early November, so keep these in mind when you are ready for holiday reading:


Christmas: 

Several years ago, Zonderkidz launched a line of Berenstain Bears books (written by Mike Berenstain, the son of the original creators) that included Christian teachings in the story; the stories are nondenominational and feature lessons on being courageous, celebrating Easter, enjoying nature, doing your best, helping others, and more. The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel feature Brother and Sister Bear learning about angels.

Stories  of Santa's childhood are nothing new, but A Boy Called Christmas is already receiving outstanding reviews; when a young Finnish boy discovers the North Pole (while searching for his missing father), he is immediately locked up by suspicious elves. Christmas cheer is at a record low; can Nikolas break free, convince the elves that he can help, and find his father? Kirkus Reviews believes that "this has great promise as a read loud."

Fly Guy is back in Fly Guy's Ninja Christmas; when searching for a present to give his best friend (on Christmas Eve, no less), he accidentally ninja-attacks a stranger in black boots and a red suit. Oops.

Gingerbread Baby is back in his third adventure! Gingerbread Baby really wants a gingerbread band; luckily, his human friend Matti is ready to help. When the townspeople realize that the band is actually delicious gingerbread cookies, Gingerbread Baby and his band are off on a wild chase. I expect quite a few holds for Gingerbread Christmas, so get those requests in soon!

Gordan Korman's fun and funny mystery series Swindle continues with Jingle; Griffin Bing is reluctantly volunteering with the town's annual Christmas celebration when the famous "Star of Prague" is stolen!

Truthfully, The LEGO Christmas Ornament Book is tops on my list for new Christmas books; I'm always eager to find unique and fun holiday books that will be super popular, and I'm pretty confident that this will not stay on our shelves for long!

The sister and brother team behind the Babymouse graphic novels is bringing their adorable creation to the picture book crowd! Babymouse fans know that a Babymouse story isn't complete with tons of mishaps and hilarity; judging from the synopsis for Little Babymouse and the Christmas Cupcakes, this new one is no exception. And it's not often that you read a Christmas story that features cupcakes AND dragons, do you?

Oh, wouldn't it just be lovely to go to a Christmas tree farm, pick out a beautiful tree, marvel at the beautiful scenery, and maybe enjoy a cider doughnut and a cup of cocoa? That does sound like a fun day...unless you have allergies like Maple (and me!).    Maple and Willow's Christmas Tree continues this darling sisters story that addresses a situation that's very common, but never addressed in Christmas stories.

Salina Yoon's Penguin finally gets his very own Christmas story! Penguin has the perfect Christmas celebration planned, but what can you do when things don't go as planned? Penguin's Christmas Wish celebrates finding joy in unexpected circumstances; something that everyone who has seen their holiday plans altered can relate to!

I'm excited to read Presents Through the Window, because it was originally published in Japan! Santa peeks through the windows of animals and guesses what presents they would like. Sometimes this works great, while other times....not so much.

I've been intrigued by a series that retells Shakespeare's plays through text messages, but have held off on actually purchasing a title. When I saw that A Christmas Carol has been retold in the same format as Scrooge #worstgiftever, I immediately added it to my winter holidays order (it's rare to find a YA holiday book).

This is the Stable was mentioned in a review for another Nativity picture book told in the form of a "This is the house that Jack built" format. The reviewer said that this one was much better, so I ordered it; it's on backorder status (it's a few years old), but we should get it in plenty of time for the Christmas season.

Yay! A Christmas board book for our youngest patrons. Tiny Blessings for a Merry Christmas is a praise of thanks for Christmas blessings; everything from the beautiful lights to to family members celebrating together.

I'm lucky if I can find one YA holiday book, but this year we have two, thanks to The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily (the sequel to Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, which is also set at Christmastime). Dash and Lily are hoping that a trip to Manhattan will boost Lily's Christmas spirits; she's not really feeling the joy of the season due to her grandfather's heart attack.

For readers that want a scary Christmas story, R.L. Stine's Young Scrooge should fit the bill. Like Stine's other middle grade reads, humor is a huge part of this retelling of A Christmas Carol.



Hanukkah: 

We have plenty of Hanukkah picture books, but Hanukkah novels? Not so much. Dreidels on the Brain is not only set during Hanukkah, but it's also historical fiction (set in 1971 Los Angeles). As important as historical fiction centered on the 19th-20th century immigration experience and the Holocaust are, I'm super appreciative when historical fiction featuring Jewish characters are set in time periods other than those historical events.

Potatoes at Turtle Rock features a Jewish farm family; we don't often see Jewish stories in rural settings (The Passover Lamb is an exception), so this is a welcome addition. Annie leads her family around their farm on the first night of Hanukkah; riddles and potatoes are marks of both old and new traditions.


Winter and New Year: 

I adore Shirley Parenteau's bear stories, so I can't wait to use Bears in the Snow for a winter themed story time!

Lori Evert and Per Breiehagen's gorgeously photographed Wish series (daughter Anja is the little girl in the pictures) continues with The Brave Little Puppy. Enjoy the stark and serene beauty of Norwegian winters from your favorite warm and cozy reading nook. This remarkable series began with The Christmas Wish (which actually began as a Christmas card to their family!); the movie version is slated for a 2017 Christmas release.

We don't have many New Year books, so I'm sure Happy New Year, Spot! will be extremely popular!

Ride the Big Machines in Winter will definitely stand out among the picturesque and dreamy wintertime stories; this is all about the snowplows, salt trucks, Zamboni machines, and other winter-related machines that keep the roads clear and the ice clean for travel and sports.

It's not often that we see a giant wooly mammoth in winter stories, which definitely makes Samson in the Snow stand out. This friendship tale of Samson and a little flower-loving mouse definitely sounds like a sweet and irresistable story from picture book master Philip C. Stead.

I recently blogged about books for National Good Neighbor Day on the ALSC blog; check it out for some fabulous stories about neighbors and neighborhoods.

If you're not quite ready for winter-related reads, check out Wowbrary for the latest and greatest books, DVDs, ebooks, and more that have been ordered for our patrons!



Jennifer Schultz, Youth Services Librarian, Fauquier County Public Library