The Old Woman Who Named Things

Cynthia Rylant
The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant is a gentle touching story of a kind old woman who has outlived all of her friends. To keep from being lonely she names things in her life that she knows she will never outlive. Like her house, Franklin, her bed, Roxanne and Bud, the new ceramic pig in her garden. One day a shy brown puppy appears...

Review by Melanie A. »

Grandparents Song

Sheila Hamanaka
Grandparents Song by Sheila Hamanaka is a story about our country’s ancestry, told through a child's diverse family tree. Hamanaka’s graceful tales of how the blood of many cultures flow through us are combined with her earthy, folk art inspired illustrations. This tale leaves readers with a feeling of connection to all living things. ...

Review by Melanie A. »

Remembering Che: My Life with Che Guevara

Aleida March de la Torre
Remembering Che shows the revolutionary man from an extremely intimate point of view as his wife, Aleida March, recounts their life committed to the cause first, and each other second. There has been much published about Che’s life and his politics. ...

Review by Brice B. »

Bon Appétit!: the Delicious Life of Julia Child

Jessie Hartland
The name Julia Child is well known in the food world, but perhaps not to many young people. This book introduces Julia from her youth and follows her to fame. Julia loved to cook, and her world travels led her to write cookbooks for American people to learn how to cook foods from other countries, mostly from France. ...

Review by Michele R. »

Rescue Vehicles

Daniel Gilpin
In large, full color two page spreads, ten rescue vehicles are explored in full detail. The main text covers history and outlines the primary role and services of the vehicle. The main illustration shows internal and external views. An equipment list and specifications are given in detail and “Interesting Features” are explored with detailed illustrations....

Review by Michele R. »

Dog Came, Too: a True Story

Ainslie Manson
In 1793, Alexander Mackenzie led a group across Canada to the Pacific Ocean. Dog (he had no other name) went with them. The men and their supplies took priority in the canoes, so Dog traveled on foot. Dog became a close companion of Mackenzie, but was accidentally separated from the group shortly before reaching the Pacific Ocean. ...

Review by Michele R. »

Mañana Iguana

Ann Whitford Paul
This delightful bi-lingual version of "The Little Red Hen" set in Mexico features bold colors and a new twist on an old tale. After refusing to help with the preparations, Rabbit ("I'm too jumpy to help"), Snake ("I have no arms!) and Turtle ("I'm too slow"), Iguana's friends are confused when they are not invited to the fiesta. ...

Review by Michele R. »

Smiler's Bones

Peter Lerangis
Minik, an Eskimo boy age 7, is brought from the Arctic to New York along with his father and 4 others of their small village, by explorer Robert Peary in the interest of science and discovery. The small group of men and Minik are displayed at the Museum of Natural History but consumption quickly kills all but Minik. ...

Review by Michele R. »

The End of Everything: a Novel

Megan E Abbott
This is a quietly disturbing and mysterious story told through the eyes of 13 year old Lizzie, whose best friend Evie disappears one day. Lizzie starts to play detective and thinks she has it figured out as far as who in the neighborhood is responsible for Evie’s disappearance. She starts dropping clues and hints for the police and Evie's father....

Review by Kristen T. »

The Very Fairy Princess

Julie Andrews
Starting with a pink cover that sparkles this book is sure to please all those who love princess stories. Gerry is everything a fairy princess should be and a few things more. Note the pink tutu and the tiara as you follow Gerry through a typical young girls’ day. The combination of Geraldine’s real life and her fantasy Fairy Princess life provide...

Review by Michele R. »