Recently Nominated Books
Dreamy and distracted Isabel has “a barely visible thread of otherworldliness” that is sharpened when the sixth grader opens a supply closet and falls into another world where she meets her grandmother Grete, a healer, finds her own gift for hearing calls for help, and corrects a misunderstanding that has terrorized children for years. The story-teller’s voice is remarkable; the language is complex and interesting, and the author has played with traditional fairy tale and fantasy elements. -- Kathy Isaacs
Taken captive in the Mistwood by Prince Rokan, trying to secure his kingship, the Shifter Isabel struggles to learn who she really is and why she, an immortal creature of wind and power, is torn between protecting Rokan, son of the usurper, and his enemy, Kaer the true heir. Romantic, lush, astonishing fantasy first novel. -- Kathy Isaacs
Bishop has produced another inviting photo-essay, this one introducing lizards from around the world. With text on two levels and astonishing photographs that capture the telling moment, he covers their habitats, egg-laying and lack of child-rearing, their specialized bodies and behaviors, their feeding and courtship. An afterword describes his research methods, but there’s even more information on his website which also includes a list of the reference books he used. For his young readers, he has included a glossary and suggestions for further reading as well as an index in the book. Kathy Isaacs (Publication date of October 1, 2010--for October meeting)
A ball, a beach and three seals make up the sum total of this picture book. Using just a few words and simple illustrations, Laura Vaccaro Seeger manages to tell 3 different stories that could generate a book discussion for preschoolers. Jamie Watson
A calm, simply-told, easily accessible tale of David, Joseph, Franklin, and Ezell sitting-in at the Woolworth's lunch counter in 1960. Brightly illustrated with Pinkey's usual buzzing black lines amidst watercolor splotches and liberally sprinkled with sayings and truisms, this is more than just an excellent introduction to history: it's a way into a different time. Excellent back matter. --Rhona Campbell
A rainy city begins this alphabet book for older readers; roads and clearer skies lead us out of the urban landscape to the pastoral. A few of the themes represented here are the bucolic—“barn cats”, “hay”, and “pigs”—but the contemporary rural setting is this book’s force. “Inoculate” and “ammonia fertilizer” are terms a country kid would be acquainted with (and a suburban kid might want to learn about). This is a busy book as carefully etched depictions of an active farm community are accurately revealed. Along the bottom quarter of this book is a continuous pathway leading us not only through this town but through the four seasons. Nomination: Tony Carmack
Amy, a seventeen year-old from California, believes that the car accident that killed her father is her fault. Months later, still emotionally paralyzed from the trauma, she is asked by her mother to meet in Connecticut. Roger, the son of a family friend, has been recruited to help get Amy to the east coast. An initially tentative friendship quickly deepens and eventually forms into romance between the two as they extend their cross-country adventure. While there are some pacing issues, and other minor quibbles (cream soda is much more available in the author's mind than in reality!), this is a sweet, contemporary, and quite relatable story of growth into young adulthood. Both main characters are largely likable, and a conclusion that neither ties up everything neatly, nor demands a sequel, is appreciated. --Todd Krueger
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