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Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors
All eyes have been riveted on Ukraine and Russia in these tense days. An author who has long used the beautiful colors and designs of Eastern Europe in her stories is Patricia Polacco. Patricia Polacco published her first children’s book in 1988 at the age of 41 and has subsequently written and illustrated over 100 titles. Many of her stories are inspired by her own life and the lives of her family.
Yes, something fishy is going on at the Paris apartment when Jess arrives to stay with her brother Ben. There's no way that Ben can afford to stay at the lavish building on his salary as a journalist. And how do the two young students on the fourth floor pay rent? And why do the inhabitants of the penthouse apartment insist the other residents attend their fancy wine parties? It doesn't add up. Not to mention, Ben is missing. Jess spoke with him on the phone before her arrival and now he's nowhere to be found.
Tasha Suri is a librarian who studied creative writing at University and both of those facts are evident in her debut fantasy novel which is clearly well-researched and oh so creative.
Evelyn Maltravers had hoped she wouldn’t have to brave the ruthless London season and catch a wealthy husband, but that’s exactly where she finds herself in the spring of 1862. Her prospects aren’t ideal: with no dowry to speak of, the reputation of an elder flighty sister to overcome and a depressed London society in mourning for the recent death of the Prince Consort, Evelyn has her work cut out for her.
This middle grade graphic novel set in Indonesia will pull at your heart strings. Jordan (named after Michael Jordan) shoots hoops like no one else at Kahawaii Multicultural School. A former star player on the basketball team, she's now the Captain after an accident leaves her paralyzed and unable to play on the team as before. Jordan misses playing basketball but remains upbeat and runs practices, attends games, and remains an integral part of the team.
The Mystery Writers of America recognized the best in recent crime writing this past Thursday with the presentation of the 2022 Edgar Awards.
Move over Boxcar Children, the Mighty Muskrats are on the case!
I highly recommend this enjoyable story and exciting mystery set in present day Canada. Realistic, multifaceted protagonists Chickadee, Otter, Atim and Samuel are inseparable cousins. They are known all over their reservation as “the mighty muskrats,” a nickname given to them by their oldest uncle.
I used to be a big Julia Quinn fan, gobbled up her Bridgerton books as quickly as they came out. But then, hmmm, I'm not sure what happened. Somehow they weren't feeling as fresh for me perhaps? Seemed like the last few books I read by the author were just okay and so I fell away. But I was curious, with the second season of the Netflix series (which I love) now available, whether I could recapture that sparky feeling those early books provided if I dropped back in. The answer? A resounding yes.
This novel is a spectacular case of righting a decades-old wrong in publishing. Richard Wright wrote The Man Who Lived Underground nearly 80 years ago and it was partially published as a short story. Wright believed it to be his most authentic work and desired to have the novel published in its entirety. This did not happen during his lifetime but thanks to the Library of America and Penguin Random House, readers have access to the full work as well as an essay that provides essential background information called "Memories of My Grandmother."
Twelve year old Maisie Cannon is all about ballet. But now, after an accident and surgery, she is recovering rather than dancing. And all is not well. Her grades are slipping, she is growing distanced from her friends, and she is being uncharacteristically snippy with her family. All that Maisie wants is to get back to dancing. While on a family trip to the Olympic Peninsula, Maisie learns about her Native heritage as well as about some of her own personal family history. And that it is ok to ask for help.
