Reality Is Sometimes Scarier Than Horror

I've stated before that to me the scariest books are the ones that take place in everyday life.  Stories of kidnappings, murders, and abuse.  Here are some scary realistic books for teens . . .

The Boy From the Basement by Susan Shaw
A twelve-year-old boy is confined to his basement without food or clothing.

The Missing Girl by Norma Fox Mazer
In Mallory, New York, as five sisters, aged eleven to seventeen, deal with assorted problems, conflicts, fears, and yearnings, a mysterious middle-aged man watches them, fascinated, deciding which one he likes the best.

After by Amy Efaw
In complete denial that she is pregnant, straight-A student and star athlete Devon Davenport leaves her baby in the trash to die, and after the baby is discovered, Devon is accused of attempted murder.
 Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Twelve-year-old Paul, who lives in the shadow of his football hero brother Erik, fights for the right to play soccer despite his near blindness and slowly begins to remember the incident that damaged his eyesight.

Pictures in the Dark by Patricia McCord
Life with their mentally ill mother becomes unbearable for twelve-year-old Sarah and fifteen-year-old Carlie as they are deprived of food and forbidden to use the bathroom.

Books for Black History Month

Every February we celebrate the achievements of African-Americans and the Civil Rights movement during Black History Month.  Here are some great picture books to share with your child for Black History Month . . .

The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights by Carole Boston Weatherford
The Beatitudes form the backdrop for Weatherford's free-verse poem that traces the African American journey from slavery to civil rights.

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrations and rhythmic text recall the December, 1955, bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama.

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney
A celebration of the momentous Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in when four college students staged a peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality and the growing Civil Rights Movement.

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson
The making of "Show ways," or quilts which once served as secret maps for freedom-seeking slaves, is a tradition passed from mother to daughter in the author's family.

Below by Meg McKinlay

On the day Cassie was born, the mayor flipped the switch and flooded her hometown of Old Lower Grange.  They rebuilt New Lower Grange right next to the lake created by the dam.  Twelve years later, Cassie is drawn to the man-made lake.  Cassie and her friend Liam spend the days swimming and exploring the revealed city as the water levels drop in the lake due to drought.  The problem is that someone doesn't want them finding the secrets at the bottom of the lake.

I really enjoyed this mystery story.  The characters were of Cassie and Liam could have been any child in the world.  It wasn't until towards the end of the book that I realized that the story was actually set in Australia.  The mystery was interesting and fun to uncover with the characters.  A great book for all kids.

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal

Jeremy Johnson Johnson is left alone in his town because of the voice he hears in his head -- the ghost of fairy tale writer Jacob Grimm.  Very few people will even talk to Jeremy - one of the few being classmate Ginger.  But that isn't the only problem Jeremy has.  The bank is about to foreclose on his house as his father hasn't left the house in years to work.  Jeremy is further ostracized when Ginger convinces him to play a prank on the town baker.  And then he becomes the fixation of a man who has been kidnapping children from around the area.

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal was on several best book lists for the past year including YALSA's Best Books for Teens.  It was also a finalist for the National Book Award. 

It is a great mix of fairy tale, paranormal, suspense, mystery and romance.  It has an old-fashioned feel to the story as if it was taking place many years in the past yet is timely in its portrayal of a recession and bank foreclosures.  This is a great book for teens and adults who enjoy fairy tale retellings and mysteries.

How Do You Feel? Books on Jealousy

We are continuing to discuss different emotions this month in story time.  We have covered the emotions of happy, sad, love, and anger so far.  Today I thought I would share some books about jealousy.  Jealousy is a common emotion in youngsters whether jealousy of a sibling or friend's toys.  Here are some great books dealing with this emotion . . .

Do You Still Love Me? by Charlotte Middleton
Upset when the arrival of a new pet, a baby chameleon, seems to displace his role in the family, Dudley the dog finds a way to prove himself indispensable.

Back Into Mommy's Tummy by Thierry Robberecht
Jealous of her soon-to-be-born baby brother, a five-year-old girl wants to return to the security of her mommy's "tummy" but soon discovers that the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.

Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster by Jan & Stan Berenstain
Sister is overcome with jealousy when Brother gets a shiny new ten-speed bike for his birthday.  A classic book on jealousy.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

I have always wanted to hold a lock-in in the library.  Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein is the story of the perfect lock-in at a library. 

Kyle is thrilled to win a contest for a lock-in at the new library in town.  The library has been designed by famous game designer Luigi Lemoncello.  The lock-in promises to have food, fun, and games.  There is nothing Kyle likes more than games.

After a wonderful night of games, Kyle finds out that him and the rest of the kids have the chance to participate in a game to leave the library.  They must find a way out of the library that doesn't include going out the way they came in, setting off any fire alarms, or damaging the library in any way.  Now they have to go on a book-themed scavenger hunt to win the ultimate prize.

I loved this book.  The games and riddles throughout the story are great.  It was fun to try to solve the riddles before the kids did.  I also loved all the children's book references on every page.  A great book for everybody!

Happy Valentine's Day, Part 2

A lot of teen books include a romance story line.  For Valentine's Day, here are some of my favorite teen romances . . .

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Hadley and Oliver fall in love on the flight from New York to London, but after a cinematic kiss they lose track of each other at the airport until fate brings them back together on a very momentous day.

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins & Fenway Park by Steve Kluger
Three teenagers in Boston narrate their experiences of a year of new friendships, first loves, and coming into their own.

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
When Lord Death comes to claim sixteen-year-old Keturah while she is lost in the King's Forest, she charms him with her story and is granted a twenty-four hour reprieve in which to seek her one true love.

The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick
A coming of age novel in verse about sixteen-year-old Billy who runs away from his alcoholic father, lives in an abandoned freight train, falls in love with a rich girl, and ultimately learns the meaning of family.

Happy Valentine's Day

For the past week I have been asked constantly for picture books to share for Valentine's Day.  Unfortunately, most of the Valentine's Day books are already checked out.  Here are some great "love" themed picture books that are great to share for the holiday . . .

Love Monster by Rachel Bright
A googly-eyed misfit struggles to find a place among the adorable and fluffy residents of Cutesville, an effort that compels him to search high, low, and middle-ish to find a friend who will accept him just the way he is.

Will You Be Mine?  A Nursery Rhyme Romance by Phyllis Tildes
An illustrated collection of Mother Goose rhymes, arranged to create a narrative story about a romance between a cat and a poodle.

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? by Jane Yolen
Illustrations and rhyming text present some of the different ways dinosaurs can express their love, from cleaning up after making a mess to smiling sweetly instead of roaring.

What the Baby Hears by Laura Godwin
Rhyming text reveals the loving sounds baby animals hear from their parents, from the "nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle" heard by the colt to "I love you" heard by a human baby.

Atlantis Rising

In a magical land called Ellegandia, a boy named Promi scrapes by, stealing pies, cakes and sweets to survive.  But when he takes a pie that belongs to the Divine Monk and gets thrown in a dangerous dungeon, Promi's life changes completely.

Marked at birth with the image of a soaring bird on his chest, Promi learns of a prophecy that tells of a someone with that mark who will save Ellegandia and bring about the end of all magic.  Promi wants no part in this prophecy, but because of a chance meeting with Atlanta who is trying to save her beloved forest, he is pulled into battles both on Earth and in the spirit realm.  He may indeed bring about the end of all magic -- but not in the way he or Atlanta expected.

Atlantis Rising by T.A. Barron was one of those books that I simply could not put down.  I pretty much read it straight through in one sitting.  The combination of magic, adventure, spirits, and survival was great.  The characters, especially Promi, were intriguing.  I also loved the creature Kermi who was always sarcastic and insulting.  This is a great book for teens and older children.

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Are you looking for a fun read?  Something with a little adventure?  A little romance?  A little humor?

Then try the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede.

Dealing with Dragons
Bored with traditional palace life, a princess goes off to live with a group of dragons and soon becomes involved with fighting against some disreputable wizards who want to steal away the dragons' kingdom.

Searching for Dragons
With the aid of King Mandanbar, Princess Cimorene rescues the dragon Kazul and saves the Enchanted Forest from a band of wicked wizards.

Calling on Dragons
Queen Cimorene turns to her friends Morwen, Telemain, and Kazul for help when troublesome wizards make their way back into the Enchanted Forest and begin to soak up its magic.

Talking to Dragons
Queen Cimorene sends her sixteen-year-old son Daystar into the Enchanted Forest with the only weapon that can combat an evil wizard's magic in an effort to restore the balance of power in the kingdom.

What Do You Feel? Sad Books

This month in story time we are focusing on different emotions we feel.  There are a lot of books dealing with different emotions.  Here are some picture books that have made me tear up a little . . .

Hair for Mama by Kelly Tinkham
When Marcus's mother has chemotherapy for her cancer and loses her hair, he tries to find new hair for her to make her well again.

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems
When City Dog comes to the country, he meets Country Frog for the first time, and every season afterward, the two have a fun time playing together.

Arrowhawk by Lola Schaefer
Based on the true story of a bird of prey's survival after being struck by a poacher's arrow.

And the Winner Is . . . The Newbery Award

The Newbery Award is given annually for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.  This year's winner, Kate DiCamillo, won previoiusly for her book The Tale of Despereaux.  Also, Newbery Honor winner Kevin Henkes also won a Geisel Honor for his book Penny and Her Marble.

 2014 Newbery Award Winner

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo
Comic book fan and natural-born cynic Flora Belle Buckman and Ulysses, a flying, superhero, poetry-writing squirrel, join forces to overcome Ulysses’ arch-nemesis, Flora’s mother and encounter a quirky cast of characters. Through poignant, laugh-out-loud episodes, this homage to comic books is a testament to the power of love.

Newbery Honor Books
Doll Bones by Holly Black
In this distinctive coming-of-age tale, best friends Zach, Poppy and Alice set out on a life-altering quest driven by the presence of a sinister bone china doll who haunts their dreams and waking hours. Black explores complex questions of sto-rytelling, imagination and changing friendships in this superbly haunting narrative.

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
Seven-year-old Billy Miller starts second grade with a bump on his head and a lot of worries, but during the year he develops better relationships with his teacher, his little sister, and his parents, and celebrates a quiet triumph of his own.

One Came Home by Amy Timberlake
In 1871 Wisconsin, love, betrayal, grief and violence spur 13-year-old Georgie on a gripping adventure full of hardship, heartbreak and terror. As she tries to solve the mystery of her sister’s disappearance, Georgie and her brash, humorous voice pull readers along on her journey of self-discovery.

Paperboy by Vince Vawter
Little Man, a sensitive and resilient 11-year-old boy who stutters, ventures beyond the familiar and finds his voice while taking over his best friend’s paper route. Set in the summer heat of 1959 Memphis, “Paperboy” is a moving coming-of-age novel.