The last book written by Diana Wynne Jones, The Islands of Chaldea brims with Jones's characteristic sense of wonder, wit, and whimsy. A fitting hurrah from the undisputed grandmaster of children's fantasy.
Rebecca
Theodora’s late grandfather was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. When she discovers a valuable painting in the old town house she maintains, there are more questions than answers. A wonderful friendship begins, the Monuments Men play a role and old New York comes to life. A delightful read for anyone interested in art, history or just a great story with very real characters.
Carol
Hazel and Jack are best friends until the day Jack stops speaking to Hazel and disappears. Armed with the power of story and the strength of friendship, Hazel embarks on a quest deep into a wintry wood to save her best friend from the curse of a frozen heart. Ursu's imaginative retelling of "The Snow Queen" builds on a foundation of literature and fairy tale to deliver a tale of courage, friendship, and love.
Rebecca
What do you do if you happen to be a princess tired of, well, being a princess? Cimorene is over the courtly arts like embroidery, and not in a rush to be married off to a doltish prince. She decides instead to willingly be "captured" by a dragon, Kazul, keeping house and making a mean cherries jubilee for her, all while avoiding be rescued by knights who want to win her hand, and uncovering the plot of some dastardly wizards.
Stephanie
The Treehouse books (13-, 26- and coming soon, 35-story installments) are Australia's answer to the Wimpy Kid. Funny, a bit rude, full of lots of cool stuff and drawings, they are likely to appeal to elementary school age readers and maybe encourage a reluctant reader to engage. After all, who wouldn't like to live in a treehouse? And this one has a bowling alley, a shark tank, a library full of comics and swinging vines!
Susannah V.
It is 1776 and the British occupy New York City. A witness to the hanging of Nathan Hale, Sophia Calderwood vows to do all she can to help the American cause, and becomes a spy. This fast-paced and riveting historical novel will appeal to readers young and old.Robin
Names mean everything in this world, but Rump was only given half a name at birth. On top of that, he can turn straw into gold -- which isn't the great talent he hoped it would be. A fun retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin tale.
Sarah
Magic realism for the middle grade set. The story is touching, the writing smooth and lyrical. Fans of Tuck Everlasting should pick up this book.
Rebecca
True Grit meets Little House on the Prairie when 13-year-old Georgie Burkhardt goes looking for her missing sister Agatha. With her Springfield rifle in hand and Agatha's friend Billy McCabe trotting along to keep an eye on her, Georgie chases passenger pigeons, grifters, and rumors about Agatha all across southern Wisconsin -- and even though she's not looking for trouble, she finds plenty of that too.
Sarah
Lionel trains and time travel, what could be better? Set during the crash of 1929, this adventurous tale is part historical fiction and part fantasy. The beautiful illustrations of Bagram Ibatouline grace this period piece. See the trains at Lionel’s site.
Robin
