Here's a very strong batch of books to recommend for January!
One YA novel:
Feeling completely manipulated by her family, Lucy bails on a concert and never goes back, leaving her ten-year-old brother to be the phenom. Now she's just another ordinary kid at high school, and she never wants to touch a piano again. Of course, one should never say never. . . . THE LUCY VARIATIONS, by Sara Zarr, tells the story of a young concert pianist, whose promising career is over before she turns sixteen.
Two YA sequels:
CURTSIES AND CONSPIRACIES, by Gail Carriger, is the follow-up to the hilarious YA steampunk, Etiquette and Espionage (which I haven't stopped raving about since first reading it.) This one is a worthy successor, continuing the fun with manners and advanced weaponry.
THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH (Shades of London), by Maureen Johnson, is a maddening sequel. The first book, The Name of the Star, combined ghost hunting and Jack the Ripper to create a highly addictive and original story. This one begins much more slowly, and just when the action begins to heat up, we are left waiting for the third book. Maddening, but not to be missed if you were fortunate enough to have read the first one.
In COME BACK, MOON, by David Kherdian, illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian, Bear steals the too-bright moon, and the other animals try to find it. Lovely illustrations by a Caldecott-winning artist bring the quiet, fable-like text by a Newbery-Honor author to life.
MOONDAY, by Adam Rex, tells of how the moon follows one girl home to her backyard, and then hangs around for a very sleepy Moonday. But when the tide comes in, it's time for the moon to leave. Beautiful and mysterious.
One Art and Design book:
Rarely do I read non-fiction, but GO: A KIDD'S GUIDE TO GRAPHIC DESIGN, by Chip Kidd, is one I am glad not to have missed. This is an informative introduction to the subject, well thought out, engagingly written, and (of course) beautifully designed. There are chapters on form, typography, content, concept, and then we are given ten truly inspiring design projects. It will change the way you think about the ongoing barrage of media which comes your way. Perfect for kids ten and older, including creative adults like you and me!
--Lynn
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