Once, again, I've been reading a lot of excellent kid's books lately!
Novels:
The wonderful EGG & SPOON, by Gregory Maguire, features a peasant girl from a remote and starving village, an aristocratic girl traveling through the country by train, the Tzar, the Tzar's godson, a Faberge egg, the Firebird's egg, a legendary ice dragon, and Baba Yaga, along with her chicken-legged hut, among many other Russian-themed elements. It all comes together in this sophisticated literary YA (and crossover) novel that is a pure pleasure to read.
In Meg Wolitzer's BELZHAR, Jam Gallahue is sent to a school for kids who have suffered through enough trauma that they don't fit in at at their traditional schools anymore. She and four of her classmates are chosen for a special English class, assigned Sylvia Plath to read, and given special journals. What Jam and her classmates discover as they write is both comfort and nightmare. BELZHAR is compelling YA.
Jennifer L. Holm (Babymouse, Turtle in Paradise) crafts a strong MG featuring eleven-year-old Ellie and her scientist grandfather, Melvin, who has turned up looking strangely like a dorky teenager (who still dresses like her grandfather). Melvin has discovered a "fountain of youth" but now that he looks like a kid, he can't get back into his lab to finish his experiments. THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH is funny and very readable.
DORY FANTASMAGORY is a stellar Chapter Book written and illustrated by Abby Hanlon. Dory's older brother and sister think she's a baby, but really Dory is just a little kid with a wild imagination and plenty of energy. And plenty of imaginary friends. And a loud voice. And a favorite pair of pajamas she wants to wear all the time. And much, much more. This book is brimming with humor, but also imparts some deeper truths about family and life with siblings. The illustrations are spot on, too, cleverly illustrating and even advancing the text. I loved this one!
Picture Books:
Amy Schwartz's 100 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY is just what it says: an appealing, mostly rhyming list of 100 swell things, well illustrated with of details to pour over.
and BRIMSBY'S HATS, by Andrew Prahin, is a delightfully quirky picture book about friendship, well-designed and beautifully illustrated. It's got a really original feel to it, and a tightly-woven story arc. Quietly perfect.
--Lynn
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