by Kelly Barnhill A baby is taken from her screaming mother to be left in the woods for the (make believe) witch in the annual Day of Sacrifice. The (very real) witch rescues an abandoned baby and feeds her starlight on the way to finding her a new, loving home. Except that she accidentally feeds […]
by Ellen Raskin Eccentric millionaire Sam Westing has no heir, or rather, he has sixteen of them. These heirs must participate in the game set out in the old man’s will if they want a chance to win the whole inheritance. This is a fun and intriguing puzzle mystery with a kooky cast of characters, […]
by Juliet Marillier Sorcha is the youngest daughter of an Irish warlord. Her world is turned upside down when her father’s second wife turns her six older brothers into swans and their only hope of survival rests with her. This is a beautiful and haunting retelling of “The Wild Swans” by Hans Christian Andersen. I loved […]
by Scott O’Dell Karana’s people have always lived undisturbed on the Island of the Blue Dolphins—that is, until the Aleuts came to hunt otter and ended up killing half of the villagers. The rest of the villagers welcome the chance to leave the island a couple of years later when a ship comes to take […]
by Dhonielle Clayton The Belles were created to bring beauty to Orleans. But the people of Orleans have become too obsessed with beauty, and so has their power-mad princess. It’s up to one Belle to make a change… This book was beautifully written with vivid characters and loads of action and intrigue. (It reminded me […]
by Kazu Kibuishi After Emily’s father dies, her family moves to mysteriously missing great-grandfather’s house. When her mother is abducted by a monster in the basement, Emily and her brother must rescue her or risk losing another parent. I had mixed feelings about this book. I really like the premise, characters, and art. But there […]
by Sharon Creech Sal goes on a 6-day road trip across the country with her grandparents to see the truth of her mother’s disappearance for herself. On the way, she tells them the story of her friend Phoebe, which parallels her own and helps her process the events of her own life. This book was […]
by Louise Erdrich Follow Omakayas, a young Ojibwa girl, through one year, spring to spring, and see how it will change her life forever. This is a well-told, beautiful story with rich characters. The cultural details immerse the reader in Omakayas’ world. The chapters on smallpox are a bit intense, so use caution with younger […]
by Skye Malone Attracted by the sea her whole life, Chloe sneaks away for her first ever trip to the beach. But while there, she learns secrets about herself, her parents, and her friends—secrets that could cost her life. I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the characters. There were a few confusing explanations, […]
by Robert C. O’Brien Mrs. Frisby’s youngest son Timothy is ill, too ill to leave their cinderblock mouse house. Unfortunately, the house is in the middle of a field that the farmer is going to plow in less than a week, which will destroy the house—and anyone in it. Can Mrs. Frisby find anyone able […]