If You Find Me

IF YOU FIND ME by Emily Murdoch. St. Martins Griffin, 2013.

Carey and Jenessa have only known the rusted camper as home for almost as long as either of them can recall. Carey knows that they ran away from their father a long time ago. Mom wanted to keep them off the grid for their own protection, and so they live in the woods without electricity or running water. Somehow they manage. But now Mom has been gone for an awfully long time, and the food is running short. Carey worries about Jenessa who rarely speaks, How will they survive?

Suddenly, there is a man approaching the camper accompanied by a woman from social services. Carey and Jenessa are to be handed over to Carey's father who has been searching for them ever since Carey's mother abducted her when she was little. Now, they have a father (one Carey is not sure she can trust) and a stepmother and stepsister, too. There will be many changes hurtling toward Carey as the truth is slowly revealed. Great pacing, realistic characters and emotions will draw readers in and hold them to the final page.

We've Got a Job

WE'VE GOT A JOB: THE 1963 BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S MARCH by Cynthia Levinson. Peachtree, 2012.

Here is one of the shortlisted books for the 2013 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. The story of this momentous time in history is told through the lenses of four people who were children involved in the marches for Civil Rights in Birmingham. These 4 were among the hundreds and thousands of children arrested for their part in the movement. They marched, carried signs, sat down on buses, and stood up for their rights. Their efforts were a catalyst for what was to follow. Their actions also placed them at great risk. They were arrested, beaten, shot at by water cannons. A few lost their lives in the church bombings and other acts of violence. Levinson's book demonstrates the power of even the small and young to achieve great goals. From a visual perspective, I must also note that the layout and typeface and page designs are masterful and add to the overall effect of the book. <669>

little loved ones

How much love do we shower on our children? Here are two books that demonstrate a parent's love for a child in quite different ways.




JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE by Sally Lloyd-Jones with illustrations by Frank Endersby (Harper 2012) follows a father and son red squirrel over the course of their day. The little squirrel asks Dad constantly do you love me because...I am a good climber, I am handsome, I can find berries? Each time Dad replies that while son is good at lots of things those are not the reason he is loved. This book so reminds me of SAY IT! and would be a perfect companion to it. <65>





WHEN MY BABY DREAMS by Adele Enersen (Balzer and Bray 2012) is a photographic essay from a mother who wonders what her infant daughter dreams about. Photos show the sleeping infant riding an elephant (fashioned from a grey sweatshirt) or soaring through the air to a soft landing (hanging from clothespins on a clothesline). Fanciful illustration and wonderful text make this a good one to share with small children before bed. Sweet dreams. <66>

Graphic Series

Jarrett Krosoczka gives us another episode of his Lunch Lady series in LUNCH LADY AND THE FIELD TRIP FIASCO (Knopf 2011). Lunch Lady joins the Breakfast Bunch on a field trip to an art museum. When the kids suspect that all is not right, they begin to investigate. Lunch Lady, of course, is on hand to help foil the plans of the art thieves aided by her assistant Betty. I am still flummoxed how Krosoczka is able to accomplish storytelling with few colors on the palette B&W with touches of yellow) but his characters and the details we come to know and love about each of them add depth to the story as well. <521>



Ah, A VERY BABYMOUSE CHRISTMAS by Jennifer and Matthew Holm (Random House 2011) is a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season to come (though Target and other stories think it nearer). Parodies of A NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS and A CHRISTMAS CAROL are just two of the humorous elements of the story as BabyMouse covets the newest electronic gadget for her Christmas gift. The Whizbang does it all including folding laundry and doing homework (if the ads are to be believed). What makes BabyMouse tick is that though rodent she reflects so much of the exuberant though misguided kids we all know and love. The best gift for Christmas? More BabyMouse. <522>