The Twilight of Humanity?

THE 5TH WAVE by Rick Yancey. Putnam, 2013.

Printz Honor Medalist (for THE MNSTRUMOLOGIST), Yancey turns his eyes from the past to the future and to the skies. An alien culture has attacked Earth. The first four waves of the attack have left few of the population alive. Those unfortunate few have learned one important lesson: trust no one. Cassie has lost her parents, and now her little brother has been taken away by the military for his protection. She is unsure how safe he will be and vows to get him back. As she journeys toward the place she believes the children to be held, she encounters a sniper and later a savior. Evan rescues her, but Cassie cannot fully trust Evan. He could very well be the same sniper who tried to take her life. Meanwhile, back at the Army base, some of the children are learning new skills, skills that are intended to help them battle against the "others." But can even their leaders be trusted? Yancey has penned a chilling account of what war and suspicion can do to the survivors. Detailed, engrossing, surprising: Yancey will draw readers and take them on a wild ride.

Stunning Combination

FROM NORVELT TO NOWHERE by Jack Gantos. FSG, 2013.

This sequel to the Newbery winning, DEAD END IN NORVELT will not disappoint. Once again, Gantos has managed to find the funny as he and Miss Volker take the craziest road trip imaginable in hot pursuit of the person who murdered all of the elderly female residents of Norvelt save one. But who exactly IS the murderer? Spizz, the prime suspect fled Norvelt but has recently been spotted at the scene of yet another murder. ut there are some who think Miss Volker herself could be the culprit. Gantos effortlessly combines a mystery, quite a bit of history, some philosophizing, lots of humor and knock out scenes that will make readers (like me) always wanting more.

Evocative

THE CART THAT CARRIED MARTIN by Eve Bunting with illustrations by Don Tate. Charlesbridge, 2013.

Spare language and illustrations that zoom in and out at various points in the narrative combine to make this a picture book that will evoke many emotions and responses. A plain cart and two mules carry the body of slain Civil Right leader Martin Luther King, Jr. from Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College. Simple and plain: the way Martin wanted it. And yet the vast reaction of those assembled makes it clear that though the cart and mules were simple, the man they carried was great.

Here is an inside look at the remarkable art work.

I am in love with Anna

SPLASH, ANNA HIBISCUS! by Atinuke with illustrations by Lauren Tobia. Kane Miller, 2013.

Anna wants someone to come and splash in the waves with her. Her parents and even her grandparents are too busy. Friends are more interested in playing games or texting on their phones. Finally, Anna simply jumps in the ocean herself. Her squeals of delight draw the attention of others. Soon, she has plenty of company. Thanks to my good friend, Ed Spicer, for introducing me to the world of Anna Hibiscus. Thanks, also, to Kane Miller for sending me a package of Anna Hibiscus books.

Stuck on you

STICKY, STICKY STUCK by Michael Gutch with illustrations by Steve Bjorkman. Harper, 2013.

Annie's family never seems to have time for her. They are all glued to their gadgets, only taking time to tell her she is making a mess. One day, Annie and her family literally become stuck to one another when she tries to make a peanut butter and honey sandwich without using a knife. Can they get out of this sticky situation?

Touch, Think, Learn

OPPOSITES by Xavier Deneux. Chronicle Books, 2013.

COLORS by Xavier Deneux. Chronicle Books, 2013.


These two board books explore some basic concepts for the very young reader. Die cuts and colorful objects will help kids to explore colors and opposites.

The Crane Wife

THE CRANE WIFE by Patrick Ness.  Penguin Press, January 2014.

George owns a copy shop.  He is divorced, amicably, and is the proud Grand-Pere of JP.  His life is rather routine,  George spends some of his time doing cuttings from old books. And then one night, a wounded crane appears in his backyard, an arrow through her wing.  Almost certain he is hallucinating, George nevertheless manages to free the arrow from the wing of the crane.  The next day, Kumiko walks through the door of his copy shop asking for his help with her own artwork.  Her pieces are finely wrought cuttings and weavings made of feathers.  They strike George at his core. Soon,the two are inseparable, their work blending into a single, incredible structure that brings them fame and fortune.  But it is not enough for George.  He wants to know Kumiko more intimately.  She seems just a little too elusive even though he knows she loves him and her loves her.  

Many of you know I do not read adult books very often.  How happy I am that I made an exception in this case, and that I had the foresight to pack this into the bag I took as I traveled from Stockholm to Jonkoping and back again, a long lovely train ride.  Somehow the exotic settings (for someone who has never been this far from home) made it possible for me to enter fully into the story of Kumiko and George and the volcano and the crane as well.  The stories glide in and out of each other with ease (and this in Ness' skill as an author of works for children, teens and adults); the magic simply is part of  the story, no questions asked, no eyebrows raised.  

The writing is spare and yet richly detailed (and do not ask me to explain how this is possible. It just is).  And here is the piece I will end with, the short excerpt that had me pause for a while to think about the incredible truth inside these few words:

"Stories do not end."

"Ah, you  are right, but you are also wrong.  They end and they begin every moment.  It is all about when you stop the telling."  p. 273

Order your copy now.