Author: Mary Metcalf

ADULT FICTION
“Beach Read” by Emily Henry — “This will still sweep readers off their feet. January’s first-person narration is suitably poetic and effervescent, the small-town beach setting is charming, and the romance is achingly swoony.”—Booklist

“Epidemic” by J. P. Choquette — “Everett James, a reporter in New England, finds himself in the middle of the most important investigation of his life. When a deadly virus, H1N2, breaks out in the small town of St. Albans, Vermont, James takes the story. …Readers of Dan Brown and Robin Cook will enjoy this medical thriller set in small-town USA.” — Amazon.com

“Lost and Found Sisters” by Jill Shalvis — “Shalvis has crafted a wonderful summer read that will fit right in with beach blankets, flip-flops, and maybe a little moonshine.” — (Library Journal (starred review))

“Marry Me by Sundown” by Johann Lindsey — “New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey takes you on a captivating adventure in 1880s Montana where passions and gold fever run high as an American heiress turns to a rugged mountain man to help her locate her father’s fortune.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“Never Say Never” by Lisa Wingatte — “A sudden shift in a hurricane’s course cancels senior citizen Donetta’s cruise at the last minute. Thrown together with a young woman named Kai, Donetta leads a group of evacuees back to Daily, Texas, where the charm of the town–and the high school coach–has Kai rethinking her drifter existence. Donetta, on the other hand, is contemplating moving on from her floundering marriage. As more people seek refuge in the small town, can they transition from merely surviving to truly thriving?” — Amazon.com

“Second Chance at Two Love Lane” by Kieran Kramer — “Readers who enjoy works by Nora Roberts and Luanne Rice will want to give Kramer a try.”―Library Journal

“The Grammarians” by Cathleen Schine — “Schine’s warmth and wisdom about how families work and don’t work are as reliable as her wry humor, and we often get both together . . . This impossibly endearing and clever novel sets off a depth charge of emotion and meaning.” ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The Guest List” by Lucy Foley — “No one may have come to the island intending to murder, but this destination wedding spirals into mayhem when it’s slowly revealed that most everyone in attendance is capable of becoming a lusting-for-revenge killer.” — (Washington Post)

“The One Who Stays” by Toni Blake — “Toni Blake’s romances are so delicious, so intoxicating and addictive, a good night’s sleep isn’t even an option…no one does it like Toni Blake.” –New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr

“The Pull of the Stars: A Novel” by Emma Donoghue — “In doing a deep dive into the miseries and terrors of the past, Donoghue presciently anticipated the miseries and terrors of our present. . . . A deft, lyrical and sometimes even cheeky writer . . . she’s given us our first pandemic caregiver novel — an engrossing and inadvertently topical story about health care workers inside small rooms fighting to preserve life.”―Maureen Corrigan, NPR

“The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett — “Irresistible … an intergenerational epic of race and reinvention, love and inheritance, divisions made and crossed, binding trauma, and the ever-present past.” —Booklist, STARRED Review

ADULT MYSTERY
“A Dream to Die For” by Susan Z. Ritz — “A perplexing crime, a rural setting, a cast of quirky characters, and a reluctant amateur sleuth are staples of the cozy mystery genre, and everything comes alive at the tip of Ritz’s pen. Ritz keeps the tone light and amusing―there are powerful messages that ring through the story.” ―OnlineBookClub.org

“Whiskers in the Dark: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery” by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown — “…. Harry and her fellow volunteers are clearing away debris at the National Beagle Club in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains in order to make the grounds safe for a proposed hunt when they find retired Foreign Service officer Jason Holzknect with his throat slit. Another murder at the club ups the ante. Meanwhile, a woman’s skeleton dating to the 18th century and wearing a pearl necklace is discovered in the local cemetery. Flashbacks to the years after the Revolutionary War tell the story of the woman who wore the pearls, which parallels the circumstances that led to the present-day murders. In lieu of detecting, Harry feels and intuits. For series fans, atmosphere is what counts: walking the dogs, stroking the cats, listening to the birds in the meadows, mucking out the stables, all accompanied by the animals’ wise observations. Brown’s love of nature shines through. ” — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, c2019.

ADULT BIOGRAPHY

“Never Caught: The Washington’s Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, One Judge” by Erica Armstron — “Totally engrossing and absolutely necessary for understanding the birth of the American Republic, Never Caught is richly human history from the vantage point of the enslaved fifth of the early American population. Here is Ona Judge’s (successful) quest for freedom, on one side, and, on the other, George and Martha Washington’s (vain) use of federal power to try to keep her enslaved.” — Nell Irvin Painter, author of Sojourner Truth, A Life, A Symbol

ADULT NON-FICTION
“After the Last Border: Two Stories and the Story of Refuge in America” by Jessica Goudeau — “It’s obvious that Goudeau was able to gain the two women’s trust…their histories emerge through alternating chapters broken up by excerpts that provide social and political background about American refugee resettlement from the nineteenth century to the present day. These profiles are sympathetic and ultimately profoundly moving.” —Booklist

“Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor — “With his entertaining, eerily well-timed new book, James Nestor explains the science behind proper breathing and how we can transform our lungs and our lives. . . . The book is brisk and detailed, a well-written read that is always entertaining, as he melds the personal, the historical, and the scientific.” —The Boston Globe

“Homemade Yogurt & Kefir: 71 Recipes for Making & Using Probiotic-Rich Ferments” by Gianaclis Caldwell — “What sets this yogurt book apart is the global range of yogurts featured—from Russian Ryazhenka and Vietnamese Sữa Chua to Icelandic Skyr and Indian Mishti Doi. So many ways to transform my leftover milk! Caldwell also includes recipes for kefirs, cheeses, sweets, and many dairy-free options. With farmer profiles, bacterial charts and step-by step photos and illustrations, it’s a great primer for those new to fermented dairy, yet still has enough to challenge those whose yogurt making is already a weekly routine. ” — Blyth Meier, Porchlight Books

“In Praise of Paths: Walking through Time and Nature” by Torbjorn Ekelund — “What [Ekelund]’s addressing is the intention to walk one’s way to meaning: the walk as spiritual exercise, a kind of vision quest in which the answers we arrive at are less important than the impulse to seek them.”
—David Ulin, New York Times

“In Praise of Walking : A New Scientific Exploration” by S. M. O’Mara — “In Praise of Walking [is] a backstage tour of what happens in our brains while we perambulate. Walking makes us healthier, happier and brainier…[O’Mara] knows this not only through personal experience, but from cold, hard data.” — Amy Fleming, Guardian

“Making Comics” by Lynda Barry — “The activities, drawn from Barry’s own magical classroom, are fun, flexible, and easy to follow [while] the reality that art drives and sustains us, if we let it, is present on every page… An engaging combination of how-to and why-you-must, perfect for anyone with a story itching to be told.”―Library Journal, Starred Review

“The Fat Kitchen: How to Render, Cure & Cook with Lard, Tallow & Poultry Fat” by Andrea Chesman — “The Fat Kitchen could not be more timely. It’s a guide to preparing and using animal fats, indulgently or sparingly, in all sorts of delectable ways. Tempting recipes … open new horizons.” — New York Times 

“Pollage: A Collaboration Between Friends” by Phyllis Rachel Larrabee — “This book of poems begins quietly, like a step into a still, familiar lake on a hot afternoon. There are poems about the seasons, Native Peoples, Judaism, politics and love. ” — Inside note

KIT
Dinosaur Kit

PICTURE BOOK
“Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes” by James Dean

JUVENILE FICTION

“The Secret Rescuers: The Baby Firebird” by Paula Harrison — “The series of simple, formulaic fantasy adventures about children who use “Speaking Stones” to talk to magical creatures continues with this third installment. In the Kingdom of Arramia, young potter Talia uses her new powers to save a flock of firebirds from the evil Lord Fortescue. Muddy grayscale illustrations place the trite story in a generic jungle setting.” — THE HORN BOOK, c2018.

“The Trials of Apollo” The Tyrant’s Tomb” by Rick Riordan — “In his penultimate adventure, a devastated but determined Apollo travels to Camp Jupiter, where he must learn what it is to be a hero, or die trying.” — Amazon.com

YOUNG ADULT
“Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi — “Readers who want to truly understand how deeply embedded racism is in the very fabric of the U.S., its history, and its systems will come away educated and enlightened. Worthy of inclusion in every home and in curricula and libraries everywhere. Impressive and much needed.”
―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

ADULT FICTION

“A Good Yarn” by Debbie Macomber — “Macomber offers another tale of women meeting and becoming good friends in a knitting class. When Lydia Hoffman, owner of A Good Yarn, offers a class in knitting socks, Elise Beaumont,… appears. Embroiled in a lawsuit, she has little patience with the foibles of others. Meanwhile, Bethanne Hamlin’s husband left her for another woman on Valentine’s Day. ….now, bereft of self-esteem and support, she has to find a job. And, finally, there’s Courtney Pulanski, …After her mother’s death four years ago, Courtney went a little wild and stuffed all her emotions down with food; now she’s alone, overweight, and unhappy. But soon an unbreakable bond is formed among the knitters in this sweet and poignant story of real women with real problems becoming real friends.” — Maria Hatton Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

“A Peculiar Grace” by Jeffrey Lent — “An uncomfortably brilliant novel both in the human dimensions of the story and the intense grace of the writing.” — Jim Harrison, author of Returning to Earth

“Afterlife” by Julia Alvarez — “In one moving scene after another, Alvarez dramatizes the sustaining power of stories, whether for immigrants in search of a better life or for widows surviving a spouse’s death. True to its title, Afterlife cannily explores what it means to go on after a loss . . .This is a beautiful book.” —BookPage, starred review

“Back on Blossom Street” by Debbie Macomber — “Macomber’s latest Blossom Street tale begins with a new knitting class at the shop Lydia Goetz owns in downtown Seattle. Lydia’s business is doing well, and in attendance are Susannah, who runs the flower shop next door; Colette, a young widow who lives upstairs; and Alix Townsend, a baker and former hoodlum engaged to a future minister. … These involving stories along with Macomber’s familiar characters continue the Blossom Street themes of friendship and personal growth that readers find so moving.” — Maria Hatton Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

“Brunch and Other Obligations: A Novel” by Suzanne Nugent — “Brunch and Other Obligations is an engaging, often sweet, and absolutely laugh-out-loud story of how relationships can evolve even among individuals who would like to believe they are vastly different―and lifelong frenemies. Suzanne Nugent’s writing is sharp and masterful, with spot-on dialogue and scenes that jump to life on the page.” ―Sherry Stanfa-Stanley, author of Finding My Badass Self: A Year of Truths and Dares

“Good Hope Road” by Lisa Wingate — “The tornado that levels the town of Poetry, Missouri, does more than change the topography of the small town; it changes lives. Jenilee, a 21-year-old with no real future, helps her elderly neighbor, Eudora, who is grateful for her rescue from the cellar of her demolished home, although perplexed by the identity and generosity of her savior. …Jenilee’s courage helps Eudora realize that she, too, can change. Wingate has written a genuinely heartwarming story about how a sense of possibility can be awakened in the aftermath of tragedy to bring a community together and demonstrate the true American spirit.” – Patty Engelmann; AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2003.

“Hideaway” by Nora Roberts — “Roberts once again offers a master class in storytelling as she displays her formidable ability to portray easily relatable characters and engineer a plot spiked with chilling suspense and layered with life affirming love, which, together, generate a captivating read.” – Booklist

“The Paris Architect: A Novel” by Charles Belfoure — “Architect and debut author Belfoure’s portrayal of Vichy France is both disturbing and captivating, and his beautiful tale demonstrates that while human beings are capable of great atrocities, they have a capacity for tremendous acts of courage as well.” – Library Journal

“The Shop on Blossom Street” by Debbie Macomber — “Four lives knit together… … These four very different women, brought together by the age-old craft of knitting, make unexpected discoveries —about themselves and each other. Discoveries that lead to friendship and acceptance, to laughter and dreams. Discoveries only women can share….” — ONIX Annotations

“Starting Now: A Blossom Street Novel” by Debbie Macomber — “… Macomber returns to Seattle’s beloved Blossom Street in this heartfelt tale of friendship, renewal, and discovering what’s truly important in life….Warmly told and richly textured, Starting Now is filled with the promise of new beginnings and the unending delights of companionship and love. “Macomber understands the often complex nature of a woman’s friendships, as well as the emotional language women use with their friends.”-New York Journal of Books

ADULT MYSTERY

” A Plain Vanilla Murder” by Susan Wittig Albert — “A Plain Vanilla Murder is a flavorful blend of mystery and herb lore, present sins and past secrets, and characters who are as real as your next-door neighbors—stirred together in an absorbing novel that only Susan Wittig Albert could create.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“A Rule Against Murder: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel” by Louise Penny — “Reminiscent of classic Christie… This latest treat in the series will keep fans salivating in anticipation, savoring each delectable morsel and yearning for more.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Close Knit Killer” by Maggie Sefton — “A mystery with more twists and turns than the scrumptious yarns in the fictitious shop of Lambspun…A clever, fast-paced plot, with a spunky sleuth and a cast of fun, engaging characters…Delivers the goods.”—Margaret Coel, New York Times bestselling author

“Devonshire Scream” by Laura Childs — “A charming cast of characters, a cultivated and genteel setting, plenty of tea and scones, a plausible slate of suspects, and an exciting climactic chase…Another enjoyable outing with Theodosia and friends.”—Publishers Weekly

“Dread of Winter” by Susan Alice Bickford”Fair Warning” by Michael Connelly — “There’s so much to love in Susan Bickford’s newest novel, Dread of Winter: a profound sense of place, the visceral evocation of a bitter winter’s cold, a dead-on depiction of the pit of despair that is the opioid epidemic, and language so beautiful on the page it’ll give you goosebumps.  I’m a newcomer to Bickford’s work, but I’m putting her on my list of must-read authors. You should, too.” —William Kent Krueger

“Fair Warning” by Michael Connelly — “Score another one for the dean of America’s crime writers… Fair Warning sheds light on the murky billion-dollar world of DNA testing… the subject [is] ripe for a good mystery. And Michael Connelly is just the guy to write it.”―Sandra Dallas, Denver Post

“Kill One, Kill Two” by Maggie Sefton — “…busy CPA Kelly Flynn leaves her frantic career in DC to investigate her elderly aunt’s suspicious death in Fort Connor, CO, and becomes a part of that thriving community and an integral member of the cozy knitting club situated at the House of Lambspun knit shop. This chatty series features a large cast of regulars, both men and women, whose interests extend beyond knitting. Infused with gentle humor, these leisurely paced cozies also include recipes and knitting patterns.” — LIBRARY JOURNAL, c2010.

“Pekoe Must Poison” by Laura Childs — “A love letter to Charleston, tea, and fine living.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Purl Up and Die” by Maggie Sefton — In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Yarn Over Murder, Kelly Flynn and the Lambspun Knitters must unravel the truth from the lies to clear a friend’s son suspected of murder…” — Amazon.com

“The Last Chance Olive Ranch” by Susan Wittig Albert — In this exciting mystery from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert, China Bayles fears for her husband&;s life as an escaped convict targets him… ‘ — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Long Call” by Ann Cleeves — “Cleeves makes good use of Devon local color and populates this subtle, expertly paced mystery with distinctive supporting characters.” ― Publishers Weekly

“The Shooting at Chateau Rock” by Martin Walker — “When a local’s troubling death is linked to a Russian oligarch and his multinational conglomerate, Bruno faces one of his toughest cases yet, one that brings together a French notary and a rock star–and, of course, Bergerac red and white.” — Amazon.com

“Toucan Keep a Secret” by Donna Andrews — “This long-running cozy series shows no signs of losing its freshness.” ―Publishers Weekly on Toucan Keep a Secret

ADULT BIOGRAPHY

“The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy and the Life of John Maynard Keynes” by Zachary D. Carter — “Making an impressive book debut, journalist Carter offers a sweeping, comprehensive biography of economist, political theorist, and statesman John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946), one of most influential figures of his time. . . . An absorbing, thoroughly researched life of a singular thinker.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir” by John Bolton — “The most substantive, critical dissection of the president from an administration insider… lays out a long series of jarring and troubling encounters between the president, his top advisers and foreign leaders.” – Washington Post

“Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man” by Mary L. Trump — “[T]he most devastating, most valuable and all-around best Trump book since he started running for president. In the vast Trump literature, this one is something new…[W]hat this book does do is help us understand him, offering the most incisive rendering yet of why he is the way he is.”—Politico

ADULT NON-FICTION

“American Dialogue: The Founders and Us” by Joseph J. Ellis — “American Dialogue tries to break the conversational deadlock by going back to the beginning and exploring the controversial choices made by the Founders themselves, asking hard questions about who they were, what they did, and what legacies they left behind. . .”—San Francisco Book Review

“Cook’s Illustrated 2014” — “Perfect for long-term reference, the Cook’s Illustrated 2014 Annual contains all six 2014 issues bound in one cloth-covered edition.” — Annotation

“Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners” by John W. Bartok

“Hand Hewn: The Traditions, Tools, and Enduring Beauty of Timber Framing” by Jack Sobon — “An essential book for every builder — of anything — revealing the world of timber framing from a true master craftsman.” — Will Beemer, author of Learn to Timber Frame and director of the Heartwood School for the Homebuilding Crafts

“Hardy Roses : An Organic Guide to Growing Frost- and Disease-resistant Varieties” by Robert Osborne“How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi — ““A boldly articulated, historically informed explanation of what exactly racist ideas and thinking are . . . [Kendi’s] prose is thoughtful, sincere, and polished. This powerful book will spark many conversations.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World” by Matt Parker — “A pleasant exploration of our deeply held incompetence at mathematics. . . . Fun reading for nonmathematicians.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Living with Cancer: A Step-by-Step Guide for Coping Medically and Emotionally with a Serious Diagnosis” by Vicki A. Jackson — “Ryan and Jackson offer patients and their families useful step-by-step advice. It comes at a time of unusual excitement in the field, thanks to new treatments that hold the promise of making long, full lives with cancer far more common.” — (Boston Globe Magazine)

“Making a Life: Working by Hand and Discovering the Life You Are Meant to Live” by Melanie Falick — ““A remarkable series of 30 vignettes that simultaneously comfort and stimulate. . . . Falick’s treasury, sumptuously photographed, will appeal to anyone who admires the people dedicated to making the world around them more beautiful.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Say Nothing : A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland” by Patrick Radden Keefe — “[Keefe] incorporates a real-life whodunit into a moving, accessible account of the violence that has afflicted Northern Ireland… Tinged with immense sadness, this work never loses sight of the humanity of even those who committed horrible acts in support of what they believed in.” —Publishers Weekly, *starred review*

“Say We Won and Get Out: George D. Aiken and the Vietnam War” by Stephen C. Terry — “…Aiken was neither “hawk” nor “dove”, but a “wise owl” who spoke his mind forcefully and bluntly to all against the war. He advised President Johnson to declare that the U. S. won the Vietnam War and to get out. Later, Aiken told President Nixon to stop bombing in Cambodia or he couldn’t be elected “dogcatcher.” This is pure Aiken speaking truth to power for ending America’s most controversial war, a common-sense voice that the Nation sorely needs today.This book demonstrates that bi-partisan Senate leadership has worked in the past and must be present in order to solve urgent national problems….” — Publisher’s Annotation

“Science of Running: Analyze your Technique, Prevent Injury, Revolutionize your Training” by Chris Napier — “Discover the hard science that will help you run faster, endure for longer, and avoid injury.” — Amazon.com

“Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” by Ibram X. Kendi — An “engrossing and relentless intellectual history of prejudice in America…The greatest service Kendi [provides] is the ruthless prosecution of American ideas about race for their tensions, contradictions and unintended consequences.” —The Washington Post

“The Land of Milk & Honey: A History of Beekeeping in Vermont” by Bill Mares — Land of Milk and Honey: A History of Vermont Beekeeping follows the trials and tribulations of beekeepers in Vermont.” — Amazon.com

“The Next Great Migration: The Beauty and the Terror of Life on the Move” by Sonia Shah — “A masterful survey of migration in both nature and humanity, countering some long-held misconceptions…a valuable treatise on how humanity can ‘reclaim our history of migration’ and adopt a more pan-global perspective.” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Those Who Hold Bastogne: The True Story of the Soldiers and Civilians Who Fought in the Biggest Battle of the Bulge” by Peter Schrijvers — “A fast-paced story. . . . Schrijvers does an admirable job of weaving personal accounts into the larger picture of Bastogne’s horrors.”—Wall Street Journal

“Umami Bomb: 75 Vegetarian Recipes That Explode with Flavor” by Raquel Pelzel — “This satisfying and handy take on the fifth taste will please vegetarians and omnivores alike.” —Publishers Weekly

“Under Our Skin: Getting Real About Race and Getting Free From the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us” by Benjamin Watson — “Can it ever get better? This is the question Benjamin Watson is asking. In a country aflame with the fallout from the racial divide―in which Ferguson, Charleston, and the Confederate flag dominate the national news, daily seeming to rip the wounds open ever wider―is there hope for honest and healing conversation? For finally coming to understand each other on issues that are ultimately about so much more than black and white?” — Amazon.com

BLUE/DVD

“Emma”
“Fly Away Home”
“The Iron Giant”
“Mary Poppins”
“Paddington”
“The Princess Bride”
“Stuart Little”
“Stuart Little 2”
“Stuart Little 3”
“Onward”

KIT

“Bird Watching Kit”
“Circus Kit”
“Fairy Houses Kit”
“Journal Making and Creating Kit”
“Music and Puppet Kit”
“Orienteering and Hiking Kit”
“StoryKeepers and Family History Kit”

PICTURE BOOK

“Mustang Canyon” by Jonathan London
“Ocean Meets the Sky” by Terry Fan
“Sonya’s Chickens” by Phoebe Wahl

JUVENILE AUDIO BOOK

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by J. K. Rowling

JUVENILE BIOGRAPHY

“I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer” by Carole Boston Weatherford

JUVENILE FOREIGN LANGUAGE

“Cattus Petasatus: The Cat in the Hat in Latin” by Seuss — “A Latin-English glossary and a note on the verse form and rhythm supplements the story of two children sitting at home on a rainy day who are visited by the Cat in the Hat, who shows them some tricks and games.” — Publisher’s Annotation

JUVENILE FICTION

“Changes for Samantha: A Winter Story” by Valerie Tripp

“Collision Course” by Gordon Korman — “Korman manages to tell the story of the Titanic smoothly while also introducing other elements of the early twentieth century…Altogether an enjoyable read that makes this tragic story come alive with personal narratives.” ― Resource Links

“Elmer and the Dragon” by Ruth Stiles Gannett — “”Rich, humorous, thoroughly satisfying.”–(starred) Library Journal.  

“Finn Family Moomintroll” by Tove Jannson — “These charming fantasies are propelled by a childlike curiosity and filled with quiet wisdom, appealing geniality, and a satisfying sense of self-discovery.” ―School Library Journal.com

“Happy Birthday, Samantha! The American Girls Collection/Samanatha #04″ by Valerie Tripp — “Samantha’s birthday party is nearly ruined when Eddie Ryland plays a mean trick. Then Agnes and Agatha, Cornelia’s ten-year-old twin sisters, save the day with an invitation to visit New York City. Samantha loves the twins’ carefree attitude and can’t wait to go–especially since the trip will include a stop at a fancy ice cream parlor. But when the girls carelessly break some rules, they suddenly find themselves racing dangerously through the big city–and the path they take leads to surprising discoveries.” — Amazon.com

“How to Be a Pirate” by Cressida Cowell — “Filled with bright colors, soaring spirits, and a timely feminist message.” ―Publishers Weekly

“How to Train Your Dragon: How to Train Your Dragon #01″ by Cressida Cowell — “…This is a goofy and exciting tale of an underdog who proves that brains can be just as important as brawn. Kids will hoot at the ridiculous names and sympathize with Hiccup’s exasperation with his truly obstinate but strangely lovable dragon. A delightful read.”―School Library Journal

“It’s All Greek to Me” by John Scieszka — [The Time Warp Trios] tongue-in-cheek humor, laced with understatement and wordplay, makes for laugh-out-loud reading.” — (“School Library Journal,” starred review)

“Magic by the Lake” by Edward Eager — “The combination of real children and fantasy is convincing and funny.”  —Booklist

“Maybe He Just Likes You” by Barbara Dee — “Important for its relevance and examination of the otherwise little-discussed topic of sexual harassment among younger teens, Maybe He Just Likes You will appeal to middle-grade readers as well as parents and educators seeking to bolster a child’s awareness of this rampant problem.” —Booklist

“My Father’s Dragon” by Ruth Stiles Gannett” — “A real delight.” — The New Yorker

“Other Words for Home” by Jasmine Warga — “Convincing and authentic, infused with thoughtfulness, humor, determination, and hope…. A realistic portrait of the strength it takes to move to a new country, as well as of the complicated dynamics between first- and second-generation immigrants.” (Horn Book (starred review))

“S.O.S.” by Gordon Korman — “[Korman] knows how to spin a lively and engaging tale. Hanging it on an already fascinating, albeit tragic, slice of history means it wins on all levels: a thrilling account of a heart-stopping disaster, and a set of fictional characters seamlessly intertwined with real life.” – The Montreal Gazette

“Sam Samurai/Time Warp Trio #10” by John Sciezka– “…the Time Warp Trio spins back to seventeenth-century Japan, mixing with Samurais and royalty for more nail-biting adventures, near catastrophes, and raucous humor. But there’s a new ingredient in this title: poetry. The fun of making up haikus plays a large role here, and even readers sworn off poetry will find themselves captivated by Scieszka’s use of haiku and haiku-esque observations in the text, particularly towards the end. …” — Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

“Samantha’s Surprise: The American Girls Collection/Samantha #03” by Maxine Schur — “The two weeks before Christmas are filled with activity as Samantha finishes her homemade presents and makes peparations for visiting relatives” — Amazon.com

“Strawberry Girl” by Lois Lenski — “A vivid regional story, with the humor and kindliness of an understanding writer.” — (Horn Book Magazine)

“The Castle Mystery” by Gertrude Chandler Warner — “The Boxcar Children are visiting a castle! But as they help to restore it, they see mysterious lights, hear strange music, and see spooky faces in the windows. Who is haunting the castle?” — Amazon.com

“The Dragons of Blueland” by Ruth Stiles Gannett — “In this third and final installment of the classic My Father’s Dragon trilogy, Boris, the baby dragon, is excited to be heading home to Blueland and looks forward to reuniting with his family.” — Amazon.com

“The Ghost Ship Mystery” by Gertrude Chandler Warner — “While vacationing in an old New England town, the Aldens learn of a ship that was lost at sea years ago.” — Inside flap

“The Gravity of Us” by Phil Stamper — ““A openhearted novel that shows a realistic, imperfect queer relationship and a young man growing to know and to be true to himself even when everything is shifting around him.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The High Power of Lucky” by Susan Patron — “”Patron [is] a master of light but sure characterization and closely observed detail. A small gem.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The Indian in the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks — “Skyhigh fantasy that will enthrall readers.”–Publishers Weekly

“The Lighthouse Family: The Octopus” by Cynthia Rylant — “Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant brings the peaceful sounds, sights, and characters of the coast vividly to life in the fifth book of the Lighthouse Family series, in which the family explores the shore with an octopus friend.” — Amazon.com

“The Mystery in Washington DC #2” by Gertrude Chandler Warner — “The Boxcar Children take a trip to Washington, D.C, and visit the Capitol Building and the Air and Space Museum. But when things start disappearing from their hotel, and they realize they are being followed, the children know there’s a mystery.” — Amazon.com

“The Magic Fox” by Paula Harrison — “It’s up to the Secret Rescuers to outwit Sir Fitzroy and save a baby fox in this fourth book in the adorable Secret Rescuers series.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Mystery of the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks – “In the fourth book in Bank’s acclaimed INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD saga, Omri and his family move to an old farmhouse, where he finds an ancient notebook that reveals a family secret-and the mysterious origins of his magical cupboard.” — Amazon.com

“The Return of the Great Brain” by John Dennis Fitzgerald — “Tom Fitzgerald, better known as the Great Brain, is struggling to stay reformed now that his friends have threatened to shut him out if he pulls even one more swindle. But his younger brother J.D. knows Tom’s reformation makes for a dull life, and is not altogether unhappy–or blameless–when his brother’s money-loving heart stealthily retums to business as usual.” — Amazon.com

“The Return of the Indian” by Lynne Reid Banks — “Now, helplessly caught between his own life and his cupboard life of war and death, Omri must act decisively if he is to save Little Bear and his village from being completely destroyed. What began as a harmless game has tumed into a horrible nightmare, a nightmare in which Omri is irrevocably involved, and from which he may never escape.” — Inside Flap

“The Sea Pony” by Paula Harrison — “Grace works to save her beloved sea ponies from the evil Lady Cavendish in this sixth book in the adorable Secret Rescuers series.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Secret of the Indian” by Lynne Reid Banks — As his adventures with Little Bear continue, Omri travels from the French and Indian wars to the present, and then back to the Old West at the tum-of-the-century.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Sky Unicorn” by Paula Harrison — Ava and her friends race to rescue a unicorn in the second book in the adorable, new Secret Rescuers series.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Star Wolf” by Paula Harrison — Emma rescues a baby star wolf who was caught in a trap in this fifth book in the adorable Secret Rescuers series.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Storm Dragon” by Paula Harrison — A group of friends set out to save magical creatures from a cruel queen and her wicked soldiers in the first book in the brand-new Secret Rescuers chapter book series.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Strangers” by Margaret Haddix Peterson — “Maintains suspense from the beginning to the cliffhanger ending. A high-stakes adventure full of teamwork with a multifaceted mystery and complex themes.” — (Kirkus Reviews)

“Tom’s Midnight Garden” by Philippa Pearce — “From beloved author Philippa Pearce, a transcendent story of friendship that Philip Pullman, bestselling author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, called “a perfect book.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“Training Camp: Rain, Twig, Cash, Peno, Lab” by Wesley King — “A youth basketball team is challenged to face their inner fears by a mysterious and magical coach named Rolabi Wizenard.” — Publisher’s Annotation

JUVENILE NON-FICTION

“Hackers” by Tom Jackson — What are hackers? Are they good? Bad? What can we do to protect ourselves, businesses, and society against hackers? How can we control them? And should we try? Get the facts and make up your own mind on these and more questions with Hackers, part of the new What’s the Issue? series.” — Amazon.com

“The Young Adventurer’s Guide to (Almost) Everything: Build a Fort, Camp Like a Champ, Poop in the Woods–45 Action-packed Outdoor Activities” by Ben Hewitt — “Outdoor-adventure activities combine wisdom and fun in this practical guide to the wild. The instructions are remarkably clear, and black-and-white illustrations add visual interest, levity, and clarity when needed. Fascinating enough to read cover to cover without setting foot outside, it will also be a reliable companion on camping and hiking trips to augment hours of outdoor exploring. This in-depth guide offers plenty to learn and do for adventurers of all skill and experience levels.”—Kirkus, starred review

YOUNG ADULT

“Someday We Will Fly” by Rachel DeWoskin — “An unusual portrait of what war does to families in general and children in particular . . . affirms the human need for art and beauty in hard times.” –Booklist, starred review

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins — “It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.” — Hunger Games series — Publisher Annotation:

“The Gravity of Us” by Phil Stamper — “A openhearted novel that shows a realistic, imperfect queer relationship and a young man growing to know and to be true to himself even when everything is shifting around him.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The Grief Keeper” by Alexandra Villasante — “Villasante writes of first love with an authentic voice, beautifully capturing its nervousness, excitement, and awe. . . A story worth reading.” —Booklist

“The Mermaid, the Witch and the Sea” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall — “Not just mermaids, a witch, and the sea, Tokuda-Hall also covers pirates, double agents, and the lure of forgetting…this is a dark and creative story, laced with romance, and not for the faint of heart.” —School Library Journal