Diamon Willow by Helen Frost

Title: Diamond Willow
Author: Helen Frost

As a library user, I cannot control when my holds arrive at my branch but I sometimes feel like a magical force brings them to me when I need them most. “Diamond Willow” was a book that arrived at just the right time – it is full of hidden beauty that I needed to be reminded of.

The story is about a girl named Diamond Willow who lives with her family in the interior of Alaska, isolated from the outside world during the winter months. Lack of roads, mechanics’ skills and supplies during these cold, snowy seasons means that dog sledding remains an important mode of transportation.

Diamond Willow is a twelve year old girl who feels insignificant. It’s not easy for her to make friends at her school and she’s on the verge of losing her best friend to a boyfriend. The story unfolds during the winter season when Willow convinces her parents to let her take the dog sled to her grandparents home, 12 miles away, alone. But her first step towards independence are not without challenges.

The plot of this story is a little thin but the ideas about family, heritage, nature and self-discovery are so beautifully constructed. You finish this book feeling warmed inside.

Diamond willow is a type of tree found in Alaska and its significance to the story and the girl, Diamond Willow, unfolds throughout the story. And did I mention that each page is a diamond-shaped poem that read like prose? Read it, please!

Well-suited to girls aged 8 to 12.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Title: The Penderwicks
Author: Jeanne Birdsall

As we soak in the autumn crispness, summertime is a distant memory for most of us. Yet, but the energy of long vacations and freedom from everyday stress comes back to you as you read The Penderwicks. The four Penderwick sisters are each nothing alike: motherly Rosalind (age 12), tough-girl Skye (age 11), daydreamer Jane (age 10) and imaginative Batty (age 4). For four weeks in the summer, they rent a summer home in Massachusetts - this year it's a new cottage called "Arundel". The vacation house sits far back on a huge property, behind a large mansion. Living in the mansion is Mrs. Tifton and her son, Jeffrey - who is more like a prisoner than a resident.

When the Penderwicks befriend Jeffrey, the summer escapades begin: bull chases, ruined garden parties, lost bunnies.

The book is a fun read and very well written. I recommend it for girls 9-12.

There is a sequel book: The Penderwicks on Gardam Street.
Another Penderwicks book is planned for summer 2011.

The Brixton Brothers: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

Title: The Brixton Brothers: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

Written by: Mac Barnett

with Illustrations by Adam Rex

I am completely flabbergasted. This book surprised me immensely. The plot sucked me in from the first few pages and I did not want to stop reading until I reached the last page. It was really funny!!! Steve ("not Steven") Brixton is a twelve-year old kid living in a small town who LOVES to read mystery books (specifically the Bailey Brothers series -- comparable to Hardy Boys). He accidentally gets tangled up in a complex secret detective operation run by the best secret forces team in America (I won't ruin the surprise but promise that it is surprising...and funny!). He is on the run from the secret forces and his local police and the race is on to prove his innocence.

This book is suitable for both kids who love to read and who don't. It would be a suggested read for boys reluctant to read. It's also a good read for parents.

Also, I just found out that the 2nd Brixton Brothers is coming out October 2010!

Recommended age: 8 - 12 (and any adult who loves a laugh)

179 pages

Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar

Title: Wayside School is Falling Down
By: Louis Sachar

This book hails from my fading childhood memories. I so enjoyed it as a kid that I needed to search it out and reread it as an adult. I'm sure that many adults would say that revisiting fond childhood books and movies is a surefire way to invite disappointment but this was not what Wayside delivered. It was just as hilarious as I remembered it. To this day, I don't know what other book can compare to it.


A little overview of the book: Miss Jewls class is on the 30th floor of the school (there is one class per floor). She's the essence of "a great teacher" though not without many funny faults. The author devotes each student in her class one short chapter to expand on their quirkiness. The jokes are endless.


This book is highly recommended for all kids, especially those who are not keen to read.

Recommended ages: 8-11
152 pages

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

Title: The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Written by: Roald Dahl
Illustrations by: Quentin Blake

In anticipation of the recent movie, I decided to first read the book that brought about its inspiration. The story is about three nasty, mean farmers named Boggis, Bunce and Beans and a family of foxes headed by Mr. Fox. The two groups are brought together when the farmers decide to devote all their attention to stopping Mr. Fox from stealing their chickens, ducks and turkeys. The lengths that these farmers go to in order to get Mr. Fox are ridiculous and fun.

It's a great, short read for anyone who wants to see the movie (which should include everyone). The movie is fantastic with Mr. George Clooney playing Mr. Fox.

Ages: 8 and older
82 pages

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild

Title: Ballet Shoes

Author: Noel Streatfield (1895-1986)

I took this book recommendation from a great movie character, Kathleen Kelly (the owner of the Little Shop Around the Corner in the movie, “You’ve Got Mail”).

The setting is London in the 1930s. The main characters are three sisters, all adopted by a Great Uncle Matthew ("GUM") who they have not seen since they were infants because he has yet to return from a fossil-finding expedition. They each come from different families and are totally unique from each other in most ways: the exception is their lessons at the dance academy. The youngest, Posy, is a natural ballerina, while the eldest, Pauline is a gifted dancer and actress. In the middle, Petrova, wishes to be as far away from the stage as possible so she can focus on her true interest: cars and airplanes. These sisters lead exciting lives as they grow up, dancing and acting on the stage.

The girls are charming. The time period is warm. It is a great read.

Recommended for girls aged 9-12.

235 pages