The cats in the doll shop / by Yona Zeldis McDonough ; illustrated by Heather Maione.

April 28, 2012

2011 I loved this book as much as the first about this family published in 2009, The Doll Shop Downstairs. It’s just a great family story and I’ll love recommending it. I won’t have to . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Children's Books

The doll shop downstairs / by Yona Zeldis McDonough ; illustrated by Heather Maione.

April 26, 2012

I hate to overuse the phrase but this is a “nice old fashioned story.” It is historical fiction based on the origin of Madam Alexander Dolls – During World War I a doll repair shop . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Children's Books

Blanche of the blueberry barrens / by Anne Molloy ; illustrated with linoleum cuts by Arline K. Thomson.

April 13, 2012

Good old fashioned coming of age story – well – she’s 11! Trusted with the huge responsibility of housekeeping and babysitting while family is off blueberrying – they go to the barrens each year – . . . read more »

Category: Reviews Juvenile Books

Kildee House / Rutherford Montgomery ; illustrations by Barbara Cooney.

April 13, 2012

Sweet book. Issues: “Wife walked out” referring to raccoons Mountain people “a feud” a shot gun Death of raccoon Pipe smoking – lots! Good messages though! hunting issue feuding kids make friends very respectful of animals . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

Beauty queens / Libba Bray.

April 3, 2012

This book was a challenge for me – way too bizarre! At first I was repulsed by the characterzation of beauty queens as shallow, competitive Barbie Doll types – not convincingly done and too trite . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Young Adult Books

Understood Betsy / Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Illustrated by Martha Alexander

April 3, 2012

I loved this quaint little old fashioned story – OK, the writing is a little odd, especially at first – but once you’re in a few chapters it’s OK – She consults with the reader . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

White cat / Holly Black.

October 1, 2011

Whew! Had to read this in a day – Basically a story of mob families – with fantasy element of “special abilities” added. Called “Workers” they can change emotions or memories or transform other people . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Young Adult Books

Anna Hibiscus / by Atinuke ; illustrated by Lauren Tobia.

October 1, 2011

A terrific ER/FCB! About a little girl in Africa with huge African Family – Dad is native and Mom is Canadian – So many fabulous cultural pieces to the story – showing differences/similarities. Very good . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Children's Books

The Cruisers / Walter Dean Myers.

August 8, 2011

It took me a while to be comfortable with the “street dialect” if that’s the proper way to refer to the speech used by these inner city kids – but – that grew on me . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

The magician’s elephant / Kate DiCamillo ; illustrated by Yoko Tanaka.

September 17, 2009

A beautiful haunting hopeful fantasy – It reminds me of The Invention of Hugo Cabret in mood, setting, illustrations, tone – very quick but deep – a seemingly bizarre story but perfect! I want to . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books