The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stuart; ill. by Carson Ellis Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007 485 pages As a girl, I loved mysteries, and I especially loved Nancy Drew. Most of the mystery stories and TV shows of my childhood starred heroes, not heroines (think Columbo, Encyclopedia Brown, and Magnum). But … Continue reading Girl Sleuths and the Boys Who Appreciate Them
Poetry in Motion
My Dad's a Birdman by David Almond; ill. by Polly Dunbar Candlewick Press, 2008 128 pages David Almond is something of a Renaissance author. He does it all: plays, novels for adults, novels for teens, short stories. Across these genres and age groups, he's known for an eerie brand of supernatural realism that seamlessly blends … Continue reading Poetry in Motion
Driving Toward a Dream
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck Dial Books, 2006 145 pages Think back to your teen years, to the times when you sought advice on friendship, dating, college, even choosing your path in life. Maybe you confided in a favorite teacher, picked up a teen-oriented magazine, or even asked your parents for input. How … Continue reading Driving Toward a Dream
Read Like a Girl 