Once again Susie Wilde and her team of book lovers has compiled a list of books that will be loved by older readers.
"Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow" (Atheneum, $15.95, ages 8-10) by James Howe
The fifteenth book in the series is fresh with humor and mystery as a strange writer visits the Monroe house and the animals suspect he might murder Bunnicula.
"Dear Max" (McElderry, $14.95, ages 6-9) by Sally Grindley
Life improves for Max, a bullied boy who's lost his father recently, when he begins to write and receive letters from an author he respects.
"Clementine" (Hyperion, $14.99, ages 6-9) by Sara Pennypacker
Meet Clementine, an exuberant, eccentric third grader, who's usually in some kind of trouble. Junie B. Jones fans will adore this new heroine.
"Sleeping Beauty: The One Who Took the Really Long Nap" (Scholastic, $5.99, ages 8-10) by Wendy Mass
We learn two sides of this story from Princess Rose who wonders who she really is without all the fairies' gifts and her prince who has only narrowly escaped being eaten by his part-Ogre mother.
"Bella at Midnight" (HarperCollins, $15.99, ages 10 and up) by Diane Stanley
This fantasy has familiar Cinderella elements, but they fades to the background as you're captured the fairy-tale voice and fascinating new character.
"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" (Candlewick, $18.99, ages 7 and up) by Kate DiCamillo
A prideful three foot china rabbit learns how to love and author skillfully avoids sentimentality as do realistic illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline.
The King of Attolia (Greenwillow, $16.99; ages 11 and up) by Megan Whalen Turner
Eugenides of Eddis, the hero of The Thief, comes to Attolia with his Queen and she's the only one who accepts him. Deep characterizations and vivid descriptions make this ancient world credible.
"Ptolemy's Gate" (Hyperion, $17.95; ages 10- adult) by Jonathan Stroud
Bartimeaus, the dijinni with attitude, weakens and his young magican-master, Nathaniel, struggles to maintain his power. Add a complex conspiracy and treacherous demons and you've got a fast-paced finale!
"River Secrets" (Bloomsbury, $17.95, ages 10 and up) by Shannon Hale
Short, funny Razo, the long-time friend of the Queen of Bayern, seems an unlikely hero, even to himself. But he's sent with an elite troop to an unfriendly kingdom and must solve a magical mystery when burned corpses start appearing.
"Green Jasper" (Walker, $16.95, ages 10 and up) by K.M. Grant
The second of the de Granville trilogy follows the tales of an amazing horse and post-Crusade characters who love him and would risk much for each other and honor.
"Fairest" (HaperCollins, $16.99, ages 8 to adult) by Gail Carson Levine
Adopted Aza thinks herself big and ugly, but she has an amazing voice which counts for much in a land where everyone sings. Taken to court, she encounters intrigue she couldn't have imagined. Levine's enchanted world is compelling and her unusual heroine, gutsy.
"Rash" (Simon and Schuster, $15.95, ages 11 and up) by Pete Hautman
In the satirical setting of an all-too-safe late 21st century built of megaconglomorates and whiny humans lives Bo Marsten, a sixteen-year-old genetically predisposed to losing his temper. He erupts and is sentenced to making pizzas for the designer crowd while he plays on an illegal football team.
"Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and other Willy Characters" (Schwartz & Wade, $18.95; ages 8- adult) by Patricia McKissak
McKissak embraces oral tradition to create, retell and amuse myths, legends and history based on remembrances of people who told stories on her Nashville front porch.
"Scary Stories" (Chronicle, $16.95, ages 10 and up) illustrated by Barry Moser
20 classic and less-well known stories promised to provide a scary chill.
"The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History" (Knopf, $34.95, ages 8 and up) by Jennifer Armstrong
Short stories of heroes, events, places, hoaxes, and urban legends from 1665-2000 have flawless research, interesting, involving writing for read-alouds.
"Nobody Gonna Turn Me 'Round: Stories and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement" (Candlewick, $19.99; ages 9 and up) by Doreen Rappaport, The last in a black experience trilogy traces events of the period through the people who struggled, resisted, hoped, feared, sang, acted and wrote.
"Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea" (Houghton, $18.00, ages 10 and up) by Sy Montgomery
A young female scientist, risking asthma and the unknown because of her passion for animals, puts together a team from all over the world to observe the fading breed of tree kangaroos who live in an isolated island paradise. Words and photographs by Nic Bishop capture all the surprises and discoveries of the expedition.
"Unexplained: An Encyclopedia of Curious Phenomena, Strange Superstitions, and Ancient Mysteries" (Kingfisher, $19.95, ages 10 and up) by Judy Allen
Kid-interest is strong in this gripping book of short sketches of ghosts, monsters, and more.
"The Adventures of Marco Polo" (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 10 and up) by Russell Freedman
The author's readable style combines with archival artwork and illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline in the story of this traveling "man of a million lies".
"Viktor Frankl: A Life Worth Living" (Clarion, 19.00, ages 11 and up) by Anna Redsand
The biography of a revolutionary psychologist who sought to pull people from depression by helping them find meaning in their lives in his logotherapy. The theories that h developed and practiced saved him and others when he was taken to concentration camps during WWII.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Knopf, $16.95; ages 13 -adult)
Death, detached and empathetic, narrates the WW II story of young Liesel Meminger who loves books and a Jew hidden in her home near Daschau. Structure, characterizations, and lyricism are all amazing.
"Stay With Me" by Garret Freymann-Weyr (Houghton Mifflin, $16.00, ages 13 and up)
Sixteen-year-old Leila's dyslexia suddenly seems nothing compared to her stepmother's cancer, her sister's suicide, and taking an adult lover. Freymann-Weyr's conflicts are complex and characters defy easy pigeon-holing.
"The Legend of Bass Reeves" (Random, $17.99, ages 9-12) by Gary Paulsen
Fact and fiction combine in the exciting tale of little-known African American marshal Bass Reeves, a man whose heroic deeds take him from slave beginnings to hero status. (Karin Michaels Chapel Hill Public Children's Librarian)
"Weedflower" (Atheneum, $16.95, ages 9 -12) by Cynthia Kadohata
12 year-old Sumiko's life is full of upheaval. She's orphaned, shipped off to an interment camp, and still blossoms as she grows flowers and a relationship with an Indian boy in a bleak Arizona reservation. A better book than the author's Newbery winner!
"Bread and Roses, Too" (Clarion, $16.00, ages 10-12) by Katherine Paterson
Lauded author reveals the true meaning community and family through the eyes of two strong characters caught in hard situations during the 1912 textile mill Bread and Roses Strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts. (Deb Bolas, Carrboro Elementary Children's Librarian)
"Copper Sun" (Atheneum, $16.95, ages 12 and up) by Sharon Draper
Amari witnesses her family's murder in her Ashanti village and then is kidnapped suffers a brutal Middle Passage, and an equally horrific enslavement on a rice plantation. Draper, loved by teens for her contemporary fiction, shows she can write an equally dramatic historical tale.
"Alphabet of Dreams" by Susan Fletcher (Atheneum, $16.95, ages 11 and up)
Sensual writing pulls readers into ancient Persia where fourteen-year-old Mitra guards her five-year-old brother against those who seek to posess him for his ability to dream true. Readers caught up in story find an additional surprise as Mitra travels to the birth of a lowly king in Bethlehem.
"The Case of the Missing Marquess" (Putnam, $10.99, ages 9-11) by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes, the younger sister of Sherlock, is seeking her missing mother when suddenly she happens on the mystery of a missing young Marquess. Period research is marvelously woven into this page-turning mystery.
"An Abundance of Katherines" (Dutton, $16.99, age 10-12) by John Green
Printz award-winner blends laughter, love and math when math prodigy Colin, dumped by 19 Katherines, takes a road trip with his best friend Hassan to seek romance and a theorem to predict the path of romantic relationships.
"A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life" (Random, $15.95, ages 10-12) by Dana Reinhardt
Sixteen-year-old Simone knows she's adopted, but herein discovers her extraordinary history, her brave and beautiful birth mother, and herself, in this terrific first novel. (Children's Book Author-illustrator Clay Carmichael)
"Sold" (Hyperion, $15.99, ages 12 and up) by Patricia McCormick
Lakshmi lives in beauty and poverty in the hills of Nepal where "simply to endure is to triumph". She endures floods, a gambling stepfather, and being sold into prostitution.
"King Dork" (Delacorte Press, $20.50, ages 12 and up) by Frank Portman Portman, an author/rock band leader speaks fluent teen in a laugh-out-loud novel that pokes fun at educational system with hero, Tom Henderson, the book's bright, self-deprecating protagonist, who takes wicked broadsides at parents and teachers. (Louise Hawes, Children's Book Author)
"The Rules of Survival" (Dial, $16.99, ages 11 and up) by Nancy Werlin
Seventeen-year-old Matt writes a reflective letter to his youngest sister Emmy about the torture their family faced from their sadistic mother. Psychological tension is balanced by Matt's courageous determination to come up with a plan to save his siblings.
"500 Great Books for Teens" (Houghton Mifflin, $26.00, ages 10 and up) by Anita Silvey
Organization, recommendations and writing are superb in this treasure trove of twenty-one genres for young adults, or adults who are young.
Glorious picture books crowd bookstore shelves, but which ones will be the ones worth re-reading? Here are recommendations for 2006's best!
"Baby: unique moments: a record book" (Candlewick, $16.99) by David Ellwand
All the heirloom quality you want in a baby journal - well-chosen quotes, soft baby photographs varied with brightly-colored flowers and transparent envelopes for extra storage.
"The Cow Who Clucked" (Holt, $16.95, ages 1-3) by Denise Fleming
This involving first story has animals to identify, noises to make, a repeatable chorus, and humor in the story of a cow with a confused sound.
"Move Over, Rover!" (Harcourt, $16.00, ages 2-4) by Karen Beaumont illustrated
Rhythm, rhyme, and chorus help children join into the story of a dog and his animal friends who face severe weather. Humor and Jane Dyer's endearing drawings add appeal.
"So Sleepy Story" (FSG, $16.00, ages 1-3) by Uri Shulevitz
Blue-hued illustrations and drowsy words set a night mood and we see an enthusiastic romp of inanimate objects who soon fall into their own "sleepy, sleepy" state.
"Why Do You Cry? Not a Sob Story" (Holt, $16.95, 3-6) by Kate Klise
Little Rabbit doesn't want cry babies at his fifth birthday party. His friends give a litany of good reasons to weep and then join him for a happy celebration.
"I'm Dirty!" (HarperCollins, $16.99, ages 4-7) by Kate and Jim McMullan
The dynamite picture book team returns to help an enthusiastic backhoe tell his story.
"Library Lion" (Candlewick, $15.99, ages 4-7) by Michelle Knudsen
Stern Miss Merriweather allows a lion in her library as long as he doesn't break rules. He's quickly engaged, engaging, and becomes a hero as Kevin Hawkes' illustrations show.
"Moose Tracks!" (McElderry, $16.95, ages 3-6) by Karma Wilson
An unidentified narrator rhymes on about strange behaviors of visiting animal friends, mystified by moose tracks everywhere. The resolution is as satisfyingly silly as the rest of the book.
"Who Is Your Favorite Monster, Mama?" by Barbara Shook Hazen (Hyperion, $15.99, ages 4-7)
Young monsters struggle with sibling rivalry, too. This monster Mama has ingenious answers for difficult questions.
"Clever Ali" written by Nancy Farmer (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 6-10)
Ali is only seven when his father, the royal pigeon keeper for the cruel sultan of Cairo, takes him to the palace. His kind heart gets him in trouble, but caring rescues him in the end. Words and illustration by Gail De Marcken transport readers to long ago lands.
"Dear Mr. Rosenwald" (Scholastic, $16.99, ages 8-11) by Carole Weatherfod
Free verses link with R. Gregory Christie's illustrations to tell a historically-based story of ten year old Ovella whose community earns money matched by the president of Sears for a new school to "give children a better chance."
"Flotsam" (Clarion, $17.00, ages 6-9) by David Wiesner
Award-winning illustrator shows how an underwater camera washed up on a beach takes can lead to a wordless adventure through an enchanted sea and back in time.
"Muti's Necklace" (Houghton, $16.00, ages 5-9) by Louise Hawes
Lesson, history and illustrations by Rebecca Guay give strength to a tale of ancient Egypt about a young girl whose love of family is stronger than riches, the powers of a pharaoh, or the might of magician.
"Night Boat to Freedom" (FSG, $16.00, ages 7-10) by Margot Theis Raven
Sensory images and poignant E.B. Lewis illustrations tell the story of a quilting slave woman who guides the young boy in her charge to row others to freedom until he grows old enough to find freedom for himself and for her.
"Probuditi!" (Houghton Mifflin, $18.95, ages 5-9) by Chris Van Allsburg
Calvin loves magic as much as he hates his sister Trudy. Practicing hypnotism without knowledge has unexpected results, especially when Van Allsburg leaves readers wondering who's controlling whom.
"Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!" (Hyperion, $12.99, ages 3-5) by Mo Willems
Young readers must say "No!" to wheedling Pigeon and his far-fetched (but recognizable) bedtime delay tactics.
"Lilly's Big Day" (Greenwillow, $16.99, ages 4-8) by Kevin Henkes
Lilly's dreaming and scheming again. When Mr. Slinger doesn't invite her to be his flower girl, Lilly fusses, fumes and finds a happy ending.
"Olivia Forms a Band" (Atheneum,$17.95, ages 4-7) by Ian Falconer
The porcine heroine returns to demonstrate her passion for music! "YES" (Candlewick, $15.99, ages 2-5) by Jez Alborough "Hug"'s engaging Bobo, returns as do his friends who work to exhaust the unwilling chimp at bedtime.
"Can't Catch Me" (Houghton, $16.00, ages 3-6) by John and Ann Hassett
An escaped ice cube becomes a stand-in for the gingerbread boy, igniting a hot chase.
"A Christmas Carol" (Candlewick, $19.99, all ages) by Charles Dickens
P.J. Lynch's old-fashion monochromatic style is a great match for the many moods of 1843 classic.
"Pancakes for Supper!" (Scholastic, $15.99, ages 4-7) by Anne Isaacs illustrated by Mark Teague
"Little Black Sambo" becomes an American tall tale with the introduction of a feisty adventuresome pioneer girl whose spirit is well-matched by the author's wonderful word play and Mark Teague's illustrations. There's all the magic and none of the stereotyping!
"Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals" (HarperCollins, $16.99, ages 4-8) by Steve Jenkins
Clever collages and simple words tell the stories of animals facing possible extinction.
"Dizzy" (Scholastic, $16.99, ages 7-10) by Jonah Winter
A jazzy telling of the jazz great who invented bebop just "by having the courage to be himself."
"Great Estimations" (Holt, $16.95, ages 6-10) by Bruce Goldstone
This math non-fiction with its artistic representations and groupings will change the way you think about estimating!
"I'm a Pill Bug" (Kane/Miller, $7.95, ages 4-6) by Yukihisa Tokuda
A pill bug's view of the world teaches much in few words!
"Is There Really a Human Race?" (HarperCollins, $16.99, ages 4-7) by Jamie Lee Curtis
Curtis' trademark, rhyming philosophical questions this time asks young children to slow down, see the world's beauty and improve it.
"It's Not the Stork: A Book about Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends" (Candlewick, $16.99, ages 5-9) by Robie Harris
Everything you wanted to teach your children about sex, but were afraid to start. Playful illustrations and straight-forward explanations give you all the assistance you need!
"Jurassic Poop: What Dinosaurs (and others) Left Behind" (Kids Can Press, $14.95, ages 5-10) by Jacob Berkowitz
Fecal matter and dinosaurs, two favorite subjects, transport youngsters to the past. Involving writing and fascinating facts hold their interest once there.
"Little Lost Bat" (Charlesbridge, $15.95, ages 4-7) by Sandra Markle
Facts meet story as we see young bat separated from his mother and learn about birthing, eating, prey and more-all this, a happy ending without being cutsey.
"Moses": When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" (Hyperion, $15.99, ages 7-10) by Carole Weatherford
Glorious illustrations by Kadir Nelson and strong writing guides readers through the story of how God inspires Harriet to lead her people to freedom.
"Owen and Mzee: the true story of a remarkable friendship" (Scholastic, $16.99, ages 6-8) by Isabella Hatkoff
The famous story of the hippo orphaned by the tsunami and adopted by a 130 year old tortoise is told by a photographer and his six-year-old daughter.
"Unlikely Pairs: Fun with Famous Works of Art" (Millbrook,$17.95, ages 4-7)
Two pieces of art face each other on opposite pages, the connections are sure to start thought and conversations!
"Queen of the Scene" (HarperCollins, $16.99, ages 4-7) by Queen Latifah,
Definitely a queen among celebrity writers, Latifah combines Hip-Hop, gender pride with a female character who's got game!
"Blue 2" (Little Simon, $19.95, ages 3- adult) by David Carter
Calder-esque sculptural paper constructions in this pop-up send readers of all ages seeking the Blue 2, but marveling more than that!
"Eric Carle's Animal Flash Cards" (Chronicle, $14.95, ages 1-3)
Perfect for naming or framing, these durable cards will stimulate noise-making, animal and later, the alphabet.
"Wolves" (Simon and Schuster, $15.95, ages 5 to adult) by Emily Gravett
A rabbit engrossed in reading about wolves fails to notice his own precarious condition. The furry fellow is consumed in one ending while there's a cuddlier finale for the feint of heart and a promise that "no rabbits were eaten during the making of this book."