Standing in a bookstore wondering how you’ll ever satisfy the young booklovers on your list? Susie Wilde and her team of reviewers bring you recommendations for 2008’s best longer books. This year her review elves are Megan Isaac, Elon University Literature Professor; children’s book writers Louise Hawes and Clay Carmichael; Beth Gerall, editor Novelist; Barbi Bailey-Smith, Durham art teacher and Deb Bolas, Carrboro School Librarian.
“The Underneath”, Kathi Appelt (Atheneum, $16.99, ages brave 10 and up). Family read aloud is recommended to absorb the intensity of the abusive human Gar Face who attacks the animal family living underneath his home; for understanding complexities of a thousand year old snake-woman and for admiring how the author brings these stories together.
Best Middle Grades: “Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing Up”, Jon Scieszka (Viking, $12.99, ages 8-12). Ever wondered why Scieszka’s fiction is so wacky? Maybe it was his wild childhood with four brothers. Autobiography meets read-aloud pleasure.
“Masterpiece”, Elise Broach (Holt, $16.95, ages 9-12). Complications are unavoidable when the artwork of a talented extroverted beetle are mistaken for the drawings of a shy boy. The two team up to catch a criminal forging Durer masterpieces, their friendship reminiscent of E.B. White's “Charlotte's Web”. (Megan Isaac)
“The Dragonfly Pool”, Eva Ibbotson (Dial,$17.99,ages 9-12) 11 year-old Tally’s father, concerned about her safety during WWII, sends her to a progressive boarding school, little knowing dangerous adventures are ahead for this wise and heroic heroine.
“The London Eye Mystery”, Siobhan Dowd (Random, $15.99; ages 10-12). Ted and Kat wait for their cousin Salim to exit the ride that’s shown him London from the air…and wait…and wait. Can Kat with her fiery temper and Ted with his Asperger’s mind find him?
“Chains”, Laurie Halse Anderson (Simon and Schuster, $16.99. ages 11 and up). While the colonies fight for freedom in 1776 New York, wrongly enslaved Isabel Finch pursues her liberty. Turmoil of times and self create another absorbing Anderson novel.
“The Explosionist”, Jenny Davidson (Harper, $17.99; ages 14 and up). 15-year-old Sophie lives with her powerful aunt in an alternate historical 1938 Scotland amid exploding terrorist bombs, murder, political subversion, prophetic seances, and impending European war. Sophie resists political authority in this page turner with a creepy Orwellian atmosphere. (Clay Carmichael)
“A Thousand Never Evers”, Shana Burg (Delacorte,$15.99, ages 10 and up). Addie Ann Pickett’s 1963 Kuckachoo, Mississippi community is blown apart by one man’s wish to bring unity. Addie’s struggles to contain her honest feelings make for a powerful read.
“Here Lies Arthur”, Philip Reeve (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 12 and up) Conventional idealizations of Arthur and Merlin are transformed through the viewpoint of a young protaganist who aids the great wizard in his deceptions and serves a neglected Guinevere. (Megan Isaac)
“The Hunger Games”, Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 12 and up). Sixteen-year old Katniss is one of twenty-four selected to fight to the death on television. Impoverished and untrained, what chance does she have? This gripping read is part Shirley Jackson’s “Lottery”, part reality T.V.
“Impossible”, Nancy Werlin (Dial, $17.99; ages 14 and up). 17 year-old Lucy is haunted by a generational curse in this gripping read. Will she, like others, be driven mad by the Elfin King when her daughter is born, or can she meet three impossible challenges?
“Graceling”, Kristin Cashore, (Harcourt,$17; ages 14 and up). This YA fantasy adventure features a strong heroine "graced" with the ability to kill, a love interest every bit her equal, and plenty of political intrigue for both. (Clay Carmichael)
“The Knife of Never Letting Go”,Patrick Ness (Candlewick Press, $18.99, ages 11 and up). Todd Hewitt, the last child coming of age in a world without women, is told he must run for his life. Adventure abounds as he flees and discovers hidden truths. (Beth Gerall)
“Airman”, Eoin Colfer (Hyperion, $17.99. ages 10 and up). Adventure with the feel of an Irish folktale convey introduces hero Conor Broekhart, raised by his adoring parents in kind King Nick’s court. Framed for the king’s murder, Conor must escape a terrible prison to regain his dreams.
“Little Brother”, Cory Doctorow (Tor Teen, $17.95, ages 12 and up) Marcus, picked up by Homeland Security and interrogated for 6 days in a secret prison, teams up with other techno-geeks to fight the heavy surveillance and loss of freedom set to “protect innocent Americans.” (Beth Gerall)
“Trouble”, Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion, $16, ages 12-up). Wealthy fourteen-year-old Henry Smith and Chay Chouan, a Cambodian scholarship student attend the same prep school. That’s all they have in common until a tragedy makes their lives collide. A story of east and west, bigotry and understanding, sorrow and humor, trouble and grace. (Louise Hawes)
“The Possibilities of Sainthood”, Donna Frieitas (FSG, $16.95, ages 12 and up). Antonia Lucia Labella, a Catholic school teen, has two secrets--she seeks sainthood and her first kiss. Humorous dialogues with her prima dona pasta-making mother are as funny as her letters to the Vatican.
“Inkdeath”, Cornelia Funke (book from Scholastic, $24.99; audio-Listening Library, unabridged, $67). As Allan Corduner reads action, romance, and villainy of the fantasy world captures listeners. The conclusion, though satisfying, will leave fans wondering about the characters. ( Deb Bolas)
“What the World Eats”, Faith D’Aluisio (Tricycle, $22.99, 9 - adult). Photographs of families from 22 countries show their food supplies as they share meals ranging from spit-roasted guinea pig to rationed grain. Strength comes from visual impact, comparisons of charts and lists, evocative write-ups, plentiful maps and even recipes.
“Egyptorium: 10 Books in One” (DK Publishing, $24.99; ages 8 and up). From a mini-graphic of “The Myth of Osiris” , to a step-by-step directions for how to make a mummy. You’ll find it all here-including fascinating photographs and involving sound bytes.
“The Way We Work: Getting to Know the Amazing Human Body”, David Macaulay (Houghton,$35; ages 9 and up). Accurate, understandable descriptions of body systems in a playful CSI, child-friendly approach. For example, the Respiratory system’s oxygenated blood travels as if it were on an amazing roller coaster. Visual imagery and humor will please both children and adults. (Barbi Bailey-Smith)
Economic downturns create buttoned-up wallets and more need than ever for recommendations books that live up to their prices.
Button Nose by Nina Laden (Chronicle, $12.99) This soft book is chewable for babies and has interactive animals who help young children practice zippering, Velcro and more skills for getting dressed.
10 Little Fingers and 10 Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (HBJ, $16.00) Perfect combination of rhymes, illustrations and sweetness without saccharine make the perfect gift for a new baby.
Flip-Up Shapes; Flip-Up Counting, by Chuck Murphy (Random House, $5.99) A first pop-up experience for early concepts in an indestructible board book.
Emily Gravett, Monkey and Me (Simon and Schuster, $15.99) A small girl remembers her trip to the zoo with mimicking all she’s seen. There’s a join-in refrain and opportunity for prediction and silly movement.
Stuck in the Mud, by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Garry Parsons (Walker, $16.95) A hen worries about her chick stuck in the mud and rallies farm animals to help. A rhyming cumulative tale has lots of humor and surprise twist at the end.
Scoot! By Cathyrn Falwell, (HarperCollins, $16.99) Part-non-fiction, part excellent rhythm and rhyme, verbs with verve and detailed collage are a tribute to the activity of pond life.
Giant Pop-Out Bugs (Chronicle Books, $10.95) Guessing and giant pop-out pictures are a marvelous introduction to the insect world.
Nobunny’s Perfect by Anna Dewdney (Viking, $12.99) Bouncy rhymes and playful bunnies introduce models of behavior and misbehavior.
Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton (HarperCollins, $16.99) Splat, afraid to go to school, takes his pet mouse to school and learns he has as much to teach as he does to learn.
10 Things I Can Do To Help My World by Melanie Walsh (Candlewick, $15.99) This book, made of recycled material, shows simple ways young children can become stewards.
Anansi’s Party Time by Eric Kimmel (Holiday House, $16.95, ages 5-8) Anansi, the famous trickster spider, is up to his old tricks with Turtle. He invites the slow reptile to a party and it takes Turtle awhile to figure out he’s been fooled, but he catches on quickly and it’s payback time for Anansi!
Big Chickens Fly the Coop by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Henry Cole (Dutton, $15.99, ages 5-8) Terrified chickens will provide humor to observant readers who can easily join in refrains and enjoy word play as the silly chickens take on a scary house to make their way to the farm house (that turns out to be next door to their coop).
I’m Bad by Kate and Jim McMullan Come all dinosaur-lovers and enjoy the rollicking voice-filled story of a ravenous reptile on the hunt for dinner. Once again the authors show themselves masters of voice for young children.
Close to You: How Animals Bond by Kimiko Kajikawa (Holt, $16.95, ages 3-6) Tender, intriguing, and funny illustrations with simple one liners show the sweetness of relationships between animal babies and their parents.
Bees, Snails & Peacock Tails by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (McElderry, $16.99) Patterns of language are well-matched by illustrations to introduce patterns in nature.
How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? By Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (HMCo, $16.00, ages 4-7) The team of clear writing and stunning collage combine their talents again for an intriguing non-fiction look at how animals feed and flee.
How Fast Is It? A Zippy Book All About Speed by Ben Hillman (Scholastic, $14.99, ages 5-10) Writing and photoshopped full-page photos are just as immediate as the fascinating facts about about cars, brains, fish, and animals who zoom around our world.
Frogs by Nic Bishop (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 4-8) Bishop fast built a reputation as a close-up photographer of note. Now he adds to a reputation as a clear and and simple writer of young non-fiction. Both combine marvelously in his latest where he captures a frog jumping up, sticky tongue out to catch a caterpillar, or a view of the colorful dart poison frog.
Sisters and Brothers: sibling relationships in the animal world by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (HMCo, $16.00, ages 5-9) Imagine fearing being eaten by your mother like the young of a black widow spider, or sharing your mound with a millions of termite sibs…may make children see their luck as well as ways they share sib problems the animal world. Collages and clear writing work well together to draw connections and dramas.
Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears by Emily Gravett (Simon and Schuster, $17.99, ages 5-adult) Take a tour of terrors through the eyes of a nervous mouse who introduces a series of fears with intriguing collages, double entendred examples, and humor shining on each page. A great book for sharing and laughing.
Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Eric Puybaret (Chronicle, $16.99, ages 6-9) Blues and greens dominate in the story of a man whose curiousity, innovative spirit and love of water turned a man into a manfish.
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, written by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Eerdmans, $17.00, ages 8-10) Simple words lyrically describe the life of a young wanderer who turned writer and as a doctor scribbles lines on prescription pads. The mixed media illustrations gather Williams’ words in a mix that well-represents his life.
Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Scholastic, $16.95, ages 3-6) The Caldecott-winning team is back to show the split personality of a fine, but fitty granddaughter.
Yoon and the Jade Bracelet by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska (FSG, $16.95, ages 4-8) Thick-painted illustrations show the thin skin of Yoon who so desparately wants a friend that she allows herself to become manipulated by a female bully.
The Chicken of the Family by Mary Amato, illustrated by Delphine Durand (Putnam, $16.99, ages 5-8) Henrietta’s tormented by her two older teasing sisters who convince her she’s a chicken, but in a turn-about, Henrietta begins to lead her sibs in new and better fun.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Sam Ita (Sterling Publishing, $26.95, ages 8-11) What a great way to introduce the classic to young readers! By combining their two favorite things…graphic novels with pop-ups! Pop-up sub, opening porthole and great, but the giant pink squid steals the show!
Lady Liberty: a Biography by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares (Candlewick, $17.99, ages 8-12) Lyrical first person poems recount the imagining, fabrication, and viewing of the Statue of Liberty serve as her “biography”.
Buffalo Music by Tracey Fern, illustrated by Lauren Castillo (Clarion, $16.00, ages 7-10) Though the words seem simple, the beauty of lyrical language and powerful imagery requires an older reader, a sensibility also needed to appreciate this historically based story of a woman who sought to save the buffalo from endangerment.
Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri (Clarion, $16.00, ages 7-10) Meet crabby painter Old Man Fookwire who has a passion for birds and hatred of squirrels. These “fuzzy little geniuses” use extreme cooperation to fight their way out the negative stereotype Fookwire (and so many other humans) has.
Dad, Jackie and Me by Myron Uhlberg illustrated by Colin Bootman (Peachtree, $16.95, ages 8-10) The author, inspired by his boyhood experience, takes readers back to the days of the 1947 Dodgers when a small boy understands why his deaf baseball-obtuse father becomes such a fan of underdog Jackie Robinson.
Bird by Zetta Elliot, illustrated by Shadra Strickland (Lee and Low, $19.95, ages 9-12) Young Mehkai, known as Bird, works hard to correct images in his drawings. At least he has control whereas he can’t do a thing about his grandfather’s heartbroken death, or his older brother’s drug addiction. Child-like drawings and poignant watercolors combine to accent simple, but intense lyrical text.
Night Running: How James Escaped with the help of his faithful dog by Elisa Carbone ; illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Knopf, ages 7-10)James sadly prepares to leave his loud, hungry hunting dog Zeus behind him when he escapes to freedom, but against his expectations, Zeus is more help than hindrance, saving the boy’s life several times and finally James understands and rewards his loyalty. Based on a true story, Lewis’ rich watercolors make an emotional impact to go along with the story’s tension and relief. .
Face to Face with Cheetahs by Chris Johns with Elizabeth Carney (National Geographic, $16.95, ages 6-10) From the golden eyes staring you down from the cover to the story of a photographer who came to care about a subject he wanted to photograph, the story of animals on this Botswana preserve will capture readers.
Looking for Miza: The True Story of the Mountain Gorilla Family Who Rescued One of Their Own by Juliana, Isabella and Craig Hatkoff with Dr. Paula Kahumbu, photographs by Peter Greste (Scholastic, $16.99, ages 7-10) Third book by the family who’s making endangered animals famous around the world, tells of a young mountain gorilla who goes missing in the Congo and how her human and animal family unite in trying to find her.
March on! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris, illustrated by London Ladd (Scholastic, $17.99, ages 7-10) Part biography, part principals, and part peace, Farris offers unusual perspective and fabulous imagery to tell the dramatic story of the 1963 March on Washington.
We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson (Hyperion, $18.99, ages 9 to adult) Award-winning illustrator Nelson maiden writing journey is as novel as his glowing, rich paintings as he uses an unnamed narrator to tell the successes and agonies, the people and the places, the famous and the less-celebrated of thirty years of this league.
Swords: An Artist’s Devotion by Ben Boos (Candlewick, $24.99, ages 7-adult) Even if swords aren’t your thing, the artist treats them as such objects as beauty that you can’t help being wowed.
Twelve Terrible Things by Marty Kelley (Tricycle, $15.99, ages 9 and up) This book is the things nightmares are made of, or laughter depending on your vantage point. The artist’s perspectives and distorted realism for a dozen short-titled situations bring across the truth of “Say Ahhh” as a dentist stares, or an older woman reaches out in “Oh my goodness, just look at those cheeks.”