December's Recommendations

Novels:

TROWBRIDGE ROAD, by Marcella Pixley immediately suffuses readers in the magic of a summer afternoon in 1983, as June Bug, hungry and dealing with her mentally ill, germaphobic mother, meets Ziggy, whose own mother has unceremoniously dropped him off to stay with his Nana Jean. June Bug and Ziggy’s budding friendship allows them to deal with some heavy issues, while love in all its imperfections is explored and celebrated. This luminous, literary novel was recently longlisted for the National Book Award. (MG)

In THE WAY PAST WINTER, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, legend says that Eldbjorn is a bear whose den lies in the “heart-center” of Eldbjorn Forest,” a bear who is the reason the forest stays alive, a bear who rages against the humans who move in with their “glinting axes.” Mia loves this story, and the forest, too. But when winter lasts for five years, and a stranger spirits away Mila’s brother Oskar, Mila knows she will do whatever it takes to get Oskar back. This folklore-tinged magical adventure is the perfect choice for reading inside on an icy winter’s day. (MG)

Picture Books:

In GNU AND SHREW, written by Danny Schnitzlein and illustrated by Anca Sandu, the title animals meet at a riverbank. While Gnu is content to stay safely ashore, dreaming up ideas that will someday allow him to see what lies across the river, Shrew uses those ideas to build a boat so he can explore for himself. The pencil illustrations, colored digitally, are expressive and endearing.

A POLAR BEAR IN THE SNOW, written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris, is a deceptively simple, beautifully illustrated picture book for ages 0 to 4. The text engages young readers by asking questions about where the polar bear is going, and the cut paper and ink art beautifully describes his progress. It’s rather perfect, really.

In EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY, written by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez, the title character is the “numéro uno best friend” of narrator Daniela. The two girls live across the street from each other, in apartments that are “mostly the same,” just like them. This touching story of a close friendship turning long distance is chock full of character and creative fun. Digital illustrations are full of color, interesting textures, and are appealingly designed.

THE PAPER BOAT: A REFUGEE STORY, a wordless picture book by Thao Lam, interweaves two threads of Lam’s own journey from Vietnam to Canada as a very young child. Her parents must flee the Vietcong, and family legend says that a trail of ants helped her mother find her way. Designed in panels like a graphic novel, this is sophisticated fare, with creative illustrations that leave readers plenty to consider.

--Lynn