February Recommendations

Novels:

In ECHO MOUNTAIN, by Lauren Wolk, it’s the Depression. Ellie’s family has had to give up everything they owned in town, and move up onto the mountain. Ellie finds that she loves her new freedom, even though her family spends their first spring “damp and dirty and tired, as hungry as the animals that crept from their burrows after months of winter fasting.” But the family perseveres, until one day a terrible accident leaves Ellie’s father in a coma. Ellie's determination to heal him leads her to discover deeper truths about herself and the world around her. It’s captivating and masterfully written. (MG)

LEGENDBORN, by Tracy Deonn, tells the story of 16-year-old Bree Matthews, whose mom has died in a car accident, leaving mother and daughter without a chance to resolve the fight they were having. Bree had just been accepted to UNC-Chapel HIll’s Early College program, but her mom was fiercely opposed to letting her go. Three months later, in residence at Chapel Hill, Bree is having difficulty coping with her mother’s untimely death. When she sneaks out to an off-campus party, she suddenly finds monsters, magic, Merlin, and the Legendborn—actual descendants of King Arthur and his knights. So what, if anything, does all this have to do with her mother? (YA)

Easy Reader:

ARLO & PIPS: KING OF THE BIRDS, by Elise Gravel, exists as a showcase for the outsized personality of Arlo, a crow who considers himself “king of the feathered world.” The story unfolds in the form of a conversation between Arlo and Pips, a small yellow bird who needs convincing. Arlo, to support his theory, imparts some really fun facts about crows that add to the appeal, and the graphic novel format makes the material even more inviting. Luckily, sequels are coming.

Picture Books:

The story of SUN FLOWER LION, by Kevin Henkes, is revealed in six short chapters, in which the author/illustrator links the sun to a flower, and the flower to a small lion, and somehow manages to provide a narrative with very few words that works seamlessly and sweetly in both text and illustrations. Henkes has created, yet again, a masterpiece for the very young. (For more of his picture books for this age group, check out A PARADE OF ELEPHANTS—also masterfully done!)

In FIND FERGUS, by Mike Boldt, a playful narrator teases Fergus, a bear who is “not very good” at hiding. The narrator encourages Fergus to try hiding in a crowd (of more than three), among animals bigger than bunnies (but smaller than elephants), and maybe not polar bears, since Fergus is brown. The giggles build until the perfect final spread, which folds out to reveal… more things to find! The cartoony art is perfectly rendered to amplify the silliness.

IN THE HALF ROOM, by Carson Ellis, brings readers a refreshing bedtime book wherein everything comes in halves. “Half a rug on half a floor/Half a cat is at the door.” This book is beautiful and strange, uses lots of repetition, and provokes feelings both lofty and silly. It’s weird and it’s my kind of book. The gouache illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Ellis are lovely, as always.

--Lynn