March Recommendations

Novels:

A VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY, marks the conclusion of Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker trilogy. Beginning with A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, a practically perfect retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the second and third installments are also well worth the time. In this final volume, Grey tries to win over the soldiers of Syhl Shallow—just as he has their queen—before the allotted two months are up and they march to attack Emberfall. Meanwhile, back at Ironrose Castle, Rhen is at odds with Harper and endlessly tortured by sorcerer Lilith. He’s also losing the trust of his own people, and a peaceful outcome with Grey seems less and less possible. (YA)

In DOWN COMES THE NIGHT, by Allison Saft, Wren knows she’s the best healer in Queen Isabel’s Guard but, even so, Isabel considers her a “worthless” illegitimate niece. When an unusual invitation offers Wren a chance for redemption—and a way to avoid the coal mines—she jumps on it. Wren travels to the estate of Lord Lowry to heal his servant Henry, only to find Henry is a notorious enemy of Queen and country. Forbidden love combines with political intrigue in this darkly gothic fantasy featuring a disgraced healer and a wartime murderer. The perfect book for a cold winter’s night. (YA)

Poetry:

THIS POEM IS A NEST, by Irene Latham, with art by Johanna Wright, is rather stunning in its creative approach to poetry. Beginning with one poem, called “Nest,” Latham goes on to write 161 “nestlings,” smaller “found” poems which reuse words within the larger original. The digital drawings with ink washes provide a nice touch. This book is endlessly fascinating! (MG, YA)

Picture Books:

Likewise, MEL FELL, by Corey Tabor, is one of the more creative approaches to picture books. Readers will immediately know something is up when they see that the book opens sideways. The story follows little kingfisher Mel, who decides it’s time to fly. When her sister asked if she’s scared, Mel answers, “Yes… but I won’t let that stop me.” Down Mel plummets, passing other animals who try to help her, until *SPLASH* she lands in the water—and readers will have to turn the book upside down (which is sideways the other way!) to follow Mel’s triumphant return to the nest. The charming illustrations are pencil, colored pencil, and acrylic paint finished digitally.

DON’T HUG DOUG (He Doesn’t Like It), written by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman, uses a clever text and inventive digital illustrations to explain why, even though Doug likes you, hugs just aren’t his thing. And maybe you should ask before you hug best friend Finn and Grandma McGinn and an identical twin—and Doug’s potbellied pig (who loves hugs but is “a little scared of strangers.” For a book that’s mostly telling readers what not to do, it’s surprisingly fun!

I’LL MEET YOU IN YOUR DREAMS, by Jessica Young, illustrated by Rafael López, is a gorgeous, soothing, rhythmic, rhyming bedtime story reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown’s The Runaway Bunny. You’ll want to read aloud this ode to the everlasting nature of parental love.

--Lynn