April Recommendations

Novels:

In THE BRIDGE HOME, by Padma Venkatraman, when Viji’s abusive father directs his violence towards her sister, Viji packs a few meager belongings and the two girls run away to the big city in search of a better future. Life on the streets is hard, but they meet two boys who live on an old bridge. Together, the four children form a family, scrounging for food, and sharing meager resources. How they all fare in this rather desperate situation forms the basis of a moving story of perseverance, quiet heroism, and the expansive scope of family. This will be a main Book Talk book soon. (MG)

Graphic Novels:

THE PHANTOM TWIN, by Lisa Brown, is a mildly spooky, mildly creepy, thoroughly enjoyable ghost story about a pair of conjoined twins who are sold by their parents to a carnival sideshow. When Jane, the more dominant twin, insists on allowing a doctor to try to separate the girls, the surgery is botched. Jane dies, leaving Isabel alone—and not alone. The drawings are well done and the color is superb. (YA)

Picture Books:

In THE OLD TRUCK, by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey, an old farm truck works hard, rests and dreams, then finds new life with another generation of farmer. This upbeat, imaginative story by two brothers is illustrated entirely with 250-plus hand-crafted stamps.

MY BEST FRIEND, written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, is a friendship story, start to finish. It’s one little girl singing the praises of another, written in Fogliano’s signature, kid-friendly rhythm and style that begs to be read aloud. The digital illustrations, all greens and various shades of red, are full of movement, joy, and fun perspectives.

GREEN ON GREEN, written by Dianne White, illustrated by Felicita Sala, is a poetic look at the changes that one year of seasons can bring, as experienced by a boy and his family. Colors figure prominently in the text, and the vibrant watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations take full advantage. Just like the Fogliano/Tamaki book above, you must read Green on Green aloud to fully experience its beauty.

THINGS THAT GO AWAY, by Beatrice Alemagna, is another creative look at change, but this time on a smaller scale, as moments transform with the turn of a velum page. Masterful use of color and appealingly quirky design in these oil paintings illustrates the “before" and “after” moments, ending with one thing that will never go away.

--Lynn