Current & previous staff reviews (by year):
Summer 2004
Getting Away With Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case (Dial, $18.99)
Getting Away With Murder is a thoroughly researched narrative recounting the still shocking story of the murder of fourteen year-old Emmett Till, the trial and acquittal of his murderers, and its pivotal role in igniting the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Often overlooked in the history books, this event was a galvanizing moment for many American citizens, especially black leaders and activists. Crowe's presentation of this infamous crime is interesting to read and illustrated with many fascinating photographs. Recommended for 6th grade and up. --Jennifer Williams
The Edge Chronicles 1: Beyond the Deepwoods
The Edge Chronicles 2: Stormchaser
(Random House, $12.95 each)
I happened to have bought the first of The Edge Chronicles while visiting England last year, and I was thrilled whenI discovered they were going to be published in the U.S. The Edge Chronicles are a mixture of science-fiction, fantasy and adventure, and follow young Twig. In Beyond the Deepwoods, Twig realizes he is not a woodtroll, even though he has been raised by a family of them and always believed himself to be one. He sets out on a journey through the treacherous Deepwoods to discover who he really isand does what he has always been told never to do: he leaves the path. In his journey through the Deepwoods he encounters a variety of strange creatures both dangerous and friendly and ultimately discovers who he is and joins a crew of sky pirates. In Stormchaser, Twig's adventures with the Sky Pirates continue. The crew of the Stormchaser must fly into a giant storm in search of stormphrax, a precious substance created at the heart of a storm at its most intense power.
The Edge Chronicles are great fun to read, not only for the stories with their cast of strange and fascinating creatures both friendly and dangerous, but for Chris Riddell's fabulous illustrations which can be found on nearly every page of the books. (Ages 9+) --Emma Casale
Sidewalk Circus (Candlewick Press, $15.99)
A new offering from the creators of Weslandia! This wonderfully imagined wordless picture book shows a man hanging posters for the upcoming Garibaldi Circus and the marquis sign advertisements for the circus, but if you look closely you will see that perhaps the circus is already happening. Look closely at people'sshadows and at the everyday workers on the city streets. A construction worker walking along a steel girder is The Great Tebaldi, Prince of Tight Rope Walkers, the butcher carrying a giant side of beef is Goliath the Strongman. Find out how one can imagine everyday people as clowns, jugglers, sword swallowers, and trapeze artists. The illustrations are beautiful and encourage the art of observation both of pictures and of the world around us. --Emma Casale
Ophie Out of Oz (Dial Books, $15.99)
Ophie thinks of herself as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. After all, Dorothy travels and has adventures and so does Ophie. Ophie was the most popular and talented girl in her previous school in sunny California and she had the greatest best friend. But the magic ends when she moves to Oregon where it rains all the time and the girls are stuck-up and not at all willing to accept her. Her new best friend is a big, serious girl who thinks very hard about everything. Ophie's confidence falters and she realizes she must figure out who she is since she isn't Dorothy. She must also figure out what makes a good friend. This book was fun and engaging and I wanted to find out whether Ophie would have the guts to stand up to the popular girls. I highly recommend this book for readers of Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones who are looking for another eccentric heroine. --Lisa Cody