Current & previous staff reviews (by year):
Summer 2005
Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things
Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics
Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom
As the graphic novel has grown in both popularity and respectability as a legitimate form of literature, the challenge has become finding quality graphic novels appropriate for younger audiences.Ted Naifeh's Courtney Crumrin graphic novel series fit the bill. Courtney Crumrin is a slightly strange girl with extremely materialistic parents with whom she does not relate. When the Crumrin family moves in with their wealthy uncle, Professor Aloysius Crumrin, Courtney is even more unhappy; not only is she a complete outcast at school, but Prof. Crumrin's home seems to be full of unseen creatures. Uncle Aloysius calls them the"Night Things." Courtney soon becomes a student of the mystical arts and begins the path to becoming a witch. Her encounters with the various dark creatures lingering at the edges of our world are sometimes frightening and sometimes funny, but always exciting. Courtney is a tough girl, and she walks a thin line between good and dark magic. The themes are a bit dark but are exciting and mentally satisfying. Although the back of the books indicates a reading level of 7+, I would not recommend the series for readers under 10. This series is the perfect fit for both fans of the Spiderwick Chronicles and the Series of Unfortunate Events. --Emma Casale
Conrad's Fate: A Chrestomanci Book (HarperCollins, $16.99)
Finally! A new Chrestomanci novel. Even better, it lives up to the rest of the series. Someone at the mysterious Stallery Mansion has been "pulling the possibilities", making changes to the world. It begins with the color of the mailboxes and the titles of books, but as the changes grow, it becomes clear that someone needs to do something about it. Conrad Tesdinic is recruited by his magician uncle and his circle of friends to find and deal with the person responsible. Enter young Christopher Chant (of The Nine Lives of Christopher Chant fame, who has always been my favorite Chrestomanci character) in search of his missing friend…Millie. Betrayal, excitement, unexpected coincidences… Diana Wynne Jones never disappoints. Every Chrestomanci fan will love this book, and those who aren't fans yet can easily start with this novel. (Ages 10 and up) --Emma Casale
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness Book One: Wolf Brother (HarperCollins, $16.99)
Technically I didn't actually read this book, since I listened to it on CD. I would definitely recommend the audio version of this book; it's read by Ian McKellan (Gandalf), after all. Wolf Brother is a refreshing new fantasy that has strong (pre)historical overtones. The story is set in prehistoric Europe during the Stone Age. The Ice Age is over but glaciers still linger in the north. A demon bear is rampaging through the land, killing any living thing that crosses its path. When the bear attack's twelve-year-old Torak's father, Torak promises his father that he will defeat the bear, or die trying. Torak is helped on his quest by a young wolf-pup and a girl from the Raven Clan. The story was exciting and compelling, while details about stone age life and tools are fascinating, and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel.
The Hunter's Moon (Henry N. Abrams, inc.,
$16.95)
This is an exciting and fascinating Faerie novel set in modern-day Ireland. Gwen and her Irish cousin Findabhair (pronounced Finaveer) have always planned a back-packing trip through Ireland, focusing opn locations of significance to the stories of the world of faerie. While spending the night in a fairy mound, Findabhair is kidnapped by the King of the faeries and Gwen has to rescue her. With the help of a number of interesting people and fairfolk, Gwen has to chase the faerie court all over Ireland. Even once she has found Findabhair, they are not safe. It is the time of the Hunter's Moon and the faeries need a sacrifice. Sometimes faerie novels feel a bit generic and cliched, not this one. While some details were familiar to me as traditional beliefs about Faerie, O.R. Melling has gone much further and created a fascinating and haunting portrait of Faerie. The characters are complex and interesting and the pace of the story never flags. (P.S. she'll be coming to the bookstore sometime next year after the release of the second book of The Chronicles of Faerie) (Ages 12 and up) --Emma Casale
Hunwick's Egg (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, $16.00)
Hunwick, the old and wise bandicoot, lives in the Australian desert. After a wild storm he finds an egg that does not belong to anyone. Hunwick's neighbors, Emu, Echidna, and Cocatoo all agree that the egg is beautiful and needs a home. Hunwick takes it in. With great fondness Hunwick takes care of the egg, looking forward to the day it hatches. A special friendship grows between Hunwick and his egg friend. However, as time goes by the egg does not hatch. Everyone is worried except Hunwick.
This beautifully illustrated story of a very unique friendship has a surprise ending that will encourage discussion about haviing and being a friend. --Suzie Manger
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, $15.00)
Cowgirl Kate and her trusty horse Cocoa have four adventures in this book for early readers. Each story relates a special adventure that the two friends have together. We learn how Kate gets Cocoa, how she surprises him with a special gift, how they count cows together, and finally how they spend a peaceful night in the barn. Betsy Lewin's wonderful painted illustrations clearly depict the strong personalities and playful moods of Kate and Cocoa. Her pallet helps us imagine life on the farm.
All children, not just beginning readers, will enjoy these humorous, witty stories of Kate and Cocoa. --Suzie Manger
Cat and Fish (Simply Read Books, $16.95)
This is the picture book story of two unlikely friends, Cat and Fish. It's bold black and white illustrations show Cat and Fish sharing their lives with each other. Cat shows Fish places on the land, and Fish shows Cat the ocean. Their special friendship leads them to pick the perfect spot to live — the seashore. --Suzie Manger
Russell The Sheep (HarperCollins, $15.99)
Russell lives in a community of sheep who read, knit, wear dentures and shower. Life is sweet in Frogbottom Field except that Russell cannot fall asleep! In his long striped night cap he tries sleeping in different spots, counting the stars, and using a frog for a pillow. All the while the shapes that his hat takes on seem to be an extension of how he feels. Eventually Russell gets a much needed rest in the pages of this funny book. --Frosty Davis
Because Your Daddy Loves You (Houghton Mifflin, $16.00)
Ahhh, to spend a whole day with Dad at the beach! And what a full day it is. This little girl and her playful father manage a day trip to the beach under the watchful eyes of some scrappy seagulls. There is nothing Dad can't fix—from shoelaces that won't stay tied to a beach ball determined to float away on the waves. He manages to spend the day toting, packing, wiping, and carrying but still has energy left to read a bedtime story at the end of a long day. R.W.Alley's illustrations convey a fun loving feel to this story that will look familiar to many families. --Frosty Davis
Skippy Jon Jones in the Dog House (Penguin Putnam, $16.99)
Skippy Jon Jones is back in another adventure with his friends, Los Chimichangos. He is in trouble again, this time he has drawn pictures of his chihuahua friends all over the hallway floor and walls. His mother sends him to his room to think about what he did and to start thinking "Siamese", but Skippy can't do it. After all, he believes he is a chihuahua. In his room, he becomes El Skipito and returns to the land of the banditos where he must save Los Chimichangos from El Bobble-ito who has taken over the dog house. This is another great read-aloud with humorous rhyming text. The book comes with a CD read by the author and includes both Skippy Jon Jones books. (Ages 4 and up) --Lisa Cody
Only Emma (Penguin Putnam)
Emma is an only child living with her mother in a new town and going to a new school. She has just made a new friend and is feeling pretty good about her life. And then four year-old Anthony comes to stay while his parents are taking care of his sick grandmother in Arizona. Emma has to share her room with her mother and she feels pretty put out, but she soon warms up to Anthony and realizes how much she will miss him when he goes home. This is a sweet story about friendship, love, and compassion. The story gives a view of being an only child as well as being an older sister. Emma's reactions to Andrew and her feelings toward him seem genuine and credible. --Lisa Cody