To say Jennifer Murdley is unattractive would be an understatement, but as much she wishes to become beautiful it doesn't seem like her life will ever change... until one day she stumbles across a magic shop that will transform her life forever. Through unexpected twists and turns, Jennifer discovers that what's on the outside doesn't necessarily reflect what's truly important.
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To say Jennifer Murdley is unattractive would be an understatement, but as much she wishes to become beautiful it doesn't seem like her life will ever change... until one day she stumbles across a magic shop that will transform her life forever. Through unexpected twists and turns, Jennifer discovers that what's on the outside doesn't necessarily reflect what's truly important.
Four teenagers are on a quest to find the burial site of a long-dead Welsh king. Legend has it that whoever finds the tomb will be granted a favor. However, danger is afoot when they soon realize other people are interested in the King and will do whatever it takes to be the ones to claim the favor. With lyrical writing, well-developed characters, magical happenings, and unexpected twists this first book of a four-book series is sure to capture your interest. Additionally, the eAudiobook reader is superb!
You'll just have to trust me. This book is about so much more than baseball. The five main characters have outlandish names and are portrayed with passion and humor, reminding me of John Irving. Harbach juxtaposes a baseball storyline with gay romance, aging, and student life at a very small college. As in baseball, this hefty novel features foiled plans, imperfections, and chances at redemption.
I enjoyed this book about a woman in her later years who is successful in her career and unapologetic about it. Her family and friend relationships change as she ages, and she navigates them without giving up her convictions. As she gets older, she develops an unconventional relationship with her granddaughter. A thoughtful, nuanced and realistic book about a well-imagined and complex woman. I think fans of "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout may like this as novel well.
This middle grade graphic novel was a breath of fresh air. Looking for something light and heartfelt? Here ya go! The first in a series, this volume gracefully addresses gender stereotypes. I think we forget that this is something that starts before you even exit the womb, and never goes away! I consider our main character, Aster, gender-nonconforming/non-binary. Machismo culture and toxic masculinity are also addressed. It's in a fantasy world ("girls are witches/boys are shapeshifters") but can easily be transferred to real life situations. The illustrations are adorable and very colorful. Great recommendation for reluctant readers, grades 5-8.
For readers who enjoy a good crime story with a twist. It's Northern California at the violent end of the 1960s. Evie Boyd sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Clearly inspired by the Manson Family, this novel makes for a great summer read.
The original version of Peter Pan is actually quite creepy, but this novel re-imagining the story takes it even further--and includes gorgeous illustrations. This is one novel you won't be able to get out of your head.
Emmaline has just graduated high school and has resigned herself to an uneventful summer filled with pandering to beach tourists, trying to make time for her long-term boyfriend, and dealing with her somewhat trying (yet very close) family. Naturally, not a single thing goes according to plan, and Emmaline is left scrambling to navigate all the chaos that invades her life. Sarah Dessen once again leads us through a thoughtful, honest, and sincere coming of age story.
Living gluten-free is not a whole lot of fun, but at least April has managed to make it funny. Gluten Is My Bitch is a brutally honest, entertaining look at what living a gluten-free life entails. This book is full of tips for the newbie as well as the celiac veteran, all done with an amazing amount of levity.
I loved this taut mystery! (However, if you fly frequently from the East Coast to Martha's Vinyard or Nantucket, I might not recommend it.) It tells the story of a man who survives a plane crash in the Atlantic. A small child also survives. The story revolves around the aftermath of the incident, and the whodunnit is peopled with stakeholders. Was the crash an accident or did someone ambush the flight? It takes you into the world of the 24-hour news media, the wealthy island commuters and their families, business partners, the island locals, the airline and aircraft industries, and more. A brisk page-turner.
Staff Picks
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Maria recommends Jennifer Murdley's Toad by Bruce Coville
05/30/2020
Boulder Library
children's,
fantasy,
juvenile fiction
To say Jennifer Murdley is unattractive would be an understatement, but as much she wishes to become beautiful it doesn't seem like her life will ever change... until one day she stumbles across a magic shop that will transform her life forever. Through unexpected twists and turns, Jennifer discovers that what's on the outside doesn't necessarily reflect what's truly important.
Four teenagers are on a quest to find the burial site of a long-dead Welsh king. Legend has it that whoever finds the tomb will be granted a favor. However, danger is afoot when they soon realize other people are interested in the King and will do whatever it takes to be the ones to claim the favor. With lyrical writing, well-developed characters, magical happenings, and unexpected twists this first book of a four-book series is sure to capture your interest. Additionally, the eAudiobook reader is superb!
You'll just have to trust me. This book is about so much more than baseball. The five main characters have outlandish names and are portrayed with passion and humor, reminding me of John Irving. Harbach juxtaposes a baseball storyline with gay romance, aging, and student life at a very small college. As in baseball, this hefty novel features foiled plans, imperfections, and chances at redemption.
I enjoyed this book about a woman in her later years who is successful in her career and unapologetic about it. Her family and friend relationships change as she ages, and she navigates them without giving up her convictions. As she gets older, she develops an unconventional relationship with her granddaughter. A thoughtful, nuanced and realistic book about a well-imagined and complex woman. I think fans of "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout may like this as novel well.
This middle grade graphic novel was a breath of fresh air. Looking for something light and heartfelt? Here ya go! The first in a series, this volume gracefully addresses gender stereotypes. I think we forget that this is something that starts before you even exit the womb, and never goes away! I consider our main character, Aster, gender-nonconforming/non-binary. Machismo culture and toxic masculinity are also addressed. It's in a fantasy world ("girls are witches/boys are shapeshifters") but can easily be transferred to real life situations. The illustrations are adorable and very colorful. Great recommendation for reluctant readers, grades 5-8.
For readers who enjoy a good crime story with a twist. It's Northern California at the violent end of the 1960s. Evie Boyd sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Clearly inspired by the Manson Family, this novel makes for a great summer read.
The original version of Peter Pan is actually quite creepy, but this novel re-imagining the story takes it even further--and includes gorgeous illustrations. This is one novel you won't be able to get out of your head.
Emmaline has just graduated high school and has resigned herself to an uneventful summer filled with pandering to beach tourists, trying to make time for her long-term boyfriend, and dealing with her somewhat trying (yet very close) family. Naturally, not a single thing goes according to plan, and Emmaline is left scrambling to navigate all the chaos that invades her life. Sarah Dessen once again leads us through a thoughtful, honest, and sincere coming of age story.
Living gluten-free is not a whole lot of fun, but at least April has managed to make it funny. Gluten Is My Bitch is a brutally honest, entertaining look at what living a gluten-free life entails. This book is full of tips for the newbie as well as the celiac veteran, all done with an amazing amount of levity.
I loved this taut mystery! (However, if you fly frequently from the East Coast to Martha's Vinyard or Nantucket, I might not recommend it.) It tells the story of a man who survives a plane crash in the Atlantic. A small child also survives. The story revolves around the aftermath of the incident, and the whodunnit is peopled with stakeholders. Was the crash an accident or did someone ambush the flight? It takes you into the world of the 24-hour news media, the wealthy island commuters and their families, business partners, the island locals, the airline and aircraft industries, and more. A brisk page-turner.