Reviewed on “Across the Fence” on WCAX
Monday, November 28, 2016 at 12:10 p.m.
Reviewers Amy Howlett, Springfield Town Library;
Hannah Peacock, Burnham Memorial Library;
Judy Simpson of WCAX
Alcott, Louisa May. LITTLE WOMEN. ISBN 978-0147514011. $15.99. 2014. Hardcover, Puffin in Bloom. (Many other editions)
A beautiful edition of the classic—Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, amusing themselves and growing up, sometimes painfully. Written in 1868, and loved by girls and women every since. Age 12+
Cline, Emma. THE GIRLS. ISBN 978-0812998603. $26.99. 2016. Hardcover, Random House. Also available as a large print paperback.
What was it like being a teenage girl under Charles Manson’s influence? A novel that revisits the sixties. Reviewers call it seductive and arresting.
Hiaasen, Carl. RAZOR GIRL. ISBN 978-0385349741. $27.99. 2016. Hardcover, Knopf. Also available as paper large print and audiobook.
Humorous take on the ludicrous life of low-level criminals and denizens of the Florida Keys. Former cop Yancy and the gorgeous redhead of the title pursue redneck reality show stars.
Jeffers, Oliver and Sam Winston. A CHILD OF BOOKS. ISBN 978-0763690779. $17.99. 2016. Hardcover, Candlewick Press.
A book lover’s delight: a girl sets sail, across a sea of stories. The sea in the illustrations: the words of Swiss Family Robinson, Gulliver’s Travels and more. A picture book for all ages.
Jiles, Paulette. NEWS OF THE WORLD. ISBN 978-0062409201. $22.99. 2016. Hardcover, William Morrow. Also in paper.
A professional news reader agrees to return a young Indian captive to her home in Texas. Charming, perfectly paced; post-Civil War history of the West.
Juster, Norton. PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH. ISBN 978-0394820378. $7.99. 1988. Paper, Bullseye Press.
One bored boy finds a package containing a ready to assemble tollbooth, coins, and a map. Off he goes- to Dictionopolis, the numbers mine and the Kingdom of Wisdom. Age 8+
Klassen, Jon. WE FOUND A HAT. ISBN 978-0763656003. $17.99. 2016. Hardcover, Candlewick.
Two turtles, one hat- how will they solve this dilemma? The third picture book about hats from Caldecott winner Jon Klassen is told in three very funny parts. PreS.
Phelan, Matt. SNOW WHITE A GRAPHIC NOVEL. ISBN 978-0763672331. $19.99. 2016. Hardcover, Candlewick.
A new twist on the beloved fairy tale set in Depression-era Manhattan. Matt Phelan’s eerily beautiful pen, ink & water color illustrations set the scene perfectly.
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. I WISH YOU MORE. ISBN 978-1452126999. $14.99. 2015. Hardcover, Chronicle Books.
Perfect for new babies and the very young—“I wish you more hugs than ughs”—and more friendly, loving wishes for the cheerful kids in rain, snow, beach and doorstep. Pre-S+
Sweet, Melissa. SOME WRITER: THE STORY OF E.B. WHITE. ISBN 978-0544319592. $18.99. 2016. Hardcover, HMH Books for Young Readers.
The first illustrated biography of E.B. White is so fun to read. It’s packed with letters, photographs and GORGEOUS illustrations. For adults and kids alike.
Tamaki, Mariko. SAVING MONTGOMERY SOLE. ISBN 978-1626722712. $17.99. 2016. Hardcover, Roaring Brook Press.
A heartwarming teen novel about finding your place in high school when you’re neither a jock nor a cool kid. Montgomery Sole is a girl you won’t soon forget.
Willems, Mo. THE THANK YOU BOOK. ISBN 978-1423178286. $9.99. 2016. Hardcover, Disney-Hyperion.
The 25th and final book in the insanely popular Elephant and Piggie series ends their adventures in a warm, satisfying way, with Piggie deciding to thank everyone important to him. PreS.
Woodson, Jacqueline. ANOTHER BROOKLYN. ISBN 978-0062359988. $22.99. 2016. Hardcover. Amistad. Also available as an audiobook.
In her first novel for adults in twenty years, Jacqueline Woodson follows the lives of four girls growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s. Lyrical, poetic and moving.