Category Archives: books

Why’d They Wear That? Fashion as the Mirror of History

I don’t review much nonfiction here, but this book was so fun that I had to share it.  I used to spend large amounts of time poring over books on the history of clothing. (This has somehow led to me … Continue reading

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The Dungeoneers

Sorry for the silence, folks!  It was Talk like a Pirate Day, and I throw a huge event at the library and through downtown that is very fun while it’s happening but does not allow me to think about anything … Continue reading

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Dragons Beware!

I was very excited to find this on the shelf at my home library on a summer visit with the kids – we all loved the first book, Giants Beware! Dragons Beware! By Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado. First Second, … Continue reading

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Jinx’s Fire

Dear readers, my brains are all jumbled with the craziness of back-to-school and planning my library’s giant Talk Like a Pirate Day event. But in my ongoing quest to tell you about books I love, I will do my best … Continue reading

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Interstellar Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Robots

Here are two recent STEM-friendly sci-fi fairy tale retellings for young readers – one from the library and one my love found at our friendly local comic book store. Interstellar Cinderella. By Deborah Underwood. Illustrated by Meg Hunt. Chronicle Kids, … Continue reading

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A Spy in the House. The Agency Book 1

And back to British mysteries for teens with Asian protagonists – yes, that does seem oddly specific, but there we have it.  This is another one my interwebs people recommended to me, and it is lots of fun. A Spy … Continue reading

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Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones. Illustrated by Katie Kath. Alfred A. Knopf, 2015. Sophie is not really happy about her family’s move from LA to rural California, as she writes mostly in letters to her … Continue reading

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Karen Memory

Have I mentioned I enjoy a good steampunk story?  Yes, once again my friendly neighborhood Book Smugglers turned me on to a good book. Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear. Tor, 2015. Steampunk heads west in this ripping tale, told from … Continue reading

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Rose and the Silver Ghost

This is the final volume in the Rose series, the first of which was a Cybils finalist two years ago. Rose and the Silver Ghost by Holly Webb. Sourcebooks Jaberwocky, 2015. Originally published in the UK by Orchard Books, 2011. … Continue reading

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Murder is Bad Manners

I’m pretty sure that I first heard about this one from the Book Smugglers – Ana living in England could of course read this before me here in the U.S. Brandy at Random Musings of a Bibliophile and Karen at … Continue reading

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