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(3)
4-6
In 1968, eleven-year-old Julia and her aunt Constance leave town seeking Julia's wayward mother. Their wacky, hilarious adventures move from voodoo-influenced New Orleans to an abandoned ghost town (with a population of one, the self-proclaimed mayor/sheriff) to Haight-Ashbury to NYC. Plucky Julia documents everything with photographs (which illustrate this book) and gradually, happily puzzles out the true meaning of "home."
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
David Foote.
Ostensibly the newly recovered journal of an intrepid explorer, Dr. Wiggins's story documents his discovery of various creatures, now extinct, from around the world. Blume's catalog of imaginary beings is punctuated by factual footnotes that may be of interest to budding archaeologists. Otherwise, the conceit feels too contrived to sustain the story, even with the help of Foote's darkly humorous sketches.
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
David Foote.
To dispel romantic notions about fairies, narrator Miss Edythe McFate supplies grotesque descriptions and grim cautionary anecdotes about the creatures, all accompanied by appropriately dark and spiky illustrations. Lots of folkloric information is provided, along with some modern-sounding details (e.g., thieves being punished with flying snot). After all that, the assertion that we should attempt to help fairies flourish is perplexing.
(2)
4-6
During the Depression, eleven-year-old Tennyson and her sister are shuffled off to live with their aunt in Louisiana. The house, Aigredoux, has a history, and Tennyson is pulled into its drama. Tennyson is a strong protagonist who elicits ready sympathy, but Aigredoux itself is the real star: imbued with a distinct, capricious personality, it stands a mournful witness to days gone.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2008
(3)
4-6
Ten-year-old Franny dreams that her knack for playing the piano will be her way out of small-town Minnesota. An enigmatic Russian pianist--quickly labeled a "Commie"--moves to town and mentors Franny, who boldly ignores the small-minded townsfolk. The 1953 setting is well-evoked, and Franny's mischievous yet ambitious personality will hook readers who may be unfamiliar with the historical context.
(4)
4-6
Eleven-year-old introvert Cornelia is drawn to her new neighbor, Virginia, a mother figure who spins long tales of adventures with her sisters in Morocco, France, England, and India. Virginia's friendship predictably boosts Cornelia's confidence, allowing her to overcome shyness and make peace with her distant concert pianist mother after Virginia dies from cancer. Although the book doesn't offer many surprises, the intergenerational friendship is sweet.