Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery Newletter

Youth Yak

Page One Staff Picks Youth Yak Book Groups News

	Jen says this about her work to select books for the Indies Introduce program: I was so excited to be part of the Indies Introduce Children’s Titles panel this year! Two of the titles we chose will be released in June. They are:
	Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman 12-year old Emily's family moves a lot because her parents want to live in every state for one year. While it's an adventure for the family, it also gets old. One constant in Emily’s life is playing a game called Book Scavenger, which is a geo-caching game using books. A player can earn points and status (the lowest rank is Encyclopedia Brown, the highest rank is Sherlock Holmes.) The game was invented by Garrison Griswold, the owner of a publishing company. Griswold has created another new game, but just before he reveals it, Griswold is attacked and ends up in a coma. Emily and her new friend James follow the clues to figure out what happened to Griswold and to discover his new game. Book Scavenger (the book) includes hidden books, puzzles, cryptograms, and a link to the past - Edgar Allan Poe. I love this book and wish there was a real Book Scavenger game to play! Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley This is my FAVORITE children's book right now! 10-year old Micah lives with his wonderful grandfather, Ephraim, who often tells Micah stories about Circus Mirandus and the Lightbender. When Ephraim becomes ill, his anything but wonderful sister, Great Aunt Gertrudis, comes to take care of Micah and Ephraim. Gertrudis hardly allows Micah to visit Ephraim, so Ephraim writes a letter to the Lightbender that ends with the line, "I need you now.” Soon after, a parrot messenger shows up to retrieve the letter and deliver it to the Lightbender and the magic begins—or begins for Micah. The story is magical, yet believable. At its heart is love, friendship, and family. It's the kind of story that I think I would have loved as a kid (I was a big fan of Roald Dahl.) This would be a terrific read-aloud, either at home with family (maybe a week-long stay at the cabin??) or in a classroom setting.

	Cascade's reviews
Cascade
		All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven The book starts with Finch up in the school bell tower contemplating jumping where he meets Violet, a potential fellow jumper, who is still reeling from the accidental death of her sister. They both get down safely and are later assigned to work together on a state geography project where they are to find and explore the most interesting and unusual places in Indiana. The assignment leads to a friendship and subsequent romance; this relationship helps Violet come to terms with her sister’s death. Suicide and mental illness are predominant themes in this book and it is not a “bright” or light read.
		Panic by Lauren Oliver Panic is a series of high stake challenges competed in by the graduating seniors of that year. It’s a game of elimination where at least one person must be eliminated in each round and the winner receives “the pot” that has been collected over the past year. This book is written from the perspectives of the two main characters: Dodge and Heather. While Heather is still reeling from her recent break-up, she decides to play Panic. Dodge decides to play Panic to get revenge.
		Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse This Newberry Award Winner is about a young farm girl’s life during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. It chronicles real life events with fictional characters. The chapters are laid out in a poetry format.