The Phantom Tollbooth
Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer

When my daughter read this book as a preteen, she went mad for it. The witty, inventive characters and lands caught her imagination like no other book. She named her bird Azaz, the Unabridged King of Dictionopolis. We went around moaning that we were one character or another. The book is full of puns, and is a delight to anyone who loves words… or numbers. Azaz’s nemesis is the Mathemagician. My daughter’s young man missed this book in his boyhood, so I just bought him a copy for Christmas and I find myself reading it again with pleasure.

The Sniffles for Bear
Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

Bear has a cold. He thinks that it might be the worst cold ever.

In fact, he may not live to tell about it. Along comes Bear's friend Mouse, who does everything possible to help Bear feel better. Mouse provides stories, songs, and more. Perhaps most importantly, Mouse is sympathetic.
Finally, Bear falls asleep. When he wakes up, Bear is feeling much better.

But now Mouse is feeling sick! Kids will definitely find this story and its charming illustrations to be irresistible.

The Fountains of Silence
Ruta Sepetys

I learned a new side of history by reading this young adult novel. It is set in Spain during the fascist dictatorship of Francisco Franco. A maid whose parents were republicans and the son of a rich oil tycoon strike up an unlikely friendship in an age when censorship and repression ran rampant. The boy is expected to run his father’s business but longs to be a photojournalist and the girl feels unable to help aid his passions with the restrictions on what is allowed to be spoken and written about. Both are in great danger while trying to seek the truth and set it free. I have never been disappointed by the historical novels this author writes and this book continues that legacy.