Jen's Picks
  Catching Fire and Mockingjay
by Suzanne Colllins
I read Hunger Games quite a while ago, but hesitated to read the second book in the series, Catching Fire. I’d heard from so many people that it ends with a cliffhanger and you don't want to start it unless you'll have Mockingjay, the third and final book in the series, at the ready—and they were right!! As soon as I finished Catching Fire, I started Mockingjay, which picks up right where Catching Fire left off. I hate to say too much about the plot for those of you who haven't read the series yet, but I'm hooked and fascinated by what the author is presenting (a warning about war and government). The author has also crafted a great protagonist—someone we're all rooting for and yet, riddled with human weakness, such as doubt, fear, anger, confusion. She makes errors, she's sometimes reckless, but she is the kind of person I hope I would be in her situation.
 Keeping Safe the Stars
by Sheila O'Connor
This middle grade novel was the winner for this year's Midwest Independent Booksellers Association award for children's literature. The winners are voted for by booksellers in the midwest. Keeping Safe the Stars is set in rural Minnesota in the 1970s. Three children are basically left unsupervised after their grandfather is hospitalized. They must pool all of their resources and depend on each other. I love the sibling relationships, and the history (post-Nixon resignation). It’s a great story which is well written. This would make a great read for adults and their favorite middle grade readers to read and talk about!
Sally’s Pick
 The Day the Crayons Quit
by Drew Daywalt
When this picture book arrived in the store, it was passed from one staff person to the next, and chuckles accompanied its progress. The text is a collection of the letters that Duncan received one morning when he arrived at school. The letters are from his crayons, each one complaining about how he uses them. My favorite letter was from pink; my granddaughter’s was the related letters from orange and yellow. You’ll want to compare favorites with the child in your life, too! Autographed copies are available at Beagle.
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