Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Another masterpiece! Once again, author and illustrator Brian Selznick has delivered on a story that is both picture book and novel. Wonderstruck is his second book in this format having won the Caldecott Medal for his first, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Wonderstruck follows two parallel stories - one told in words, the other in pictures. Ben is a deaf boy whose cherished mother has died in an accident leaving him to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins. His story takes place in Minnesota in 1977. Rose is a lonely, deaf girl whose mother is a stage and silent movie star with no time for Rose. Her story, told in the illustrations, takes place in New Jersey in 1927.

How will their lives intertwine? Are Ben and Rose related? Will their stories come together in the end? As you follow this story you'll be drawn into their lives in unusual ways. A museum, wolves, New York City buildings, small cottages, new friendships, and sign language are a few. It's easy to finish this 637 page book in one day - there are so many dynamic illustrations!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips by Barbara & Kevin Kunz

Reflexology is a type of massage that puts pressure on specific points of the body - feet, hands, and head. Each pressure point is understood to connect to every part of your body. By stimulating these points, it is thought to relieve stress and provide healing. Hence, the title Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips by Barbara and Kevin Kunz is so precise.

The authors are internationally known for their expertise on reflexology. They have practiced it for over 25 years and continue to research its benefits. Now they offer readers an opportunity to understand and try reflexology through this book - a very visual guide to the practice. Using photography and labeled diagrams, you'll be able to guide yourself and learn. There are steps for massaging various parts of the hands, feet, and head. There are suggestions for working with specific health concerns. Having a tired day? Pick up this book and share with a friend. You may both appreciate the benefits of reflexology.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

YA Lit Characterized

A new blog has hit the blog-o-sphere and it's sure to fill a niche for readers. YA Lit Characterized is the brainchild of Kara and Natalie - friends who met while studying library science at the University of Michigan. They are avid fans of young adult literature and want to share that love with you.

What sets YA Lit Characterized apart from other blogs about books written by librarians? This blog will have spoilers! The authors are NOT going to hold back. They will delve into the book's characters - heros, heroins, villains, and all those lesser known folks that help to bring every good read together. Kara and Natalie will share the writing responsibilities, they promise several posts each week and a new book every other week. Wow! I'm impressed by their energy and dedication to bringing YOU the real scoop on great literature.

Bookmark this blog! You'll want to check in often.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Shelter: A Mickey Bolitar Novel by Harlan Coben

It's only been a little over a year that I first heard of the author, Harlan Coben. It was a Brighton High School freshman who told me that Harlan was his favorite author. We did not own any books by Mr. Coben in our media center so I was intrigued. I quickly requested one of the Myron Bolitar detective stories from the public library. If you know me, you know that mystery and detective stories are my all time favorites. It was a great read!

Now this well loved author is writing for teen readers! Shelter by Harlan Coben is the debut novel in a series that features Myron's nephew, Mickey Bolitar, also involved in solving mysteries. He's a high school sophomore who has come to live with his uncle after his father's death, which Mickey witnessed, and mother's placement in drug rehab. Mickey's life is in shatters and he has few friends in his uncle's town. When Ashley, one of his new friends, does not return to school and no one has a clue of her whereabouts, Mickey gets involved. He befriends a loner Goth girl and a techie nerd guy. At the same time an elderly lady tells Mickey that his father is actually not dead. There is just too much to take in. With clever plot twists and action filled events, you may find yourself with a new favorite author much like I did.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly by Brian Clark

An infographic that should be kept handy anytime you're writing. Clear to understand, very visual and oh, so helpful. 

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman

I've read many reviews for The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman. It has been included on several "Best of 2012" lists, including starred reviews, but I have to be honest in saying, I wasn't that impressed. I suppose it deserves kudos for not being an over-the-top teen romance. There are no explicit teen love scenes; there is no love at first sight moment. We simply follow Jen and Wes through their typical days, watch them become friends, feel their loneliness when Jen's family moves away. We also worry a bit about Wes as he saves and plots to drive to Jen's new home with a surprise visit. When they have their more tender moments when you think something more just might happen, it doesn't. Of course, that's how real life is. Only in movies and books do we see the love at first sight, highly romantic, sexually charged stories that we may think are real.

If you want to read about a young love as it unfolds naturally, as you and your friends may actually experience finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, becoming best friends, dating and sharing hopes and dreams with each other, than this is the book for you.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ranson Riggs

Odd. Weird. Strange. Eccentric. Dark. Peculiar. Not only are the children peculiar in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs but so is the entire story. Yet, the story didn't start out so odd but it sure did become strange for me the more I read. By that point, I needed to finish it although I will admit that I began skipping pages just to get to the end.

Jacob Portman is a sixteen year old whose life is less than exciting. He's missing his grandfather Portman who passed away leaving behind fantastical stories and the vintage photographs of the people in his stories. Jacob feels a need to unravel the truth behind his grandfather's stories and that's where this novel becomes eccentric and dark.

Author Riggs' premise is unique - to develop a story around actual cherished, found vintage photographs of peculiar situations and people. Those photos are interspersed throughout the book and are integral to the story. I was in constant wonder how Riggs selected and developed the story assuming he began with the photographs. But why? Was he so intrigued by them that he felt they could enthrall readers? The cover is haunting but in this day of digital photography, not unimaginable.

This has been a New York Times bestseller and included on numerous "Best Books" lists. I selected it for the BHS MCtr collection based on those accolades and stellar book reviews. Now it's your turn to step into this story with the peculiar children and peculiar story line. I'll be waiting in the media center to hear what you thought.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm