Winter Night Trilogy The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

This is a multilayered book that includes history, magic and fantasy.  So many different characters centered around a girl.  It's an amazing read. Enjoy

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

This book should be in every library.  It is an important read.  The audio book also very good.  It's hard to imagine a world where education is being squashed.  Especially for young girls.  Malala bring her reality to life as she carefully explains her world and how it changes when the Taliban takes over her town.  The sacrifices her family made, the dangers and even the deaths.  Malala stands up to bullies. Her strengths and beliefs make a difference.  Her courage makes a difference.  She is a role model for all. 

The Cholo Tree by Daniel Chacon

This is literature.  It's been written beautifully.  There is content that makes it hard to read but it brings to life Victor's world.  There is some gang fighting and drugs, which is part of Victor's life. It is set in Fresno, so if you are from Fresno, you'll recognize City College, Fresno State, Woodward Park and other places.  Victor has the soul of an artist.  He can draw.  He has an amazing teacher who encourages his art work.  Victor has lots of challenges in life.  It is a good read.  I liked the book and it reminded me of students I have had in the past.  I believe it is an important read.

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

This is a sweet book that reminds me a little of Polly Ana  and Tom Sawyer.  Granny is not playing with a full deck.  She probably has the start of dementia.  Louisiana is just a little girl trying to survive.  It's a good story and good characters. 

Summer Seaside Kitchen The Café by the Sea by Jenny Colgan

I am addicted to Jenny Colgan stories.  She writes like her characters are family.  She also write with community.  I want to move to this little island and meet all the people and buy the butter and cheese and pastries.  If you are looking for a vacation read, this is it.  Enjoy.  It's more then a romance novel but there is romance in the story. 

Real Friends by Hale and Pham

I enjoy Shannon Hale's stories both YA and Adult.  I liked this graphic novel because there was a lot of honesty in the story.  The images also worked in the telling of the book.  enjoy.  Fine for any school library.

Willow by Brennan-Nelson & Moore

This is a perfect book to encourage students to find their own artistic expressions.  Enjoy this book and get for any school library.  Picture books can be a great lesson starter.  Enjoy.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard 9 from the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

This is a fun collection of short stories based on the characters of Maguns Chase Rick Riordan.  His mythological updates are fun to read.  Fine for any school library.  Enjoy.  The audio book also very good.

And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness

This is modern literature in retelling/reinventing Moby Dick.  It's told in the perspective of Bathsheba, the whale.  Whale culture is invented and works well.  Great illustrations also.  Toby Wick is who the whales are hunting.  This is marketed as young adult literature.  I think it would be better at the AP level or college level.  It's a good story but I'm not sure it will appeal to regular high school students.  It's a good listen to as well. 

For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Hellig

I think that this book will be popular with small groups of students.  It's fine for any high school library. 

Twisted Tales Reflection by Elizabeth Lim

This is close to Orpheus and the Underworld.  Would you travel to the other side of death to bring back the one you love?  It's a good story and I will add to my high school library.  Enjoy.  Audio book also very good.

Tales from Deckaroo Leroy Nicker Saddles Up by Kate Dicamillo

It's a fun story fine for any ages.  Enjoy.

Tales from Deckaroo Drive Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon by Kate Dicamillo

Enjoy this entertaining short story about animals and people.  The audio book also very entertaining.

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

Oh I love this book.  Gordon Korman is rapidly turning in to one of my favorite authors.  He nailed it in this story.  A must for any library.  The audio book also very good.  Enjoy.

The Friendship War by Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements is a delightful author.  He had me at Frindle.  This is a great book for teens to read in class for psychology and sociology classes.  Great for any school library.  Especially elementary and middle school.  Enjoy.

Frederic by Leo Lionni

For the poets and artists in the world.  Fine for any school libraries.  Enjoy. 

Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle

The lines are so graceful and beautifully placed.  The body language in the illustrations are fluid and smart.  This is a book that will fit in any library.  I would like to get it for my high school for art classes and also for teens reading to children.  Enjoy.

Max & Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

I can see elementary kids enjoying this story.  It's a quick read. It's an entertaining read.  Funny and silly.  Enjoy.

Ghosts Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

This is a good book to use to talk about what is going on in the country where young men are killed because of prejudice.  Fine for any library. 

One Small Thing by Erin Watt

I had to force  myself to finish this book.  I'm glad it was an audio book.  I would pass on this one.  The adults in this book are all unhelpful and have issues.  Even the teachers and police officers.  The girl decides to have random sex to get back at her parents.  No one is listening to this girl.

Shadow Magic Burning Magic by Joshua Khan

I hope there are more books in this series.  It's that good.  Think middle ages Harry Potter with a hint of romance.  Great characters and lots of action.  Goth and fire and magic.  Oh and throw in some zombies and you have the makings of an entertaining story.

Biggest, Strongest, Fastest by Steve Jenkins

It's a good book for elementary students. 

The Chronicles of Prydain The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

Think Lord of the Rings meets fairy tales rescue and adventure.  It's a good series and fine for any school library. Enjoy.

The Chronicles of Prydain The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

Think a junior version of Lord of the Rings as a group of companions must save their mortal world.  It's a classic series that is timeless.  Good vs. Evil.  Enjoy.

Andy Carpenter One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt

If you enjoy a good murder mystery book, and dogs then this is the book for you.  It's smart and entertaining and lots of suspense.  Enjoy.  Audio book is a good listen.

Pool by JiHyeon Lee

The art work in this book is brilliant. It translates from black and white to color.  A great book for littles and also for high school students.  I would use this for art class in high school.  I also liked the book because I am a swimmer.  And when the gym pool is filled with people playing around and not swimming, I feel a bit frustrated because I want to swim laps.  This book is perfect for any school library.  Enjoy. 

Iggy Peck, Architect by Beaty & Roberts

I am getting this for my high school library.  Yes picture books in a high school library.  Put them on the tables and just watch students pick them up.  I like that this is an inspirational book as well.  Makes a good gift book for graduates from high school or college.  It's about following your passion.  Enjoy.  Here the link to the book trailer for this picture bookhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ggwqy06yQw

Andy Carpenter Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt

If you like murder mysteries and dogs, this is the series for you.  Enjoy.  Audio book also very good.  Happy Readings!

Shadow Magic Dream Magic by Joshua Khan

This is a good add to any school library.  Think Harry Potter goes back to ancient times and you've got a great series.  I'm already starting the third book in this series.  It's a good buy and a good read.  Enjoy.

A Cat Latimer Mystery Of Murder and Men by Lynn Cahoon

Lynn Cahoon has some great murder series.  They are good vacation books and as I'm on vacation, I am enjoying them.  And I'm sharing them with you.  If you like good reads and even good listen too, you'll enjoy these stories.  Happy sleuthing.

I Had A Favorite Dress by Ashburn & Denos

This is a very good picture book to illustrate upcycling and converting clothing.  It's a smart picture book.  I'm getting for my high school library,

Tree of Wonder by Messner & Mulazzni

This book would fit with any unit that covers rainforests, ecospheres and animals.  Beautifully done and fine for any age.  Enjoy.

Sometimes you Fly by Applegate & Reinardt

A must have picture book for all classrooms and school libraries.  Also makes a good gift.  The images are charming and lovely which tie well with the words that have been beautifully written.  Enjoy.

A Cat Latimer Mystery Fatality by Firelight by Lynn Cahoon

Ir you enjoy murder mysteries that are fun to read, then you'll enjoy Lynn Cahoon's various series.  This one is the Cat Latimer Mystery but I like that she connects it with her Tourist Trap series as well.  Enjoy a few hours of sleuthing with Cat.  Thanks Lynn, keep on writing!  Audio book also very good.

Josephine by Powell & Robinson

This is a must for all libraries.  An amazing woman who made a beautiful difference in the world.  Even fought against the Nazi's.  A must read. 

If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson

This is a timeless story.  Perfect for any high school library.  Well crafted told in two voices.  First love can be bitter sweet.  Enjoy.

Goosebumps SlappyWorld The Ghost of Slappy by R. L. Stine

I think a lot of young readers will enjoy this book.  It is horror but gently scary.  Fine for any library.  Audio book also good.

Cat Latimer Mystery A Story To Kill by Lynn Cahoon

I am on vacation and am indulging in a favorite genre:  Murder Mystery.  I'm following Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap mysteries and this series is just as good.  I love the little Easter Egg in referring the series in this book.  It's part mystery, part romance and all entertaining.  Fine for any age who enjoys a good murder mystery.  Enjoy.  Audio book also good.

Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin

A classic retelling of an old fairy tale.  The girls have their own personalities and reminded me of daughters of my friends.  It's a good read and a good listen too.  Fine for any school library.  Enjoy.

Art Matters by Neil Gaiman

This is a brilliant essay by Neil Gaiman about how reading and imagination is so important.  If you believer in reading, read this.  Even better listen to the audio book read by Neil Gaiman.  He's brilliant.  A must listen or read.  Listen to Neil Gaiman read his essayMake Good Art

Andy Carpenter Unleashed by David Rosenfelt

This is a fun series and I love that the author is involved with rescue dogs.  My dogs are all rescued dogs  as well.  The series is funny and smart and entertaining.  Enjoy.  Published:  2013 and number 11 in the series.  Enjoy

Andy Carpenter Play Dead by David Rosenfelt

If you enjoy a good murder mystery with dogs as part of the heroes then this is the series for you.  It's smart and entertaining.  The audio book also very well done.  The reader nails it.  Enjoy.

Something in Between by Melissa De La Cruz

This is a very timely novel and personal to Melissa De La Cruz.  I am getting this for my high school library.  It makes arguments on both sides in the case of immigration and also makes it personal.  I'm so glad this novel was written.  It's a good read.

DreamFall NeverWake by Amy Plum

I'm getting this two book series.  If you like horror and science fiction this is the book.  Great concept and it really works.  I think my heart rate also went up reading this book.  Enjoy.

East West by Edith Pattou

This is a great dramatic return to an old fairy tale.  The story continues and Rose must outwit an old enemy and a new enemy.  This is a perfect book for any high school.  Enjoy.

East by Edith Pattou

This is a delightful retelling of a classic fairy tale.  Crafted so very well.  A good teen novel.  Romance, magic and a very clever young woman is the hero of this great story.

Andy Carpenter Bury the Lead by David Rosenfelt

This is a fun read for adults to enjoy.  Andy tells his story in the first person.  It's entertaining and he's always in danger of getting killed.  Lucky for him he has Laurie and Marco to help save the day.  Enjoy. 

7 Lessons From Heaven by Mary C. Neal, M. D.

I found this book very interesting.  It's good for personal collections and public libraries.  The audio book also very good.  Enjoy.

Sky Color by Peter Reynolds

I love this book and will get for my high school library.  I want to read it to my art students.  I've met Peter Reynolds many years ago at CSLA.  Peter Reynolds is a talented author/illustrator and always a good choice.  Enjoy. Inspire.  A good gift book as well.

Land Shark by Ferry & Mantle

This is a fun book to read.  Lots of great images and the story line is a good read.  And if you ever have a puppy that is a destructive dog, you'll relate.  It's fine for any school library.