Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Scrawny Cat


This story of an abandoned and hungry orange and white cat will pull on your heart strings. Every place the cat goes, people chase him away with the words "Get Out of Here!" One day he is chased by a dog down to the wharf and onto a moored dinghy. Almost immediately, a storm blows in, and the dinghy's mooring rope breaks. The dinghy and cat are awash in a storm. Finally, when the storm subsides, they wash ashore near a cottage where a woman lives alone. Together, these two lonely souls become a new happy family. Written by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Alison Friend, this heart-warming tale will be enjoyed by animal lovers of all ages.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Kara, Lost


This debut novel by Susan Niz tells the story of Kara, a teen who has run away from her depressed mother and unhappy homelife. Her sister, who also ran away from home, has a live-in boyfriend, who won't allow Kara to live with them beyond a few days. Even though she has no money, and no form of identification, Kara is determined to make it on her on on the streets of Minneapolis. At times, life is scary and harrowing, but bit-by-bit, Kara starts to find her way. This is an edgy novel from a new author with promise.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Clock Struck One



The delightful rhyming text of this story expands on the nursery rhyme 'Hickory Dickory Dock', as a cat chases a mouse up the clock, and then around the neighborhood. They are followed by other animals (and people) until midnight arrives, and everyone falls asleep. That is, until 1:00 comes... The book includes information about clocks and telling time in the back. Written by Trudy Harris, illustrated by Minnesotan Carrie Hartman, this might be a resource for telling time units for preschool or primary grades.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Unforgettable


Fifteen year old Baxter Green has a perfect memory--for every face, every name, and minute details of everything he has experienced since the age of three. He and his mother have moved from California to Wellington, Minnesota, a fictional town on the Iron Range to escape her ex-boyfriend.
Baxter wants to be a normal kid, and strike up a romance with a girl from his kindergarten class (she has long since forgotten Baxter)--but his unusual memory creates problems at every turn. This coming of age story has several good discussion topics: social issues for kids who are different, environmental and health aspects of taconite mining, and honesty in relationships, for example. It is another thoughtful work by Minnesotan Loretta Ellsworth.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Through No Fault of My Own


This is the diary of thirteen-year-old "Coco" Irving, the daughter of Horace and Clotilde Irving, socialites who lived on Summit Avenue in St. Paul in the early 1900's. Coco loved to write, and also get in trouble. Her diary entries frequently begin with the words "through no fault of my own..." The diary recounts one year of Coco's adventures, romances, and youthful problems.
Coco's writing has been published previously; this new edition is from the University of Minnesota Press and includes an introduction by Peg Meier and historical photographs.
Coco and her sister Olivia donated the family home to the state of Minnesota in 1965, and it became the Minnesota Governor's Residence.
This is a fascinating peak inside early 20th century life on Summit Avenue from a young person's perspective.