|
 The Fire Wish
by Amber Lough,
c2014
(grades 6 – 12)
Be careful what you wish for…
Sometimes all it takes to change your life forever is a simple wish. Zayele
is a young woman that is on her way to a forced marriage with the prince of
Baghdad when she encounters a jinni (genie) named Najwa. Desperate, she
captures Najwa for her wish and before thinking, utters words that cause
them to switch places. In the middle of a war between human and jinn, Zayele
and Najwa will get a brand-new view of the enemy. Will what they learn
motivate them to work for peace? Can they protect the ones they love? Will
they be able to survive?
The Fire Wish was one of my favorite titles from the young adult fantasy
genre this last year. The romantic tale of mystery, betrayal, and adventure
features believably flawed characters that will beg you to care about them.
And the author’s beautifully descriptive language transports you to another
time and place that you won’t want to leave. Thankfully, The Fire Wish is
the first title in the Jinni Wars series---so there is more to come! This is
a wonderful pick for teens, especially reluctant readers. Some guys may
enjoy it, but girls will eat it up.
The Boundless
by Kenneth Oppel,
c2014
grades 5 and up
This excellent adventure story complete with compelling characters is a
great pick for guys. It’s one of those rare tales that appeals to both
middle grade readers and teen readers. Kenneth Oppel is well-known for his
best-selling Airborne and Silverwing series, and this stand-alone title will
appeal to fans of his earlier work.
Will Everett’s life is tied to the destiny of the Boundless, an amazing
vehicle touted as the greatest train ever built. When Will ends up with the
key to a train car rumored to contain priceless treasures, he becomes the
target of murderous thieves. As he frantically tries to make his way from
the back of the train to his father and the engineer up front, he is drawn
into the ranks of a traveling circus, the onboard entertainment. But Mr.
Dorian, the ringmaster, has his own agenda---as does Maren, an expert escape
artist that catches Will’s eye. Who should Will trust? Will he be able to
save his father’s life and protect the train’s treasure? This exciting read
is filled with heart-pounding moments that keep you racing to the end, with
a finale both fantastical and satisfying. The Boundless is truly one of the
best books I’ve read this last year.
I Am George Lucas
by Grace Norwich (I Am series, #7)
c2013
grades 2-5
This juvenile biography is a great choice for 3rd - 5th graders who enjoy
non-fiction and learning about real people, but don't want to be overwhelmed
by too many details. Reluctant readers, especially boys, will love learning
about the accomplishments of this famous filmmaker. Although giving an
overall picture of Lucas’s life, it does focus heavily on the creation of
the Star Wars franchise, which is a win for Star Wars fans.
[to top of second column] |
I like the format of the “I Am” series, especially the "10 Thing
You Should Know About..." and "10 Things That Are Pretty Cool to
Know" sections. The book also includes a detailed timeline of George
Lucas’s life and a glossary. It’s a great pick for struggling
readers, because it features straight-forward vocabulary and a setup
that leaves a good amount of white on the pages, making it less
intimidating than many biographies with dense and tiny print.
If your child enjoys this title, the “I Am” series features many
other well-known people including Roberto Clemente, Sacajawea,
Albert Einstein, LeBron James and more.
Peanut Butter and Cupcake
by Terry Border
c2014
age 3 – 7
Adults that love a fun read-aloud and children that crave silly
stories will flip over this fun title by Terry Border, published in
2014.
Poor Peanut Butter is new to the neighborhood and is on a quest to
find a friend, but it’s proving more difficult than he ever
imagined. French Fries has to help Hamburger walk his hot dogs,
Cupcake is waaaay too protective of the sprinkle castles she’s
built, and Meatball is busy working out with Spaghetti. Who will be
Peanut Butter’s best friend? Your young readers will figure it out
quickly and will be on pins and needles waiting for the ultimate
pairing of Peanut Butter and…you-know-who!
This sweet but silly story pairs amazing photographic art with a
tale that will get everyone giggling. It also includes a rhyming
refrain that children will love to repeat, over and over again.
Peanut Butter and Cupcake is one of my absolute favorite picture
books of 2014 and a big hit in story times. Check it out now!
To check out these books or get recommendations for other great
reads, please come see us at the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin
Street.
[By
MELISSA OXBORROW,
Lincoln Public Library District]
 |
