Mrs. D’s Reads

I realized I’ve haven’t blogged a lot of what I’ve read.  So here’s a smattering of the missed titles of 2009. It’s mostly reading I did for fun, not for kids, but I thought they were worth sharing.

Luxe

by Anna Godberson

Grades 7-12

These are basically the Gossip Girl stories of the late 1800s.  New York socialites navigate a world of rules, intrigues, gossip and betrayal.  An interesting look into that era and probably a fun summer read for teens.

World Without End

by Ken Follett

Adult

I read Pillars of the Earth with great pleasure, and I looked forward to tackling this lengthy sequel.  It delivered on every point.  Follett knows the medieval world and brings it and it’s inhabitants to life on the page. I am an historical fiction junkie, and Follett makes it a worthwhile addiction.

Devil in the White City

by Erik Larson

YA-Adult

This is one of those amazing non-fiction books that is such an compelling story, or in this case two stories, that you can’t put it down.  It’s fascinating to watch both the growth of the Chicago World’s Fair and the growth of one of America’s first serial killers.  Loved it!

French Milk

By Lucy Knisley

YA-Adult

This is a lovely hybrid graphic novel/novel that is really the journal of a mother and daughter who rent an apartment together in Paris for a month.  Lucy is an aspiring comic book artist just graduated from college, and her mom is turning 50. Lucy’s journal is an honest expression of a 22 year-old’s experience, but it captures that person on the cusp of real adulthood in a wonderfully realistic way.  I gave it to my daughter for Easter, she loved it, as did my husband.

The Darcy Connection and Mr. Darcy’s Dream

by Elizabeth Aston

YA-Adult

These are the latest additions to a series of books about the imagined five daughters of Fitwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.  Some of the books, like these two, take on the stories of people  connected with that family.  They are a fun indulgence for people that love the world of Regenecy England and Jane Austen.  A little more romance than I normally enjoy, but well-written.

Ah, the pleasure of spending an afternoon outside reading a good book…

The Last Olympian

Rick Riordan

Grades 5-8

This is a worthy ending to Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series.  Percy and his friends go up against the Titans and evil half-bloods in a final battle royale, and Percy finally learns the truth of the prophecy.  Riordan brings back all your favorite characters, feeds readers another dose of Greek mythology, and gives readers a satisfying ending to Percy’s journey.  He does, however, hint that this will not  be his last Camp Half-Blood series.

Dragonfly Pool

by Eva Ibbotson

Grades 4-8

I am becoming a big fan of Ibbotson’s wonderful storytelling, interesting characters, and unique way of setting both against the background of real turmoil.  This novel tells the story of a rather odd, “progressive” boarding school right at the beginning of WWII.  The children go abroad for a folk dancing festival and find themselves rescuing a recently orphaned prince whose father was killed by the Nazis.  Some great adventure, believable friendships, and characters you actually want to know.  Take a look at some of her other books, too:  Island of the Aunts, Dial-a-Ghost, and Journey to the River Sea, and many others.  She also has some great books for adults and young adults:  Song for Summer, Countess Below Stairs, and The Reluctant Heiress.

Carpe Diem

by Autumn Cornwell

Grades 7-12

This was a fun, if not altogether realistic, read about a teenager on the fast track who goes on the trip of a lifetime to visit her grandmother in Southeast Asia.  On the way, she is seeking a secret about herself, and she learns what it’s like to let go and live in the moment.  Lots of fun!

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

By Mo Willems

Grade k-3

This is another simple but hilarious home run from the man who told you not to get the pigeon a hot dog.  In this story, a naked mole rat asks the question “why can’t we wear clothes?”  This gets him in a whole bunch of trouble with the other naked mole rats, until the head rat suggests that they should be able to do what they want.  Lots of fun and great illustrations.

Scaredy Squirrel At Night

by Melanie Watt

Grades K-3

Another great book with our favorite neurotic squirrel.  This time he enumerates all the reasons he’s afraid of the dark and can’t sleep (including unicorns and polka-dotted monsters).  Watt knows how to tickle funny bones young and old.

Love, Splat

by Ron Scotton

Grades K-3

Funny how we love insecure, neurotic characters, but Scotton’s back with a second installment about Splat the Cat.  In the first one, Splat was afraid to go to school.  This one features a Valentine’s Day theme.  Splat and his friends Spike are both in love with Kitten, but neither is very good at communicating that to her.  Hilarity ensues.

Max’s Dragon

by Kate Banks

Grades 1-4

Kate Banks’ first book about Max, Max’s Words, is one of the most underappreciated books in the library.  It is a brilliant treatise on the power and value of language and words.  In this follow up, Max is searching for rhymes, and in spite of his brothers’ mocking, Max is able to show that words will triumph in the end.  Perfect for budding writers and readers, and brilliantly and subtley done.