Extra Yarn

Extra Yarn 
By Mac Barnett
Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Annabelle is about to learn that an ordinary looking box of yarn can go a long way!   When she finds a box of what appears to be ordinary yarn, she knits herself a sweater.   However, there is still extra yarn left over, so she uses it to knit more and more.  Soon she is knitting for everyone and everything, even for houses and trucks and other things that would never wear sweaters!  No matter how much she knits, there is always extra yarn.   When a selfish archduke learns of Annabelle's magic yarn box, he wants it for himself.  Will Annabelle be able to save her magical yarn box from the evil archduke? 

I love to knit, so this picture book was a hit with me!   I loved watching Annabelle clothe the people and objects around her with her knits, turning her ordinary snow-covered town into a warm and colorful place.   This is a sweet, funny story that will be a great choice for both knitters and non-knitters! 

Author's website:  http://www.macbarnett.com/

Jake and Lily

Jake and Lily
by Jerry Spinelli

Twins Jake and Lily share a lot of things, including their secret power to communicate to each other through their thoughts.  The summer they turn eleven, however, everything changes.   They each get their own room and Jake starts hanging out with the neighborhood bully's gang, "The Death Rays".    Jake loves the new changes, but Lily just wants things to go back to the way they used to be.    As Jake and his new friends get into troubling, and often cruel, adventures, Lily struggles to create an identity separate from the one she shared with her twin.   They each want to find a new identity, but will they do it in a way where they can truly be happy with themselves? 

What a great book!  I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to Jake and Lily.  The things that each twin dealt with are struggles faced by many: making new friends, bullies, and finding oneself.    I recommend this book to any reader looking for a good realistic fiction novel.  

Author's Website:  http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_001.htm

Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
by Melissa Sweet

How did the giant balloons of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begin?   Balloons Over Broadway tells the story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer responsible for the creation of giant balloons that first appeared over 80 years ago in the famous Thanksgiving parade.   A  puppeteer famous for his beautiful marionettes, Tony successfully took on the challenge of creating floating puppets for the parade, leading to a tradition that still continues each year.   This beautiful biography includes bright illustrations of Tony's life from the time he was a little boy to his creation of the first balloons for the Macy's parade.   This is a great book to read at any time of year, but especially during Thanksgiving!

Author's website:   http://melissasweet.net/
   

Penny and her Doll

Penny and Her Doll
by Kevin Henkes

Penny is thrilled when she receives a new doll in the mail from her Gram!     Everything about her new doll is perfect except for one small problem:  she can't think of a name for her!    Despite many suggestions from others, Penny is unable to find the perfect name for her beloved doll until suddenly the right name comes to her in a way that is truly meant to be.  

I thought this was a very sweet story!   Readers who liked other Kevin Henkes mouse stories will probably enjoy his newest mouse tale.  The short chapters and bright pictures make this story an excellent first chapter book for newer readers. 

Author's website:  http://www.kevinhenkes.com/

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact
by A.J. Hartley

There's something strange about Darwen Arkwright's new mirror!  However, everything about Darwen's life has been strange recently after moving from England to his aunt's home in Georgia.   A quiet trip to the mall to buy a school uniform turns into an adventure after he finds himself inside an unusual shop filled with old mirrors.   Darwen is surprised and confused when the owner, Mr. Peregrine, gives him a mirror to take home, but he is even more shocked when he realizes that the mirror is anything but typical.   By day it's an ordinary mirror, but at night it leads into a magical world that is a beautiful escape from Darwen's frustrating daily life.   Darwen's love of this new world is short-lived as he soon realizes that it is also full of dangerous creatures determined to come through the mirror into the human world.   Will Darwen be able to save the worlds on both sides of the mirror before it's too late?

This was an amazing book!     It's full of excitement and adventure but it also deals with everyday issues such as bullies and making friends.  

Book website:  http://darwenarkwright.com/

Author's website:  http://ajhartley.net/