January 2012 Book Buzz

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Conor is dealing with a lot. His Mum is very sick with cancer and he is doing his best to help her. He has a recurring nightmare at 12:07AM most nights, where the Yew tree in the backyard calls to him, talks to him and comes alive. At first he thinks it is a nightmare, is it? School is also getting to be more difficult with everyone treats him differently because of his Mum, and he hates it. The book has beautiful black and white illustrations to enhance the text. This has the potential to win the Newbery Award this month. Kristin (YA Fiction)

Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker

“Family Meeting: Tonight!”  When our heroine sees this sign on the fridge in the morning, all she can do that day is worry...what did she do now?  She is always getting in trouble and is worried that they are having a family meeting for that purpose.  On top of that, her science specimen, a lab rat named Eighteen, is missing; and Clementine cannot find her favorite colorful hat that her Nana made.  When Clementine finds out that she is not in trouble and that the family meeting is to announce that her parents are having another baby, you would think Clementine would be thrilled…will she?  Jacquie (J Fiction)

Pie by Sarah Weeks

Alice’s Aunt Polly, winner of 13 consecutive Blueberry awards for her outstanding baking, is beloved in Ipswitch for her wonderful pie. In fact, that’s the name of her bakery- Pie. When Aunt Polly dies unexpectedly, the town is turned upside down. Every kitchen in town seems filled with furious baking as the townspeople attempt to create their own pie worthy of a Blueberry. On top of that, someone is going to extreme lengths to get his or her hands on Aunt Polly’s pie crust recipe, which was left to her cat- Lardo. Alice and her friend, Charlie, are determined to figure out what is going on in this sweet mystery.  Recipes are included with each chapter and may inspire some baking of your own! 
Meghan (J Fiction)

Splish, Splash Splat by Rob Scotton

Spike is the bully that Splat is trying to avoid.  They have nothing in common.  That is until Splat realizes that they both think that water is “horrible, scary, and wet!!!”  In school they have to learn how to swim and all of the other students dive right in.  Splat is way too scared.  By the end of the book will the two cats be able to overcome their fears?  This is a hilarious must read!  Jacquie (Picture Book)