Books for Boys

March 14, 2018 The Story Shop

Once they graduate to chapter books, many girls take to reading like a fish to water. Boys, on the other hand, not so much. Boys often have a harder time diving into the literary world after picture books. Here are a few recommendations for your boys who just haven't found that book that hooks them into the reading life.

For the detective

Nate the Great Series for Beginning ReadersNate the Great has a new case! His friend Annie has lost a picture. She wants Nate to help her find it. Nate the Great must get all the facts, ask the right questions, and narrow the list of suspects so he … — Nate the Great Series for Beginning Readers
Nate the Great has a new case! His friend Annie has lost a picture. She wants Nate to help her find it. Nate the Great must get all the facts, ask the right questions, and narrow the list of suspects so he can solve the mystery.

The Hardy Boys Series for Middle ReadersThe Hardy Boys are two brothers, Frank and Joe Hardy. They are average teenagers with a strong combination of inquisitiveness and curiosity. With such a potent combination, they operate as part time detectives… — The Hardy Boys Series for Middle Readers
The Hardy Boys are two brothers, Frank and Joe Hardy. They are average teenagers with a strong combination of inquisitiveness and curiosity. With such a potent combination, they operate as part time detectives and solve a great many mysteries

For the athletically inclined

Tim Green's Books for Middle ReadersBestselling author and former NFL player Tim Green scores a touchdown with this exhilarating books. Green's books are action-packed adventures with gripping suspense, heroes you can really root for, and an insider… — Tim Green's Books for Middle Readers
Bestselling author and former NFL player Tim Green scores a touchdown with this exhilarating books. Green's books are action-packed adventures with gripping suspense, heroes you can really root for, and an insider’s look at the worlds of professional football and baseball.

For the graphically inclined

Don't be dismayed by the thickness of these books, they're full of pictures!

Timeless Series for Middle ReadersThe world did not end. At least not permanently. The Time Collision came from beyond the stars, a cosmic event that fractured time and space, tearing apart the earth and reshaping it into something entirely new. Thi… — Timeless Series for Middle Readers
The world did not end. At least not permanently. The Time Collision came from beyond the stars, a cosmic event that fractured time and space, tearing apart the earth and reshaping it into something entirely new. This is the world Diego Ribera was born into. The past, present, and future coexisting together. In New Chicago, Diego’s middle school hallways buzz with kids from all eras of history and from cultures all over the world. The pieces do not always fit together neatly, but this is the world he loves. There are those, however, who do not share his affection.

With more than 150 full-color illustrations.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret for Middle ReadersOrphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric… — *The Invention of Hugo Cabret* for Middle Readers
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

For those who "just want to read about real life"

Henry Huggins Series for Beginning-Middle ReadersJust as Henry Huggins is complaining that nothing exciting ever happens, a friendly dog sits down beside him and looks pleadingly at his ice-cream cone. From that moment on, the two are inseparable. B… — Henry Huggins Series for Beginning-Middle Readers
Just as Henry Huggins is complaining that nothing exciting ever happens, a friendly dog sits down beside him and looks pleadingly at his ice-cream cone. From that moment on, the two are inseparable. But when Ribsy's original owner appears, trying to reclaim his dog, Henry's faced with the possibility of losing his new best friend. Has Klickitat Street seen the last of rambunctious Ribsy?

The Wednesday Wars for Middle ReadersMeet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Hol… — *The Wednesday Wars* for Middle Readers
Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.

For those who love adventure

Pax for Middle Readersax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa. Far worse t… — *Pax* for Middle Readers
ax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa. Far worse than being forced to leave home is the fact that Pax can’t go. Peter listens to his stern father—as he usually does—and throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library for Middle ReadersKyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, … — *Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library* for Middle Readers
Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library.

Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high.

The Hero Series for Middle ReadersHero, a retired search-and-rescue dog, is not prepared for a stray puppy to come into his life. But when he and twelve-year-old Ben find Scout injured and afraid, the new addition leads them down an unexpected and d… — The Hero Series for Middle Readers
Hero, a retired search-and-rescue dog, is not prepared for a stray puppy to come into his life. But when he and twelve-year-old Ben find Scout injured and afraid, the new addition leads them down an unexpected and dangerous path.

When Scout goes missing, it's up to Hero to use his search-and-rescue skills to find Scout and bring him home.

For the history buff

For those with big imaginations

The Fly Guy Series for Beginning ReadersWhen Buzz captures a fly to enter in The Amazing Pet Show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong. — The Fly Guy Series for Beginning Readers
When Buzz captures a fly to enter in The Amazing Pet Show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong.

The Magic Tree House Series for Beginning ReadersJack and Annie wonder: Where did the tree house come from?Before they can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. — The Magic Tree House Series for Beginning Readers
Jack and Annie wonder: Where did the tree house come from?

Before they can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the past. Now they have to figure out how to get home.

The Chronicles of Narnia Series for Middle ReadersJourneys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil—what more could any reader ask for in one book? The book that has it all is The Lion, the Witch and the W… — The Chronicles of Narnia Series for Middle Readers
Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil—what more could any reader ask for in one book? The book that has it all is *The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe*, written in 1949 by Clive Staples Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia.

Want more options of great books for your boys? The Read-Aloud Revival just posted their list of recommendations!

More Books Boys Love

Lawrence "Chip" Quammen

March 12, 2018 The Story Shop

Meet Featured Indie Author Lawrence "Chip" Quammen!

Join us for a Meet the Author Event on Saturday, March 17 at 1:00pm.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My wife, Dr. Robecca Quammen, and I reside in Monroe, Georgia and Montverde, Florida. I started my medical career as the first PA in Walton County in 1974 when I joined Dr. Howard Barton in his practice in Social Circle, Georgia. After several years of practice in Walton County I took a position with Georgia Baptist Medical Center, Atlanta, as a medical provider with the Life Flight Helicopter program. I later became director of the program. Over the next several years I spent most of my time in emergency medicine and occupational medicine. After 23 years in practice I retired to join my wife in the medical information systems and management consultancy she founded and continued to serve in that capacity for another 18 years. We purchased a home in Monroe 2 years ago to be closer to our granddaughters.

2. What do you do when you are not writing?

I am a dedicated leisure reader and also enjoy music, art, and motorcycle riding. In addition, I serve weekly as a volunteer with The Good News Club, a faith-based after school program for elementary school children. I also serve weekly as a volunteer for Team Up Mentoring, a faith-based organization that serves children, youth, and young adults ages 3 to 21 who have a history of adverse childhood events and trauma. I serve with Team Up as a mentor and recently accepted a position as chairman of their Board of Directors. I am a strong advocate of reading programs for all children.

3. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

As much as I love to read, I never considered writing a book until 4 years ago. I was working on an extended consulting engagement for a hospital system in East Texas and was having supper one summer evening in a local restaurant when a great idea occurred to me. My great idea was based on the tradition my father established early in my childhood of writing short stories during his time away at work for his children. My father’s job required that he travel weekly to locations in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama. During those nights in motel rooms across the south he would jot down short stories about the antics of three mice who happened to be sisters. On arriving home each Friday evening he would have a new story to tell his children. My idea was to use the three sisters my father created as the principal characters in a book dedicated to my granddaughters in honor of my father. Since the original stories only lived for a short time on assorted scraps of paper and restaurant napkins, my task was to write all new adventures with lots of new characters. As the writing progressed, one book became a trilogy.

4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m not sure it is interesting or unique but I do all my writing long hand on a legal pad before transferring it to an online format.

5. Do you have an upcoming book? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes, the book described above is named Evergreen and it is the first book of a trilogy named “The Adventures of Pouxie, Mouxie and Chrissie.”

6. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

Pouxie, Mouxie and Chrissie, three sisters who are the principal characters, came from my father’s imagination. Otherwise, all the other characters, all of the adventures, the book title, and the related trilogy are entirely the product of my imagination.

7. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I will be reading from chapter 12, “Papa Takes a Walk,” during the Meet the Author Event. I enjoyed writing this chapter because it was the first time since starting the book that I was able to use the sisters number one antagonist, “Sweetpea,” in a fast moving story line that involved the sisters, their parents and the amazing trio, the Crow Brothers: Archie, Festus, and Sam.

8. Who is an author that you look up to today?

For overall excellence as a writer and master of his craft: Stephen King.

9. What is your favorite genre of book to read?

My tastes vary widely. Of course there are the children’s classics. I also enjoy mystery, suspense, action stories, horror, and comedy.

10. What is your favorite book?

A very hard question to answer. If I have to pick just one I will pick The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway. Simple but profound.

11. Is there any particular authors or books that influenced you growing up?

C.S. Lewis for the Chronicles of Narnia series, Lewis Carroll for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, J.R.R. Tolkien for The Hobbit, Rudyard Kipling for The Jungle Book, and E.B. White for Charlotte’s Web, to name a few.

12. Who is an author that has inspired you?

Edgar Allan Poe, for an absolutely incredible imagination.

13. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Read, Read, Read; don’t limit your imagination, and don’t be afraid to step out of the box.

14. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers?

Read, Read, Read; feed your imagination daily from a variety of sources, and don’t be afraid to step out of the box.

If You Liked...

March 6, 2018 The Story Shop

Choosing what to read next can be a real task. There are so many good options! Let us help you find a new favorite or simply your next book based on one you've previously enjoyed.

In honor of the up coming release of the films based on Madeleine L'Engle's book A Wrinkle in Time and Ernest Cline's Ready Player One, we have a list of science-fiction favorites!

If you liked this book

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger."Wild nights are my glory," the unearthl… — It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

"Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract".

Meg's father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?

Then You'll Like These Titles

The world did not end. At least not permanently. The Time Collision came from beyond the stars, a cosmic event that fractured time and space, tearing apart the earth and reshaping it into something entirely new.This is the world Diego Ribera wa… — The world did not end. At least not permanently. The Time Collision came from beyond the stars, a cosmic event that fractured time and space, tearing apart the earth and reshaping it into something entirely new.

This is the world Diego Ribera was born into. The past, present, and future coexisting together.

In New Chicago, Diego’s middle school hallways buzz with kids from all eras of history and from cultures all over the world. The pieces do not always fit together neatly, but this is the world he loves. There are those, however, who do not share his affection.

When his father, New Chicago’s top engineer, is taken by the Aeternum, Diego must rescue him and prevent this evil group from disrupting the fragile peace humanity has forged.

Divided Kansas, 2065. Adri has secured a slot as a Colonist—one of the lucky few handpicked to live on Mars. But weeks before launch, she discovers the journal of a girl who lived in her house over a hundred years ago, and is immediately drawn … — *Divided Kansas, 2065.* Adri has secured a slot as a *Colonist*—one of the lucky few handpicked to live on Mars. But weeks before launch, she discovers the journal of a girl who lived in her house over a hundred years ago, and is immediately drawn into the mystery surrounding her fate.

*Oklahoma, 1934.* Amidst the fear and uncertainty of the Dust Bowl, Catherine longs for the immortality promised by a professor at a traveling show called the Electric.

*England, 1919.* In the recovery following the First World War, Lenore struggles with her grief for her brother, a fallen British soldier.

While their stories spans thousands of miles and multiple generations, Lenore, Catherine, and Adri’s fates are entwined.

A young adult novella in three partsHer name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her … — A young adult novella in three parts
Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself - but first she has to make it there, alive.

If You Liked This Book

A young adult novelIn the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this wor… — A young adult novel
In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

Then You'll Like These Titles

A classic early young adult novelSet in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled mankind after two conflicts with an insectoid alien species. In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, children, including the novel's protagonist, Ender… — A classic early young adult novel
Set in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled mankind after two conflicts with an insectoid alien species. In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, children, including the novel's protagonist, Ender Wiggin, are trained from a very young age through increasingly difficult games including some in zero gravity, where Ender's tactical genius is revealed.

A young adult novelFor the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started 10 years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. S… — A young adult novel
For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started 10 years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job.

Alana Dorrell

February 19, 2018 The Story Shop

Meet Featured Indie Author Alana Dorrell!

Join us for a Meet the Author Story Time on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00pm.

The author asks to bring a grandparent to this special story time!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew up in Florida with my two sisters, Amy and Allison. We lived with our mom and grandparents on their farm in the Redlands, FL while our mom went to school and worked after she and our father were divorced. I was a tomboy growing up on the farm riding horses and playing outside most of the time with the neighborhood kids and my sisters. I went to the University of Florida and earned my degree in Education. In college I was chosen, along with nine other students, to teach at Benjamin Franklin International School in Barcelona, Spain. I taught Kindergarten for a summer to children who were from all over the world. After college I had the travel bug and decided to become a flight attendant, as my two aunts and mother had been when they were in their twenties. I still work as a flight attendant today for the same great company that my grandfather and uncle worked for.

2. What do you do when you are not writing?

I fly during the week and I’ve recently been working on a goal setting curriculum for women entrepreneurs. I travel for fun a few times a year with my love, John and our families. We enjoy being at home cooking and entertaining with friends and family. We have a ten-year-old rescue lab named Jackson who is the love of our lives.

3. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In college. The idea for my book was part of a class project and I remember working on it and wanting it to be perfect. I felt so strongly about how I wanted people to feel after they read it, and I knew when I was finished that the message was great and the subtle humor was exactly what I wanted to come through. It was a pretty basic story and I have always wanted to turn it into what it finally is today. I still have the original book that I wrote, illustrated badly, and bound myself when I was twenty-one.

4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

When I write, I try to write for both adults and children. In Grandpa? I Wanted to Ask... I want children to laugh, and show them another way to “see” Grandpa. For adults, I hope that I can spark some of their own innocent, warm memories of being a child and inspire them to share their stories with their children.

5. Do you have an upcoming book? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes, I hope to write several books in the series titled “Wondrous Days of the 3A’s”. I’m currently working on the second book about Grandma. Readers will get to know her and start to see more of Alana’s two sisters, Amy and Allie, and their friends. The message of the series is paying attention to the people in our lives and the importance of investing time in relationships.

6. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

The main characters in my book are real and the scenes are based on my childhood experiences and how I felt about my grandfather. We were lucky enough to grow up on a farm playing outside all of the time with our friends making up games, building forts, or just going for a long rides on our horses.

7. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I love the ending of my book when little Alana comes to a sweet realization about her Grandpa. I wanted to tie everything together and stay true to the message of the story, which is paying attention.

8. Who is an author that you look up to today?

Harper Lee. I think her style of writing is so heartfelt and honest from the perspective of Scout. She brings in the truth of love and innocence with her details in descriptions.

9. What is your favorite genre of book to read?

Historic Fiction. I love being pulled into characters’ lives while they navigate through the times they live in. I like to know how they felt and how they were affected by the events that surrounded them.

10. What is your favorite book?

Right now, it’s To Kill a Mockingbird. I’m currently reading Go Set a Watchman to find out what happens to Scout!

11. Is there any particular authors or books that influenced you growing up?

I read a lot of Marguerite Henry’s books about horses which was my entire life when I was a little girl. Anything that was about them made me happy. I used to go out with a book and just lie on my pony’s back and read for hours.

12. Who is an author that has inspired you?

Dr. Seuss. I love the messages in his books that are both smart and humorous.

13. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Write about you. What you know, who you love, and what fills you with happiness. When I sit down to write and I create an atmosphere that is conducive to putting my mind in a calm and happy place. I’ve finally learned to just write and not edit until I’m done. If I can’t figure out how to get my message across I just stop. I don’t force it and typically a day or two later it comes to me. Sometimes I’ll be at work and the idea hits me out of the blue. I write it down immediately so I can work on it later.

14. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers?

There are many types of families. Ours is ours. And when we take the time to pay attention, interact, and invest our time with them we learn, as we get older, that nothing that happens in the world will make us feel better than them.

The Joys of Rereading

January 11, 2018 The Story Shop

There are all sorts of readers in the world. Escapists, discoverers, arm-chair travelers, and so on. Readers may find themselves in one, or several, of these groups.

There is one small subgroup of readers, however, that you either belong to or you don't: rereaders.

Those who are not rereaders may be baffled that some spend precious minutes that could be used to read something new perusing a book for a second, or even fifteenth, time. Rereaders may feel just as baffled that others wouldn't want to immerse themselves in a beloved or remarkable story multiple times.

But with all of the books out there, who has the time to reread?!?

Rereading usually happens around the holidays (oh, the nostalgia of the holidays) or when a reader is in a certain mood. Rereading also helps readers out of reading slumps.

But still, why reread? There are other ways to cure reading slumps, other ways for a new book to satisfy a mood.

There is nothing like the joy of reading a book for the first time; however, first-read thrills can't always compete with the joys found in a well-loved story. There is joy in the comfort of revisiting a story, joy in better understanding a book, and joy in deep familiarity with a world found between the pages.

Those who reread for comfort simply feel at home in a certain book's world. These are the books we return to when we're stressed out, overwhelmed (or underwhelmed), or just need a lift. They help us grapple with disappointed hopes or difficult times. They remind us that the world contains both sorrow and beauty, pain and joy.

Those who reread for understanding reread in order to grasp the nuance or details of a book. These books usually hold a significant place in the life of the reader. They've caused paradigm shifts or made the reader look at the world in a wholly new way. These kinds of revelations, of course, require deeper thought and a careful understanding of the journey on which these books take the reader.

Those who reread for familiarity can quote from these beloved books, they know them so well. People who are fans of a book can recite the most famous parts, but those with true familiarity can call up lines or whole passages for fitting situations or as a way to connect with others who share the same love for that text.

What do you reread and why?

Books that Feel Like Winter

December 20, 2017 The Story Shop

Whether unconsciously or intentionally, we often gravitate toward books that evoke the season that surrounds us. Winter reads are the coziest of all seasonal reads. They are often deeper and more meaningful than those which echo other seasons, speaking to themes that we may not feel drawn toward during the brighter months, but which seem to invite us as we hunker down out of the wind and cold.

Picture Books

An ode to serendipity & belief that is destined to be a new Christmas classic. Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree. It shades them in the hot months and keeps them cozy in the cold months, and once a year the people who live nearby string lights on their tree and sing a special song. But one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each another again. Luckily, it's just the season for miracles.

From Matt Tavares comes a heart-tugging story combining the cheer of Christmas, the magic of New York City, and the real meaning of the holiday season: how important it is to be surrounded by love.

Far to the north by the great Arctic Sea, where the winter sun barely rises above the horizon, live the People Who Fear the Winter Night. On the long winter nights the People huddle around their hearths, fearing visits from terrible Blizzard, who can destroy anything with its icy winds and snow.

Among the People lives a young girl named Teune -- the finest robemaker they have ever known. One night while Blizzard rages outside, the sparks from Teune's fire accidentally set fire to Blizzard's magnificent robe and consume it. But while the People Who Fear the Winter Night rejoice that Blizzard is no longer a threat, Teune sorrows that Blizzard's mighty robe is destroyed and sets out to make amends.

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues, and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.

But there is no answer.

Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is.

A beautiful story that puts you in the winter mindset, snow or no snow.

MIDDLE GRADES BOOKS

Our story begins on a frosty night…
Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It’s become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair. But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee’s world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship.

A darker tale for the upper middle grade readers, this companion to Mafi's Furthermore is perfect for winter.

Lily refuses to believe what everyone else accepts to be true: that her father has died while climbing Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Lily has grown up hiking in the Alaskan wilderness with her dad. He's an expert climber. There's no way he would let something like this happen. So instead of grieving, Lily decides to rescue him. Her plan takes her to Denali and on a journey that tests her physically and emotionally.

In this powerful debut, Hannah Moderow has written an authentic Alaskan adventure that crosses terrain both beautiful and haunting—and ultimately shows the bond of family and the wonder of wild places. (And what could be more wintery than the frozen Alaskan wilderness?)

Harry Potter lives with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But a mysterious visitor tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. Harry is taken to his new school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry finally feels like a normal kid, but even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the Boy Who Lived.

Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it

from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces darker than he could have imagined.

Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come. It may just be me, but Harry Potter always feels like Christmas.

Welcome back to the irresistible world of Greenglass House where thirteen-year-old Milo is, once again, spending the winter holidays stuck in a house full of strange guests who are not what they seem. There are fresh clues to uncover as friends old and new join in his search for a mysterious map and a famous smuggler’s lost haul.

We're back to the mysteries of the Greenglass House and it's unusual guests in the second installment in this series. It's perfect for an intriguing read during the holiday break.

EARLY YOUNG ADULT & CLASSICS

A charming and suspenseful tale based on "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." Just when Azalea should feel that everything is before her—beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing—it's taken away. All of it. And Azalea is trapped. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. So he extends an invitation:

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest, but there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Christmas is a key element in this retelling, and much revolves around the snow and the cold, making it a perfect winter read.

In a house haunted by memories, the past is everywhere … As darkness falls, a man caught in a snowstorm is forced to shelter at the strange, grim house Wuthering Heights. It is a place he will never forget. There he will come to learn the story of Cathy: how she was forced to choose between her well-meaning husband and the dangerous man she had loved since she was young. How her choice led to betrayal and terrible revenge – and continues to torment those in the present. How love can transgress authority, convention, and even death.

The bleakness of this classic is perfect for the coming icy winter months. The wild dark of the moors (and a few of the characters) mirrors the dark and cold outside our windows.