This January I decided to set a goal to
read 50 books this year, and have since been reading away. While not all the
books have been children’s books, these past few months I’ve been picking them
up more. Around this time of year, as the season changes, I find myself drawn
to stories that lean towards being a bit darker. I want some mystery. Maybe a
creepy house, a twisted fairytale, or something just weird. I found what I
was looking for in Anya’s Ghost by Vera
Brosgol, The Scandalous Sisterhood of
Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry, and Nooks
& Crannies by Jessica Lawson.
Anya’s Ghost is better suited for older
readers. We consider it a YA novel, because of the cigarette smoking, and some
other mature content. However, it’s a great story of Anya, a first generation
Russian immigrant, as she deals with her cultural identity, being a teenager,
and the creepy events that happen after she falls down a well, and finds a
human skeleton.
The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place is a super fun murder mystery. The students of St. Etheldreda’s School for Girls face a harrowing situation, as their headmistress and her brother drop dead during dinner. Do they tell someone what’s happened and face being separated from each other, or conceal the murder, and pretend all is well? Set in Victorian England, it’s a fun read full of great characters.
Nooks & Crannies is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets
the board game Clue. Tabitha Crum a smart, mystery-loving girl is unloved by
her parents. With no friends besides her pet mouse, Pemberley, she sets out on
an adventure after receiving a mysterious invitation to the country estate of
the wealthy, and reclusive Countess of Windermere, whose mansion is rumored to
be haunted. She finds herself among five other children, unsure of why they’ve
been invited. Soon, a large secret, one that could change their lives forever
will be revealed, but not before Tabitha’s investigative skills are put to the
test.
As a Librarian and lover of books, I
often get swept up in the newest book that we’ve got in, and completely ignore
my own bookshelf at home, which is full of books I’ve meant to read, but haven’t
got to. While trying to get back to the I’ve-been-meaning-to-read-this-for-5-years-or-longer
book, I picked up the classic, Heidi. The copy I have was once my grandmother’s,
which she has since gifted to me. Published in the 1945, the book has beautiful
illustrations, and makes reading a classic even more enjoyable. I found Heidi’s
innocence, and positivity to be very inspiring, and found great joy in reading
a story that’s 134 years old. Having not given travelling to Switzerland much
thought previously, I now think travelling through the Swiss Alps would be an
incredible, and restorative experience, just as it was for Heidi.
In keeping with reading classic Children’s literature, I also recently picked up The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. I found the friendships between Mole, Ratty, Badge, and Toad to be most amusing, and somewhat inspirational. I found a certain honesty, and introspection to the characters and the writing that I haven’t read for a while, and very much enjoyed.
In keeping with reading classic Children’s literature, I also recently picked up The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. I found the friendships between Mole, Ratty, Badge, and Toad to be most amusing, and somewhat inspirational. I found a certain honesty, and introspection to the characters and the writing that I haven’t read for a while, and very much enjoyed.
Here are some other books I’ve read,
and really enjoyed:
Beyond the Laughing Sky by Michelle
Cuevas
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali
Benjamin