‘Wondrous Strange’
By Lesley Livingston
Harpercollins
Pub Date: 10/1/09
$ 8.99
352 p
Craving another book like “Twilight?” “Wondrous Strange” is a teen novel about the faerie world that will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Kelley Winslow wanders into Central Park to practice her lines as Titania (the Faerie Queen in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) when she finds herself inside the continuation of this true Shakespearian story.
During her magical night in Central Park, Kelley saves a horse from drowning and meets a handsome stranger who sweeps her off her feet. She returns home only to find that the horse has followed her and taken up residence in her bathtub. In addition to this inconvenience, her romantic hero is now exhibiting stalker behavior.
Just as Kelley comes to terms with the reality of the faerie world, she is presented with evidence of her own secret faerie lineage. Does she possess magical powers? What’s up with the clover necklace her aunt gave her? Kelley must soon battle the forces that threaten her birthright, her crush and the mortal world.
— Laura Flaugher
’Little Klein’
By Anne Ylvisaker
Candlewick Press
Pub Date: 2/10/09
$ 6.99
186 pp
This book is for anyone who has ever felt small, quiet, weak or overlooked. It is an adventurous, wholesome story, perfect for a pre-teen who needs some encouragement and fun.
Harold, or as everyone calls him, “Little Klein” leads a frustrating life, constantly ignored, until the day he stumbles upon a stray dog. This dog LeRoy pays attention to Little Klein when no one else will. He becomes his best friend and even starts to sleep in his bed in order to ward off nightmares.
Living in the late 1940s in a tiny rural town, Little Klein, his three rowdy brothers and LeRoy seek out adventure by building things, fishing and swimming in the river. A catastrophic event takes place, leaving Little Klein the opportunity to finally convince everyone to see past his smallness and recognize him as the hero he truly is. Recommended for Grades 4-6. — Laura Flaugher
