Doll Bones

Title:  Doll Bones

Author:  Holly Black

Published:  2013

Pages:  244

As a parent of little ones I was a little unsettled when reading about kids sneaking out at night, but this book turned out to be so delightful.

When Poppy, Zach, and Alice attempt to bring justice to one of their dolls they refer to as the Queen, things start getting a little creepy.  A journey to another city will test their loyalty and each others friendship. 

My favorite line from the book...

"Everyone has a story," Alice murmured.  "Everyone's the hero of their story.  That's what Ms. Evans said in English."

Games, pretending, creativity, sneaking out, boats, bikes, libraries, and deception....if these are on your list for a good weekend read then make sure you check out Doll Bones by Holly Black. 

The Cricket in Times Square

Title:  The Cricket in Times Square

Author:  George Selden, Drawings by Garth Williams

Published:  1960

Pages:  134

Description
There are many interesting things in the Times Square Subway Station, not the least of which are a mouse named Tucker, a cat named Harry, and now a cricket named Chester.  While the young boy Mario Bellini runs the family news stand, he doesn't even know he is being watched. 

A mouse was looking at Mario.

The mouse's name was Tucker, and he was sitting in the opening of an abandoned drain pipe in the subway station at Times Square.

Mario soon finds out about Chester Cricket though, and he goes to Chinatown to buy him a new little cricket home that even has a bell.  That night while Tucker, Harry, and Chester are playing around they soon get themselves into a bit of trouble.  Will they be clever enough to get out of this one?  

My thoughts 
When I was growing up, I don't think I read this one but I certainly heard of it.  I even remember eating chocolate and mint grasshopper cookies around that time too.  Maybe one of my teachers read this book to us.  It is hard to remember that far back.  I certainly enjoyed it now though.  Getting to know Harry Cat, Tucker Mouse, and Chester Cricket was such a delight.  I enjoyed the author's occasional stab of humor too.

Harry had been down to Washington Square to hear an open-air concert of chamber music.  How you could play chamber music outdoors Chester didn't understand-but it was New York and anything could happen.

I didn't want this book to end.  The characters were so endearing, they will live on in my memory for a long time.






  

The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden

Title:  The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden

Author:  Karina Yan Glaser

Published:  2018

Pages:  323

The delightful Vanderbeekers from 141st Street are at it agian...this time they want to save a plot of land next to the church and turn it into a garden.  This will surely cheer up their beloved upstairs neighbor who is in the hospital, right?

When Hyacinth, Laney, Oliver, and Jessie (Isa is out of town at camp) put their heads down and make a plan, there is no stopping them.  How will they transform the run-down, litter filled lot into a place of beauty?

It was amazing how generous people could be without wanting or expecting something in return.

Maybe, Oliver thought, maybe the world worked only if people gave all they could without measuring the worth of what they gave.

I laughed and cried and fell in love with the Vanderbeekers even more with this book.  Be sure to check it out!





 

The Vanishing Season

Title:  The Vanishing Season

Author:  Jodi Lynn Anderson

Published:  2014

Pages:  258

It appears that after reading Little Monsters, Paper Valentine, and now The Vanishing Season that I have become enamored with Teen Murder Mystery books.  They are just so much better than adult murder mysteries!

My library website had a list of "Other Suggestions" when I was looking up info on Paper Valentine, and that is how I stumbled upon The Vanishing Season. 

When high school senior Maggie Larsen has to move from Chicago to Gill Creek on Lake Michigan she tries not to complain.  Becoming friends with her beautiful neighbor Pauline eases the blow.  She is also soon introduced to Pauline's good friend Liam.  Pauline says he's not her boyfriend, but it is hard to miss the way he looks at Pauline.

The local newspaper reports of a girl found dead near the shoreline a few towns over.  Soon another girl goes missing.  A local curfew is initiated, and as fall gives way to winter the small town of Gill Creek will never be the same. 

Anderson sprinkles details throughout the story only to circle back to them in unique ways later in the story which will  make for a great re-read.  I can't wait!


    

The Ambrose Deception

Title:  The Ambrose Deception

Author:  Emily Ecton

Published:  2018

Pages:  359

The Ambrose Deception is one of the books I read on a recent weekend read-a-thon.  I think I was initially drawn to the name Ambrose because I was thinking about Ambrose Bierce who wrote The Devil's Dictionary.  (this book doesn't have anything to do with that one though)


Emily Ecton, who once wrote for the hilarious show Wait, Wait...Don't tell me!, really put together a fun cast of characters and a twisty plot with this one.  The Ambrose Deception brings together three high school students who aren't exactly at the top of their class, but are willing to try to solve some clues in order to win a $10,000 scholarship.  Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi attempt to solve things on their own but later end up joining forces to find out if they are playing a game or if they are being played.  

If you have ever visited Chicago or dreamed of going, be sure to check this book out first.  You'll be amazed at all the fun places and mysteries of history that the old city can boast of. 




 

Warren the 13th

Title:  Warren the 13th

Author:  Tania Del Rio, Illustrated by Will Staehle

Published:  2015

Pages:  217

The Warren hotel has been in the family for thirteen generations.  Portraits of them hang proudly on the walls in the main hall.  Warren the 13th is a busy young boy who basically runs the place while his lazy Uncle Rupert takes naps all day and his mean, new Aunt Annaconda dispels long lists of chores.  

Although the hotel had not housed a customer in five long years, alas! an automobile crested the hill!  The new visitor was shrouded in mystery.

"We're delighted to have you.  My name is Warren.  What's yours?"

The guest did not reply.

"Where are you visiting from?"

Still more silence.

"Have you come far?"

Somewhere in the distance, a cricket chirped.

Cozy up to this delightful chaper book/picture book (it has a lot of illustrations).  Make sure you have a mirror handy too...one of the pages is written backwards!

 

Paper Valentine

Title:  Paper Valentine

Author:  Brenna Yovanoff

Published:  2013

Pages:  304

There are two things I need to really get into a book, 1. a straight story line I can follow, and 2. a limited cast of characters.  This book had both.  Even though the library listed Paper Valentine as Fantasy, I would have categorized it as Mystery.  

Paper Valentine, set in the town of Ludlow, is having a major summer heat wave.  If the heat isn't making people crack up already, things get worse when local girls turn up murdered.  A teen named Hannah, who lost her own best friend six month ago, feels drawn to the investigation.  

This is the sort of book where you can be just fifty pages in and you re-read the author description  to see if they have other books too.  Brenna Yovanoff did a great job with this endearing story from beginning to end.  I'll be looking forward to reading more of her work.