A Few Great Books I've Read Recently

Now I'm always reading a nice handful or 2 of books simultaneously.  And a few of them are always children's/teen titles.  I've read a few really amazing ones recently and here they are (we own all of these, but they're most likely checked out of our particular library because they're THAT good, but we can always order you a copy from another Allegheny County Library!):

The War That Saved my Life

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley was just....lovely.  It was moving and informative and enlightening and charming.  While it didn't win the Newbery, it was a Newbery Honor Book.  And deservedly so.  To be honest, I listened to this book on CD and I looked forward every morning and every evening to my commute to and from work to find out what was happening with Ada and Jamie.  Two sort-of orphans in the midst of WWII who are shipped out of London and into the country as the city was under threat of bombs.  It's a discovering-the-self kind of book that I loved when I was young and still love!

The Story of Diva and Flea

The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems and Tony Diterlizzi (is there a better duo out there?)  I was VERY excited to read this little book because of its powerhouse authors.  And it did not disappoint.  It's reminiscent of The Lady and the Tramp.  Two unlikely friends who set upon a number of adventures together.  It's a great easy reader if you're little one is just setting out to read on his/her own.

Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth

HiLo: The Boy Who Crashed To Earth by Judd Winick.  Let me first say that while I'm a huge HUGE fan of Judd Winick (do any of you remember him from The Real World: San Francisco?  The one with Puck?  And he's still married to Pam!  Swoon!) but I hadn't realized this was his book until I was nearly 1/2 way through (way to pay attention!)  I love comic books for the younger set and this book, they say and rightfully so, is Calvin and Hobbes meets Big Nate!  It's great fun!

The Wolf Wilder

The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell was a very unexpected book.  It came highly recommended to me by a book-loving friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's 1917, and Feo and the wolves who love her embark on a rescue mission in the Russian wilderness.  It's a strange little plot but a gripping adventure that had me turning the pages and finishing the book in one night!