Plymouth Librarians' Choice

The Linden Tree by Ellie Mathews.
Youth New Book Shelves – Lower Level - Mathews

Ten year old Katy Sue Hanson draws pictures. These pictures remind her of the life she once had and the life she has now. In March of 1948, Katy Sue and her family lose their beloved Mama to meningitis. The family tries to make sense of this tragedy while turning to each other for support. Along the way they learn to understand that life has its ups and downs, but that a new day is always around the corner. A few months after Mama’s death, their Aunt Katherine comes to live with them. At first Katy Sue struggles with accepting her aunt while still grieving for her mother, but she soon learns to appreciate Aunt Katherine for who she is as does the rest of the Hanson family.

Told in lyrical and lush language, this book is truly heart-warming. There are a few books out there that leave a lasting impression, and I believe The Linden Tree by Ellie Mathews is one of those novels. It’s a timeless piece of art with deep symbolism, meaning, and hope. This book is the winner of the Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature 2007. Milkweed Editions present works that will touch the human spirit. To find out more about them please visit Milkweed Editions.

The Heroines by Eileen Favorite
Adult New Book Display - Main Level - FAVORITE

It’s the early 1970s. Thirteen-year-old Penny Entwhistle lives with her mother in a little B&B on the Illinois prairie. Along with some regular customers, this B&B is visited by the heroines of literature, who come at the most stressful points of their stories. Penny has clear memories of Blanche DuBois and Scarlett O’Hara (who tried to steal their silver). Now, though, Penny is really sick of all the attention her mother gives them – particularly the weepy Deirdre, who’s currently taken over Penny’s own room. Penny snaps. She meets the mysterious Conor in the woods, a Celtic king who claims that Deirdre is his runaway wife and wants her back. When the police get involved, Penny tells them the truth, with predictable results. She meant to hurt her mother – but suddenly, Penny is the heroine in her own story, and things are not going well. This is light and amusing fiction for fans of the classic heroines.

Blame it on Fidel Directed by Julie Garvas
Foriegn Film DVDs-Main Level

Anna de la Mesa is a nine year old girl living a wonderful bourgeois life in France in 1970. However this idyllic life changes when her parents take in her Spanish refugee aunt and become left wing activists dedicated to helping the disenfranchised. Soon after this, Anna is forced to move out of her spacious estate into a cramped apartment where her parents hold late night meetings. Resenting these changes to her lifestyle, Anna struggles to make sense of the new philosophies and politics of her parents.

What makes Blame it on Fidel such a great film isn’t so much the politics involved, but how director Julie Garvas captures Anna’s perspective. A great deal of the film is shot from Anna’s eye-level, and small things like getting her height measured in the door frame remind the viewer of all the forgotten pieces that make up childhood. This childlike perspective also serves as a filter for some of the heavier material. Blame it on Fidel is also peppered with a good amount of understated humor. One such moment where this comes into play is when Anna is being lectured about the importance of group solidarity. After trying out the concept in class by raising her hand with her classmates who have responded incorrectly to a question, Anna innocently asks how it is different than sheep behavior. It's this childlike simplicity in the face of adult hypocrisy that makes Blame it on Fidel shine.

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level FLE

A winner of numerous awards including the New York Public Library’s 100 best Children’s books of the year, A “School Library Journal” best book of the year, and a “Child” best books award, Weslandia deserves the praise. Weslandia tells the story of a unique boy named Wesley who loves reading, hates pizza, and is tormented by his classmates. However instead of changing himself to meet the needs of his family and classmates, he creates a civilization of his own.

The thing that stands out the most with Weslandia is the art work. Kevin Hawkes illustrations are lush, vibrant, and full of color. Spreading each illustration across two full pages really helps capture Wesleys world. One particular piece, that of Wesley lying in a hammock under the stars playing his flute could stand on it’s own in any art gallery. Of course the artwork isn’t the only thing that’s great about Weslandia.

Fleischman paints a picture with his words that serves as hope to any child who feels like they might not belong. Instead of caving to peer pressure and following someone elses path, Wesley follows his own. In fact most of the events that occur within Weslandia follow the theme of self preservation. This can be seen when Wesley is building furniture, clothes, and even farming his own crops. The fact that learning how to do all these things can not only be fun, but can also serve as confidence building makes Weslandia a great picture book.

Bananaphone by Raffi
Lower Level - Youth CD bins – Music, Preschool

When I’m listening to children’s music, there is a style that will instantly turn me off. I usually describe it as solo voice with guitar. After listening to this album, I realized that I’m trying to avoid bad Raffi knock-offs. Raffi is basically the king of children’s music. In another artist’s voice, the silliness and seriousness would be insincere and make you gag. From Raffi, you find yourself singing along before you quite realize what’s happened. The title song, Bananaphone, is the song my son wants every time we’re in the car. It includes all the banana puns you can think of, plus the groaner “It’s a Grandpa phone and a gramophone too.” There is a nice song about the First Peoples, listing names of numerous Native American Tribes, and songs about gardening, silly rhymes and more. I would be the last person on earth to say that children need to listen only to children’s music, but if you want the Platonic ideal of kiddie songs, do put Raffi on your list.

The Secrets of Droon: The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet by Tony Abbott.
Youth Early Chapter Books – Lower Level - SECRETS

Who wouldn’t want to find a magical world in their basement? That is just what three best friends Eric, Neal, and Julie discover one day. When a soccer ball goes missing, they enter the magical world of Droon and nothing is ever the same! In Droon, the three kids encounter the evil Lord Sparr, his servants who are called Ninns, sweet and beautiful Princess Keeah, wise wizard Galen Longbeard, and a friendly spider named Max. In a soaring fantasy, Eric, Neal, and Julie join forces with Princess Keeah and her friends to try and stop the mean Lord Sparr from spreading evil.

Written with intensity and great description, The Secrets of Droon series is a wonderful choice for those just starting to find interest in chapter books. There are detailed illustrations throughout the text, and the storyline is sure to entice the younger set to keep reading all 31 titles plus the 5 special editions!

Miki Falls- Spring
Teen Graphic Novels- Main Level- M

Miki starts her senior year of high school determined to be better, kinder, smarter, more herself. So when the cute new boy, Hiro, puts up a standoffish front, Miki vows to make friends anyway. Eventually her cheeriness wears him down, and he confesses to her that he is no ordinary high school boy, but one with a super-special magical secret job!

The tricky bit is, Hiro wasn’t supposed to tell anyone. Not only is his status a secret, but the rules of his trade prevent his falling in love with an ordinary person like Miki. But gosh, she sure is cute. And the whole star-crossed lover thing is pretty appealing. Thus, Hiro and Miki find themselves in a mess of trouble.

Spring is the first in a four volume series of comics by Mark Crilley, an artist who splits his time between Southeast Michigan and Japan. Although his characters are drawn in a Japanese manga style, the books do read front to back and left to right. Stay tuned- Mark will be coming to the library in April!