Plymouth Librarians' Choice

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Youth Fiction Shelves – Lower Level - Sorensen

Ten year old Marly is very aware of her family’s troubles. Her father is depressed and seems angry much of the time ever since he got back from the war. Set in the era after World War II, Miracles on Maple Hill is a touching and sweet story of a family who begins to heal in a magical place called Maple Hill. Maple Hill is in the countryside of Pennsylvania and is surrounded by many hills, trees, and wildlife. After living in Pittsburgh for many years, the family moves to Maple Hill. Slowly they begin to enjoy many “miracles” in their new home. They learn to enjoy the sweet and simple pleasures of gardening, farming, and sugaring for maple syrup. Watching animals come close to their surroundings and spending more time together begins to heal this family as they make amazingly loyal friends such as the Chris family and Harry the hermit. Marly and her older brother Joe learn how to live off of the land and spend some hilarious adventures together. Their parents grow closer as they realize how healing nature can be to the spirit, mind, and soul. Speckled with lovely illustrations by Beth and Joe Krush, this novel is so wonderfully captivating for young readers interested in chapter books set in a past era. However, this novel transcends age and will appeal to many adults as well because its messages of hope, healing, and goodness are universal to all human beings. The winner of the 1957 Newbery Medal, Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen is a can’t miss read that will warm your heart!

Kira-kira by Cynthia Kadohata. Youth Cd Books - Lower Level - KADOHATA

This is the story of two incredibly close sisters, Katie and Lynn Takeshima. They are Japanese-American sisters growing up together in Iowa and Georgia during the 1950s. Katie adores Lynn and feels she can do anything. Sometimes the girls are shunned by their white classmates, but these occurrences only bond the sisters together more tightly. The two girls love to stare at the stars in the night sky and chant “Kira-kira Kira-kira” which is the Japanese word for glittering. In fact, Katie starts using the word to describe anything she finds beautiful even colored Kleenex! Their parents are so busy with work that often the children, which includes a younger brother named Sammy, are left alone or in others care. Still the children know that their parents are working hard to make the family’s life better, and the children admire and love them deeply.

The girls’ idyllic life starts to change when Lynn is 14 and Katie is 10 and a half. Lynn gets more and more fatigued during her 14th year. She also starts to hang out with a popular girl named Amber. Suddenly, Lynn is interested in boys and making her posture straight, while Katie still wants to play games with the neighborhood children. Thus, they experience a slight drift in their closeness. As Lynn grows more ill, the family struggles to cope with her suffering and her mood swings. Through it all though, Lynn and Katie remain extremely close.

Elaina Erika Davis acts out all of the character parts in this audio version of Kira-kira. She does a very good job at portraying their different emotions. Listening to the unfolding of the sister’s close bond should draw many listeners into this touching story—which is essentially a love story between two sisters. The book won the 2005 Newbery Medal Award and while this is a youth fiction selection, it could and should be enjoyed by people of all ages!

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden.
Youth Fiction– Lower Level - Selden
What will Chester Cricket do? He is from the country in Connecticut, but accidentally finds himself in bustling New York City after jumping into a picnic basket! While there he is taken in by a young boy named Mario Bellini whose family owns a non-profitable newsstand above the subway station. Mario is a kind and caring young man, but his mother doesn’t like having a pet cricket live in her newsstand. Luckily, Chester is kept company by Tucker the Mouse and Harry the Cat, and the three spend many nights talking, laughing, and eating together.

One night there is a terrible fire in the newsstand, and Mama Bellini is fed up with Chester whom she blames for the fire. However, something magical occurs that not only softens Mama Bellini’s heart, but the hearts of all those in New York—Chester’s singing.

Will Mama ever grow to accept Chester? Will Chester be able to help the Bellini’s out of their financial despair? Most importantly, will Chester stay in New York City with his new friends or return to his country home? If you want to find out the answer to these questions and read a funny and touching children’s classic, you should pick up a copy of The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden!