Review: "Jumbies" by Tracey Baptiste

In "Jumbies" by Tracey Baptiste, children on Corinne's island know never to go into the forest, for fear of the jumbies: mythical, magical creatures who mean to do harm to humans. But when some rowdy orphaned boys steal her dead mother's necklace on All Hallow's Eve, Corinne doesn't think twice about going into the woods after it. Though she safely retrieves the necklace, a pair of yellow eyes follow here as she leaves the forest. Not long after, a mysterious stranger, Severine, appears in the village. This beautiful woman has a strange power over her father, who suddenly doesn't seem like himself. It's up to Corinne and her new friends to stop the evil enchantress who seems to have stolen her father. But Severine doesn't just have her sights on Corinne and her father. She wants the whole island. Where will they find the power to stop her? 

This beautiful, magical, and very creepy story was inspired by the jumbie stories that the author heard during her childhood in Trinidad. Older elementary students who like fairy tales and a good scare will love this Caribbean fantasy novel, but middle school students who don't mind a younger protagonist will still get a thrill, too. Click on the link above to reserve  a copy today.

--Kelly B., Prairie Commons

Review: "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin

September 11, 2001 was a perfect, beautiful day--until two planes hit the twin towers. In "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin you live through the two days leading up to September 11 from the perspectives of four sixth graders all over the United States. You feel the experience of living through one of the most trying times in our country's recent history, and see the hope and unity that washed out everything else. This book is about our tragedy, but more than that it will help you understand how we took that tragedy and made it into a way to find ourselves in other people, even if they are not exactly like ourselves. Appropriate for readers in grades four to six. Click on the link above to reserve a copy.

--Jessalyn L., Headquarters

Review: "More Than Enough: A Passover Story" by April Halprin Wayland

Happy Passover! This year there's a fun new book to help you celebrate with your family. "More Than Enough" by April Halprin Wayland follows two young children and their parents as they select food at the market, prepare traditional foods, and travel to Nana's house for Passover. A sweet story of family and faith, "More Than Enough" will be a lovely addition to your family's traditions.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Icefall" by Matthew J. Kirby

“I know that evil hides here, but I cannot be the one to uncover it. Neither can any of you. Time will do that for us.

And how I fear that day, for I know that when I look into my betrayer’s face, I will see someone I thought I knew. And I will still love them.” (from "Icefall" by Matthew J. Kirby)

Thoughtful, suspenseful, and heart-breaking, “Icefall” by Matthew Kirby is a warm and wonderful read.

Exiled to a frozen fjord through the winter, Solveig, together with her beautiful and betrothed older sister Asa, heir to the throne younger brother Harald, and a crew of servants and soldiers hand-picked by their Viking king father, have nothing to do but survive. But Solveig feels trapped and invisible with nothing to offer to her growing brother and despondent sister. Until one day Alric, the court skald, or storyteller, sails into their secluded enclave with a company of berserkers, or fierce animal-like warriors to further protect the royal children. Alric decides that Solveig has the necessary skills to become a skald herself and begins training her. It turns into a dangerous winter as their lives are threatened by lack of food, the possibility of invaders, and the evidence of a traitor in their midst. Solveig seeks to find the truth and help her family and loved ones survive in the midst of uncertainty through her gift of storytelling.

In “Icefall”, Matthew Kirby carefully and poignantly navigates through the heart and mind of a girl as she grows from an insecure shadow into a masterful storyteller with the power to change lives. This is a great read for anyone who believes in the power of words and story, anyone who enjoys Norse mythology, or anyone who loves a well-spun tale of suspense. It is appropriate for students in upper grade school and beyond.

--Andrea W., Headquarters