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Staff Picks
We love to read, and we've got some interesting recommendations. Check Staff Picks weekly for new titles!
2007 January–June
21 Proms edited by David Levithan
and Daniel Ehrenhaft-
Short stories about the biggest dance in high school.
The Girl in Blue by P. G. Wodehouse-
Join the characters in a hysterical, tangled, farcical plot that takes place in New York and Mellingham Hall.
With by Donald Harington-
The bizarre and disturbing story of a young girl who is kidnapped and hidden away in the wilds of the Ozarks. When her kidnapper dies, she has to learn to fend for herself, getting help from animals and ghosts.
Lady Friday by Garth Nix-
Book 5 in the Keys to the Kingdom series.
Fifth business by Robertson Davies-
Preeminent Canadian writer Davies describes the charismatic life of Ramsay, a man who returns from the hell of WWI to recreate the story of his life.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick-
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station.
The Greening of Ben Brown: A Novel by Michael Strelow-
Ben Brown unearths a chemical spill cover–up forcing the town of East Leven, Oregon to confront its demons and its citizens to choose sides. Meet the author.
Wag a Tail by Lois Ehlert-
Dogs bring their owners to the Farmer's Market.
American Methods: Torture and the Logic of Domination by Kristian Williams-
A timely examination of the racial and gender politics of torture. Meet the author.
King Dork by Frank Portman-
Tom Henderson is a typical American high school loser until he discovers the book that changes his life.
The Citizen–Powered Energy Handbook : Community Solutions to a Global Crisis by Greg Pahl-
A look at available renewable energy technologies strategies that can be adopted by individuals and communities. Meet the author.
Diary of Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney-
Boys don't keep diaries — or do they?
Ready, Steady, Go! by Shawn Levy-
Oregonian columnist Levy chronicles the rise and fall of swinging London. Meet the author.
Cupcake by Rachel Cohn-
A former "bad girl" moves to New York City after graduation to start her life over.
El Corrido de Dante/Dante's Run by Eduardo González Viaña-
A magically real and timely epic of Hispanic immigrant life in the United States. Meet the author.
Pirates Don't Change Diapers by Melinda Long-
First rule of pirate school — don't wake up the baby!
Fat Bald Jeff: A Novel by Leslie Stella-
Two co–workers conspire to seek revenge on a lazy boss in this novel about "office politics" and all of its nightmarish qualities.
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz-
How many kisses does it take to say goodnight?
Please Don't Feed the Bears : A Vegan Cookzine by Brad Misanthropic-
Truly great (and easy to make) vegan recipes for desserts, main dishes, cough syrup and more. Scattered throughout are Brad's ironic illustrations and thoughtful social commentary — and each recipe comes with ideas for a hardcore cooking soundtrack!
Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre-
When friends and family gather from all around Latin America for a celebration, Carmen Teresa has them record their memories and favorite recipes in her new notebook.
Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos-
The creator of the Joey Pigza books shares the true story of how he became a writer the hard way by learning a valuable lesson while he was in college.
The Borrowers by Mary Norton-
The Clocks, a happy family of miniature people, furnish their home with things borrowed from the "human beans" until a human boy spots them.
The Italian Secretary: A Further Adventure of Sherlock Holmes by Caleb Carr-
Join Dr. Watson, Sherlock, and Mycroft as they investigate a murderous crime during Queen Victoria's reign. This eerie and suspenseful adventure is set in a dark and sinister Edinburgh, Scotland.
The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton-
When a family of five moves into an enormous house once used as a hiding place for runaway slaves, mysterious events and discoveries convince the family that they are in grave danger.
Being Dead by Jim Crace-
On Baritone Bay, mid–afternoon, Joseph and Celice, married for almost 30 years, lie murdered in the dunes. The shocking particulars of their passing make up the arc of this courageous and haunting novel of mortality and love.
Crispin: At the Edge of the World by Avi-
In fourteenth–century England, Crispin and his friend Bear face danger as they flee from their enemies to the coast in order to find freedom and safety.
Quarantine by Jim Crace-
A gripping, poetic account of some pilgrims seeking help and wisdom by isolating themselves in the caves outside Jerusalem. One of them is Jesus.
Hugging the Rock by Susan Taylor Brown-
When her mother leaves home, Rachel learns to communicate with and to love her father, while adjusting to disturbing truths about her mother's past. A free–verse novel about loss and reconciliation.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon-
A young man discovers a poodle with a pitchfork through its middle. Who killed the dog and why? Christopher sets off to find out using the techniques of his favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes. But Holmes wasn't autistic, and Christopher is. How can someone who can't fathom human emotion determine who is lying?
The Mayor of Central Park by Avi-
Oscar Westerwit is a squirrel and the mayor of Central Park in this charming tale set in 1900. Meet the author.
The Demon Under the Microscope by Thomas Hager-
The discovery of sulfa drugs is set against the backdrop of World War I trench warfare and political intrigue leading up to World War II. Meet the author.
My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World by Gilles Bachelet-
This silly cat doesn't always act like other cats. Could that possibly mean it's not really a cat? This silly picture book will have readers giggling.
The Ice Queen : A Novel by Alice Hoffman-
There is a mystical, fairytale element to this novel as the main character heals from being struck by lightening. Hoffman uses amazing, colorful imagery as the narrator makes her painful journey to healing.
The End of the Beginning : Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant) by Avi-
Avon the snail thinks that adventure is the key to a happy life so he and Edward the ant set off on a journey to find the excitement his life has been missing.
Lamb in Love by Carrie Brown-
A lyrical and luminous novel of true love found later in life. Eccentric characters and transcendent possibilities co-exist in a small English village. Warmhearted and moving — this is a "cup of tea in front of a cozy fire" kind of book.
Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos-
In the wake of 9/11, with their father detained at the Canadian border, Nadira and her sister navigate tense circumstances as they seek their father's release.
China Dog and Other Tales from a Chinese Laundry by Judy Fong Bates-
Bates' first book is a poignant collection of short stories filled with a chorus of immigrant voices united in their desire to assimilate, fit in and belong. Meet the author.
Toys Go Out: Being the Adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and Someone Called Plastic by Emily Jenkins-
Three friends have wonderful adventures, explore their world, and learn more about themselves in this tale. Illustrations by Caldecott winner Paul O. Zelinsky are found throughout and add to the story's charm.
Midnight at the Dragon Café by Judy Fong Bates-
Su–Jen Chou and her family leave China to seek a better life only to encounter new challenges as they try to fit into their adopted homeland while preserving their heritage. The Everybody Reads 2007 selection. Meet the author.
Families by Susan Kuklin-
American families from many different cultures and backgrounds share their love, laughter, and challenges.
The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show by Ariel Gore-
Frankka performs the stigmata as part of a Catholic–themed traveling freak show and adopts a cast of misfits as her new family. Meet the author.
Once Upon a Banana by Jennifer Armstrong-
A runaway monkey discards a banana peel, setting in motion a hilarious sequence of events in this nearly wordless picture book, punctuated by a series of rhyming street signs.
Sweet Cakes, Long Journey: The Chinatowns of Portland Oregon by Marie Rose Wong-
The history of Portland's Chinatowns, once the largest (geographically) in all of North America. Meet the author.
Rodzina by Karen Cushman-
A twelve–year–old Polish American girl is boarded onto an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the West and a life of unpaid slavery.
At America's Gates: Chinese Immigration During the Exclusion Era, 1882–1943 by Judy Erika Lee-
Explores how Chinese exclusion laws transformed Chinese American lives, immigration patterns, identities and families. Meet the author.
The Dvorak Zine: Changing the World One Keyboard at a Time by Alec Longstreth, Michael Cardiff and Gabe Carleton–Barnes-
Have you ever wondered why the letters on a typewriter or computer keyboard are in the order they're in? Dvorak Zine provides a brief history of typewriter keyboards, and of Dr. Antonin Dvorak's invention of a super–efficient keyboard layout, all in comic form. The zine also provides tips for using the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard Layout on your computer. This title is part of the new zine collection.
- Midnight at the Dragon Café by Judy Fong Bates
-
Su–Jen Chou and her family leave China to seek a better life only to encounter new challenges as they try to fit into their adopted homeland while preserving their heritage. The Everybody Reads 2007 selection.
Down the Rat Hole: Adventures Underground on Burma's Frontier by Edith Mirante-
Mirante's new memoir of her journeys among the brave indigenous peoples of some of Asia's most remote and violent regions. Meet the author.
Lost in translation: a life in a new language by Eva Hoffman-
In this intimate memoir, Polish immigrant Hoffman recalls her struggle to belong in an alien world, and the later challenges to her identity as a student in Texas and a writer in New York. Part of Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature.
Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes-
When her teacher announces that he is getting married, Lilly the mouse sets her heart on being the flower girl at his wedding.
See the Child: a Novel by David Bergen-
Haunting novel of sorrow and healing in Manitoba and Montana.
SuperHero ABC by Bob McLeod-
Humorous SuperHeroes such as Goo Girl and the Volcano represent the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.