Archive for the ‘books’ Category

The Puppeteer’s Apprentice (Simon and Schuster/McElderry)

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

puppet.jpgNow in its seventh hardcover printing

Mouse works in the scullery at Dunston Manor, peeling onions, stirring the pots, sweeping the floors, and doing her best not to get into trouble with the fractious cook. Alone at night in the dark corner she calls home, she wishes for something wondrous to happen and dreams of a better life. But what chance does she have, a girl born with nothing, not even a proper name?

Then Mouse sees a puppet play and knows at once what she must do. Somehow she must learn to make the puppets dance. Somehow she must become the puppeteer’s apprentice. But the puppeteer is harboring some uncomfortable secrets, and Mouse doesn’t know whether she has the courage it takes to fulfill her dreams.

“A must read in the grand storytelling tradition of Lloyd Alexander and Karen Cushman.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This wonderfully written tale holds mystery, suspense, and the realism that cones with a battle fought and won.” School Library Journal (starred review)

  • An ALA Amelia Bloomer List Book
  • An Ira Notable Book in Language Arts
  • A Book of the Month Club Book
  • Winner of the 2003 Teddy Children’s Book Award
  • William Allen White Award Nominee
  • South Carolina Book Award Nominee
  • Keystone (Pennsylvania) Young Adult Book Award Nominee
  • Sasquatch (Washington State) Award Nominee

Simon & Schuster Links:

Hardcover: http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?sid=183&pid=413888
Paperback: http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?sid=183&pid=500482

Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia (Holiday House)

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

hypatia book coverThis is an illustrated biography of the first woman mathematician, mostly for teachers and younger readers but if you’ve always wondered what life was like for a female scholar and teacher in ancient Egypt almost 2,000 years ago, check out this book. Pictures by Pam Paparone.

“An attractive and engaging biographical sketch of a significant woman…a worthy contribution to women’s history.” Kirkus Reviews

“This attractive picture book offers a rare glimpse of an educated, celebrated woman in a time and place rarely presented in books for young children.” Booklist

Semiprecious (Simon and Schuster/McElderry)

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

Available now in paperback

Available now in paperback

Teen sisters Garnet and Opal are enjoying summer vacation and looking forward to the start of a new school year in their hometown of Mirabeau, Texas. But then Mama packs the girls off to Oklahoma to stay with their Aunt Julia and hightails it to Nashville to pursue her life-long dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry, leaving the girls to make a whole new life in a strange place.

“Tugging at the heart with painful truths and a girl who finds both sorrow and wonderment in them, this is Love’s best yet.” Kirkus Reviews

“As in her other novels, D. Anne Love’s target audience is adolescents, but plenty of mothers will be staying up past bedtime to enjoy this timeless and beautifully told story.” BookPage

“Love’s descriptions are nicely evocative of a different time and place but it is the intriguing questions she poses that make her an author to watch.” School Library Journal

“Garnet proves a keen observer and reporter of her own mixed emotions as well as the actions and attitudes of others. An involving novel of hurt, healing, and adjustment.” Booklist

“This touching story, set in 1960, is all about family and how sometimes what you’re left with is exactly what you need.” Sweet 16 Magazine

“This poignant novel explores realistic issues. The 1960’s setting hints at the political and social upheavals of the day but the novel is more concerned with universal personal themes such as loss, healing, and adjustment….Under great pressure two teenage girls are transformed; they become stronger and find love.” The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch

“Five stars!” Teensreadtoo.com

Picture Perfect (Simon and Schuster/McElderry )

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

Paperback Available Fall 2010

Paperback Available Fall 2010

So far, life for 14 year old Phoebe Trask has been picture perfect. Her parents are successful, her sister Shyla is in law school, and her brother Zane, the all-American best brother ever is a star on the high school swim team. But everything changes for Phoebe when Beth, her mother, takes a new job that keeps her away from home indefinitely and her father, a small-town Texas judge becomes embroiled in a controversial court case that has the whole town choosing sides. What’s more, the new next-door neighbor is a beautiful widow who seems to want to take Beth’s place in the family. Add to the mix Phoebe’s budding romance with Nick Harper, her gorgeous but troubled science lab partner, and Phoebe’s once-perfect life is on very shaky ground. As Phoebe struggles to cope with the changes that just keep coming, ready or not, she learns what it means to love, and to forgive. Now available.

“Love, who has proven she has a knack for capturing the essence of what it’s like to be young and burdened by life once again focuses on a teenage heroine with a self-absorbed mother. Love’s rendition of family trauma is ultimately both uplifting and realistic, making its impact all the more powerful.” Publishers Weekly

Defying the Diva (Simon and Schuster/McElderry)

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

Haley Patterson is having a great year hanging out with her friends and making a name for herself as the only freshman reporter for her high school newspaper, The Raider Review. But when she reveals one too many details in a gossip column, superdiva Camilla Quinn turns Haley’s life upside down. Completely ostracized and abandoned by even her closest friends, Haley finds herself alone and miserable. A summer job at a mountain resort brings Haley a new set of friends, romance with two cute guys, and an unexpected confrontation with Camilla that forces her to choose whether to back down, or find the courage to stand her ground.

“ Skillfully captures the painful reality of teen bullying while also telling Haley’s humorous and sincere story of growing up.” Kirkus Reviews

“The love story is sweet, and readers will root for Haley to admit what’s been going on and finally give herself a chance to be happy.” Booklist