This Full House!!!!!

I'm at ALA Midwinter right now - its a lot like fighting a terrible addiction for book lovers to peruse the lengthy displays of galley copies at publisher's booths. I promised myself I would behave, but when the very nice people at Harper heard Valerie (SCASL travel buddy) and I exclaim over the poster about Virginia Euwer Wolff's long awaited finale to the Make Lemonade series,they pulled out galley copies and asked if we wanted one... silly question... but many exclamations later I walked away clutching my prize to me for dear life. I know... I only got it a few days before publication... but I'm so happy!!! I am only a few pages in and I have promised to put it to the side while I get some work done... but be prepared... the review cometh!!

Holidays, wishing for cold, and dreaming of peace on Earth

First some Christmas picture books:

Santa's Little Helper by Angela McAllister, Illustrations by Daniel Howarth

This was a sweet little story about a rabbit who is carried along on Santa's sleigh after falling asleep during a game of hide and seek. When he is discovered Santa has the little rabbit help with his Christmas deliveries. Its average fare - but a good addition to the group of Christmas stories the little ones like to hear around the holidays.

Ten Little Christmas Presents by Jean Marzollo

This cute counting rhyme with a Christmas theme features Santa bear giving each of the forest animals something warm for winter to celebrate Christmas. The illustrations feel like classic Marzollo with the last page featuring a matching game to remember which animal got which gift.

OK... I am needing some cold... it feels like spring outside and its the first week of January!! Please, my plants need their rest! It looks like I'm not the only one who wants a "little" cold - the polar bears are in a cold quandary as well. (stress on little - no ice storms please) This was a neat non-fiction/fiction bridge in the spirit of titles like Magic School Bus. I haven't read any of the other Riley adventures, but I'll have to pick them up.

Polar Bear Puzzle by Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz

Riley is on his way to Churchill, Canada with his uncle Max to explore why the polar bears are losing weight and decreasing in population. Along with the story of his trip and adventures, there are call out facts and information on polar bears and the Arctic tundra. The mix of photos and illustrations is fun and the presentation makes the topics of the bear and its environment as well as the ecological impact we are having on the bear's environment accessible for young readers.

Some of the proceeds of this title benefit the Smithsonian Institute, the World Wildlife Federation and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Off subject somewhat, but one of my favorite Christmas carols (that is hardly ever played) is I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. A few years ago I learned that the song was written during the Civil War and the version we usually sing now has two of the stanzas omitted that speak directly of the war. The last two stanzas of the more common version always got to me:

And in despair, I bow'd my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song,

Of Peace on earth, good will to men.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With Peace on earth, good will to men."

I often find myself thinking of these lines around the holidays, there always seems to be those that forget the spirit of the holidays - and I am just enough of a Pollyanna to wonder why we can't be in the mind of love and sharing the rest of the year. This was the mood that I brought to the table when reading March On: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Dr. Christine King Farris, illustrated by London Ladd. The remembrance of this powerful speech and the events of the day brought the carol to mind - there is nothing we can do to stand up to the hate in the world if we can't hold on to the hope that there is an end to it and a way to combat it. Powerful reminders buoy our faith and hopefully our hearts against what feels like the monotonous wearing of both the major atrocities and the petty problems. Thank you for your powerful memory Dr. Farris, and for your rendering of the faces of the "quilt" Mr. Ladd.

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Airhead by Meg Cabot

This book is a little hard to talk about as there has been a wide spread plea for no spoilers to the plot lines. I will say that this book followed my Meg Cabot trend - the last few have been solid with enough Meg Cabot "grrrl" book mixed with fresh plot to keep it exciting. This can join Avalon High and Jinx on the shelf.

We start with Emerson, "Em," an entirely likable video game playing tomboy with a natural scorn of the unholy beautiful but mindless girls and guys at her New York school that she and her best friend Chris have named, The Undead.

Her sister is showing signs of being assimilated with her fascination for pop music and fashion, and Em is very unhappy when she's forced to accompany her to the opening of Stark Megastore to see her sister's favorite new heartthrob singer. Em has no idea that this annoying errand will change her life and views forever.

There's a stretch in plot plausibility tied lightly with scientific string that could open some interesting conversations - but I can't give more away without spoiling the major plot lines. I'll leave my judgement it at this... the receptionist at the dentist office asked if she could read it while I was being seen because she'd been staring at the cover and had read the end flap while I was checking in. You don't want to be sucked in... but few girls can resist the mighty power. Put it out there, your teens will thank you.