Blood and Smoke : a True Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and the Birth of the Indy 500
Library Journal The earliest auto races were more about endurance than speed, writes Leerhsen (Crazy Good: The True Story of Dan Patch, the Most Famous Horse in America). Cars were more likely to break down, burst into flames, or fall apart than complete the race, and drivers weren't sure they'd be alive at the finish […]
The Crack In the Lens
The New York Times – Marilyn Stasio: Two late-19th-century cowboy brothers who become so caught up in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes that they turn themselves into Wild West "deducifiers" in the manner of Holmes and Watson—how cute is that? Not only cute but clever, as Steve Hockensmith demonstrates in The Crack in the Lens […]
The Brothers' Lot : a Novel
Library Journal What is the lot of the Brothers of Godly Coercion for Young Boys of Meager Means, fraught as they are by celibacy, repression, and guilt? Sadism, masochism, child abuse, more guilt, self-flagellation, alcoholism, paranoia, chain smoking, hypocrisy, and skullduggery. The benighted brothers and a variety of generally less sadistic lay teachers operate a […]
Spilling Ink : a Young Writer's Handbook
Kirkus Reviews Two prolific writers for children offer advice on the writing process for young writers. In an engaging, informal style, Mazer and Potter cover the range of writing concerns, from getting started, creating characters, writing dialogue, finding a narrative voice and revising. Clearly the authors had fun compiling their tips, and original metaphors and […]
American Terroir : Savoring the Flavors of Our Woods, Waters, and Fields
Publishers Weekly Terroir, a French term usually associated with wine, is what James Beard Award-winning author Jacobsen (Fruitless Fall) defines as "foods that are what they are because of where they come from." In a dozen informative and often funny essays spanning breakfast to dinner, Jacobsen deploys an open mind as he travels across North […]
Chasing Fire
Library Journal: Rowan Tripp, like her legendary firefighter father, is a veteran Missoula, MT, smoke jumper, and she knows nothing can match the thrill of leaping into the heart of a forest blaze and beating it into submission. Even the lingering grief over the death of her jump partner can't keep her from feeling the […]
Save Me
Library Journal What begins as an ordinary day for lunch mom volunteer Rose McKenna quickly morphs into a harrowing event that will spiral her life out of control. When a tragedy occurs at her daughter's elementary school, Rose transforms from heroine to villain in a matter of hours after she is forced to make a […]
Meadowlands : a Wetlands Survival Story
The New York Times – Pamela Paul: Just as some books that children find appealing make librarians want to yank their hair out, so other books guaranteed to please school librarians turn children's gazes toward the recess yard. Then there are the books that satisfy both, like Meadowlands…[which] is tremendously (but not intimidatingly) informative, fun […]
Hiss of Death : a Mrs. Murphy Mystery
Publishers Weekly Readers concerned about breast cancer will welcome Brown's 19th Mrs. Murphy mystery (after 2010's Cat of the Century). While Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen copes bravely with a diagnosis of stage one breast cancer, a sad discovery distracts her from her illness. Shortly before the 5K Run for Breast Cancer Awareness, Harry and her […]
Crunch Time
Library Journal Davidson's 16th episode (after Fatally Flaky) with Goldy Schulz, caterer extraordinaire, seems longer and more contrived than usual. Some of the old favorites are back; husband Tom, best friend Marla, and Arch, Goldie's son, show up. However, there are almost too many other characters involved in what can be a confusing plot line. […]