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If you are a parent, you must read this book
A review of The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley

 The title of this review might be overstating the power of Amanda Ripley’s The World’s Smartest Kids… but not by much. The question of how to raise educational standards is likely on the minds of every parent, but it has only been since the inception of the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) in 2000 has international comparison been truly possible. Ripley’s study of the results of this test in three high performing nations and ...read more

Reviewed by Katie H. on December 11, 2013 | 0 comments

Tweet faves, redux
My List of Ten (or so) I mentioned last week that starting on December 1st, librarians around the country began tweeting their top ten books for the year under the#libfaves13 hashtag (one book each day). Today, December 10th, is the last day for tweeting our faves. So I thought I'd give you my list of 2013.  #10 - Close is Fine by ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on December 10, 2013 | 0 comments

Love and misconceptions
A review of The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

 Julia Quinn is continuing her Smythe-Smith historical romance series with the new novel, The Sum of All Kisses. It is the love story of Sarah Pleinsworth and Lord Hugh Prentice. Initially Sarah and Hugh cannot stand each other. Sarah thinks Hugh is despicable because he shot her cousin in a duel. Her cousin Daniel fled because Hugh's father wanted his head. This scandal meant that Sarah & Daniel's ...read more

Reviewed by Kathy K. - Central on December 9, 2013 | 0 comments

A guide for girls
A review of The Feelings Book by Lynda Madison

 Whoa! A book to help better understand the emotional rollercoaster of tween-and-teen-hood! The Feelings Book: The Care & Keeping of Your Emotions by Dr. Lynda Madison is written for girls working their way through the many emotions and feelings of adolescence. The book incorporates real questions and letters written by girls. The colorfully illustrated pages are engaging and have a cozy, comfortable feel. Some of the topics covered in the book include identifying emotions and ...read more

Reviewed by Tracy on December 6, 2013 | 0 comments

Tweet faves
A review of North of Boston by Elisabeth Elo

 Starting on December 1st, librarians around the country began tweeting their top ten books for the year under the #libfaves13 hashtag (one book each day). One of the titles mentioned was Elisabeth Elo's mystery, North of Boston. Though it technically doesn't qualify (it's due out in early 2014), I immediately favorited and re-tweeted the post because of how much I loved the book when I'd read a galley ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on December 5, 2013 | 1 comment

I've been waiting for 14 years!!!!!
A review of Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy by Helen Fielding

 I cannot believe that it's been 14 years since the second Bridget Jones book was published. I didn't realize how much I missed Bridget until I started reading her new escapades. It was like meeting up with an old friend after many years and jumping right back into the familiar, uproarious repartee.  To recap:  Bridget Jones's Diary, published in 1996, introduces Bridget, a 30-something British singleton trying ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on December 3, 2013 | 0 comments

Life on uneasy street
A review of The Grifters by Jim Thompson

 Roy Dillon knows he can get out of the grift whenever he wants. He’s conned his way to a cool $50,000; nothing to raise too much interest from the bigger players or the cops, but certainly enough for a comfortable existence, should he ever want to settle down. But the world that Jim Thompson reveals in his masterful 1963 noir The Grifters rarely promises happy endings. When a con gone wrong puts Roy in the hospital, the prospect of getting out of the game seems more appealing. But then ...read more

Reviewed by Katie H. on December 2, 2013 | 0 comments

The importance of friends
A review of Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon

 Penguin finds a new friend, Pinecone, far from home and lovingly cares for him. They become great friends but Pinecone must go back home to the forest. As time passes, Penguin wonders if his dear friend has grown as big and strong as he has. He returns to the forest and finds that Pinecone is no longer a pinecone, but they pick up right where they left off. The illustrations and details depict the fun and warmth of being with a friend. This story is a great reminder for young kids and adults ...read more

Reviewed by Jody on November 29, 2013 | 0 comments

Publishers Weekly's Top 10 Best Books

Best Books of 2013 The year is coming to a close and the best of lists are starting to appear. Publishers Weekly has compiled a Top 10 list of the Best Books of 2013. Have you ready any? Are there any that they missed? Sea of Hooks: A Novel by Lindsay Hill ...read more

Reviewed by Kathy K. - Central on November 26, 2013 | 0 comments

The underdog takes it
National Book Award winners Announced Winners of the 2013 National Book Awards were announced recently, with some familiar names and new faces joining the ranks of those honored by the National Book Foundation. In the fiction category, James McBride’s novel The Good Lord Bird took top honors.  Considered something of an underdog, McBride’s previous works include The Miracle at St. Anna’s and ...read more

Reviewed by Katie H. on November 25, 2013 | 0 comments
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Recent Comments

Tina on The Dark is light
This was such a great review,
Molly - Central on Tweet faves
Oh, I'm glad you mentioned
Laura S on Is football ethical?
Sounds like a great read,
Molly on Best so far?
There's more than a month and
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