Staff Pick Bento Box

Hungry for more tasty reads? This rain is perfect weather for read-a-thons with hot chocolate and candy corn. This round has a heavier focus on middle grade than usual - so read on for our latest additions to our staff favorites.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Bookseller: Miruna
Genre: historical fiction
Suggested reading level: ages 9 up

Christopher Paul Curtis does a wonderful job presenting heart-breaking subjects and making you laugh at the same time. You will absolutely love Elijah and you'll find him very smart and a great improviser.

Prince of Fenway Park by Julianna Baggott
Bookseller: Anne
Genre: fiction
Suggested reading level: ages 9 up


Not for Red Sox fans only...but it's even better if you are! You will find yourself rooting for Oscar against school bullies and bullies of a completely different sort as he sets out to break the legendary "curse." A lovely story about the growing pains of not just a young man, but the Red Sox and baseball as a sport.


Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan
Bookseller: Natasha
Genre: mystery, fantasy
Suggested reading level: ages 8 up

Reads like realistic fiction, but is a modern-day "Hansel and Gretel." Sol is a 10-year-old "bad" scientist and Connie is his mischievous 8-year-old sister. When they move to a new town they start to suspect their new neighbor prefers children to cheeseburgers for dinner! Wonderful illustrations!


A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Bookseller: Katie
Genre: historical fiction, murder mystery
Suggested reading level: ages 12 up



Mattie dreams of being a writer, but it seems impossible for a farmer's daughter in 1906. Then Grace Brown, a guest at the hotel where Mattie works, mysteriously drowns, immediately after sharing a secret with her. Mattie must choose whether to keep silent or find her voice.



Shelf Discovery: The Teen Classics We Never Stopped Reading by Lizzie Skurnick
Bookseller: Michelle
Genre: literary criticism
Suggested reading level: teen, adult

Collected here are the incisive reviews, reading memories, and funny anecdotes of blogger lit critic Skurnick, with guest appearances from Cecil Von Ziegesar ad Meg Cabot. Covers favorites from Blume's Forever to Andrews' Flowers in the Attic.


The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
Bookseller: Rachel
Genre: funny mystery adventure
Suggested reading level: ages 8 up


When Cass and Max-Ernest, two fearless young detectives, stumble upon a dangerous mystery involving a box of smelly vials, anything could happen - some things that are event too secret for the narrator to reveal. Be sure to check out the sequels - If You're Reading This, It's Too Late, and This Book Is Not Good For You.


We're toiling away behind the scenes here on a truly massive round up of all things fantasy - thanks for bearing with us! It's been a lot of fun reading for it, and we hope you'll think so too!