Staff picks in a pear tree

What with the contest entries read, votes tallied, artwork hung up and admired, we have some time for blogging again! Here are our latest staff picks...we hope your book-light is fully charged!

The Beastly Bride: Tales of the Animal People edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, illustrated by Charles Vess
Bookseller: Katie
Genre: short stories, fantasy, folklore-inspired
Suggested reading level: ages 12 up

This anthology of human-to-animal shape-shifters includes original stories, reimagined fairy tales, and retold myths by the likes of Jane Yolen, Peter S. Beagle, and Tanith Lee. "Map of Seventeen" (featuring a cute merman!) is my personal favorite.



Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
Bookseller: Michelle
Genre: realistic fiction: humor and heartbreak
Suggested reading level: ages 15 up

If you love either John Green (Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns), David Levithan (Boys Meets Boy, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) or simply great books, what more could you want than these two extraordinary writers together? When one Will Grayson meets another Will Grayson, worlds collide and realign, and you will not be the same afterward.


Copper by Kazu Kibuishi
Bookseller: Natasha
Genre: graphic novel, adventure
Suggested reading level: ages 9 up

Great illustrations and characters that are both funny and a little deep make this a graphic novel not to be missed. Copper is a happy-go-lucky boy, and Fred is his mopey, existential dog. Together they get into all kinds of fantastical adventure. Reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes, with more fantasy.



What's Your Sound, Hound the Hound? by Mo Willems
Bookseller: Teresa
Genre: early reader
Suggested reading level: ages 4 to 6

Poor Bunny the Bunny feels sad because he doesn't know what sound he makes. Luckily, he has friends like Cat the Cat and Hound the Hound to cheer him up. This is a good book about friendship for beginning readers.



Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson
Bookseller: Anne
Genre: fiction
Suggested reading level: ages 10 up

The American Revolution through the eyes of a British officer's horse who's been co-opted for Paul Revere. Of COURSE, the new owner is nicer. There's a dry sense of humor going on here that I appreciated and it's funny. Would probably make an entertaining read-aloud.


Med Head by James Patterson
Bookseller: Hannah
Genre: non-fiction
Suggested reading level: ages 14 up

Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and OCD at age 5, this is Corey Friedman's story about the many obstacles he faced and ultimately overcame. This book will open your eyes to the struggle that affects as many as 10 per 1,000 people.