Vampires, werewolves, and zombies, oh my!

Here at Curious George, we're getting Harry Potter deja-vu. The question we've been asked since the release of Deathly Hallows last summer -- "What do I read now?" is starting to come up again. This time it's being asked by Twilight fans desperate for post-Breaking Dawn reading. (You've already read The Host, right?) To tide you over until Midnight Sun gets published, try one of these supernaturally good novels:

- A Great and Terrible Beauty; sequels Rebel Angels and A Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Raised in India and plagued by violent premonitions, Gemma feels isolated in her new London boarding school -- until she finds herself surrounded by a clique of girls obsessed with the supernatural.

- City of Bones and sequel City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Clary is astonished to discover an entire world of fallen angels, demons, and demon-hunters. When this world intrudes upon her own, she is forced to join Shadowhunters Isabelle, Alex, and handsome Jace to protect those she loves.

- Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
For Jonathan Strange, the practice of magic is both an academic discipline and his patriotic duty as an Englishman. After fighting in the Napoleonic wars, Jonathan just wants to enjoy his new marriage, but magic and the realm of Faerie intrude upon his peace.

- Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Teenaged Tristran Thorn vows to bring his love a fallen star from beyond the Wall separating his village from the realm of Faerie. He quickly realizes Faerie is full of surprises -- not the least of which is the star herself!

- Dreamrider by Barry Jonsberg
High school outcast Michael is a lucid dreamer; he can consciously control what happens in his dreams. Michael discovers that the line between reality and imagination is fluid when his dreams begin to influence his real life.

- Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Vivian, a werewolf, falls for a human named Aiden. Can she keep her true identity from Aiden and her relationship with a "meat boy" from her pack?

- Savvy by Ingrid Law
In the Beaumont family, everyone discovers a special talent at the age of thirteen. Mibs is impatiently awaiting the onset of her "savvy," but when a family emergency strikes she becomes desperate to discover her power.

- Sabriel; sequels Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr and Abhorsen by Garth Nix
Sabriel is next in a long line of Abhorsens, a family of necromancers dedicated to binding the dead. When her father, the current Abhorsen, disappears on a mission in the magical Old Kingdom, Sabriel sets out to save him.

- Eragon; sequels Eldest and Brisingr (out next month) by Christopher Paolini
Eragon discovers a strange blue stone, which forever alters the course of his life when it hatches a baby dragon. As Eragon and Saphira become inseparable, forces both good and evil seek to dominate this new dragon and Dragonrider.

- Mason by Thomas Pendleton
Other kids call Mason "slow," but he has an amazing extrasensory ability. His sadistic older brother Gene uses his own talent to harm others. Can Mason summon the power and courage to stop Gene?

- The Darkangel; sequels A Gathering of Gargoyles and The Pearl of the Soul of the World by Meredith Ann Pierce
Angel Aeriel must decide whether to destroy the vampire Irrylath or attempt to save him by restoring him to his human form.

- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Know your roots, horror fans!)
Victor Frankenstein uses grave-robbed body parts to create an undead man, but can't control him.

- Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
A vampire is stalking through Quincie's Texas hometown. Quincie and her half-wolf friend Kieren must track down the vampire before the killings shut down her family's vampire-themed restaurant.

- Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
Hundreds of dead teens are coming back to life, and must be reintegrated into society -- starting with high school.

-Peeps and sequel The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld
Vampirism is less mystical than biological in a parallel NYC; Cal contracts the "vampire" parasite after an encounter with a mysterious woman on his first night in the city. He joins an underground organization working to contain the spread of the disease.

For some more analytical reading, check out author Gail Gauthier's response to Breaking Dawn (which has elicited conflicting, but equally strong, reaction from fans) and NY Times contributor Regina Marler's review of two new zombie novels. And if you're still thirsty for post-Twilight reading, come into the George for personalized recommendations from our staff!

For you internet-savvy types...

The fabulous folks over at The Horn Book directed us toward two great Little Brother-related links: the personal Instructables website and MySpace of protagonist W1n5t0n. Based around the hacker-approved web safety techniques used by W1n5t0n in the novel, his Instructables teaches readers how to encrypt their email, find hidden cameras, or cover their online tracks. His MySpace offers content less likely to get you investigated by Homeland Security (i.e., no instructions on "creating a cacophonous event"), including interviews with author Cory Doctorow and Little Brother banners for your blog or website.

If you still haven't read this CG staff pick, check it out in our chapter book room! If you've read it and love it, definitely try some other high-tech YA novels that blew our minds:
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Interworld by Neil Gaiman
Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
Evil Genius and Genius Squad by Catherine Jenks
Maximum Ride by James Patterson
Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras by Scott Westerfeld

AUTHOR VISIT FRIDAY

Don't forget to come to Curious George tomorrow, Friday August 8th, at 4pm to meet Susan Lendroth. Lendroth will be signing copies of her beautiful new picture book of 19th century Cape Cod, Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep. Hope to see you there!

Mischief managed (and JKR as fairy godmother)!

Harry Potter readers in Slidell, Louisiana, were the victims of an elaborate, Marauder-worthy prank earlier this week. Hundreds of fans stood in line at independent bookstore Book Sack to meet J.K. Rowling after rumors of a signing began circulating among the store's patrons. Unfortunately, JKR never showed -- understandably enough, since she was in fact not in Louisiana (or even the U.S.) at the time. After about an hour of waiting, disappointed fans began to drift away from the store.

The latest official J.K. Rowling news should perk them up! The original copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which played a crucial role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, raised more than £1.9 million (about $3.75 million) in a charity auction. Those of us without £1.9 million will be able to get our hands on this book of five Wizarding World fairy tales when it's published in December. The mass-market edition will feature "the Tales themselves, translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger," illustrations by J.K. Rowling, and "notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore." Currently preorders of The Tales are outselling both Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn and Christopher Paolini's Brisingr. The high sales of the HP companion book will make a fairy-tale ending for the charity Children's High Level Group, who will receive all proceeds.

They like us! They really, really like us!

Curious George was named 2008's Best of Boston kids' bookstore by Boston Magazine! Hip, hip, hooray!

Here's why, according to their annual Best of Boston issue:

Founded with help from Curious George coauthor Margret Rey, this Harvard Square mainstay doesn't rest on pedigree. It livens up the calendar with frequent author signings, stays timely with additions like an "environmental awareness" section, and balances its bountiful classics with acclaimed new releases. And since sifting through thousands of titles for all reading levels can be daunting, the seasoned staffers are ready to help you locate, say, the perfect horse-themed series for your nine-year-old niece. Though here's betting no assistance will be required to spot books and toys featuring a certain mischievous monkey.

We think we're the best around thanks to all of you. We know you rely on us to find the perfect horse-themed series for your nine-year-old niece. Or the best truck book for your auto-voracious three-year-old son, the best funny/scary chapter book for your first time camper, the best girly book that's not too, well, "girly." Our customers keep us on our toes and we owe this Best of Boston award to you. Keep those challenges and questions coming. We're here for you.

Waiting and wishing and hoping.

Our ever-growing list of must-see movie adaptations has a new addition! The coming months promise The Tale of Despereaux, Twilight, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (psst! leaked trailer!), and -- drum roll please! -- Coraline. The film looks to be as fabulously disturbing as the novel and the graphic novel, with Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher lending their voices to the 3D stop-motion animation. February can't come soon enough!

Speaking of Twilight (not to mention impatience), the release of Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn is now a mere four days away. Over 6000 rabid Twilight fans mobbed the panel at Comic Con San Diego on Thursday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the author and cast members Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Luckily, now you can watch Stephenie's interview and peruse pictures on the Twilight Lexicon from the safety of your own computer, without fear of being stampeded by "Twihards." Oh, who are we kidding? We'd probably stampede, too.

Author Event at George

Join us on Friday, August 8th at 4pm for a signing by author Susan Lendroth. Ms. Lendroth's new picture book Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep, sumptuously illustrated by Raul Allen, tells the story of a young girl on Cape Cod in the 19th century who spends a year pining for her father gone to China for trading. The lyrical rhyme of this quiet, haunting picture book evokes the lapping of the sea and the loneliness that comes of dreaming of a loved one far away. Ultimately, the girl and her father are reunited, showing that love between a parent and child is deep as the ocean. Copies are available for purchase now.

Food (and food in books) for thought

At this time last year, several CG staff members were attending Simmons College's month-long symposium on food in children's literature. The subject is still very much on our plates -- consider the deep and abiding love of a bear for his marmalade in the recent Paddington Here and Now, or Bella's precarious balance between potential mate and potential meal for vampiric beau Edward in the Twilight series.

Jane Brocket is chewing on similar themes at the Guardian. Her menu of the "Top 10 Food Scenes in Children's Literature" definitely highlights some of our favorite evocative food moments, like Jo March eating apple after apple while sobbing over her gothic romances. But why stop at ten? Children's literature is chock-full of descriptions to delight foodies of any age. Here are a few of our most memorable literary meals:
- Edmund's magical Turkish delight in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- the Baudelaire orphans' pasta puttanesca catastrophe in The Bad Beginning
- Brian's desperate meal of leathery turtle eggs in Hatchet
- end-of-year feasts in the Harry Potter series
- Charlie's Wonka's Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
What are your favorite food scenes in kids' books?

And really, isn't it about time for a little smackerel of something? All this blogging is making us hungry.

Fun times in Harvard Square

Enjoy the Kids Summer Music Series at Regattabar this summer. With four shows featuring funky kids musical acts coming up in the next two months, the second annual series promises fun pastimes for families visiting Cambridge or just looking for something to do around the hometown. Concerts are followed by family lunch at Henrietta's Table at the Charles Hotel where all kids get a free dessert. Yes! Visit RegattabarJazz.com for details.

A new and notable chapter book.

Alvin Ho by Lenore Look is itching to be read. With a bold cover and illustrations by LeUyen Pham (Grace for President, Freckleface Strawberry) and the relatable subtitle "Allergic to girls, school, and other scary things" it practically jumps off our new titles display. It jumped for us, anyway. Sometimes it's hard to find a simple chapter book with enough depth to satisfy a blossoming new reader. Alvin's story of overcoming (sort of) his ample neuroses and surviving (sort of) second grade, making friends, psychotherapy and piano lessons universalizes the human predisposition to worry. In the tradition of Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried and Melanie Watt's Scaredy Squirrel books, Look makes it easy to laugh good naturedly at Alvin's worries and maybe some of our own, as well.