BOOKS TO BORROW

The following book is available at many public libraries.

“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, Candlewick, 198 pages

Read aloud: age 5, 6 and older

Read yourself: age 8, 9 and older

Edward Tulane was an extraordinary china rabbit who was loved by a little girl. But when he gets lost at the bottom of the ocean, he felt his first true emotion — fear.

Caught in a net by an old fisherman, Edward was presented to the fisherman’s wife and she was delighted. Edward grew very fond of the old couple and was happy with them until their cruel daughter came for a visit, stole Edward, and tossed him the trash dump. And so, Edward’s story continued, of being loved and then lost, then found again by someone new and loved once more.

By the time Edward found himself in a doll shop, his heart had hardened. A wise old doll sat on the shelf next to Edward, and he confided in her that he was done with loving; it was too painful. The old doll admonished him. “If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless,” she said. Then she gently told Edward something that gave him hope. “Someone will come for you. But first you must open your heart.” 

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Ledyard Public Libraries, 718 Colonel Ledyard Hwy., Ledyard

Library Director: Gale Bradbury

Children’s Librarian: Nancy Brewer

Choices this week: “Brother Eagle, Sister Sky” by Chief Seattle; “Akimbo and the Lions” by Alexander McCall Smith; “Johnny Appleseed” by Steven Kellogg 

BOOKS TO BUY

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“Adrift” by Paul Griffin, Scholastic, 2015, 240 pages, $17.99 hardcover and Ebook

Read aloud: age 12 and older

Read yourself: age 12 and older

Best friends Matt and John are in Montauk for the summer to make some extra money. When they meet Driana and her two friends on the beach, they are invited to a party, which leads them to a boat in the ocean where all five people find themselves adrift with no clue where the shore is. Only Matt and John know some survival skills. Throw in sharks, a severe tropical storm, dehydration, Matt falling in love with Driana, clashing personalities, and their boat being tattered by the wind, rain and waves, hope seems far away. “Five of us went out on the water that night. None of us came back whole, and not all of us came back.”

On sale July 28, this fast-paced survival adventure for older kids will have readers/listeners on the edge of their seats, start to finish. 

“Finding the Worm” by Mark Goldblatt, Random House, 2015, 346 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 9 and older

Read yourself: age 10, 11 and older

In Queens in 1970, Julian and his friends are going about their usual routine of school, hanging out, and having fun. Julian is studying for his bar mitzvah, has a crush on Beverly, and was recently accused of defacing a painting at school. The guidance counselor issues his punishment: write a 200-word essay on good citizenship. Julian is a good writer, so that isn’t a big deal except that he didn’t do what he’s accused of.

What’s more important and bigger than any of it is his friend, Quentin, who has cancer. It doesn’t seem real and it doesn’t seem fair. As Julian and his friends navigate through the uncharted waters of dealing with Quentin’s illness and the myriad of other issues that surround being a 12-year-old, their friendships remain central and profoundly important.

kendal@sunlink.net