Anne Lambelet cleverly reimagines the tale of Snow White in "The Poisoned Apple: A Fractured Fairy Tale." In this sometimes-dark fairy tale, the princess isn't named, but we know that a wicked witch detests her for her sweetness and is determined to do away with her. The illustrations add much to the story, and clever … Continue reading ‘The Poisoned Apple: A Fractured Fairy Tale’ by Anne Lambelet is a superb retelling in which the star is the poisoned apple
Month: October 2020
‘Louisiana Lucky’ by Julie Pennell is more than a sweet lottery winners’ tale
It's a story that's been told before -- people win the lottery and their lives change, and not necessarily for the better. But Julie Pennell's "Louisiana Lucky" takes that story and really brings it home. She tells the story of three sisters who play the lottery for entertainment and actually win big. How the winning … Continue reading ‘Louisiana Lucky’ by Julie Pennell is more than a sweet lottery winners’ tale
Agent Sonya: Master Spy
We love our heroes; we despise our villains. What, then, do we make of Colonel Ursula Kuczynski, AKA Ursula Hamburger, AKA Ursula Burton, AKA -- Agent Sonya? "Agent Sonya," author Ben Macintyre's exhaustively detailed and consistently fascinating account of that amazing woman's life, may force us to realign our predilection for clearly delineated hero-versus-villain … Continue reading Agent Sonya: Master Spy
‘To Tell You the Truth’ by Gilly Macmillan
When you don't know whom to trust or who is telling the truth, the world can be a scary place. In "To Tell You the Truth," by Gilly Macmillan, not only does main character Lucy Harper not know who is telling her the truth, or whether she can trust her best friend and alter ego … Continue reading ‘To Tell You the Truth’ by Gilly Macmillan
‘Behind the Red Door’ by Megan Collins is a fascinating mystery with dark overtones
How much does our brain do to protect us? What repressed memories might surface one day with the right stimuli? In "Behind the Red Door," author Megan Collins explores how childhood events can be suppressed, altered, misremembered, and deleted. Main character Fern Douglas is happily married to a fabulous pediatrician and she enjoys her job … Continue reading ‘Behind the Red Door’ by Megan Collins is a fascinating mystery with dark overtones
Hopes, Dreams, Truths, and Real Christianity
Jon Meacham's "His Truth Is Marching On; John Lewis and the Power of Hope," is a stunningly powerful account of the life and career of John Lewis. Most often, when we describe events or behaviors as "shocking," we are almost automatically communicating negativity: "... the shocking duplicity of this man," or "the shocking cruelty of … Continue reading Hopes, Dreams, Truths, and Real Christianity
‘Closer to Nowhere’ by Ellen Hopkins is a beautiful story that will break your heart and then fill it with love
Prolific author Ellen Hopkins is known for her young adult books that deal with tough subjects -- especially drugs and the horrendous damage they can do to families and the lives of those who are caught in their tantalizing web. With her first middle grade novel, Hopkins hits a home run. This is a story … Continue reading ‘Closer to Nowhere’ by Ellen Hopkins is a beautiful story that will break your heart and then fill it with love
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