THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY by Susan Patron

"Fearing that her legal guardian plans to abandon her to return to France, ten-year-old aspiring scientist Lucky Trimble determines to run away while also continuing to seek the Higher Power that will bring stability to her life."

This little Newbery has created quite a stir with its "word." Oh, the power of words! This is a beautifully crafted "small gem" (Kirkus Reviews). Patron manages to tell a complex story in a simple setting. Her language is poetic, yet so accessible. I do wonder if Lucky should have been cast as twelve instead of ten. I look forward to discussing it with my fifth through eighth grade students. I trust them to make the final judgement. My opinion? Thumbs up!

A DOOR NEAR HERE by Heather Quarles

"Four siblings struggle to maintain a seminormal home life when their single mother's alcoholism becomes debilitating."

Follett Library Resources

Publishers Weekly (January 24, 2000)

PW's starred review said, "A candid narrative voice joins with skillful pacing" for this story of 15-year-old Katherine, who tries to conceal her alcoholic mother's incapacity from authorities to prevent the family from being split up. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

My Young Critic, Molly recommended this book to me. I stayed up too late last night finishing it. I kept hoping the children could pull off their secret, which indicates how convincing their perspective is conveyed. As a reader, however, I saw the inevitable disaster unfolding yet hidden from others. Very powerful. Thank you, Molly, for telling me about this compelling novel.

TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer

Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires, High School

498 pages.

Description

"When seventeen-year-old Bella leaves Phoenix to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she meets an exquisitely handsome boy at school for whom she feels an overwhelming attraction and who she comes to realize is not wholly human." (Follett)

My Comments
A great vampire romance for Valentine's Day! This is a romantic page turner with a cliff hanger ending. A current favorite in Morrow House. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, New Moon.