The Boy Who Lost Fairyland

The Boy Who Lost Fairyland

By Catherynne M. Valente

The Boy Who Lost Fairyland is an adaptation of the classic tale The Changeling. This is the fourth book in the Fairyland series but it does not follow the adventures of September like the first three books, this book can stand alone. Catherynne M. Valente has created a fantastical world with trolls and fairies and mischief and magic where rocks can tell tales and dragons exist. A young troll, Hawthorn, is whisked away to live on Earth in a strange place called Chicago. He is to live as a human boy. The fairyland folk have taken a young couples child and replaced him with a troll disguised as their boy, a changeling. We also meet Tamburlaine, a tree girl, who is living as a changeling. The two must hide their secret, come together and find their way back to Fairyland.
Valente has done a wonderful job of showing how strange and wonderful our world must look through the eyes of a troll.
Richmond Public Library has this title available in streaming audio through your Hoopla account as well as hard cover copies available at a branch near you. I especially enjoyed the vocabulary and descriptions that Valente uses and would recommend this series to both children and adults.

Rain Reign

Rain Reign

By Ann M. Martin

This is a heart wrenching story of love, friendship, family and courage.

Rose Howard is a little different from the other grade 5 students at Hatford Elementary.  For one thing, she loves homonyms. (Examples: isle and aisle, grown and groan.)  She has a list that she uses to keep track of any homonyms she comes across.  She is also a stickler for following rules – a trait that doesn’t always make her popular with other kids or even teachers, bus drivers or parents.

Also, she has Asperger’s syndrome, or high-functioning autism.

Rose’s father, her only parent, does not really understand her condition and isn’t always very accommodating.  In fact, he leaves her alone quite often and drinks regularly.  Luckily, her Uncle Weldon does everything he can for Rose, but still, she is lonely.

Then her father brings home Rain, a lovely little dog.  Rain is found wandering around with no collar, so she has no family, right?  With Rain around, Rose’s world begins to improve.  Even the kids at school become more friendly after they meet Rain.  But when Rain goes missing after a storm, Rose is tested.  She uses all her courage and resourcefulness to find her.  Will they ever be reunited?

This is a heart wrenching story of love, friendship, family and courage. 

Valentine's Day Is...

Valentine's Day Is...

By Gail Gibbons

I thought this would be a wonderful pick for this week. We are nearing Valentine's Day and many children have begun to ask us what is Valentine's day? Why do we celebrate it? Why do we give cards? This delightful book is filled with fun facts about this special day. Children will learn about the history, legends, traditions and symbols of Valentine's day. Learn about Saint Valentine, the tradition of giving cards and the delight of receiving sweet treats. This educational book is available at many of our branches as well as in eAudio form and eVideo streaming on Hoopla.

What is Valentine's day to you?