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| Our Recommendations December 2009 | |
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 Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak
Money Saving Meals by Philippa Sandall and Diane Temple
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
The Outsiders by S E. Hinton
Happy Ever After? by Patricia Scanlan
The Mascot by Mark Kurzmen
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
| Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak | | Written in 1963 and a winner of the prestigious Caldecott Medal, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things are is a picture book that has stood the test of time. It remains just as relevant to young children (and maybe the not so young) today as it was then.
After an argument with his mother and being sent to his bed without any supper, Max's imagination transforms his bedroom into an extraordinary adventureland. His bedroom becomes a forest with an ocean, a little boat and the most wonderful 'wild things' any little boy could dream up. Max and the 'wild things' create delightful mayhem wherever they have been, but eventually Max realizes he wants to be “… where someone loved him best of all” ...
This book remains a favourite of my sons aged 24 and 19. Our much worn copy still has pride of place on our bookshelf, and we’re all very excited to see the 'wild things' transformed so precisely into a movie.
To co-incide with the movie release. Dave Eggers and Spike Jonze the director of the film, have co-written the The Wild Things which will soon be available has teenage fiction in Our Library.
Picked by Dianne (Library Headquarters)
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| Money Saving Meals by Philippa Sandall and Diane Temple | | I relished this new Australian cookbook for its practical and down to earth recipes which don’t cost a fortune.
It is full of handy hints to cut back on food bills, yet cook appetising and nourishing family meals. There are dozens of “nifty and thrifty” sections scattered throughout the book which provide advice on such matters as which type of bacon is the most economical to buy (shortcut rindless seem to be the winner).
Invaluable chapters in the book include planning meals ahead to save money, and what items to stock in the pantry. Sometimes we all need a little reminder about fabulously frugal thrifty ingredients – think chickpeas, tinned tomatoes, tuna, pasta and noodles.
My favourites include the cottage pie pots, the creamy leek, potato and broccoli soup, and the lamb and ginger meatballs in Korma sauce. Great value and good fun!
Picked by Helen (Mobile Library)
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| Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer | | A testament to the power of books and friendships to change people's lives – this evocative story is told through a sequence of personal letters between a London writer and the people of Guernsey.
Caught breaking curfew during the German occupation in World War II, a group of islanders claim they were returning from a meeting of the Guernsey Literary Society, which is then hastily formed to support their fabrication.
This is a tale of the triumph of the human spirit over the daily adversities presented by the war and the German occupation. The characters are brilliantly voiced and the story is brought to life by narrator and professional voice artist, Taylor Owynns.
Picked by Cinty (Rosebud Library)
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| The Outsiders by S E. Hinton | | I first read this as part of a class reading list in Year 8 English and it still remains one of my favourite books.
Set amidst the 1950s American gang culture, The Outsiders tells the story of Pony Boy, an intelligent kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Pony Boy is being raised by his two older brothers following the death of his parents in a car accident. Members of the lower-class gang 'The Greasers', Pony Boy and his friends face a daily battle against 'The Socs' a group of society’s upper class students. In an act of self defence, Pony Boy’s best friend Johnny kills a member of 'The Socs' and the two boys flee town and go into hiding in order to evade capture (or worse by the hands of the Socs).
I found this to be a very moving story and is one of the rare instances where the film adaption is just as great at the book.
Picked by Chris (Library Headquarters)
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| Happy Ever After? by Patricia Scanlan | | Which of us don't enjoy all those wonderful stories where everyone lives happily ever after? Well, those who deserve to anyway?
Set in Ireland we meet up with the newlywed couple, Debbie and Bryan, as they return from their honeymoon in New York to mounting debts and the routine of work. We also glimpse the lives of their extended friends and family as they face up to all their own dilemmas in their busy fast-paced lives.
In this glorious romp it's almost as though we are flies on the walls on the inside of so many lives, and not everyone will live ... happy ever after.
Picked by Val (Rosebud Library)
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| The Mascot by Mark Kurzmen | | An astonishing story from World War II about a boy who escapes into the forest and witnesses the death of his mother, brother and sister. He survives only to be found by Latvian soldiers and is raised by them and a rich Latvian family. Over 60 years later he reveals his story to his son, an Oxford scholar who beautifully transcribes this harrowing tale.
This story is a an emotive tale that delves into a concealed past whilst strengthening a bond between a father and son.
Picked by Maryellen(Rosebud Library)
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| Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill | | Aminata Diallo, is a West African girl stolen into slavery in the 18th century. Her story is recounted by Aminata as an old woman who, at the end of her life, has ambivalently joined the British anti-slavery movement and now writes her testimonial.
This is a sweeping story of Aminata’s life, and her drive to be free. Historically accurate and actually inspired by a historical document called the Book of Negros. This book is full of the textures and colours of this era and its people. This journey is not easily put aside.
Picked by Anne (Hastings Library)
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