Blackbringer by Laini Taylor

Blackbringer by Laini Taylor is the first book in a new series called The Faeries of Dreamdark ("faeries" is a fancy fantasy way of spelling the word "fairies"). In a world where once they were powerful, magical creatures, faeries have forgotten most of their history. Magpie Windwitch, devil hunter and granddaughter of the West Wind, is the only hope of saving the world and restoring the faeries  to their former glory.  Magpie must fight an ancient evil creature, the Blackbringer, who escaped from his bottle, before he unmakes all of creation ("Unmakes all of creation" is a fancy fantasy way of saying "Destroys the world").  To do this she must awaken the great Djinn, who created the world, and she must outsmart an evil queen.  She is aided by a group of crows, a faerie prince who can’t fly, and other magical creatures. This is a fun read for any fantasy fan.  Watch for others in the series, too!   

Book reviewed by Keary D., Youth Collection Specialist Librarian

Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach

In Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach, a sixth grade girl named Hero moves with her family into a Maryland house that has a secret of its own. Her school year begins with a bumpy start, but she makes friends with Danny Cordova, the cutest and most popular boy in the eighth grade.  Things take an interesting turn when Hero befriends her eccentric next door neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who reveals to her that a centuries-old million dollar diamond might be hidden in the girl’s house. The plot thickens as the search for the precious jewel unearths a link between the diamond’s original owner and a nobleman believed by some to be the original author of Shakespeare’s plays. This book is a great mystery!

Book reviewed by Darice C., Youth Library Assistant

Going to School in India

Going to School in India is an award-winning educational video that will surprise you.  It's a collection of 9 short films about children in vastly different places throughout India.  Some of the spots are beautifully exotic.  There's a boy who lives in a mud desert so flat and empty of plants and large buildings that the teacher announces the start of the day by shining a mirror towards all the houses.  When the children see the flashing, they know it's time to get to school.  Can you imagine living somewhere completely flat, with no trees, bushes, or grass?  Then there's a girl who lives in the Himalayan foothills on a lake.  Her school is in a houseboat.  There's another girl who has her school on an island and her gym class includes kayak racing.  The stories show the strength and difficulties some children face.  One girl has to go to school at night and learn by candlelight because she has to work all day long.  One boy doesn't have a house to live in.  Instead, he lives on the sidewalk with his family in a large city.  His school comes to him on a bus.  This film will teach you, delight you, and get you to think about all the different kinds of lives people live.

Film reviewed by Steve B., Youth Technology Librarian

Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist continues the saga of half-human/half-mermaid Emily, first introduced in The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler. Long ago, King Neptune and his wife Aurora (a human), got beautiful wedding rings at their marriage. When Aurora drowns, King Neptune buries the two rings forever. When Emily finds Aurora’s ring, King Neptune gets angry and threatens to change her permanently so that she will only be a mermaid, or only be a human. Will Emily be able to find  the matching ring before King Neptune changes her? Will she have to give up one of her parents?

Book reviewed by Anne W., Library Assistant.