Marathon County Public Library

Lizbet Lenz and her father Gerhard, a very unsuccessful magician, are always moving from town to town, usually quite speedily before being thrown out. Her father’s spells always seem to turn out wrong so they are forced to flee, but when they arrive

Lizbet Lenz and her father Gerhard, a very unsuccessful magician, are always moving from town to town, usually quite speedily before being thrown out. Her father’s spells always seem to turn out wrong so they are forced to flee, but when they arrive in Abalia, Lizbeth, desperately tired of all the moving, really hopes they can stay. But after yet another series of spells gone wrong, ending with a spell causing Abalia to be rained on by mice, her father is quickly thrown into prison.

Frantically trying to escape a male predator, and desperate to discover how to get her father out of prison, Lizbet makes a deal with a witch and reluctantly accepts the help of her strange witch-girl/apprentice, Strix. Her/their seemingly insurmountable task is to cross the foreboding Montagnes du monde mountains, which no one has ever done, and retrieve a magic book as a ransom for her father. Lizbet and Strix face a harrowing journey, replete not only with natural barriers but also danger from offensive, smelly goblins eager to kill them, horrific devils trying to take dominion over Heaven and the world, plus witches and assorted criminals.

This engrossing teen novel is adventure fantasy at its strangely, unusual best. Half-Witch is inventive, creative fantasy with looming questions about the power of faith, friendship and love in a crazy, mixed-up universe. While perhaps not for everyone, this quirky novel is a well-written bit of wild fun.

Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
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Author Lauren Markham's deeply reported book tells the story of identical twins, the Flores brothers, who migrate from their home in El Salvador to California, not only to escape the violence of their native land but also in an effort to help their p

Author Lauren Markham's deeply reported book tells the story of identical twins, the Flores brothers, who migrate from their home in El Salvador to California, not only to escape the violence of their native land but also in an effort to help their parents and siblings who stay behind in El Salvador. A mix of Markham's own firsthand accounts and details reconstructed from extensive interviews and reporting, this book is an enlightening chronicle of contemporary immigration. We experience El Salvadoran life through the eyes of the twins and their family - particularly the gang violence that spurs the teenagers north - as well as the twins' experiences as they try to assimilate in the United States.

We follow the teenage brothers across the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico) and across the border into Texas, where they enter a legal system that awaits tens of thousands of people who enter the United States illegally. Many of them are unaccompanied minors, and some of those as young as 10 or 12 years old. As they await their legal fate, we're with the twins as they navigate a new school with a new language, gain jobs to help their family financially and pay down the debt incurred in migrating north, and learn what it's like to be a teenager in a new land.

This book is a real eye-opener. Markham shows the reasons people migrate to the United States are myriad. People like the Flores brothers still believe that the American Dream is possible: that the U.S. is a much safer place than their own country, and that their prospects to live a better life are better here than if they stayed home. Indeed, a safer and more prosperous life in the United States is the only hope that some immigrants have.

I would recommend this book to anyone. From reasons behind migration to the experiences of those who go through it and what migrants face when, or if, they reach the United States, Markham's book goes far beyond the day-to-day headlines and political bickering to provide crucial context around this important issue.

Chad D. / Marathon County Public Library
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Sara and Nadine have always had each other, since forever, or at least since they were small and both living on the same cul-de-sac, literally minutes away from each other. That is, until everything changed. It was seventh grade and they were both su

Sara and Nadine have always had each other, since forever, or at least since they were small and both living on the same cul-de-sac, literally minutes away from each other. That is, until everything changed. It was seventh grade and they were both supposed to be starting together as they always did, until Nadine suddenly announces, almost right before school starts, that she is skipping a grade and going straight to high school. High school! They won't even be at the same school! Sara is distraught and desperately tries everything she can think of to save their friendship and convince the school principal that she is smart too, and needs to skip a grade. Except, she hasn’t been able to concentrate and is not doing well at math, and the teachers know she only wants to skip to be with her best friend. As life spirals out of control around her Sara begins to see changes in Nadine, and slowly begins noticing changes in herself too. Written for tweens, this is an enjoyable and important story about the one constant in everyone's lives.

Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
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Stella Lane is a 30-year-old econometrician who is better at predicting customer purchase trends than dating. Stella is fine with this, despite her parents wishes for her to find a mate. As a person with Asperger's, dating does not come as easy to St

Stella Lane is a 30-year-old econometrician who is better at predicting customer purchase trends than dating. Stella is fine with this, despite her parents wishes for her to find a mate. As a person with Asperger's, dating does not come as easy to Stella as math does. In fact, Stella compares French kissing to a shark getting it's teeth cleaned by a fish. To please her parents, and a part of herself, Stella decides that she needs to practice dating. She will master the craft and then find her soulmate. Makes sense, right? As a woman who likes to get things done quickly and efficiently, Stella decides to hire an expert in the field: an escort. Michael is a charming and attractive man who is willing to take on Stella's proposal and her specially prepared lesson plans. After some lessons, Stella decides that kissing isn't so bad. Is she over her disgust of physical intimacy? Or does she just want to kiss Michael? Any fans of chick lit and romance will gobble up this fun, exciting read. Hoang creates a great cast of characters and a fun, yet relatable story. Highly recommended for fans of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory.

Taylor W. / Marathon County Public Library
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Trudy Mixer feels like she has lost control of her young life. She has been ostracized by her classmates ever since the new substitute teacher called her by her real name—Gertrude—and her best friend has left her for the future cheerleaders group. Pr

Trudy Mixer feels like she has lost control of her young life. She has been ostracized by her classmates ever since the new substitute teacher called her by her real name—Gertrude—and her best friend has left her for the future cheerleaders group. Practically the most important job of her life is running The Robert E. Quinn Junior High Beatles Fan Club (the original Rhode Island chapter), which now only includes the three dorkiest kids at school. The issue most concerning Trudy, however, is her relationship with her dad.

Trudy and her dad bonded over the Beatles. Since the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show they have been singing along with their songs on the radio and listening to their albums together. But as Beatlemania winds down and the band enters its psychedelic phase, Trudy feels like she is losing him. He works most of the time and reads the paper during family dinners, hardly looking up or listening to her at all. She has to do something that will impress him!

Her plan eventually involves going to see the Beatles at Suffolk Downs in Boston with three other members of the fan club and (somehow) meeting Paul McCartney. Not only will this restore her dad to her, she thinks, but it will also get the rest of her life back on track. Each of the other members of the club has his or her own reasons to meet Paul, and looks to this event as a magic solution to their problems. Tension mounts at the book’s climax as readers wonder if the group will ever achieve its goal.

Trudy’s lists are one of the features I loved most about this book: “things that have made me excited,” “things I love about Dad,” “things that make me angry.” These are hilarious to read and give readers valuable information about her life. Fans of I Love You, Michael Collins by Lauren Baratz-Logsted will enjoy the similar first-person narrative style and historical backdrop of the 1960's. So get out the popcorn, put on The Beatles Live, and read this book!

Elizabeth L. / Marathon County Public Library
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This is a cookbook straight out of the very real kitchen of Joanna Gaines with recipes you know that she has made many times! I am, in general, a fan of the Gaines Family and have watched several installments of their TV show Fixer Upper. I picked up

This is a cookbook straight out of the very real kitchen of Joanna Gaines with recipes you know that she has made many times! I am, in general, a fan of the Gaines Family and have watched several installments of their TV show Fixer Upper. I picked up this cookbook more out of curiosity than anything else. These days I have found that many cookbooks are trying really hard to create new recipes, which I find to be difficult to really invest in. This cookbook is just the opposite and embraces good recipes that have worked over time. The recipes are tried-and-true, which include many staples that I look forward to trying out! Need a good pancake recipe? It is in here. How about some great soups? She has it! The recipes are laid out nicely with clear instructions and pictures to go along with it. For me pictures are helpful so I know if what I did looks anything like it should in the end! I have bookmarked nearly half of the recipes as ones I would like to eventually try out. I would not advise people with food restrictions toward this book as she makes her recipes with dairy products, eggs, and meat. This was a really fantastic surprise for me and now I just need to decide what I want to try first!

Ashley C. / Marathon County Public Library
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This non-fiction selection is really a discussion about the art of winning (success). The author starts with a description and analysis of the original (Biblical) "battle" between David and Goliath.  The author hypothesizes that, seemingly weaker Dav

This non-fiction selection is really a discussion about the art of winning (success). The author starts with a description and analysis of the original (Biblical) "battle" between David and Goliath.  The author hypothesizes that, seemingly weaker David, won over the giant (in physical respects) Goliath because quite actually, he used his already demonstrated skill to slay an opponent who was ill matched against his skill as a stone thrower. (Note: the author shares that in that age, skilled stone throwers were highly regarded in battle). One might take exception to his analysis of the "reason" for the win (i.e. he gives little weight to God's plans and purposes), but we get the point as a set up for the book's discussion relative to the modern age.

Gladwell uses multiple real life examples of people who might have had disadvantages, weaknesses or even disabilities, but went on to excel despite, often considered by others, "handicapping" conditions.  For example, he discusses a flamboyant, highly successful prosecuting attorney born with dyslexia, who rather than being well prepared by reading all court documents, instead honed an exceptional ability to listen and attend to non verbals of communication to win cases.

He continues with other researched "challenges" i.e. the trauma of war, parent abandonment, an examination of the myth of class size in schools and the civil rights movement. He illustrates through many examples, how  "we shall overcome" is possible when people examine their (and their opponents) weaknesses, strengths and determine to use both as part of their personal arsenal to get ahead.

Gladwell, encourages us to believe that rather than subscribing to the notion that, "nice guys finish last", nice guys (and girls) can come out a winner. With personal insight, perseverance and understanding weaknesses in a situation, and going around them i.e. finding another way, you too can come out a winner and be successful in your pursuits. 

I

Marsha Y. / Marathon County Public Library
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Angie has issues:  her parents' divorce, her annoying older brother, her missing presumed dead sister, the bullies at school, her weight.  Angie's life changes  when KC arrives at school.  KC is everything Angie's not, but that doesn't stop them from

Angie has issues:  her parents' divorce, her annoying older brother, her missing presumed dead sister, the bullies at school, her weight.  Angie's life changes  when KC arrives at school.  KC is everything Angie's not, but that doesn't stop them from becoming friends.  As their friendship blossoms into a romance, Angie must confront her belittling mother, her mean bully and the ghost of her sister in order to become who she really is.

Angie's story really struck a chord with me...here was a character that didn't seem to have a single thing going for her:  She's bullied at home and at school, is depressed over her sister's disappearance and can't seem to do anything right, including a suicide attempt.  She's the ultimate underdog.  And yet there was something about Angie that made her stand out, her resilience.  She doesn't give up in the face of bullying at school and eventually makes the varsity basketball team.  She manages to lose weight and finally accept her sister's death.  The author did a masterful job of portraying just what it's like to be the butt of every joke, to not have your feelings, thoughts or self accepted by your parents or peers and to be completely outcast.  While the change at the end isn't drastic, it's an amazing first step towards self acceptance.  In the end, Angie's story made me cry.

This would be great paired with "The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things," to compare how the main characters deal with similar situations, including a family tragedy and uncomprehending parents.  Both books had moms that would give Snow White's step mother a run for her money--clueless and self involved, both mothers try everything to make their daughters into something "better," but never understand who their daughters really are or what they really need from them.  This would be a great read for moms and their daughters to share.

Julie K. / Marathon County Public Library
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'Whether you love hearty stews and warm bread in the winter or cold soups in the summer, this is the book for you. This cookbook is subdivided into chapters for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter based on what fresh produce is available. The soups are

'Whether you love hearty stews and warm bread in the winter or cold soups in the summer, this is the book for you. This cookbook is subdivided into chapters for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter based on what fresh produce is available. The soups are impressive and sophisticated (like my favorite the apple-brie soup) but may not appeal to everyone; children especially might dislike the unusual flavor combinations. Bread recipes are scattered throughout the book and are paired with select soups. There is also a chapter on soup basics, such as how to make broths and stocks, and an introduction to baking bread. However, the recipes may be too advanced for the novice cook, and some of the ingredients may be hard to find or expensive. Dieters should beware that the soups are not necessarily healthy or low in calories, fat, or carbohydrates. However, for the intrepid foodie, this book does contain a variety of interesting and unique soup and bread recipes.

Anna C. / Marathon County Public Library
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In this sequel to “The Boleyn King,” Minuette, a lady in waiting to the future Elizabeth I, is caught between her love for Dominic Courtenay and William (the fictional King Henry IX of England), who becoming increasingly obsessed with her and wants t

In this sequel to “The Boleyn King,” Minuette, a lady in waiting to the future Elizabeth I, is caught between her love for Dominic Courtenay and William (the fictional King Henry IX of England), who becoming increasingly obsessed with her and wants to make her his queen.  Treasonous plots add a political undercurrent to the love triangle.

Andersen displays an acute knowledge of Tudor era history and creates a realistic picture of what the political climate would have looked like if Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII had a son who became the king of England. Fans of Philippa Gregory’s work and lovers of Tudor England will enjoy this imaginative take on the genre of historical fiction.

Anna C. / Marathon County Public Library
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