Serving the communities of Palisades and Sparkill, NY
Anna Kendrick’s autobiography is a quick read with plenty of down-to-earth wisdom. She chronicles her life from being a child actor to the “world’s most reluctant adult”, as she titles her final chapter. Kendrick mixes lots of humor and self- deprecating remarks, and despite being a movie and Broadway star, she definitely does not put on airs. I enjoyed her acting in the Pitch Perfect series, and hope she returns soon to the big screen.
Last Seen Leaving, a YA mystery and coming of age story, by Caleb Roehrig will have you guessing until the very end (well, sort of).
The story is about Flynn who returns home from school one day to find two Policemen in his living room. It turns out that Flynn’s girlfriend January is missing and so they naturally want to speak to him first. Flynn is instantly nervous and it is obvious that there is something that he is hiding from them in his story about the last night that he saw January. But what could it be? (You actually find out exactly what it is pretty quickly but I don’t want
to give anything away!)
There is instantly a media frenzy surrounding January’s home that she lives in with her Mother and her Step-Father who is a rich politician running for Congress. Flynn is just as perplexed about January’s whereabouts as everyone else and decides to do whatever he can to solve the case – even if that means taking it into his own hands without the Police.
Quickly he discovers that her friends are telling stories that don’t add up. Flynn starts to suspect everyone around him for being responsible for her disappearance as he discovers new things about January that go against everything that he thought he knew about her. All eyes are on Flynn—as January’s boyfriend, he must know something. But Flynn has a secret of his own. And as he struggles to uncover the truth about January’s disappearance, he must also face the truth about himself.
In some ways this novel is a little bit transparent. Flynn is oblivious to some of the clues that are right in front of his face and overly-critical of others. I will say however that despite its flaws this novel has many twists and turns until the very end.
Wonder the popular and inspiring children’s book by R.J. Palacio about a boy with a facial deformity who enters into a new school is coming to screens near you on November 7th. It is too bad that we have to wait that long! A trailer for the film has been released and just a disclaimer: it will make you cry – in a good way! Be sure to read the book and have your kids read the book before the movie comes out!
Jean Fritz, children’s author and one-time Dobbs Ferry resident, died May 14, 2017 at her home in Sleepy Hollow, NY at age 101. Popular biographies and non-fiction titles include: “And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?” “Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?” and “Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution!” A thorough researcher, Fritz made history come alive with humor. Born in China in 1915 to missionaries, Fritz wrote about her childhood in ‘Homesick: My Own Story,” a combination work of fiction and memoir that won the Newbery Honor and a National Book Award. Returning to the United States in the 1920’s, Fritz attended school in Connecticut. Historical nonfiction was where she truly earned her place in children’s literature. Thank you for your contribution to children’s literature.
Attention YA readers:
Want to know when a new book in a series that you loved (but may have forgotten about because the last installment came out a few years ago..)?
WELL WORRY NO MORE!
From now on any new book in a series will have a bookmark in it indicating that it is the newest installment with a list of the previous books in the series on the back.
Additionally, COMING SOON, I will be updating a list on the Teen Page on the website with the newest series books AND I will keep a separate list hung up next to the “New This Month” list located near the New Teen Books display.
Happy Reading 🙂
Palisades Free Library Blog 