Taryn recommends "Linus"

In Linneopolis everyone is an “uptight, straitlaced bunch.” Everyone that is except Linus. Linus loves colors, shapes, and any reason to celebrate. The Line Leader wants Linus to tone it down and become proper just like everyone else. When Linus tries to stay in line, the more bent out of shape he becomes. The Line Leader takes Linus to the edge of town to build some character and get back to being the Linus that they know and love, but Linus feels that he needs more in his life so he runs away. On his journey Linus finds that the farther he goes, the more things change, and once he gets to Squiggleville he helps those residents to learn that he makes their world more special. When Linus starts to miss home he comes up with a plan to bring everyone together and the residents of Linneoplis learn that maybe “different” isn’t a bad thing after all.

I really enjoyed this story because it shows that sometimes being different and not always following the norm is a beautiful thing. I think that this book will help those children who have big personalities to understand that they are not “bad” because they are different and will help those children who maybe don’t have big personalities to know that those who are “different” can help make the world a better place. I love the illustrations that are in this book because they help to make the story come to life. This book can be a great teaching opportunity for grown-ups and caregivers to help the children in their lives to understand that everyone’s differences are what make the world an amazing place. It may even help some grown-ups understand this too. This book is geared towards young children, but I think it would be good through upper elementary school as well.

Phil recommends "The Wager: a tale of shipwreck, mutiny and murder"

This excellent nonfiction book by David Grann is a story of the pursuit of treasure that soon turns into a story of shipwreck, mutiny, and desperate survival on brutal and unforgiving seas.  In 1740, His Majesty's Ship, The Wager wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia and the survivors had to make a harrowing 2500 mile journey to safety.  Two factions formed - both of which had very different tales to tell about what happened on their fateful journey...and who was to blame.

David Grann is an adept storyteller and you might recognize his name from his book club favorite, "Killers of the Flower Moon" - now a forthcoming film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.  I wouldn't be surprised if "The Wager" becomes a film someday, too.  It even ends with a dramatic, high stakes court martial leaving the reader to wonder who will ultimately receive blame for the fiasco - and hang from the gallows.

 

This book is appropriate for adults.

 

Justine recommends "A First Time for Everything" by Dan Santat

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat is an adorable graphic novel memoir about the author's middle school trip to Europe.  Santat, a Caldecott medalist for The Adventures of Beekle: An Unimaginary Friend, went on this trip sometime in the 1980's.  This gives the memoir not only a fun, ethnic feel from the Paris setting, but also one of nostalgia for 80's Europe.  Countries his group visits include France, Germany, Switzerland, and England.

I recommend this to both children and adults.  It's a great book for all ages, and I think each age group gets something different out of it.