Janet Taylor Lisle, . . S&S/Aladdin, $4.99 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-689-83788-3
PW
said, "This wrenching WWII novel traces the relationship between two 13-year-old American boys and a German-born Expressionist painter reputed to be a spy. The intimate first-person narrative brings universal themes of prejudice and loss to a personal level." Ages 10-14. (May)
To distract his younger brother, Oggie, from the trauma of their parents' separation and imminent divorce, 11-year-old Archie starts inventing a story about the "Mysterious Mole Continue reading »
The title of Lisle's (The Art of Keeping Cool
) suspenseful novel refers to a rumrunner—one of the boats used during Prohibition to smuggle outlawed Continue reading »
This enchanting story about friendship reveals the beauty, wonder and mystery that lies within the imagination. With rare talent, Lisle ( Sirens and Spies , The Great Dimpole Oak ) conveys a girl's Continue reading »
Marked by the same surreal quality found in Lisle's Afternoon of the Elves , this enchanting tale is set in an imaginary coastal town repeatedly deluged by terrible storms. The hero, Eric, is a boy Continue reading »
In the tradition of E. B. White and George Selden, the author of Afternoon of the Elves and The Lampfish of Twill spins a fanciful animal yarn that conveys universal aspects of human nature while Continue reading »
Those who savored the essentially realistic brand of enchantment found in Afternoon of the Elves will quickly become enamored of this equally poignant novel. Angela Harrall ``takes an interest in Continue reading »
Lisle's many fans won't be disappointed by this adventure, second in a planned four-volume series to feature the immensely likable investigators introduced in The Gold Dust Letters. Things are off to Continue reading »
In this ""poignant"" addition to the IOU (Investigators of the Unknown) series, an orphan receives messages apparently from his dead mother. ""The depiction of a sensitive child yearning for truth is Continue reading »
Following the tradition of Summer of My German Soldier, this wrenching WWII novel traces the relationship between two 13-year-old American boys and a German-born expressionist painter reputed to be a Continue reading »
This is an oddly affecting story about a mighty oak tree and its effects, over the course of a few days, on people as varied as an Indian swami and his massive entourage, a self-proclaimed town Continue reading »
Newbery Honor author Lisle tells a multi-layered story of a girl's conflicting feelings upon discovering that an adored, eccentric teacher is not all she seems. Ages 12-up. Continue reading »
Placing Lisle ``in the tradition of E.B. White and George Selden,'' PW's starred review praised this work as ``a fanciful animal yarn that conveys universal aspects of human nature while tracing how Continue reading »
""Lisle celebrates the imagination's power to help ease wounds,"" said PW in a starred review of this ""heartwarming"" and ""wrenching"" tale, about a girl who corresponds with her fairy godmother. Continue reading »
In this final installment of the IOU (Investigators of the Unknown) series, ever-skeptical Georgina and more impulsive Poco reunite with their friend Angela (star of The Gold Dust Letters), who has Continue reading »
The second in the Investigators of the Unknown quartet ""skillfully blends realism with just the right touch of enchantment,"" said PW. Ages 8-12. Continue reading »
Two girls discover an elfin village in ""this enchanting story... that suggests friendship is as eternal as magic,"" said PW. Ages 9-13. Continue reading »
Lisle's (Afternoon of the Elves) blend of gentle fantasy and tough reality features two motherless children spending the summer with their dithering but well-meaning great-aunt. Nine-year-old Olivia Continue reading »
""Lisle's blend of gentle fantasy and tough reality features two motherless children spending the summer with their dithering but well-meaning great-aunt,"" wrote PW. Ages 8-12. (Apr.) Continue reading »
Echoing the themes and tone of Lisle’s Newbery Honor–winning Afternoon of the Elves, this loss-of-innocence novel traces the delicate friendship built between two girls from different Continue reading »
Acclaimed children's author Janet Taylor Lisle, lauded for her novels featuring complex characters in stories blending everyday life with elements of mystery and magic, died on Continue reading »
The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars
Laura Alary
Boundary-defying astronomer
and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne (1900–1979) stars in this even-handed picture book biography. Early scenes highlight how a childhood spent immersed Continue reading »
Junko’s Climb: The First Woman to Stand on Top of the World
Elyssa Gavin
Gavin applauds the heights reached by Junko Tabei (1939–2016), the first woman to
climb Mt. Everest, in an invigorating story that opens with a formative childhood experience: Continue reading »
Wry interrogative narration energizes this engaging portrait of scientist and illustrator Mary Morland (1797–1857). A picture of the subject as curious about the natural world Continue reading »
Tang (These Deadly Prophecies) explores cycles
of corruption, emotional abuse, and grief in this complex and high-stakes sapphic romantasy. Tamsin Blackwood, 18, seeks to Continue reading »