FROM SARAH:

An interesting personal account of living in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. I learned so much while reading this heart-rending tale. Yelchin is a funny writer, but this book also deals with astonishing loss and suffering. Recommended for 14+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in his own kitchen! How will Yevgeny ever fulfill his parents’ dream that he become a national hero when he doesn’t even have his own room? He’s not a star athlete or a legendary ballet dancer. In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything.

FROM SARAH:

Jan Brett doing what she does best—enchanting us with lush illustrations and detailed borders. In this one, she delights with a story of the Easter egg!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jan Brett’s lovable bunny hero, Hoppi, and her remarkable Easter Rabbit will enchant readers as they pore over illustrations filled with dazzling eggs made by Flora Bunny, Aunt Sassafras and others.If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit with his deliveries on...

A gorgeous, expressive picture-book biography of Marc Chagall by the Caldecott Honor team behind The Noisy Paint Box.Through the window, the student sees . . .His future--butcher, baker, blacksmith, but turns away.A classmate sketching a face from a book. His mind blossoms.The power of pictures. He ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten-year-old McKenna has always been a good student-and great at gymnastics. So when her grades suddenly begin to fall, her teacher suggests a little extra help from a tutor. McKenna is horrified until she meets her tutor, Josie, a super-confident girl who also happens to be in a wheelchair. Josie encourages McKenna to focus on her strengths and work toward her goals one day at a time. But just as McKenna begins to shine in school, she's sidelined with a gymnastics injury--and her confidence unravels. Now she's worried about her grades and earning a spot on the competitive gymnastics team. Can she find a way to believe in herself again?

Book by Delli-Carpini, John

**Description from Amazon: One eye was bigger than the other.  That was a mistake.
The weird  frog-cat-cow thing? It made an excellent bush.
And the inky smudges… they look as if they were always meant to be leaves floating gently across the sky.

**Description from Amazon: “[Sigrid Undset] should be the next Elena Ferrante.” —Slate The turbulent historical masterpiece of Norway’s literary masterA Penguin Classic  In her great historical epic Kristin Lavransdatter, set in fourteenth-century Norway, Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset tells the life story of one pass...

In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headq...

**Description from Amazon: From #1 New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious and heartfelt novel in which one middle-school troublemaker accidentally moves into the gifted and talented program—and changes everything.For fans of Louis Sachar and Jack Gantos, this funny and touching underdog story is a...

FROM SARAH:

I love Marcia Williams's comic-strip books that make classics oh-so approachable.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Travel back to Medieval England and join Chaucer and his band of Canterbury pilgrims in this wonderful introduction to one of Britain's greatest literary legacies. These nine well-loved tales, from a host of colourful characters - the Knight, the Miller, the Reeve, the Wife of Bath, the Summoner, the Clerk, the Franklin, the Pardoner and the Nun's Priest - are brought to life with Marcia Williams' trademark witty, comic-strip art, allowing this classic text to be enjoyed by all ages.

**Description from Amazon: What fills a hand fuller than a skein of gold? By order of the king, two boys, Tousle and Innes, must find the answer to this puzzling riddle within seven days or be killed. A former nursemaid to the queen’s child tells the boys that the banished queen may have the answer they seek. Danger present...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the New York Times best-selling author behind The Quiet Book comes a mindful contemplation on the many ways nature affects our everyday lives, even when we're stuck inside. Five starred reviews!

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 10 min

**Description from Amazon: Now a major motion picture starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, and Idris Elba: The amazing adventures of a boy named Mowgli and his brave animal friendsThe fourteen fables in this landmark of children’s literature tell the story of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. With th...

FROM SARAH:

This book is actually dedicated to... me. So I adore it, naturally. ❤️ It's also part of Christmas School 2021 in RAR Premium!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A very large cat may be the key to saving Christmas in this wryly humorous retelling of the Norwegian fairytale The Cat on the Dovrefjell.

FROM SARAH:

The heartwarming and humorous story about the remarkable bond that forms between an aspiring service dog and an autistic boy in need of a friend. (nope, the dog doesn't die 😉)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems like that dream will never come true--until a family adopts him. They want him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus, who has autism.

NARRATED BY: unknown, BEST FOR AGES: 3+

FROM SARAH:

I love a strong, resilient heroine who finds the strength to persevere even in the face of big obstacles. This inspiring tale brings history to life, depicting the struggles and determination of three siblings who are willing to cross an ocean to find their way to their father. This one is perfect for readers who love historical fiction, family bonds, and stories of quiet strength.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Featuring a heroine with faith, courage, and a great deal of grit, this acclaimed historical fiction novel portrays the realities faced by three children hoping to find a new home in an unknown land. Amanda Freebold doesn't know what to do. Her father left three years ago for the new colony of Jamestown in America, thousands of miles away. But now that her mother has died, Amanda is left to take care of her younger brother and sister all alone back in England.

As the new head of the family, Amanda finally decides to take her brother and sister to America to find Father. The ocean crossing is long and hard, and the children don't know whom to trust. But with her father's little brass lion's head to guard them, Amanda knows that somehow everything will work out.

FROM SARAH:

This is such a stunning version, and the winner of a Caldecott Honor. The 40th Anniversary edition with a foreword from Jason Chin (another RAR favorite!). Trina Schart Hyman has authored/illustrated several of Grimms' fairy tales that are out of print but worth adding to your collection if you can find them, including The Water of Life, Snow White, and The Sleeping Beauty.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Surrounded by an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, pinecones, and birds, Elisabeth heads off in her red cloak to visit her ailing grandmother. She's all alone—until she is joined by a wicked wolf, who urges her to stray from her wooded path.

Framed with hand-drawn patterns and textured vignettes, Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations add intrigue to the familiar story, filled with subtle detail and depth.

**Description from Amazon: Who builds lodges? Who creates amazing towers? Who digs burrows? You’re invited to visit the different homes that animals build.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Winner of 3 Emmy Awards these exceptional animated stories have been designed to introduce children and young adults to some Shakespeare's most popular works. Each play has been animated in it own unique style by the exceptional talents of the leading directors of Russia's Christmas Films.

**Description from Amazon: A 2016 National Book Award Finalist! Two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo returns to her roots with a moving, masterful story of an unforgettable summer friendship. Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win...

**Description from Amazon: When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their Children's and Household Tales in 1812, followed by a second volume in 1815, they had no idea that such stories as "Rapunzel," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Cinderella" would become the most celebrated in the world. Yet few people today are familiar with the ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Mikey’s dad has left home to fight overseas during World War I, and Mikey wants to do something BIG to help. When his teacher suggests that the class participate in a knitting bee in Central Park to knit clothing for the troops, Mikey and his friends roll their eyes—knitting is for girls! But when the girls turn it into a competition, the boys just have to meet the challenge.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This collection, edited by acclaimed children's author and poet Donald Hall, returns the forgotten treasures of American children's poetry.

FROM SARAH:

The colors in this book just scream "fall." The lyrical text and mysterious illustrations make this book a great one to add to your library stack.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Jane Yolen introduces us to the fickle scarecrow, who decides to leave his station and dance away the fall night. He leaps through the fields until he reaches the farmhouse, where he sees a small light in the window.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Grace loves stories, whether they're from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. So when she gets a chance to play a part in Peter Pan, she knows exactly who she wants to be. Remarkable watercolor illustrations give full expression to Grace's high-flying imagination.

FROM SARAH:

Based on a true story, this book tells of a brave woman and her eight children who restart their life from scratch in a ramshackle house in the woods. The power of resilience and the beauty of family shines through. A favorite. Meet the author/illustrator in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This stunningly beautiful picture book from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Eliza Wheeler is based on her grandmother's childhood and pays homage to a family's fortitude as they discover the meaning of home.

FROM SARAH:

I'm a L'Engle fan, but I've yet to read this one! One of our team members described it this way: "A collection of stories and essays in which L'Engle explores the marvelous miracles of Advent, the Incarnation, and Epiphany, and the ways God shows up in the smallness of our everyday lives and celebrations. This is a collection I return to annually, as it helps me reconnect with the idea of God come to earth as pure grace."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For more than seventy years, Madeleine L’Engle’s writing have delighted and inspired readers. In her stories, essays, poems, journal entries, and letters, she returned again and again to the beauty of Christmas, illuminating the holiday with her singular insight and imagination. Miracle on 10th Street includes excerpts from her most cherished works, reflecting on Advent, Incarnation, Epiphany, mystery, and redemption. In these pages, L’Engle points to the marvels and curiosities that fill everyday life. And, as always, she shows herself to be a one-woman force for celebration—fully believing that delight and wonder must mark the life of anyone who sees God’s love at work.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
What do you say when:

• You bump into a crocodile on a crowded city street?
• A nice gentleman introduces you to a baby elephant?
• The Queen feeds you so much spaghetti that you don’t fit in your chair anymore?

This is the funniest book of manners you’ll ever read!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Now, in this sweet picture book, Laura retells the first Christmas that she and Maurice spent together. She shares how Maurice gave her a small white bear and, as she later learns, the only thing he had that he could truly call his own—to show her how grateful he was for their friendship. This heartwarming tale captures the true meaning of the holidays and will be one you’ll want to share with your family year after year as a reminder that a gift from the heart is always the best present under the tree.

FROM SARAH:

A reminder to notice and be grateful for everyday moments—like crunchy leaves and warm pies. A cozy read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks—the question is, where to begin? From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures. But what's most important is being able to share them with family.

NARRATED BY: Channie Waites, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

FROM SARAH:

The story of Easter, from the view of the one who carried Our Lord's cross. I always pull this one out for Easter.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A picture book retelling of a traditional European tale with the events and meaning of the first Easter at its heart Both thought-provoking and engaging, this is the story of Simon of Cyrene —"a man coming in from the country," as the Gospels refer to him—who was ordered to carry Jesus' cross...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Frank Lloyd Wright, a young boy from the prairie, becomes America's first world-famous architect in this engaging and inspirational nonfiction picture book introducing organic architecture--a style he created based on the relationship between buildings and the natural world--and transformed the America.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this important and moving true story of reconciliation after war, beautifully illustrated in watercolor, a Japanese pilot bombs the continental U.S. during WWII—the only enemy ever to do so—and comes back 20 years later to apologize.

**Description from Amazon: Venture into the world of poetic genius, with a fascinating glimpse into the personality and struggles of a complex, mysterious priest

FROM SARAH:

This is a gorgeous and moving picture book telling the true story of Harriet Tubman. We featured this beautiful book as an RAR Premium Family Book Club pick.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

An evocative poem and stunning watercolors come together to honor an American heroine in a Coretta Scott King Honor and Christopher Award-winning picture book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Twelve-year-old Indian-American Pandita Paul doesn't like change. She's not ready to start middle school and leave the comforts of childhood behind. Most of all, Pandita doesn't want to feel like she's leaving her mother, who died a few years ago, behind. After a falling out with her best friend, Pandita is planning to spend most of her summer break reading and writing in her favorite secret space: the abandoned but majestic mansion across the street.

But then the unthinkable happens. The town announces that the old home will be bulldozed in favor of new—maybe affordable—housing. With her family on opposing sides of the issue, Pandita must find her voice—and the strength to move on—in order to give her community hope.

**Description from Amazon: Introducing the beloved trilogy that has captured the hearts and imaginations of the many fans of bestselling author Elizabeth Goudge. "The Bird in the Tree "takes place in England in 1938, and follows a close-knit family whose tranquil existence is suddenly threatened by a forbidden love . . . . Ma...

**Description from Amazon: Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? How much do parents really matter? These may not sound like typical questions for an economist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. He studies the riddles of everyday life...

**Description from Amazon: This funny and heartwarming sequel to Ungifted, which has become a word-of-mouth hit, cleverly sends up our ideas about intelligence, heroism, and popularity.Donovan Curtis has never been what anyone would call “gifted.” But his genius friend Noah Youkilis is actually supergifted, with one of th...

FROM SARAH:

The true story of Ji-li Jiang, who grew up in China under communist revolutionary Mao Zedong. Be ready for some conversations after this one! I recommend it for teens.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's 1966, and twelve-year-old Ji-li Jiang has everything a girl could want: brains, popularity, and a bright future in Communist China. But it's also the year that China's leader, Mao Ze-dong, launches the Cultural Revolution—and Ji-li's world begins to fall apart... a breathtaking true story your teens won't soon forget.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This title presents a comic-strip re-telling of some of Britain's best-loved stories and legends. Aided by the magician Merlin, Arthur draws the sword from the stone to become King of Britain, and Lord of the Knights of the Round Table. Read of their valiant deeds as King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad and other heroic knights rescue maidens, defend Excalibur and search for the Grail. Also publishing this month are "God and His Creations" and "Sindbad the Sailor".

FROM SARAH:

We're big fans of Karma Wilson's bear books around here! In this one, Bear is lost out in a storm and needs the help of his friends to get home safely. You can hear me interview Karma Wilson on the Read-Aloud Revival in Episode #215.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Bad weather frightens Bear, but his woodland friends are there to help him in this Classic Board Book from bestselling duo Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Here again is the tale of Christian's epic trek from the City of Destruction to the Heavenly Palaces - of the pitfalls that threaten to waylay him and the graces that strengthen him along the way. Matching Bunyan's flare for storytelling and vivid imagery, Gary Schmidt's new narrative also echoes the style of writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, Dante, Sir Thomas Browne, E.M. Forster, and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Even after three centuries, this odyssey of faith and human perseverance continues to inspire readers today - and now Schmidt's engaging retelling will delight and stir the imaginations of a new generation of pilgrim.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Edith, a young Pack Horse Librarian, and her faithful horse Dan, adventure through rough terrain and a pending storm in order to deliver books to kids who desperately need them in this richly illustrated tale. Edith, like all Pack Horse Librarians, heroically risked their own safety to serve the most vulnerable members of their community. Librarians like Edith helped an entire generation learn to read and gain lifesaving knowledge in a critical time in history.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Organized as a dictionary, each entry presents a word related to creating a better world, such as ally, empathy, or respect. For each word, there is a poem, a quote from an inspiring person, a personal anecdote from the authors, and a "try it" prompt for an activity.

NARRATED BY: John McDonough

BEST FOR AGES: 4+

LISTENING LENGTH: 8 min

FROM SARAH:

If you could change history, would you?

Page-turner alert! This time-travel story is unputdownable. I’d be inclined to recommend it for 10-15’s, but my 18-year-old told me it was the best book she’s read all year. So let’s just say 10+. 😁⁣ It’d make a fun read-aloud, or a great pick for a kid who thinks he/she doesn’t like reading.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the critically acclaimed author of Float comes a new whirlwind adventure about a pair of kids who must break all the rules of time travel.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

One plucky clown is determined to turn Christmas around for a village that’s down on its luck in this enchanting tale from Tomie dePaola.

FROM SARAH:

You either enjoy Roald Dahl or you don't... and this book is as good a place to find out which camp you belong in. Heads-up, I'm a fan of most of Dahl's books, but when I read them aloud, I tend to modify some of the language. 😅

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sophie and BFG (a bone-crunching giant) are the only ones who can save the children of England, but they’ll have to battle a lot of mean giants to keeps everyone safe.

**Description from Amazon: A collection of original, weather-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

**Description from Amazon: From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo comes a story of discovering who you are — and deciding who you want to be.When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana i...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

All the best-loved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, including “The Ugly Duckling,” “Thumbelina,” “The Red Shoes,” "The Princess on the Pea,” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” fill the pages of this beautiful leather-bound collector’s edition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lyrical, patriotic text and uplifting illustrations depicting military families combine to create a reassuring book about separation and reunion.

FROM SARAH:
You’ve never experienced the wild like this! Curated with young readers in mind but enchanting for adults too, this anthology blends science, imagination, and artistry into a joyful read-aloud that’s sure to inspire poetry of your own.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Lovingly selected by U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and paired with vibrant animal photography, this collection of poems is an exuberant celebration of the animal kingdom and a beautiful introduction to this genre of literature.

FROM SARAH:

I have a thing for storybook mice. (That's probably understating things a bit, ahem.) And these stories by Jill Barklem take the cake! Autumn Story is a lovely addition to your fall book basket.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Bad weather is on the way and the autumn crops are still not gathered in! Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse's daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost.

So your teens think they're too old for picture books, do they? See what think of this clever and artistic tale of a young boy, his grandfather, and the language barrier that keeps them apart. Captivating.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Introduces such contrasting concepts as "heavy" and "light", "long" and "short", and "weak" and "strong" through a dialogue between the sun and the moon.