BOOK TITLE: “The Raven Boys”
AUTHOR: Maggie Stiefvater
GENRE: Young Adult Fantasy
AGES: 11+
RATING: (1-5 stars) 5 Stars
SYNOPSIS: It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM THIS BOOK: “Is this thing safe?” “Safe as life,” Gansey replied.
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS: The found family dynamic! Each of the characters found a unique way of connecting with the others to show the complexity of developing friendships.
MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK ARE: Noah and Blue! They each have very different histories but form a beautiful friendship and care deeply about the rest of the group. I loved seeing such tight bonds portrayed authentically.
FANS OF THIS BOOK MAY ALSO LIKE: “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo, “If We Were Villains” by M.L. Rio, “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Schwab.
MANU’S SELECTIONS
“JOY TO THE WORLD: CHRISTMAS AROUND THE GLOBE!”
AUTHOR: Kate DePalma and Sophie Fatus
GENRE: Non-fiction
AGES: 4 – 10
SYNOPSIS: This book features the different ways people celebrate Christmas around the world. For example, in India they celebrate by making an Indian treat called Kuswar. In the Philippines, they wake up before dawn to worship and praise––and they do this for nine days. There are many holiday customs to learn about in this book that are interesting.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK: This is a great book to read during the holidays. I knew different countries celebrate Christmas in their own ways, but I didn’t know many specifics. Imagine living in the Philippines where the Christmas season lasts for almost five months! We are doing Icelandic Christmas in my book club this month.
“YOU CHOOSE CHRISTMAS”
AUTHOR: Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart
GENRE: Non-fiction
AGES: 3 – 7
SYNOPSIS: Welcome to your perfect Christmas because you get to choose your favorite festive activities. You get to pick your favorite ornaments on your Christmas tree or a Christmas sweater, or even go to Santa’s workshop to pick a job if you were an elf! With simple text and amazingly bright illustrations, the book let’s readers create their own unique stories.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK: I like that the book is filled with many different choices and there is always something that you could pick! Merry Christmas to all of you out there!
“12 LITTLE ELVES VISIT ARIZONA”
AUTHOR: Trish Madson
GENRE: Fiction
AGES: 4 – 6
SYNOPSIS: Twelve charming elves travel throughout Arizona to see who is still awake before Santa comes. Along the way, they visit iconic landmarks and curiosities. From Havasupai Falls to the Sonoran Desert to Four Corners Monument and more, these little elves take in the cactus blossoms, swim in the falls, and dance among the cactus wrens.
