The Holidays are an extremely exciting time for us. The lights, the Nutcracker ballet, the two-week long break, the cold, the hot cocoa... what could be better? One of the main reasons we love the Holidays is because of presents. Why? As you can imagine, our Chanukah wishlist is teeming with books, and nothing excites us more than the prospect of new books. Note that we did not include books that are continuations of a series we've already gotten into.
So, without further ado, here's a list of what books we want for Chanukah!
(all synopsises are from Amazon)
So, without further ado, here's a list of what books we want for Chanukah!
(all synopsises are from Amazon)
Jefferson's Sons
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradely
Synopsis: This story of Thomas Jefferson's children by one of his slaves, Sally Hemings, tells a darker piece of America's history from an often unseen perspective-that of three of Jefferson's slaves-including two of his own children. As each child grows up and tells his story, the contradiction between slavery and freedom becomes starker, calling into question the real meaning of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This poignant story sheds light on what life was like as one of Jefferson's invisible offspring.
Why We Want To Read It: Kimberly Brubaker Bradely made a name for herself in our minds when we read her book "The War That Saved My Life." Along with being eager to read another one of her works, the synopsis of Jefferson's Sons intrigued us. It seems like a book similar to Chains that we'd enjoy reading as well as learn a lot from.
Why We Want To Read It: Kimberly Brubaker Bradely made a name for herself in our minds when we read her book "The War That Saved My Life." Along with being eager to read another one of her works, the synopsis of Jefferson's Sons intrigued us. It seems like a book similar to Chains that we'd enjoy reading as well as learn a lot from.
Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate
Synopsis: Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?
Why We Want to Read It: We fell in love with Katherine Applegate's writing after reading The One and Only Ivan. Like with Jefferson's Sons, this book is not only written by an incredible author but seems really interesting. The rave reviews currently on Amazon, along with recommendations from friends, don't hurt, either!
Why We Want to Read It: We fell in love with Katherine Applegate's writing after reading The One and Only Ivan. Like with Jefferson's Sons, this book is not only written by an incredible author but seems really interesting. The rave reviews currently on Amazon, along with recommendations from friends, don't hurt, either!
The Green Bicycle
by Haifaa Al Mansour
Synopsis: Spunky eleven-year-old Wadjda lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with her parents. She desperately wants a bicycle so that she can race her friend Abdullah, even though it is considered improper for girls to ride bikes. Wadjda earns money for her dream bike by selling homemade bracelets and mixtapes of banned music to her classmates. But after she's caught, she’s forced to turn over a new leaf (sort of), or risk expulsion from school. Still, Wadjda keeps scheming, and with the bicycle so closely in her sights, she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Why We Want to Read It: This book seems in the vein of I Am Malala and the Breadwinner. Since we love reading books like this, The Green Bicycle seems like a fantastic read, especially since it deals with a very current topic.
Why We Want to Read It: This book seems in the vein of I Am Malala and the Breadwinner. Since we love reading books like this, The Green Bicycle seems like a fantastic read, especially since it deals with a very current topic.
Pax
by Sara Pennypacker
Synopsis: Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be—with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox.
Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .
Why We Want to Read It: We've read rave reviews of Pax before, and the synopsis certainly sounds promising. Plus, it's hard to resist such a beautiful book cover!
Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .
Why We Want to Read It: We've read rave reviews of Pax before, and the synopsis certainly sounds promising. Plus, it's hard to resist such a beautiful book cover!
Teddy & Co.
by Cynthia Voigt
Synopsis: Teddy is a thinking kind of bear. Of all his friends, he does the most wondering. He lives with a ragtag group of lost toys—a very hungry snake, an elephant who likes to bake, two charmingly silly pigs, and a reclusive penguin—and they all bump along happily together. But their peaceful world gets shaken up when new toys arrive—first a rabbit, who is not as soft and floppy as he looks, and then a beautiful doll with royal ambitions. Will the newcomers learn to fit into the community? Or will the community be forever changed by them? As Teddy the philosopher would answer: Yes.
Why We Want to Read It: Teddy & Co. reminds us (at least from the synopsis) of the Imaginaries and the Doldrums - a sweet, simple story that's a great holiday read. We love books like this, so Teddy & Co. was an easy sell.
Why We Want to Read It: Teddy & Co. reminds us (at least from the synopsis) of the Imaginaries and the Doldrums - a sweet, simple story that's a great holiday read. We love books like this, so Teddy & Co. was an easy sell.
Journey's End
by Rachel Hawkins
Synopsis: The town of Journey's End may not literally be at the end of the world, but it sure feels like it to Nolie Stanhope. Spending the summer with her scientist father in the tiny Scottish village isn't exactly Nolie's idea of a good time, but she soon finds a friend: native Journey's Ender Bel McKissick.
While Nolie's father came to Journey's End to study the Boundary--a mysterious fog bank offshore--Bel's family can’t afford to consider it a threat. The McKissick’s livelihood depends on the tourists drawn by legends of a curse. Still, whether you believe in magic or science, going into the Boundary means you'll never come back.
…Unless you do. Albert Etheridge, a boy who disappeared into the Boundary in 1914, suddenly returns--without having aged a day and with no memory of the past hundred years. Then the Boundary starts creeping closer to the town, threatening to consume everyone within.
While Nolie's father wants to have the village evacuated, Bel's parents lead the charge to stay in Journey's End. Meanwhile, Albert and the girls look for ways to stop the encroaching boundary, coming across an ancient Scottish spell that requires magic, a quest, and a sacrifice.
Why We Want to Read It: The synopsis of this reminds us a lot of My Diary From the Edge of the World, which we absolutely loved. Hence, we couldn't resist this book!
While Nolie's father came to Journey's End to study the Boundary--a mysterious fog bank offshore--Bel's family can’t afford to consider it a threat. The McKissick’s livelihood depends on the tourists drawn by legends of a curse. Still, whether you believe in magic or science, going into the Boundary means you'll never come back.
…Unless you do. Albert Etheridge, a boy who disappeared into the Boundary in 1914, suddenly returns--without having aged a day and with no memory of the past hundred years. Then the Boundary starts creeping closer to the town, threatening to consume everyone within.
While Nolie's father wants to have the village evacuated, Bel's parents lead the charge to stay in Journey's End. Meanwhile, Albert and the girls look for ways to stop the encroaching boundary, coming across an ancient Scottish spell that requires magic, a quest, and a sacrifice.
Why We Want to Read It: The synopsis of this reminds us a lot of My Diary From the Edge of the World, which we absolutely loved. Hence, we couldn't resist this book!
The Poet's Dog
by Patricia MacLachlan
Synopsis: Teddy is a gifted dog. Raised in a cabin by a poet named Sylvan, he grew up listening to sonnets read aloud and the comforting clicking of a keyboard. Although Teddy understands words, Sylvan always told him there are only two kinds of people in the world who can hear Teddy speak: poets and children.Then one day Teddy learns that Sylvan was right. When Teddy finds Nickel and Flora trapped in a snowstorm, he tells them that he will bring them home—and they understand him. The children are afraid of the howling wind, but not of Teddy’s words. They follow him to a cabin in the woods, where the dog used to live with Sylvan . . . only now his owner is gone.
As they hole up in the cabin for shelter, Teddy is flooded with memories of Sylvan. What will Teddy do when his new friends go home? Can they help one another find what they have lost?
Why We Want to Read It: We love animal stories, and that, mixed with poetry, makes this a must-read for us. A Poet's Dog seems like a cozy, wintery book that you curl up next to the fireplace with - exactly the type of story we love.
As they hole up in the cabin for shelter, Teddy is flooded with memories of Sylvan. What will Teddy do when his new friends go home? Can they help one another find what they have lost?
Why We Want to Read It: We love animal stories, and that, mixed with poetry, makes this a must-read for us. A Poet's Dog seems like a cozy, wintery book that you curl up next to the fireplace with - exactly the type of story we love.
The Evil Wizard Smallbone
by Delia Sherman
Synopsis: When twelve-year-old Nick runs away from his uncle’s in the middle of a blizzard, he stumbles onto a very opinionated bookstore. He also meets its guardian, the self-proclaimed Evil Wizard Smallbone, who calls Nick his apprentice and won’t let him leave, but won’t teach him magic, either. It’s a good thing the bookstore takes Nick’s magical education in hand, because Smallbone’s nemesis—the Evil Wizard Fidelou—and his pack of shape-shifting bikers are howling at the borders. Smallbone might call himself evil, but compared to Fidelou, he’s practically a puppy. And he can’t handle Fidelou alone.
Why We Want to Read It: This seems like a fun read that would keep us entertained for hours. Humor, adventure, quirky characters... in our book, it doesn't get much better than that.
Why We Want to Read It: This seems like a fun read that would keep us entertained for hours. Humor, adventure, quirky characters... in our book, it doesn't get much better than that.
