Patch Picks: Read Across America

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This week, the theme is “National Read Across America Day” so we spoke to local librarians about their picks for great books for children and adults. Today, March 2, is Dr. Seuss’s  birthday and the National Education Association sponsors Read Across America Day to encourage reading for all ages.

Eileen Pierce, the adult services librarian at Windsor Locks Public Library recommends these books for adults:

“Now You See Her,” by Joy Fielding, a suspense novel about a mother who thinks she spots her daughter who went missing two years previously. Pierce recently read it and said it was a psychological thriller that she found hard to put down.

“Death at La Fenice,” by Donna Leon, is the first in a series featuring investigator Guido Brunetti and is set in Venice, Italy. Pierce said the character is a wonderful detective and the writing makes you feel like you are in Venice.

“Feed Me: Writers Dish about Food, Eating, Weight and Body Image,” edited by Harriet Brown, is a collection of essays by women about their experiences with food and weight issues. The personal stories are heartfelt, sometimes funny yet offer a glimpse into society’s obsession with body image and food issues, according to reviews.

Kristen Raiche, the children’s librarian at Windsor Locks Public Library offers these choices for teens:

“Incarceron” by Catherine Fisher, is a young adult fantasy,  the first book in a new series about a teen trying to escape from a prison and the warden’s daughter who also longs for escape.

“Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters” by Natalie Standiford, is about three sisters who try to win back the affection of their grandmother by confession what they think they have done to offend her.

For younger readers. Raiche recommends:

“Nathanial Fludd, Beastologist” by R.L. LaFevers and Kelly Murphy, a series recommended for third through fifth grades about a 10-year-old who starts learning the family business of mapmaking and beastology after his parents go missing. There are three books in the fantasy series, with a fourth one coming out in April.

“Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers  of the School” by Andrew Clements, a mystery series about students who are trying to save their historic New England school from developers who want to build an amusement park. Recommended for fourth through sixth graders, there are two books in the series so far.
Raiche said both of these series have proved popular with kids.

Elaine Shapiro, librarian and media specialist at Broad Brook Elementary School recommends:

“Wild About Books,” by Judy Sierra, written in the style of Dr. Seuss as a tribute, is about a librarian who accidentally drives her bookmobile to the zoo and the animals gather around to listen to a Dr. Seuss story. It is illustrated by Marc Brown.

“Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” by Willaim Steig, is a tale of a donkey who finds a magic pebble that grants wishes, but then accidently wishes to be a pebble so he can no longer hold the pebble to wish himself back. Winner of a Caldecott Medal in 1970, Shapiro said this tale is a classic loved by children.

“Martha Speaks” by Susan Meddaugh, is a picture book about a dog who eats alphabet soup and then is able to talk. There are also chapter books with this character and a PBS show, which focuses on vocabulary and the adventures of Martha and her owner, Helen.