The Bride's House

(Sandra Dallas, $24.99) 

Set in a Colorado mining town, this moving historical novel spins the yarn of three generations of women. Nealie Bent is only seventeen during the heyday of gold mining. She is courted by staid, solid Charlie Dumas, but rejects him in favor of dashing Will Spaulding. When Nealie becomes pregnant, Will skips town, and she accepts Charlie's offer of marriage. Tragedy leaves Charlie a single father, and he raises Pearl with utmost devotion but very protectively. Pearl's life in the beautiful Bride's House Charlie bought for her mother is utterly smothering until she takes matters into her own hands, binding together a deep secret and a trip to Europe. The third part of the book focuses on Pearl's daughter Susan, growing up in wartime and caught between two men trying to claim her attention. Each woman in this book has her own distinct character and her own battles to fight. I was probably fondest of Pearl and her story, but Susan's story also won my heart. I love the setting in the rugged mountains of Colorado. Dallas evokes each era for us so that we can picture mud streets, rustic mining cabins, the increasingly aging Bride's House, and all the characters experience. Each romance is sweet and heartbreaking in its own way. A good read if you enjoy historical fiction and easy reads that aren't just fluff.

The Once and Future King

(T.H. White, $7.99)

Ever seen that wonderful old musical "Camelot?" It was based on this book. Of course, the book and the movie are vastly different, but the movie did manage to capture some of the things I like best about this book: its sense of grand adventure and high romance, mixed with a poignant sadness of things passing, never to return. This book is, of course, a re-telling of the King Arthur stories--but what a re-telling! The characters come alive, riding right out of the pages just as flesh-and-blood real as your best friend or your lover. Maybe that's why, even as a child reading this book (I probably read it upwards of a dozen times before the age of twelve) I didn't judge the moral failings of the characters, just lived it along with them, absorbing the drama, ecstasy and heartbreak. This isn't a children's book, by the way; it's a very adult story, but it would be great for that voraciously unstoppable kid reader who is so far above their own reading level you don't know what to do with them. The story is told in parts. The first part, dealing with Arthur's childhood, is tons of fun. Merlyn teaches Arthur about human nature by turning him into different kinds of animals. Of course, he then becomes king and his troubles begin. Each successive part of this book is tinged with more sadness, but it is oh so worth reading. Jousting tournaments, diverse adventures, the Quest for the Holy Grail, treachery, amazing friendships, and, of course, one of the greatest love stories ever--they're all here. Don't let the "fantasy" label put you off.  There's a bit of magic, but mostly it's an incredible work of historical fiction and an absolute work of genius.  

Cynthia

Deep Down True

(Juliette Fay, $15.00))

Looking for a fun, light summer read?  Deep Down True fits this description without being mind-numbing.  Dana Stellgarten is a fun and realistic protagonist.  A struggling,  single mom of a daughter facing the  dilemmas of sixth grade, a seven year- old son missing his father and a Goth teenage niece needing a neutral place to live, doesn't give Dana a lot of time to think about her own needs.   She is newly divorced, trying to manage home and financial difficulties while attempting to provide a stable environment for her kids.  At times, both Dana's and her entourage's antics are humorous but they are always very realistic. Dana has always been an optimist as well as someone who tends to take care of other people better than herself.  Suddenly she is faced with the prospect of dating for the first time in eighteen years and the need to get a job outside of the home.  In the beginning neither of these seems to be easy or entirely pleasant. As Dana strives to balance her family's needs with her own she discovers  an inner strength that is "deep down true".  

Close to Famous    

(Joan Bauer, young adult, $16.99) 

I love reading Joan Bauer's books because her heroines are so realistic, and because they deal with real-life issues other than just getting the cute guy. Her newest heroine, Foster, is only thirteen, but she's already a professional baker. She invents her own recipes and sells her goods to local restaurants. Foster's big secret, though, is that she can't read. That's why she invents recipes instead of following a cookbook. When Foster and her mama move to the little town of Culpepper to escape Mama's abusive boyfriend, Foster meets Miss Charleena, a former movie star who quickly learns Foster's secret and determines to teach her to read. This book shows that everyone has a dream, everyone has gifts, and everyone, from movie star to child, needs the help of their friends to achieve their goals. Bauer's heroines have backbone and are willing to stand up for what is right. I always appreciate those qualities in young people's literature. 

Cynthia 

Secret Agent Jack Stalwart: The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur  

(Elizabeth Singer Hunt, $5.99)

If you know of a struggling, young reader, put this book into his or her hands.   This is the first book in a series of twelve with numbers 13 and fourteen due out this fall. In each book  Jack travels to a different country to solve world threatening crimes.  After reading the first book, the reader and can pick and choose titles which seem the most interesting.  Jack is a secret agent with the "Global Protection Force" agency.  All children like to feel empowered and Jack allows them the ability to image themselves as crime fighters.  In the first book, the reader is introduced to all the cool gadgets Jack uses to correct the world's wrongdoings.  Jack is a young boy living in England.  His older brother Max was also with the GPF but now has gone missing and Jack is determined to find his brother.  The first case takes Jack to New York City where a student has stolen a bone from the skeleton of an allosaurus.  Jack is immediately on the case when he comes face to face with a living  

Sue

I Know Here 

(Laurel Croza, Matt James illustrator, Picture Book ages 7-10, $18.95)

A little girl and her family have been living in a remote area of Saskatchewan while her father works on a dam project.One day she finds out the project is done and they will be moving to Toronto at the end of the school year.The little girl doesn't know Toronto; she knows HERE.She knows her friends and neighbors, where the fox lives, where the wolves howl, the creek, the trees, but she doesn't know Toronto.How will she keep her memories of HERE alive when she leaves?With the help of her teacher, she comes up with a way.This book was such a delightful surprise and would be a great book for a child who is experiencing change in their life, most especially a move.James' illustrations will pull you into the little girl's world as she lists the things she knows.I really liked this book!  Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye

(Jane Yolen, Jim LaMarche illustrator, Picture Book ages 4-8, $16.99)

No two ways about it, this is a book about a cat that dies.But it is no ordinary book by any means.  Jane Yolen has written over 300 children's books (including one of my favorites, "Owl Moon") and she has approached the subject of pet deaths in previous books.Jim LaMarche is the author/illustrator of my all-time favorite children's book, "Story for Bear."  Between the two of them they have crafted a graceful and moving story about the last day of Tiger Rose's life.Tiger Rose knows her time has come.She says her goodbyes to her humans, then walks about the farm, gently saying goodbye to the other animals and places she has shared her life with:the trees and shrubs, the dog, the chipmunk, the snake, the birds, even the bees.When at last she is done, she curls up under the rosebushes one last time.  This book is more about Tiger Rose's life than her death, but a peaceful book about the subject that is fitting for younger kids.Tears will be shed.Tiger Rose's is a death all of us who have had cats would wish for our own.This book is a keeper. 

Trash

(Andy Mulligan, $16.99)

After hearing this book reviewed on a radio program I sat down and read it in a single sitting. Set in a 'rubbish town' of India, we follow the story of three dumpsite boys who discover something in their trash picking that sets them on a journey of dangerous adventure and discovery. The story is good, and quickly develops an aura of intigue that sucks the reader in. Best of all, however, is the writing style. Each chapter is told in the voice of a different person. Voices range from Rat, an illiterate orphan living in a 'trash cave', to Olivia, a university student on vacation. Put this book in the hands of just about any young teen and they are likely to be appreciative. A perfect book for a reluctant young male reader.