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Happy Holidays from
Broadway Books! |
 Holiday Gift Ideas
Buying books as gifts for younger readers can sometimes feel a tad daunting. Who knows what the heck kids like to read these days? We're here to give you some direction on that question. You tell us what you know about the person in question, and we'll do our best to put some good candidates for reading in your hands.
Picture books for the youngest, and on up the age ladder, we've got you covered. We offer you some of our favorites in this newsletter.
Don't forget our extended holiday hours this month: Monday through Saturday we're open from 10 am to 9 pm, and Sundays we're open from 10 am to 7 pm. We'll close at 5 pm on Christmas Eve.
Sally McPherson and Kim Bissell
Broadway Books
1714 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
503-284-1726
bookbroads@qwestoffice.net
www.broadwaybooks.net
Children's Picture Books
 Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen ($16.99, Candlewick) A charming book, from a very charming duo, filled with all things boys love: a funny story, digging, a dog, digging, great irony, and digging. A sure bet. Barnett and Klassen have both produced several books, some jointly. Klassen won the Caldecott Award in 2013 for This is Not My Hat.
Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers  ($26.99, Philomel Books) In this new book from the author/illustrator of Stuck and the illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit, Jeffers raises the bar for alphabet books. Never before have letters been treated like royalty. Each has its own story in this book rich with inventive humor, a solid dose of alliteration, and incredible illustrations, achieving a book that is story book, alphabet book, and art book, all in one gorgeous package.
 The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak ($17.99, Dial Books) It might seem odd to include a book with no pictures in the Picture Book category, but that's the way we roll. This innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor/author B.J. Novak will make the wee ones roll around on the floor in uncontrollable giggling. Here's how the book works: Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud, no matter how ridiculous the words -- such as BLORK or BLUURF. The Book with No Pictures is one that kids will beg to hear again and again -- and parents will be happy to oblige.
The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee ($17.99, Simon & Schuster) From a  picture book with no pictures to the more familiar, a picture book with (almost) no words. This book, both whimsical and touching, tells the story of a farmer who reluctantly rescues a baby clown who has bounced off the circus train. The two make surprising discoveries about themselves and about life, and develop an unexpected friendship. The simply drawn characters in a muted color palette match the quiet, gentle mood of the story -- a far cry from the book described above!
Little Humans by Brandon Stanton ($17.99, Farrar Straus Giroux) From the creative  mind behind Humans of New York comes a new book for all children who love to look at themselves and each other. Following an inspirational attempt to document the humans of New York, Stanton captured our hearts with his book of the same title. This homage to the children of New York is equally as special and touching. While it reminds us that big things come in small packages, we are really reminded of the small in all of us.
James Herriot's Treasury for Children, illustrated by Ruth Brown (formerly of  Portland!) and Peter Barrett ($25.99, St. Martin's Griffin) Imagine a roaring fire, a large comfy chair, a small child on your lap - and this very perfect book for reading aloud. Herriot was a full-time veterinarin who didn't begin writing until age 50, at which point he produced such classics as All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful. This book compiles some of Herriot's charming, best-loved children's classics in a beautifully illustrated volume.
 Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman ($17.99, Dial Books) Soman, the illustrator of the Ladybug Girl series, delights us with his latest offering. It's a story of three brother bears, naughty but soulful, who venture out to replace a recently broken treasure belonging to their mother. A high-seas adventure ensues. The book offers wonderful illustrations reminiscent of those of Maurice Sendak. A truly heartwarming tale to the very end.
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods ($24.99, Disney-Hyperion) One of the best things  about our children falling deep into Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series (beginning with The lightning Thief) is their new-found interest in Greek mythology. But how to get them to read further about the gods under the guise of fun? Why, more Percy Jackson, of course! He dares to teach readers the basics, even under threat of the Olympiad's anger, mostly so we are prepared to protect ourselves if they happen to return to today's society. Brilliant! Whether it's the return of Greek gods or the zombie apocolypse, we're ready!
 The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm ($16.99, Random House) Let's just say you're an eleven-year-old girl, dealing with all the things an eleven-year-old has to deal with. Then your grandfather discovers an anti-aging secret and starts becoming younger by the minute, eventually showing up as a pimply faced teenage boy who moves in with you and your mother . . .um, awkward. This new book by a three-time Newbery book honoree and the co-creator of the Babymouse series is truly a hoot. The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer ($18, Little, Brown) One of the  most popular series for younger readers in the past year or so has been the Land of Stories series by Golden-Globe-winning actor Chris Colfer (best know for his role on Glee). The newest book in the series, the third, is A Grimm Warning. In this installment, Conner Bailey thinks his fairy-tale adventures are behind him -- until he discovers a mysterious clue left by the famous Brothers Grimm.With help from his classmate Bree and the outlandish Mother Goose, Conner sets off on a mission across Europe to crack a two-hundred-year-old code. Meanwhile, his twin Alex is training to become the next Fairy Godmother, but her attempts at granting wishes never go as planned. Will she ever be truly ready to lead the Fairy Council?
Oxford Children's Classics - These new printings of Wind in the Willows, The Secret Garden and others are treats for old and young. The illustrations are wonderful and the books list at the great price at $9.95 Who can deny these magical stories! With more modern illustrations, these classics now look hip and fetching.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson ($16.99, Penguin) In this memoir  for young readers (probably 10 and up), Woodson shares her memories of growing up in the late '60s and '70s in New York and South Carolina, and her awakening to society's reshaping after the Civil Rights movement. The book is an emotional read as she describes growing up as an African American during these times, and also magical because she writes her story in poems. This is a very important book, and well-deserving of being selected as the National Book Award winner for young readers in 2014.
 And please please please don't forget about our all-time favorite book for young readers -- and heck, even for adults -- The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer. Celebrating more than fifty years of bringing entertainment and enjoyment to readers of all ages, this book makes a great read-aloud book as well. This is a book that continues to sell and sell, despite its age -- and really, isn't fifty the new thirty anyway?
Young Adult Books
 Unbroken : An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive by Laura Hillenbrand ($19.99, Delacourte/Random House) The bestselling book about the life of Louis Zamperini is now available in a version appropriate for younger readers. Truly, Angelina Jolie (producer of the movie based on the original book) says it best: "Every young person should have the chance to read this book. It's easy to think, growing up, that bravery is for other people, who are simply born heroic. But nothing about Louis marked him out for greatness. He started out as a misfit and troublemaker, but became a great man because of his choices. His story shows that everyone has the potential to rise above obstacles. It is not where you start out in life that counts the most, it is how you choose to face it."
Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire ($17.99, Candlewick) Maguire, of Wicked  fame, has done it again. The book offers a fantasy folk tale about a czarist Russian impoverished family whose prayers are potentially answered by a noble connection in their small town. Maguire is a master storyteller, and this new young adult novel -- described as one reviewer as "rather like a nesting doll set of stories" -- is his next tour-de-force. This new book is sure to be a hit with any folk-tale-loving teen.
 Jackaby by William Ritter ($16.95, Algonquin) This debut novel from an Oregonian conjures up thoughts of Doctor Who meets Sherlock Holmes. The story revolves around Jackaby, a detective of the paranormal, as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant, Abigail Rook, in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre. Set in New England in 1892, this book smoothly blends historical fiction with mystery and fantasy into an edge-of-your-seat action adventure.
Hollow City, Ransom Riggs ($17.99, Quirk/Random House) This sequel to the YA  hit Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children begins right where the first book left off. Having escaped Miss Peregrine's island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London (circa 1940), the "peculiar" capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises. Described as "hauntingly sinister," "a perfect blend of creepiness and thoughtfulness," and "a great big jolt of fun," this book would be perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman.
 100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith ($17.99, Simon & Schuster) Destiny takes a detour in this heartbreakingly hilarious novel from the acclaimed author of Winger. Finn Easton sees the world through miles instead of minutes. It's how he makes sense of the world, and how he tries to convince himself that he's a real boy and not just a character in his father's bestselling cult-classic book. Finn has two things going for him: his best friend, the possibly-insane-but-definitely-excellent Cade Hernandez, and Julia Bishop, the first girl he's ever loved.
I'll Give you the Sun by Jandy Nelson ($17.99, Dial/Penguin) This coming-of-age story  about twins -- one outgoing and charismatic and one insular, sensitive, and artistic -- is told from their two perspectives, three years apart. How could that be, you're probably asking. Several events have happened in those three years that have shaped the nature of their relationship, and their relationships with those around them. Nelson's compelling characterization and brilliant writing make this one of the sure YA bets for the year.
All Ages
 Ocean: A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen and Carol Kaufmann ($25.99, Workman) Last year's Photicular book Safari, by the same authors, was a huge hit. With his second book of Photicular technology Kainen has further refined the process, producing undulating creatures of the deep sea, as if you're on your own ocean dive. Observe the Yellow-Banded Sweetlips, the glow-in-the-dark Deep-Sea Anglerfish, the Sea Horse swaying in balletic motion, the Sand Tiger Shark gliding along the ocean floor, as if you are right there with them in the ocean. This book is guaranteed to produce "oohs" and "ahhhs."
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Help Build a Library!
Through our book drive, you can
continue to build the Roosevelt High School Library -
one book at a time
Broadway Books will give you 20% off the price of any book
you purchase for Roosevelt and/or we will add 20% to any
gift certificate you purchase for the book drive.
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