Not quite science fiction, the story is offbeat and psychological. Antsy, Howe, Ira, and the Schwa himself investigate the Schwa Effect (his seeming invisibility). Four out of five people don’t notice him standing right next to them. Not even when he stands in the bathroom with an orange sombrero and a cat costume and sings loudly.

The friends start with experimentation of the Schwa Effect, and then investigate the disappearance of the Schwa’s mother by interviewing observers.

Quite an unusual book. It’s been added to my YA Horizons list.

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Hogfather is the next installment of the Ultra-Condensed Discworld. Death is the starring character, along with his granddaughter Susan Sto Helit. This one ranks up there with my favorites, though not necessarily in the top three.

Ultra-Condensed

This month’s selection, Wild Things, I picked up on a whim. I hadn’t heard of the author, Clay Carmichael, or anything about the book. It was in the New section at the library. What caught my attention was the description of the uncle, a heart surgeon with less heart than Zöe had hoped. But she learns that they have much in common, including a desire to create and explosive personalities.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

This next item I want to share with you is not a book. It is the March 2009 edition of Odyssey Magazine, a magazine my kids and I often enjoy. This edition is a particularly good one with an archaeological project to reproduce regional breadmaking, an interview with a master baker  and author (Peter Reinhart), ideas to feed a growing global population, discussion of varieties of bread and the use of sourdough starters, bread as a medicine, instructions on how to build an outdoor oven, and a baking challenge (which, sadly, we missed).

I suppose it is particularly exciting, because my husband and I have wanted to make our own crusty breads for a long time. I’m sure you’ve noticed they are becoming more and more expensive. We found a recipe in Mother Earth News which will allow us to do so skipping the kneading process, which is a major stumbling block to trying. Since I also saw the book Bread Comes To Life, I am excited about finally trying both the bread and growing wheat. My husband has wanted to make an oven, too. So, it is all coming together.

For 16 days in 2006, The Gates (7503 orange, rectangular arches with free-flowing fabric) stood along the paths of Central Park in New York. The project was proposed in 1979 and was 26 years in the making. The main focus of this book is Cristo and Jeanne-Claude’s process of constructing their large scale art projects, which are as much a managerial achievement and public discourse as they are artwork.

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These are the best books for young readers I’ve read in quite a while. They have lots of funny segments. In one week, my ten-year-old read the first four books twice (despite Henry’s being way under his reading level). My thirteen-year-old also read them all. So, they are books for all ages or levels to enjoy.

Between beginning readers and picture books and novels, there is a gap in literature that is difficult to bridge, causing frustration for children and concern by parents. The Horrid Henry books fall between the two categories, and hopefully their humor will help in this crucial step towards becoming a reader. The books are designed like beginner readers, but longer and more advanced. There are four short stories in each book. They are for those who have outgrown beginner readers but are not ready to read novels. Novels are so much longer than beginners that there really need to be more books at the Horrid Henry level. Good readers will make the huge leap to novels. Others might not. I have come across some other excellent transitional books but not enough to keep reluctant readers reading. I have posted before about the importance of this developmental stage and have a list of transitional books.

This is the first printing of Horrid Henry in the US. The books have been a huge success in England, and other areas internationally, for many years.

READ MORE about Horrid Henry

I found the second book less funny than the original Horrid Henry, but utterly relatable. Henry certainly lives up to his reputation. Only Moody Margaret tops him. In this book, the illustrations are more imaginative: the fire-breathing dragon, the wedding pictures, Margaret drawing the uncrossable line, and Henry’s fake window drop.

READ MORE about Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy

Another spectacular Horrid Henry book. Four great stories. I love the outrageousness of the regular life situations that become capers in Simon’s hands. In most of them, I can totally empathize with Henry despite his unconventional behavior.

READ MORE about Horrid Henry’s Stinkbomb

Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine is one you’ll not want to miss. Who knew a story about taking a walk could be so funny? Henry reminds me so much of my own children when we have pleaded, coaxed, and badgered them into going on walks. Now I know exactly what was going through their heads.

READ MORE about Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine

In case you haven’t already found them, I have added links to my Horizons Transitional Books – both adult books and YA. These lists will have newer reviews added to them as time goes on.

Horizons

YA Horizons

The BBC’s “Merlin” will be airing in the United States on NBC starting Sunday, June 21, 200.

The main characters are all young adults – Merlin, Arthur, Morgana,  and Guinevere. So, obviously it does not follow King Arthur canon. There are allusions to the canon, and it looks like it’s going to be a good show.

Uther is ruling Camelot, and Merlin has been informed of a destiny to protect and guide Arthur. But as he has been relegated to Arthur’s servant and magic is not allowed in the kingdom, he has his doubts about his destiny.

Thanks to FantasyFolder for the heads up.

I love that all of the Terry Pratchett books have been reprinted. It has made many more available at my library.

Mort is the next ultra-condensed version. This time I threw in quotes as well, because Pratchett says it best.

Ultra-Condensed

Because this is the beginning of the gardening season in Maine, I wanted to share some enjoyable garden books. The ones that I found made it very difficult to choose the Picture Book of the Month. All of these picture books would have been perfect. I’ve decided on Flower Garden by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt, bumping out my original choice.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

Other notable garden books:

• Bread Comes to Life by George Levenson (nonfiction but mostly picture book)

• The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

• Garden Crafts for Kids by Diane Rhoades

• The Gardener by Sarah Stewart. il by David Small

• The Green Truck Garden Giveaway by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. il. Alec Gillman

• Seedfolks by Paul Fleischmann (chapter book told through different perspectives)