As I was working on my selection carts at work, I came across a bunch of books that look really awesome. So I thought I'd post about them so you can covet them, too. ;)
Eli the Good by Silas House. Random House, September 2009.
Bicentennial fireworks burn the sky. Bob Seger growls from a transistor radio. And down by the river, girls line up on lawn chairs in pursuit of the perfect tan. Yet for ten-year-old Eli Book, the summer of 1976 is the one that threatened to tear his family apart. There is his distant mother; his traumatized Vietnam vet dad; his wild sister; his former warprotester aunt; and his tough yet troubled best friend, Edie, the only person with whom he can be himself. As tempers flare and his father’s nightmares rage, Eli watches from the sidelines, but soon even he cannot escape the current of conflict.
I loved Silas House's Clay's Quilt, so I'm looking forward to reading his upcoming YA novel which comes out in just a few weeks!
The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson. Clarion Books, October 2009.Meli Lleshi is positive that her drawing of her teacher with his pelican nose started it all. The Lleshis are Albanians living in Kosovo, a country trying to fight off Serbian oppressors, and suddenly they are homeless refugees. Old and young alike, they find their courage tested by hunger, illness, the long, arduous journey, and danger on every side. Then, unexpectedly, they are brought to America by a church group and begin a new life in a small Vermont town. The events of 9/11 bring more challenges for this Muslim family--but this country is their home now and there can be no turning back.
I didn't even know Katherine Paterson had a new book coming out, but now that I know, I want it!
Hawksmaid: The Untold Story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian by Kathryn Lasky. HarperCollins, September 2009.
I can't find a picture or a plot summary of this one anywhere, but just the title and subtitle is enough to intrigue me! I do kind of wonder if this book even really exists, as I've seriously not been able to find ANYTHING about it. (Anyone know?)
Hamlet by John Marsden. Candlewick, August 2009.This one's actually already out, I just need to get my hands on it. I saw the play Hamlet for the first time this summer (actually, I saw an abbreviated version), so I was really intrigued when I saw that John Marsden had written a novel retelling of the story. As soon as I allow myself to buy more books (or convince our YA librarian to buy this for the teen section), I'll be picking this one up.
So what books are you really looking forward to?