by Frances M. Wood
ages: 11+
First sentence: “By late summer, Molly could always smell the corn growing.”
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Review copy sent to me by the publisher.

When I first picked up this book, I wasn’t quite sure about it. It’s an interesting premise: a couple of sisters, orphaned by their recently deceased father, decide that there is more opportunities for them out west than in Streator, Illinois. Actually, it’s the older sister, Colleen, 19, who decides that. She signs up to be a Harvey Girl — young women who worked the restaurants at the train depots on the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway — and drags her younger sister Molly, 13, along. The problem is Molly isn’t old enough to be a Harvey Girl, so (because she’s tall for her age), they pass her off to be 18.

I thought to myself: this can’t be a middle grade book. Really. A 13-year-old passing for an 18-year-old? But, you know, it worked. And it worked for middle grade readers (and up; I could see a teen liking this book, especially a history buff). There’s so much to enjoy about the book. Mostly set in New Mexico, Wood writes with an affection for the landscape and the time period. It’s a rich book, with many layers: there’s the initial deception that the sisters pull off and all that entails, sure. But it also touches on race relations, the hunt for marriageable spouses at that time period, envy and jealousy and contention among the girls, and most of all, the hard work it took to be a Harvey Girl.

And then there was the food. It made my mouth water, the descriptions of the dishes that the Creole chef Gaston created. Heavenly stuff.

There’s so much going on, it would seem weighted down. But, Wood remembers her audience (but doesn’t talk down to them!), and keeps Molly grounded in the story. She’s a great character to follow, and while the book does take a while to get started going, it’s really worth the time put in. An excellent read.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

Emily’s Fortune
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
ages: 8+
First sentence: “When eight-year-old Emily found herself alone in the world, she didn’t have much: a few dresses, a couple of books, and a small green turtle named Rufus.”
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Emily, who was perfectly happy living with her mother until the day she died in a freak carriage accident, is now an orphan. She has no idea what to do until a letter arrives from her distant Aunt Hilda, who is willing to take her in. However, that means two things: 1) Emily has to get there first. By herself. Which means avoiding the “child catchers”: the people who want to take her and put her in an orphanage. And 2) her mean old Uncle Victor is going to everything he can to stop that from happening. Mostly because, as it turns out, Emily inherited a very large fortune.

It’s a rollicking adventure, somewhat in the style of Lemony Snickett (except with a happy ending). Uncle Victor makes a great bad guy, channeling Snidely Wiplash as he poses and attempts to get Emily (and her fortune). Naylor captures the style of old fashioned serials perfectly, by ending each chapter with a HUGE (literally) question. That particular gimmick drove me bonkers after a bit, but I can see how it would really tickle a beginning chapter book reader.

In all, a fun little book.

Happy Birthday Sophie Hartley
by Stephanie Greene
ages: 9+
First sentence: “On the whole, Sophie felt that the conversation about her birthday present had gone very well.”
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It’s almost Sophie’s double-digit birthday. It’s a very important birthday, because you only go from single to double digits once in your life. And all she wants is a baby gorilla. Really. Shouldn’t be too hard, should it.

Well, except her family is crazy: her two older siblings are in the middle of their own dramas: sixteen-year-old Thad wants a car for his birthday, the week after Sophie; and 14-year-old Nora wants to move out of the room she and Sophie have shared for forever and into the attic. Plus she’s into boys. Ew.

That, and one of Sophie’s BFF is more into lacrosse than anything else, and maybe, just maybe that’s changing their friendship. The more Sophie thinks about it, the less she’s sure about this whole growing up thing.

It’s a sweet little story, one that deals with change and siblings and expectations and friendships, and does it with humor and creativity. Sophie’s a great character: full of life and color and excitement. And the fact that everything works out in the end is just a wonderful bonus. This is the third in the series, and if the other two are as good as this one, then it’s a great little series for early middle grade readers.

(Just for the record: because these are Cybils nominees, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

by Laurel Snyder
ages: 10+
First sentence: “Penelope Grey knew she was lucky.”
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Charming.

I really don’t know if I was expecting anything different from this. It’s got the look of something that would be charming. And from the very first sentence, I knew I was going to like Penny.

Penelope Grey is the only daughter of The Greys: rich, well-connected, busy (you know the type: Dad always gone to work, Mom always gone to some society event or another). She’s home alone with the staff, schooled by tutors. Her friends are social climbers. The only thing Penelope really has in her life are her books. And her life is nothing like those in her books. One day, she decides, almost on a whim, that what she needs is a Big Change, like those in books. So, she wishes. And her dad quits his job. Unfortunately, that makes life worse, not better. So, Penelope wishes again, and her family inherits a house in the country. They move there, and while there are still challenges, Penelope — now Penny, because it seems to fit better — finds that happily ever after doesn’t necessarily mean perfect. And that’s just fine.

See? Charming.

It has much of the same feel as The Penderwicks: old-fashioned and modern all at the same time. It espouses many of the same ideals: that kids need a place to run, that living in a small town, knowing all of ones neighbors, and having friends and exploring with them is so much better than having money and all the stuff that comes along with it. It’s a humble little book: there isn’t much of a plot (just enough to carry the story), and while there’s conflict, it’s really a character-driven book. But it works, and it works well because Penny is so earnest, so sweet and so winning. And because Snyder’s writing is that perfect balance between elegant and accessible. It flows effortlessly off the page, engaging the reader, and making us want to get to know Penny and experience things with her. However, it is also a bookish book: Penny finds questions and answers and hope in the pages of her books, which helped endear her to me, particularly. Of course.

Wonderfully, perfectly charming.

(And as for all the “controversy” surrounding the gay characters that are married in the book… yes, I can see where you’re coming from, but on the other hand, I feel that it’s a bit silly. Use it as a discussion point, people. Don’t get all up in arms about it. And I really don’t see a need to ban the book. Please.)

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)