Books for children - April 15

BOOKS TO BORROW

"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli, Alfred A. Knopf, 2000, 186 pages, $15.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 10 and older.

Read yourself: age 10 and older.

When Stargirl arrives at Mica High School, the student body is buzzing with questions. Why does she dress the way she does? Why does she have a pet rat, carry a ukulele and sing "Happy Birthday" to people in the cafeteria? (And how does she know it's their birthday, anyway?) And although Stargirl is completely different from anyone they've ever met, the students begin to like her and are propelled into a new school spirit they've never experienced.

But soon Stargirl's nonconformity begins to grate on a few of the student's nerves, and shortly thereafter the whole school shuns Stargirl.

A tense, emotional story about nonconformity and the thrill of first love, this story provides important lessons for adolescents on a variety of levels.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Old Lyme - Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme

Library Director: Mary Fiorelli

Youth Services Librarian: Ronna Keith

Choices this week: "Gracie's Girl" by Ellen Wittlinger; "Following Fake Man" by Barbara Ware Holmes; "Power of Un" by Nancy Etchemendy

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"The False Prince" by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic, 2012, 342 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 8, 9 and older.

Read yourself: age 11 and older.

Trouble was brewing in the kingdom, and a nobleman named Conner was intent on reuniting both adversarial sides and restore peace. His plan, however, was less than honorable. Conner devises a scheme to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and have him take his "rightful" place on the throne. Of course, in return for the successful completion of his plan, Conner expects to be rewarded in more ways than he reveals.

"Crow" by Barbara Wright, Random House, 2012, 296 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 9, 10 and older.

Read yourself: age 11 and older.

In Wilmington, North Carolina, in the year 1898, young African American Moses witnesses growing tensions between the black and white communities. His grandmother, Boo Nanny, believes in superstitions, and she tells Moses something big is about happen, and she fears the omens that surround them. Wilmington had the most thriving African-American community in the country, but there were far too many whites who were growing more and more concerned about what that really meant. Finally, it all came to a devastating head.

The Wilmington Massacre of 1898 and the events leading up to it are expertly woven into this outstanding, important novel for older readers.

www.greatestbooksforkids.com