The Toadstool Bookshops of Keene, Milford, and Peterborough, NH

This is one crazy-adorable alphabet! The gentle energy in these expressive creatures invite your little ones to visit again soon. The 7-inch square size is nicely satisfying. Koala, Raven, Vole ... I can't pick any one favorite from these new animal friends, can you?

A cruel remark hurled from the safety of an 8th grade clique leads to the target's suicide. In the following summer, Kana, who was a part of that clique, is sent to her mother's family in coastal Japan to reflect and heal. Immersed in the rhythms of hard work, extended family, the beauty of her surroundings and the anchor of tradition, Kana begins to move away from blame, recognizing connections and finding respect, forgiveness, and an appropriate sense of responsibility.

Orchards is an important story about bullying and its consequences. Recommended for ages 12 & up.

Unabashed boy fun! Only Mom announcing "Lunch!" interrupts the mighty contests between Shark and Train. Who will win? Everyone, of course!

Sure to be a favorite read-aloud.

Paris & Brooklyn, mysteries of the French Revolution, mysteries of an 18th century innovative composer, mysteries of the heart and the heart of a young prince.... Andi is a young woman of extraordinary intelligence and talent. Her exploration and expressions of music take her through her own catacombs of hidden suffering, a labyrinth of difficult discoveries that lead to the very edge of what it is to live. Adult as well as young adult women will savor this journey: a story historic and political in ways that are surprisingly relevant to current events. Great soundtrack (a prize to whoever puts that together!) and a new heartthrob in the handsome young Tunisian cabdriver. Highly recommended.

Tiny, feisty Flory is determined to make her home in the garden of the giantess. This in an adventure with a fairy who has lost her wings, a scatterbrained squirrel named Scuggle, some bats, hummingbirds, a large spider and more. It's a lovely, satisfying tale recommended for ages 7-11 that will be enjoyed by everyone who loves to be in nature. Beautiful color illustrations throughout; a great read-aloud as well.

It is the North of Ireland in the 1980’s. Fergus McCann is a great kid ready to leave his little coastal town and break out on his own. He wants to pass the driving test, do well enough on his exams to qualify for university, have a couple of pints with his uncle at the pub while he sorts out his feelings for beautiful, wild Cora. Then there is the anguish of waiting for the phone to ring with news of his brother on hunger strike with other IRA prisoners. When Fergus discovers the 2000-year-old body of a girl preserved in a peat bog she begins to tell her story through his restless dreams. Separations of time, geography, political allegiance, suddenly seem more like connections as the workings of larger events play into the lives of ordinary people. Punctuated by the lyrics of John Lennon and The Clash, the edicts of Margaret Thatcher, the tense undercurrent of waiting for something or someone to explode, Bog Child is a fantastic story that describes one experience of the terrible beauty of living.

This follow-up to Hunger Games is not to be missed.

Katniss’ act of defiance in the arena has sparked the smoldering fire of rebellion in the people; her mocking jay pin and Katniss herself are now symbols of hope for those who would break free of the brutality of the Capitol.

Plan to lose sleep! Once returned to District 12 there’ll be no stopping: Peeta, Hamitch, Gale and you will need all your wits to reach the end. (Well, not quite the end. We’ll have to wait for book 3 for resolution to all survival questions physical, political and romantic. I already can’t wait!)