Duck Tents
by Lynne Berry

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The five little ducks are going camping, and in the evening they sit around the campfire and toast marshmallows. Just as they're about to snuggle up tight and drift off to sleep, they hear a scary noise. "Whooo" can it be? Full color. "In a small backyard, by a squat stone fence, five little ducks pitch five duck tents. "The five little ducks are going camping! They can't wait for a day of fun at the fishing hole. In the evening they sit around the campfire and toast marshmallows. But just as they're about to snuggle up tight and drift off to sleep, they hear a scary noise. "Whooo "can it be?

 Staff Comment: This is the perfect book to share before your kids set up their tents in the backyard for overnight camping or you take off for that family camping trip.  In this rollicking rhyme, five adorable little ducks pitch tents, go fishing, eat s'mores, and get a little scared by nighttime noises before they all pile into one tent, "snuggle up tight and drift to sleep."  The rich watercolor illustrations set off the adventure perfectly.  My favorite picture is five little ducks "full of marshmallow goo."  Recommended for preschool through grade 3.

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Everywear
by Ellen Warwick

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Included in in this book in the Planet Girl series are doll-ups for duds, re-dos for dos, jewelry rethinks and the ultimate accessories, bags. It's all versatile stuff girls can show off anywhere and everywear! It's never been easier (or easier on the wallet) to create frugal and fashionable accessories that embody seriously unique chic. In keeping with the spirit of the Planet Girl series, Everywear encourages crafters to check basements, junk drawers and nooks and crannies for recyclable treasures before heading to the craft supply or hardware store. Introductory sections also include the tips girls will need to get started, including the lowdown on sewing, using tools, and more. Everywear is divided into the following sections: UPDO IT * Swish hair sticks, Fab flower hair combs and other ways to swank up the ol' do, whether it's short n' sassy or long n' luxurious. FLASH IT * Perk-me-up jewelry ideas including a Va-va-voom vinyl wristband, Rings that rock and other projects to dazzle and adorn. WEAR IT * A too-cute tulip hat, Superstar sweater cuffs and other wearables to add a little ooh-la-la to any ensemble. STRUT IT * Fab bags to lend that finishing touch to a smashing outfit.

 Staff Comment: 
This book is full of "You-nique" accessories that you can make for yourself and your friends. Not just jewelry, but jewelry bags, duct tape newpaper tote, rolled paper earrings, and fantastic easy sewing projects for you to wear from your head to your toes. While you have the summer off from school you can get your Christmas and birthday presents made for your whole family and a few new fashion accessories for yourself. Very clear directions with patterns and drawings to guide you through a new project. Can't wait to make a newsprint (may try to use a magazine or photo) to make my own personalized duct tape tote.

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Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici
by Carolyn Meyer

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Young Catherine de' Medici is the sole heiress to the entire fortune of the wealthy Medici family, but her life is far from luxurious. This novel chronicles the life of a young woman who becomes one of France's most powerful queens. Includes a family tree. Young Catherine de' Medici is the sole heiress to the entire fortune of the wealthy Medici family. But her life is far from luxurious. After a childhood spent locked away behind the walls of a convent, she joins the household of the pope, where at last she can be united with her true love. But, all too soon, that love is replaced with an engagement to a boy who is cold and aloof. It soon becomes clear that Catherine will need all the cunning she can muster to command the respect she deserves as one of France's most powerful queens."Includes a family tree."

 Staff Comment: While her tyrannical family is out of favor in Italy, young Catherine de Medici is raised in convents, then in 1533, when she is fourteen, her uncle, Pope Clement VII, arranges for her marriage to prince Henri of France, who is destined to become king.  I just finished reading this book and I highly recommend it!

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Not Becoming My Mother: And Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way
by Ruth Reichl

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Bestselling author Reichl embarks on a clear-eyed, openhearted investigation of her mother's life, piecing together the journey of a woman she comes to realize she never really knew. Bestselling author Ruth Reichl examines her motheras life, giving voice to the universal unarticulated truth that we are grateful not to be our mothers

In "Not Becoming My Mother," bestselling author Ruth Reichl embarks on a clear-eyed, openhearted investigation of her motheras life, piecing together the journey of a woman she comes to realize she never really knew. Looking to her motheras letters and diaries, Reichl confronts the painful transition her mother made from a hopeful young woman to an increasingly unhappy older one and realizes the tremendous sacrifices she made to make sure her daughteras life would not be as disappointing as her own. 

 Staff Comment: I read this book in 2 sittings.   The author has other books, (“Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise,” “Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures at the Table,” and “Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table.” ), which I also plan to check out.  AND...You can follow the author on Twitter(@ruthreichl)!

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The Sugar Queen
by Sarah Addison Allen

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In this irresistible follow-up to her "New York Times" bestselling debut, Garden Spells," " author Sarah Addison Allen tells the tale of a young woman whose family secrets--and secret passions--are about to change her life forever.

Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter in her North Carolina hometown is her favorite season, she's a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her hidden closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother's house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night.... Until she finds it harboring none other than local waitress Della Lee Baker, a tough-talking, tenderhearted woman who is one part nemesis--and two parts fairy godmother...

 Staff Comment: Sarah Addison Allen (Garden Spells) does it again with The Sugar Queen.  It's a totally mystical and sensual story about families, friends, relationships and finding yourself and happiness.  Allen has a way of using sugar-related tastes & smells of candy, cookies, and other sugary confections to describe feelings and setting.  "If she could eat the cold air, she would.  She thought cold snaps were like cookies, like gingersnaps.  In her mind  they were made with white chocolate chunks and had a cool, brittle vanilla frosting.  They melted like snow in her mouth, turning creamy and warm."  Besides, what librarian can resist a book that includes a character who attracts books that magically appear to help her get her life in order.  It's a fun and heartwarming read.

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