The Girl Who Fell From The Sky
by Heidi W. Durrow
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
February 2010
Fiction
Author Heidi W. Durrow provokes me to the point where time stands still and a new, intriguing world is discovered as this fresh voice in literature strikes a nerve.
Inspired by true events, “The Girl Who Fell From the Sky” parades colorful, memorable characters like Brick, Drew, Nella, Laronne, Roger, and a Grandma who can easily conjure up old childhood memories.
But no character is as unforgettable as the brave voice of the young narrator, Rachel, who is the offspring of a Danish mother and a black father. One day she has two parents and then … one day, one selfish act leaves her without them.
It’s the year 1980, and time for lovely, blue-eyed Rachel to confront her personal idea of beauty, while struggling with the false perception of others. Often ridiculed, she is rather bold for a young girl without parents. She has her own way of standing up for herself, including standing up to her Grandma whose love is unconditional and strong, even when Rachel’s childhood antics tick her off.
I know I’m not interesting to Grandma anymore — what with my new ways. My new ways are back talk. I call it explaining. My new ways are wearing my shirts too tight. I call it fashion. My new ways are paying too much attention to boys. I call it being lonely.
Rachel, only one of many narrators, bleeds life into a story that first appears as just another book about race. But surprisingly, it’s way more than a conversation about black and white. The substance of this debut novel also touches on the colors in between, the layers one cannot see — pain, abuse, fear, and bravery.
A lone survivor proves that beauty exists even in the midst of an unspeakable act as her plight challenges the kindness of strangers. And those closest to Rachel are desperate to see her through.
More entertaining than preachy, there are lessons to be learned, introductions to life that are color blind. Lesson 1: Love, self-acceptance, and tolerance, are universal. Lesson 2: Blood is not always thicker than water.
Will readers identify with Rachel? Her weak mother Nella? A strong African-American grandmother? The love of a doting aunt? An alcoholic father who chooses not to be around? A wayward boy who never gives up on a promise?
Many questions remain. But the most perplexing question of them all deserves an answer.
Is it fair to force a biracial child to choose sides? Durrow’s highly anticipated novel, “The Girl Who Fell From the Sky” answers this question.
The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Fiction
September 2009
Climb aboard and experience one of the most magical train rides ever. Your destination? The North Pole.
“The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg captures the spirit of the holidays with colorful, engaging illustrations and a clever storyline.
A holiday favorite, this Christmas classic will test your belief in Santa, as a young boy, dressed in only his pajamas, a robe and slippers, sets out on an unforgettable journey.
And if you don’t believe in Santa, actor Liam Neeson might just change your mind as he eloquently narrates this beautiful, dramatic tale.
Enjoy the new hardcover twentieth anniversary edition, along with a compact disc or cassette audio recording.
Enjoy the spirit of the holidays with a good book and a little imagination.
B. Smith Cooks Southern-Style
by Barbara Smith
Scribner
NonFiction
November 2009
It’s that time of year again — time to make a longer grocery list, pull out those oversized heavy duty pots and pans, and reinvent traditional family recipes.
The first Thanksgiving feast, according to food historian Kathleen Curtin, took place at Plimoth Plantation in 1921. The celebration included celebrating harvest and giving thanks for a bountiful crop. And much like today’s traditional cooks, pilgrims used flavorful spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Meat consumption consisted of goose, duck, crane, swan, eagles, partridges, and wild turkey.
And today, the Turkey still dominates as the most popular of family traditions. And over the years, turkey variations have caused family chaos, debates and debacle. Some turkey concoctions (the deep fried version) can result in a trip to the nearest emergency room.
Renew your Thanksgiving tradition with Barbara Smith, author of “B. Smith Cooks Southern-Style.” She is reigning “queen” of a home products empire and is proprietor of three restaurants in New York City, Washington, D.C.’s Union Station, and Long Island’s Sag Harbor.
Smith celebrates cooking with a touch of class by endorsing flavorful dishes that not only taste good, but are good for you. And for cooks who dare not buck the family tradition, the cornish hens with cranberry-chestnut stuffing is a Thanksgiving classic.
While praising the great flavor that fat adds to dishes, Smith encourages healthy eating by putting a wholesome spin on Southern dishes like alligator-stuffed eggplant, smothered chicken livers, and grilled okra and tomato salad, to name a few.
Heat up your kitchen with the comfort of Southern cuisine!
MORE COOKBOOKS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT
My New Orleans: The Cookbook
by John Bess
Andrews McMeel Publishing
NonFiction
September 2009
Rose’s Heavenly Cakes
by Rose Levy Beranbaum
Wiley, John & Sons
NonFiction
September 2009
One Hundred Butterflies
by Harold Feinstein
Little, Brown and Company
Non Fiction
November 2009
The egg. The larva. The pupa. The adult butterfly. The complex life cycle of a butterfly occurs in four separate stages and what once was a colorless, wormlike caterpillar is miraculously transformed into one of the most beautiful insects in the world.
You can witness an endless array of winged beauty from Asia, Africa, and the Americas, thanks to celebrated photographer Harold Feinstein whose noted works are represented in collections at major museums and in numerous periodicals.
Feinstein is the author of “One Hundred Butterflies,” which offers a unique look at these stunning insects through 100 colorful photographs. Scientists estimate that there are approximately 12,000 to 15,000 species which leaves room for 14,900 more beautiful creations.
Ideal as a gift or an excellent visual tool for any classroom project, “One Hundred Butterflies” proves there’s much to learn about the wondrous butterfly. For example, did you know that butterflies play an important role as pollinators? Can you identify the Ruddy Daggerwing? The Blue Diadem? The Jungle Queen?
This unique, coffee table-style book will definitely spend more time in the hands of readers.
MORE BOOKS BY PHOTOGRAPHER HAROLD FEINSTEIN
One Hundred Seashells
by Harold Feinstein
Bulfinch
Non Fiction
September 2005
One Hundred Flowers
by Harold Feinstein
Bulfinch
Non Fiction
March 2000
Must Have Boots Books For Fall
FICTION
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood (a Winnie-the-Pooh sequel), David Beneditcus, illustrator Mark Burgess, Penguin Group (USA), October 2009
Little Bird of Heaven, Joyce Carol Oates, HarperCollins Publishers, September 2009
The Year of the Flood, Margaret Atwood, Knopf Doubleday Publishing, September 2009
The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown, Knopf Doubleday Publishing, September 2009
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NON FICTION
Shooting Stars, LeBRON James and Buzz Bissinger, Penguin Group (USA), September 2009
29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life, Cami Walker, Da Capo Press, October 2009
Permission Slips: Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Herself A Break, Sherri Shepherd, Grand Central Publishing, October 2009
True Compass: A Memoir, Edward M. Kennedy, Grand Central Publishing, September 2009
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson and Martin Dugard, Little, Brown & Company, September 2009
The Lion & The Mouse
by Jerry Pinkney
Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
September 2009
Pinkney’s wordless picture book will leave you speechless
Fall is fast approaching … and with cooler temperatures come festive fairs, irresistible carnival food, and a publishing frenzy of even cooler children’s books.
But the coolest book of them all is “The Lion & The Mouse,” by author and illustrator Jerry Pinkney. This captivating and incredibly artistic picture book boasts a wordless depiction of an unusual encounter between a lion and a mouse. This enduring story is portrayed with powerful illustrations in place of words, except for an occasional whooo, screech, squeak, roaarrr and scratch.
Pinkney revisits one of his favorite Aesop fables with this timeless adaptation about two creatures, exact opposites in size and presence, who engage in a venture that brings to light the gift of kindness.
Pinkney proves the popular theory, “pictures are more powerful than words.” Page after page, colorful pencils and watercolors paint a telling portrait of friendship.
You don’t need words to read this tale out loud. All you need is your imagination and an audience.
MORE PICTURE BOOKS FOR KIDS
Tarra and Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends
by Carol Buckley
Fiction
Penguin Group (USA)
September 2009
Waddle! A Scanimation Picture Book
by Rufus Butler Seder
Fiction
Workman Publlishing Company, Inc.
October 2009
