I think many of us are allergic to the idea of “sequels” to classic stories, written by newer writers, in the same way that many of us automatically reject movie versions of beloved books as Never as Good as the Originals. I’ve read decent — and even entertaining — purpose-written sequels in the past, but none of them have swept me up or inspired me.
Wishing for Tomorrow got universally excellent reviews when it came out earlier this year. In spite of this, and in spite of the fact that it was written by Hilary McKay, one of my favorite authors, I still resisted reading it.
This was a very stupid thing to do.
I am writing this review less than five minutes after finishing the book, and all I have to say is: go read this book. If you liked the original, read this book. If you like boarding school stories, read this book. If you like historical fiction, read this book. If you like smart, fun characters, read this book. If you like difficult, seemingly unpleasant characters hiding deep secrets, read this book. If you like precocious-but-never-annoying children, escapist cats, friendship, Action! Adventure! and settings so well-described that you might as well be there, read this book.
It IS just as good as the original.
Posted by: Sarah
I really liked this book but it is for a little older reader or a reader who is able to handle more mature themes. The story is a blend of a boys’ growing up and learning to cope with family issues like depression, alcoholism and family tradition and a sci-fi about time travel back to London during the blitz in World War II.
West meets East in Grace Lin’s newest novel, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. It’s a wonderful introduction to at least a small piece of Chinese culture, the folklore. I am embarrassed to say that, prior to this book, my knowledge of Eastern folklore was mostly limited to Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Nightingale.” 
The barnyard animals are in a rush to get somewhere. Where could they be going in such a hurry? In this brightly illustrated picture book, we discover just why mama hen is so excited for all the animals to come to the barn. Although few words are used to tell this story, the excitement builds throughout. Kids will be eager to learn where all the animals are headed. This is a great story for spring or one to welcome the arrival of a new little baby. Hopefully soon, we’ll all be able to say welcome to spring!
This book may take place in Ghastly, Illinois, but it is far from scary. This clever ghost story is about the unlikely relationship between a boy, a cat, a grumpy old man and an old ghost who all live together in a haunted house.
When you are watching football games do you follow the patterns of all the plays or do you just enjoy the action and the touchdowns? Troy could follow the patterns of all the plays and predict what the other team would do and what his team should do. But could he convince anyone to follow his football advice? His two best friends believed him, his mother believed him. Could he get an Atlanta Falcons player or coach to believe him? The author, Tim Green played for the Atlanta Falcons so he knows NFL football and describes football plays in great detail. He’s also good at describing the relationships of Troy and his friends. This book is a first down. Keep going with some of his other books including Football Hero and Football Champ.
Imagine racing around the world in your car, from NY to Paris, stopping in Seattle, Alaska, Russia and Germany along the way. You would have to find gasoline when you needed it, be able to repair your car in the middle of nowhere and be among people who do not speak the same language as you do. And now imagine doing this in 1908, over one hundred years ago! The Great Race chronicles a real car race around the world back when most places had never even seen an automobile, nevermind had gas or spare parts available or in many cases, even roads. So was the situation for entrants in the Greatest Auto Race where cars from Germany , France, Italy and the US set out to prove that cars could be a reliable form of transport.
This book is on next year’s Rebecca Caudill Young Reader’s Award. This is a state award that is given to a book that the children in Illinois pick. Children must pick three of the 20 books on the list in order to be eligible to vote. I have a feeling this will be one of the more popular books.
Well it is about time that Fly Guy find that special someone. Of course, Fly Guy is the faithful friend and fly companion of Buzz, and in this new book we meet Fly Girl who lives with her friend Lizzz. Liz quickly explains that her pet, Fly Girl, can do all the things that Fly Guy can do including tricks, eating gross stuff (even grosser than Fly Guy), and saying her friend’s name – Lizzz! Buzz and Liz become quick friends, as do Fly Guy and Fly Girl, except that for the flies, friendship soon turns to love. What better adventure for Fly Guy than falling in wuzzy love, getting married (yes married), and having a little fly family. Eventually though Fly Guy and Fly Girl find their way back home to their first friends, Buzz and Liz. What fun for kids and adults alike!
