Published: May 14, 2008 10:50 am            

Good Reads: Books 5-14-08

EDMOND — ‘RUNNER’

by Robert Newton

“Runner” captures a dark snapshot of Australia’s criminal world in 1919 as a young boy takes on a job running errands for a notorious mob boss. Mixing nail-biting suspense, underworld criminals and a dash of humor, it is a compelling and fast-paced read for even the most picky and reluctant of readers.

Charlie Freehan’s father is dead, and his family is quickly running out of money. The last gift his father gave him were his old boots. Little did Charlie know the “shoddy boots (that) tasted the dirt and grime of many streets” would give him an opportunity to make money that his family desperately needed. Charlie’s big shot at a new life comes from Squizzy Taylor, a notorious mobster who offers him a job as his courier.

At first, the job’s a thrill — running with messages, carting illegal liquor, following Squizzy’s orders. It makes Charlie feel powerful, but there also are some very unsavory parts of the job.

Included at the end of the novel is a glossary of Australian terms and an author’s note with details about the real Squizzy Taylor.



‘THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER KITTY’

by Barbara Jean Hicks

Walter Kitty is no ordinary housecat. In this picture book he’s Fang — a swashbuckling protector of the high seas, a tiger waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey, and a caped superhero ready to save the day. But do his “people,” Mr. and Mrs. Biddle, acknowledge his greatness? Not even.

So once in a good while, Walter will answer to Wally or Kitten or even Snookums, but most of the time … he’s Fang.

A pirate. A tiger. A caped superhero. Who is the real Walter Kitty?





‘BAD TICKETS’

by Kathleen O’Dell

It is 1967, the Summer of Love, and Catholic schoolgirls Mary Margaret Hallinan and her “dangerous” new best friend, Jane Stephens, are enthusiastically embracing sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, questioning their faith, and pushing the limits every chance they can get.

When Jane Stephens arrives at Sacred Heart Academy, she changes everything for the “good girl” Mary Margaret. Jane is a typical rebel with a free spirit, a risk-taker who encourages Mary Margaret to take chances and say yes to life. At first, Mary Margaret buys it — hook, line and sinker. She is desperate to avoid her mother’s unhappy life — a life of five children, an unhealthy marriage and endless chores.

But before long, Mary Margaret realizes Jane’s mantra to “just say yes” isn’t the answer. Mary Margaret discovers that what she thinks holds her back — her critical mother, her anxiety about sex, her more cautious approach to new experiences — are what save her from getting too lost in her new pastimes. She learns she does not need anyone else — especially an overconfident best friend — to be her “ticket” to forming her own destiny.



‘PRILLA AND THE BUTTERFLY LIE’

by Kitty Richards

“Prilla and the Butterfly Lie” takes young readers on another magical journey to Pixie Hollow. Prilla has a problem. She can never say no. When Nettle asks her to join in on caterpillar shearing for the second day in a row, Prilla tells a little white lie — she prefers butterflies to caterpillars.

When all the butterfly-herding talent fairies come down with a case of fairy pox, Prilla is asked to help out because of her “love of butterflies.” But butterfly-herding is a lot harder than it sounds. Butterflies are downright mischievous, making Prilla’s life perfectly miserable. Is it time for Prilla to ’fess up?



‘THE HOLLYWOOD SISTERS: ON LOCATION’

by Mary Wilcox



The Hollywood Sisters are back to make more tabloid headlines and solve more mysteries in “The Hollywood Sisters: On Location.” In this adventure, Eva and Jess travel to exotic Mexico where Eva is filming the latest episodes of their hit series “Two Sisters.” One would imagine that leaving Hollywood and all its superficial trimmings would help keep Eva out of the tabloids. But that would be too easy. Nothing is simple when it comes to Hollywood.

Happy to stay in the background of Eva’s budding Hollywood career, Jess has her hands full watching over his sister’s well-being — on set and off. Jess is happy to remain in her sister’s shadow far away from the pressure and hoopla of being a teen celebrity. But even she cannot avoid it forever.

The “Two Sisters” cast and crew is headed to Cancun, Mexico, to tape on location and Jess has to go. There have been a slew of MTV “Punked”-like events taking place on the “Two Sisters” set and someone has to get to the bottom of it.





‘HOW IT HAPPENED IN PEACH HILL’

by Marthe Jocelyn

The year is 1924, and 15-year-old Annie and her mother have just moved to Peach Hill, the latest in a string of towns where Annie’s mother, Madame Caterina, sets herself up as a “Spiritual Advisor” who can put people in touch with the “dearly departed.” Only Madame is a fake. Without Annie’s help eavesdropping on townsfolk, Madame’s fraudulent business would never survive. Annie is the invisible secret weapon who poses as an idiot to collect information about her mother’s clients.

But, Annie doesn’t want to pretend anymore. She longs to break out of the role she is playing — especially when she meets Sammy, “the most wonderful boy (she) ever saw.” She wants real friends and real relationships, not ones based on a web of lies.

Determined to escape her life of deceit, Annie devises a plan. But will she risk exposing her mother? And will the people she has befriended still be there when she reveals her true self?



‘CLARA & SEñOR FROG’

by Campbell Geeslin

Watching from backstage, Clara sees Mamá being sawed in half. The audience gasps. Mamá smiles. Clara yawns. It’s just a magic trick, and she has seen it performed a hundred times before.

But on a visit to a rich gringo’s house, Clara spots a picture of a watermelon, done by a famous artist. The painted fly on it looks so real, Clara swears she saw it move. At last, real magic.

Meet a girl who discovers she has the power to create magic — with her paintbrush — in this beautiful, original story that features a character reminiscent of Diego Rivera and vibrant illustrations that evoke the essence of Mexican art.



‘LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK COLLECTION: ANIMAL TALES’

In “Animal Tales,", nine classic stories celebrate a favorite topic for children — animals. Readers will find classics such as “The Saggy Baggy Elephant,” “Animal Orchestra,” “Home for a Bunny” and “Tawny Scrawny Lion” — making the book an instant collectible. This volume of cherished stories has 224 gilded pages and is beautifully bound with the famous golden spine.

“Animal Tales” features work by storytelling giants such as Margaret Wise Brown, Jane Werner Watson and Kathryn Jackson, and illustrations by masters such as Gustaf Tenggren, Garth Williams and Tibor Gergely.



‘SHINING ON: 11 STAR AUTHORS’ ILLUMINATING STORIES’

by Meg Cabot, Sue Limb and more

Teens will be eager to read these stories from their favorite, award-winning Young Adult authors; each tackles the challenges of growing up through their unique and accessible storytelling.

In Meg Rosoff’s story “Resigned,” a mother reaches her limit and informs her family she is officially “resigning” from her duties as a mother. In “You’re a Legend,” by Sue Limb, a girl discovers her grandmother led a life far from ordinary. And in the heartbreaking, yet hopeful, story “Skin Deep” by Rosie Rushton, a girl struggles to live with permanent disfiguration as a result of a bomb attack at a carnival.

From breaking up and getting together, to moms moving out and dads stepping up, to facing loss and embracing life, to being skin deep and reading between the lines, “Shining On” is a diverse collection of stories that readers will relate to and enjoy.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.