Mission (un)Popular

by Anna Humphrey

This is a great summer read for teenage girls.

Just days before School Year’s Eve, twelve-year-old Margot Button finds out that her best friend, Erika-with-a-K, will not be attending the same junior high school. This being the major tragedy among smaller, lesser tragedies, (no back to school shopping trip and an impromptu, disastrous DIY haircut and eyebrow tweezing) Margot’s new school year seems as if it’s shaping up to be a nightmare. But then Margot befriends Em, a new student from New York who is outspoken, daring and maybe a little bit dangerous. Soon Margot and Em are scheming against mean-girl Sarah J., ignoring Erika-with-a-K and dreaming up ways to hook Margot’s crush, Gorgeous George.

Perfect, right? Except that Em has an on-again-off-again relationship with the truth and her schemes tend to go too far…

There seems to be a lack of quality coming-of-age fiction for the middle school crowd and Mission (Un)Popular helps fill this gap. This book is one of the best portrayals of what it’s like to survive middle school that I’ve read in a very long time. Margot’s School Year Resolution is to “be more normal” and this nicely sums up the inner turmoil that many (all?) teenage girls face at one point or another.

-Erica

Oh Canada!

With our country's birthday just around the corner, this is the best time of the year to read up on our history. H.V. Nelles delivers with the short and delightful A Little History of Canada. First, the vintage looking cover pulls me in. (Yes I do judge a book by it's cover!). Then the range of information written in such an informative and interesting way proves that this was a good choice. Beginning at the earliest human occupation of North America, 14'000 years ago, this captivating read takes a journey through Canada's history to the present day. Our country has certainly go through many fundemental changes, from Aboriginal occupation through French and British colonization to the rise of our distinct society. Nelles argues that Canada's theme is transformation. I think I would have payed more attention during high school history class, if I had had this little book. A quick read, and the perfect choice for the long weekend!

Enjoy - Bronwyn

The next Steig Larsson!

With every publisher looking for the next Steig Larsson, I'd suggest that Toronto's Ian Hamilton fits the bill rather well. In fact, his protagonist, the resourceful and sharp forensic accountant Ava Lee is a better, more believable creation than Larsson's Lisbeth Salander.
Several of us at Words Worth were big fans of Ian's first book, Water Rat of Wanchai, and we're delighted that Ian Hamilton will be dropping by the store to read from his newly released second book, The Disciple of Las Vegas.

The second book pits Ava and her mercurial partner "Uncle" against a prideful client who is out $50 million over a complicated swindle with roots in the world of high stakes poker. The second book boasts similarly exotic locales, a quick pace and plenty of mayhem. Hamilton is a natural storyteller, his prose is lean and unadorned, and Ava is a fantastic character, charismatic, cool and capable.

The Disciple of Las Vegas is the second book in a projected series of four books for sure, perhaps more are coming. What is sure, is that Ian Hamilton is the real thing as a crime writer and we're very excited to welcome him to Waterloo on July 19th at the store.

Some of my new favourites for kids...

Catch That Baby by Nancy Coffelt and illustrated by Scott Nash

This little book is a riot! I love the comic-book-like pictures and the simple text. Anyone who has spent time with a toddler can related to this story. It's time to get dressed but Rudy is gone in a flash. A chase around the house ensues, with mom and the rest of the family in hot pursuit after "Nuddy Rudy!" Finally no one can find Rudy, will he ever get dressed properly? Seriously giggle-worthy!

The Rainbow Book by Kate Ohrt

What a delightful discovery this book is. The front cover looks like bright flower petals on a black background, however looks are deceiving. Each page reveals a different colour and a beautiful, intricate paper cutout that creates the beautiful petals and designs as you read the book. This is a wonderful tool to talk about different emotions with children. How does yellow feel? Is blue peaceful? The book culminates with a bright, fold-out rainbow that lets all its colours show. I felt so joyful discovering each page and the beautiful designs it contained. - Bronwyn

On a day like today

this book comes in handy!

The Gin & Tonic Gardener is a charming little book. Part memoir, part spiritual tract, part gardening how to, self described “determined compulsive gardening masochist” Janice Wells’ book is a contemplative delight from start to finish.

This year marks my first attempt at having a garden of my own, and many of Wells’ stories struck a chord with me. Her insistence on dreaming big and then just doing what you can is so reasonable and forgiving. The book is written like a journal, with anecdotes about life side by side with practical gardening tips. Plants take on personalities in Wells’ world “I don’t relate to dahlias at all… if dahlias were people we would never be close friends. It’s the way their petals are so orderly and symmetrical that puts me off.”

I’m going to try to incorporate some of this philosophy into my own gardening… the books ends with a short index of easy to grow plants, to make things even easier. A lovely little book for the fussy gardener in your life that needs to “take time to stop and smell the roses” as it were.

- Carolyn

My Pick for Father's Day

Mitchell's License by Hallie Durand and illustrated by Tony Fucile is such a fun book I guarantee you will be laughing out loud! Mitchell hates going to bed. That is until, he gets his first driving license when he is 3 years, 9 months, and 5 days old. This is a very special license - a remote control Dad driver's license!

Every night Mitchell loves to drive his car. First he checks the tires, and inspects the engine, and sometimes Mitchell has to clean the windshield. Now he is ready to go. Oh careful Mitchell, don't honk the horn to hard! And make sure to not bang your car into the wall.

Fully giggle worthy and inspiring for rough-housing with Dad!

- Bronwyn