Reached by Ally Condie

November brought Reached, the conclusion to the series Ally Condie began with Matched and continued with Crossed.  Like Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth, Condie imagines a future society that is recognizable to us, but in which the government is taking a highly active role in determining the course of individual lives.

Teens and adults both love these books and it is not difficult to understand why.  The issues Condie tackles matter to everyone--in whom or what can we believe (who is the Pilot?); how can we express ourselves (can we all be Poets or artists?); and how can we be healed (where is the Physic?).  As a unit, the three books take readers on an exciting, adventurous journey.  They are a pleasure to read simply for the plot, but Condie goes deeper.  Her characters are complicated people who grow and change.  They demand and engage the reader's attention and involvement.  Match up, cross over, and reach out.  Do not miss these books--Lucinda Whitehurst.

(Matched, 2010; Crossed, 2011; Reached 2012; all Dutton/Penguin)

Gigi Amateau and Michael Rosen at Fountain Bookstore

Richmond author Gigi Amateau and poet Michael J. Rosen and will be signing their new books together at Fountain Bookstore on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Gigi will be signing COME AUGUST, COME FREEDOM and CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER (Candlewick Press).

Michael will be signing these titles:

CHANUKAH LIGHTS (a pop-up Robert Sabuda from Candlewick Press)

THE HOUND DOG'S HAIKU and Other Poems for Dog People (Candlewick Press)

SAILING THE UNKNOWN: Around the World with Captain Cook (Creative Editions, starred review from Kirkus)

RUNNING WITH TRAINS: A Novel in Poetry and Two Voices (Boyds Mills/Wordsong)

MY DOG: A Kid's Guide to Keeping a Happy and Healthy Pet (Workman)

If you’re in town for Thanksgiving, would you consider stopping by Fountain on Friday? Gigi is even making red velvet cupcakes for Fountain shoppers that day!

IQ Kitty Hawk by Roland Smith

 Roland Smith's Kitty Hawk is Book 3 in the IQ series.  These exciting adventure stories are great for fans of the Alex Rider books by Anthony Horowitz.  Followers of Smith's Storm Runners series will be interested to know that a major character crosses over to help IQ and his team rescue the President's kidnapped daughter.  IQ is published by Sleeping Bear Press--Lucinda Whitehurst.