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JANUARY 2011
 THE ROMEO AND JULIET CODE by Phoebe Stone
Scholastic, $16.99 (unsigned first edition) Ages 8–12
Part Secret Garden, part Nancy Drew, The Romeo and Juliet Code is a mystery, a romance, and a book of self–discovery for 10 year old Felicity Bathburn Budwig. During WWII, Felicity moves from England to her American father’s family in Maine for safety. Her father and English–born mother return to England to do important work for the war effort – or so Felicity is told. But why do letters in her father's handwriting have postage marks from Belgium? Why is her Uncle Gideon so secretive? And who is Captain Derek and why does he stay hidden away in a room high in the old Victorian house? Felicity clings to her British sensibilities, but her American brashness pops out – as when she slips a note under Captain Derek's door, and climbs a ladder to a get inside a locked room to see the mysterious letters. Can she and Captain Derek crack the letters' code? And will her parents come back safely?
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LINDA'S TOP TEN FOR KIDS (in alphabetical order) of 2010
THE DUCHESS OF WHIMSY: AN ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS FAIRY TALE by Randall de Seve and Peter de Seve. Philomel, $17.99 (ages 4-8). Lovely, whimsical illustrations, and a silly tale of two silly people.
REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly. Delacorte, $18.99 (young adult, 14 and up). A very contemporary teen girl, dealing with depression, her parents' separation, not fitting in at school, her all–consuming love for music; Dad whisks her off to Paris where she uncovers letters by a young woman from 200 years ago and a mystery involving the Revolution. Meanwhile, more music – and, of course, a guy. Amazing writing, captivating plots.
SOCKSQUATCH, words and pictures by Frank W. Dormer. Henry Holt, $14.99 (ages 4-8, picture book) Illustration is exactly how a child would draw a monster, especially a monster in search of a sock. Where do all the missing socks go – and what is a monster to do for his poor cold feet?!
HOW TO COOK CHILDREN: A GRISLY RECIPE BOOK by Martin Howard & Colin Stimpson. Pavilion, $12.99 (ages 9-12). A picture book with recipes of a certain kind – all containing one similar ingredient: children! British authors, British humor, great illustrations!
MONSTERS EAT WHINY CHILDREN by Bruce Eric Kaplan. Simon & Schuster, $14.99 (ages 4-8, picture book) Just what is the best way to prepare a meal of whiny children? Whiny children sandwich? Whiny children coleslaw? Pen and ink illustrations by author who has done cartoons for The New Yorker.
BANISHED by Sophie Littlefield. Delacorte, $16.99 (young adult, 14 and up). I love Littlefield's grownup books but I was not prepared for this YA offering – wrong-side of the tracks girl is supposed to have healing powers but doesn't quite know how to use them. Needless to say, there are some boy–issues, some law–issues, and some rather ghastly mistakes involving squirrels (and don't get me started on Rascal!).
THE CHICKEN THIEF by Beatrice Rodriguez. Enchanted Lion Books, $14.95 (ages pre-school and up, picture book). It's a wordless storybook, and a road trip for a bear and his friend the rabbit when a fox makes off with their chicken. The expressions on the animals' faces are priceless – who needs dialogue?
IT'S A BOOK by Lane Smith. Roaring Brook Press, $12.99. (all ages, picture book). A monkey explains the benefits of books to his friend the jackass. Subversive and clever, not just for kids.
FEELING SAD by Serah Verroken. Enchanted Lion Books, $16.99 (ages 3-6, picture book) A great book for little ones dealing with sadness or the grumps.
POP-UP: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO CREATE YOUR OWN POP-UP BOOK by Ruth Wickings, illustrated by Frances Castle. Candlewick, $19.99 (all ages, 7 and up). This is so amazing: directions, illustrations, cut–outs, pop–ups – the ultimate how–to for those of us who are fascinated by "paper engineering" – also known as pop–up books!
 GIRL'S BEST FRIEND: A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery by Leslie Margolis
Bloomsburykids, $14.99 (not signed, but who cares!) Ages 8–12 and for all dog lovers.
If you follow @MysteryBooks on Twitter, you know that Linda sometimes gets so excited about what she's reading that she has to live–tweet it. GIRL'S BEST FRIEND is the latest subject of Linda's live–tweet review. Twelve–year–old Maggie wants to make some extra money, and would rather walk her neighbors' dogs than babysit. Soon enough, though, Maggie learns some harsh truths: a) competition can be rough, especially if the competition is involved in shady dealings that just might include dog–napping; and b) former best girlfriends make unreliable allies. Author Margolis has a gift for dialogue and quick character development. Beyond the sharp wit and quick dialogue is some good old–fashioned sleuthing – Maggie even turns to her mother's dusty Nancy Drew books for inspiration! Throw in a cute boy with a mysterious history, a nutty old landlady, secret passages, a twin brother and a devoted (human) best friend, and you've got a great beginning to a new 'tween mystery series.
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LINDA'S YOUNG ADULT FAVORITE!
 Sophie Littlefield, BANISHED
Delacorte Press, $16.99 (unsigned later printing – but who cares?! ). Ages 14 and up.
Sophie Littlefield has written two of my favorite "lighter side of murder" adult mysteries, A BAD DAY FOR SORRY and A BAD DAY FOR PRETTY. BANISHED is Littlefield's first book for young adults. Sixteen–year–old Hailey lives on the wrong side of a town that doesn't have much of a right side. She lives with an abusive, drug–dealing grandmother, and goes to school with a bunch of kids who fear her. Hailey, it appears, is a healer. But she hasn't yet learned how to control her powers, and the consequences are dire. "I'd done the thing that must never be done. I'd done the unforgivable." Part coming–of–age, part romance, part mystery – oh, and part zombie–thriller! Perfect for the 14 year–old looking for a good scare – and definitely a good "cross–over" novel (adults reading YA fiction is a hot new trend, so don’t be shy!).
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