March 2023

I read a lot of African-American authors this past month for Black History Month, and I turned to Hughley to see the humor in the pain that is in the black community. Like all great comedians, he uses humor to address the very serious issues that shape the minority experience in this country.

Autobiography of the queen of television comedy. Whenever I feel down, I watch The Price Is Right or I Love Lucy, and everything seems better in the world. Lots of great anecdotes in this book.

In this thrilling sequel to the bestselling novella by Chizmar and little-known author Stephen King, an adult Gwendy is summoned back to Castle Rock after the mysterious reappearance of the button box. Second in a trilogy – the pages practically turn by themselves!

This one reads like Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery. On the cusp of adulthood, Vera grows up in a small town that faces a singular affliction: some mothers vanish, disappearing into the clouds. As her peers begin to marry and become mothers, they speculate about who might be the first to go, each wondering about her own fate. When motherhood comes for Vera, she is faced with the question: will she be able to stay and mother her beloved child, or will she disappear?

The second entry about a girls’ boarding school in Cornwall in Colgan’s charming School by the Sea series. For the second year at Downey House, it's getting harder and harder to stick to the rules.

Great writing prompt for middle school and high school teachers. Two sisters coped with the pandemic by using Wordles to inspire one-page stories that they exchanged with one another. This collection includes 104 one-page stories using the words of 52 Wordle puzzles and is a great idea for teachers seeking ways to excite students about writing.

Wonderful book that explores the complexities of living with OCD and offers the prospect of hope, happiness and healing. Perfect for teen readers looking for a happy ending.

Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he's their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can't seem to rid himself of his new companions. What's a bear to do?

Intricate collage illustrations created by children whose lives were changed forever by Hurricane Katrina. Remarkable account of that terrible day in August 2005 – as seen by the eyes of children.

The zoo is closing! Ellie and her friends want to save their home, but Ellie's just a baby elephant, and she doesn't know what she can do to help. While the other animals are busy working, Ellie finds a brush and some paints, and gives the zoo a big splash of color! Will her bright new talent be enough to keep the zoo's gates open for good?