Friday, May 9, 2014

No Kiddin': Kid Books Adults will Love


Kids shouldn’t have all the fun. Check out these children’s novels that are perfect for an adult to read:

The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
Details: Twelve year old Alistair gets a strange request from his even stranger neighbor Fiona: she asks him to write her biography. Claiming she can visit a dream world where a villain called the Riverman is attacking her friends, Alistair begins to wonder if his flaky neighbor can really visit imaginary worlds, or if her stories are a desperate plea for help with her real-life family.
Why adults should read it: The author knows what he’s doing—red herrings abound and a slew of creepy neighbors keep you guessing at the mysterious plot. The writing is sophisticated and action scenes are laced with danger—just because it’s a kids’ book doesn’t mean someone’s not going to get hurt.Hidden under the mystery and fantasy is a good old fashioned coming of age story. 
Excerpt:  "To sell a book, you need a description on the back. So here's mine: My name is Fiona Loomis. I was born on August 11, 1977. I am recording this message on the morning of October 13, 1989. Today I am thirteen years old. Not a day older. Not a day younger."
Want to read The Riverman? Put it on hold on our online catalog HERE.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Details: A father waves a sad goodbye to his family and embarks on a journey to a new country unlike anything he—or you—has ever seen.
Why adults should read it: It’s magic. Completely wordless, the reader must figure out the strange customs and bewildering surroundings in much the same way the main character must. You become so invested in this world that you are just as thankful as the main character when someone comes along to help him figure out how life works here. The various characters he meets tell their own stories of immigration (most are fantasy-veiled stories referring to very real plights) and their longing to find a better and safer place is tear-jerking.
Excerpt:
  Would you like to check out The Arrival? Put it on hold in our catalog HERE.

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