Moore @ Your Library Children's Book Review
Waylon!: One Awesome Thing Author: Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee Publisher: Disney/Hyperion, 2016 Reviewer: Pat Younts, Children’s Services Assistant, Moore Public Library Fans of Sara Pennypacker’s award-winning Clementine series will be thrilled with this first book of a spinoff series. Waylon Zakowski, a science-loving classmate of Clementine’s is troubled by class leader Arlo’s dividing his friends into teams, creating discord by the separation, and though Waylon doesn’t like the division, he is even more troubled by the fact that Arlo doesn’t put him on either team. Waylon devises a plan to use his scientific thinking to devise an anti-gravity device to impress Arlo, forcing him to put him on his team. The scheme is complicated by the
return of Baxter Boylen, who had left their school following third grade under the rumor of having to go to prison, and Waylon fears an association with Baxter will ruin his chances with Arlo. Soon, however, Waylon and Baxter are planning a rescue that unexpectedly brings all their classmates together. Paralleling the school struggles is the confusion at home caused by his sister Charlotte’s new Goth identity, Neon. Scientifically inquiring minds, and fans of the Clementine series will be thrilled with this new series celebrating friendship, family, and community. Your community librarians at the Moore Public Library are ready and waiting to help everyone discover friends in books. Check some out today.
Adult Book Review
In Sunlight or in Shadow Author: Varied (17 short stories) Genre: Short Story Mysteries Publisher: Pegasus Books, 2016 Reviewer: Chris Manna, Information Services Manager, Southwest Oklahoma City Public Library
If you’ve ever been a fan of Edward Hopper’s paintings and wonder what could possibly have been behind the thoughts of each scene, you’re not alone. 17 authors, including well known writers like Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Lee Child, and Michael Connelly contribute short stories each creating a world based around a different painting of Edward Hopper. A full color reproduction of each painting serves to introduce each new story and unto which the new story will unravel. Standout stories include Jill Block’s Story of Caroline in which a grown orphan seeks to reconnect with her lost family. She manages to weave herself into their lives right at a critical moment for both her past, her present, and her 50 | MOORE MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2017
future. In the most famous painting, ‘Nighthawks’ Michael Connelly depicts a former LAPD detective seeking answers for a runaway daughter of a famous producer. He happens to find her, but discovers there is more to this than just a 23-year-old runaway looking to escape her father. I believe the title aptly describes the feelings of both resolved and unresolved story lines and emotions. The interplay between ‘sunlight or in shadow’ truly embodies the totality of this compilation. There are many stories where things are left purposefully vague and unanswered, but this leaves it to the reader to formulate their own conclusion or scenario in which the dialogue would occur. Where one story or author leaves you wanting, the next will be sure to fill that void. With this in mind, I highly recommend this book for those who wish to explore their own angles to a story or world. The Pioneer Library System carries this item in print format and is immediately available for checkout.