Who's Reading What on Wednesdays?

Each week, Early Career Committee members are asked to recommend a book published by a house other than their own. Here are their (anonymous) picks...

The Girl In The Park | March 29, 2012

When Rain’s former best friend Wendy is found brutally murdered in Central Park (yes, this is based on the ‘Preppy Murder’ of 1986), she takes it upon herself to find out what exactly happened. At the prestigious Alcott School she …

Froi Of The Exiles | March 21, 2012

Words can’t express how wrapped up I was in Melina Marchetta’s Froi of the Exiles, the second book in the Lumatere Chronicles following Finnikin of the Rock. Tears were shed, meals were skipped and social calls were ignored as I …

Chopsticks | March 7, 2012

Published simultaneously as a full color paperback and an interactive app, Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral is an innovative approach to storytelling. Its format—a collection of photos, drawings, notes, IM chats, song lyrics and other media—is visually stunning, …

Plant a Kiss | February 29, 2012

This book takes a more fantastical approach to the subject of gardening. Little Miss plants a kiss and waits for the magic to happen. Minimal text (“Doubt. Pout. Sprout! SHOUT!”) adds just enough to Peter Reynolds’ already-expressive characters. The glitter …

And Then It’s Spring | February 29, 2012

It’s sunny and warm outside… time to get excited for Spring! Two books out this season capture the anticipation of March and make a perfect pair for story-time. And Then It’s Spring, by Julie Fogliano, contains truly exceptional phrases like, …

There Is No Dog | February 29, 2012

What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us? Well, in Meg Rosoff’s latest novel There is No Dog, he is. Well, the slob part at least. God, or ‘Bob,’ is a teenager living on …

Where Things Come Back | February 22, 2012

Debut novelist John Corey Whaley proves himself worthy of both this year’s Printz and Morris awards in his debut novel Where Things Come Back. The reading feels nearly effortless, and that’s due entirely to Whaley’s masterful storytelling. I could talk …

Fuddles | February 15, 2012

It was entirely by chance that I stumbled into the arms of my new favorite picture book, Fuddles, by Frans Vischer. I found it hidden in the middle of a big stack of books – and it seems to me …

Why We Broke Up | February 8, 2012

Yes, Valentine’s Day is creeping ever closer and what better way to celebrate than with a another YA relationship novel? The thing is, Why We Broke Up, by Daniel Handler (of Lemony Snicket fame), isn’t just another love story — …

Starters | February 1, 2012

In the growing trend of the dystopian comes, Starters, by Lissa Price. The hints of sci-fi are there: The steely cleanliness of a world in which teens are put into a microchip induced slumber so that Enders (seniors) can rent …