Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery Newletter

Youth Yak

Page One Staff Picks Youth Yak Book Groups News

Pam				Giraffe Problems Jory John I feel there are many people who could learn from this book. Giraffe is having a hard time accepting his neck and the length of it. However, he meets a turtle who is also struggling with his neck and the length of it! Through this tale they both come to realize that they both have lovely necks specifically fitted for them. You have to see the end! I really like the textured look of the pictures in this book.
This month’s book picks are all on acceptance, both of others and ourselves.

				The Wonky Donkey Craig Smith I love this book! The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith is a fun book filled with rhyming and acceptance. This book has a cumulative story line that keeps adding to the fun. I found myself trying to guess the words that would be used to describe the clue given. Enjoy this with both big and small kids! Note: The Wonky Donkey had been out of print for a number of years until a recent video of a grandmother reading it went viral. The publisher rushed it back into print, and we now have copies in the store.
				Business Pig Andrea Zuill Andrea Zuill writes her story of acceptance in a number of different avenues. First, acceptance of others toward our main character, Pig. The people around Pig give him what he needs to be himself, and help him be successful in his pursuit of a family. Pig also has to accept himself and his way of persuing a forever family. And, of course we see at the end of the story, there is someone perfect for Pig!


Cascade's Picks				The Stars at Oktober Bend Glenda Millard Alice is stuck in her brain. She has beautiful words to say, but no way to say them ever since an injury left her brain broken. So, Alice writes poetry on any bit of paper she can get her hands on and scatters them throughout her town, hoping that someone will finally be able to hear and understand her. That’s where Manny comes in. He was a boy soldier and who is still reeling from the horrific violence he encountered. They are both very imperfect people who can understand each other perfectly. This story is one that is tragic and heartbreaking, but is written in the most interesting prose.
				Hole in the Middle Kendra Fortmeyer Morgan is a medical mystery. From the day she was born she has always had an almost perfectly circular hole going straight through her torso. While the hole has never caused any health issues, Morgan is very self-conscious about it and only her best friend, mother, and doctor know of its existence. That is, until one night at a dance club Morgan sheds her heavy sweater and reveals the hole to everyone in the building. Suddenly, a media circus erupts and word of this strange girl circulates around the internet. All of this culminates in Morgan learning of a very weird coincidence: there is a boy who has a growth in the middle of his torso and he may just be the cure to fixing her hole. Are they truly each other’s missing puzzle piece?