Tundra Books is one of my favorite publishers. They focus on children and teens and I've found them to be a particular source of interesting nonfiction. They're also Canadian so the subjects are sometimes a little different from what American pubs release and I find that to be especially refreshing. Here's some of what Tundra has on tap for the fall:
Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen: "In this brilliantly observed novel, author Susin Nielsen transports the reader to the world of competitive Scrabble as seen from the honest yet funny viewpoint of a boy who’s searching for acceptance and for a place to call home."
The Scrabble caught me on this one and also that the protagonist (Ambrose) is homeschooled and makes friends across the spectrum. A "shared love of words" - how can you resist?
Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan: "Through a series of captivating and sophisticated illustrated stories, Tan explores the precious strangeness of our existence. He gives us a portrait of modern suburban existence filtered through a wickedly Monty Pythonesque lens. Whether it’s discovering that the world really does stop at the end of the city’s map book, or a family’s lesson in tolerance through an alien cultural exchange student, Tan’s deft, sweet social satire brings us face-to-face with the humor and absurdity of modern life."
The Arrival is actually not my favorite Tan book - not by a longshot. I love his work, all of it, and just from the cover alone he has me with this one. (See an interview with Tan about the book and a few images here.)
The Ancient Ocean Blues by Jack Mitchell: "Anyone who thinks ancient history is dry will think again after dipping into these ocean blues. Here, political corruption, intrigue, high-seas adventure, romance, and comedy are all presented in abundance by the likable Marcus Oppius Sabinus, a teenager with a very contemporary attitude. Marcus is unwittingly involved by his cousin in “promoting” the ambitious young Julius Caesar in an upcoming Roman election. When Marcus proves to be even better at bribery than his cousin had hoped, he is assigned a difficult and dangerous mission. He must spy on, and undermine, those who would support Cicero’s control of Rome, so that Julius Caesar can continue his power grab. "
Ancient history, spying, adventure. This sounds very very cool.
The Little Toy Shop by Frances Wolfe: "Come and explore Mr. Kringle’s special little toy shop, where he spends his days helping every customer find just the right toy. When a box arrives at the shop with a small stuffed bunny inside, Mr. Kringle determines to find him a loving home in time for Christmas. Could the little girl who peers through the toy-shop window be the one who provides just the home he seeks?"
These stories get me every damn time. I always cry...and I always come back for more.
Dear Toni by Cyndi Sand-Eveland: "When sixth-grader Gene Tucks moves south, she dreads being the new kid at school and almost everything else about her life as a “nobody.” But what she dreads most is the hundred-day journal-writing assignment her teacher has given the class. His brilliant idea is to have the journals locked in the town museum’s vault for forty years so that future grade-sixers can read them. "
This looks like a nice MG journal-type story about growing up but what I really liked was that Toni's family sounded pretty darn typical: "Gene’s family is in transition to say the least. Her dad is looking for work, they are moving — again, her brother is the bane of her existence, and, more than anything else in the world, Gene wants something she can’t have — a dog. Toni is the first to learn that Gene is moving to a rent-free empty apartment at the back of a gas station, so her dad can manage it. And wonder of wonders, the owner’s dog needs looking after. Not just any dog; a St. Bernard who happens to have three pups."
It might be too overwrought - we'll have to see how the author does. But I'm a sucker for a kid and puppies and do enjoy the journal format.
