Pollard Memorial Library

Holiday Gift Booklist 2003

Book recommendations for holiday gifts compiled by the staff at the Pollard Memorial Library: Emily Classon (EC), Diane Giarrusso (DG), Diane and Corey Giarrusso (D+CG), Molly Hancock (MH), Judy McLaughlin (JM), Patrick O'Donnell (PO), Silvia Tontar (ST), Victoria Woodley (VW).

Adult Fiction

A Dog's Life by Peter Mayle

An hysterically funny memoir of Boy, a shaggy but highly intelligent canine who recounts his difficult early life until he is adopted by Mayle. Dog lovers and fans of Mayle will enjoy this light read. (DG)

Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

A compelling novel about communications, reconciliation and love by one of my favorite storytellers. Three generations of the gifted Sparrow women are reunited during a crisis in their small Massachusetts town. (DG)

Adult NonFiction

Al Roker's Hassle-Free Holiday Cookbook by Al Roker

The latest cookbook from the Today Show's weatherman. (ST)

The Bounty by Caroline Alexander

An account of the actual events surrounding the legendary conflict aboard the HMS Bounty. (ST)

Brinkley's Beat by David Brinkley

The late journalist offers reminiscences and recollections of his distinguished career. (ST)

Celebrate by Sheila Lukins

Recipes to re-energize time-honored holidays and celebrations throughout the year. (ST)

England's Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock and Beyond by Jon Savage

The definitive history of the rise of punk rock in the 70's. Includes the most extensive biography of the Pistols ever written. (PO)

Hip Hop America by George Nelson

A thorough history of hip hop and its influence on American culture as well as on societies around the world. (PO)

Jesus' Son: Stories by Denis Johnson

A collection of short stories that when taken together offer a brutal narrative on the lives of people living on the margins. (PO)

Secret Life of Cowboys by Tom Groneburg

Have you always wanted to live the life of a cowboy? Tom Groneburg did and this is his story. A wonderful memoir of a young man discovering just who he is and who he wants to be. (DG)

Trading Spaces - Behind the Scenes

Learn all about your favorite decorating show. (EC)

Trading Spaces - Make It Yours

Decorating tips from the designers of Trading Spaces. (EC)

Ty's Tricks by Ty Pennington

Home repair tips from the carpenter from Trading Spaces. (EC)

Presidential Reads - Books About Presidents and Their Families

Bill Clinton: an American Journey by Nigel Hamilton

First in a 2-volume biography of America's first baby-boomer president. (ST)

Franklin and Winston: an Intimate Portrait by Jon Meacham

A close-up look at a complex relationship and its influence on WWII. (ST)

The Hornet's Nest by Jimmy Carter

A richly textured debut novel of the American South during the Revolutionary War by the former president. (ST)

The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings by Thomas Maier

A meticulously researched chronicle of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty. (ST)

The President's House by Margaret Truman

Harry Truman's daughter reveals the history of the nation's most famous dwelling. (ST)

Reflections: Life After the White House by Barbara Bush

Traces the eight years between the presidencies of the former First Lady's husband and son. (ST)

Remembering Jack by Jacques Lowe

A coffee-table book of photographs of JFK and his family. (ST)

Sweet Caroline by Christopher Anderson

The People magazine journalist chronicles the life of JFK's beloved daughter. (ST)

Books by Award Winners

Elizabeth Costello by J.M. Coetzee

The recent Nobel Prize winner reveals the life of an aging Australian novelist. (ST)

Love by Toni Morrison

Wealthy hotel owner Bill Cosey finds his life compromised by his troubled past. (ST)

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Namesake follows the Ganguli family through 3 decades, 2 continents, and 2 generations. (ST)

The Opposite of Fate: a Book of Musings by Amy Tan

The best-selling author of the Joy Luck Club reflects on her family's Chinese-American heritage. (ST)

Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson

A 16 year-old runaway experiences a vision of the Virgin Mary in Washington State. (ST)

New Novels by Favorite Authors (ST)

• Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson
• The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson
• Blacklist by Sara Paretsky
• The Bleachers by John Grisham
• Blood Canticle by Anne Rice
• Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell
• Capital Crimes by Stuart Woods
• The Conspiracy Club by Jonathan Kellerman
• Harvard Yard by William Martin
• The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan
• The Murder Room by P.D. James
• O'Hara's Choice by Leon Uris
• The Passions of Chelsea Kane by Barbara Delinsky
• A Perfect Day by Richard Paul Evans
• Safe Harbour by Danielle Steel
• Some Kind of Miracle by Iris Rainier Dart
• Split Second by David Baldacci
• Stone Cold by Robert Parker
• The Tristan Betrayal by Robert Ludlum
• Trojan Odyssey by Clive Cussler
• Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King

Young Adult Books

Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer (Grades 6-9)

Third book in the Artemis Fowl series. Thirteen year old Artemis promises his father he will reform, but not before he has one more illicit triumph. Readers of the first 2 installments will enjoy this one too. (VW)

Every Day and All the Time by Sis Deans (Grades 6-9)

Whenever Emily Racine wants to speak to her brother, she just goes down to the cellar--where his ghost lives. Having lost her brother in a car accident six months ago, Emily is not ready to let go and move to another house. (VW)

The Greatest Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy by Rick Beyer (Grades 6-12)

Filled with quirky informative facts about world history, this book was born from the History Channel's salute to the millenium. It begins with 46 B.C. and ends in 1990. You can learn about the invention of the safety pin and the croissant all in one book. Includes excellent photographs. (VW)

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan

In India, Koly is 13 when she is married to a boy selected by her parents. Her groom is quite sickly and dies shortly after the wedding. Now Koly has no place. According to tradtion she now belongs to her husband's family but they wanted a dowry not a daughter-in-law. She cannot return to her parents. For a girl in her position there are few options. Does Koly have the courage and wits to survive? (JM)

LBD: It's a Girl Thing by Grace Dent (Grades 7-12)

If your teen enjoyed Georgia and Angus, they will be happy to meet the LBD or Les Bambinos Dangereuses. These 14 year old Brits are determined to host a musical festival to showcase their's school's talent. Great dialogue and larger-than-life protagonists will make this book a teen hit. (VW)

Children's Picture Books

Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

What to do if you can't tie your show before Kindergarten? Everyone knows that the #1 rule in Kindergarten is "you don't ask anyone for help"! This funny and reassuring story addresses the first day jitters. (D+CG)

I Stink! by Kate McMullan

A garbage truck proudly proclaims why he smells just so. (MH)

Kay Thompson's Eloise: A Book for Precocious Grown Ups by Kay Thompson

If you and your preschooler haven't met Eloise, you're in for a treat, treat, treat! (D+CG)

Gossie and Gertie by Olivier Dunrea

A simple story about friendship between two goslings (with fabulous footwear sense). (MH)

Mim, Gym, and June by Denis Roche

Mim has always been the smallest one in her class and that's ok. It doesn't bother her a bit. But then big June starts picking on her. What will Mim do? (MH)

Olivia by Ian Falconer

In the same spirit of Eloise, precocious pig Olivia is the mistress of her domain. (MH)

Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick by Kevin Henkes

Sheila Rae has a wonderful and delicious peppermint stick. But what about her little sister Louise? Will Sheila Rae share her wonderful and delicious peppermint stick with Louise? (MH)

Stanley's Party by Linda Bailey

While his master's away, the dog will play and invite lots of chums to his ultimate house party. (MH)

What Are You So Grumpy About? by Tom Lichtenheld

The list of causes for grumpiness goes on and on and on and on. Reasons range from boring birthday gifts, yawn inspiring museum trips and the perennial favorite - sibling cooties. YUCK! (MH)

Children's Chapter Books

The Chicken Doesn't Skate by Gordon Korman

Henrietta is Milo Neal's science project. She also becomes the hockey team's good luck mascot, much to Milo's dismay. Problems arise when students realize what Henrietta's actual role is in Milo's food chain project. (MH)

Dillon Dillon by Kate Banks

Dillon Dillon has always wondered why his seemingly normal parents named him the same first name as his last name. It turns out they didn't. The summer of his 10th birthday Dillon discovers things he never knew about his family. (MH)

Marvin Redpost, Kidnapped at Birth? by Louis Sachar

Marvin has finally solved the mystery of why he doesn't look like anyone else in his family. It's because he isn't Marvin Redpost. He's Robert, the lost prince of Shampoon. At least that's what Marvin thinks. (MH)

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

Twins Dallas and Florida have been shuffled between orphanages and foster homes their whole lives. An eccentric older couple, Tiller and Sairy invite the twins to stay with them in their beloved Ruby Holler. All Dallas and Florida need to do is to allow the magic of the Holler to affect their lives. (MH)

Trial by Journal by Kate Klise

Twelve year old Lily Watson is selected as the first juvenile juror in Missouri, sitting on a panel for a murder trial. Her teacher requires she keep a journal and record her experiences. Part comedy, part mystery, totally fun. (MH)

Wrong One by Carol Otis Hurst

When their father passes away unexpectedly, the Spencer family must leave Brooklyn for a dilapidated farmhouse in Massachusetts. Weird things happen in their new home - the discovery of an old doll, a strange blue light, a TV that turns itself off and on. Is a ghost behind all the odd events? (MH)

For Harry Potter Fans

Everyday Witch by Sandra Forrester

Beatrice Bailey is about to turn 12, an important age for a witch for at this age, one receives her classification either as an "everyday witch" or as a specially empowered "classical witch." When the day comes, the Executive Committee cannot agree on her classification. They decide Beatrice must pass a special test in which she must break a very old and very serious spell. (MH)

Half Magic by Edward Eager

Jane discovers a magic charm that grants half of any wish. In an attempt to get the charm to "work right", her brother and sister make double wishes. But does it work? (MH)

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Charlie Bone is quite content to live a perfectly ordinary life. To his dismay he discovers that he does in fact have a magic gift, one that will take him on quite the adventure. (MH)

Sorcerer's Companion: a Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter by Allan Zola Kronzek and Elizabeth Kronzek

Examine the fact, fiction, and folklore that create Harry's world. Did you know that some of Harry's world is based on fact? (MH)

Witch Twins by Adele Griffin

Witch twins Claire and Luna have big things on their minds, most importantly coming up with a tricky way to sabotage their father's wedding. The first in a series (MH)