The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014? Middle grade fiction. (I read an advanced copy of book that said publication would be February 3, 2015.)

Iris and her family have moved to Corvallis, Oregon after her friend, Sarah, has died. That sounds like a really depressing way to start a book for children. But, the story is much more about Life than about Death. Iris finds it hard to adapt to all the rain, to make friends, to not think that Sarah's spirit has moved with them, and to move on. But, her upbeat househusband dad and "miracle" friend Boris are worthy and interesting characters who pull along the slowly building plot and help Iris. Iris learns new skills and even teaches Boris a thing or two! This middle grade debut by Arnold is a little miracle of its own and will be no doubt be generating Newbery buzz very soon.

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

 Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald. Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 2014. (Middle Grade fiction).

Theodora Tenpenny's family has seen better days. After her grandfather dies, about all they have left is their townhouse, some chickens, a garden, and less than $500. But, this tale has a painting at its center. It might be very old. It might be very valuable. It might be stolen since Grandpa Jack had been a security guard at the big art museum.
How Theodora unearths clues, lives with little money, and even makes a friend in Bodhi, the daughter of a couple of rock stars provides a varied and interesting plot. Along the way are well drawn, highly memorable characters like Reverend Cecily who can translate Latin, a street vendor who knows all about paints, and the new male librarian who is willing to bend a few rules to help two tweens who need information. This is one of those great mysteries that teach readers about Raphael, about the Monument Men, about eccentrics, and about friendship itself. As Fitzgerald's middle grade debut novel, this book only bodes well for her future works. I can hardly wait to see what she does next! In the meantime, look for Under the Egg in Newbery 2015 buzz!

The Book of You by Claire Kendal

 The Book of You by Claire Kendal. HarperCollins, 2014. (Adult fiction)

In Bath, England, likeable Clarissa seems to have made the wrong choice in men and is soon being stalked. She reads all the pamphlets about what to do and keeps a journal to document the increasingly bizarre attempts of the man to track, contact, and become part of her life. Clarissa has been chosen for a multi-week jury trial and it soon seems like the case is paralleling her own life. As she gets closer to other jurors, the story expands until its heartpounding ending.

This suspenseful thriller is UK author Claire Kendal's first novel and it bodes well for future works from her. The events seem believable and the pacing is quick. Readers will care about Clarissa, her parents and friends, and the budding relationships she is trying to establish as she breaks free of one man's obsession. If you liked Gone Girl and Before I Go to Sleep, try The Book of You!

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & The Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming

 The Family Romanov:  Murder, Rebellion & The Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming. Schwarz & Wade Books, Penguin Random House, 2014. Middle grade readers and up.

It's easy to become absorbed in the tragic story of Russian tsar Nicholas II who looked so much like his cousins in the English royal family, the beautiful  Empress Alexandra who put so much faith in the healer Rasputin, and their four daughters and little son and heir. Many other books tell their story. The real contribution of Candace Fleming's nonfiction book is the vast research she has done and the interweaving of the accounts of Russians who lived during the times. Fleming makes readers understand how little access to or even news from the royal family any average peasant, factory worker, or WWI soldier had. Even the little heir's hemophilia was kept secret. As poverty soared, food, heat, and other basics of life became scarce. Men like Lenin seemed to offer new ideas and solutions.  The great Russian empire crumbled and few suspected that the very lives of  the royals were in danger. Readers can do no better than this title for an overview of Russian history from 1903-1918. Fleming updates with modern searches, DNA analysis, sainthoods, and attempts to reunite the family in burial. Photographs and extensive sources enhance the book.