The Interpretation of Fairy Tales

The Interpretation of Fairy Tales is by Marie-Louise von Franz. A fascinating nonfiction work on how fairy tales can be interpreted using Jung's theories. 

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10. 

A Nature Poem for Every Night of the Year

A Nature Poem for Every Night of the Year is edited by Jane McMorland Hunter. A charming book of well selected poetry for every day for the year. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The House with a Clock in the Wall

The House with a Clock in the Wall is by John Bellairs. The first book in the fantasy Lewis Barnavelt series. Lewis's parents have been killed in a car accident and he is sent to live with his Uncle Jonathan in an old mansion. Once he arrives, Lewis discovers that both his uncle and the woman who lives next door are both magicians, As Lewis tries to find a friend his age in his new town, he raises a dead magician on Halloween who threatens his new family. Fans of Harry Potter might enjoy this series. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Bones of the Holy

The Bones of the Holy is by Jennifer Allison. The fifth book in the Gilda Joyce fantasy mystery series. Gilda's mom takes a weekend trip to Florida and comes back with a fiancée. Gilda and her mom fly down to St. Augustine, Florida for the whirlwind wedding, and Gilda discovers the house her mother's fiancée lives in is haunted by a woman in a white wedding dress. Is the ghost trying to tell Gilda something about Eugene before the wedding? Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10. 

A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year

A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year is edited by Jane McMorland Hunter. A beautiful and well edited selection of magnificent poetry. Perfect to read one poem each day. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Finding Baba Yaga

Finding Baba Yaga is by Jane Yolen. A charming fantasy novella based on the Baba Yaga of Russian fairy tale fame. A fiction in verse tale of a young girl with a controlling father and a weak mother. Natasha runs away and ultimately finds herself in the home of Baba Yaga, the legendary witch, which moves about on chicken feet. Natasha finds a home, a friend, and her own voice. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Murder Must Advertise

Murder Must Advertise is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The tenth book in the historical fiction Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series. Lord Peter takes a job undercover at an advertising agency to discover if the death of a copy writer was murder; only to find himself in the middle of a much more sinister drug running scheme. This installment did seem to have some passages that could have been edited out, but overall fans will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10.