Frances the Badger series, by Russell Hoban

Russell Hoban's Frances stories are written at approximately the same reading level as Frog and Toad, but while Frog and Toad titles include a handful of short episodes, each Frances story takes up a whole book.

Frances stories are a little didactic, each involving a particular childhood problem such as going to bed, learning to accept a new sibling, or celebrating other people's birthdays without sulking that it isn't your own.  My favourite story is Bread and Jam for Frances which is the least moralistic of the bunch. 

Frances herself is charismatic and true-to-life.  She invents silly songs throughout the day, which I quite adore.  They define her character, and remind me of my own daily childhood compositions, or the way my three year old nephew revels in wordplay.  She acts intermittently stubborn, jealous, selfish, mopey, confused, happy, and loving just like any other preschooler or kindergarten aged child.

Titles:
Bread and Jam for Frances
A Baby Sister for Frances
Bedtime for Frances
A Birthday for Frances
Best Friends for Frances
A Bargain for Frances

Frog and Toad series, by Arnold Lobel

Readers/First Chapter books are very popular in my library.  This month I decided to read/reread some of the classics of the genre, the better to recommend them to our young readers.

I was also looking for stories that I could adapt for my storytimes, telling them with puppets or the felt board.  Frog and Toad stories are made for this.  They are short, memorable, funny, and touching.  I love the gentleness of these tales.  Life is very calm and problems are never too big that a good friend can't help overcome them. 

Titles:
Frog and Toad are Friends
Frog and Toad Together
Frog and Toad All Year
Days with Frog and Toad

Stitches, by David Small

Stitches is a revelation.  David Small may be a Caldecott winning illustrator, but many adults will not have known his name before this memoir appeared.  The story is precise and painful, documenting a grim and unloved childhood in the 1950's.  The grayscale illustrations are perfect; simple but full of alienation and menace.  I am amazed that this man could overcome so many uncaring moments to become a successful and functional adult.  His story is gripping.

Logicomix, by Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos H. Papadimitriou

A graphic biography of philosopher/mathematician/logician Bertrand Russell and his quest to solve all of logic's unanswered questions.  While primarily historical, liberties have been taken in order to tighten the narrative.

An unlikely success, part of the growing body of ambitious graphic nonfiction that's being published these days.

Split Screen, by Brent Hartinger

This third book of the Geography Club is a little gimmicky, with 145 pages written from Russel's perspective, and another 145 from Min's.  It has nowhere near the emotional powerful of the original, but it's a fun light read. 

We get to see more of witty, idealistic Min than ever as she ponders ethics and a new girlfriend.  Meanwhile, Russel juggles a long-distance relationship with renewed interest from his gorgeous ex-boyfriend.  A good popcorn novel.

The Demon's Lexicon, by Sarah Rees Brennan

Nick and Alan try to live normal lives, but it's difficult when they must repeatedly fight or flee from the magicians who hunt their family.  This little-known subculture of magic users increase their power by calling demons into the world whose prime desire is to possess a human body.  What starts out as a straight-forward good guys versus supernatural bad guys tale becomes much more uncertain when Nick begins to question his brother's motives and honesty.

Readers of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series will love this book, and dark, brooding Nick in particular.

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

This was a difficult book to read;  well-written, but painful.  Melinda enters high school as an outcast, with the memories of something terrible shutting her in her own mind, unable or unwilling to say more words than are necessary. 

This is an "issues" book, but it isn't flat.  I wouldn't be likely to recommend it to teen readers simply looking for something entertaining, but it's perfect for high school study.  I expect it's helped a lot of young folks either find their voice or understand someone else's over the years.