Patch Picks: Recommended Books from Hopkins Librarians

In honor of National Read Across America Day on March 2 and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Patch has selected five books recommended by the staff.  Join millions of others around the United States in the fight against illiteracy and, settle into your favorite armchair with these wonderful examples of the written word.  Details can be found at on the event's website.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup and a spool of thread by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

This illustrated children’s book has recently been made into a feature film and is a 2004 Newberry Medal Winner.  The book chronicles the story of a little mouse with big talent, his love for a princess, and the servant girl longing to be a princess and their fight against a conniving rat’s attempt to destroy them all. DiCamillo is a Minneapolis resident award-winning author of many children and young adult books, including another currently in movie production, Because of Winn Dixie, as well as several picture books and novels. 

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

This 2002 Alex Award winning piece of fiction was named one of the Best Books of 2001 by Time Magazine and a best-seller across the country.  The book is set in 1960s Minnesota and follows the struggle of cowboy-obsessed 11-year-old Reuben Land and his family’s search across the country for Reuben’s older brother who ran from authorities after he is charged with murder.  Enger is also a Minnesota native farmer and a former reporter for MPR, as well as the author of another award-winning novel.

A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman by Joan Anderson

This work of nonfiction is the story of the author’s self-discovery journey through a complete recreation of her life after her sons leave for college.  The author spent a year by the sea in Cape Cod and discovers all the possibilities the “unfinished woman’s” life can hold.  Anderson is a former reporter and author of several books, at least five of which are memoirs.  

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Many classrooms have added this book to their teaching curriculum for middle and high schools across the country.  The imaginative story about a young girl’s search for her father after he disappears during a secret government experiment involves strangers from unearthly places and the compelling mystery of the “tesseract.”  L’Engle continued the story with three more books and has written books for all genres.

The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve

This selection is the 25th addition to Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club and has been made into a feature film. After an airline pilot dies in a plane crash, his widow learns that her husband was a bigamist and journeys to England to meet the other widow.  Shreve is a former reporter and teacher turned author.  She received many awards for her 13 novels, has had two made into motion pictures, and has published articles in several magazines.