Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen recently earned the 2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award. Visually the book is such a treat. I sincerely adore Jon Klassen and both of my sons loved seeing Bear and Rabbit make an appearance in this story. Sneaky!

Annabelle finds a magic box of never-ending yarn. She in turn knits sweaters for every one and every thing in her small woodland town. But lo, an evil archduke desires the yarn and Annabelle refuses to sell it to him. He puts a curse on her.

Which doesn't work.

I love it! I love that he can do nothing to her. Curses aren't real. If you currently have The Giving Tree as your book about selflessness and citizenship, toss it and put this one it its place. Barnett and Klassen offer a much better book to ponder.

Froi of the Exiles - stars aligned version

Patti reviewed this book as an ARC back in February. At the time I thought I probably would not read it. Don't get me wrong, I loved Finnikin of the Rock, but an almost 600 page YA fantasy? When would I have the time?

Flash back two weeks ago when I was at our local library for our  storytime day. I left the children's area for my once in a while trip over to adult fiction. On display in the teen area sat Froi of the Exiles. See how he looks at you on that cover? Come hither, reader? I grabbed it thinking maybe I could give it a go, tucked it into my library bag, and went off to find something by Jennifer Weiner. (It was my first by her even though Sarah Dessen raves about her constantly. I read Then Came You.)

And lo, last Sunday night it happened. The stars aligned! I am sick with a cold (ugh), but have a husband with a couple flexible days between semesters (yes!). I can be sick and spend time resting in bed and not chasing after kids? Well then. C'mere, Froi.

Three days later I finished that excellent bad boy in-between hacking coughs and snot. Thank you, illness! I didn't think it was as violent as Finnikin. Marchetta doesn't tip toe around the horrors of war or royal life, but I wasn't as horrified as I was with the first. Froi is an easy character to love, though he may be a little too perfect with honoring his bonds and all, but what we learn about his his origin makes for some darn compelling storytelling.

I don't want to forget tough and conflicted Lucien of the Monts who shares a good deal (maybe 1/3?) of this story and who seems to not get much mention in reviews. The novel switches back between Lucien dealing with Charyn refugees in Lumatere and Froi in Charyn out to assassinate the king. The point where these two stories overlap came as a great surprise. I honestly didn't miss reading more about Finnikin & the Queen. They're married and parents and happy. Super.

Another Lumatere Chronicles book follows this one and with that bombshell epilogue I want to read it Right Now. But will the next one follow the trend and *gasp* be 200 pages more than Froi? Yeah, okay. I'm going to read it anyway.

The Fault In Our Stars - post-it note edition

Last week my copy of John Green's book finally came in on library holds. It was on hold since February (the earliest it was available here) and while I was anxious, I was pleased it had such a long holds list. To make it more fun, this was inside my book:

Aw, Nerdfighters. Right back atcha.

Patti already reviewed the book here. I second that it is an amazing work. Plus, it mentions stormtroopers. But seriously, I am so happy John Green writes books.

2010 Want List

I'm kind of out of the loop, but here is a good start.

GREEN WITCH by Alice Hoffman (Right now this is my #1 WANT)
SMILE by Raina Telgemeier
LAST SUMMER OF THE DEATH WARRIORS by Francisco X. Stork
THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES by Carrie Ryan (kind of glad Mary ain't in this one. or so it seems.)
THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Don't have time to read it online for free. See Naomi's post.)
WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by Green & Levithan
THE CARDTURNER: A Novel About Imperfect Partners and Infinite Possibilities by Sachar
FAT VAMPIRE: A Never Coming of Age Story by Rex (I'm already laughing)
HUNGER GAMES 3 by Collins (DUH. Hoping for ARCs at TLA.)
FORGE by Anderson
THEY CALLED THEMSELVES THE KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
THE DREAMER by Pam Munoz Ryan
THE NIGHT FAIRY by Laura Amy Schlitz
ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia
SIR CHARLIE CHAPLIN by Sid Fleischman

I am finally starting to read THE THIEF by Megan Whelan Turner so I can get all hyped up about A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS. I feel that not having read this series a librarian flaw. So I'm on it.

What's on your list? What have I forgotten?