Author Archives: stephanielowden

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, I re-read two novels that I had purchased at Milwaukee’s Irish Fest in 2008. These stories depict the immigrant experience in all it’s joys and sorrows. An interview with the author follows. The … Continue reading →

The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers. Harper Collins New York, NY 2007. When I look for a picture book, I look for the pictures. That may seem obvious, but all picture books are not created equal. I want the illustrations to … Continue reading →

Hawk Rising by Maria Gianferrari, pictures by Brian Floca. Roaring Brook Press, New York, NY, 2018. “Father Hawk stretches wide his wings. You stretch your arms as Mars rises red in the sky.” Hawk Rising begins and ends with both … Continue reading →

Spindle by E.K. Johnston, Hyperion, New York, NY, 2016. “The little rose was only five years old when her parents ruined my mother and brought ruination to my own life. I can tell the story like I was there, though … Continue reading →

Hawk by Jennifer Dance, Dundurn Publishers Toronto, Ontario, 2016 “Less than an hour ago, I was Adam, the long-distance runner. Now I’m Adam, the boy who…I can’t even bring myself to say it.” The young adult novel, Hawk, begins from … Continue reading →

Midnight Teacher Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by London Ladd. Lee & Low Books Inc., New York, NY 2018. “From a young age, Lilly Ann Eliza Cox believed the path to freedom was through … Continue reading →

If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping (or even if you have-there’s always room for books, right?) here’s three delightful picture books for the younger set that were just published in 2017. Spring Hare by Eugene Yelchin. Henry Holt and … Continue reading →

JOURNEY Based on the True Story of OR7 The Most Famous Wolf in the West by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Robin James. Little Bigfoot, imprint of Sasquatch Books, Seattle WA, 2016. When a young girl, Abby, hears that a … Continue reading →

The Gold Leaf by Kirsten Hall, illustrations by Matthew Forsythe. Enchanted Lion Books, Brooklyn New York, 2017. Breathtaking. That was my first response when I came across this beautifully illustrated book. My granddaughter received it for her birthday and with … Continue reading →

Mari’s Hope by Sandy Brehl. Crickhollow Books/Crispin Books, Milwaukee, WI 2017. “Suddenly the door to the main house flew open. Two soldiers burst out, tumbling off the steps and shouting at each other. She crouched beside the hedge, shivering as … Continue reading →