Secondhand Dogs

This was a sweet, quick little read about five dogs, brought into a loving home.  Gus is the pack leader until the new dog, Decker arrives.  Decker is trouble.  He soon starts to stir things up in the house to ensure he gets what he wants.  When he convinces the littlest pup, Moon Pie, to run away, the other dogs escape to find him.  Gus has to prove he can be the pack leader and keep them together and safe, using his greatest strength - his love for his pack. He digs deep to find the courage he needs to face Decker.  Dog lovers will like this read that highlights different dog personalities.  (FIC CRI)

Alone in the Woods

In this novel by Rebecca Behrens, the reader encounters two plot conflicts.  The first is a struggling relationship between two friends.  Alex went away to camp and came back with a new friend and a new attitude.  Jocelyn expects them to pick up like they always had, but her best friend's betrayal stings.  Jocelyn hopes their summer trip away will bring Alex back to her emotionally.  However, when a rafting trip goes wrong, the girls have to put aside their squabbles and work together to survive.  I was a bit disappointed with Alex's character.  I understand the need for belonging and being cool will resonate with readers.  However, I wish the message was that you should be more like Jocelyn and not care about that.  There was way too much emphasis on acceptance and being with the cool kids - even when those cool kids are cruel.  I think it missed the mark there.  This book is on the NH Great Stone Face list for 2022-23.  (FIC BEH)

A Place At The Table

Each chapter of this novel alternated between the two main characters:  Sara and Elizabeth. It was written collaboratively - one character written by one author, and the other written by another - which gave a very authentic feel to it.  Both starting middle school, they face friendship and family challenges, but find each other in a cooking class.  Can they get over their differences, rise above racist sentiment, and become real friends?  The use of food in the story to illustrate the point of mingling cultures was very effective and poignant.  (FIC FAR)

The Haunted Mustache

In the first of a new series, author Joe McGee introduces us to the threesome who are a 5th grade investigative team: Anastasia, Parker and Lucas.  Every year on October 19 in their town of Wolver Hollow, a mustache rises from the dead to look for a new lip.  The town all wears fake mustaches and stays indoors on that day for fear they will be its next victim.  Our detectives set out to catch it but when Parker loses his fake mustache, he also becomes the possible next victim!  (FIC MCG)

A Place To Hang the Moon

Get yourself a comfy place to read and hunker down with this heartwarming story set during WWII outside of London. Three siblings who had lost their parents years ago, recently also lost their guardian - their mean grandmother.  Their lawyer suggests that they use the evacuation to possibly find a new family who will agree to take them not only for the time-being but for always.  Unfortunately, the families they are placed with are less than ideal.  They find comfort and solace in their local library and its librarian, Mrs. Muller. The story immediately reminded me of The War That Saved My Life (Bradley) in that it was about London children evacuated to the countryside prior to the inevitable bombing of London by the Nazis.  However, it was unique enough to keep me interested. (FIC ALB)