by Marissa Creamer Rowan Public Library
It’s a new year and
Rowan Public Library has new adventures to help you through the doldrums of
winter. Curl up with one of these stories featuring young people (and a “space
cat”) who embark on a journey and experience exciting adventures:
“The
Theory of Everything” by Kari Luna blends realism, science fiction, fantasy,
and eighties rock music into an unusual story with heart. Sophie has started
yet another high school, but that hasn’t stopped her “episodes.” One minute
she’s talking to “Fab Physics Boy,” and the next thing she knows she’s in the
middle of a panda marching band. Or watching birds in the wallpaper pattern
peel off the wall and fly away. Like her missing theoretical physicist father,
Sophie has no control over these visions, and her mother fears she may be
suffering from a mental illness. Determined to figure out her visions once and
for all, Sophie sets out for New York City to search for her father and learn
about his string theory of parallel universes. Has he become lost in one of these alternate
worlds? Guided by her shaman panda Walt,
Sophie learns more about her travel episodes, love, and acceptance.
Another fourteen year old girl embarking on a
journey is featured in the latest Fairyland book by Catherynne Valente. In “The
Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two,” September is beginning
to fear that she will never find her way back to Fairyland when the Blue Wind
arrives and winks her “out of the world like a firefly.” Soaring to the moon in
her Model A Ford, which seems to be coming to life, September hopes to be
reunited with her old friends Elle and Saturday. First, however, she must
deliver a package to the Whelk of the Moon. She soon learns that the moon is in
danger of being destroyed by the terrible Yeti Cinderskin, and sets out to
confront him. Along the way September meets many creatures that guide her as she
searches for her path in life. As usual,
Valente’s descriptions are magical: “his clothes flashed—long periwinkle
trousers with teal patches and curling cornflower shoes like a jester’s. But
what his coat hid within flashed brighter. September gasped. Planets hung on
the lining of that thick jacket—small globes full of swirling clouds or
shifting seas, continents like tiny chunks of ruby or topaz, cool silver moons
and boiling purple suns. Light poured out from the depths of the coat, bathing her
in colors.” If you are new to Fairyland, make sure you begin with September’s
first visit: “The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own
Making.”
In
the latest “Binky the Space Cat Adventure” by Ashley Spires, Binky is embarking
on a journey as well. In “License to Scratch,” Binky, his assistant space dog
Gordie, and commanding officer Gracie see disaster on the horizon at the
appearance of “SUITCASES!” Their humans
are about to set off into deep space unprotected! Binky and Gracie are loaded
into portable space pods for the long “flight” to the “pet hotel, “which turns
out to be...the vet! Will their humans ever return? Agonizing days of boredom
lead to an escape attempt and the discovery of sinister goings-on involving
aliens (bugs). Sadly, this fifth title is reported to be the last Binky
Adventure. Don’t miss out on the trademark combination of dry humor, slapstick,
and heart in this graphic novel series for all ages.
Journey
to Rowan Public Library for these adventures and find many more.
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