A Blizzard of Books

One thing this weekend's snowstorm was good for was plenty of reading. I have three to recommend for the 8 - 10 year old set. All three charming and good fun, with a little bit of sibling rivalry thrown in.

Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley is quite simply the story of a boy and his pet chicken, Semolina. Semolina isn't your run of the mill chicken either. She talks - but only to Josh and she likes her whisky. Josh has his own stuff to deal with - his pregnant mom is in the hospital on bed rest; his neighbor may have a new boyfriend and his grandmother doesn't like chickens in the house. Reading Chicken Feathers is a thoroughly delightful way to spend a winter afternoon.

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies tells the story of a brother and sister. Born 14 months apart, Evan and Jesse are each other's best friend...until the letter from school arrives towards the end of the summer. Evan gets angry, Jesse reacts and suddenly there's a bet about who can sell the most lemonade. Will Evan's outgoing personality outsell the very deliberate business plan Jesse has drawn up? Wondering what the letter from school said? Read The Lemonade War to find out.

Star Jumper - Journal of a Cardboard Genius by Frank Asche chronicles the very vivid imagination of Alex as he builds a cardboard spaceship in an attempt to escape the trials of living with his little brother. As Alex often reminds us, Einstein has nothing on him.