Highlands Ranch Library

Masterpiece by Elise Broach

Juvenile Fiction

Masterpiece is the charming story of a lonely, overlooked boy, James Pompaday, and a young, well-loved beetle, Marvin. On James' birthday his father gives him a pen-and-ink set. This birthday gift is initially as unwanted as the other carelessly chosen gifts from James' birthday party guests. Marvin decides to create a drawing as a gift for James and Marvin finds that he can create a wonderfully delicate drawing with his legs. Of course, the humans assume that James has created this museum quality drawing, and James now receives the attention that he has craved.His father takes him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and shows the drawing to the museum curator and to an old friend of his from the GettyMuseum in Los Angeles. James and Marvin are drawn into a plot to solve a mystery involving the theft of several Albrecht Dürer drawings. This book weaves together mystery, art history, and the story of an unlikely friendship to create a wonderful tale. Masterpiece has won multiple awards including the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Award, and it appears on the 2009 American Library Association Notable Children's Books list. This book will appeal to mystery lovers from the ages of 9 to 13.

-- Review by Beth Dalton, Youth Services Librarian, Highlands Ranch Library

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama

Adult Fiction

In Farahad Zama's delightful novel, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People a new marriage bureau established by retired Mr. Ali serves as the setting to showcase the cultural details of life in India - sometimes with tongue-in-cheek and other times in all seriousness. Caste distinction, political oppression, religious differences and female subjugation are all touched upon, not to mention the strains and demands of arranging and organizing the details of an appropriate marriage within the confusing confines of cultural restrictions. But all of these issues are addressed mostly in a subtle manner that flows just beneath the surface of a basic and simple storyline that gives us insight into the daily lives of the characters. As the business takes off Mr. Ali, a Muslim, hires unassuming and competent Aruna, a Hindu, as his assistant. As they coordinate matches we meet a variety of characters whose needs reflect both the good and bad of their society. Meanwhile Mr. and Mrs. Ali struggle to accept their son's involvement in anti-government protests, Aruna's father falls ill, and a handsome doctor with demanding sisters who are looking for a rich sister-in-law, becomes attracted to Aruna. Marry for love? Inconceivable! The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama is a sweet and tender story full of enough cultural details to give it an exotic feel.

-- Review by Laura Stone Johnson, Reference Librarian, Highlands Ranch Library

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Young Adult Fiction

Laurie Halse Anderson in her newest book, Wintergirls, reaches into the psyche of anorexic Lia after the agonizing and lonely death of her best friend Cassie from the consequences of bulimia. Yes, the topics are grim and unpleasant, but Anderson infuses the story with a combination of poetic, almost stream-of-consciousness language, and a sense of real urgency. In the afterward of the book Anderson says she wrote the story in response to letters from her young readers and she has truly captured the roiling, conflicting, confusing thoughts that fill the heads of people suffering from eating disorders. At times the story is a bit contrived, as when Lia relies on the support of an aimless but Zen-like young man living and working in the motel where Cassie's body was found, but any contrivance is minor compared to the stark revelations of Lia's self-perception and her inappropriate but addictive responses to life around her. Anderson likes to give her books a positive message and Wintergirls does provide a hopeful ending to this emotionally charged story.

-- Review by Laura Stone Johnson, Reference Librarian, Highlands Ranch Library

You can check out these, and other great books, from any branch of Douglas County Libraries. Visit our website at DouglasCountyLibraries.org to place a hold or give us a call at 303-791-READ.