Book Reviews-One for Children & One for Teens

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a stray dog? Squirrel, a stray dog and narrator of Ann Martin's A Dog's Life, recounts her life, a daily existence of loss, fear, hunger, uncertainty, and eventual hope. Squirrel desperately wants the chance to bond with a human in a mutually loving companionship. If only someone would give her the chance! Like Anna Sewell's Black Beauty, A Dog's Life delves into the heart of the animal as the reader hears the story through the animal's voice. Will Squirrel ever find someone to love her? If you are a dog lover, this is the book for you!

Recommended for ages 8-12

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Sandpiper is a "bad" girl with a reputation to match! Sometimes she doesn't even know why she does the things she does. Oftentimes, she hates herself for the person she has created and doesn't know how to wipe the slate clean. Sandpiper finds herself in a precarious situation that she feels powerless to contain. Should she tell someone? Is she to blame? With the help of a mysterious new friend, Sandpiper learns to love and respect herself and to stand up for her personal rights. Furthermore, she learns to embrace the young woman she truly is and create herself anew. This book contains a true narrative voice and contemporary teenage issues.

Recommended for ages 14 and up

Some mild sexual content