Horseradish: bitter truths you can't avoid by Lemony Snicke

"Most schools have a system of loud bells, which startle the students and teachers at regular intervals and remind them that time is passing even more slowly than it seems."

Haven't had enough of Mr. Snicket, yet? The mysterious author returns one more time to offer a collection of musings. Some startling, some amusing, all terribly, terribly true. Snicket fans should find a few minutes to peruse this tome.

SLJ recommends grades

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and here.

Freedom Walkers: the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman

"...one day a half century ago, the black citizens in Montgomery rose up in protest and united to demand their rights--by walking peacefully. It all started on a bus."

Award-winning non-fiction author, Russell Freedman delivers yet another vibrant look back. Freedman is known for his very accessible history books written for young people. His use of simple but effective language, gratuitous primary source excerpts and images, and habit of telling the truth through the eyes of the people who lived through an event are the perfect tools for bringing history alive. Freedom Walkers is no exception. Freedman uses the personal stories of Civil Rights giants like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as not-so-famous figures like Claudette Colvin and Jo Ann Robinson to relate the events of the 13-month bus boycott that changed America. The images he chooses and the style he uses will entice even the most reluctant readers.

SLJ recommends grades 4 to 6.

Learn more at HCL, Barnes and Noble, and here.

it's happy bunny: Life. Get One: and other words of wisdom and junk that will make you wise or something by Jim Benton

"So you want to get wise, do you? Well, you could read Confucius or Socrates. You could study Solomon or Plato. But only one form of wisdom truly has a lot of pictures of bunnies...."

Ahhh, bunny wisdom. Immerse yourself in thoughts such as "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Unless, of course, they did unto you first, and now you have to totally open a can of "unto" on them." Learn whether the glass is really half empty or half full. Gather valuable life skills from "The Fable of the Excellent Bunny." And discover how to correctly judge people.

Shorter than the Tao of Pooh and more cynical than Chicken Soup for the Soul, fans of Jim Benton's sardonic "happy bunny" will relish this useful advice imparted by cute bunnies. But remember, "Any wisdom one gets from a bunny is probably not that hot. For your own safety, please do not take the advice of bunnies."

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and happy bunny books.

Subjects: happy bunny, Life.

Cat People by Michael Korda and Margaret Korda

What can I say? I laughed. I cried. It was better than "Cats"?

Michael and Margaret Korda celebrate the lives of Irving, Queenie, Chutney and many, many other cats. Each episode is an unusual adventure proving that, contrary to my husband's belief, each cat is a totally different and inherently lovable character. The occasional line drawings provide further insight into each cat and are a lively addition to the heartfelt text.

This is a charming, quiet, cat read especially when accompanied by tea, afghans, and kleenex.

Learn more at HCL and Amazon.

Subjects: Non-fiction, Cats