For Those of Us Going Stir-Crazy

Two stories for those of us losing our minds to this dreadfully long winter!

Weasels by Elys Dolan. Weasels: bent on taking over the world, inventing uber-destructive technology, regretting their decision to drink decaf. Adorable (yet dastardly) weasels romp through this book, making quirky asides and bad decisions--I would find this book hilarious even if my brain weren't addled by cabin fever. PLUS this book affords the opportunity to learn big words. My toddler niece will be the kid on the playground using terms like "megalomania".

Since my boss told me yesterday, "NOTHING impresses you," (I admit to being an extreme book snob), I feel the need to write enthusiastically about Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald. If you smooshed together a Doctorow book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Konigsburg), and an art-history book written by Lauren Hillenbrand (please, Ms. Hillenbrand!), this would be the result. The destitute Tenpenny family has been scraping by for years: chickens in their NYC backyard, tea and math equations for lunch. Until Theodora discovers a hidden painting that could either make her rich--or land her in jail. Do they send kids to jail for art theft? I thoroughly, extremely, really, sincerely enjoyed this intelligent and fun book (see, Boss?!). Although I thought she could have left off the very last part--her story stood so well on its own, the last few pages prove unnecessary (oops, sorry, Boss).

Time to thaw the brain. Happy spring?

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