New Books Updated

Robert and the Happy Endings by Barbara Seuling (Author), Paul Brewer(Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Cricket Books (March 13, 2007)

Main character, Robert befriends the new girl Taylor, who is deaf and uses sign language and lipreading to communicate.

Wait for Me by An Na

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Puffin Reprint Edition (September 6, 2007)

Mina appears to be the perfect daughter. She is bound for Harvard, president of the honor society, a straight A student, helps out at her family's dry cleaning company and takes care of her young sister, Suna (since their mother isn't such a nurturer). During the summer before her senior year in high school, Mina appears to be responsible. She has conjured up so many lies that lead her mother into believing in Mina's fabricated life. In reality, a family "friend", using that term lightly, has taught her about stealing from the family's business. Mina's perfection turns out to be a life of lies.

The character, Suna, is "hearing-impaired" and uses hearing aids.