The members of the Jefferson County Public Library Association recommend the following books as gifts for the holiday season. These titles are available for checkout at local public libraries in Jefferson County and many are available as audio books. The titles chosen are in print and available for gift purchases from local bookstores.
Gift Books for Adult Readers Compiled by Leslie West, Bessemer Library
	The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. A robust Latin American saga, blending family, religion and politics. Allende’s novel follows the fate of the Chilean Trueba family from the turn of the century to the revolutions of the 1970s. At its heart this novel is the tale of a family and the strong women who guide its course through very turbulent times. Recommended by Katie Moellering, Emmet O’Neal Library
	We're Just Like You, Only Prettier by Celia Rivenbark. A hilarious view of all things southern. The author humorously analyzes child beauty pageants, southern food, southern women, and more. The chapter titles alone will make you laugh out loud ("I Drum 'Em on My Desk and They Click Like a Poodle on Pergo: The Dirty Little Secret of Manicure Addiction and Other American Beauty Rituals"). This book is a must read for anyone who enjoys southern humor. Recommended by Joy Batting, Trussville Library
	The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. When an infected bolt of cloth carries plague from London to an isolated village, Anna Frith emerges as an unlikely heroine and healer. Through Anna's eyes we follow the story of the fateful year of 1666, as she and her fellow villagers confront the spread of disease and superstition. As she struggles to survive and grow, a year of catastrophe becomes instead a "year of wonders." Recommended by Leslie West, Bessemer Library
Books in Series  - Adult Readers
	The Mitford Years Series by Jan Karon. This series paints a portrait of the mysteries and miracles of the small North Carolina mountain town of Mitford and its colorful inhabitants. Meet Father Tim Kavanaugh, the Episcopal rector, his wife Cynthia, Barnabus, a dog "the size of a sofa", Dooley Barlowe, "a lovable but unloved boy" and many more memorable characters. So, make yourself at home in Mitford and enjoy the high, green hills, the pure air, the charming village, and especially the people. Recommended by Dennis Nichols, Homewood Library
	The Thursday Next Series by Jasper Fforde. This set of novels is a delightful mix of literature, mystery, adventure, comedy and fantasy. The series includes four books: The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots and Something Rotten. Thursday Next is a Special Operative in literary detection in 1980s Great Britain where time travel is routine, cloning is an ordinary occurrence and literature is extremely important. Recommended by Pam Bainter, Hoover Library
	The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich. Evanovich has written a series of humorous must-read books about spunky Stephanie Plum, a moxie bounty hunter tracking the worst of New Jersey's lowlife. She joins forces with Trenton vice cop Joe Morelli, tolerates her zany family, and endures more than her share of Murphy's Law. From One for the Money to Ten Big Ones, each title contains a number making it easy to read the books in order. Recommended by Mondretta Williams, Leeds Library
Gift Books for Teen Reads Compiled by Heather Miller, Homewood Library
	The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer. This futuristic world is plagued by blue parasites and the only ones who can see them are a group of rag-tag teens.
	Jake, Reinvented by Gordon Korman. This retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby puts the story in a modern, realistic, high school setting.
	Girl, 15, Charming But Insane by Sue Limb. How will Jess ever attract the gorgeous Ben when she looks like Mike Myers in drag?
Teen Sets/Series
	The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer Book 1: Artemis Fowl Book 2: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident Book 3: Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code Eoin Colfer’s fantasy trilogy is set in modern England and Ireland, but with a twist. In these books, faeries, leprechauns, and other fantastic creatures really exist, hiding from humans with magic and technology. Artemis Fowl is a 12-year-old genius and son of an international crook. When his father becomes a missing person, Artemis’s mother goes mad. And it’s up to Artemis to find a way to keep up the family business. With his bodyguard, Butler, Artemis discovers a way to steal the faeries’ gold. But the faeries aren’t ones to forgive, and Artemis’s theft will have repercussions he never expected. Recommended for Harry Potter fans and fantasy lovers from 5th grade to adult.
	The Children of the Red King series by Jenny Nimmo Book 1: Midnight for Charlie Bone Book 2: Charlie Bone and the Time Twister Book 3: Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy Charlie Bone is just an average boy until his 10th birthday. On that day, Charlie discovers that he can look at a photograph and hear the voices of those in the picture, and sometimes even their thoughts. This power qualifies Charlie for an exclusive private school, Bloor’s Academy. At Bloor’s Charlie learns about the Red King and his descendents, makes unusual friends, and solves puzzles and mysteries that baffle adults. Charlie Bone’s mild fantasy adventures will interest those who enjoy mysteries and Harry Potter, and are recommended for grades 5 and up.
	The Boston Jane series by Jennifer Holm Book 1: Boston Jane Book 2: Wilderness Days Book 3: The Claim It takes Jane Peck over five months to sail from Philadelphia to the Pacific Northwest, where she will meet her fiancé, William. However, when Jane finally arrives William is nowhere to be found, and Jane (christened Boston Jane by her Chinook neighbors) must rely on her inner tomboy to survive – despite the lessons she learned at her Philadelphia finishing school, Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy. Jane makes a new life for herself among the all-male pioneers, and along the way she has adventures and makes new friends. Recommended for historical fiction lovers in grades 6-10.
Gift Books for Children Compiled by April Moon, Emmet O’Neal Library Preschool to Kindergarten
	How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms? by Jane Yolen. A board book that encourages the youngest to count to ten, using playful dinosaurs in silly scenes of room-cleaning antics.
	Wild About Books by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Marc Brown. Written and illustrated as a tribute to Dr. Theodore Giesel (Dr. Seuss), this rhyming book is a playful and entertaining tribute to reading as well.
	I Already Know I Love You by Billy Crystal. Written by the author as he was awaiting the arrival of his first grandchild, this book has a strong customer base among grandparents, as the story imparts the special relationship between a grandparent and child. Critics’ reviews are less favorable.
	A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn. Penn’s book, The Kissing Hand, is a popular book with parents of young children and this one is just as special. It gives in tender terms the uniqueness and importance of each child in the family and diminishes the fears that parents love one child more than another.
	Winners Never Quit! by Mia Hamm. This picture book tells the importance of staying in the game, even when you might want to quit. The popularity of Ms. Hamm among youngsters will make this a great selection for the budding sport enthusiast.
School Age   New Series Installments that are Sure-Fire Winners
	The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket.  (#11 in A Series of Unfortunate Events) (grades 3-5)
	The Wrath Of Mulgarath by Holly Black. (#5 in The Spiderwick Chronicles) (grades 3-5)
	Eragon by Christopher Paolini.(#1 in the Inheritance Trilogy) (grades 5 and up)
Characters You Shouldn’t Miss
	Junie B., First Grader : Boo!--and I Mean It! by Barbara Park. (grades 1-3)
	Molly Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng. (grades 4-6)
	Molly Moon Stops the World by Georgia Byng. (grades 4-6)
	Hank Zipzer books by Henry Winkler. (grades 3-5) Niagra Falls, Doesn’t It? I Got a “D” In Salami Day of the Iguana The Zippety Zinger The Night I Flunked My Field Trip
For Kids Who Don’t Really Like to Read But You Insist on Giving a Book
	Ed Emberley’s Great Thumbprint Drawing Book by Ed Emberley. Even grown-ups will want to make thumbprints and turn them into the fun, fanciful characters shown in this great book. Mr. Emberley’s art style is simple enough for the youngest child and clever enough for the oldest cynic!

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