Chicks With Sticks

Chicks with Sticks
by Elizabeth Lenhard
Ages 12-99
Where did I get it? At an AMAZING Goodwill near my brother's house.  My niece saw that it was to do with knitting and thought I should read it... cause I knit.

Scottie's got some issues: Her favourite aunt just died, her parents don't understand and her best friend had a great summer and um, filled out... There is one thing that makes Scottie feel better- yarn.  While sitting Shivah (a time of mourning after a funeral) at Aunt Roz's house, Great-Aunt Lucille showed Scottie how to knit-just the basic stitch- and gave her some yarn.  That started it all.  Scottie ends up going to a yarn store and joining a knitting class.  From there everything seems to get better... she makes new friends who understand her love of knitting and everything else.

It's really a teen book, but if you like knitting, you will probably like this book.  There are a couple things to watch for.  1. Nobody learns to knit that fast.  I think I learned fast, but it still took me time.  You might be able to learn the basics in an afternoon, but it doesn't help if you don't practice enough to remember how.  2. Yarn is not cheap, the yarn purchased in this book is not realistic.  3. As a knitter, I find it really easy to walk up to strangers I see knitting and vice versa, but I think the whole café scene at the college was a little too pointed and a plot driver.

That said, it is a cute story and I didn't want to stop reading.  Who would I give it to? My friends who are YA librarians, knitters and teen/tween girls who are crafty. 
Where can you find it? As always check your local library.  I think I also saw a copy on sale via ebay.com
I'm going to give this copy to the same niece who told me I needed to read it.  She's 11 and I think she'll love it, because she is in that same awkward growing into a beautiful young woman place as Scottie.

Is there anyone I wouldn't give it to? yes, boys (because most of them won't understand) and girls who think sweaters are only worth their time if purchased at the GAP or some such place.

The Silver Guitar: A Julie Mystery (American Girl)
by Katheryn Reiss
Ages: 7-9

Set in the 1970s, this is an old fashioned mystery similar to something you would find in an original Nancy Drew book,.  The main character is a typical girl of the time, she is interested in social issues like an oil spill killing birds and looking at different sides of an issues.  Julie's friend T.J. gets into some trouble and Julie helps solve the mystery. 
I would feel comfortable giving this to 7 through 9 year old girls I might go a little younger... chapter book with help from Mom or Dad? I think so.  However, I wouldn't go any older.  The main character is a realistic 10, but the way some of the details are repeated makes me think the author is trying to remind a younger reader of some details.
Where did I get it? My local library. No, I wasn't trolling the kids section, someone donated (thank you!) tons of duplicates and I was told to take whatever I wanted. So I grabbed a bunch.  By the way, this is a really fast read.

Reviewer's note-I really like the Looking Back: A Peek Into The Past section that gives readers a little non-fiction that might get them looking up music of the 70s.
Would I read more American Girl books? sure, as long as they stay interesting.  Will I give them to kids I know? Absolutely, they have an entertaining fictional story in a historical setting that is still relevant.
Where can you get it? Amazon, or your local library might have it, or you could have mine.  2 of my nieces are too old, and 2 are too young.