Never Too Old:
Celebrating Youth Books
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, APRIL 2nd, 2025, 5pm
Never Too Old meets the 1st WEDNESDAY of the month to share the diversity, depth, and relevance of Young Adult & Juvenile books.
All ages are welcome. For more information, contact Beth@LopezLibrary.org or Ingrid@LopezLibrary.org

April 2 - Books by Jason Reynolds
Jason has many titles, both Young Adult and Middle Reader. Below is a small selection.
My name is Jason. Mine too : our story, our way
by Jason Reynolds

Two best friends—one poet, one artist, one black, one white—share their journey to New York City, where they make their own dreams come true, in this stunning visual autobiography.

YOUNG ADULT
Look both ways : a tale told in ten blocks
by Jason Reynolds

A whimsical exploration of the role detours play in life follows a group of students who become so engaged in everyday activities while taking 10 different routes home from school that they fail to notice a school bus that has dropped from the sky. By the award-winning author of Ghost.

MIDDLE GRADE
For every one
by Jason Reynolds

An inspirational poem written to the dreamers of the world, which was originally performed at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and later as a tribute to Walter Dean Myers.

YOUNG ADULT
As brave as you
by Jason Reynolds

When Genie and his older brother spend their summer in the country with their grandparents, he learns a secret about his grandfather and what it means to be brave.

MIDDLE GRADE
May 7 - Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef
Once there was
by Kiyash Monsef

After the sudden death of her father, who was secretly a veterinarian to magical creatures, Marian must take his place, stepping into a secret world hidden in plain sight where she discovers a shocking truth that puts humans and beasts in grave danger.

AVAILABLE IN PRINT & AS A LIBBY EBOOK & AUDIOBOOK
March Summary  
Seven readers between the ages of 10 and ? shared thoughts on Polly Horvath's books - and waffles! Ingrid kindly made her delicious Apple-Cheese Waffles (recipe below) to accompany Everything on a Waffle. Most of Horvath's books are quirky, humorous and have an old-fashioned feel without a strongly adventurous plot, instead featuring every day life. We remarked that one to two generations ago, children ran free morning to night, like Horvath's characters. Absent or non-attentive parents allow child protagonists to be more independent and experience growth. Some of her stories have an element of magical realism (The Night Garden). Horvath's books possess a strong sense of place, such as the British Columbia coast in "Waffles" and "Coal Harbor." There is also much wisdom in the author's philosophizing on childhood, values, the environment, and more.
 
Favorite quotes from "Waffle":
"After a bit the whales moved in close to shore and swam for a long while along it. "They're sleeping now," said my dad. It amazed me that they could keep moving like this even when they were sound asleep. It was as if they had been wound up at the beginning of time and then let go into eternity."
 
Favorite quotes from "Coal Harbor":
"... I couldn't believe anyone would strip all the trees from these mountains. They felt as much a part of who we all were as the ocean. They were members of the town, silent, but just as full of life. They had been standing for hundreds of years."
 
"Maybe we live in a universe where all you have control over is your own kindness."

Everything on a waffle
by Polly Horvath

Eleven-year-old Primrose, who lives in a small fishing village in British Columbia, recounts her experiences and all that she learns about human nature and the unpredictability of life in the months after her parents are lost at sea. Includes recipes.
Recipe
Ingrid's Cheese-Apple Waffles
 
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 cups flour
6 Tbsp oil (olive oil is good, or a more neutral oil)
Grated cheddar (or other) cheese, at least ½ cup
1 large apple, grated
 
Beat eggs and buttermilk. Mix together dry ingredients, then stir them into the buttermilk mixture. Add oil and mix it in. Stir in ½-1 cup cheese and the grated apple. Cook in a heated waffle iron. These take a bit longer to cook than regular waffles.
 
These are delicious plain, without any toppings!
 
Modifications: I usually use a mixture of whole grain flours, though the original used white. I use rye, whole wheat, sometimes up to half cornmeal (it makes crunchier waffles). Oat flour, barley flour, buckwheat, almond flour, or anything else you like would be good too.
I usually put in some sourdough discard, just however much I want to use up, I don’t measure it or change anything else.
 
I often add some combination of cinnamon, cardamom, and/or vanilla; sometimes an extra egg.
 
If you don’t have buttermilk, just add a little lemon juice to milk, or use plain milk.
 
Fresh blueberries or cranberries are a nice addition, but they do make a mess on the waffle iron.
 
Experiment and have fun!
 
Waffles make good sandwich bread too 😊
 

One year in Coal Harbor
by Polly Horvath

Twelve-year-old Primrose Squarp, the heroine from the Newbery Honor-winning Everything on a Waffle, embarks on another adventurous year in Coal Harbor as she tries to act as matchmaker for her Uncle Jack; befriends Ked, a new foster child; decides if she is willing to go to jail for her convictions; and together with Ked, publishes a cookbook to raise money for the Fisherman's Aid. Includes recipes.
Mr. and Mrs. Bunny--detectives extraordinaire!
by Bunny

Middle-schooler Madeline's hippie parents have been kidnapped from Hornby Island, Canada, by foxes, and Madeline, upon discovering that she can understand animal languages, hires two rabbit detectives to find them.
The night garden
by Polly Horvath

Living with her parents on a Vancouver Island farm during World War II, Franny helps babysit a neighbor's children for an extended period during which the children receive letters from their father that imply he is about to do something big to change their lives.
The trolls
by Polly Horvath

Eccentric Aunt Sally comes from Canada to babysit the Anderson children while their parents are on a trip to Paris and every night the bedtime story adds another piece to a very suspect family history.


 
Lopez Island Library
2225 Fisherman Bay Rd
Lopez Island, Washington 98261
360-468-2265

www.lopezlibrary.org