I have a new category of books: COZY YA. There’s no mayhem or murder. My first pick is The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz (Newberry Award winner). It’s the 1900’s in America. Joan runs away from the farm and her brutish Father. Through luck and pluck, Joan gains a position as a hired girl in a wealthy Jewish family in Baltimore. It’s a book of firsts; the wonders of city living, the life of a Reformed Jewish family, and love. Those are the bones of the story, but there is so much more to it. Reading The Hired Girl took me back to the first time I was swept away by a book. Think of the Little House Books, or The Little Princess or Enchanted Garden. That’s what The Hired Girl did for me.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

By Sara Pennypacker

It’s might be the worst summer vacation, ever, for Stella.

It’s not because her irresponsible mother wanders off, again, and leaves her with her aunt Louise. Or that Stella and her aunt’s foster child, Angel, loathe each other. Maybe it’s because Stella will have to help her Aunt manage and clean summer beach cottages.

It’s possibly the worst summer vacation ever because one day Stella and Angel come home from school and finds her aunt dead in her recliner chair. If she reports the death, both Stella and Angel will be dumped into the foster care system. How can they manage the summer cottages alone? How can they fool the entire town into thinking Aunt Louise is still alive?

Junior High and up.

Leroy Ninker Saddles up
By Kate DiCamillo
Il. By Chris Van Dusen

Pick this for an early chapter book and predictive reading.
There's Perfect comedic timing,
punchline funny characters
Hilarious artwork
And a tender story.
Tiny Leroy Ninker wants a horse
He can't be a cowboy without one.
The fact that he has no money, no ranch, doesn't stop him.

Jeremy Draws a Monster

By Peter McCarty

Jeremy’s too shy to make friends. Fortunately, he's clever, though and draws one. Unfortunately, who happens to be a monster. Unfortunately, Jeremy discovers that a monster does what a monster wants to do. He orders Jeremy around and is a thoroughly disagreeable guest. Fortunately, Jeremy is clever. Does a drawing of a bus ticket and suitcase tell you how the story ends?

Books can be funny, but make my stomach hurt from laughing? Not too many do that. But, I just found one. Mr.Puffball, even as a kitten, knows his destiny is to be a Hollywood Star. He makes his way to Hollywood and suffers disappointment and despair. But, with the help from Hollywood veterans he makes his way first as an extra, then as a stunt cat and then as an understudy. Will Mr. P “break a leg?”  Not yet. More ridiculously funny mishaps await him.  It’s aimed at the kids’ market, but the sly humor tickles grownups, too. The line drawings add extra giggles as you read. A great pick for reluctant readers.

Books can be funny, but make my stomach hurt from laughing? Not too many do that. But, I just found one. Mr.Puffball, even as a kitten, knows his destiny is to be a Hollywood Star. He makes his way to Hollywood and suffers disappointment and despair. But, with the help from Hollywood veterans he makes his way first as an extra, then as a stunt cat and then as a understudy. Will Mr. P “break a leg?”  Not yet. More ridiculously funny mishaps await him.  It’s aimed at the kids’ market, but the sly humor tickles grownups, too. The line drawings add extra giggles as you read. A great pick for reluctant readers.

Some picture books can be face-timed across country. Some can’t. The artwork is so detailed, so compelling, that you must read it close up. It’s a lap book.

Why Dogs have Wet Noses by Kenneth Steven and illustrated by Oywind Torsetter is one.

Noah’s ark sails through seas until a chestnut size hole appears in its side. What to do? Luckily, Noah ‘s dog has a big black nose, the perfect size for plugging a leak. Close up and personal, you see animal antics in the background that make reading it a delight.