Bull  by David Elliott retells the myth of the Minotaur from many viewpoints, but the chief narrator and orchestrator of the chaos that ensues in Poseidon, a vengeful (if well rhyming) god.  The novel is in verse and moves quickly from character to character.  The most sympathetic is Asterion, the child engineered by Poseidon and whom Minos tries to turn into a monster.  Sure to engineer lots of interest in the myth and the "secondary" characters such as Theseus and Daedalus.

Coming in October and not to be missed, another charmer in this series about two kids and their grandfather.  Charlie is bigger, Mouse is "medium".  The language and antics are so true to childhood, understatement reigns and for a few minutes you are transported to a simple life, filled with love, comfort and joy.  What could be better.

A story of abandonment and friendship and finding your "luck".  Blue Montgomery's father leaves him at the family homestead without a word to his family.  He is off to pursue his "luck" as a race car driver.  Blue has the family "curse" of always losing.  Tumble, a new neighbor, works hard to be heroic but something always goes wrong.  In deciding to "save" Blue from his fate she also changes her own.  A thoughtful book that requires a careful reading, but the reader will be well rewarded.

This wonderful book will be the subject of a program at the Library on Congress on May 3 at 10:30 a.m. Coolidge Auditorium, The Jefferson Building in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision.  Sponsored by the Young Reader's Center. Author and illustrator will be present, moderated by the wonderful Deb Taylor.

Do we need another boy and dog book, absolutely when it is as original and thoughtful as this one.  A boy "finds" a dog, but then must give him up.  Years pass but affection doesn't and ultimately they are reunited, but not before dreams are described in illustration and words and the "hard" work of growing up is described.  The illustrations are evocative and also energetic and the language is minimal but powerful.
Just lovely in all respects. Look for it in May.