Hot Reads Now

This Morning Sam Went to Mars by Nancy Carlson Free Spirit Publishing, 2013   Beloved Minnesota author Nancy Carlson has completed her most recent book for children, This Morning Sam Went to Mars. Teeming with the treasured illustrations for which Carlson is known, this picture book for ages 4 to 8, focuses on 8-year-old Sam, who struggles with paying attention—something many preschoolers and early elementary-age kids grapple with. With a little help from others, Sam is able to develop strategies that help him make time for his busy imagination.   Vacationland by Sarah Stonich University of Minnesota Press, 2013   Set on a lake in northern Minnesota, Vacationland is a wonderful exploration of intertwined lives set against the background of a broken-down fishing resort. Called Naledi Lodge, this old resort is filled with memories and shared experiences of those who visited it through the years. This is a charming, humorous and delightful read that brings the landscape of northern Minnesota to life.     While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax Berkley Publishing Group, 2013   Downton Abbey has won the hearts of thousands of viewers, and Wendy Wax has created a charming work of fiction exploring the lives of four friends who gather each week to watch screenings of the popular Masterpiece Theatre series. In doing so, their lives become interconnected and they forge bonds reminiscent of those unfolding among the characters on their favorite show.