"The Willows in Winter"
by William Horwood
Submitted by Maryse Quinn, Children's Librarian at Your Home Public Library in Johnson City

This story takes us back into the lives of Rat, Mole, Mr. Badger, and especially Mr. Toad, all characters made famous by the book "The Wind in the Willows". (If you haven’t read that book yet, stop right now and do so.

Really, it’s okay I’ll still be here when you get back.)

After Mr. Toad’s adventures in "The Wind in the Willows", his friends hope very much that he has become a Reformed Toad and will no longer be tearing around the countryside in loud, dangerous motor-cars or playing tricks on Important People Who Can Have Him Thrown in Gaol. Alas, their hopes are in vain this time, Toad has his heart set on, not an automobile, but an airplane. He wants to become an aviator.

As Toad purchases his plane and takes his first lessons, winter falls upon The River. Mole, who is now playing host to one of his nephews, receives an urgent visit from Portly the Otter, who collapses on his doorstep stammering about Otter and Rat and some sort of danger. Mole sets out at once for Rat’s home, but before he reaches it, he falls through the ice on the River and is swept away.

Rat, Nephew, Otter and Portly enlist the aid of Badger and other Riverbank dwellers and go in search for Mole. Rat even goes to Toad for help, accepting a ride in Toad’s plane just as Toad decides he’s through with lessons and ready to fly on his own. Not surprisingly, the plane runs into trouble, Rat falls out (wearing a parachute, of course), and Toad is free to start on yet another misadventure.

Toad crash-lands through the ceiling of a Judge’s home, escapes, is captured, and goes on trial, only to receive help from an unexpected friend. The search continues for Mole. The Riverbank and Wild Wood dwellers find themselves looking forward to one of the most unheard-of surprises in the area’s history Mr. Badger is actually throwing A Party! All of the events in the story are, of course, resolved at the end of the book. However, any reader interested in reading still more about these characters will want to look for Horwood’s next two books: "Toad Triumphant" and "The Willows and Beyond".

"Skeleton Man"
by Joseph Bruchac
Submitted by Maryse Quinn, Children's Librarian at Your Home Public Library in Johnson City

Molly has a pretty normal life – school, television, family – until the day her parents disappear. Suddenly her parents are gone and she is placed in the custody of an old man claiming to be her uncle. But Molly has never seen this man before, and eerie things begin to happen once she is settled into his home. A lock appears on the outside of her bedroom door, and every night she is locked into her room. Her “uncle” insists on feeding her large meals every day. He wanders around the house and ground at odd hours and seems to spend a lot of time in the shed out back. Molly begins to have strange dreams about a talking rabbit, who warns her that her “uncle” isn’t what he seems.

When Molly finally confesses her fear to her sixth-grade teacher, the school counselor and a Welfare Services worker come to inspect the house. Suddenly everything becomes normal -- the lock disappears, her “uncle” becomes cheerful and friendly – until the visit is over. Then the lock is back and the strange behavior begins again.

Molly discovers that her “uncle” is really Skeleton Man, a being mentioned in stories told by her Mohawk Indian ancestors. Skeleton Man captures or takes in unsuspecting children, fattens them up, and then eats them. This is the fate that awaits Molly, unless she can find the courage to save herself, discover what has happened to her parents, and stop Skeleton Man before he claims his next victim.

Joseph Bruchac, the author, is a well-known writer and has adapted many Native American stories into books. This time he has taken the elements of a Mohawk legend and created a 21st century suspense story that keeps readers guessing right up to the last pages.