Virginia May is positively chuffed to be a bookseller with Northshire. The daughter of a children's book illustrator, Virginia is a lifelong reader and writer (as well as actor, director, dramaturg, playwright, and teacher). She loves reading historical and fantasy fiction, mysteries, and plays/screenplays/teleplays.
In a world that has been plunged into darkness and is now lit artificially, young Bea finds herself holding the last vial of sunlight in existence. From its awe-inspiring illustrations to its wholly original fantasy plot (think The Hobbit meets The Dark Crystal), it is impossible for me to overstate just how much I enjoyed this graphic novel. Action-packed, heart-felt, and surprisingly funny, I challenge anyone to not be utterly delighted by Lightfall. ~ Reviewed by Virginia Edinger
A vigilante apothecary who dispenses poisons to wives who want to surreptitiously murder their horrible husbands? Sign me up! Nella has made a business poisoning philanderers and abusers. It's dangerous but worthy work until her next client arrives; a twelve-year-old girl who will change everything. This debut novel is steeped in history and mystery, and its three narrators are each compelling and transportive. ~ Reviewed by Virginia Edinger
As a middle-schooler who was obsessed with niche history, I can assure this will hook any child fascinated by disaster (I'm looking at you Titanic fanatics!). This verse novel covers the events of the 1889 Great Flood of Johnstown, Pennsylvania in the voices of six children (all inspired by real people) who lived it. Flooded's poetic narratives perfectly encapsulate the devastation and recovery of what was, at the time, the largest loss of civilian life in America. ~ Reviewed by Virginia Edinger
Mistaken Identity, rampant cross-dressing, and four separate romances drive this uproarious, pastoral comedy which finds Rosalind banished from her usuper uncle's court. Dressed as a man she sets off with her cousin to find her exiled father in the forest of Arden. Shenanigans ensue, with delightful consequences. ~ Reviewed by Virginia Edinger
In my opinion this is Shakespeare's finest play and I will not hear otherwise. Benedick and Beatrice are two of the greatest characters ever put to stage (with a love story Romeo & Juliet could die for) and the hilarious, passionate, quippy, and vengeful hijinks of this play (set in the romantic Italian countryside) are sheer perfection. ~ Reviewed by Virginia Edinger
