When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

From the paperback:
   By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, and who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.
   But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:

I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own.

I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.

   The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

   This remarkable novel takes place in the real world but hold a fantastic puzzle at its heart. When You Reach Me is an original, and a brilliant and profound delight.

   I love finding books at yard sales, especially when a book I happen to pick up is as astounding as When You Reach Me. This book is supposed to be for ages 8-12, which might have something to do with why I read it so soon after acquiring it (that 100 book goal on Goodreads.com is looking pretty daunting right about now.) I was surprised to be enamored, even though it did win the Newbery Medal. 

   I enjoyed everything about this book; the writing, the mystery, the talk of time travel, the life lessons, simply everything. I'm trying to think of one thing that wasn't just great, but nothing is coming to mind. It did tell me a lot about A Wrinkle in Time (which I've not yet read (I know!)) but I don't believe it gave too much away. 

   I will be recommending this beautiful book to a couple parents I know, and also a few adults. I believe this is a fantastic story of discovery (I'm also a sucker for anything remotely dealing with time travel.) This would be a seriously good, quick book for those of you who have trouble finding time to read large novels.

Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

From Goodreads.com:
   The old wood-carver Geppetto decides to make a wonderful puppet which can dance and turn somersaults, but by chance he chooses an unusual piece of wood. The finished puppet can talk and misbehave like the liveliest child. But Pinocchio is brave and inquisitive as well as naughty. After some hair-raising adventures, he earns his hearts desire.

   A children's classic, Pinocchio is much darker than I would have thought. I could tell it was written in a different time. The morals were not as veiled as some are now, as is made obvious by the above quote, and there are many more as Pinocchio continues his quest to become a real boy. This book is much darker than the story I remembered.
   I vaguely remembered watching the Disney movie when I was younger, but reading this I kept thinking, "boy, I don't remember this happening in the movie." Well I watched the movie again and was surprised it actually followed the book relatively well, minus a key recurring character that was a large part of the book, the Fairy.
   If you like to read classics don't miss out on Pinocchio. If you're looking for a scary bedtime story for your little boy, this would be perfect! Seriously, it would be if you're into that. I kept thinking, "this is a children's book!?" I really enjoyed reading Pinocchio though, and I think you would too.