Start the new year with inspirational books

Helen Keller once said, "We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough." Coming from a woman who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds, it would be wise to take her words to heart.

Sometimes, though, it's not enough to simply be told once to dig deep and find the courage that lies within each of us. We need to be reminded of this many times, in many different ways, all throughout life.

Today's reviewed books present three distinctively different stories that speak of courage, determination and a willingness to move forward. Ask your librarian and bookseller for other suggestions. The message is worth being reminded of — over and over again.

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

• "Nory Ryan's Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff, Random House, 148 pages

Read aloud: age 8 and older

Read yourself: age 9 — 10 and older

Nory Ryan's family has lived on the west coast of Ireland for generations. Life there had never been easy, but in 1845, it became much more difficult.

The English lord, whose land they lived on, keeps raising their rent in an attempt to force all the Irish off of his property. To make matters worse, their main food source is potatoes, but a terrible blight has attacked the crop and people are starving.

Those able to scrape together enough money have left on ships bound for America, but Nory and her little brother wait for their father to return from the sea with the fish that will pay their rent. Will he return before they are thrown out of their house or starve to death? Will Nory continue to find the strength to help her family survive?

Outstanding in every way, this beautifully written novel of courage, ingenuity, love and the determination to survive will capture readers and remain with them long after the last page is read.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Butte County Library — Gridley Branch, 299 Spruce St., Gridley

Library Director: Derek Wolfgram

Branch Librarian: Cynthia Pustejovsky

Choices this week: "Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs" by Tomie dePaola; "Little Bear's Visit" by Else Holmelund Minarik; "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

Books to Buy

The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.

• "The Seeing Stick" by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, Running Press, 2009, 32 pages, $16.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 6 — 7 and older

Read yourself: age 8 — 10

Long ago, in the ancient walled city of Peking, the emperor had one child — a blind daughter named Hwei Ming. Despite all the worldly treasures at Hwei Ming's disposal, these material things did not make her happy. The emperor resolved to find someone to help his daughter to see, and sent word near and far that whoever could help his daughter would be rewarded with a fortune in jewels.

Monks, magicians, priests and physicians came from all corners of China, but Hwei Ming had been blind since birth and nothing anyone did presented a cure. Then one day, an old man with a mysterious Seeing Stick arrived at the gate of the Outer City. Not long thereafter, Hwei Ming's world changed as she learned to see the world in a way no one thought possible.

First published in 1977 to critical acclaim, "The Seeing Stick" is now republished with new, lavish illustrations. This extraordinary story inspires, engages and gently teaches lessons on courage, self-acceptance, tolerance and kindness, making "The Seeing Stick" a must-read.

• "The Curious Garden" written and illustrated by Peter Brown, Little, Brown, 2009, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3 and older

Read yourself: age 7 — 8

There once was a curious boy named Liam who lived in a city "without gardens or trees or greenery of any kind." One day while Liam was outdoors exploring, he came across a small patch of wildflowers and plants that were in sore need of a gardener. Although Liam knew nothing about gardening, he was determined to help these plants survive.

Through patience, hard work and love, Liam's garden thrived and grew and inspired people across the city to follow his example. And, much to Liam's surprise, he had become the catalyst that forever changed the landscape of his once drab city.

An inspiring tale of how one person can be the force that creates positive change, "The Curious Garden" will resonate with readers on many important levels.

Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.