A voracious reader, J. A. Jance knew she wanted to be a writer from the moment she read her first Wizard of Oz book in second grade. Always drawn to mysteries, from Nancy Drew right through John D. McDonald's Travis Magee series, it was only natural that when she tried her hand at writing her first book, it would be a mystery as well.

J. A. Jance went on to become the New York Times bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family, and the Ali Reynolds books. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.

Series from J.A. Jance -

J.P. BEAUMONT SERIES -

• Until Proven Guilty (1985)
• Injustice for All (1986)
• Trial by Fury (1986)
• Taking the Fifth (1987)
• Improbable Cause (1987)
• A More Perfect Union (1988)
• Dismissed with Prejudice (1989)
• Minor in Possession (1990)
• Payment in Kind (1991)
• Without Due Process (1993)
• Failure to Appear (1994)
• Lying in Wait (1995)
• Name Withheld (1997)
• Breach of Duty (1999)
• Birds of Prey (2002)
• Partner in Crime (2003)
• Long Time Gone (2005)
• Justice Denied (2007)
• Fire and Ice (2009)

JOANNA BRADY SERIES -

• Desert Heat (1993)
• Tombstone Courage (1995)
• Shoot/Don't Shoot (1996)
• Dead to Rights (1997)
• Skeleton Canyon (1998)
• Rattlesnake Crossing (1998)
• Outlaw Mountain (2000)
• Devil’s Claw (2001)
• Paradise Lost (2002)
• Partner in Crime (2003)
• Exit Wounds (2004)
• Dead Wrong (2006)
• Damage Control (2008)

ALI REYNOLDS BOOKS -

• Edge of Evil (2006)
• Web of Evil (2007)
• Hand of Evil (2007)
• Cruel Intent (2008)
• Trial by Fire (2009)
• Fatal Error (2011)

WALKER FAMILY MYSTERIES -

• Hour of the Hunter (1990)
• Kiss of the Bees (2001)
• Day of the Dead (2005)
• Queen of the Night (2010)

POETRY -

• After the Fire

READ-A-LIKES -

Aimee and David Thurlo - This husband and wife writing team pens characters and settings much like Jance. Fans of Jance's J.P. Beaumont character are drawn the Thurlo's Ella Clah series.

Tony Hillerman - Set in the Arizona high country, Hillerman's work that features Navajo characters such as many of Jance's books do. Start with a book entitled, Hunting Badger, that features two Native American investigators.

Sara Paretsky - Fans of Jance's strong female characters of Beaumont and Brady will enjoy the many books that feature Paretsky's character - V.I. Warshawski.

"The River Between Us" by Richard Peck

The River Between Us evokes a time in American history when the Civil War was just beginning. Young boys ran away to fight, though many of them were not old enough to really understand the horrors of war. The story is told by 15-year-old Tilly, who has a twin brother named Noah that joined the Union army. According to her mother’s wishes, Tilly goes goes after him with her new friend, Delphine. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the arrival of stylish Delphine from New Orleans and Calinda, the darker-complexioned lady that she came with. This central drama really drives the plot in many ways. Delphine is a strong, fascinating character that will surprise you. Her unexpected behavior reveals how racism was everywhere and how the country was changing but also staying the same. The River Between Us actually begins and ends in 1916, when 15-year-old Howard travels to his father’s hometown of Grand Tower, IL to learn of his true relationship with the other two main characters, Tilly and Delphine. This framing device actually polishes the entire story and gives the greatest revelation more of a context.

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Review by Rebecca

"Please Take Me for a Walk" by Susan Gal

The big-eyed white terrier on the cover of this picture book begs his unseen owner to take him on a walk. We are drawn into his world by the whimsical, colorful collage
illustrations of the neighborhood. The happy activities the dog envisions himself engaging in are revealed to us: "I need to chase away the neighbor's cat/ send birds
back to their nests,/and keep squirrels high up in the trees/ please take me for a walk." This delightful picture book will have dog and cat owners wanting to walk around the block!

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Review by Mary

"The Dancing Pancake" by Eileen Spinelli

Bindi, a delightful 'tween girl, discovers she has the ability to be flexible and adaptable when her life is turned upside-down by her mom and dad's separation. As a result of the turmoil with her parents, Bindi and her mother move into an apartment above the new diner her mom and aunt have decided to open. Amidst free pancakes, an absent father, a homeless friend, and a bug-loving honorary brother/friend, Bindi works through the anger and loneliness of her uncertain world. By forming new relationships with folks, both young and old, Bindi gains a better sense of herself and a more mature worldview.

This is a good book for children, especially girls, who have recently moved or who are coming to terms with a family in flux. A quick read, written in free verse poetry form with an abundance of charming pencil illustrations, humor, and grace, this book provides 8-12 year olds with a realistic portrait of the challenges and joys of growing up in an uncertain world.

256 p.

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Book review by Jeannine.

"Hugless Douglas" by David Melling

What do we all need everyday? A HUG, of course! Douglas feels the same. He looks for a hug everywhere he goes. However, none feel right -- not the quivering bush, not the hard boulder, not the splintery trees. Will he be able to find a hug? YES! The best ones always seem to be from those you love. You and your little ones will love this charming tale and delightful pictures by author-illustrator David Melling.

Ages: Preschool to 2nd grade.

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Book review by Jan