Author Archives: admin

196I: Uncle Gives Boy Magic Gifts, Other Magical Things Happen Too (SOLVED)

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I recall this being a series, but it may be a stand-alone book — in it a boy gets a magic pencil from his uncle that will only allow him to write correct answers even if he tries to write the wrong answer. He is ready for a big test, then his dog chews the pencil. In another chapter his infant brother is supposed to be in a TV commercial, but the boy reads the dictionary while watching him and the baby says big words like “grappling hook.” A childhood favorite I would love to share with my daughter!

 

196H: Dark, Beautiul Picture Book Series (Solved)

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I’m looking for a picture book with beautiful, lifelike illustrations. Picture book, but dark and almost adult in nature. There were two in the series.
The first had a small blond girl, with braids over her head, who was the rightful queen of a kingdom ruled by a dark tyrant. At one point she confronts the tyrant by landing on his dinner table, I think. The tyrant might wear a weird mask. He’s dressed all in black. She has friends who wanted to help her get her kingdom back. They set up a system where they would light a fire on the upper level of the castle when it was safe for them all to start their attack. One man was stopped, but is so dedicated to her and the cause, that he lit himself on fire instead and jumped from the roof.

In the sequel, she has a baby (still blond braids roped over her head), and a soldier tries to lead her through the snow to safety. I think they all die, but I’m not sure it’s obvious.
Beautiful illustrations.

196F: Stuck in the Snow Children’s book

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The book I am searching for is a children’s picture book from the 1960s/1970s. It was about a big snow storm. Lots of people kept getting stuck in the snow storm, and they went to a cozy little house (I believe it was up on a hill) to wait it out. While they were there they ate biscuits and all became friendly together. This is all I remember!

I would love to read this book to my daughter.

Attention Stumper Magicians! Gifts Abound!!

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Loganberry Books would like to thank all the Magicians, Wizards, Geniuses, and Miracle Workers out there who help solve our Book Stumpers. Without you we would never be able to reunite people with their long lost book titles.

In the spirit of the season we would like to extend a token of our appreciation to all you wonderful people. This year there are three gifts to choose from.

1) Vintage Children’s book  (titles and condition vary)
2) Advanced Reader’s Copy  (contemporary grab bag)
3) One free Stump the Bookseller posting in 2014

Please send me an email (ami@logan.com) with Stumper Magician in the subject line by January 13th. Tell me something about yourself (what do you do for a living? How many Stumpers have you solved? What do you wish would be reprinted?), and let me know which gift you would like. If you are choosing a book, please be sure to include your mailing address.

Many thanks and Happy Holidays,
Ami & the rest of the crew at Loganberry Books

196B: P.S. I Hate You (?) (SOLVED)

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I read a young adult fiction book when I was about 13, probably published in the 70s. I was certain it was called PS I Hate You, but can’t find anything on Google with that title. It was about a teen girl, possibly named Marley, who leaves a note on the kitchen table, closing with P.S. I hate you and runs away to her father in the city. While living there, she falls in love with her English teacher when he introduces her to the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay (the same poem used in The Outsiders). She is also insulted by another teacher, who calls her “plain, plump and pimply.”

196A: surviving a disaster, but not a historical fiction

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I am looking for a book, I guesstimate that I read it 4-10 years ago and typically I read books that are new and currently selling in bookstores. Here is my dream-like recollection:
Theme of book is surviving a disaster, but not a historical fiction (ie, not dust bowl, depression per se) but I do feel like it was Americana rural setting maybe in 1930s-1950s? There are only 3 main characters: a mother, her teen son and a neighbor/man/stranger. The disaster has caused a shortage in gasoline and the mother/son drive to the bank and grocery store but they can’t get money from bank and there is very little food left at the grocery. They go home and have to survive. Maybe the neighbor/man kills an animal? The mother has to rely on and trust this stranger/neighbor. The mother has to trade something very valuable to a roaming salesman who is selling butter/milk. Money is worthless. The neighbor/man has a severe toothache and extracts his own tooth.

It is not a children’s book though. If you can’t find the book, can you recommend another searching source – I’m not so great with “google”.
Thank you very much for your time!