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Mary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Much of her work stems from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border yet, increasingly, Casanova's research takes her as far away as France and Norway. Wherever her stories are set, Casanova engages readers of all ages with stories that both entertain and challenge readers.
Regionally, her honors include two Minnesota Book Awards, a Fellowship in Literature by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and Career Opportunity Grants by the Minnesota State Arts Board. Nationally, her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and others. Voted on by children, her books frequently land on state children's book award lists across the country. If you'd like to learn more about Mary Casanova, a Libraries Unlimited biography is described in the Delving Deeper section of CLN's website. |
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Utterly Otterly Day When Little Otter sets off to explore the world on his own, his family reminds him to stay close and watch out for danger. But he's a big otter now, and he knows not to stray. Little Otter pushes his boundaries just a little too far and—with the help of his family—escapes many dangers, including a cougar, by a hair. Casanova's playful language captures the antics of Little Otter and heighten the story's drama, and Ard Hoyt's illustrations make Little Otter endearing and unforgettable. In a satisfying conclusion, Little Otter returns safely to his den, realizing that he "needs his family, no matter how big he grows." |
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Dog Watch, Book 6: The Turtle-Hatching Mystery When Kito, Chester, and Schmitty head to Mexico with their owners, they plan on taking a vacation from their Dog Watch duties, until they discover that someone is destroying sea turtle nests on the beach. But can these Minnesota dogs uncover the mystery without getting locked up in a pound ”south of the border”? |
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The Klipfish Code A suspenseful middle-grade novel reveals how a Norwegian girl comes to understand how moral choices are not clear-cut during a time of war. The year is 1942, and Norway is under Nazi occupation. Twelve-year-old Marit has decided to take action, despite her grandfather's warnings. But will her plan work? Can she really complete her part of this secret code? And even if she can, would it make any difference to the Resistance? As this novel reveals what Norwegian people did to preserve their dignity and freedoms, it uncovers a startling statistic: the German secret police systematically rounded up one teacher in ten and sent them to concentration camps for their refusal to teach Nazi propaganda to Norwegian schoolchildren. Set on an island of sturdy fishing trawlers and brightly painted homes, with smells of kelp and salt water, here is a riveting novel about risks taken, secrets kept, and, always, questions about whom to trust. Awards |
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Dog Watch, Book 5: Extreme Stunt Dogs Canine celebrities—or dogs in trouble? When a super-size truck carrying the stars of Hollywood's Amazing Extreme Stunt Dogs shows up in Pembrook, Kito thinks there's something really weird about the owner. Can the Dog Watch gang figure out whether the dogs are truly amazing—or in a truckload of danger—before it's too late? |
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Dog Watch, Book 4: To Catch A Burglar There's trouble in town! A thief has struck Pembrook! Dog Watch is on the case, but they're running out of clues. Kito and the gang set a trap, but when it goes awry, they realize they're dealing with a professional. So Kito and Chester try again, putting their own home at risk. This time, it has got to work! |
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Some Dog! George was once a bouncy pup; now his pace is steady and slow. Still, he feels special. Then – “Ya-yippity, yappity, yeep-yeep-yeep!” – a stray dog bristling with energy lands on George’s doorstep and wiggles himself right into George’s family. Full of tricks, this new dog, Zippity, is a wonder! But when Zippity disappears, it’s George who proves that an old dog with a few tricks of his own can still be . . . SOME DOG! Expressive watercolors brimming with humor make this a perfect choice for dog lovers of any age, while any child who has felt his status usurped by a new sibling will cheer as George, a most unlikely hero, saves the day. |
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Dog Watch, Book 3: Danger at Snow Hill Something is lurking in the woods! Is it a dog? A wolf? Or maybe even a bear? Whatever it is, it's causing a lot of trouble in Pembrook—scaring kids and getting into the garbage. Dog Watch is on the case, but it has to work fast. A new person in town has decided that all dogs should be on leashes or behind fences. If Kito and the gang can't find out who is behind the trouble, they could lose their precious freedom forever! |
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Dog Watch, Book 2: Dog-Napped! Fall is not Kito's favorite time of year—too many strange smells and spooky sightings. All of it makes Kito nervous: Something bad is going to happen. At the fire hydrant his fears are confirmed. Missy and Muffin are missing! No one's seen them for days. They could have just wandered off, but Kito doesn't believe it. When four puppies also disappear, Kito is sure they've been dog-napped! Kito, Chester, and the rest of the Dog Watch team set out to find the dog-napper and rescue their friends—before it's too late! |
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Dog Watch: Trouble in Pembrook A ripped-down sign, a broken fire hydrant, and now Tundra, the alpha dog of Pembrook, is missing! There's trouble brewing in this quiet Minnesota town, and none of the humans seem to notice. But the dogs do! They can smell it in the air. So the dogs of Pembrook—Kito, Chester, and the rest of the gang—form Dog Watch, a canine version of Neighborhood Watch. Together, they set out to uncover the person (or animal) behind the vandalism in town and to find Tundra. Hopefully, they're not too late! |
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Jess (American Girl) With her first step off the airplane and into bright tropical sunlight, ten-year-old Jess McConnell begins an adventure. She and her parents are spending five months at an archeological dig of ancient Maya ruins in the Central American country of Belize. It's Jess's first time out of the United States. It's her first time being home-schooled. And it's her first trip without her older brother and sister to keep her company. But Jess is excited to explore a new place all on her own. She's ready for adventure and anxious to discover just who Jess is. When Jess meets a new friend and is invited on an eco-adventure, she makes some real discoveries--"about the dangers in the Belizean jungle, about the people who have lived there since long ago, and about herself. The True Story section at the back focuses on a real girl from Florida who spends every summer in Belize with her archeologist parents. |
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One-Dog Canoe illustrated by Ard Hoyt Farrar Straus & Giroux ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-374-35638-5 Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime I set off one morning in my little red canoe. But when "with a slap and a swim" Beaver scrambles in, and then "with a 'woo-hooo!'—flap!" Loon lands in the young canoeist's lap, it's clear that this will be no ordinary canoe trip. A bouncy rhyming text and exuberant pictures full of funny, escalating antics will have young readers laughing out loud—for just when it seems the canoe can't hold anyone else, frog jumps in! |
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Cécile: Gates of Gold (Girls of Many Lands series) Pleasant Company Publications, 2002 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-1-58485-594-1 In 1711, 12-year old Cécile Revel is given an unexpected chance to serve at King Louis XIV's court at the Palace of Versailles. Cécile has long dreamed of life at court--of elegance and beauty, fine dresses, and an end to her perpetual hunger. But in serving as a lady-in-waiting to "Madame," the king's sister-in-law, Cécile finds out how complicated, and precarious, life at court can be. She also learns more about herself--and her own past--than she ever imagined possible. Cécile has been featured as a BookSense winter list pick, a Barnes and Noble Holiday catalogue feature, and has recently garnered a review along with the Girls of Many Lands series in Ruminator Review. |
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When Eagles Fall Hyperion, 2002 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-7868-0665-2 After getting in trouble and in a near-fatal accident, Alex Castille-Reed is sent to join her biologist father on an eagle-banding expedition in Minnesota. She soon finds herself stranded on a small island with an injured eaglet, forced to fight for her own life, as well as that of her new charge. Struggling against a storm, bear, and hunger, Alex uses resources she never knew she had to get back home again. When Eagles Fall is a classic novel of adventure and self-discovery in the tradition of Jeean Craighead George. The author worked with eagle researchers in Voyageurs National Park on Rainy Lake to fill in the background for this, her newest book. |
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The Hunter illustrated by Ed Young Atheneum, 2000 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-689-82906-2 Hai Li Bu is a good hunter, but not even he can find enough food for his village when the drought comes. The people grow thin and weak, the children rarely laugh -- but worst of all, they begin to argue and stop listening to one another. Out on a hunt one day, Hai Li Bu saves a small snake from the beak of a crane. He is surprised to learn that he has rescued the daughter of the Dragon King of the Sea. The Dragon King offers Hai Li Bu the reward of his choice. Hai Li Bu asks only to know the language of animals. Then he can be a better hunter for his village. His wish is granted with a provision: He must never reveal the secret of his gift to anyone. Hai Li Bu's people are saved from famine, but when he hears from the animals that a flood is coming that will destroy everything in his village, the people do not listen to him. "You ask us to leave our homes. How can we know what you say is true?" a village elder asks him. Now Hai Li Bu is faced with a terrible choice: to let the people of his village die in the flood or to reveal his secret, knowing the dire consequences for himself. |
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Curse of a Winter Moon Six years ago on Christmas Eve, Marius lost his beloved Mama when his brother, Jean-Pierre, was born. His mother's dying wish still echoes in his head: "Take good care of your brother." Caring for curious young Jean-Pierre would be a difficult challenge under the best of circumstances. But because Jean-Pierre was born on Christmas Eve, the villagers believe that he is marked with the curse of the loup garou—the werewolf—and will one day be called by the devil himself. |
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Stealing Thunder Hyperion, 1999 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-7868-0324-8 Libby has always wanted a horse of her own, and caring for her neighbor's horse Thunder is the next best thing. When she discovers Thunder is being abused, Libby knows she has to rescue him, no matter what the risk! In this exciting adventure, Libby finds her own voice as she stands up for what she believes in a world of adults who think they know best. Stealing Thunder just made its third state reading list, this time in Massachusetts. Kids in Iowa and Minnesota are reading it this year. |
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Riot Hyperion, 1996 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-7868-0215-9 Ever since his dad, a union worker, began battling the nonunion "rats" of Badgett Construction over jobs at the paper mill, Bryan's life has been spinning close to choas. And then one night Bryan witnesses the most violent act yet ... |
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Wolf Shadows Hyperion, 1997 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-7868-0325-5 Even though the sound of the wolves' howls sends chills down his spine, Seth would miss it if it ever stopped. He wants the wolf pack to thrive. But Seth's beliefs put him at odds with many who think the wolves threaten their livelihood—Seth's best friend, Matt, among them. Then Matt commits a horrible act of violence, and Seth must choose between wolves and a lifelong friendship. The choice he makes nearly costs Matt his life. An action-packed, thought-provoking sequel to Moose Tracks. |
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Moose Tracks Hyperion, 1995 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-7868-0042-1 Seth's stepfather, a game warden, had told him about a gang of poachers, but Seth never expected to meet up with them in the woods. After Seth witnesses them slaughter of a moose cow, he is desperate to save her calf. He wants to tell his stepfather, but he's afraid. The poachers know who he is and are threatening Seth and his family. It was just days before that Seth had attempted to prove to his step-dad, and to himself, that he was responsible enough to use his shotgun on his own. But now Seth is afraid of what his dad will say when he finds out that Seth killed a rabbit. And even if Seth lives to confess, the poachers know who he is and are threatening his family. |
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