Three special books by writers that you don't want to miss, whatever your chronological age:

MARTHA

TO THE RESCUE

By Janet Gates Bonney

It was a very snowy day in Maine. Janet needed to get the chickens into shelter before the snow got deeper. She called Martha, her half Collie, half Retriever, faithful dog, for help.

They corralled all the chickens but one. The missing one was a young hen who didn't have her winter feathers yet, so it was especially dangerous for her to be out now.

The title lets us know that there will be a rescue, but how it came about, and how the young hen was named "Valerie" forms the story. The delightful story is enhanced by the equally delightful illustrations by Dawn Peterson.

The real Valerie and Martha went on to greater fame in the local paper and on television.

Martha to the Rescue is a gift to the Mary Willis Library from a local friend of the author, Janet Bonney.

SCAT

By Carl Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen writes books for adults and children. Scat is listed as for children, but it is one that adults will enjoy, too. It joins Hoot and Flush as entertaining books that have an environmental theme.

Two villains, fortunately inept, plan to dig a pirate oil well in the Everglades and con the government and local citizens through their evil deed.

A Florida panther, an endangered species, inhabits the area. Two teenagers, a science teacher, and several unusual characters set about foiling the scheme in a suspenseful and really funny tale.

ENDER IN EXILE

By Orson Scott Card

Ender in Exile is shelved with the adult books, but here is another appeal-to-everybody writer.

Orson Scott Card is a major science fiction author. Although published this year, the events in Ender in Exile come between Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow, award winners from a number of years ago. Card explains in an author's note why he is telling this part of the story now. To his fans, it makes no difference -- just so he keeps writing.

Thirteen-year-old Ender Wiggin finds that he cannot go home to earth after saving humankind in a war with aliens. He is appointed governor of a distant space colony, and joined by his sister, he explores another colony, struggles with political enemies, and keeps the reader in suspense.