Unhinged by A.G. Howard - ADVISABLE

Howard, A.G. Unhinged, 387 p. Abrams, 2014.  $18.  Violence: PG (lots of fighting and danger, not extremely graphic or bloody); Mature Content: G; Language: G. 

Even though Alyssa was crowned Queen of Wonderland, she has left the kingdom in the hands of Grenadine and Ivory so that she can go back home and spend her senior year pretending that Wonderland doesn’t even exist.  However, Morpheus, Red and Sister Two have very different plans for Alyssa.  They are more than happy to haunt her dreams and prepare for battle.  Red wants Alyssa’s body for her own so that she can rule Wonderland.  Sister Two wants Jeb, Alyssa’s boyfriend as payment for perceived wrongs.  Morpheus wants Alyssa’s heart and soul for his own.  All of three of htem have no problem bringing Wonderland to Alyssa’s world, even in sight of everyone she loves and hates. 

This book falls prey to second in the series syndrome – all set up for what is really going to be the action in book number three.  I wasn’t happy watching Alyssa dither cluelessly and childishly for more than 200 pages before things really started to happen.  I don’t feel a need to choose between Jeb and Morpheus – there’s another major male character whose history and fate intrigues me much more.  Instead of the book being about Wonderland and Alice versus the Red Queen, it is really about the love triangle; I wish authors would stop making every book a love story and write the real story instead, letting the romance be a secondary part of the narrative.  I will cross my fingers and hope for great things in book three, Splintered was so awesome.  The purple text was a very nice touch, though.  

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher.

Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst - OPTIONAL

Durst, Sarah Beth Conjured, 358 p. Walker (Bloomsbury), 2014.  $18.  Language: PG ( 8 swears, 0 ‘f’); Violence: G (deaths are mentioned, but never described); Mature Content: G.  

Eve has amnesia.  Worst of all, she still loses hours, day, even weeks.  She does remember Malcolm, who seems to be watching over her, and “Aunt” Nikki, who seems to hate her.  She also begins to remember Zach, the cute boy who works at the library with her.  Yes, Eve is in Witness Protection, but the circumstances surrounding the crimes she was witness to are more bizarre than she can imagine, and seem to involve magic.  

While on the surface this seems like it may be a light fantasy book, it is instead for only your very best readers.  It is a well-crafted tale that slowly unveils each detail – you start out as bewildered as Eve, but as she learns, you learn.  There is no omniscient narrator here.  For your students who will pay attention, this will be a treasure.  

MS, HS – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Rise of the Arcane Fire by Kristin Bailey - ADVISABLE

Bailey, Kristin Rise of the Arcane Fire (The Secret Order #2), 453 p. Simon Pulse, 2014.  $18.  Language: PG (6 swears, 0 ‘f’); Violence: PG (dangerous, not graphic); Mature Content: G.  

While the immediate danger for Meg and Will is over, there is still lots of learning and growing to do.  Meg has been accepted as the first-ever female Amusementist, but she first has to survive the scorn of the male students in her classes.  Will has decided to head to Scotland to work in the Foundry, where the Amusementists’ creations are machined.  As Meg tries to keep for ache for Will at bay by diving into her studies, she uncovers all kinds of secrets – secrets of the heart, but also secrets that someone is willing to sabotage and kill to protect.  

More great steampunk action.  A small bit romantic, but I like that it is not the point of the plot or the action.  

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Deep in the Sahara by Kelly Cunnane and Hoda Hadadi -- PUBLIC

Cunnane, Kelly and Hoda Hadadi Deep in the Sahara. Schwartz & Wade, 2013. $17.99. Content: G.

Lalla cannot wait until she is old enough to wear the traditional malafa that the other women in the Muslim country of Mauritania wear. Malafas are beautiful, after all, and they help women look exotic and grown up. But when her mother answers the call to prayer, Lalla learns what a malafa truly stands for: faith. Then and only then is she ready for one.

I love this book. The illustrations are beautiful, and the lyrical text is a delight to read aloud. The book's poetic devices -- especially the frequent use of onomatopoeia -- beg to be shared with a class. Lalla's frustration with not being old enough for something the big girls get makes this book very accessible, while the introduction to another culture adds interest and educational layers to the story. In schools where faith-based books work, this would be a very nice addition. Otherwise, it would be an essential purchase for a public library collection.

EL -- PUBLIC. Reviewer: Caryn

Marion Takes a Break by Callie Barkley -- ADVISABLE

Barkley, Callie Marion Takes a Break (Critter Club #4), 112 pgs. Little Simon, 2013. $15.99. Content: G.

Marion spends her days rushing from activity to activity -- and excelling in each one she attempts. But when she sprains her ankle, this self-sufficient girl has to rely on her friends for help, while also making peace with her new, less-hectic pace.

As a character, Marion is fun and engaging, and the story itself is very accessible for young readers, with large type, short chapters, and plenty of lively illustrations. Many students in today's fast-paced culture will appreciate Marion's frustration when she has to dial things back a bit, while animal lovers will likely enjoy the kittens and horses that feature strongly in the story. Lessons on working together and finding ways to make a difference round out the story nicely, while not hitting the reader over the head with obvious morals. While this is the fourth in a series, it stands alone nicely.

EL -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

Lulu and the Cat in the Bag by Hilary McKay -- OPTIONAL

McKay, Hilary Lulu and the Cat in the Bag, 84 pgs. Albert Whitman & Company, 2011. $13.99. Content: G.

When Lulu's parents go out of town, her animal-hating grandmother Nan comes to stay with her. The only problem? Lulu's family owns a variety of very vocal, very rambunctious pets. But when a stray cat shows up on Lulu's doorstep, Nan may begin to see the value in pets after all.

With only four chapters spread over 84 pages, and very few pictures to break up the text, this book feels very dense for young readers. The plot itself is quite sparse, and much of the story consists of Nan whining about Lulu's pets, while Lulu argues back about how great they are, and the pets make a ruckus in the background. Rinse and repeat multiple times throughout the book. Nan's sudden change of heart where pets are concerned is quite predictable as well. Fans of other books in the Lulu series may enjoy this one, but otherwise I think it can be skipped.

EL -- OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Caryn

The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr - OPTIONAL

Zarr, Sara The Lucy Variations, 304 pgs.  Little, Brown, and Company, 2013.  $18.00  Content: Language: PG-13 (19 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: G.  

Lucy is a piano prodigy that quits her intense piano performing upon the death of her grandmother.  Feeling pressured from her mother and grandfather to be the best made her feel like she was missing out on real life.  After eight months of not touching the piano, her little brother’s piano teacher, Will, convinces her to play for herself.  Lucy rediscovers who she is and what she loves with the help and promptings of Will.  

This is a great book about living for what we love and keeping perspective and balance in life.  Lucy is a strong character that is trying to do what is right, but also trying to find happiness.  My only issue with this book is the flirting between Will (a 30 year old married man) and sixteen year old Lucy was inappropriate and manipulative and although their relationship is what helped Lucy find herself, it was too much and moved the book to optional instead of essential.  

MS, HS-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.