I’m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton - OPTIONAL

I’m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton, 240 pages. Covenant Communications, 2023. $15.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Charlotte Lucas (26yo), Charlie, is determined not to make the same choices as the Pride and Prejudice character she happens to share her name with. Charlie is not going to settle for a Mr. Collins, and she’ll move out of her parents house – eventually. Every choice is weighed and rationalized, but sometimes a risk is needed to become the lead character.

Despite being the main character of this book, Charlie sees herself as a side character – like the Charlotte Lucas from Pride and Prejudice. This makes Charlie her biggest obstacle to overcome. Until we make choices like a leading character, we will feel secondary, even if all the lead character opportunities are in front of us. I enjoyed watching Charlie make that transition all wrapped up in a cute romance story.

The majority of characters, including Charlie, are either explicitly or implied white.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The First Rule of Climate Club by Carrie Firestone - ADVISABLE

The First Rule of Climate Club by Carrie Firestone. 354 pages. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2022. $18. 9781984816467

Language: G (0 'swears'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Eighth-grader Mary Kate Murphy gets to be a part of a small pilot program at school focused on climate change. What starts as a simple science class quickly becomes a club and truly a group of friends focused on solutions rather than the depressing problems of climate change. Along the way Mary Kate learns about activism in its many varieties and the other social problems that are intrinsically connected with climate change.

This was a fun crash course on activism for kids. I appreciated the way the kids take the lead in the story and have supportive adults to help them with their ideas--this is the main idea of the story. There is a lot to like in this book but I did tire of having the book's "message" hit me over the head blatantly time and time again for 354 pages. All in all its a decent way to package the topic of climate change so younger people can understand and get involved. 

Reviewer: TC

An Advent Carols Countdown by Michael D. Young - OPTIONAL

An Advent Carols Countdown by Michael D. Young, 98 pages. NONFICTION, SHORT STORIES. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2022. $16.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL; GIFT - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Twenty-four Christmas songs – one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Each section has the lyrics of a carol, a QR code to listen to the song, and some background information about where and when the song came from. Young has compiled some new Christmas stories to share this upcoming Christmas season – and maybe a new song, too!

I didn’t know that so many different countries, languages, writers, and composers brought my favorite Christmas songs to life. Some of the carols mentioned have roots stretching back to 129 AD and some have only been around as I know them since 1995, putting songs next to each other in a familiar way that their original creators could not have foreseen. Young talks about songs that have traveled through Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Holy Land, the United Kingdom, and America, which has helped me feel more united with Christmas celebrators around the world – and it’s only August!

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

RBG’s Brave and Brilliant Women by Nadine Epstein - AVERAGE

RBG’s Brave and Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone by Nadine Epstein, 197 pages. NONFICTION. SHORT STORIES. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2021. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) and Nadine Epstein had a conversation about how important women are and about the Jewish women that RBG admired. The 33 women that RBG looked up to were writers and politicians, mothers and scientists that all had something in common: they stood up against social norms to fight against discrimination.

I love the range of women that are illustrated in this book; they vary in the times and places they lived as well as in their home lives and careers and the length of their lives. Each of these short biographies talk about who they are as people, their hobbies and passions and families, helping readers to see them as more than simply their lists of accomplishments. Readers are encouraged to do what they can to stand on the shoulders of these great women and remember that you can accomplish great things, too.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

An Unlikely Pair by Traci Hunter Abramson - ADVISABLE

An Unlikely Pair by Traci Hunter Abramson, 304 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Amaliya is a dancer, like her mother; in fact, she would be dancing professionally right now if Amaliya’s parents had allowed her to accept the offered position before finishing high school. Tyler dreams of skating in the Olympics, but he can’t go without a partner, and his sister no longer shares that dream. While Amaliya and Tyler feel right when they meet each other on the ice, all logic says winning is too far out of their reach.

When I saw that Abramson wrote a book about figure skaters, my brain didn’t know how to reconcile the information presented. Amaliya and Tyler’s story is extremely different from everything else I’ve read by her. While the story is less intense life-on-the-line-wise, it is still as intense emotionally. Amaliya and Tyler focus on growth, and they find dreams where they didn’t think to look before their struggles. I loved watching the story unfold because I, as the characters, could feel the devastation of all the pieces falling apart even as I, as the reader, could see that all the pieces were really falling into place. The pressure built throughout the book and held me until the last word -- and didn’t even really let me go, instead leaving me ready for more.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain and Philip Stead - OPTIONAL

The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain and Philip Stead, 149 pages. Yearling (Random House Children’s Books), 2017. $10.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When Johnny is sent to sell his best friend, the chicken, for food to eat, he glumly goes to obey. His grandfather isn’t happy when Johnny comes back with blue seeds to plant instead, but those blue seeds set Johnny on a path of friendship and adventure.

Twain wrote notes on this bedtime story he told his daughters a long time ago in Paris, and Stead has taken those notes to mostly finish the tale. Stead pretends Twain is telling the story to him for the majority of the book and interrupts the story for made up conversations between himself and Twain. Overall, it’s an odd -- not bad, just very odd -- and nonsensical story with beautiful illustrations.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee - ADVISABLE

Violets Are Blue by Barbara Dee, 304 pages. Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), (September) 2021. $18 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Renada's life is upended when her parents divorce. Her mother is struggling at work, and struggling at home - the divorce has been hard on her and she gets more and more withdrawn and private. Hoping for a fresh start, they move to a new town over the summer, where mom gets a job as a nurse. Rennie wants a fresh start, so changes the spelling of her name to Wren. Making a friend right away, Poppy lets Wren practice special effects makeup on her and encourages Wren to help with the makeup for the school musical "Wicked." But when Wren's mom doesn't show at opening night, Wren begins to realize that her mom's sickness is more than sore knees and long working days. 

Dee tells a complicated story of middle school social structure, dealing with divorce, finding yourself, and the effects on a child living with a parent with an addiction, in this case alcohol, without it feeling like too much was going on. As an adult, I saw the addiction signs right away, but for a younger reader without background knowledge, the story will slowly unveil itself right along with Wren. I really enjoyed it.

Lisa Librarian

The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonnenblick - HIGH

The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonnenblick, 206 pages. Scholastic, 2021. $18. 

 Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL/MS – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Jordan’s 4th grade year is anything but smooth. His teacher hates him. For reals. He has asthma, his snake gives birth to oodles of baby snakes who need a home, and there are bullies. Good news is that learning to play the drums is cool, even if it’s harder than Jordan initially thought it would be. 

This is a humorous memoir of Sonnenblick’s fourth grade year. It’s more of a slice of life than a plotted story, but the humor makes it fun. This story reminds us what it’s like to be a student and the difficulties and even joy of navigating challenging situations. And who knows? Reading about Jordan’s life adventures might inspire you to jot down some of yours. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

When Sharks Attack with Kindness by Andres J. Colmenares - ADVISABLE

When Sharks Attack with Kindness by Andres J. Colmenares, 126 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2021. $13.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Colmenares has created a collection of cartoons featuring ocean animals, especially a great white shark and his best friend, a pilot fish. While giving readers snapshots into their lives under the water, Colmenares invites readers to find ways to be a friend to those around you.

Honestly, there is nothing about this book not to like as Colmenares gives readers opportunities to laugh and be inspired by goodness. Every page is full of puns, encouragement, and kindness: the recipe for friendship -- whether under or above water.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Fiends on the Other Side by Vera Strange - HIGH

 Fiends on the Other Side (Disney Chills) by Vera Strange, 198 pages. Disney Press, 2020. $7. 9781368048361 

Content G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Jamal has a problem: his twin brother, Malik. Malik is outgoing, popular, and talented. Jamal feels invisible next to him. When their grandmother passes away and leaves Malik a trumpet and Jamal an old skull necklace, it’s the last straw. Jamal makes a deal with a mysterious Dr. Facilier so he will never be in Malik’s shadow again. Jamal gets his wish, but with horrifying consequences. 

 Can anyone say, “stranger danger?” The endings in these Disney books are jarring for me because I always like the good to triumph over evil. But hey, these are villain books. Jamal is relatable and the shadow man is creepy, so if you want a fast read and you have sibling issues, read on. 

 Michelle in the Middle https://amzn.to/3rDje0s

Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion by Steven Bohls - ADVISABLE

Jed and the Junkyard Rebellion by Steven Bohls, 282 pages. Disney-Hyperion, 2019. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fantasy war violence).

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL; HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In his debut novel, Jed and the Junkyard War, Steven Bohls created a unique steampunk world of junkyards, battling barges, and memorable half human-half gear characters. This follow-up is even better than the original with Jed coming to realize his true potential after only just learning of his true half-gear self in the first book. The young protagonist battles the evil Lyle while also coming to understand how to control his own power, and eventually save the world where he now truly belongs.

 I enjoyed this sequel even more than I did the original book. I think Bohls had to spend too much time in the first novel building up this crazy world, but the sequel gave him a full book to explore an interesting story of a young man coming into his own power and standing up for himself and those he loves. Once I started it, I did not want to put it down! The book is 100% clean and is really suitable for readers of all ages--I think this could even be a fun read aloud for younger elementary audiences. 

 T.C.
 

So This is Love: A Twisted Tale by Elizabeth Lim - ESSENTIAL

 

So This is Love: A Twisted Tale by Elizabeth Lim, 411 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2020. $18. 

Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Cinderella went to the ball, leaving her slipper at midnight, but when the Duke comes around to try the glass slipper on eligible young women, Cinderella doesn’t get her chance.  When the Evil Stepmother sells Cinderella as a servant to a gruff man, Cinderella decides to escape from his wagon.  Cinderella is wandering on the side of the road when she meets a nice servant girl from the castle who helps Cinderella find a job at the castle.  As Cinderella starts to unveil the corrupt Grand Duke and befriend the King’s sister, the Duchess, she also crosses paths with the prince.  

I loved this twist on the Cinderella story.  Cinderella was an empathetic character who was like-able and easy to cheer on.  Although the corruption of the Grand Duke was predictable, it was a fun turn in the story.  I also liked the development of Cinderella and the prince’s relationship.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.              

Slamdown Town by Maxwell Nicoll and Matthew Smith - OPTIONAL

Slamdown Town by Maxwell Nicoll and Matthew Smith, 320 pages. Amulet Books (Abrams),

2020. $15.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

11yo Ollie is a professional wrestling fiend.  He and his brother, Hollis, were raised on wrestling, since their mother was a pro wrestler before turning referee.  Ollie’s world changes when Hollis buys him some used gum chewed by Ollie’s hero wrestler, Professor Pain.  The gum transforms Ollie into a buff pro wrestler named Big Chew.  But life isn’t a barrel of singlets:  the Slamdown Town  Arena is in danger of being shut down, Hollis is a bully, and Ollie’s friendship with his best friend is in jeopardy.

Finally, there is a book for professional wrestling fans. There is no explanation about why the ABC (Already Been Chewed) gum works or why it would have been sold on the Internet instead of being thrown away.  If you can get past this weird plot point, the story is fun, if predictable.  Cool wrestlers and themes of family and friendship make pro wrestling fun for the junior set. 

Michelle in the Middle

Forget Me Nat by Maria Scrivan - ESSENTIAL

Forget Me Nat (Nat Enough #2) by Maria Scrivan, 234 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2020. $25 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Just before winter break, Natalie got "the cutest note" from Derek. Now, he's all she can think about, Nat has a huge crush. When they get back to school, Derek stops by her locker and lends her a comic book, she returns it at lunch and suddenly Nat's friends are forgotten and everything is about "Derek". But as the Valentine's Dance approaches, and Derek still hasn't asked her - Natalie decides to ask him herself. 

Maria Scrivan's "Nat" books are great! Fully relatable to upper elementary and middle school, with full color illustrations throughout. There's a scene with a kid campaigning for class president with a soft serve ice cream machine! I loved this so much! Still grinning as I write this review. Wonderful! 

Lisa Librarian

A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Joy McCullough - ADVISABLE

A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Joy McCullough, 213 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2020. $18.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

9yo Sutton is a homeschooled brainiac.  She recites the periodic table of elements every morning at breakfast and is intent on winning the state science fair with her mini-bot she is coding.  Luis is also her age, but he loves fantasy and dreams of adventure while writing a book, though he is stuck inside a lot due to a multitude of allergies.  Sutton’s and Luis’ worlds collide when their parents decide to date and Luis and Sutton have to suddenly put aside their differences in order to survive.

Told in alternating chapters, both characters have distinctive personalities and problems they are dealing with, both of which prove isolating.  Luis’ character builds empathy for those dealing with life-threatening allergies.  Sutton’s mother is alive, but heavily involved in an out-of-town career.  Both sets of parents and adults are portrayed sympathetically. Good way to broach themes of change, introspection, and going out of your comfort zone.  You may even learn something about penguins!

Michelle in the Middle 

Louder Than Words by Kathy Kacer - ESSENTIAL

Louder Than Words by Kathy Kacer, 228 pages. Annick Press, 2019. $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS  - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The book is based on the true story of Nina Pukas and her tremendous heroism during world War II in Ukraine. She was hired to be the housekeeper  for a widow and her daughters. The family's home was burned to the ground and Nina protected the Jewish family by claiming them as her family. She secured new identification papers for the family to keep them safe. She continued to care for the girls after the mother was arrested. She kept them safe. 

I love to read about how people were so brave in the face of tremendous hardships. This story needs to be read and remembered. Nina was very brave and showed great love and empathy for the family. She protected them even when by doing so would mean certain death for her if she was discovered. The story was an easy and fast read, and it impacted me greatly. I remember my grandparents and my parents stories of life and hardships during the Germany invasion of Norway during the same war.

Ellen-Anita, Librarian                                                                      

Things Seen From Above by Shelley Pearsall - ESSENTIAL

Things Seen From Above by Shelley Pearsall, 253 pages. Knopf (Random), 2020. $17

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS  - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

April does not feel like she fits in with the other kids in her 6th grade. Lunch is especially hard for her. She volunteers to be a Buddy Bench monitor during lunch. She is outside when the fourth grade students have lunch. She helps the students, talks with them and tries to be a friend. She notices a boy that is always by himself and he is always dragging his feet through the bark pieces on the playground. As the days go by April starts to worry about this boy that doesn't seem to fit in with the other students. One day she climbs up on the jungle gym to see if she can see what Joey is doing. He seems to be drawing pictures on a large scale. The janitor helps her up on the roof so she can get a better view. April discovers that Joey is an amazing land artist. He draws pictures as seen from above.

I loved this book and the story of April, Joey and the new girl from India, Veena. Sometimes seeing things from different perspectives changes how we view the world an our place in it.  Seeing things from different perspectives can change our direction in life and help us understand and appreciate others. It opens doors and we gain new insight and knowledge. I liked how the characters grew and learned from each other. April is stronger than she thinks, she has more influence on others and she does a lot of good. She is an impressive girl. The story is told by April and Joey. Joey's part is for the most part illustrations and very few words. I highly recommend this book. It would be a great read-a-loud.

Ellen-Anita, Librarian

City Spies by James Ponti - ESSENTIAL

City Spies by James Ponti, 378 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division), 2020. $18.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

12yo Sara Martinez is in the foster care system.  Her foster parents are horrible, so she hacks into the juvenile justice system to expose them.  Unfortunately she faces juvenile detention until Mother, a British spy recruits her and she joins a team of youth spies living in Scotland.  At a youth summit in Paris, Sara and her team go undercover to stop a villainous plot that would endanger lives.

Although it was a bit of a stretch to have a 12-year old hacker who can get into any system, this story rocks.  Sara and her crew are likable with some mad skills and the story was engaging and well paced.  There are nice twists as Mother and his teen spies get closer to the truth.  Once you start reading, you will want to finish, and the locales make you wish you were there.  James Ponti has blended fun with danger brilliantly.

Michelle in the Middle

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi - OPTIONAL

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes (Pandava Novel, #3) by Roshani Chokshi, 386 pages.  Disney Hyperion, 2020.  $17.  

Content: Language: G: Mature Content: G; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Fourteen-year old Aru and her Pandava friends are on a quest to find the tree of wishes. At first they need to locate a clairvoyant Pandava and her twin sister, in an attempt to prevent the Sleeper from hearing her prophesies. Aru is convinced that in order to keep the Sleeper from causing a war, she needs to get to the tree of wishes and ask for help from the wish-granting tree.  Of course the quest is long and crazy with lots of hiccups along the way, but Aru and her band of friends have each other’s backs.  

Aru is an great heroine and her sidekicks have their own stories that make them equally as interesting.  I enjoyed the Sleeper elements to this story, as the Sleeper is Aru’s father.  As with the Pandava novels, there are a lot of names and a lot of little side stops along the quest that can get overwhelming, but the banter between the characters makes them easy to read and the characters lovable.  There is an extensive character glossary at the back of the book to help keep track of all the characters and terms.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson     

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate - ESSENTIAL

The One and Only Bob (The One and Only Ivan #2) by Katherine Applegate, 352 pages. Harper Collins, 2020. $19 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

When Bob was just a puppy, he was abandoned along the side of a road. He found shelter and companionship in a mall with a lowland gorilla named Ivan and a baby elephant Ruby - who were the central exhibit in the arcade there. When Ivan and Ruby are finally moved to a zoo, Bob, who is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, finds a real home with Julia, whose father works at the zoo. This allows Bob to still visit his friends on a regular basis. But on one visit, rain turns into a hurricane, damaging the zoo, endangering the animals and separating Bob from Ivan, Ruby and even Julia. 

 I am so glad to see this sequel! Picking up a few months after The One and Only Ivan ends, Bob fills in the gaps, reminds us what we need to remember and then takes us on an exciting adventure. I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Danny DeVito and am also buying the audiobook for my library. Thrilling, touching and very funny I know my students who love Ivan will be waiting in line for my copies.

Lisa Librarian