Monster Madness by Dean Lorey - ESSENTIAL

Lorey, Dean Monster Madness (Nightmare Academy #2), 293 p. Harper, 2008.

Violence: PG.

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

Charlie and his friends are ready to move from Noobs (newbies) to Addys (advanced), but seal of approval is stalled by a major crisis - two of the four Named Lords of the Nether are now on Earth and if the other two can also escape, then they can together summon The Fifth, the most evil being in the universe. Mortal and immortal danger, betrayal and counter betrayal await the friends as they struggle just to survive, let alone counterattack the sources of evil.

If you can handle books about demons and evil creatures, your school will love this book. There is a lot of danger and lot of fighting, but it is well worth it. I am tense already from the end of this book that I am not sure I can survive until number three is released!

Reviewer - Cindy, Library-Teacher

What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson - NO

Wilson, Martin What They Always Tell Us, 304 pgs. Delacorte Press.

Language- PG-13; Sexual Content- PG-13; Violence- G

MS, HS- NO

Alex and his brother, James, used to be best friends, but after Alex has an accident his junior year in high school, James can barely stand his now lazy younger brother. When Alex starts running again and becomes friends with James' friend Nate, and they two start running together and training for the school Track team, Alex starts feeling things towards Nate that he doesn't understand.

This book totally grossed me out, yes it has a lesson about being different, but it isn't a book I feel comfortable letting into school libraries.

Student Reviewer: AR

If you would like another opinion on this novel, check out the other student review.

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman - ESSENTIAL

Goodman, Allegra The Other Side of the Island, 280 pgs. Panguin Group.

Content- G

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Honor, born in the 8th year of enclosure, is 10yo and lives with her parents in a highly controlled colony. But when they have an illegal second child and her parents are taken away, for being unpredictable, Honor and her friend Helix, another unpredictable, must find their parents, uncover a terrible secret, and bring down the corporation that runs everything.

I thought this book was awesome. It was interesting and has so many good lessons of how being the same isn't always a good thing.

Student Reviewer: AR

The Day I Killed James by Catherine Ryan Hyde - ADVISABLE

Hyde, Catherine Ryan The Day I Killed James, 224 pgs. Alfred A. Knopf.

Language- PG-13; Sexual Content- PG; Violence-G;

MS/HS- ADVISABLE

Theresa's older neighbor, James, is in love with her, and when she takes him to a party, it's a one night thing and he knows that, but when he commits suicide it becomes a night she will never forget, even when she tries running away from it all. While trying to get back on her feet she first goes through withdrawals and makes new friends.

This story of love, loss and guilt shows how to hold on to a heart and how to fix your own. But it is a little hard to follow at the beginning, if you stick with it and really pay attention you'll understand it.

Student Reviewer: AR

Likely Story by David Van Etten - OPTIONAL

Van Etten, David Likely Story, 240 pgs. Alfred A. Knopf.

Language- PG-13; Sexual Content- PG; Violence-G

MS-OPTIONAL

Mallory was born into show business, with her mom being a soap star. She grew up watching crazy things happen to her mom on the show, and drama all the time at home. When Mallory writes her own script that is realistic and frames her own life, she begins falling in love with her male lead, is bombarded by her mother, and has to choose between friendship and her big break.

It was a good story, but not really my type of book. It shows that your parents can't control you and you can do anything you put your mind to. It is written well and the author is very good at showing personality. It really is a cute story that I recommend to those who are trying to pursue big dreams.

Student Reviewer: AR

Would You by Marthe Jocelyn - ESSENTIAL

Jocelyn, Marthe Would You, 176 pgs. Wendy Lamb Books.

Language- PG; Sexual Content- PG; Violence- G;

MS- ESSENTIAL

When Nat's sister and best friend, Claire, steps in front of a car and is put in a coma, her summer dreams of working and hanging with friends are turned into days of pain, hurt, doctors, hospitals, and pitying neighbors.

I loved this book. It was kind of short but got through all the points it needed. It is very heartfelt and a book that many people can relate to. It has lessons of finding yourself, saying goodbye, and growing up.

Student Reviewer: AR

How to be Bad by Lockhart, Mlynowski and Myracle - ESSENTIAL

Lockhart, E.; Mlynowski, Sarah; Myracle, Lauren How to be Bad, 322 pgs. Harper Collins.

Language- PG-13; Sexual Content- PG; Violence- G

MS, HS- ESSENTIAL

Jesse and Vicks are best friends but are beginning to fall apart. When Jesse tries to salvage the friendship by offering a road trip, the new girl , Mel, offers to pay if she can tag along. The roadtrip starts as a friendship bonder and turns into a trip to see Vick's college boyfriend, making new friends, and meeting new loves. It was an adventurous experience. This book is super cute! I love the story of how 3 girls became best friends, it's also amazing how it is written by three different girls but it still flows.

Student Reviewer: AR

Prying Eyes by Betsy Kuhn - ESSENTIAL

Kuhn, Betsy Prying Eyes: Privacy in the Twenty-First Century, 160 p. Twenty-First Century (Lerner), 2008.

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Welcome to the world of Big Brother. Kuhn touches on all kinds of privacy issues in all different circumstances: work, school, home, shopping. The information on the kinds of technology available for spying and lengths government and other authorities will go to know everything about you.

CINDY

Private Joel and the Sewell Mountain Seder by Bryna J. Fireside

Fireside, Bryna J. Private Joel and the Sewell Mountain Seder, illustrations by Shawn Costello., 47 p. Kar-Ben (Lerner), 2008.

EL, MS - ADVISABLE

During the Civil War, Jewish battalion members get permission to honor Passover. With the help of some Negro troops and the kindness of many others, the group assembles everything that they need (with a heavy dose of ingenuity) and celebrates the special day.

Based on a true story, this book is not just of regional or religious interest, but it also does a good job of explaining the how and the why of Passover. It could be integrated into a Civil War, Holidays, Religion or Geography unit.

CINDY

Many Ways to be a Soldier by Wendy Pfeffer - ADVISABLE

Pfeffer, Wendy Many Ways to be a Soldier, illustrations by Elaine Verstraete, 47 p. EARLY READER. Millbrook (Lerner), 2008.

EL - ADVISABLE

Rem is too young to join his soldier father during the American Revolution. Instead he must stay at home. When he runs to check the town cannon one day, he spots boatloads of British soldiers. With the help of some of the town women, they light the cannon, but Rem must come up with a special trick in order to save the town.

Rem's story is a good early reader in history.

CINDY

Vidalia in Paris by Sasha Watson - OPTIONAL

Watson, Sasha Vidalia in Paris, 228. Penguin Group.

Language- PG13, Sexual Content- PG13, Violence- PG

MS, HS-OPTIONAL

Vidalia finally gets to go to France, and leave everything behind for awhile to learn more about her passion of art. But little does she know of the adventures that await to capture her. In France Vidalia will learn of right from wrong, loyalty and betrayal, and who is trust worthy. That's not all though, she also learns what love is all about.

I thought this was an okay book; its more for those that enjoy the mellow action, and a little love mixed in. Though I would have preferred without the love scene, it was a pretty enjoyable book.

Student Reviewer: MT

Prisoner of Liberty by Marty Rhodes Figley - ESSENTIAL

Figley, Marty Rhodes Prisoner for Liberty, illustrations by Craig Orback, 47 p. Millbrook (Lerner), 2008.

EL - ESSENTIAL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

James was a young black man serving on an American warship during the American Revolution when the ship and its crew is captured by the British. By chance he makes friends with the commanders son and is spared a life of servitude. After James refuses to return with the other boy to Britain, he is placed on the prison ship Jersey. When he is given a chance to escape to freedom, he gives up his place to a boy who is on the verge of dying.

Another book in the On My Own: History series. What I love about these books is that even though they are easy readers, they tell the stories of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances, adding dimension to our learning of history. While this will be a good fit in an elementary collection, even a middle or high school teacher could use this as a starter.

CINDY

The Hand You're Dealt by Paul Volponi - OPTIONAL

Volponi, Paul The Hand You're Dealt, 168 p. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2008.

Language: R (50 swears, 3 "f").

HS - OPTIONAL

When Huck's father was hospitalized right before the big charity poker game, the winner, Huck's arrogant math teacher, came to the hospital and stole the winner's watch right off Dad's wrist. Now that Dad has died. Huck is determined to win back the watch, even if it means lying to his mom. Will the cards fall Huck's way or will the card shark teacher take him down?

Its too bad that there is so much swearing in this book, because the poker is really good. We're big fans of TV poker at my house, so I have watched my share of games and drama. If the language is not a factor for your school, go for it, because there will be boys who will thoroughly enjoy this one.

CINDY

Total Knockout by Taylor Morris - NO

Morris, Taylor Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President, 264 p. Simon and Schuster, 2008.

NO

From the minute Lucia Latham is elected to her third term as class president at her middle school, she has big plans to implement - and she do what she must to get her way. Unfortunately, she oversteps herself and causes huge problems among the students - and finds herself replaced by her vice president.

This is the first book in the Mix series that I really couldn't get into. I guess being a long time teacher, I hate books that distort school protocol to the extreme. Or maybe there are schools like this out there and I am just in a dream school. It didn't work for me.

CINDY

Imagine a Place by Sarah L. Thomson - ESSENTIAL

Thomson, Sarah L. Imagine a Place, paintings by Rob Gonsalves. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Gonsalves and Thomson combine their talents for a third book in this highly imaginative series. I can't see one teacher of elementary or a Fine Arts teacher in middle or high school who couldn't use this book with their classes. Enjoy this treat to ear and eye.

CINDY

Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again - ADVISABLE

Horowitz, Dave Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again. G.P. Putnam's (Penguin), 2008. PICTUE BOOK

EL, MS - ADVISABLE

Humpty Dumpty has recovered from a major trauma and wants to proceed cautiously, leading a rather boring life. But when the King's favorite horse is in danger, Humpty must decide of he is ready to conquer his fear for all time.

While other nursery rhymes are mixed into the narrative, the true value of this funny book comes in its double message at the end. Elementary schools and middle school Advisory programs will enjoy this.

CINDY

Read My Lips by Teri Brown - ESSENTIAL

Brown, Teri Read My Lips, 238 Pages. Simon Pulse.

Language - PG-13; Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG;

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

Serena is deaf but has never signed. Instead she relies on her lip reading skills. When the preps at her new school discover her talent for stumbling across juicy bits of gossip, they throw this skater girl into a world of pink t's and backstabbing. Throw in the hot loner and you have an amazing book.

Read My Lips was such a good book. It took a universal idea like fitting into a new high school and tweaked it to create a very well written story that entranced me until the very last page.

Reviewer: KH

Game by Walter Dean Myers - OPTIONAL

Myers, Walter Dean Game, 217 p. Harper, 2008.

Language : G (1)

MS, HS - OPTIONAL

Drew Larson is determined to stand out on his high school basketball team so that he has a chance at a college scholarship. His grades aren't great, so basketball may be his only ticket out of his poor neighborhood. His coach, however, has other ideas. He wants Drew and his teammates to learn how to be a team - not just a bunch of good basketball players who happened to be on the court at the same time.

While basketball action is pretty good, Drew's story is unfortunately underwhelming. The book is published in paperback and the cover will catch the eye of basketball fans.

CINDY 

The Good Girl by Kerry Cohen Hoffman - ADVISABLE

Hoffman, Kerry Cohen The Good Girl, 163 p.

Language: PG-13 (15 swears, 2 "f").

MS - ADVISABLE

When her older brother Mark was killed in a senseless accident, Lindsey's family fell apart. Mom left and remarried, moving across the country. Dad immersed himself in his job, leaving Lindsay and her rebellious younger sister to raise themselves. Lindsay has had her fill of being the good girl. When a transfer student catches her eye and challenges Lindsay's world, her suppressed anger and frustration expresses itself through shoplifting and petty thievery. Lindsay's cries are ignored, until events spiral out of control.

Despite the two uses of "f" (totally understandable, given her little sister's rebellious acting-out), The Good Girl is the first book I have run into that could replace "Define Normal" as a look at a teen trying to keep their life together.

Cindy, Library Teacher

The Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner - OPTIONAL

Falkner, Brian The Tomorrow Code, 348 p. Random House, 2008.

MS, HS - OPTIONAL

Best friends Tane and Rebecca are looking at the stars and musing after a huge rainstorm, when they hit upon a revolutionary idea for a way to communicate into the past. When they try their idea, however, they actually receive a message from their future selves - lottery numbers which win them four million dollars. But their adventure are just starting. Something evil and dangerous is coming at the world and they can only hope that they send themselves enough information from the future so that they can save their world.

From the picture on the cover I thought this book was going to be about pirates - WRONG! What you have instead is a pretty good apocalyptic novel. There's plenty of danger and close escapes and the bonus of some interesting science and technology.