Sword of Waters by Hilari Bell - ESSENTIAL

Sword of Waters (The Shield, Sword, and Crown #2) by Hillari Bell, 363 pgs. Simon and Schuster

Language: G, Sexual Content: G, Violence: PG

EL, MS- ESSENTIAL

The Falcon has just recovered the shield and is now lord commander of the army. Arisa, the Falcon’s daughter, is thrown into palace life. Usually every girl loves to be pampered; not this girl. Her life before was one of a bandit’s. How could her mother change from leader of bandits to lord commander of the army? Arisa could hardly believe it herself. Now Arisa is put in charge of finding the sword that goes with the legendary shield. But, that is not her only mission. She has to get to know Prince Eldoran, who she thinks is obnoxious, and figure out what is really going on with the conspirators around the kingdom. Can Arisa do it all?

This book was a great thrill throughout the entire book! IT was juicy with mystery and had a ton of twists and turns. What happened towards the end surprised me so much; the author really made it suspenseful. A great trilogy for anyone who likes a little treachery. The first book is Shield of Stars.

Student Reviewer: CW

Skinned by Robin Wasserman - ADVISABLE

Wasserman, Robin Skinned 288 pgs. Simon Pulse

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

MS, HS – ADVISABLE 

Lia should be dead. The car accident should have killed her. But due to the miracle of science she will be as good as new. In fact she will be better than new. Science has discovered a way to digitize your brain so that it can be downloaded into a computerized body. Lia must teach her brain to work with her new body. Those who have been ‘downloaded’ are shunned by society because it is felt that they are no more than a copy of who the individual used to be. Lia slowly learns to adjust to who she is now and must decide if she should try to live a normal life or join the other downloaders.

Wasserman has created a suspenseful and engaging read for teens that questions what makes us human. The swearing is minimal and used in intense/heightened situations there are 3+ ‘f’s. There is also discussion of the physical results of a car accident. I would recommend this to mature teens.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

One Beetle Too Many by Kathryn Lasky and Matthew Trueman - ADVISABLE

One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin, by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Candlewick, 2009. PICTURE BOOK. $18

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Fun, quirky illustrations complement the text in this short bio on Charles Darwin. While pictures would be fun to show to a class, any teacher would want to choose which text to read, as there is more detail than you might expect. If I were still in elementary, this is the kind of bio that I would want to read.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Way of the Warrior by Chris Bradford - ESSENTIAL

The Way of the Warrior (Young Samurai #1) by Chris Bradford, 353 p. Hyperion, 2009. $16.99.

Violence: PG

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

First a young boy is murdered in his bed by an evil ninja to make his father tow the line. Now, a young English boy, Jack, on a journey to Japan with his father, is the only survivor when a horde of pirates attacks their boat, kills almost everyone on board and then sets the ship on fire. The father of the murdered boy rescues Jack and adopts him into his household and finds in Jack the makings of a samurai, even if it causes his remaining son extreme jealousy. But, Dragon Eye, the ninja mastermind, wants something that Jack has and will stop at nothing to get it. The book is based in Japan of the 1600’s, before most white peoples knew of its existence.

I was sucked in from the first scene and remained enthralled to the end. It’s a perfect companion to the Moribitu series or Hoobler’s novels.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Cold Skin by Steven Herrick - ADVISABLE

Herrick, Steven , Cold Skin, 279 p. Front Street 2007.

Language: PG13 (15+ swears), Sexual Content: PG13, Violence: PG13.

MS-OPTIONAL, HS-ADVISABLE

Life for Eddie in a post-war, Australian mining town seems a bit mundane, but it turns out to be anything but dull when a murder occurs one night. Eddie learns the lessons of love, cowardice and forgiveness through the eyes of his own family and the people he associates with daily.

Author Steven Herrick tells this mystery in free verse with the alternating view points of the townspeople. A fairly quick read, this format could be adapted easily for a very interesting reader’s theater.

Reviewer: Lorna Parkinson, Library-Teacher, HHS.

Four Truths and a Lie by Lauren Barnholdt - ADVISABLE

Four Truths and a Lie by Laura Barnholdt, 265 p. Mix (Simon), 2008. $6

Content: G

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Armed with a secret, Scarlett Northon, 8th grader, starts her new life at an exclusive boarding school. Her roommate, however, seems to be an antagonist instead of a friend. Scarlett is trying to make the best of the situation, but someone is trying to expose Scarlett’s secret and is also trying to get her in trouble. Scarlett needs to sort the truths from the lies before her new life goes down the tubes.

The Mix imprint from Simon and Schuster is full of fun and to the point books perfect for tweens. This is Barnholdt’s second title for the imprint.

CINDY

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - ADVISABLE

Anderson, Laurie Halse Wintergirls 282 pgs. Viking Juvenile 

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

HS –ADVISABLE 

Laurie Halse Anderson is known for her novels that address times of crisis in teens’ lives. Her novel Speak is renowned. In her newest novel, Anderson addresses the crisis of eating disorders. Lia and her once best friend Cassie make a pact to get skinny. Cassie—bulimia . . . Lia—anorexia. The novel is told in first person so that the reader experiences what it is like to exist in the mind of someone suffering from anorexia nervosa. Cassie dies at the beginning of the novel and although Lia has been to rehab for her anorexia before, Cassie’s death triggers her to start giving in to her eating disorder. 

This book is tough to read, but may help teens to understand why these disorders are so dangerous and often deadly. Due to the harshness of the topic and also that Lia is a cutter, I would reserve this title for mature teens.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Graceling by Kristin Cashore - ESSENTIAL

Cashore, Kristin. Graceling, 471 pgs. Harcourt, 2008.

Language – G. Sexual Content – PG-13 (brief depiction of first sexual encounter). Violence – PG-13 (brief descriptions of torture and hand-to-hand combat).

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

With the Grace of killing, people fear and despise Katsa. She hates it too, and dreads having to do the king’s bidding who uses her to bully people. But she’s found a way to live with herself. With the aid of Giddon, the king’s underlord and spy, and Oll, the king’s captain, she forms the Council, a secret organization devoted to righting injustices with as little harm to others as possible.

It’s intriguing to enter this world of seven kingdoms where Graces are used as weapons, and to watch Katsa learn more about herself, her Grace, and how Graces affect relationships and kingdoms. Though I don’t agree with Katsa’s conclusions about marriage, I found Cashore’s world and Katsa’s adventure completely engrossing.

CINDY

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - ESSENTIAL

Clare, Cassandra City of Glass: Book Three of the Mortal Instruments Trilogy 541pgs. Margaret K. McElderry

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

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL 

Clary is determined that she will find a cure for her mother. Even if that means tracking down an unknown individual in the fabled City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters. Both Jace and Simon are insistent that Clary stay behind and wait for Jace and the Lightwoods to meet with the Clave. But true to her character Clary uses her newly discovered power to create runes to open a portal. Valentine has 2 of the 3 Mortal Instruments and has come to the City of Glass to wage war on the Shadowhunters.

A thrilling end to a trilogy that will last the tests of time. . . . BRAVA Cassandra Clare!!

As in the other 2 novels, there is plenty of teen angst in the form of sexual innuendos but there is little more than kissing that is actually described. The language is on the dark side but I don’t recall any ‘f’s. The violence is frequent and dark similar but par for the course in an adventure/paranormal story.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare - ESSENTIAL

Clare, Cassandra City of Ashes: Book Two of the Mortal Instruments Trilogy 453 pgs. Margaret K. McElderry

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

MS, HS –ESSENTIAL 

As Clary continues to adjust to her new life among the Shadowhunters, someone is murdering Downworlder’s and draining them of their blood! The second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is also now missing. Jace is under investigation as the culprit for both the theft and the murders. The Inquisitor believes he is in league with his father, Valentine. There are tough times ahead and Clary is right in the middle of it all.

The second installment of the extremely popular Mortal Instruments series does not disappoint! As in the first novel, there is plenty of teen angst in the form of sexual innuendos but there is little more than kissing that is actually described. The language is on the dark side but I don’t recall any ‘f’s. The violence is frequent and dark similar but par for the course in an adventure/paranormal story. There is the birth of a vampire that may cause some to cringe but others will relish in the fascination and suspense.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - ESSENTIAL

Clare, Cassandra; City of Bones: Book One of the Mortal Instruments Trilogy 496 pgs. Margaret K. McElderry

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

MS, HS –ESSENTIAL 

Clarissa and her mom have your typical relationship between teen and parent. They have their arguments and misunderstandings. However, Clary’s mom has kept a secret from her daughter that will turn the world she has known upside down. It all begins when Clary sees something she shouldn’t at a nightclub. She is then plunged into a world of shadow hunters, vampires, werewolves, and other creatures that shouldn’t exist but do. This first novel grabs readers and doesn’t let go as they are taken on a ride that is full of suspense, romance, humor, and mystery. Put down that other vampire book and pick this one up, you won’t be disappointed! There is plenty of teen angst in the form of sexual innuendos but despite the claim on the front of the book of ‘Sexy’ there is not more than kissing that is actually described. The language is on the dark side but I don’t recall any ‘f’s. The violence is frequent and dark similar but par for the course in an adventure/paranormal story.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull - ESSENTIAL

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull, 456 pages. Shadow Mountain

Language~G; Sexual Content~G; Violence~PG

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL 

Kendra and Seth are thrown back in the world of Fablehaven as they are tricked into helping the evil Society of the Evening Star. Kendra discovers that her encounter with the fairies has given her greater gifts than she could imagine and the Society wants her because of them. 

Readers also meet new characters some of whom are who they declare to be and others are not as benign as they seem. This second installment of the Fablehaven series continues to enthrall young readers who eagerly devour every volume.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - ESSENTIAL

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, 368 pages. Shadow Mountain

Content - G

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL 

Ugh . . . imagine being left with an unknown relative while your parents go on a luxurious cruise! Kendra and Seth are not looking forward to it either. They are dropped off at their grandparent’s house that is surrounded by forests and land. There seems to be a secret that the grown-ups are not sharing with them. When Kendra and Seth discover that their grandparents are actually caretakers of a secret fairy & creature preserve called Fablehaven their time there gets far more exciting! 

This is an excellent fantasy series for young readers! You will not be able to keep it on the shelf.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry - ADVISABLE

Barry, Brunonia The Lace Reader pgs.368 Flap Jacket Press

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

HS –ADVISABLE 

“Towner Whitney, the self-confessed unreliable narrator of The Lace Reader, hails from a family of Salem women who can read the future in the patterns of lace, and who have guarded a history of secrets going back generations, but the disappearance of two women brings Towner home to Salem and the truth about the death of her twin sister to light.”(taken from the Hardcover edition flap)

I would recommend this title to high school libraries that have readers ready for grown-up fiction. Towner is a troubled adult who has spent some time in a psychiatric hospital. Readers will connect with Towner. This is a great read. There is frequent swearing in this book mostly 'h's and 'd's, however the ‘f’ word is used once or twice.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson - ESSENTIAL

We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson, 96 pages.  NON-FICTION. Hyperion (Disney)

Content - G

EL, MS, HS –ESSENTIAL 

We Are the Ship is a beautifully illustrated and written history of Negro League Baseball. The title of the book comes from a quote "We are the ship; all else the sea." by Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League. Many casual baseball fans are ignorant that a segregated baseball league existed, let alone the phenomenal players that never made it onto mixed-race teams! A wonderful look at a time in history that many have forgotten or never knew happened. This title was awarded the 2009 Robert F. Sibert Medal & the 2009 Coretta Scott King Author Medal.


Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Imperfections by Lynda Durrant - ADVISABLE

Lynda Imperfections by Lynda Durrant, 172 pages. Clarion Books, 2008

Language G; Sexual Content PG; Violence PG

EL, MS - ADVISABLE

Rosemary Elizabeth’s mother left her children in the Shaker community of Pleasant Hill Kentucky to save them from their drunken and violent father as well as the Civil War. They are safe and well fed but must live a very circumscribed life. Rosemary must sleep on her back, hands folded across her chest; she must always walk with her right foot first and take everything with her right hand. Perfection is the goal. She is thankful for the clean and peaceful home but fights against strict rules that are supposed to govern everything she says and does and even what she dreams. She worries that if she eliminates all the imperfections the Shakers find in her, there will be nothing of her left. Rosemary Elizabeth eventually comes to appreciate her own imperfections realizing that they are what make her unique.

This carefully researched story takes the reader inside a Shaker community during the civil war and tells the story of spirited young Rosemary Elizabeth and her younger brother and sister. Little is generally known about Shakers which adds to the interest of this historical fiction. There are frank discussions about the fact that Shaker men and women live separately and believe in celibacy. There is mild violence where one of the older Shaker women dies.

Janell Pearce-Mattheus, Youth Services Librarian, Whitmore Library

Impossible by Nancy Werlin - ADVISABLE

Werlin, Nancy Impossible 384 pages. Dial

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

MS, HS –ADVISABLE 

“Lucy has nine months to break an ancient curse in order to save both herself and her unborn daughter. Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child's birth. But Lucy is the first girl who won't be alone as she tackles the list.”(description from Goodreads.com)

This excellent novel, loosely based on the folk song "Scarborough Fair," is a dark fantasy that takes the reader on a suspenseful ride to a satisfying conclusion. Be aware, there is a rape scene that while disturbing is not graphic. The rape results in a teen pregnanacy.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman - ADVISABLE

The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman. PICTURE BOOK. HarperTrophy

Language~G; Sexual Content~G; Violence~PG

EL, MS, HS – ADVISABLE

Author Neil Gaiman has written a superb picture book for older readers, terrifying but terrific! Lucy is a young girl who begins to hear what she absolutely without a doubt knows are wolves in the walls of her house. Her mother doesn’t believe her. She tries to warn her father, but he brushes her off. Her younger brother thinks she has finally gone over the edge. Only her pig puppet believes her, until the wolves breach the walls and chase Lucy and her family out of their house! Tragically pig puppet is left inside and Lucy realizes that she must find the courage to go and rescue her friend from the terrifying wolves.

This title will be too scary for most young children; however this would be an excellent read-a-loud for older elementary students and even students in secondary schools. I love this title and would highly recommend it!

 Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Coraline by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell - OPTIONAL

Gaiman, Neil; Russell, P. Craig Coraline 192 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL HarperCollins 

Content~G

MS, HS –OPTIONAL 

Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed book Coraline has been adapted to graphic novel. Ironically, since Gaiman is renown for his graphic novel work, this book has been adapted not by Gaiman but by P. Craig Russell with Gaiman’s permission. Another drawback to this adaptation is the recent release of Coraline, the movie. The graphics for this adaptation are appropriately creepy and dark.

Unfortunately, the text does not convey the story as well as Gaiman’s original work. I would recommend you leave this one for the public libraries, unless you have a healthy graphic novel budget.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Beastly by Alex Flinn - ESSENTIAL

Flinn, Alex Beastly pgs.320 HarperTeen

Language~G; Sexual Content~PG; Violence~G

MS, HS –ESSENTIAL 

Fairy-Tale retellings are being published by the hundreds these days, however author Alex Flinn has presented teens with a truly unique retelling of a most loved fairytale. . .Beauty and the Beast. Built upon the skeleton of the original (non-Disney) story, Flinn moves the story to modern day New York City and has the Beast to narrate the story. This is a must have for all libraries!

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library