Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have - ESSENTIAL

Zadoff, Allen. Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have. 311 pgs. Egmont, 2009. 

Language: PG13 (89 swears, 1 "f"); Mature Content: PG13; Violence-G 

HS - ESSENTIAL

This about a boy who weighs 307 pounds trying to get his girl. He joins the football team and becomes the star player but when he finds his quarterback with his "should be' girlfriend what’s he to do? 

For me this book was a page turner. I sat up at night reading it even though it had some harsh language in it. I really enjoyed this book. 

 Student Reviewer: CRH

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross - ESSENTIAL

Cross, Sarah Dull Boy 320 pgs.  Dutton Childrens Books, 2009 

Language: PG-13 (63 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content:G; Violence-PG 

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Avery is not normal. He has powers. When he is approached by a mysterious woman he realizes he's not the only one. The woman offers him a home and help to tame his powers but one of his friends says that the woman is evil. Is it true? If so, what will happen? 

This book was 100% awesome! I loved it! I finished it fast because I just couldn't stop turning the pages. It was exiting and made my heart pound. What will happen? What will happen?! I really like it.  

Student Reviewer: CRH

Blue Mountain Trouble by Martin Mordecai - ADVISABLE

Mordecai, Martin Blue Mountain Trouble, 352 pgs. Scholastic Inc., 2009. 

Language:G, Mature Content: G; Violence: PG

MS-ADVISABLE

Twins, Pollyread and Jackson Gilmore, know what and how to break all the rules in their Jamaican village. They are always having fun, but then a young thug by the name of Jammy changes the twins’ world. He seems to be targeting their family. 

I loved this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It uses a lot of figurative language though. 

Student Reviewer: HW

Everlost by Neal Shusterman - ESSENTIAL

Shusterman, Neal Everlost, 313 p. Simon Schuster, 2006, 2009. $9

MS, HS –ESSENTIAL

Nick and Allie do not survive the head-on car crash; instead they seem to be doomed to wander earth. They meet other lost souls who have agendas of their own for the pair, but together they question and probe and force everything to change. 

Shusterman has created another incredible reality full of richness and depth. Though it is very tense and scary in parts, the whole is extremely satisfying. 

 

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Elspeth by Kate O'Hearn - ESSENTIAL

O’Hearn, Kate Elspeth (Shadow of the Dragon #2) Kane Miller, 2010. $17

Violence: PG

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

Kira, her siblings and her friends have freed the captive girls and escaped Lord Dorcon’s forces – but something has gone awry. While Kira and most of the group has stayed together, they have been thrust 3000 years into the future. Elspeth, however, has been propelled into the past – just before the beginnings of First Law – with only her dragon and Onnie, the fox, for company. Only with a great sacrifice on the side of Paragon will the two groups be reunited. But even if they do make it safely back to their own time, they still have to contend with King Arden, but more importantly they will have to evade Lord Dorcon. 

I sat down late one night and read this from cover to cover! I couldn’t stop because I was so engrossed. It is so nice that the second book in the series is as good as the first. Is there a third? I don’t know, but I certainly hope so! 

Cindy, Library-Teacher

Back Home by Julia Keller - ADVISABLE

Keller, Julia Back Home, 194 p. Egmont, 2009. $16

Language: PG. 

MS – ADVISABLE

13yo Rachel has had a pretty nice life. When her father went off to Iraq, however, she didn’t realize that life could change in a moment. Dad has been severely injured – he will need a prosthetic arm and leg and he has had a traumatic brain injury. After a long recovery, he is now home, but he is content to sit around in his wheelchair all day. Why is her formerly dynamic dad now just sitting around like a lump? 

Keller doesn’t pull her punches in this dramatic work – she uses her skill to illuminate the darker side of veterans of war – all is not sunshine and smiles and sometimes the best decision is the most painful.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better by Lauren Barnholdt - ADVISABLE

Barnholdt, Lauren Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better, 281 p. Aladdin (Simon), 2009. $6 

Language: PG (of the OMG variety)

MS – ADVISABLE

Devon has made it through her first disasterous weeks of middle school and has landed herself a hot boyfriend. But, when she gets a little jealous of the attention Luke is paying to her arch rival (who used to be Luke’s girlfriend), Devon decides to invent a former beau of her own. Did she not learn anything after the last fiasco? 

Devon is too funny and she is so typical of the insecure middle schooler! Or almost any age when a girl is in love. Too, too funny! 

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

This Totally Bites by Ruth Ames - ADVISABLE

Ames, Ruth This Totally Bites, 208 p. Poison Apple (Scholastic), MAY 2010. 

Content: G. 

EL, MS – ADVISABLE 

12 yo Emma-Rose Paley has a deep love for everything dark and gothic – something her pastel mother totally doesn’t understand. When her great-aunt Margo arrives from Transylvania, Emma thinks that she has discovered the reason she is so different – she just might be a vampire! She sure hopes so. Her best friend, Gabby thinks that she is crazy and this causes a rift between the girls. Uber-cute Henry Greene, however, thinks that she just may have something. 

This is one of the first books out in a new Scholastic imprint – Poison Apple – very cool , very hip, very young. The books that I have read are right on quality with Betty Ren Wright and Mary Downing Hahn. If these authors are popular in your school, feel confident in adding these. 

Cindy, Library-Teacher 

Winter’s Child by Cameron Dokey - ADVISABLE

Dokey, Cameron Winter’s Child, 173 p. Simon Pulse, 2009. $6.99.

Content: G. 

MS – ADVISABLE

Grace and Kai have grown up together, feasting on the fantastic stories told by Kai’s grandmother, especially the story of the Winter Child. As they get older, however, as Kai is trying to draw the two closer, Grace pushes him away – right into the clutches of the Winter Child, who sweeps him away to the end of the earth and her castle of ice and snow. Now Grace must undertake an epic journey – maybe to save Kai, but maybe the purpose is something all together different. 

This new addition to the “Once Upon a Time” series is another good rendition of the story of the Snow Queen. Your students who love these fairy tales will also enjoy this. 

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Intensely Alice by Phyllis Naylor - ADVISABLE

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds, Intensely Alice, Simon & Schuster 2009. 

Language: PG(no "f's"); Mature content:PG-13; Violence- G 

HS-ADVISABLE

Alice is in a fight for her life. She is about to graduate high school with only a few decisions left to make. The first, Patrick. Her boyfriend hasn't seen her for quite sometime. Has he been with another girl? Alice decides to find out by a surprise meeting in Chicago. The second, religion. All this talk about the bible and Catholic church meetings has got Alice's world upside down. Can she ever decide what group of religion she is in? She only has one thing to follow. God. Lastly, her friends. Ever since Pamela miscarried, Alice and her friends don't even speak! Alice doesn’t know what to do! She tries to bring the gang back together. Things only get worse. Can this high-school girl find her self in life? Or will she give it all up? 

This book was perfect for high-school students who need to find themselves. The author had good word choice and the book was well-written. 

 Reviewer: AS

Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud - OPTIONAL

Stroud, Jonathan Heroes of the Valley, 483 pgs. Disney Hyperion, 2009. $18

Mature Content: PG; Language: PG (5 swears); Violence: PG.

MS, HS – OPTIONAL

Halli Sveinsson plays the unlikely hero who has grown up in a peaceful community listening to the violent stories of heroes who conquered the valley centuries before. When his uncle is murdered by a rival family, Halli is determined to kill the murderer. Halli has never left his house or used a weapon, but he manages to travel across the valley to the rival family’s house. Can he kill a man in cold bold? Can he live with the consequences of his actions?

Author Jonathan Stroud’s creates a civilization with a unique culture, maps, and history is reminiscent of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. Despite the promising premise, the plot plods along slowly and predictably. Only patient fantasy fans will keep turning the pages.

Samantha, Public Librarian.

The Explosionist by Jenny Davidson - ADVISABLE

Davidson, Jenny The Explosionist, 453pgs. Harper Collins, 2008

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

MS, HS-ADVISABLE

Someone set off a bomb in Sophie’s school, but they just can’t figure out who. Could it be the people who killed Sophie’s parents? Could it be the Chemistry teacher? 

This book was a very action-packed, exciting mystery. It just kept me reading and reading. It has very good word choice and figurative language. I really enjoyed it. 

Student Reviewer:HW

Switch by Carol Snow - ESSENTIAL

Snow, Carol SWITCH, 224 pgs Harper Teen, 2008 

Language: PG (12 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: PG;  Violence: G 

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Claire is special. If she gets close to lightning she 'switches' bodies with a girl born under the same moon. But when she switches bodies with a beautiful girl she can't switch back. But the real question is, does she want to? 

I found this book to be better then I expected. A quick read for me because I just couldn't stop turning the pages. A great beginning was flawlessly coupled with a great beginning. Two thumbs up for Carol Snow! 

Reviewer: CRH

RAGE by Julie Ann Peters - NO

Peters, Julie Anne, RAGE: A love story, KNOPF, inc.. 2009

Language: R (45+ f's - after only part of the book), Mature Content: R; Violence: G; 

HS- NO

Good- girl Johanna is in love with bad-girl Reeve. Johanna has her own way of life in her head while Reeve is living it. Can Johanna live her dreams with Reeve by her side? Or will Reeve get to Johanna first? 

I had to stop reading this book because it offended me with its overt sexuality (even if it were a girl and a boy, it would have been too much for me) and it swore too much! This book was horrible! 

Student Reviewer

Note: regardless of the sexuality of the protagonist, this book is very in-your-face in describing the abusive relationship. It is definitely too mature for middle school and only appropriate for your most mature readers. --Cindy

City of Fire by Laurence Yep - OPTIONAL

Yep, Laurence City of Fire, 308 pages. Tom Doherty associates, LLC, 2009

Language: G (no swears no "F"); Mature Content: G; Violence-PG

EL, MS – OPTIONAL

Scyrie's family comes from a long, proud nation: the Kushon. In an eventful trip to a museum, her sister gets killed. Scyrie vows to avenge her sister and drags herself into a war between her acquaintance Bayang and her clan, and a powerful dragon trying to destroy her clan. On the way they meet two boys, Leech and Koko, who have been living on the streets their whole lives. In their journey, they meet up with Goblins, Gnomes, and even a goddess! 

I really loved this book, though it was a little confusing at first, because I just really like fantasy books, especially with a lot of action. 

Student Reviewer: BT

Anything but Typical by Nora Baskin - ESSENTIAL

Baskin, Nora Anything but Typical, 208 pgs. Simon & Schuster, 2009 

Content: G 

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

An autistic boy writes a story on a website and gets a comment; from a girl. He wants to meet her but he worries what would happen. When he realizes that she is going to the same writers convention he tries to convince his parents not to let him go, but no one seems to understand. He just might meet her there, but will she like what she sees? 

This book was very inspiring. I loved how deep it went. It teaches how an autistic person sees the world and it helped me understand better. I loved it. 

Student Reviewer: CRH

The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols - OPTIONAL

Echols, Jennifer The Ex Games, 302 p. Simon, 2009. 

Language: R (60+ swears)

HS – OPTIONAL

17yo Hayden has it in her to become a snowboard pro, except for one little problem – big air terrifies her. And since she moved to Snowfall Colorado in the 7^th grade, and had a disastrous first romance with hottie Nick, the two have been constant rivals. Now Nick has challenged Hayden to a contest – one that involves big air – in order to prove whether boys or girls are better on the board. Hayden had better get over her fear fast, because more than just a couple of concert tickets are riding on this showdown! 

It’s too bad the author felt such a need for swears, because otherwise this is a great light romance.  

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Icecore by Matt Whyman - ADVISABLE

Whyman, Matt Icecore, 307 p. Atheneum (Simon), 2007

Violence: PG-13: Language: PG

MS, HS – ADVISABLE

17yo Carl Hobbes is a computer-hacker and international felon.  What started out as a prank for curiosities sake, has landed Carl in a deep frozen, maximum security prison in the Arctic, surrounded by hardcore prisoners and hardcore guards. Now his life in a danger from everyone around him – and though he thinks if he just cooperates he will be safe and back home soon, he couldn’t be more wrong. More than one someone around him has a deep plan that involves icing Carl permanently, if he gets in their way. 

Lots of gunfire, death and danger – maybe too much info on computer hacking, but it makes sense in tying the story together.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter - ADVISABLE

Kessler, Liz Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter, 270 p. Candlewick, 2009. 

Content: G. 

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.

Philippa Fisher is on vacation, but she is missing her fairy godsister Daisy. When she befriends a local, Robyn, she gets a little suspicious, because she is pretty sure Daisy is spending time with Robyn and Philippa is just a little jealous. But all three girls have an important role to play in restoring balance to Robyn’s family life. 

Kessler writes such cute books! They are any easy choice for any girl who loves a little fantasy.  

Cindy, Libray-Teacher.
advisable, elementary upper, faerie court, middle school, clean reads, 

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner - OPTIONAL

Gardner, Sally The Silver Blade, 362 p. Dial (Penguin), 2009

Violence: PG-13 (guillotine action)

HS – OPTIONAL

Sido has escaped the horrors of the French Revolution by fleeing to England. Yann, however, puts his life in danger every day, trying to help aristos and other possible victims escape the wrath of a country gone mad. Neither of them know that their greatest enemy, Count Kalliovski, has escaped death by a pact with the devil and has more danger and more horrible secrets to reveal. 

I liked this one much better than the first (The Red Necklace), as the supernatural blended better with the historical. Here is the growth and the depth that I missed in the first installment. Only buy these for an active, large collection. Great cover, though. 

Cindy, Libray-Teacher.