Moonbird by Phillip Hoose - ESSENTIAL

Hoose, Phillip Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95, 139 p. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2012.  $22. Content: G.  NON-FICTION.  

In twenty years, B95 has flown more than 325,000 miles using his own two wings and the strength in his four ounce body.  Using B95 as a focus, Hoose looks at the changes in the habitats and safe places along B95’s journey as a way to show how man has, probably permanently and negatively, changed every bird’s possibility of survival.  Written in a narrative format, while the book is long and detailed, it is an excellent source of information about how human beings are not only endangering isolated species, but the entire bird population.  It also shows the determination of large groups of scientists dedicated to learning as much as possible about birds and trying to figure out how to stop the slippery slope towards extinction.  This high caliber offering would be an excellent non-fiction selection to support any high quality collection.  

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher.

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson - ESSENTIAL

Leyson, Leon The Boy on the Wooden Box, 240 p. Atheneum (Simon), 2013.  $17.  Violence: PG (mentions of many deaths, nothing graphic).  

Leib Lejzon was a little boy in Poland when Hitler came to power and started his master plan for cleansing Europe and all of the world.  From life in the shrinking ghettos of Krakow, through the terror under Amon Goeth in the Plaszow concentration camp, Leyson details the steps that brought him under Oskar Schindler’s watchful eye and the terrible conditions and emotional agony under which he survived.  Nothing in inappropriate for teens – in fact, I am not sure he goes far enough in the details.  

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher.

No Such Thing as a Witch by Ruth Chew –ADVISABLE

Winters, Ben and Illustrated by Watkins, Adam Literally Disturbed: Tales to keep you up at Night 128 pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition, 2013. $12.21.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

When an odd woman who loves animals moves in next door to Nora and Tad, they are curious. This woman, Maggie, makes amazing fudge, and soon the kids find out that its magical. They find themselves caught up in some dangerous magic when they discover that eating one too many pieces has some serious consequences. The kids must decide if Maggie is a good witch or a bad witch.

This re-release is fantastic. Although there is much love for Ruth Chews own illustrations, I am so glad they updated the cover art. I loved these books when I was a child and they still read very modern. I like that the brother and sister work as a team, are creative, and brave. I think students will love this book! I hope they are re-releasing more in this new format, because students will be asking for more.

EL(K-3), EL – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

The Unwilling Witch by David Lubar –ADVISABLE

Lubar, David The Unwilling Witch (Accidental Monsters #2) 160 pgs. Starscape, 2013. $11.99.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Angie has a chance meeting with an elderly woman and ends up with an unexpected gift, magical powers! Things are a bit of out of control, especially when she accidentally changes her brother into a doll and can’t figure out how to turn him back. Then two very scary real witches seem to know what Angie can do and want her powers for themselves.

This appears to be a re-release, of a sort, maybe with added content and updating. I am glad that many spooky series are doing this, especially the fresh covers, but can I request some new stories too? This book features fantastic modern cover art and illustrations, students will fight over this one. I thought the story was well written and moved as a fast paced. Students will enjoy this story without losing sleep after they read it.

EL -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

The Kingfisher Encyclopedia of Life - ESSENTIAL

Banes, Graham L.  The Kingfisher Encyclopedia of Life, 160 p. Kingfisher, 2012.  $20.  Content: G.  NON-FICTION.  

This is a pretty interesting way to look at life and creatures around the world.  The book is divided up into five sections by how long the species lives – from a day up to thousands of years.  Each species is then identified by its general group (vertebrates, invertebrates, Plants/fungi, microorganisms).  It is full of fascinating information that will keep kids riveted long past the book’s due date.  I will be showing this to my science teachers ASAP.  

EL, MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher.

Dead is Just a Dream by Marlene Perez - ADVISABLE

Perez, Marlene Dead is Just a Dream, 164 p. Houghton, 2013.  Content: PG (black magic, supernatural, etc.).  

Jessica may only be a sophomore, but she is becoming skilled at handling the weirdness around her hometown of Nightshade.  She has more things to worry about – such as her boyfriend Dominic getting ready to go on tour with his band and his ex-girlfriend showing up flashing a ring she says came from Dominic.  But there is a nightmarish horse running around and paintings that seem tailored made for people’s secret nightmare.  Jessica needs to save her relationship and save her town – again.  

Big fan of the Dead is… books!  Supernatural creepiness without being gory and disturbing.  

MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher.

The Ghastly Dandies do the Classics by Ben Gibson - ADVISABLE

Gibson, Ben The Ghastly Dandies do the Classics.  Razorbill (Penguin), 2013.  $18.  PICTURE BOOK.  

Don’t expect to read this hilarious takes on the classics, as performed by monsters, and understand the plots of the different books.  Instead, be charmed by the illustrations and laugh at their antics.  This might be a funny book for some littles, but this is a perfect graduation or celebration present for your favorite English Lit grad or Language Arts teacher.  

EL – OPTIONAL; GIFT – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher.