Bonkers About Beetroot by Cath Jones - ADVISABLE

Bonkers About Beetroot by Cath Jones, illustrated by Chris Jevons.  PICTURE BOOK.  Maverick Arts, 2018.  $18.

BUYING ADVISORY: PRe-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The little Sunset Safari Park is on the brink of closing – so few visitors come through the gates. All the animals meet and the zebra has a crazy idea – grow a giant beetroot!  Surely visitors will come to gawk at that.  For a while, the plan works, but the beetroot becomes so large that it takes over the park.  The zebra has another bright idea – one that will keep the park open forever.

Jevons’ zoo animals are super cute!  I liked reading the book just to look at the animals – especially Penguin’s peeved expressions.  The beetroot hook doesn’t quite do it for me, but the antics are worth reading.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

The Train of Lost Things by Ammi-Joan Paquette - ADVISABLE

The Train of Lost Things by Ammi-Joan Paquette, 208 pages. Philomel Books, 2018. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Marty's dad gave him a very special birthday present - a denim jacket with special buttons that represent all the great times they have had together. Marty's dad is dying, and Marty is horrified to discover that he has lost the jacket, but when his dad reminds him of a story he used to tell Marty, about the "Train of Lost Things" Marty decides to try to find the train for himself and recover the jacket. 

An interesting look at dealing with grief. We so desperately want to hang on to things so we don't lose the memories connected with them. In Marty's case, the loss was so consuming he forgot what was most important, his dad.

Lisa Librarian

Twig by Aura Parker - ADVISABLE

Twig by Aura Parker.  PICTURE BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2018.  $18 9781534424685  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Heidi is the new girl at bug school.  She is a stick bug and is often mistaken as something else or not noticed at all.  When Heidi’s teacher notices what is going on, she coordinates the knitting of  a colorful scarf that makes Heidi more noticeable.  Heidi quickly becomes a favorite among the bugs because there are lots of things that she is able to do including the game of Hide and Seek.  

I loved this book about a wallflower that is finally appreciated.  I loved the illustrations of cute Heidi the stick insect.  This is good for those who feel like nobody notices them and also for those who might overlook others—great moral of appreciation ourselves and others.  

C. Peterson.

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon - ADVISABLE

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon, 330 pages.  Simon and Pulse, 2018. $19.  

Language: PG (3 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Twinkle loves to make films so she decides to stop being the quiet, unpopular girl in her class by making a film for the end of year social.  She thinks that her popularity will increase if she can make a great film and then she can be cool enough to get her best friend back.  While making the film, a cute boy named Sahil becomes her producer and the chemistry starts to flow, but Twinkle thinks Sahil’s more popular brother, Neil, will get her the popularity she needs so she won’t commit to their shared feelings.  Twinkle has to learn to like herself and be kind to others when popularity starts to happen.  

I really liked the beginning of this book as Twinkle has a cute personality, but her unkindness as she becomes popular was frustrating and predictable.  I loved Sahil and their chemistry and I liked the creative story for their romance.  I enjoyed the clean content, with very few swears but the mature content included mention of breasts and walking in on parents during sex. Overall the story is a cute, light romance along with a coming of age theme.  

C. Peterson.

Ascent by Roland Smith - ESSENTIAL

Ascent by Roland Smith, 228 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018, $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Peak Marcello is back, eying the ascent of a relative mystery mountain, Hkakabo Razi, one of the highest in Asia, but also one of the most remote.  Peak is traveling with Alessia, whom he has feelings for, and her bodyguard, Ethan.  In order to get to the mountain, Peak and his fellow travelers have to navigate the rain forest, which turns out to be as dangerous as the ascent itself. 

Roland Smith skillfully weaves Peak’s adventures with enough description that I wanted to swat at bugs in the rain forest and get a cup of hot tea on the mountain.  The characters are likeable and the pacing is great. This book could stand alone, though it is the third book in the series.  If you do read it first, you will want to go back and check out the other two. 

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

Good Morning Snowplow! By Deborah Bruss - OPTIONAL

Good Morning Snowplow! By Deborah Bruss, illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson.  PICTURE BOOK.  Arthur A. Levine (Scholastic), 2018.  $18.  9781338089493

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

While the city is going to sleep, the snowplow is just getting started.  All through the night the plow and driver work hard to make the streets clear and safe for everyone waking up to the sun rising – as their work day is just ending.

Bruss tells her story is that sing-songy rhyme where it is hard to resist bursting out into song. It makes it hard as a read aloud. The illustrations have a snowy night quality.  While I totally get the choice to evoke a snowy night, washed out pictures coupled with a lackluster font choice make for a dreary read.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

Annie’s Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney - ADVISABLE

Annie’s Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney, 257 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2018. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Annie is trying to fit in at a new school, having moved from the city to the small town of Clover Gap. She documents her life in a series of lists as she tries to navigate new friendships, shifts in family, and overcoming shyness.  Annie is sure she is the reason she got kicked out of her school and her family had to move. Her older brother is far from happy about the move, and her father doesn’t navigate life outside the city well.  Plus Annie is desperately missing her best and only friend.     

While Annie is only a 4th grader, her story would resonate with middle school kids as well.   The use of lists as a narrative device is fun and very readable.  Annie is a believable and likable character, and this book makes you want to start keeping a journal in list form.  This is a sweet coming of age story that will make you want to attend a small town festival. 

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

Surprise! By Caroline Hadilaksono - ADVISABLE

Surprise! By Caroline Hadilaksono.  PICTURE BOOK. Arthur A. Levine (Scholastic), 2018. $18.  9781338139198

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Bear, Raccoon, and Squirrel really want new friends, but they can’t find anyone in their forest that is interested.  When a human family comes along, the trio is ready to make a great surprise for their new neighbors – using all the things the family conveniently left around the campsite for food, decorations, and entertainment.  Will their new friends like all of their work?

The forest friends are pretty funny!  Their well-intentioned antics are reminiscent of awful Mother’s Day breakfast made with little, loving hands.  And the opportunity to talk about how to set up a campsite so that woodland creatures really can’t invade and destroy is a happy side-plot.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

Something Stinks in Hamlet by M.E. Castle - OPTIONAL

Fakespeare: Something Stinks in Hamlet by M.E. Castle, 245 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2017. $14.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Kyle Word has problems. He has an annoying little brother he calls Gross Gabe.  He also has a hard time reading, so he likes to draw comic book pictures while his good friend Becca writes the stories.  But his biggest problem is that he has been sucked into the book Hamlet with Gross Gabe and know-it-all fellow fifth grader, Halley, and he can’t return to regular life unless he and his two companions can help Hamlet win back his stinky kingdom.

This book has fun illustrations that break up the text.  I liked the references to Hamlet, though I’m not sure 5th graders would get them.  However, the Shakespeare is so loosely based, maybe it doesn’t matter.  The humor involves food fights, stink bombs, and a wagon full of manure landing on the king, plus the fact that Kyle has to pee through several chapters.  If that’s your cup of tea, grab a skull and Hamlet on.

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

Unstinky by Andy Rash - ESSENTIAL

Unstinky by Andy Rash. PICTURE BOOK.  Arthur A. Levine (Scholastic), 2018.  $17.  9780439368803

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Bud the Stinkbug is not very stinky.  No matter what he tries, his stinks keep coming out smelling like flowers.  He tires so many different ways to be a really stinky bug.  But maybe instead of changing his stink Bud instead needs a change of venue!

So cute!  In a stinky way, of course.  Weird to say, but I think the latest crop of fart books are on the spot!  I am a big fan of Bud the Stinkbug!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

Whatshisface by Gordon Korman - OPTIONAL

Whatshisface by Gordon Korman, 231 pages, Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2018. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Because his dad is in the military, Cooper Vega has moved around a lot.  It happens so often, he is resigned to being known as Whatshisface. To make him feel better about his last move to a Shakespeare crazed town named Stratford, his parents buy him a top of the line smart phone.  His phone inadvertently picks up the ghost of a teenager from Shakespeare’s time.  The ghost has some issues with Shakespeare and Cooper finds himself helping the ghost, while holding down a bit part in the annual Shakespeare play that all seventh graders are required to participate in. In return, the ghost tries to help Cooper navigate his affections for Jolie, who is playing the part of Juliet. 

It is fun to see a present day middle school through the eyes of an Elizabethan teen ghost.  The characters are likeable and Roddy’s ghost will have you throwing in a dash of Shakespearean methinks, forsooth, and zounds, into your speech.  The plot is a bit far-fetched, but the humor makes it readable.  

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

The Snowflake Mistake by Lou Treleaven - ADVISABLE

The Snowflake Mistake by Lou Treleaven, illustrated by Maddie Frost. PICTURE BOOK.  Maverick Arts, 2018. $18.  9781848863125

BUYING ADVISORY:  Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Snow Queen has left Princess Ellie in charge of the machine that stamps out her perfect matching snowflakes.  But Ellie likes to run and play and she panics when a large of amount of snow is required and the machine breaks!  To save the day, Ellie has to cut the flakes by hand. She’s afraid what her mother will have to say when she returns.

I love the long sentenced rhymes – it feels so natural without forcing the reader into a sing-song voice like so many others do.  A cute story about problem-solving with a added side of parent-child working together.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon - OPTIONAL

Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon, 233 pages, WordFire Press, 2018. $15.

Language: PG-13 (23 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence PG-13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This is the sequel to Monsterland, written by Michael Phillip Cash, aka Michael Okon.  I’m not sure why he changed his pen name for a sequel. Wyatt and his friends have survived the collapse of Monsterland and it has had serious repurcussions on the world at large.  Governments have fallen and Wyatt Baldwin and his friends have survived, but are on a reconnaissance mission to find information in a neighboring town.   They discover a new and even greater danger emanating from Monsterland, which threatens everyone.  Apparently Vincent Konrad’s goal of taking over the world did not end with his death.

Okay, I like monsters, and this book has tons of them.  Almost too many.  And if mummies and the Glob aren’t enough, there is a gang of doctors and lawyers who control the roads and kill travelers.  While the action was almost constant, Wyatt and friends seem more concerned with their romantic relationships than they are with losing family members.  I’m thinking that even hormonal teenagers should possibly be more disturbed by death than pondering their next kiss.  There is obviously a sequel planned, so if you are wondering about what is going to happen with your favorite werewolf and the fate of the world, hang on.

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

Penguinaut! By Marcie Colleen - ADVISABLE

Penguinaut! By Marcie Colleen, illustrated by Emma Yarlett.  PICTURE BOOK.  Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2018.  $17. 9780545848848

BUYING ADVISORY:  Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Orville the penguin has lots of friends at the zoo, but he is always jealous of their BIG adventures. When he announces that he plans to fly to the moon, they all keep reminding him how small he is.  Can such a little penguin really make it all the way to the moon?

Of course a penguin flying to the moon in a cardboard spaceship is silly.  But the idea being told you can’t do something because you are too little will resonate with readers.  Yarlett’s illustrations add just the right amount of whimsy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

The City of Sand by Tianxia Bachang - OPTIONAL

The City of Sand by Tianxia Bachang, 243 pages, Delacorte Press (Random House), 2017. $18.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Tianyi is a 17yo who uses his feng shui skills and an old book from his deceased grandfather, to locate buried treasure in tombs.  He and his easily provoked buddy Kai, find some success and are recruited to help lead an expedition across the Taklimakan Desert in China.  While the two are hired to help find archeology remains, Tianyi and Kai are essentially grave robbers, and don’t want anyone to know their secret.  The desert and the gravesites they find are filled with danger and soon it seems the desert may have a new burial site unless they can work together to survive.

I wanted to like this book. The cover was great, it’s translated from Chinese, and the premise was awesome.  However, it reads like a video game.  The characters go from one gravesite to another and face cool adventures, but the characters are not fleshed out so it seems one-dimensional. I never really know what the characters are thinking or feeling, which made it hard to relate to them.  I’m not even sure I ended up liking them by the end of the book, even though the setting was great. Just hold a video controller while you read, and you’ll be fine.

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

Monster Academy by Yolen and Stemple - OPTIONAL

Monster Academy by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by John McKinley.  PICTURE BOOK.  Blue Sky Press (Scholastic), September 2018. $17.

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The little monsters are off to school, but a new monster has joined their class and they are especially mean and monstery.  The others don’t know what to do with this monster whose only word seems to be “NO”.

The illustrations of the various minsters is really the highlight of this book.  The teacher is a mummy who is cursed to rhyme when she talks, so the back and forth between rhyming and not rhyming was off-putting for me. I wanted the teacher to stop talking so that I could just enjoy the story.  Kids will enjoy looking at the pictures for sure.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge by Lisa Jensen - ADVISABLE

Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge by Lisa Jensen, 337 pages. Candlewick, 2018.  $19.

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (rape scene); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY:  MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Lucie is proud of her new position at Beaumont castle.  She tries hard to do her job and stay out of trouble.  When the master returns she is fascinated by his beauty and lurks in the shadows to spy him again and again.  After he rapes her however, she feels filthy and doesn’t want to live. An encounter with the local hedge witch gives her another chance, however as the master is turned into a Beast and Lucie is transformed as she is allowed to watch his humiliation.  It becomes Lucie’s job to make sure that the Beast is never allowed to become the master again.

Oh mere words – it is so hard to succinctly describe Jensen’s masterful plotting as she adds depth and dimension to the classic tale.  The rape scene is difficult because your mind makes it more graphic than it actually is.  It is the crux of the story, because it sets up Lucie’s motivation for her wish and her subsequent actions.  I love the setup for the Beast’s appearance, the skillful twists on the traditional, and the extension of the action well after the normal story ends.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

The World’s Biggest Fart by Rafael Ordonez - ESSENTIAL

The World’s Biggest Fart by Rafael Ordonez, illustrated by Laure Du Fay.  PICTURE BOOK.  Nube Ocho, 2018.  $17. 9788494597145

BUYING  ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

After the elephant hears the hippo fart, the animals decide to have a farting contest – as soon as they can stop laughing, that is.  Animals gather from far and wide to participate, but the final winner is a surprise to everyone!

Add this right next to The Gas We Pass by Shinto Cho as a hilarious book about farting.  While I don’t always love fart books, or fart jokes, I can’t resist this funny, funny book!  Any audience you read this to will roll on the floor with laughter.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi - ADVISABLE

Whichwood (Furthermore, #2) by Tahereh Mafi, 360 pages.  Dutton Children’s Books (Penguin), 2017. $18.  

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Laylee is a mordeshoor, which is a person who uses magic to wash and bury the dead as a send-off into the afterlife.  Laylee is alone at this task, over-worked and under-appreciated.  She is behind on her work and has 40 unprepared bodies piling up.  If the bodies aren’t buried in time then they can take over a living body, so Laylee is under a lot of pressure.  When help arrives in the form of two strangers, Laylee has to learn to share some of her secrets and trust others.  

I loved this book, but I have always loved Mafi’s lyrical way with words.  The story deals a lot with dead bodies and ghosts, so it is morbid and at one point there is a gruesome description of ghosts taking over living bodies that made me cringe.  So although the cover looks like it’s for younger readers it’s content is appropriate for middle and high school age.  This is the second book in the series and hopefully there are more in this magical land.  I loved the creative setting and unusual characters.  This book isn’t for everyone, but I really enjoyed it.  

C. Peterson. 

Carnival Magic by Amy Ephron - OPTIONAL

Carnival Magic (The Castle in the Mist 2) by Amy Ephron, 266 pages.  Philomel (Penguin), 2018.  $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Tess and Max are spending the summer with their Aunt Evie, but this time they are at the beach cottage in Devon.  When a carnival springs up over night next to the cottage, the kids get caught up in another magical mystery.  This time they are whisked to almost the same carnival – but now they are stuck and if they don’t work fast, they could be stuck forever.

You don’t need to read the first book in order to understand the second, but it might help you like the characters more if you do.  I wasn’t particularly interested in Max and Tess’s magical adventure because I didn’t connect with them emotionally.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian