Skyward: Claim the Stars by Brandon Sanderson - ESSENTIAL

Skyward: Claim the Stars by Brandon Sanderson, 510 pages.  Delacorte Press (Random), 2018.  $19.99  

Language: PG (5 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Referenced Violence: PG-13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Spensa, 17yo, lives on the planet Detritus which has been under attack by a mysterious alien race for hundreds of years. Everyone lives underground and the planet is orbited by a debris field that falls to the earth without warning. Spensa has always dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot and reclaiming her family’s reputation. Right now, they are labeled as cowards because her father fled the most famous air battle, The Battle of Alta, and was unceremoniously killed. Spensa is a loner and a rebel from the poor caverns near the ground, but wants to fit in. She struggles to find her way when her father’s old wingmate allows her to attend his flight classes, but does she really want to discover these long hidden secrets about herself, her father, and her world as she learns to fly and soar amongst the stars?

Sanderson’s world immediately engaging and his heroine Spensa is complex and relatable. Sanderson uses a few predictable young adult tropes, but they not used to full over-dramatic effect. No full blown love story, no self harm, and no full government overthrow. Instead, there are hints to Spensa softening to others caring about her and not always having to be alone; her seeing that hurting herself or putting herself in danger is not courage; and a long crumbling government beginning to finally fall and everyone being there to help pick up the pieces. This is going to be a series and I am excited to read the next installments. No blood or gore, but people do die in air raids and plane fights, but the effect of death on the people left behind is explored and I appreciate that as a reader. All in all, this is an engaging and well written book and the pages fly by. 

D. Wecker, ELA Teacher

A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 by Claire Hartfield - ADVISABLE

A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 by Claire Hartfield, 197 pages. NON FICTION Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018 $19.00 Language: PG (brief use of the 'n' word) Mature Content: G; Violence: PG

MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In July of 1919, 2 black teenage boys went out for a swim on a hot summer's day, one was hit and killed by a rock thrown by a white man. This started a race riot on the South Side of Chicago that left nearly 40 people dead and many more wounded. But tensions between the Irish and the blacks had been building for nearly half a century, as the civil war ended and southern blacks began to come north looking for work and a better life. Now, Polish and Lithuanian immigrants had joined the workforce, and the racial bias of the meat industry owners, police, politicians and the wealthy Chicago elite made matters worse. 

Hartfield's well-researched and timely recounting of the 1919 riot as well the best parts were the discussions of the living conditions and the troubles building up to the riot is an important book. I had several "no wonder" moments as I read about the economic injustices, the housing situations, the unfair hiring practices, and the ways the owners would break strikes and undermine the unions. No wonder there was a riot! Includes photographs, newspaper cartoons, author notes, and an extensive bibliography and index.


Lisa Librarian

Class Action by Steven D. Frank - ADVISABLE

Class Action by Steven D. Frank, 253 pages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE   

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE        

Sam realizes with his large homework load he has very little time for anything else in his life.  He dearly loves to play the piano, but no time. He tries unsuccessfully to stage a protest in his middle school classroom but gets expelled instead. While serving his time out of school he befriends his neighbor a retired lawyer. The lawyer, Sam’s sister, Sam and several friends take on the school establishment to have homework declared unconstitutional.  It is an interesting romp through the legal system.   

It feels a bit stereotypical, all teachers are demanding and unfair, administrators are sneaky and corrupt. While reading this I was trying to get several classes through research papers, I hate to judge, at a different time or maybe a different reader the dialogue would come across as clever and bright and the story educational and informative. For me it felt unconstitutional to have to deal with whining all day at work and then come home and read it.        

Lisa Moeller, Teacher Librarian       

Quantum Mechanics by Jeff Weigel -ESSENTIAL

Quantum Mechanics by Jeff Weigel, 223 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Delacorte (Penguin Random), 2018 $13

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS -ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Rox and Zam love to work on their own project in the space junkyard. There is never the parts they need but they learn to get creative. When a real space ship, The Quasar Torrent comes to ask for help, their dad refuses. But Rox and Zam want a challenge and offer to help. They do such a great job that the captain keeps them. Quickly they find out they on a ship with space pirates who are fighting against a corrupt corporation. They are surprised to find that they like their jobs but there are many dangers and they must be creative to survive.

This was a fantastic graphic novel that fully fleshes out a whole world with many believable characters, motives, and subplots. I can’t believe that much is packed into 223 pages, I left feeling like I knew all of the characters and was rooting for them. Honestly it was like reading a great movie. I think student readers will love this book, it’s fast paced and has a ton of heart. I like that girls are mechanics. Upper elementary and middle school will enjoy this read. The illustrations are fantastic.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

Tarot by Marissa Kennerson - ADVISABLE

Tarot by Marissa Kennerson, 275 pages. Razorbill (Penguin Random House). 2019 $18

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG13 (Teen kissing, messing around); Violence: PG13 (mild torture).

BUYING ADVISORY: HS -OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Anna lives in the land of pentacles, trapped in a tower by her father, the King. Her only friends are the Fool, The Magician and the Hermit. She spends all her time spinning worlds into tapestries. When her friends help her to escape, she travels to a new land, Cups. It seems like paradise, everyone is her age, happy, and carefree. But things start to go wrong, storms and earthquakes and Anna is blamed. Will Anna find out her true parentage and being able to hone her latent power before its too late?

I was definitely drawn to this book by its cover and topic (coincidentally I was featured in a tarot deck by the amazing cover artist), I think students will be as well. The story itself was kind of odd and didn’t really mesh well with the tarot concept –in fact, the whole story could have been sans any tarot references and played out exactly the same. While the different cards are mentioned as people and places, it seemed more like an after thought than central to the tenants and outcome of the story. I felt zero connection to Anna -she was kind of dull character. I didn’t gel with her love triangle. Overall, I could pass on this story, but it couldn’t hurt to have it at your library.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo - ADVISABLE

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo, 319 pages.  Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2018.  $18.  

Content: Language: PG-13 (7 swears; 2 abbreviated “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Clara is notorious for her pranks, but when she takes a prank at Prom too far the consequences affect her whole summer.  Clara’s punishment includes helping her father run his Korean/Brazilian food truck called the Ko-bra with her nemesis, the seemingly perfect, Rose Carter.  At first, Rose and Clara are at each other’s throats, but as they spend more time together, they see the good in each other and develop a friendship.  Clara also falls for a cute boy from a coffee stand making her summer interesting.  But the most surprising part of Clara’s summer is that she realizes being a prankster was a mask to hide her true self.  

The first 50-100 pages of this book I could not stand Clara because she is selfish and over-the-top.  But as the story developed and Clara started to change for the better, I loved reading the story.  Friendship and family are a main theme throughout as well as letting life change you for the better. The content is pretty clean, but the mature content is vague references to possibly sleeping together.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson  

The Stars at Oktober Bend by Glenda Millard - OPTIONAL

The Stars at Oktober Bend by Glenda Millard, 266 pages.  Candlewick Press, 2016 (U.S. edition 2018).  $17.  

Content: Language: PG-13 (22 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Alice, has been the victim of a sexual assault and a brutal attack which leaves her without the words she wants to speak.  Through her writing and poetry, she can properly express her feelings and unknowingly connects with Manny, a young man who escaped Sierra Lione as a child soldier and is trying to move on in his own life.  Together they understand each other’s losses and find understanding. 

This touching novel is written in a stream of conscious way with poetry mixed in.  I loved the loyalty of Alice’s family and the honesty of her character.  The writing was unique and beautiful and has a message of hope, but it would take a good reader to have the patience with the writing style.  The chapters are sometimes written from Manny’s perspective as well.  The content includes crude comments, off-page sex, reference to rape and sexual assault and reference to a tongue being removed.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Counting to Perfect by Suzanne LaFleur - OPTIONAL

Counting to Perfect by Suzanne LaFleur, 194 pages.  Wendy Lamb Books (Random House), 2018.  $17.  

Content: Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

11yo Cassie feels overlooked at her house since her seventeen year old sister, Julia, has had her baby, Addie.  Cassie loves Addie, but she wishes that her family had not changed so much, especially Julia because they use to be good friends.  One night when Julia can’t take all the hovering by her parents, she decides to run away with Addie, and Cassie goes with her.  While on their trip, Cassie remembers back to the events leading up to Addie’s birth and Julia and Cassie work on their relationship.  

This book reminded me of Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm because it tells the story of how the actions of an older sibling effect the younger sibling.  I’m not sure the age of the audience for this book because there’s a lot of talk of breast feeding and the time and affect a baby has on a teen’s life which seems to be aimed at teens, but the main character is young.  The story is honest, but also not overly interesting.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson       

Want by Cindy Pon - OPTIONAL

Want by Cindy Pon, 323 pages. Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), 2017. $18.99 

Language: R (67 swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In Taiwan, the mei class is suffering. The you class continues to live extravagantly in a dying world, disregarding the pain of the mei who struggle to afford food, clothing, and even clean air. Zhou and his mei friends are done being walked over. They are going to make a difference for the Taiwanese people—or die trying.

The story was fun to read, and it felt somewhat like Robin Hood meets Romeo and Juliet. I think the message of compassion for our fellow men and for our Earth comes across really well, especially as the characters wonder over views of mountains and oceans that I can take for granted every day. While, overall, Pon has written an entertaining story, I would have liked the ending better had the twist not felt so forced.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles - ESSENTIAL

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles 111 pages. POETRY Cinco Puntos Press, 2018 $13 Content: G

MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Güero, 12yo, is a light skinned Mexican American who lives on the border, literally and figuratively. He is as comfortable speaking Spanish as he is speaking English, and he has family on both sides of the river. This year he is starting 7th grade with some great friends, a wonderful teacher who gets his poetry, and maybe a girlfriend. 

I expected this to be about the problems of living on the border, and, while there were poems which addressed crossing between the United States and Mexico, and dealing with generational racism, for the most part it is about a middle school boy enjoying his family traditions, getting in trouble with his friends and negotiating adolescence. Although not technically a novel in verse, the poems are organized beautifully, so we feel we've spent some quality time with this boy and his friends and family. I loved this collection and can't wait to recommend it in my library. There is a lot of Spanish incorporated into the English poetry, so the author has included a five page glossary and pronunciation guide.

Lisa Librarian

Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild - ESSENTIAL

Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild by Catherine Thimmesh 60 pages. NON FICTION Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018 $18.00

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The Giant Panda of China is in danger of becoming extinct. Mostly because its habitat has been altered, and it only eats bamboo. So, a concerted effort has been made to reintroduce cubs in to the wild. 

Thimmesh has given us a well documented informational text, full of full color photos (the humans who help dress up in panda suits) of pandas as well as other threatened and endangered animals. Includes a glossary, source notes, biographies of the experts as well as a link to the Pandas International website, and ways you can help. Kids will pick this up for the cover picture, and the easily accessible text will be a draw for the middle school kids.

Lisa Librarian

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman - ESSENTIAL

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman, 288 pages.  Balzer + Bray (Harper), 2019.  $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some mild anger management problems)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Kiana, Parker, Elaine, Aldo, Rahim, and Barnstorm – they are the 8^thgrade Unteachables. And their teacher, Mr. Kermit? If he can make it until June, he will be able to retire from a school and town that gave up on him long ago, through no mistake of his, so he also checked out too. But the superintendent has it out for him.  Is there something about these kids that can remind him what he loved about teaching? Is there something about him that can reach these kids?

Korman’s book is pure joy! I can’t think of a single kid, or adult who works with kids for that matter, who wouldn’t love reading this. What an awesome read aloud for any class.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani - ADVISABLE

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani, 272 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2018. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL , MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Nisha and her twin brother Amil are caught in the middle. Their mother was Muslim, the father Hindu - but they can't be both. When Britain ceased to control India, three religious groups, the Hindus, the Muslim, and the Sikhs began to fight for control. The children are living in a part of India that is not welcome to Hindus, so, as their mother is dead, their father must move the family to Pakistan, primarily by foot. But the trek across the desert isn't the only danger. 

Nisha tells the story in a series of diary entries addressed to her mother, who died when Nisha and her brother were born. This is a good format as it breaks up both the monotony of everyday life as well as tells the dangerous or scary parts in chunks, making it easier to follow. Hiranandani does a good job of explaining the politics and time period, so not a lot of background knowledge is required. This would work well in a classroom studying refugees.

Lisa Librarian

PODCAST: Episode 3: A. G. Howard, Weaver of Fantasy

Anita Howard stopped by to talk about her latest book - Stain

Listen to the episode on Spreaker

Go here for the show notes

Podcast: Episode 2: December 2018

Episode 2 is now available here, or you can follow us on Spreaker.  Hopefully we will be up on iTunes and other podcasting systems soon!  This month I talk December books with Jen, one of my reviewers.  Find out what we thought were the best books reviewed on KTB last month.

You will find the show notes by clicking on Kiss the Book: the Podcast under our Links to Love

Listen to "Ep 2: December 2018 in Review" on Spreaker.

West by Edith Pattou - ADVISABLE

West (East, #2) by Edith Pattou, 514 pages.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018.  $18.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

After escaping the troll queen, Rose and Charles have a little boy named Win whom they both adore and they are happy in marriage.  But Charles goes on a trip for work and the ship he was on is destroyed with all passengers reported dead.  Rose leaves Win with family and goes to investigate Charles’ death.  What Rose finds is that the troll queen didn’t die like she had thought and now the queen is out for revenge against Rose and her little family.  

I love the way Pattou weaves Rose’s journey with adventure and strong characters.  The magic blends effortlessly into the story, making it believable.  Revisiting the world presented in East was a fun treat.  The only reason I wouldn’t put this book in an elementary school is that at one point Rose amputates her own finger to make a key and it was shocking.  You can read East without feeling like you have to read West, but I don't recommend reading West without having read East.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson     

East by Edith Pattou - ESSENTIAL

East by Edith Pattou, 507 pages.  Magic Carpet Books (Harcourt), 2005.  $9.  

Content: Language: PG (2 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Rose was born facing north and with that comes the desire to travel and wonder, and although her mother tries to deny Rose’s birth direction, eventually Rose is called north.  One night as Rose’s sister is sick, a white bear comes to the door of her poor family and promises health to the sick sister and wealth for the family, if they will let Rose go with the white bear.  Against her family’s wishes, Rose goes with the white bear and uncovers a world of magic and a deep friendship that she will sacrifice herself to save.  

This book hooked me from the beginning.  The writing made me feel like I was sitting around a fire and listening to a storyteller weave a story of magic, adventure and loyalty.  The story line reminded me of the Snow Queen and Beauty and the Beast, but it is original enough that I completely enjoyed it.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

The Queen’s Secret by Jessica Day George - ESSENTIAL

The Queen’s Secret (Rose Legacy #2) by Jessica Day George, 256 pages. Bloomsbury, MAY 2019.  $17 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some danger, a bit of blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Just when it looks like there is hope for horses and their riders to be accepted in Coronam, a deadly plague hits the villages in which the horses are stationed.  Now Anthea and the others are desperate to not only find a cure, but also a cause, because they know it wasn’t horses!  And what do you do if someone who is supposed to love you turns out to be damaged and evil instead?

Nice!  I love that the author turns away from the expected and forges a new story path.  It takes a bit long to get there, but there is plenty to think about and chew over as we all waited with bated breath for the third book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Between Before & After by Maureen Doyle McQuerry - OPTIONAL

Between Before & After by Maureen Doyle McQuerry, 290 pages.  Blink, 2019.  $18.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Molly may only be 14, but she usually feels the weight of the world on her shoulders.  Her dad has left and Molly has to care for her little brother as her mother retreats into her research and writing.  When her Uncle Stephen comes to town talking about a miracle that he was a part of and an investigation, 

Even though the main character is young, this is definitely book meant for an older, read adult, audience. I understand why the author set the “present-day” in the 1950’s, but it is such a little known time period, especially for today’s teens, that they will have a hard time relating to the events around Molly’s story.  The historic parts showing life in 1910’s NYC are definitely the highlights.  Suggest this to an adult book group instead a school library.  Content includes the mention of incest, off page sex, unwed pregnancy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Over the Moon by Natalie Lloyd - ADVISABLE

Over the Moon by Natalie Lloyd, 304 pages.  Scholastic Press, MARCH 2019.  $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mallie lives a dreary, desperate life in tiny town on Coal Top Mountain.  An insidious dust has covered the skies for almost a generation, blocking out the sky, the sun, and stars.  Mallie slaves each day in the valley below for a meager salary, but one day she finds an ad looking for brave boys willing to risk their lives for an adventure.  This may be just what Mallie needs to quickly earn the money she needs to save her little brother from the mine.  What she finds when she disguises herself and applies is beyond her wildest dreams. And it may just be the answer to returning sunshine and magic to her town.

Lloyd is so good at inserting magical yearnings into her writing!  You can see from the cover what I mean, but it’s even better than you think. Fans of A Snicker of Magic will dive on in.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS