When the Stars Come Out by Nicola Edwards - OPTIONAL

When the Stars Come Out by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Lucy Cartwright.  70 pages.  NON-FICTION/PICTURE BOOK  360 Degrees (Tiger Tales), 2019.  $30.  9781944560235  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL : AVERAGE  

This book highlights different interesting aspects about the night time. There is a history of astronomy and an explanation of what makes up the night sky.  There are interesting facts about what the sky looks like from different hemispheres and what animals do in different regions. There is also facts about humans' sleep cycle and their night life, as well as holidays that are celebrated at night.  There are many random facts found throughout this book.  

My favorite part of this book is the illustrations.  They are appealing and supplement the facts.  The facts are interesting, even though they are random and don’t seem to be in much of an order.  This book is more a fun fact type book.  My biggest complaint is that most of the text is super tiny (making it hard to read) and the book is oversized.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories edited by Kel McDonald - OPTIONAL

Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories edited by KelMcDonald, 283 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL. Iron Circus Comics, 2018, $15.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This is a collection of 21 short stories with a variety of graphic artists illustrating each one. This gives each story a slightly different feel.  The stories range from Mulan to a flood story to several dealing with demons. 

The stories are mix of fun and a little bit disturbing.  Some guy gets his ears ripped off, a bird gets its tongue cut out, and a sister gets drowned.  This is a quick read and will give you an overview of the Asian culture.  Many of the stories were intriguing enough I found myself wanting to read the original legend or myth in more detail. 

Michelle in the Middle/Teacher

Killing November by Adriana Mather - OPTIONAL

Killing November by Adriana Mather, 405 pages.  Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2019.  $18  

Content: Language: PG-13 (58 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

November wakes up in an old castle-like building, and the last thing she can remember is flying on the airplane with her father.  What she quickly starts to realize is that she is in a boarding school with a bunch of teens who are training to become spies/assassins known as strategists.  November has no idea why she is in this school and has a lot to learn in a little amount of time.  When a body is found murdered and November looks to be a suspect, November realizes that she needs to uncover what is really happening at this school.  

I really wanted to like this book, it has an interesting plot idea, but it was a lot of descriptions and not a lot of action.  It was also annoying to be dropped into the story line without any set up and I didn’t get sucked into the story but felt bored.  This is the first in the series, and the ending set up the next book.  The content includes a couple of dead bodies and fighting.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Birdie by Eileen Spinelli - ESSENTIAL

Birdie by Eileen Spinelli, 197 pages. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2019. $16. 9780802855138.


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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Birdie Briggs is 12 years old and life is starting to change on her again. She and her mom moved to Hadley Park to live with her grandma Maymee after her dad passed away, but even things in her new home aren't stable. Maymee is starting to fall in love, her mom might be dating a local police officer, and two of her best friends seem to be pursuing a relationship that does not include Birdie. Its all frustrating and confusing, but Birdie might just learn that change can work for the best, too.

This is a great little coming-of-age novel written in free-verse not so much for the beauty of free verse but for the ability to write in short choppy chunks. That's a criticism but it also works for this book. I really enjoyed Birdie's journey--it felt very realistic--and it was only after I finished that I looked back and noticed the YA tropes we all love--single parent, a cat, etc. Its not a perfect or earth-shattering novel, but it was really nice and I'd definitely recommend it.

Reviewer: TC

Surviving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare - OPTIONAL

Surviving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare, 244 pages.  Swoon Reads (Macmillan), 2018.  $17.  

Content: Language: R (34 swears; 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

As a senior in high school, Claire is going to a new school because her dad is the new football coach.  Claire quickly realizes that the quarterback, Adam Meade, is a hothead and decides that she wants nothing to do with him, but when they start to share friends, Adam and Claire’s banter quickly becomes something more.  With colleges looking at Adam for football and Claire’s lifelong dream of going to Auburn, their friendship/romance is probably going to be short-lived but they can’t seem to avoid each other.  

This was a cute, fun romance along the lines of Abbi Gline’s Field Party series (but this book has cleaner content).  I loved the banter between the characters and their backstories were interesting.  The one “f” word was annoying because it moved the content from advisable to optional and the content also includes a few sexual innuendos making it PG-13.  Overall, if your readers are looking for a light romance novel this was fun.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson 

I, Claudia by Mary McCoy - HIGH

I, Claudia by Mary McCoy, 418 pages. Carolrhoda Lab (Lerner Imprints), 2018. $19.

Language: R (55 swears, 62 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (Teen sexual situations, teen drug and alcohol use); Violence: PG13. 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Imperial Day Academy is a 9-12 private school in Los Angeles with two self governing student led elected groups: the Senate which plans for and runs all the student events, and the honor council, who decides the disciplinary consequences for students who violate the honor code. Claudia is following in the footsteps of her older sister Maisie, who had served as an honor council member, and Claudia wins an election to the Senate, but by chance, or circumstances, or maybe even fate, power is suddenly thrust upon her as she rises to leadership in the senate, while the honor council becomes more and more powerful. 

 Mary McCoy has crafted a well purposed modern retelling of Robert Graves "I Claudius". High School students who have studied "I Claudius" will appreciate this, but it is certainly not a necessary pre-read. Gripping and suspenseful, I Claudia is a terrifying account of the nature of high school politics, and what can happen when corrupt behavior goes unchecked. Too mature for middle school, this 2019 Printz Honor book will be a popular High School read.

Lisa Librarian

Beware the Night by Jessika Fleck - OPTIONAL

Beware the Night by Jessika Fleck, 306 pages.  Swoon Reads (Macmillan), 306 pages. $18.

Language: PG (16 swears,  0 ‘f’) ; Mature Content: G; Violence:

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Veda’s island home is relatively peaceful.  SHe and her grandfather eke out an existence as members of the poorer, Basso folk, while her best friend, Nico, is one of the Dogio, the rulers.  Veda has always carefully avoided the Night, as Bellona worships the sun, but also because of the evil Night gangs which roam the countryside, pillaging and killing.  Then one day Veda is captured by the Night and learns the truth about her homeland and her place within it. Now she has to decide where she stands and what she is willing to do for her fellow countrymen.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this book -- it’s just that I have already read it.  I have Hunger Games, I have Divergent, I have a dozen other girl with a destiny caught inside a love triangle books. No new ground broken here and no new heroes whom I feel compelled to champion.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Waiting for Fitz by Spencer Hyde - ADVISABLE

Waiting for Fitz by Spencer Hyde, 240 pages. Shadow Mountain, 2019. $18. 9781629725277.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Addie has OCD and its definitely getting out of hand. When she is admitted to the juvenile inpatient psychiatric ward, she makes friends with Fitz--a teenager with schizophrenia who hears voices. Fitz and Addie seem to have an immediate connection, and Addie is willing to risk a whole lot to help Fitz find his way out of the hospital to reach San Juan Island--a place he is sure will help him make peace with some tragedy in his past. In the end, the journey helps them each learn something more about themselves and each other. 

My initial reaction to the first pages of this book was one of hesitancy--Addie and Fitz like witty wordplay and it frankly annoyed me right out of the gate. Once I came to appreciate their characters more, it bothered me less, though. The story is interesting and I enjoyed the journey Addie goes on as she struggles to deal with her OCD and figure out her feelings for Fitz. There were things I really didn't like about the story--things that smacked of being unrealistic compared to a lot of things that were definitely realistic--but overall I found myself wrapped up in the story from beginning to end. The title is a spin on Waiting for Godot and I really really liked the connections made with that. This is a totally clean read as it relates to language; PG ratings for content simply because of the reality of mental illness and some of the scary things related to it. 

Reviewer: TC

The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr - OPTIONAL

The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr, 325 pages.  Penguin, 2019. $15. 

Language: R (3 F); Mature Content: PG-13 (Referenced - Sex, Drinking), Violence: PG-13 (Fighting, Self-harm, Referenced Suicide)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Ella is a 17 year old girl who lives in England until her parents mysteriously check her out of school for a dream vacation in Rio without any explanation. They take her phone away and refuse to share any information on what is happening or why. The mystery increases as the secret bad girl living in her mind, Bella, takes over and makes her assault her mother and run away alone and penniless in Rio to unravel the mystery of her past and try to survive.

The Truth and Lies of Ella Black attempts to connect with the feelings of loneliness and alienation that teens feel as they are coming of age, but in a more dramatic fashion than most. The book is a bit repetitive at times, I assume to build tension, but it gets a little annoying. Ella is also a mess, claiming Bella makes her so strong, but having a major break down at the same time, being in love with a boy she just met, and hating her parents, whilst needing them for money and security. I feel like teens will relate to this book, while being engaged in a crazy action story that they don’t have to live through. 

Dina W. - ELA teacher

Secret in the Stone by Kamilla Benko - OPTIONAL

Secret in the Stone (Unicorn Quest #2) by Kamilla Benko, 320 pages. Bloomsbury, 2019. $17. 

Language: G Mature Content: G Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

After Claire learns she is a Gemmer princess, she and her sister Sophie travel to the Gemmer guild in the mountains. She hopes to harness her magical abilities to call forth the unicorn to restore Arden's waning magic. But some of the officials don't believe her and appear to have ulterior motives. A war between the guilds is brewing and the return of evil Queen Estelle is imminent. Claire is more desperate than ever to find the unicorn and restore peace. She is about to find out that the unicorn is much closer than she imagined.

Since unicorns are popular right now, this series will likely find fans. The world building is well done, and there’s even a map of the kingdom. As with book 1, there’s magic, villains, warring factions, and twists. Unfortunately, the sequel isn’t as polished. Many of the characters that helped drive the first book, have limited appearances in the sequel. There are several rushed twists at the end that feel more tacked on than well thought out. Once again the unicorns are talked about rather than actually present. Purchase only if you have unicorn fanatics.   

Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist

Undaunted by Kat Falls - ADVISABLE

Undaunted (Inhuman #2) by Kat Falls, 372 pages. Scholastic, 2019. $17. Language: G; Mature 

Content: PG; Violence: PG-13.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The United States is divided in half by a quarantine wall along the Mississippi River. In the west, society is normal. In the east, chaos reigns. A man-made virus which transfers DNA between species has turned humans into manimals. In the advanced stages of the disease, manimals go feral and lose any remnants of their humanity. Now Lane is returning to the zone to help administer an inhibitor drug and collect blood samples for a potential vaccine. Her priority is finding Rafe. Infected with tiger DNA, he will go feral unless she reaches him in time.

Readers who like books and movies about viruses getting out of control will enjoy this one. 

There’s high action as the three main characters set off into the forest, knowing they are in a danger zone. Typical of YA books, there’s a love triangle, setting up additional conflict. The protagonist is likeable for standing up against a powerful corporation to defeat moral corruption.

Bottom line: If you love dystopian themes, you will love this book. If you don’t, look elsewhere.

Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist

The Remarkable Inventions of Walter Mortinson by Quinn Sosna-Spear - OPTIONAL

The Remarkable Inventions of Walter Mortinson by Quinn Sosna-Spear, 324 pages.  Simon And Schuster, 2019. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’) ; Mature Content: PG (dealing with death); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

While Moormouth may be a humdrum town, Walter’s mind is not -- his day is filled with fashioning fantastic inventions.  His own mother, along with the rest of the town, hate the inventions, however, and now his mother is insisting that Walter, 12, start his training as her apprentice in her mortuary. Walter has other ideas -- he convinces Cordelia, the girl he wishes were his best friend, to join him in a desperate race to reach Flaster Isle, the home of Horace Flasterborn, the inventor who has inspired Walter all his life.  Maybe there he can find answers about his father’s death and find a place that will appreciate Walter and his fantastical designs.

I wanted so badly to love this imaginary world with its possibility of fanciful places and wonder, but rot underneath everything and the evil charicature of Horace Flasterborn, along with a narrative that shifted willy-nilly between Walter’s present day and his mother’s past bringing an adult perspective to the story that brings melancholy and pain to what ends up also being a painful ending.  For a book with a cover that hints at whimsy and delight, I was mostly depressed throughout my reading.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Jungle London by LeAnn M. Jensen - ADVISABLE

Jungle London by LeAnn M. Jensen, 260 pages.  2018. $11 9781717149018

Language: G (2 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (threats of rape); Violence: PG-13 (deaths, blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

London Carter is as spoiled as can be - skating through school and family life with her head set only on clothes and popularity.  After her bad choices land her in jail though, her father intervenes finally and sends her off to Honduras with a student group to help a village.  When the village is attacked by guerillas, London finds herself running through the jungle with only Oliver, a boy from her school who has nothing but contempt for London’s pampered princess behavior.  With bad blood between them, dangerous animals, dangerous fauna, and the most dangerous creature of all -- humans -- between them and rescue, what hope do they have of surviving?

Bring up your Amazon account to purchase this for your library.  Jensen has written a solid action-filled adventure. I would heartily recommend this to students who enjoyed Hatchet or any other survival novel.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

British Invasion by Stuart Gibbs - ESSENTIAL

British Invasion (Spy School #7) by Stuart Gibbs, 304 pages.  Simon and Schuster, 2019. $18

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Ben and the kids of Spy School have what they need to take down SPYDER once and for all -- so they hope.  They’ll just need to very publically evade the French police, as well as all of the SPYDER operatives buried into every country’s secret services.  What could go wrong?

Personally, seven books in I am just about done with Ben always being confronted with the same bad dudes book after book.  Kids will still devour the series. I’m pretty sure there is a next one, because those familiar villains are still out there -- let’s hope for a big shakeup.  The thing about bad guys is when one is taken care of, there are others just waiting in the wings.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Love Double Dutch by Doreen Spicer-Dannelly - OPTIONAL

Love Double Dutch by Doreen Spicer-Dannelly, 234 pages. Random House, 2018. $17

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Content: PG; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS  - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Kayla's parents are having some tough times (Dad cheats and Mom appreciates loyalty) so they send their two Brooklynite children down to North Carolina for the summer while they work things out, one way or another. Kayla' s whole life revolves around Double Dutch Jump Roping. Her team has qualified to go to the regional championships and now she is leaving. Surprisingly Double Dutch exists in North Carolina and her snobby cousin has a foot in the door. The girls bond and her cousin learns how to handle losing friends who became bullies. 

This is a fun story, I enjoyed getting to know the world of Double Dutch. I enjoyed the story but it felt just a little dated, but that could be because Double Dutch is not a thing in my state. The author specializes in girl power, but this is a fun read that boys could also enjoy.           

Lisa Moeller:  Language Arts Teacher/Librarian

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh - ADVISABLE

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist, #2) by Renee Ahdieh,  408 pages.  G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2018.  $19.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Mariko has been “rescued” from the Black Clan by the emperor and his brother Raiden.  The original plan was that Mariko would marry Raiden and now that she has been returned, the plan will carry on.  Even though Mariko is still in love with the Black Clan leader, Okami, she decides that she is going to carry through with the wedding in an attempt to help the Black Clan against the evil emperor.  Mariko is up against the clock because Okami is in the prison being tortured nightly by the emperor.  

I loved Flame in the Mist and this second book in the duo-logy was a satisfying conclusion but lacked the adventure and action that the first book had.  I love the characters, so I cared to find out what happened to them, but I felt like the story was slow especially in the middle with the ending as the best part.  The violence was disgusting torture and gruesome bloody descriptions.  The mature content was make-out sessions. 

 Reviewer, C. Peterson 

The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor - ADVISABLE

The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor by Sonia Sotomayor, 343 pages.  NON-FICTION Delacorte Press, 2018.  $18.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Sonia grew up in the South Bronx of New York and her parents were both Puerto Rican.  She discovered that she had type 1 diabetes when she was young and had to learn how to regulate her health.  Sonia studied very hard and applied to Princeton and then went on to Yale Law School.  She worked hard in both criminal and civil law before she became a judge.  Now she is a Supreme Court Justice.  

I totally enjoyed this biography.  I loved Sonia’s writing style and enjoyed learning about her strength and dreams.  The first part of the book is easy to understand, and I think young adults will see themselves in Sonia, but the second part of the book takes a higher-level reader, or at least someone who has a little prior knowledge about the justice system.  the content includes a murder that is described for one of her court cases and there is a reference to "shooting up" and having to avoid the druggies in the stairwells.  I think this is a good biography to add to your library because it is a unique story.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson   

Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller - ESSENTIAL

Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller, 329 pages.  Feiwel and Friends, 2019.  $18.  

Content: Language: PG-13 (25 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Rasmira was raised to be a warrior, but the day of her trial she is betrayed by a close friend and banished to the dark forest.  Her only hope of returning home is to accomplish an insane quest to kill the god who comes to the village and depletes the villagers of food and asks for a young woman to be sacrificed.  Rasmira is not one to give up easily and when she finds two young men who have been banished with insurmountable quests, they band together to do the impossible.  

I couldn’t put this book down.  I loved Rasmira and her strength and determination.  I loved the minor characters, the exciting action-packed plot and the witty banter.  This is a stand alone and had a very satisfying ending, but I would love to see more of Rasmira.  The content includes bloody and descriptive killings of animals, a fight to the death and a descriptive French kiss.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson    

The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe - ADVISABLE

The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie, 324 pages.  Dutton Books, 2019.  $19.  

Content: Language: PG-13 (8 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Poe lives in a dystopian society and works on a drudge that pulls gold nuggets off the river floor.  One day river raiders board the ship and kill Poe’s best friend and boyfriend, Call.  Poe is so upset by his death that she vows revenge on the river raiders and spends the next two years building a ship that is impervious to the raiders.  Although Poe has mostly been the inventor for the ship, the Admiral assigns Poe to a mission to go up the river Serpentine on the next voyage.  As Poe captains the ship she starts to suspect that there is a traitor on board.  

I enjoyed the story and the fast-moving plot.  I liked the minor characters and the dystopian society was interesting.  My one complaint about this book is that it felt one-dimensional, so I had a hard time feeling like the setting was realistic and a hard time connecting with the main character.  The content includes blood and killings.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson