The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh - OPTIONAL

The Beautiful (The Beautiful, #1) by Renee Ahdieh, 425 pages.  G.P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin), 2019.  $19.  

Content: Language:  R (39 swears; 2 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Celine Rousseau is moving to New Orleans to avoid a hidden past.  As a 17yo, she is housed by nuns in a convent and hopes to blend in.  But Celine catches the eye of Sebastian, the leader of a dark underworld in the city.  As girls start dying, Celine becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding the deaths and trying to decide if Sebastian is good or bad.  

This is a fun supernatural adventure that takes place in the 1870’s.  The setting is gothic and the characters are well developed. The popularity of the vampire genre has faded, but this book is well done and will capture readers attention. The content includes heavy make-out session, death and a decapitated head.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

A Dream so Dark by L. L. McKinney - HIGH

A Dream so Dark (Nightmare-Verse #2) by L. L. McKinney, 402 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2019.  $19

Language: R (100+ swears, 7 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: R (bloody fights)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Alice, 17yo, might be grounded, but when Wonderland calls, she can’t refuse. She and her friends must track down the new evil which is pretending to be the Black Knight and is controlled by an unknown entity. Worse, she thought someone close to her was dead, but what if they are being controlled by that same entity. Wonderland is a mess, and Alice will need all the help she can get to control the damage.

Alice is back with a vengeance!  Her take-no-prisoners style is exciting for any reader.  While the Alice in Wonderland framing is great, it is just an interesting fillip to an excellent series that stands on its own feet.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson - ESSENTIAL

Vow of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, #2) by Mary E. Pearson, 480 pages.  Henry Holt and Company, 2019.  $20.  

Content: Language: PG-13 (37 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

As Kazi and Jase return to Tor’s Watch, they are viciously attacked by a king who has invaded Jase’s beloved kingdom, and usurped the Ballengers.  Kazi is taken by the king who tries to get her to tell him Tor’s Watch’s secrets, and Kazi walks a fine line between keeping the king’s trust and protecting the remaining Ballengers.  Jase is believed to be dead, but is actually nursed back to health by those he once considered enemies.  Can Kazi protect Jace’s kingdom and can Jace protect Kazi?  

I LOVE this series.  It has the perfect mix of romance, mystery and adventure.  Kazi and Jase are great characters and the plot moves quickly.  This duology is a spinoff of the Remanant Chronicles series, but you don’t have to read the Remnant series to appreciate and understand the two books in the duology.  The content includes a violent beheading, dead bodies, and off page sex.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Life is Short and Then You Die edited by Kelley Armstrong - NO

Life is Short and Then You Die: First Encounters with Murder edited by Kelley Armstrong, 308 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2019. $18

Language: R (79 swears, 6‘f’); Mature Content: R (self-pleasuring); Violence: R (murders and bodies)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - NO

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

I guess I was hoping that a book of short stories about murder would be interesting and introspective without straying into the teenagers being deeply psychotic murderers themselves.  Alas, four of the stories are just that.  The rest of the stories are relatively interesting, while Concealment by Eileen Rendahl was the best of them all.  I can’t overlook the “psycho killers”, though.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy written by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis - ADVISABLE

Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy written by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis, illustrated by Brooke Allen 128 pages GRAPHIC NOVEL BOOM! Box 2015 $15

Language: G; Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG (Peril, Monsters)

BUYING ADVISORY:MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

When a group of girls from the same cabin at camp wander into the woods at night, they are frightened by some scary 3 eyed foxes. What else is out there? A river run turns into fighting against a stone statue, there are Yetis in the woods, and the boys in the camp across the river? They aren't what you think they are.

Book 1 in the Lumberjanes series is fun. They aren't girls - they are "Hard-core Lady types". I can see that this will be a popular series in my library - part adventure, part mystery and creepy paranormal. Buying the whole series for my library.

Lisa Librarian

The Toll by Neal Shusterman - ESSENTIAL

The Toll (Arc of the Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman, 622 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2019. $20

Language: PG (12 swears, 0 ‘f’) ; Mature Content: PG (implied sex); Violence: PG-13 (mass gleanings)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

After the destruction of Endura, Thunderhead declared all humans unsavory, except for Grayson Tolliver. Scythe Goddard has declared himself High Blade of MidMerica, with an eye to taking controlling the entire world.  While Scythes Citra and Rowan may have gone down with Endura, someone is attempting to rescue the vault, which contains all of the diamonds for the Scythe’s rings — and a couple of unexpected passengers. 

Suffice it to say, there are many little threads in the third and final book of the Arc of the Scythes, and Shusterman has woven each of them into a masterful tapestry.  Be ready to read the entire set again, if just to enjoy the artistry at play. There is an interesting gender fluid character among all of the new friends we meet along the way.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez - ADVISABLE

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez, 382 pages. Rick Riordan Presents, 2019. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When Sal first meets Gabi, she is defending the bully in the Principal's office that Sal just bested - by pulling a gross raw chicken out of Yasmany's locker. Sal is an amazing magician, very good at slight of hand, but the chicken trick isn't that - Sal can actually reach into other dimensions and bring things here. That's why his family moved to Miami. Sal's Mama Muerta keeps coming back (she's dead) and after she ruins the house, Sal's dad and American Stepmom decide they need a fresh start somewhere else. Sal and Gabi hit it off right away, and when Gabi doesn't freak out about Sal's, um, interesting skill, they become fast friends. 

What a surprise! I thought this would be realistic fiction about finding friends at a school for the arts, but it's really a science fantasy complete with robots, alternate realities, and holes in the universe. Great representation of Cuban culture, food and family. I loved the quirky teachers and administrators, the caring parents and the fantasy twist.

Lisa Librarian

The Last Word by Samantha Hastings - ADVISABLE

The Last Word by Samantha Hastings, 251 pages. Swoon Reads (Macmillan), 2019. $18.     

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G ; Violence: G (fire and injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Lucinda Leavitt lives in Victorian London. Her mother died a long time ago and her father removed all things that reminded him of his wife and went so far as to moving to a different residence. He rarely looks at his daughter, because she looks too much like her mother. She likes reading serial stories in the magazines. Right now she can't wait to finally read the ending of one such serial story. However, instead of the ending there is a note from the editor that the author had died. Lucinda is determined to find out how the author wanted to end the story and starts searching. The search is hampered by constraints of what young women could do on their own, cumbersome to get around, always needing a chaperone, dresses, crinoline skirts and corsets. And of course, there is a handsome, young man that starts helping her. 

Other than looking for the author, Lucinda wants to be useful and work in her dad's counting house. She is really sharp and good with numbers and at math.  

Hastings writes a cute romance and it gives the reader a look into what the world might have been like for many young women living in Victorian England. Lucinda is a strong young woman and stands up for her self and what she believes in. As I was reading this book I was rooting for her and cheering her on. When I started reading I wasn't so sure I would like the book, but I really liked it. I already have a couple of students wanting to check it out.    

Ellen-Anita, Librarian                                                                       

The Odd Sisters by Serena Valentino - OPTIONAL

The Odd Sisters (Villains, #6) by Serena Valentino, 274 pages.  Disney Press, 2019.  $18.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

The three witches, Lucinda, Ruby and Martha have been exiled to the dreamscape because of their bad behavior.  But when they use magic and brew up a plan to get back to their daughter, Circe, the fairy kingdom starts to gather in defense.  As Circe and her friend Snow White research the three sisters, the witches’ origin story comes out and it explains some of their wicked behavior.  

I just don’t love this series.  The three witches are the cause of all the bad things that happen in our favorite fairy stories, which I think is a bait and switch.  You think you are going to read about Gothel or Malificent, but it keeps coming back to these three sister witches who are hard to empathize with.  The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying, which makes me think there will be another story.  The violence is one character stabs themself in the heart.   

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn - HIGH

When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn, 272 pages. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2019. $18      

Language: R (0 swears, 1“f”); Mature Content: PG (infidelity); Violence: PG (fighting, racial slurs)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Adele Joubert seems to be the perfect 16yo mixed-race girl.  She's a good student, well mannered, and even has a white father who can pay her school fees and her mother's bills.  Because of him, Adele is considered one of the popular girls at Keziah Christian Academy, until she discovers her best friend has replaced her with a girl whose father has more money.  Adele is then forced to room with Lottie Diamond, a poor, outcast with a bad reputation. Lottie likes to fight and break the rules, but she also asks Adele some pressing questions, and has Adele thinking about what is truly important in her life. Maybe being a popular girl isn't everything and there is more to friendship than she imagined.  Before she knows for sure, Lottie and Adele find theirselves investigating the disappearance of a missing classmate and come to realize the outcome is not what they thought.   

Secrets, lies, dead bodies and accidents make for a riveting and gripping novel.  Nunn speaks volumes on the social injustice and pecking order in 1960 Swaziland and the violence girls and women endured. I loved the development of friendship and personal growth by each girl, Lottie and Adele, who were from such different worlds.  The characters were well developed and the scenery, although unfamiliar to me, seemed rich and beautiful.  I can see this book becoming an award winning novel.  A must have for your library or book shelf.      

Jessica Nelson Media Specialist                                                                   

A Place to Land by Barry Wittenstein - ADVISABLE

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.  PICTURE BOOK/ NON-FICTION  Neal Porter Books (Holiday House), 2019.  $19.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

The day before the 1963 March on Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr. was still pouring over his speech for the march.  Other great Civil Rights Activists weighed in on what King should or should not include in his speech, but ultimately King took to writing and practicing his speech in his room all night.  When it came time to deliver his prepared words, he got to a point in the middle of his speech where he started preaching and his most powerful words were shared and later titled “I Have a Dream”.  The speech didn’t bring an end to racial discrimination, but it has continued to inspire the downtrodden ever since it was delivered.  

Pinkney’s illustrations evoke a tenderness and hope for King’s message of racial equality and a reflection of events leading up to the speech.  Wittenstein’s writing has a good cadence that makes the telling of this historical moment artistic.  The combination is moving and can be appreciated by all ages.  The back of the book also includes short biographies of other Civil Rights leaders.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan - ESSENTIAL

The Last Olympian (The Olympians, #5) by Rick Riordan illustrated by Orpheus Collar and Antoine Dode, 128 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL  Disney Hyperion, 2019.  $22  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Percy and his friends are gathering to fight a big battle against Kronos.  As Percy tries to figure out more about Luke (who Kronos is inhabiting his body), he learns about Luke’s prophecy from Luke’s mother. Percy learns about the true hero of the prophecy and is surprised to learn that it isn’t him.  As the monsters gather behind Kronos, Percy gathers his friends and they stave off Kronos, receiving accolades from the Greek gods. 

I love the Olympian series because of the perfect blend of action and character development.  This graphic novel stays true to the story and I enjoyed the amazing illustrations.  If you have readers who like Percy Jackson, this graphic novel series is a fantastic addition to your library.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool - OPTIONAL

There Will Come a Darkness (The Age of Darkness, #1) by Katy Rose Pool, 485 pages.  Henry Holt and Company, 2019.  $20.  

Content: Language: PG (6 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Five people with very different backgrounds all have a role to play in the gathering darkness in their kingdom.  Ephyra takes the lives of wicked people and transfers their energy to keep her dying sister, Beru, alive.  Anton has been raised to believe that he is the future prophet, but has trouble accessing the prophecy that is supposed to save the world.  Jude has trouble keeping his vows because of his feelings for his friend.  Hassan is supposed to be the future king but has been exiled from his country and is hiding in secrecy waiting to revolt against those who have stolen his kingdom.  As these character’s lives start to intersect, they realize maybe their roles aren’t what they thought they were, but they need to work together to save the kingdom.  

I enjoyed the backstories and the different characters, and I cared what happened to them.  I felt like the purpose behind their actions needed to be more developed and was super frustrated with the cliff-hanger ending.  The content includes a descriptive bleeding to death and an implied sexual molestation.  I hope that the second book in the series can provide more answers.

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Inventing Victoria by Tonya Bolden - OPTIONAL

Inventing Victoria by Tonya Bolden, 261 pages.  Bloomsbury, 2019.  $18.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW  

Essie grew up in a brothel that her mother owned, but she always hoped for something more.  When Ma Clara, the cleaning lady, offers to take Essie to school, Essie starts to see that she could have a different life.  As Essie grows older, she is noticed by a woman, named Dorcas, who is staying at a boardinghouse.  Dorcas offers Essie an opportunity to reinvent herself, be educated and advance in society regardless of her background.  Essie takes the opportunity afforded her and changes her name to Victoria and follows Dorcas’ tutelage, but starts to wonder if it is all worth it.  

I liked the premise of a young black girl in the South during the 1880’s being given equal opportunities in education and influencing society for good.  But the author didn’t really make me care for this character and the amount of detail given throughout the book to the details of food and etiquette stopped the plot and were tedious.  There are a lot of social rules that the reader would have to have a foundation in the history of the time period to understand because they are implied, but not explained well.  The PG-13 content is the eluded to activities in the brothel.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt - ESSENTIAL

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, 278 pages.  Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), 2019.  $17.  

Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Delsie lives with her adorable grandmother on Cape Cod.  Delsie wonders why her mother left her and as she starts to experience friend troubles, she feels like she could really use some advice.  Delsie’s long time friend, Brandy, seems to think Delsie is too childish and Brandy has a new friend, Tressa.  Tressa does everything she can to make Delsie feel left out, so when a new boy comes to the Cape named Ronan, Delsie and Ronan slowly become friends.  

Regardless of how mean Tressa was, and no matter how complicit Brandy was while Tressa bullied Delsie, Delsie remained kind and true to herself.  Delsie is a great character whose story is heartbreaking but inspiring.  When life seems hard and Delsie is overwhelmed, she still manages to look for the good.  What a great message set up in an engaging read.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

The Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick Riordan - ESSENTIAL

The Tyrant’s Tomb (Trials of Apollo #4) by Rick Riordan, 423 pages.  Disney, 2019.  $20.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (mentions of Apollo’s past indiscretions); Violence: PG (battles and some blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Apollo and Meg have to get to San Francisco and find New Rome – not only because of their dreadful burden, but also because their enemies are congregating and New Rome will be the site of this latest battle.  Not only will all of Camp Jupiter be needed, but a group of unlikely heroes will also take the stage (Peaches!). Apollo will reach his absolute nadir has his is confronted with the absolute worst of his past behavior.  Why would any of the Gods of Olympus come to his rescue?

What an explosion of action, adventure, danger, but with Riordan’s finesse for adding the tiny details that adds so much depth to his writing.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The 12th Candle by Kim Tomsic - ADVISABLE

The 12^th  Candle by Kim Tomsic, 336 pages. Katherine Tegen (Harper), 2019. $17.

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sage and Priscilla, both about to turn 12yo, have always been at odds because of the Contrarium Curse they inherited from their mothers, who used to be best friends.  One is rich, while the other is poor.  One is popular, while the other is not, and so on. On the way home from school on her birthday, Sage and her best friend stop by the local kitschy store, where the owner, Minerva, gifts Sage with a special candle – one that grants wishes. She also gives Sage some rules and hints that the candle has the power to break the curse.  But in order to do that, she’d have to cooperate with Priscilla – no way!

Kids looking for a light read will really enjoy this. And I have plenty of those students at my school. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy - ADVISABLE

Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy, 288 pages. Balzer + Bray (Harper), 2019. $16.

Language: G (5 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content:G ; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sweet Pea, 13yo, can’t deal with her divorced parents.  Divorce is bad enough, but her mom had the bright idea of father buying an identical house just two doors down – only Flora Mae, the local “Dear Abby”, separates them.  Now Sweet Pea has to divide her weekly between the two houses.  Things perk up when Flora Mae asks Sweet Pea to help her get her letters and turn in her columns while is out of town.  But it must remain a secret! Which becomes a problem when she recognizes the hand-writing on one of the letters.

There are many more fun details I could go into with Sweet Pea’s story.  It is just adorable – Sweet Pea would be great to follow into young adulthood, for sure!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

T-Minus by Shannon Greenland - HIGH

T-Minus by Shannon Greenland, 320 pages. Entangle Teen, 2019. 

Language: R (91 swears,  3 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: R (lots of violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Sophie, 17yo, may be the daughter of the POTUS, but just because your mom is powerful and famous, doesn’t mean life is easy.  Now she’s been awakened by her bodyguard in the middle of the night – a terrorist group has a hit out on Mom and Sophie’s older brother is missing.  Racing into the night, Sophie doesn’t know whom to trust. She’ll need to call in some back from her friends (and the boy she likes) and use everyone’s skills, smarts, and wiles to save her family. 

Greenland delivers on danger, tension, and betrayal. Students who read action books will not be disappointed.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring - OPTIONAL

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring, 456 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2019. $19.

Language: R (50+ swears, 15+“f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (preganant 12yo); Violence: G (creepy, but not violent)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Although she lied to get the position, Mavi is determined to succeed as an English teacher at a very exclusive boarding school at the tip of Argentina.  The Vaccaro school is hiding more secrets than Mavi herself.  And the danger, as the weeks go by, only increases. What are the ghostly figures some can see at night?  Who is the Tenth Girl who is missing from the first class of the re-opened school? 

Faring tries to craft a ghost story, but the intermittent story of the secondary character, Angel, adds an odd note that made me question what kind of book I was actually reading. If I could talk more about it without spoiling it, I would have even more complaints to make. The gloomy setting is merely depressing, not spooky or intriguing.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS