Bright We Burn by Kiersten White - NO

Bright We Burn (And I Darken, #3) by Kiersten White, 389 pages. Delacorte Press, 2018. $19.  

Content: Language: PG-13 (14 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R.  

BUYING ADVISORY: NO 

Lada is a ruthless “prince” who wants to rule her beloved country and will stop at nothing to free her people.  Mehmed is the emperor and feels like he must control Lada in order to have peace in his kingdom.  Radu is Lada’s brother, but is in love with Mehmed, so his loyalties are constantly split.  All three characters have sacrificed their relationship and love for each other, all in an attempt to control and rule the land.  

This book is ridiculously depressing. At no point in the three-book series, did any of the character rise above the violence and manipulation or show any character growth.  Hundreds of pages of reading and the only semi satisfying moment in the book is the epilogue. I usually love Kiersten White’s writing, but I strongly disliked this series. The complete disregard for human life is upsetting and not justified and Radu is the most likable character of the three, but he constantly changes allegiance. I don’t recommend this series, especially for young adults.  It felt very adult.  The content includes disgusting and gruesome torture and death with a high body count and off page sex.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Blue Skies by Anne Bustard - ADVISABLE

 

Blue Skies by Anne Bustard, 218 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2020. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

11yo Glory Bea is excited for the Friendship Train that is making its way across America to Texas because there is an advertised surprise coming on the train.  Glory Bea is convinced that the Friendship Train surprise will be her father who was “lost” on Omaha Beach.  As Glory Bea prepares for her father’s return, she is upset that her father’s best friend from the war is courting her mother and hopes that the train comes soon.  

Although the storyline is predictable, Glory Bea is an endearing character.  Her grandparents, mother, friends and even her father’s war buddy all support her throughout the book. Even though I could see the end coming, I cried like a baby. A feel-good read for your middle readers.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Elizabeth Warren's Big, Bold Plans by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Susanna Chapman - ADVISABLE

Elizabeth Warren's Big, Bold Plans by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Susanna Chapman PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2020. $18. 9781534475809 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Senator Elizabeth Warren grew up in a middle class family, and wanted to become a teacher. But, when her father suffered a heart attack when Elizabeth was 12, she saw what was like to be poor, and to worry about losing your home when you can't pay bills. She became a teacher, a lawyer, a US Senator, and in 2019, campaigned for President of the United States! Always looking for ways to help people, Elizabeth Warren is full of big, bold plans. 

I loved this book about making plans and then following through - even if your plans change. Susana Chapman's illustrations are great, active and colorful - I loved how Warren aged from little girl to woman. Another great addition to my picture book biographies.

Lisa Librarian

Lift As You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell and R. Gregory Christie - ADVISABLE

 

Lift As You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell and R. Gregory Christie, PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon and Schuster), 2020. $18. 9781534406230 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Ella Baker asked herself "What do I hope to accomplish?" And then she did - Ella spent her life working against racial injustice and empowering African Americans. She fought for justice, equal pay, voting rights. She helped form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and worked from the bottom up, helping people solve their own problems. She listened to and helped the students involved in the sit-ins, bringing them comfort in jail. Her motto: Lift as you climb. 

I love picture book biographies - especially those that introduces remarkable women who helped create change and made a difference. Includes a nice author's note, a description of the organizations Baker was involved in (YNCL, WPA, NAACP etc.) a timeline and a bibliography.

Lisa Librarian

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas - ADULT

 

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6) by Sarah J. Maas, 665 pages. Bloomsbury, 2017. $19. 

Content: Language: R (80 swears); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT  

Chaol Westfall goes to Antica in the hopes of rallying  troops for the war against Maeve and Erawan.  He is also hoping that he can be healed of his paralysis by the well-known healers of Antica.  The royalty isn’t pleased to see Chaol and they aren’t anxious to join the war, but with the help of Nesryn, Chaol’s Captain of the Guard, the two are hoping to help the Antica people see the threat that will make it’s way to their country if they don’t get involved.  What Chaol doesn’t expect is to get involved with his healer, Yrene Towers.  

This is a side story to the larger epic story of the Throne of Glass.  I enjoyed Chaol and Yrene’s stories because lately most of the Throne of Glass series feels like a ton of characters and a lot of war strategy and battles. It was nice to concentrate more on specific characters and they have good chemistry.  At the same time, this book is frustrating because the end of book five is a major cliff hanger, so this just felt like a drawn-out diversion from the main story. This series, including this book, should not be advertised to young adults.  The characters don’t act in any way like teenagers, even if some of their ages are eighteen.  Most of the characters are hundreds of years old fae, etc.  The content includes on page sex, violence and other sexual references.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas - ADULT

 

Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7) by Sarah J. Maas, 984 pages. Bloomsbury, 2018. $14. 

Content: Language: R (100+ swears); Mature Content: R; Violence: R.  

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT  

Aelin has been captured and is being ruthlessly tortured by the horrible evil Queen of the Fae, Maeve.  Aelin refuses to swear allegiance to Maeve because she knows it would mean to sacrifice all of the people and land that Aelin is trying to save. Meanwhile, Aelin’s friends and allies are gathering to fight against the equally horrible and powerful, Erawan, while passing off Aelin’s shapeshifting friend as Aelin, so the armies will still fight the war.  Aelin has to stay strong and her friends have to keep hope and keep fighting as the book builds to the epic climax that has been coming for seven books.  

I have read thousands of pages in this series, following Aelin from the beginning to the end and I’m satisfied with the ending-it is well done.  There are a ton of characters to keep track of and side stories within the larger story, so you have to have a pretty deep understanding of the world to follow what is going on. Much like all of Maas’ books, they are in no way appropriate for young adult readers because they have a lot of adult content.  The violence is prolonged torture, which is manipulative, graphic and upsetting.  The mature content is multiple on page sex scenes and the swear count is way above 100. I’m completely confused that this publisher is advertising this for teens.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken - ESSENTIAL

 

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, 165 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL Disney Hyperion, 2020. $22.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

14yo Sydelle lives a quiet life, until Wayland North shows up out of thin air.  Wayland is a wizard and he is trying to get information back to the royalty in an effort to thwart a war, but he is being chased by a dark wizard and Wayland’s magical cloak needs mending.  Sydelle is a weaver and is able to help Wayland and as they journey towards the capital, Sydelle starts to realize that she too might also have power. 

I am impressed that this story conveys a clear plot with characters that have depth in just 165 pages.  I totally enjoyed this read and the illustrations are bright and attractive. Sydelle and Wayland are great characters and the conflict is well defined as they journey towards a resolve. I hope this is the beginning of a whole graphic novel series by Bracken, because it is fun and entertaining.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson    

Heart of the Moors by Holly Black - HIGH

 

Heart of the Moors by Holly Black, 310 pages. Disney Press, 2019. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Aurora is the queen of Perceforest and the queen of the Moors which causes a problem because the people from the Moors don’t trust the people of Perceforest and vice versa.  Aurora knows that if she can get the people to talk and learn to appreciate their differences that they would get along, but every effort she makes to help them understand each other is thwarted.  Prince Phillip is a good friend, and she has her advisor, Lord Ortolan, but someone is exaggerating the rift between the two kingdoms and trying to push them towards war.  

Holly Black creates a fantastic fantasy world once again.  I felt like I was in a movie while I read and could visualize the setting and the characters.  I enjoyed the conflict and the hint of romance while I cheered on Aurora.  Fun read and a great cover.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson   

Umbertouched by Livia Blackburne - ADVISABLE

 

Umbertouched (Rosemarked, #2) by Livia Blackburne, 375 pages. Hyperion, 2018. $18.  

Content: Language: PG (4 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Zivah and Dineas completed their mission to spy on the enemy, but as they return to their own people, they find that their people don’t trust them.  Zivah knows that she can get the proof she needs to stop the Amparan army and Dineas knows he needs to protect the people who are about to be attacked.  As they both try to do the right thing, they hope that they can protect each other and everything they hold dear.  

It had been awhile since I read Rosemarked, but Blackburne does a great job bridging the two books and I quickly remembered the story and people and was able to enjoy the second book. You will want to read Rosemarked first, or you won’t understand this book. I liked the balance between a well-crafted story and the development of the characters.  As their actions built up to the climax, I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen. Super satisfying read!  Content includes war violence. 

Reviewer, C. Peterson 

Paul, Big and Small by David Glen Robb - ADVISABLE

 

Paul, Big and Small by David Glen Robb, 336 pages. Shadow Mountain, 2019. $18. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Paul is short, which garners the attention of the high school bullies.  Although Paul has tried to blend in and not be seen, his abilities at rock climbing attract some attention in a good way and he befriends a tall girl named Lily Small.  Lily gets Paul to join her and a friend named Sam on a rock-climbing team and Paul’s new friends teach him all sorts of new life lessons. This group of high schoolers, along with my favorite character Big, become good friends as they navigate the ups and downs of high school. 

Paul is a great protagonist who’s coming of age journey seems genuine. Paul has to deal with uncomfortable life circumstances, but he does it in a realistic way.  Big, Tall and Sam are endearing minor characters who have their own stories which keeps the story moving forward and creates drama.  My only semi-complaint is that the author tries to take on all the heavy topics such as bullying, cancer, mental illness, and suicide, which was a bit heavy and forced.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Imprison the Sky by A.C. Gaughen - HIGH

 

Imprison the Sky (The Elementae, #2) by A.C. Gaughen, 418 pages. Bloomsbury, 2019. $19.  

Content: Language: R (125 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Aspasia is a 16yo pirate captain with the power to control the wind.  Her crew makes up a mismatch of elementae powers and she has gathered them from slave conditions throughout the kingdom.  Aspasia is also a slave, as her ship belongs to the cruel Cyrus, and if Aspasia doesn’t deliver the types of slaves that Cyrus wants, then Aspasia could lose everything she holds dear. Trying to protect her crew, find her missing family and deal with the new crewmate that is also very attractive, Aspasia has her hands full.  

This is a fun pirate adventure.  Aspasia is a kick-butt heroine, and the story has lots of action and conflict.  This is the second book in the series, and it does help to have the background information from the first book, otherwise the ending is confusing.  An enjoyable read with great characters and a very satisfying conclusion. The content includes off page sex, slavery, fighting, and death.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson   

Fly Back Agnes by Elizabeth Atkinson - OPTIONAL

 

Fly Back Agnes by Elizabeth Atkinson, 290 pages. Carolrhoda Book (Lerner), 2020. $18. Content: Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

12yo Agnes has an overbearing mother who wants her to move to Kansas for the summer, but Agnes isn’t interested in a summer with her mother’s new boyfriend and young son.  Agnes convinces her father (and lies to her mother) to let her move in with him while he works on his dissertation for the summer. While staying with her father, she meets some people across the bridge and tells them her name is Chloe and other lies.  Agnes/Chloe’s lies continue even when she finds true friends and they share their secrets with her.  As with all lies, eventually the truth comes out.  

If you enjoy reading a book about a girl who lies to get what she wants, even when it hurts other people, then this is the book for you.  I wanted to like Agnes, but not once does she admit that she lied. She gets caught in her lies and is quickly forgiven by everyone, like it’s no big deal. It’s hard to keep reading because her lies are so petty, at the expense of other’s real feelings.  Not a great moral to the story. The secrets that her friends share include teen pregnancy and gender identity, making it a little older than elementary.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Shuri: a Black Panther novel by Nic Stone - OPTIONAL

Shuri: a Black Panther novel by Nic Stone, 272 pages. Scholastic, 2020. $18 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

13yo Shuri has been asked by her brother, the Black Panther, the King of Wakanda, to make him a new Black Panther suit. Shuri knows that the high-tech Vibranium fabric needs the help of the Heart-Shaped herb, the herb that every king ingests to give him is super powers. There are only 5 days to Challenge Day – when anyone can try to take Wakanda’s throne. Unfortunately, the Heart-shaped herb is dying. If Shuri doesn’t move fast, there may be no herb forever. In order to find answers, Shuri and her Dora Milaj in training, K’Marah, will need to go outside Wakanda’s borders – where new friends and new dangers lurk. 

If the various Marvel books circulate well in your library, add this offering. I will probably cross my fingers for a paperback later, because they just haven’t found their audience here. The only grating note to Stone’s novel is Shuri’s mother – I don’t understand how she can see how important Shuri’s work is, and yet thwart her at every turn with her superficial orders. I would be happy with a Wakanda without the Queen Mother. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson - ADVISABLE

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson, 176 pages. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), 2020. $18 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When ZJ was 10yo, his family started seeing the first effects of the multiple concussions his father, a tight end on a professional football team, suffered. At first the memory lapses are a bit embarassing, but now, 2 years later, the effects are debilitating – and everyone knows that Zachariah 44 will never be back on the field. 

 Set in 1999, before the devastating effects of concussions were acknowledged, Woodson takes us through the descent of one man. She is a master of unfolding the emotional tidal wave. I didn’t even mind that it is written in free verse. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Princess Before Dawn by E.D. Baker - ADVISABLE

 

Princess Before Dawn (Wide-Awake Princess, #7) by E.D. Baker, 212 pages. Bloomsbury, 2018. $17. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Princess Annie and Liam are trying to prepare for their upcoming coronation in Liam’s kingdom of Dorinocco, but Annie’s parents are in need of Annie’s magic dispelling abilities.  Annie and Liam arrive at Treecrest to help her parents, to find the Treecrest castle overrun with unwanted guests. Annie helps disperse the witches, but the bats in the basement are more than Annie knows what to do with.  When Annie realizes they are vampires and seeks help from her friends, she is drawn into the vampire politics of a neighboring kingdom.  

I enjoyed all the books in the Wide-Awake Princess series, and this one is action packed.  Vampires are creepier than any of the villains in the past books, but they make for a suspenseful read.  The violence is PG because the vampires turn some people into vampires without permission, and it never addresses what happened to those characters. This is a great series for readers coming out of the early chapter books because they are short in length and have a lot of action but also good for middle readers who like plot-driven adventures.    

Reviewer, C. Peterson

The Princess and the Pearl by E.D. Baker - ADVISABLE

 

The Princess and the Pearl (Wide Awake Princess, #6) by E.D. Baker, 226 pages. Bloomsbury, 2017. $17. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Princess Annie’s father and her uncle both have a frightful disease in which their skin is turning blue.  The blueness makes it’s way from their feet to their heads, and if it reaches their head, then they will die.  Annie asks her friends to help her find a healer who can help, but the only one in the kingdom who can help is in a far-off island called, Skull Cove.  As the friends embark on their adventure, they are in a race against time, as well as the thwarting efforts of Liam’s brother.  

Annie and Liam are fun to follow on most any adventure, and this book is no exception.  I enjoyed the suspense of saving her father, and the creative ways in which Liam’s brother throws obstacles in their path.  A great series for newer readers with a fast plot line and likable characters, and equally unlikable villains.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

The Brave by James Bird - ADVISABLE

The Brave by James Bird, 320 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2020. $17 

Language: PG (12 swears, 0“f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Colin is headed to Minnesota to live with his mother – an Objiwe woman whom he has never met. Colin has OCD and it expresses as a need to count and articulate the number of letters in anything anyone says to him. The bullies at his old school harass him every day and the principal feels no need to support or defend Colin, because as he says, “boys will be boys” and “it’s only words”. So now Colin’s dad is turning him over to his mom to see if she can “deal with” him. On the reservation Colin gets to know him mom, his grandmother, and possibly find a sense of community and peace. 

I listened to the audiobook of Brave, provided by libro.fm for review. Because the narrator is an adult, I kept thinking the main character was older – at least 15. SO each time I was reminded he was only 12, I felt robbed. The boy falls deeply in love with his neighbor – and the feelings come off as way to real and intense for a 6th or 7th grader. 15 would have been perfect. That being said – if you can ignore that, the rest of the book is masterful. Colin’s interaction with his family, getting to know is now dead older brother, integrating into the community is heartfelt and lovely. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

That Time I Got Kidnapped by Tom Mitchell - OPTIONAL

That Time I Got Kidnapped by Tom Mitchell, 320 pages. Harper, 2020. $8 (paperback) 

Language: PG (12 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some danger) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

14yo Jacob Clark has won an all expenses paid trip from his London home to Hollywood to be an extra in a secret superhero movie. When he misses his connection in Chicago, though, he ends up on a bus and involved with a runaway, Jennifer. Jennifer has fled from her grandmother, having grabbed her mother’s ashes and now she is trying to evade the Cowboy, her grandmother’s fixer. Together the pair are on the run (Jacob is just nice that way) and desperate to get to LA. 

Mitchell has written an over the top road trip book. Get ready to suspend belief in order to get into this. Kids who like super silly action will enjoy. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Princess Between Worlds by E.D. Baker - ADVISABLE

Princess Between Worlds (Wide Awake Princess, #5) by E.D. Baker, 210 pages. Bloomsbury, 2016. $17. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Princess Annie and her husband Liam are married and looking to go on a honeymoon.  When a witch gives Annie and Liam some magical postcards for their wedding gift, Liam and Annie are excited to visit all the beautiful places pictured.  They quickly find out, however, that the places they are visiting all have danger in different forms and that there may have been evil intent behind the gift.  

I enjoy the Wide Awake Princess stories, and this journey was creative and enjoyable.  Annie and Liam aren’t deeply developed as characters, and the story is largely plot driven. The series will make the most sense if read in order and the cute cover will appeal to reader’s who love a good princess story.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Princess in Disguise by E.D. Baker - OPTIONAL

Princess in Disguise (Wide Awake Princess, #4) by E.D. Baker, 215 pages. Bloomsbury, 2015.  $17.  

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Princess Annie is excited for her long awaited wedding day to Liam, but everything that could possibly go wrong happens.  Annie and Liam end up on a quest to save the castle against a magical wizard, instead of celebrating their marriage.  They scour the kingdom looking for the help of the powerful fairy Moonbeam, and uncover the plot that is causing the attack on Annie’s family’s castle.  

I usually love the Wide-Awake Princess series, but half of this book was Annie and Liam going from place to place, running into characters from previous books, and it got boring fast.  The second half of the book was the best part of the story and I loved it, but I don’t know if readers will keep reading long enough to get to the good part.  The mention of characters from the other books was also distracting to this storyline because it had been awhile since I read them and couldn’t remember their story.  Overall, not the best book in the series, but I have enjoyed the series until now.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson