Twenty-Odd Ducks by Lynne Truss - ESSENTIAL

Truss, Lynne Twenty-Odd Ducks: Why Every Punctuation Mark Counts, illustrated by Bonnie Timmons. Putnam (Penguin), 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Truss and Timmons score another home run with another companion to the Eats, Shoots and Leaves book. This time all punctuation marks are involved in this wonderful new book. English teachers at levels need this book right now!


Cindy, Library-Teacher

Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan - ESSENTIAL

Riordan, Rick The Battle of the Labyrinth, 361 p. Hyperion, 2008.

MS - ESSENTIAL

Percy and the other half mortals are in the middle of another mission. Arch-enemy Luke has found a way to navigate the Labyrinth that connects the entire world and has almost found the entrance right into Camp Half Blood. Kronos minions have the power to kill all of the half-bloods, unless Percy, Annabeth, Grover and Tyson enter the Labyrinth, find Daedelus, the creator of the maze and gather more allies.

The tension, danger and thrills continue in the fourth installment of this fantastic series. I think I like the fact that the mythology is fairly true to the lore, instead of so twisted that not even recognizable like some mythology remakes have been lately. Go, Rick!!

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson - OPTIONAL

Wilson, N.D. 100 Cupboards, 289 pages

EL, MS - OPTIONAL

Henry's parents have disappeared, so he has been sent to live with his Aunt, Uncle and cousins in a tiny Kansas town. Henry unearths a long-hidden secret that puts him and his family in danger. An intriguing series of drawers and cupboards are windows into other places, worlds, times and dimensions. Henry's cousin Henrietta thinks the whole thing is a big joke and suddenly the whole family must work together to save them all from a long-lived menace.

I like Henry and his extended family and the story up to a point. But - once the time and place travel starts, situations develop rapidly without enough background to allow any reader to follow the action. This problem isn't unique to this novel; it's a common downfall of many time travel novels. I think a younger reader would be confused about the action. It sounds like there will be a sequel where the other worlds may be better explored.

Cindy, Library-Teacher

The Boxer and the Spy by Robert Parker - OPTIONAL

Parker, Robert B. The Boxer and the Spy, 224 p. Philomel (Penguin), 2008.

Language - PG-13, Sexual Content - PG.

HS - OPTIONAL.

Terry Novak doesn't think of himself as a tough guy, even though he is taking boxing lessons. While learning the sport, though, he is also learning about life and about himself. When the body of a shy classmate washes up on shore, Terry knows that something is up. With the help of his best friend, Abby, and the band of school outsiders that she gathers together, he will get to the root of the problem. Terry will have to find it within himself to confront the school bullies and to confront an authority figure in a way that he can solve the mystery and keep his dignity.

Cindy - Library-Teacher.

The Debs by Susan McBride - NO

McBride, Susan The Debs, 246 p. Random House, 2008.

Language - R (85+ swears); Sexual Content - PG-13.

NOT RECOMMENDED

Ten lucky girls are chosen each year to join the Rosebuds, an exclusive group of Texas debutantes, who may become members of the elite Glass Slipper Club. But neither nomination nor election is assured, even if you are the daughter of a GSC member. Four of this year's crop of potentials have it out for each other.

Backstabbing and sabotage are a way of life and an art form for this diverse bunch of spoiled prima donnas. Too much swearing for me, but if your school loves the IT girls or Private series, they will probably like this too.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez - ADVISABLE

Perez, Marlene Dead is the New Black, 190 p. Harcourt, 2008. Language - G (8 swears).

MS, HS - ADVISABLE

Daisy is the only one is her family without psychic powers. But her curiosity and detective feelers are aroused when Samantha, the head cheerleader and FORMER best friend, comes back to town sporting a new "dead" look. Something weird is happening to the other girls on the cheerleading squad, something that may include vampires. Against her better judgment, Daisy may have to join the cheerleading squad to get to the bottom of all of this.

Out in paperback right now. Perez continues the recent trend towards books about the undead and related creepy others with a funny and lovable (but still creppy) entry. Perfect for lovers of the genre, including reluctant readers.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Knaveheart's Curse by Adele Griffin - OPTIONAL

Griffin, Adele The Knaveheart's Curse, 131 p. Putnam (Penguin), 2008.

EL - OPTIONAL

Maddy, a vegan vampire in New York, is on track to becoming a full-fledged human. She decides, however, that she is lonely, so she bribes another girl, Dakota, to be her friend. Maddy gets more than she bargains for, when it seems as though her older sister, Lexie, is changing and rumors are flying that the Knaveheart elder is in search of an heir.

This second installment of the Vampire Island Story is much better than the first. Younger children who like spooky stories may enjoy this too.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Magician by Michael Scott - ESSENTIAL

Scott, Michael The Magician, 461 p. Delacorte (Random House), 2008.

MS - ESSENTIAL

Pernelle is being held prisoner deep inside Alcatraz Island, while Nicholas, Sophie and Josh have escaped through a portal to Paris. Not just John Dee, sorcerer, is after them, and now he has the aid of Machiavelli, another man of evil power. But Flamel and the twins have allies of their own - a former apprentice of Flamel's and his new wife, a powerful warrior. While Pernelle works to outwit her jailer, the Sphinx, and another enemy from the skies, those in Paris are running for their lives. Josh, however, is unsure whom he should trust. No one is telling him the whole truth - only what they want him to know.

Scott has hit it again with a well-plotted, sparkling novel of magic, friendship and danger. And now I have to WAIT for #3!!!

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison - ADVISABLE

Rallison, Janette My Fair Godmother, 384 p. Walker (Bloomsbury), January 2009.

MS - ADVISABLE.

Savannah has been dumped by her boyfriend, who has fallen in love with her older sister?? What's up with that?! Savannah has a fairy godmother - well, only a "fair" godmother, because Chrissy didn't do so well in godmother school. Savannah's wish for a fairytale romance sends her back to the Middle Ages, through several different familiar tales. Not her, however, but her sister, the boyfriend and a nice guy from school.

Merriment, magic and romance ensue. Rallison's quirky humor comes roaring out in this hilarious look at wishes and love. The things that come out of Savannah's mouth made me laugh out loud; so will your students.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Sweet and Viscious by Claudia Gabel

Gabel, Claudia Sweet and Vicious, 242 p. Scholastic, 2008.

MS - ADVISABLE.

Third in the series. Class treasurer, hot boyfriend and rising on the social scale - Marnie seems to have it all in high school. But everywhere she turns, there is Nola - ex-best friend and now bona fide enemy. Riding high on her new-found popularity, Marnie makes some bad choices, choices which could alienate her new clique. Nola has to deal with her feelings for Matt, who already has a girlfriend. Nola has her own bouts with witchiness that threaten her own friendships. While the wallflower is find her inner power, the dominator is being put in her place.

What I like about these books is that there is no good versus evil; one girl is not always right and the other is not always wrong. The novels do seem to be getting more cut-throat; I kind of hope there will be a turn for the better soon. I can only take so much cat-fighting.

 Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Model Spy AND Down to the Wire by Shannon Greenland - ESSENTIAL

Greenland, Shannon Model Spy (206 p.) and Down to the Wire (213 p.) Speak (Penguin).

MS - ESSENTIAL

Kelly was just your normal 16-year-old genius attending college, until a cute boy talks her into cracking open government files. Now, she can either go to jail or she can join a group of teens who spy for the USA. There's only a few problems - Kelly (newly renamed Girl Genius, or GiGi) is a klutz, so keeping a cover and protecting herself may be difficult AND that cute boy is a spy also, so GiGi feels betrayed. None of that matters when lives are on the line.

Who knew the spy game could be so much fun! Danger abounds, but so do very human moments. I think there are four books in the series now. I can't wait for the rest!

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George - ESSENTIAL

George, Jessica Day Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, 328 p. Bloomsbury, 2008.

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Known as "the lass", because her mother refuses to name her, Pika (the word for girl) is taken by a bear to a frozen palace, far from her family. Pika's ability to communicate with animals is a boon and a burden as she asks to many questions and puts everything she loves at risk. Now she must undertake a perilous journey to find a place east of the sun and west of the moon, outwit the troll Queen and save her beloved.

George has taken this timeless tale and reimagined it with beautiful, descriptive language and a compelling main character. I think East is in for a challenge as to the best retelling of this story.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers - ESSENTIAL

Myers, Walter Dean Sunrise Over Fallujah, 304 p. Scholastic, 2008.

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Robin has followed the steps of his hero, Uncle Richie, who survived Vietnam, and joined the American military as it enters Iraq during that first push, the days of Shock and Awe. Instead of watching on TV or reading in the newspaper, we see the war through Robin's eyes.

Myers' treatment is well-balanced and even-handed, not coming out sounding pro- nor anti-war. I was enthralled by his point of view on scenes I had already heard and read about. There is no gratuitous violence, though there is violence, and less than a dozen swears - that's pretty amazing for a war book.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Ever by Gail Carson Levine - ADVISABLE

Levine, Gail Carson Ever, 244 p. Harper, 2009

EL, MS - ADVISABLE

An immortal boy falls in love with a mortal girl. The only way they can be together forever is if he becomes a champion and she becomes a hero. Both of them must face their greatest weaknesses in order to have a happy-ending.

Instead of rewriting an old favorite, Levine has taken classic themes and created something completely new. While I don't think it is as strong as Fairest or Two Princesses of Bamarre, it is still a lovely fairy tale.


Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Final Warning by James Patterson - ADVISABLE

Patterson, James The Final Warning, 256 p. Little, Brown, 2008.

MS, HS - ADVISABLE

Max and her flock have defeated Itex's evil plans, but there are other enemies out there. The American government offers the flock a place to be, but the kids don't like the hidden costs. Instead, they head off to Antarctica to work with a group of scientists who are documenting the effects of global warming. But danger stalks the flock and enemies, both robotic and human are just waiting for them to make a mistake and put themselves under their power.

Warnings about global warming and environmental responsibility seem to be de rigueur nowadays, but that message is much clearer and vital than the ineffective villain in Patterson's number four entry in the series. I still love reading the antics of Max and her flock. If there is another one, I hope that Patterson takes the time strengthen all parts of the plot!

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Fendi, Ferragmo and Fangs by Kenner, et al. - OPTIONAL

Kenner, Julie, Johanna Edwards and Serena Robar Fendi, Ferragamo and Fangs, 268 p. Berkley Jam (Penguin), 2007.

Language - PG (about about 40, no "f")

MS, HS - OPTIONAL

Three beautiful girls have won summer internships as models with Vamp Modeling, Inc. in New York. Each of them, under different circumstances are transformed into the undead, with very different attitudes and results.

Okay, so I wasn't paying much attention when I picked up the book and noticed some odd inconsistencies as I was reading. Then I found out that each girl's story was written by a different author - Well, that explains it! The first story is my favorite, with number three running a close second. Girlie girls will really like these vampire stories (heavier on the girlie, light on the vamp).

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Roar by Emma Clayton - ADVISABLE

Clayton, Emma Roar, Chicken House (Scholastic), 496 p. April 2009.

MS - ADVISABLE

A year ago, Mika's twin sister disappeared and the authorities told the family that Ellie was dead. Mika never believed, but his parents, living in a dingy "fold-down" apartment in a cramped suburb behind The Wall, have a hard enough time just surviving from day to day. Ever since the Animal Plagues, life has been tough for the majority of humanity. Now Mika has a chance to win luxury for his family and his heart tells him that he may also find his sister - if he can excel at the video, survive the many rounds and become a champion.

Another type of post-apocalyptic book has entered the SciFi fold. I don't want to give anything away, but I truly enjoyed watching the different levels of the story unfold - for once I didn't read ahead and was pleasantly surprised by The Secret. I think that fans of MacHale's Bobby Pendragon or Nimmo's Charlie Bone will enjoy these also.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The House of Djinn by Suzanne Fisher Staples - ADVISABLE

Staples, Suzanne Fisher The House of Djinn, 202 p. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2008.

MS - ADVISABLE

Shabanu has been in hiding from Nazir for ten years. Her daughter Mumatz has been raised in relative safety in the home of the tribal chief, Mumatz' grandfather. When Baba dies, however, Shabanu decides that it is time to be brave and to come out of hiding. Mumatz has challenges of her own. Her half-sister is trying to arrange an undesirable marriage for her, but Baba has already arranged for Mumatz to marry the new tribal chief, Jameel, her friend who has been raised in America. From the wandering desert nomads to the city-living Pakistanis, Staples has bridged the gap from an ancient lifestyle to the modern world.

Together, Shabanu, Haveli and The House of Djinn paint a vivid, very human, picture of the changes and challenges of the last 30 years for the country. I would love it if a class had all three books approved and had book groups read them and discuss the history and progression.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Savvy Girl by Lynn Messina - ADVISABLE

Messina, Lynn Savvy Girl. 252 p. Harcourt, 2008.

Language - R (30 swears, including a handful of 'f'); Several episodes of drunken partying.

HS - ADVISABLE

Chrissy Gibbons has her heart's desire as a summer intern at Savvy, the hottest new magazine for teens. If she plays her cards right, but the end of the summer she may have the hot guy, the glamorous life, and a monthly Savvy column. But the hot guy may have ulterior motives, the glamorous life may have huge pitfalls and the column may be a victim of writer's block. She may want the good life a little too much for her own good.

Unlike other recent novels of this sort that I have read, this one doesn't not involve copious amounts of back-stabbing and evil dealings. Instead, the focus is right on Chrissy and the bad choices that she makes that can sabotage her own good intentions. This one felt so much more realistic.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande - ESSENTIAL

Brande, Robin; Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature, 272 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Language~PG, Sexual Content~G; Violence~G

MS/HS - ESSENTIAL

What if all your friends, everyone you grew up with, and even your parents turn against you? What would you do? This is Mena’s life. This last Summer, Mena chose to stand-up against a movement in her conservative community to shun a former member who has announced he is gay. Her parents aren’t speaking to her, her pastor has asked her to leave the church, and her “friends” now taunt her relentlessly. Needless to say, Mena is not looking forward to the start of a new school year. Just when Mena was beginning to adjust to her new solitary life, her science teacher announces that for the next while, her class will be studying evolution. There are some in the class that choose to protest the teaching of this subject. Mena is in the middle again! She can understand her teacher’s position that evolution can be scientifically proven and intellectual design cannot. However, she also can understand the place that intelligent design has in her belief system. This conflict threatens to tear the school and Mena apart. Mena has to decide who she should side with and this may mean alienating herself more from those she cares about. What is right?

The conflict concerning the teaching of evolution vs. the teaching of intelligent design is real life issue. Brande gives teens a mostly balance look at this debate and allows them to form their own opinions. This story is intellectually stimulating and would provide the basis for a debate concerning the merits of both positions.

Allison Madsen~Youth Services Librarian-SJO Public Librarian