Imagine a Place by Sarah L. Thomson - ESSENTIAL

Thomson, Sarah L. Imagine a Place, paintings by Rob Gonsalves. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Gonsalves and Thomson combine their talents for a third book in this highly imaginative series. I can't see one teacher of elementary or a Fine Arts teacher in middle or high school who couldn't use this book with their classes. Enjoy this treat to ear and eye.

CINDY

Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again - ADVISABLE

Horowitz, Dave Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again. G.P. Putnam's (Penguin), 2008. PICTUE BOOK

EL, MS - ADVISABLE

Humpty Dumpty has recovered from a major trauma and wants to proceed cautiously, leading a rather boring life. But when the King's favorite horse is in danger, Humpty must decide of he is ready to conquer his fear for all time.

While other nursery rhymes are mixed into the narrative, the true value of this funny book comes in its double message at the end. Elementary schools and middle school Advisory programs will enjoy this.

CINDY

Read My Lips by Teri Brown - ESSENTIAL

Brown, Teri Read My Lips, 238 Pages. Simon Pulse.

Language - PG-13; Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG;

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

Serena is deaf but has never signed. Instead she relies on her lip reading skills. When the preps at her new school discover her talent for stumbling across juicy bits of gossip, they throw this skater girl into a world of pink t's and backstabbing. Throw in the hot loner and you have an amazing book.

Read My Lips was such a good book. It took a universal idea like fitting into a new high school and tweaked it to create a very well written story that entranced me until the very last page.

Reviewer: KH

Game by Walter Dean Myers - OPTIONAL

Myers, Walter Dean Game, 217 p. Harper, 2008.

Language : G (1)

MS, HS - OPTIONAL

Drew Larson is determined to stand out on his high school basketball team so that he has a chance at a college scholarship. His grades aren't great, so basketball may be his only ticket out of his poor neighborhood. His coach, however, has other ideas. He wants Drew and his teammates to learn how to be a team - not just a bunch of good basketball players who happened to be on the court at the same time.

While basketball action is pretty good, Drew's story is unfortunately underwhelming. The book is published in paperback and the cover will catch the eye of basketball fans.

CINDY 

The Good Girl by Kerry Cohen Hoffman - ADVISABLE

Hoffman, Kerry Cohen The Good Girl, 163 p.

Language: PG-13 (15 swears, 2 "f").

MS - ADVISABLE

When her older brother Mark was killed in a senseless accident, Lindsey's family fell apart. Mom left and remarried, moving across the country. Dad immersed himself in his job, leaving Lindsay and her rebellious younger sister to raise themselves. Lindsay has had her fill of being the good girl. When a transfer student catches her eye and challenges Lindsay's world, her suppressed anger and frustration expresses itself through shoplifting and petty thievery. Lindsay's cries are ignored, until events spiral out of control.

Despite the two uses of "f" (totally understandable, given her little sister's rebellious acting-out), The Good Girl is the first book I have run into that could replace "Define Normal" as a look at a teen trying to keep their life together.

Cindy, Library Teacher

The Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner - OPTIONAL

Falkner, Brian The Tomorrow Code, 348 p. Random House, 2008.

MS, HS - OPTIONAL

Best friends Tane and Rebecca are looking at the stars and musing after a huge rainstorm, when they hit upon a revolutionary idea for a way to communicate into the past. When they try their idea, however, they actually receive a message from their future selves - lottery numbers which win them four million dollars. But their adventure are just starting. Something evil and dangerous is coming at the world and they can only hope that they send themselves enough information from the future so that they can save their world.

From the picture on the cover I thought this book was going to be about pirates - WRONG! What you have instead is a pretty good apocalyptic novel. There's plenty of danger and close escapes and the bonus of some interesting science and technology.

It Was September when we Ran Away for the First Time by D. James Smith - OPTIONAL

Smith, D. James It Was September when we Ran Away for the First Time, 230 p. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2008.

MS - OPTIONAL

California, 1951. Billy is anxious for school to begin at his junior high, but he has to take care of his little brother and his deaf cousin, too. Most of the boys' thoughts run to the church carnival coming up at the end of October, but life gets really complicated when cousin Billy, only in the 6th grade, starts dating a Chinese girl in his class. Both families become victims of prejudice.

I was really thrown off by the young "lovers" only being in 6th grade. While the book leans towards being a modern Tom Sawyer, it doesn't lean very far. If your library needs a book about this time period and your collection is large and well-checked out, then by all means add it.

CINDY

Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson - ADVISABLE

Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson Science Fair, 394 p. Hyperion, 2008.

EL, MS - ADVISABLE

Every year, the rich kids at Hubble Middle School win the prize in the school science fair. This year Toby is determined to give them a run for their money, but when he spies on them at the local science shop, he gets much more than he bargained for. It's almost too late when Toby uncovers an even deeper plot - one intended to plunge the USA into chaos. He and his friends may barely have enough time to save their country from total chaos!

If you can suspend your belief long enough to accept the bumbling villains in this caper, you will have an enjoyable read. I was a little hard pressed, but I managed to get the rollicking end.

CINDY

Stop Me if You've Heard This One Before by David Yoo - ADVISABLE

Yoo, David Stop Me if You've Heard This One Before, 377 p. Hyperion, 2008

Language: PG-13; Sexual Content: PG-13; Violence: G

HS - ADVISABLE

Albert Kim has been a nobody at high school for two years, but things change when he applies for a summer job at a local inn, and gets partnered with the most popular girl at Bern High School. Lucky for him, she has just broken up. However, her ex has just been diagnosed with cancer and Albert suspects he is using it to win her back.

I loved this book. I could have done with less swearing but on the whole the emotions coming from the book made it so I couldn't put it down. I could relate to the main characters thoughts and feelings easily and it was very enjoyable to read.

Student Reviewer: KH

All That Glitters by David Van Etten - ADVISABLE

Van Etten, David Likely Story: All That Glitters, 295 p. Knopf (Random House), 2008.

Language: PG

MS - ADVISABLE

Mallory's life has turned upside down since she sold her idea for a daytime soap opera based around teenagers. Now the show is in production and the headaches are just getting bigger. The studio has its own agenda, and so does every actor or the set - the biggest ego belonging to Mallory's own mother. Mallory's not sure that the show - or whether she - will even last until its premiere.

Get a look at Hollywood madness in a reasonably safe environment. Mallory is funny and fun and girls will enjoy her. It doesn't hurt that there is a sexy young male back on the front cover. This is actually number two in the series - I had no idea - it stands well on its own.

CINDY

In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg - OPTIONAL

Fraiberg, Jordanna In Your Room, 203 p. Razorbill (Penguin), 2008.

MS, HS - OPTIONAL

Molly Hill is trading houses for the summer. She and her mother, with her new husband, are going to Boulder, Colorado for a month. Whose going to live in her L.A. house? Granola boy Charlie and his family. Neither want to be in the other's room for that long, but when they start exchanging email, feelings start to develop. Having never met face-to-face, there are sure to be some misunderstandings, creating a rocky road for the long-distance romance.

I was a little annoyed that Molly is the most insecure of the pair - she bore the brunt of the miscommunications, conclusion jumping and feelings of inadequacy. But the book is out in paperback and it is pretty romantic, so I am sure it will find its audience.

CINDY

The Letter Writer by Ann Rinaldi - ADVISABLE

Rinaldi, Ann The Letter Writer, 216 p. Harcourt, 2008.

Violence: PG.

MS - ADVISABLE

Young Harriet Whitehead is the bastard daughter of a rich plantation owner who died soon after he sprung her existence on his Southern family. Harriet is ordered by her stepbrother to write letters dictated by his blind mother and Harriet gets to know the ins and outs of plantation life. Then Nat Turner, a talented carpenter, who is also a slave, is brought to the plantation to do some work. Harriet gets involved with the charismatic slave preacher and does something that is one piece, a very important piece, in supporting Turner's slave uprising, which has terrible consequences not for surrounding countryside and for Harriet's family.

Ann Rinaldi has written another fine historical fiction novel. She brings southern slavery and Turner's rebellion to life.

CINDY

Death Run by Jack Higgins and Justin Richards - ESSENTIAL

Higgins, Jack with Justin Richards Death Run, 253 p.

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

The Chance family is taking a much deserved vacation - an opportunity to rest from their father's life of danger and a chance to get to know each other a little better too. The twins have only known their father since the death of their mother a few months earlier. Their vacation in Venice is anything but relaxing, however, as John Chance's spy activities attract the attention of a friendly enemy. But that is only the start. When the twins begin school, they might think that they are safe, but an even deadlier enemy is waiting to spring a trap.

Death Run is exciting stuff that barely lets you breathe before it plunges you back into excitement. I hope all of you have rich collections of the current detective/spy genre!

CINDY

What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson - ESSENTIAL

Wilson, Martin What They Always Tell Us, 288 p. Delacorte Press, 2008.

Language: PG-13 (20); Sexual Content: PG; Violence: G.

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Alex has gotten into enough trouble to lose his friends, his reputation, and the trust of his family. As he and everyone else slowly recovers, he finds a new sport to be good in, earns back the trust of his brother, and even finds a few unlikely friends.

I loved this book. The interesting tweaks in some parts made it so I was addicted. It turned out well, and even though I wouldn't recommend it to an elementary library, it is be one to read. The author did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life.

Student Reviewer: KH







SPOILER ALERT:








The main character is hiding the fact that he is gay. There is no overt sexuality in the narrative, though.

Gone by Michael Grant - ADVISABLE

Grant, Michael Gone, 558p. HarperCollins

Language- PG, Sexual Content- PG, Violence- PG13

MS-ADVISABLE

Not one adult is left, they just disappeared on what the kids thought would be a normal school day. Now kids are fighting for their lives! Bullies are ruling, animals are changing in odd ways, kids are starting to posses strange powers, and a being is lurking around. But this is not what has older kids worried, no; what has them worried is that when your fifteenth birthday arrives you too will disappear. I really enjoyed this book I thought that it was greatly described, and the suspense was good. I would recommend this to people who like fantasy and reality mixed together, love problems popping up, and an easy read book.

Student Reviewer: MT

Knuckleheads by Joan Holub - ESSENTIAL

Holub, Joan Knuckleheads, illustrations by Michael Slack. Chronicle Books, 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

EL - ESSENTIAL, MS - ADVISABLE

Handsel & Gretel, Nose White, Handerella and Thumbellina dance across the pages of this wonderfully funny, sarcastic look at classic fairy tales. Young children will enjoy them even before they get the visual and aural jokes that abound. If your school keeps a section of fractured fairy tales, even the upper grades can use this wacky piece.

CINDY

That Book Woman by Heather Henson - ESSENTIAL

Henson, Heather That Book Woman, pictures by David Small. Atheneum (Simon), 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

EL - ESSENTIAL

A young boy in the isolated mountains of Appalachia doesn't see the value of books and reading. But when the Book Woman persists in her visits, even through snow storms, bringing books for free every two weeks, just like clockwork, even stubborn Cal begins to understand that there must be something important in those words.

The Pack Horse Librarians began in the 1930s and were eventually replaced by bookmobiles, but their valiant efforts are not forgotten. Give this book as a gift to your favorite librarian or English teacher.

CINDY

We the People: The Story of the Constitution by Lynne Cheney - OPTIONAL

Cheney, Lynne We the People: The Story of the Constitution, paintings by Greg Harlin. Simon and Schuster, 2008.

ALL - OPTIONAL

After the Revolution, the Articles of Confederation formed a weak government that, ten years later, was failing fast. Over the course of several months, representatives from each state hammered out the institutions and ideas behind the new Constitution. For a teacher who wants a short book to read to their students about the mechanics of creating the Constitution, this fits the bill. The language is not particularly exciting, being fairly plain, and the pictures, while illustrating each page are not fascinating. I was sadly under-whelmed; the only thing I see in its favor is that it supplies a picture to hold their attention while the teacher reads the information.

CINDY

Name That Style by Bob Raczka - ESSENTIAL

Raczka, Bob Name That Style: All About "Isms" in Art. Millbrook (Lerner), 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

ALL - ESSENTIAL

14 different "-isms," which make up the majority of art styles, are explored in this compact, but fact-filled book. In 31 pages, Raczka has created a book that should be required reading for even a college level art appreciation course. I can't think of any level of education that wouldn't appreciate this book.

CINDY

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson - ESSENTIAL

Anderson, Laurie Halse Chains, 300 p. Simon and Schuster, 2008. $17

Content: G

MS - ESSENTIAL

Isabel and her sister Ruth were promised freedom upon the death of their mistress. Instead, they are sold again to a family in New York - Loyalists on the side of King George at the beginning of the American Revolution. Madame Lockton is harsh with her slaves and Ruth is eager for freedom, but when she supplies information to the revolutionaries they fail to rescue her and when the British arrive to occupy New York, they will not help her either. As the war heats up, Ruth's situation becomes more dire, with danger coming from within the house, from the antagonistic Madame, and from outside the house, as the war encroaches on the city.

Anderson has added a fresh perspective to the body of Revolution historical fiction, with her look at the life of a loyalist family. It would be an excellent addition to a small group read of historical fiction.

CINDY