Meltdown by Andy McNab - ESSENTIAL

McNab, Andy and Robert Rigby Meltdown, 248 p. Penguin, 2007

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

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Danny and his grandfather are back to working in the field again. Only, now the missions are getting even more dangerous. They are now trying to stop a deadly illegal drug called "meltdown" from being produced by two rich brothers with too much time on their hands. Will they fail if the only ones they can really trust are each other? This book was very good! I've really been into action books and movies lately, and this was a very good one. There was lots of suspense and lots of twists and turns. It was a very interesting book and fun to read.

Student Reviewer: KH

The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes - ADVISABLE

Hughes, Langston The Negro Speaks of Rivers, illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Jump at the Sun (Disney), 2009. PICTURE BOOK.

MS, HS – ADVISABLE

Langston Hughes wrote his poem exploring the collective soul of all Negroes during the Harlem Renaissance. Now E.B. Lewis adds evocative pictures to the simple words.

Any class that touches on the Black Experience could easily use this book as a jump start for a lively discussion. Actually, I find it too mature for elementary students – instead it rightfully belongs in middle schools, high schools and colleges.

Cindy, Library-Teacher

The Devil on Trial by Phillip Margulies - ESSENTIAL

Margulies, Phillip and Maxine Rosaler The Devil on Trial: Witches, Anarchists, Communists and Terrorists in America’s Courtrooms, 201 p. Houghton Mifflin, 2008. NON-FICTION. $22.

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL

Five famous trials are explored in this look at the path of justice role of courts in American history. The Salem’s witches, the Haymarket bombing, evolution in schools, Alger Hiss and one of the 9/11 conspirator. Each of these trials seized the attention of the people of that day and most of them are still discussed in classrooms all over America.

This would be a perfect book for a teacher to do background research, an American government class, or civics.

Cindy, Library-Teacher

North of Beautiful by Justina Headley - ESSENTIAL

Headley, Justina Chen North of Beautiful, 373 p. Little, Brown, 2009. $16.99.

Content: G

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL

Everyone thinks that Terra is beautiful, until they see the large port wine stain on her face, then the odd glances and whispering begins. Her father’s verbal abuse towards Terra and her mother is almost unbearable, and her brothers rarely come home because of it. Then Terra meets a Goth boy who challenges her very ieas about herself, her family and everyone around her. Mom and Terra take a bold step and join the boy, Jacob, and his mother for a once in a lifetime trip to China – mapping out a whole new future for everyone.

Fans of Sarah Dessen will eat this book up. Girls will choose it just by its cover and then want more. Personally, I love that Headley makes her point without resorting to gratuitous language or sexual content.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce - ESSENTIAL

Pierce, Tamora Bloodhound (Beka Cooper #2), 534 p. Random House, 2009. $19

Violence: PG

MS – ESSENTIAL

Beka Copper has survived her puppy days and graduated to Dog. But, there are Dogs and then there are DOGS and Beka wants to be one of the good, or great, ones, so she is having a hard time finding a partner she can respect. Now she is back partnering with Tunstall and Goodwin – just in time for Tunstall to beak both his legs in a bread riot. Goodwin and Beka must go to the town of Port Caynn, masquerading as bad Dogs, in order to flush out the source of fake money that threatens to ruin the economy of all Tortall. There is some bad business afoot and Beka will need all of her resources – her magic talents, her new bloodhound and her pigeon friends to escape this assignment alive.

There are 16 books now in the Tortall universe and I think they just keep getting better.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi - OPTIONAL

Mussi, Sarah The Door of No Return, 391 p. McElderry (Simon), 2009.

Violence: PG

MS – OPTIONAL

Zac Baxter loves his grandfather, but he thinks his weird stories about being the son of a king and about hidden treasure are just the mutterings of a crazy old man. Then his grandfather is murdered, all of his possessions are stolen and someone is trying to frame Zac for something he never did. Zac figures that the only way to find peace is to actually prove his grandfather either right or wrong, but clues are slim and they all lead to a dangerous situation in Ghana. Zac will have to retrace his ancestor’s steps through a slave fort, uncovering secrets and putting everyone around him into danger.

Mussi has taken real events and places from history and created a tale of intrigue, peril and betrayal by the very government of Britain.

CINDY

Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling - ADVISABLE

Mechling, Lauren Dream Girl, 320 pgs. Random House.

Content - G

MS – ADVISABLE

Ever since Claire was little she has been having these strange visions that haven’t been so clear, but when she suddenly gets a birthday present from her grandmother they become strangely clear. I think that this is a really good book, it kept me up half of the night wondering what was going to happen.

Student Reviewer: SA

Out of the Shadows by Sarah Singleton - NO

Singleton, Sarah Out of the Shadows, 252 p. Clarion, 2006.

NO

More thana hundered years ago, Isabella and her younger brother fled the mortal world for the land of faerie, in order to escape persecution. Now Isabella has returned to the human world, and there she finds another young girl in danger of prejudice, a young Catholic in a land of Protestants. Together, they might find a way for both of them to have lives full of wonder.

Unfortunately, Isabella’s story did not hold my attention. It neither details the risks that Catholics faced, nor did it create a tale of wonder.

Cindy, Library-Teacher

Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender - ADVISABLE

Alender, Katie Bad Girls Don’t Die, 352 p. Hyperion, 2009. $15.99.

Content: PG (Violence)

MS – ADVISABLE

Anti-social Alexis does her best to fly low and avoid the wrath of the cheer-leading crowd, even after they publically humiliated her best friend, leaving Alexis without a support group. Now highly eligible BMOC Carter finds Alexis intriguing and wants to get to know her better. But Alexis’ doll-crazy little sister is attracting bad attention, and acting really weird. Her blue eyes turn green, she speaks in a strangely old-fashioned manner and dangerous things happen around her. Alexia may lose her life before she is ever ready to find love.

If your students grew up on Mary Downing Hahn or Betty Ren Wright, this is a great next step in ghostliness.

Cindy, Library-Teacher

The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer - OPTIONAL

Pfeffer, Susan Beth The Dead and The Gone (#2), 336 pgs. Harcourt Children's Books

Language~PG, Sexual Content~G; Violence~PG-13

MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

The moon has been knocked out of its current orbit and is now closer to the earth. This upsets tides, awakens volcanoes, and disrupts satellite transmissions. Alex Morales, 17yo, is at home with his 2 sisters when the disaster strikes. His parents are missing and it is up to Alex to provide and care for his family as food becomes scarce and NYC becomes more and more uninhabitable.

Pfeffer includes more discussion of the dead, people who commit suicide or starve to death. Alex goes ‘body shopping”, looting the bodies of the dead for items that may be used to barter for food. The outlook of this installment is much less hopeful almost bleak, however Alex’s holds tight to his religious faith to sustain him. The discussion of the dead may be disturbing to some read. There are scenes of violence that describe the panic that ensues. There is much mention of the Catholic faith and practices. There are no official swears, but Alex does curse “idiota” and once hits his sister. Many teens have told me this installment is not as good or as captivating as the first.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian

Robert Smalls: The Boat Thief by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Patrick Faricy - OPTIONAL

Robert Smalls: The Boat Thief, by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., illustrated by Patrick Faricy. PICTURE BOOK. Hyperion, 2008. $17. NON-FICTION.

EL, MS – OPTIONAL

In 1862, a small group of slaves stole the fastest gunship in the Confederate arsenal and made an audacious escape to freedom. Robert Smalls, the mastermind, went on to captaincy in the Federal Navy and remained an activist all his life. Though this may look like a picture book, there is a huge amount of content on every page and not as many pictures as you would expect.

This would be daunting for young student to read for enjoyment. But, that means it has a wealth of information for older students who might be writing a report. 

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Dandelion Fire by N.D. Wilson - ADVISABLE

Dandelion Fire by N. D. Wilson, 466 p. Random House, 2009. $17

Content: G

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

All seems to be back to normal on Henry’s uncle’s farm until the day that Henry is struck by lightning (or is he?) and loses his sight. Blind, he is kidnapped and taken through the cupboards. His family decides to follow them in, along with a couple of neighbors stuck with them in some sort of alternate Kansas. Adventures ensue until all are reunited.

I actually liked this one better than the first – the picture of the cupboards and the various universes become somewhat clearer and Henry becomes a stronger character. I am so VERY glad that his cousin Henrietta gets a good figurative spanking, because she was way too smug in her supposed cleverness for my taste.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Chancey of the Maury River by Gigi Amateau - ESSENTIAL

Chancey of the Maury River, by Gigi Amateau, 246 pages. Candlewick, 2008.

Content: G

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

When Chauncey is left abandoned in a field, he is sold to a lady in the Blue Mountains by the Maury River. He helps to heal a girl whose parents are going through a divorce. In turn, she helps him overcome his rough past and they learn how to let love into their lives again.

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into and had some really good morals. It’s a book I would call “good and clean”.

Student Reviewer: AR

Sword of Waters by Hilari Bell - ESSENTIAL

Sword of Waters (The Shield, Sword, and Crown #2) by Hillari Bell, 363 pgs. Simon and Schuster

Language: G, Sexual Content: G, Violence: PG

EL, MS- ESSENTIAL

The Falcon has just recovered the shield and is now lord commander of the army. Arisa, the Falcon’s daughter, is thrown into palace life. Usually every girl loves to be pampered; not this girl. Her life before was one of a bandit’s. How could her mother change from leader of bandits to lord commander of the army? Arisa could hardly believe it herself. Now Arisa is put in charge of finding the sword that goes with the legendary shield. But, that is not her only mission. She has to get to know Prince Eldoran, who she thinks is obnoxious, and figure out what is really going on with the conspirators around the kingdom. Can Arisa do it all?

This book was a great thrill throughout the entire book! IT was juicy with mystery and had a ton of twists and turns. What happened towards the end surprised me so much; the author really made it suspenseful. A great trilogy for anyone who likes a little treachery. The first book is Shield of Stars.

Student Reviewer: CW

Skinned by Robin Wasserman - ADVISABLE

Wasserman, Robin Skinned 288 pgs. Simon Pulse

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

MS, HS – ADVISABLE 

Lia should be dead. The car accident should have killed her. But due to the miracle of science she will be as good as new. In fact she will be better than new. Science has discovered a way to digitize your brain so that it can be downloaded into a computerized body. Lia must teach her brain to work with her new body. Those who have been ‘downloaded’ are shunned by society because it is felt that they are no more than a copy of who the individual used to be. Lia slowly learns to adjust to who she is now and must decide if she should try to live a normal life or join the other downloaders.

Wasserman has created a suspenseful and engaging read for teens that questions what makes us human. The swearing is minimal and used in intense/heightened situations there are 3+ ‘f’s. There is also discussion of the physical results of a car accident. I would recommend this to mature teens.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

One Beetle Too Many by Kathryn Lasky and Matthew Trueman - ADVISABLE

One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin, by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Candlewick, 2009. PICTURE BOOK. $18

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Fun, quirky illustrations complement the text in this short bio on Charles Darwin. While pictures would be fun to show to a class, any teacher would want to choose which text to read, as there is more detail than you might expect. If I were still in elementary, this is the kind of bio that I would want to read.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Way of the Warrior by Chris Bradford - ESSENTIAL

The Way of the Warrior (Young Samurai #1) by Chris Bradford, 353 p. Hyperion, 2009. $16.99.

Violence: PG

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

First a young boy is murdered in his bed by an evil ninja to make his father tow the line. Now, a young English boy, Jack, on a journey to Japan with his father, is the only survivor when a horde of pirates attacks their boat, kills almost everyone on board and then sets the ship on fire. The father of the murdered boy rescues Jack and adopts him into his household and finds in Jack the makings of a samurai, even if it causes his remaining son extreme jealousy. But, Dragon Eye, the ninja mastermind, wants something that Jack has and will stop at nothing to get it. The book is based in Japan of the 1600’s, before most white peoples knew of its existence.

I was sucked in from the first scene and remained enthralled to the end. It’s a perfect companion to the Moribitu series or Hoobler’s novels.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Cold Skin by Steven Herrick - ADVISABLE

Herrick, Steven , Cold Skin, 279 p. Front Street 2007.

Language: PG13 (15+ swears), Sexual Content: PG13, Violence: PG13.

MS-OPTIONAL, HS-ADVISABLE

Life for Eddie in a post-war, Australian mining town seems a bit mundane, but it turns out to be anything but dull when a murder occurs one night. Eddie learns the lessons of love, cowardice and forgiveness through the eyes of his own family and the people he associates with daily.

Author Steven Herrick tells this mystery in free verse with the alternating view points of the townspeople. A fairly quick read, this format could be adapted easily for a very interesting reader’s theater.

Reviewer: Lorna Parkinson, Library-Teacher, HHS.

Four Truths and a Lie by Lauren Barnholdt - ADVISABLE

Four Truths and a Lie by Laura Barnholdt, 265 p. Mix (Simon), 2008. $6

Content: G

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Armed with a secret, Scarlett Northon, 8th grader, starts her new life at an exclusive boarding school. Her roommate, however, seems to be an antagonist instead of a friend. Scarlett is trying to make the best of the situation, but someone is trying to expose Scarlett’s secret and is also trying to get her in trouble. Scarlett needs to sort the truths from the lies before her new life goes down the tubes.

The Mix imprint from Simon and Schuster is full of fun and to the point books perfect for tweens. This is Barnholdt’s second title for the imprint.

CINDY

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - ADVISABLE

Anderson, Laurie Halse Wintergirls 282 pgs. Viking Juvenile 

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

HS –ADVISABLE 

Laurie Halse Anderson is known for her novels that address times of crisis in teens’ lives. Her novel Speak is renowned. In her newest novel, Anderson addresses the crisis of eating disorders. Lia and her once best friend Cassie make a pact to get skinny. Cassie—bulimia . . . Lia—anorexia. The novel is told in first person so that the reader experiences what it is like to exist in the mind of someone suffering from anorexia nervosa. Cassie dies at the beginning of the novel and although Lia has been to rehab for her anorexia before, Cassie’s death triggers her to start giving in to her eating disorder. 

This book is tough to read, but may help teens to understand why these disorders are so dangerous and often deadly. Due to the harshness of the topic and also that Lia is a cutter, I would reserve this title for mature teens.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library