Perpetual Check by Rich Wallace

Wallace, Rich. Perpetual Check, 112 pgs. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.

RATING : Language– PG13 (about 45 swear words, no 'f').

This book covers the action of just one night and the following day, but it is a pivotal day in the relationship of two brothers. Randy, an high school freshman, has recently surpassed his older brother, Zeke, on the chess team as their leading player. When Zeke leaves his hotel key in the room and is out past curfew during a tournament where both brothers have made it to the final 16, he is forced to knock on Randy’s door and crash there. Zeke doesn’t get Randy’s humor and finds his tendency to make up words annoying. He has found it easy to follow his dad’s lead and not treat Randy well since he is also secretly intimidated by his brother. But this night, away from their dad, they start reaching out to each other in friendship. By the end of the tournament, they finally are able to connect to each other as brothers instead of as their father’s sons.

I liked this story. It is a very fast read at only 112 pages, but I was pulled right into this sibling rivalry. I enjoyed watching the scenes at the chess tournament and listening to their dialogue as Zeke tried to relate to Randy honestly, discarding his preconceived notions about his brother and seeing his dad for the bully he was. I also was intrigued by the ins and outs of playing chess competitively. Since I am so unable to do so, it was informative to learn a little about it.

MS, HS - ADVISABLE.

If the Witness Lied by Caroline Cooney

Cooney, Caroline B. If the Witness Lied, 213 pgs. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2009. RATING : Language – PG.
Jack’s been the good brother. He’s the one who has stayed home with his little brother, Tris, and Aunt Cheryl. Neither of his sisters has been home for more than a couple of days in a year. However, with the passing of the anniversary of their Dad’s birthday and death, the sisters both feel prompted to come home, arriving on the same day Jack learns about his aunt’s plan to sell Tris’s story to TV. With the help of Jack’s neighbor Diana and armed with memories of their parents’ love and courage, the siblings overcome misunderstandings among themselves and willful deceptions by others to become a family again. This is a touchingly sweet and simple story of courage, family love, and starting over. The children’s memories of their parents’ love and example resonated with me. I also was moved by their struggles to forgive themselves and each other for their choices since their dad’s death, and their tentative overtures toward faith in God despite everything that’s happened to them. I can overlook the coincidence of both sisters coming home on the very day Cheryl secures a TV contract because of how much I think Cooney was right on with the rest of the story.
MS – ADVISABLE. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

Death by Denin by Linda Gerber

Gerber, Linda. Death by Denim (Death By series, bk. 3), 211 pgs. Sleuth Speak (Penguin Group), 2009. RATING : Language & Violence – PG (couple of swear words; mild brutality).
Aphra never has a day when she forgets about The Mole and his minions who would like nothing better than to find her and Seth and take their revenge. She keeps a low profile, has no friends and no contact with Seth, and chants repeatedly the mantras her mom has taught her to help her stay safe. Still, when she realizes a man is trailing her one day, Aphra is sent into an icy panic. She and her mom avoid home, dodge the Marlboro Man, and make a call to the Agency. Thus are they suddenly on the run again, and forced to once more trust the Agency. Though I haven't read the first two books and missed the set-up for Aphra and Seth’s relationship and the initial confrontations between them and The Mole, this book gave me enough background information to follow the plot without trouble. The intrigue was fun spy fare.
MS – ADVISABLE. HS – OPTIONAL (ninth & tenth graders). PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

Why I Fight by J. Adams Oaks

Oaks, J. Adams. Why I Fight, 228 pgs. Richard Jackson Book (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), 2009. RATINGS : Language – PG13 (mostly contains innocuous substitutes for swear words, until the very end); Sexual Content & Violence – PG.
Set in an unnamed area, this book contains Wyatt’s narrative of his life as told to you, the reader, someone he has met on the bus at the very end of the story. The language is full of colloquialisms and grammatical errors, which makes the story very immediate and personal. Wyatt has not had love or acceptance from his parents, and when his uncle Spade offers to take him away, he doesn’t hesitate. For a long time, he reveres Spade. However, Spade isn’t much of a role model either, moving from girlfriend to girlfriend and using everyone he knows to get what he wants. When Wyatt grows into a very large 14-year-old and punches out a pig at a pig-catching contest, Spade sees a chance to make money and has Wyatt fighting bare-knuckled on a betting circuit. Despite his hard knocks and failure to learn how to get along with others, I am determined to remain hopeful that Wyatt will find his way in the world, that he will be able to follow his naturally tender heart and actually become a gentle, content adult. This story makes me care about him and want him to succeed. Unfortunately, the odds are working against him.
MS, HS – ADVISABLE. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

Cross, Sarah. Dull Boy, 308 pgs. Dutton Books (Penguin Group), 2009. RATING Language – PG13 (over 100 swears, no f- words).
We meet Avery Pirzwick as he is trying to counteract all the inadvertent trouble he’s been getting into because of his powers – busting his neighbor’s car door, breaking his wrestling opponent’s arm, lying to his friends to keep his powers hidden. He ends up losing these friends, getting caught in the middle of an apparent attempted robbery, and being sent to an alternative school for troubled youth. Though he feels completely isolated and misunderstood because of his powers, others have taken an interest in him exactly because of them. When another boy with superpowers decides to run away with Cherchette, a suspicious adult luring the kids away from their families, Avery and his new friends finally realize they must work together to save their friend. The story moves at a good clip and may be enjoyed by readers who like X-Men. However, the plot and Avery’s internal conflicts are pretty predictable, and the connection between the villain and the main characters is left largely undeveloped. The language will keep this one out of my school collection.
MS – OPTIONAL. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davies

Davies, Jacqueline Tricking the Tallyman : The Great Census Shenanigans of 1790, illustrated by S. D. Schindler. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. PICTURE BOOK.
When Phineas Bump rides into the small Vermont village of Tunbridge, he encounters residents who have mistaken ideas about the purpose of the first census of the United States and try to skew his count in their favor. After two counts that were first too small and then too big, the townsfolk persuade Mr. Bump to count them one last time when they learn that the census was to determine taxes and soldiers owed to the government as well as their representation in that government. The author includes one page of nonfiction information about the first census and types of questions asked.
EL – ADVISABLE. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

Pippo the Fool by Tracey Fern - ESSENTIAL

Fern, Tracey E. Pippo the Fool. Charlesbridge, 2009. PICTURE BOOK.


When Filippo Brunelleschi hears about his town’s contest to design a dome for the cathedral, he sees the chance he’s been waiting for. His designs for peculiar machines that no one needs and sketches of outlandish structures no one wants to build have earned him the nickname Pippo the Fool, but he knows he can solve this new architectural challenge. Based on the true story of how the cathedral of Florence gained a dome, Pippo meets the challenge and becomes known as Pippo the Genius.

This story has beautiful illustrations and could be used for character-development lessons in middle school.

EL – ESSENTIAL; MS – ADVISABLE. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

Roman Diary by Richard Platt

Platt, Richard Roman Diary : The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini, Who Was Captured by Pirates and Sold as a Slave in Rome, AD 107, illustrated by David Parkins. 64 pgs. Candlewick Press, 2009.
With a larger-than-typical page size, two-column text format, and graphic-novel illustrations, this fictional diary of a young Greek girl who works as a slave in Rome gives the reader an educational glimpse into life in ancient Rome. One learns about common practices of the day, such as the slave trade, education, public baths, social classes, military ranks, the senate, indoor plumbing, religion, gladiator fights, theater, and dining. The last six pages contain nonfiction information about all these topics, as well as a timeline of Roman history. Includes glossary and index. There are enough facts and great illustrations to make this of interest to middle-school students.
EL – ESSENTIAL; MS – ADVISABLE. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

Food for Thought by Ken Robbins

Robbins, Ken. Food for Thought : The Stories Behind the Things We Eat, 45 pgs. Roaring Brook Press, 2009. NONFICTION. RATING - G.
Robbins relates famous stories, anecdotes, historical highlights, and nutritional tidbits for several common foods : apples, oranges, corn, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, pomegranates, grapes, and mushrooms. Four pages devoted to each food, this book leaves the reader with some interesting and, most likely, previously unknown trivia. Each chapter is illustrated with photos and paintings.
EL – ESSENTIAL; MS – ADVISABLE. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

B Is for Battle Cry by Patricia Bauer

Bauer, Patricia B Is for Battle Cry : A Civil War Alphabet, illustrated by David Geister. Sleeping Bear Press, 2009. PICTURE BOOK. Content - G.
For each letter, Bauer has written a four-line stanza that introduces a topic related to the Civil War and also would work as a verse in Stephen Foster’s Civil War-era song “Hard Times Come Again No More.” The more significant portion of the text fills the outer third of each page and provides explanatory information about each of the 26 topics. Accompanied with beautiful paintings, this text is a very satisfactory introduction to the Civil War. The actual stanzas, however, are too choppy and forced to work well as poems, and without a copy of Foster’s song, it is impossible to see how well they might work as a song. Contains glossary.
EL – ESSENTIAL; MS – OPTIONAL. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

You Are Weird by Diane Swanson

Swanson, Diane You Are Weird : Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions, illustrated by Kathy Boake. Kids Can Press, 2009. PICTURE BOOK. Content – G.
Single-spread chapters talk about unusual aspects of the human body : skin, canine teeth, appendix, and so on. Space is too limited for in-depth studies, but readers learn interesting and little-known facts about our bodies. Each spread includes a “freaky fact” and a sidebar that often contains a related experiment or observation the reader can try that relates to the topic. The illustrations have the life-like look of computer animation, and include a lot of expression and humor. Includes glossary and index.
EL – ADVISABLE; MS – OPTIONAL. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.

The Dragon in the Driveway by Kate Klimo - ADVISABLE

Klimo, Kate. The Dragon in the Driveway (Dragon Keepers #2), 169 pages. $14.99. Random House, 2009.

Language- G; Mature Content – G; Violence – PG (hobgoblins sword fighting).

Cousins Jesse and Daisy are busy taking care of their dragon Emmy with online help from Professor Andersson. Emmy wants a book that is in the dragon slayer St. George’s possession, so the cousins go to his office to find he’s left without a forwarding address. After sleuthing they find St. George in the Deep Woods with hobgoblins digging in an old mine. The cousins seek help from their neighbor Miss Alodie and from Professor Andersson to find the Golden Axe and foil St. George’s plot.

Author Kilmo has created a fun new twist on the legend of Saint George the dragon slayer using modern technological elements and characters. Read the first book in the series before this second one.

EL- ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? by Jane Yolen

Yolen, Jane How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? pgs.40 The Blue Sky Press Language~G; Sexual Content~G; Violence~G

In her wonderful series about dinosaurs, Yolen has written another masterpiece. These silly dinosaur ‘children’ may at times be naughty and not do as they should, but their wise parents are always quick to follow up their rempremand with a hug or a kiss and a “I Love You!” I LOVED this book! I was tickled by Teague’s wonderful illustrations and by the fact that Dad was present on almost every page! Not that moms aren’t wonderful, but it is always nice to have dads there too. This is a must have!! Like love should, it leaves readers feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

ELM –ESSENTIAL Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen

Van Dusen, Chris The Circus Ship pgs.40 Candlewick Language~G; Sexual Content~G; Violence~G

When the Circus ship runs a-ground off the coast of Maine a delightful adventure begins! The mean spirited cirucs owner saves himself and leaves the animals to fend for themselves. The fifteen animals all swim into harbor and when the towns people wake up in the morning there are quite a few surprises. They grow to love the animals, however, and when the ringmaster returns they work with the animals to trick him into not finding them. The pictures are stunningly beautiful and combined with the rhyming text gives the readers a wonderful charming story experience.

ELM –ESSENTIAL Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Martin Bridge Onwards and Upwards! by Jessica Scott Kerrin - OPTIONAL

Kerrin, Jessica Scott. Martin Bridge Onwards and Upwards! illustrated by Joseph Kelly. 111 pages. $16.95. Kids Can Press, 2009.

Content – G.

Another installment in Martin Bridge series, this book includes two related stories and instructions on how to make a marshmallow catapult. In the first story, Martin is embarrassed by his mom’s haggling at a yard sale. His mom brings home a keyboard and plunks away at it for hours but doesn’t get any better. Finally his mom gives up. At first Martin is relieved, but then he begins to miss her enthusiasm. In the second story, Laila (a girl) decides to join the Junior Badgers much to the chagrin of Martin and the other boys.

Martin is a believable character who boys can relate to. Expressive illustrations on nearly every page keep the story moving. Purchase this title if the series is popular at your library.

EL- OPTIONAL. Samantha, Public Librarian.

Who Will I Be, Lord? by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Who Will I be, Lord? illustrated by Sean Qualls. $16.99. Random House, 2009. To discover her future path a young girl looks at her family’s past and present. Starting with her great grandfather the mailman to her parents, a car guy and care giver. Her uncle, the pool shark, tells her that whatever she does she needs to do it well. Her mama explains that each of us has seeds given from God that we can grow. The story has obvious religious overtones; however, the book’s ultimate message is that the person we become is up to us. The illustrations are a soothing and playful combination of paint and charcoal sketches. EL-ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.

Where Teddy Bears Come From by Mark Burgess

Burgess, Mark. Where Teddy Bears Come From, illustrated by Russell Ayto. $16.95. Peach Tree, 2008. A little gray wolf is having problems sleeping and needs a teddy bear. His mom packs him a lunch and he goes out to find where teddy bears come from. He asks three not-so-little pigs and a girl named Red Riding Hood where teddy bears come from, but they mistake him for another wolf that is big and bad. Next he asks an old man in the forest whose truck has a flat tire. The little gray wolf huffs and puffs and blows up the tire. The next morning he receives a teddy bear as a present. This story is a fun addition to the fractured fairytale genre with a holiday twist. The illustrations are angular and appealing. EL- ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.

Anila's Journey by Mary Finn

Finn, Mary Anila’s Journey, pgs.320 Candlewick Press; Language~G, Sexual Content~PG; Violence~PG

Anila lives in colonial India. During this time the English were a constant presence. Anila’s story is one that is familiar to any who have studied the region during this time. Her mother fell in love with an Englishman who could not marry her. Anila is considered an outcast because she is not truly Indian or English. At the beginning of this story we learn that Anila’s mother has just died and Anila is now alone in the world. She will not leave Calcutta incase her father returns one day. Anila’s is a budding artist who especially loves to draw wildlife. She is able to gain a position on an expedition to hopefully discover a new species of bird life. This expedition opens up both the beautiful and the ugly to Anila. This is a slightly slow moving, but beautiful coming of age story, placed in an exotic land. If you have fans for more classic writing I would recommend this title, otherwise leave it to the public libraries to pick this one up.


The sexual content involves Anila's mother living for a time as a mistress to another wealthy Englishman and the violence stems from Anila stumbling upon a beaten slave.

MS –OPTIONAL. Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Ness, Patrick The Knife of Never Letting Go, pgs.496 Candlewick Press;
Language~PG-13, Sexual Content~PG; Violence~PG-13

Todd lives in a town of all men. When the settlers arrived there were women, but the ‘Noise Germ’ killed them and caused all the men to hear each other’s thoughts. This noise is almost unbearable. Then Todd and his loyal dog stumble upon something strange and dangerous . . . .silence. The silence comes from a girl! This news causes chaos and Todd is forced to run for his life with this girl. There are truths that Todd has always known that are turning out to be lies and lies that are turning out to be terrifying truths. This is the first book in a new sci/fi series that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book doesn’t let you go!

There are frequent implied usages of the ‘f’ but it is only truly used a few times. The violence is pretty graphic but not frequent. I would reserve this title for the High School crowd.


HS –ADVISABLE. Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - ESSENTIAL

Ryan, Carrie The Forest of Hands and Teeth, pgs.310 Gollancz;

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

“In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.”(exerpt from paperback) The Unconsecrated are zombies that eternally hunger for human blood and flesh. They live in the Forest of Hands and Teeth. If you are bitten, you become infected. . . . you die. . . and you return as unconsecrated. Mary’s father has turned. . .and because Mary was not there to keep her from the fence, so has her mother. Many other things in Mary’s life are falling apart when the village fence is breached by the unconsecrated.

In this thrilling horror story, Ryan takes the reader through one terrifying event after another until you are left breathless. The violence is not for the faint of heart or younger readers.

MS/HS –ESSENTIAL. Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library