No and Me by Delphine de Vigan

Vigan, Delphine de No and Me, 246 pgs. Bloomsbury, AUGUST 2010. Language - PG-13 (8 swears, 6 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; Lou is the smart and quiet girl in class and she is going to do a presentation on the homeless with her primary source being interviews. By doing this, she gets to know and appreciate No. No is eighteen and has been in foster homes and running away since she was seven. When Lou's project is over she misses No and eventually invites No to stay with her and her parents. The girls get to become better friends and No seems to be happier than she was before. But how long can it last? I absolutely loved this book and savored every second in its pages. All the details and feelings the characters have engaged me from page one. The growing friendship between Lou and No had me on my toes wondering how it was all going to turn out. MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH.

No and Me (Amazon)

Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught? by Bruce Weinstein

Weinstein, Bruce Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught?, 156 pgs. Roaring Brook Press, 2009. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G; This book isn't only about cheating, it's a field guide for tough situations you might find yourself in. Bruce Weinstein has five basic principles and explains how to use them for any situation. I found this book to be really interesting--way more than I thought it was going to be. I think that the principles Bruce tells about are important for everyone to know and strive to live by. I know that I will change now that I have read this book. ES, MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Take Two by Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy - ADVISABLE

DeVillers, Julia & Roy, Jennifer Take Two, 226 pgs. Aladdin, 2010. 

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

Identical twins named Payton and Emma have totally opposite personalities but decide to switch places. For a punishment, Emma is tutoring an eight year old named Mason, while Payton is keeping an eye on his identical twin brother, Jared. When things get out of control, the twins might have to just switch places again. 

This funny and modern-day story has very vivid verbs, and is very descriptive. However, it wasn’t the best book I’ve read. 

MS – ADVISABLE. 

Reviewer: HW 

Powerless by Matthew Cody

Cody, Matthew Powerless, 277pgs. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Language-G, Sexual Content-G; Violence-PG; When Daniel moves to Noble’s Green, he discovers his friends have super powers. Now he needs to protect them from the monster that has been taking away supers’ powers for years. This book was very well-written, and kept me reading the whole time. It was one of the best books I have ever read. EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: HW

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Draper, Sharon Out of My Mind, 295 p. Atheneum (Simon), 2010. $16.99.  Content: G.  Meoldy, 11 was born with cerebral palsy – whatever may be inside of her is stuck inside a body that will not cooperate and a mouth that cannot form words.  Through the love of her family and a blessed neighbor – Melody will one day find her words, but first she must survive a roller coaster of special education classes and isolation from her “normal” classmates.  Watch out world – Melody is about to find a way to speak her mind – and when she does, she will have the extra challenge of exploding stereotypes – and not everyone wants Melody to escape her assigned box.  You’d better go buy this RIGHT NOW!  I mean it!  You will cheer, you will cry and you will never regret a minute you spent on this book.  EL, MS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Hello My Name is Bob by Linas Alsenas

Alsenas, Linas Hello My Name is Bob, 32 p. Scholastic Press 2009. $16.99. Language - G, Sexual Content - G, Violence - G. This is a story about a bear named Bob. He is a very boring bear. He likes to count toothpicks and dust the plants for fun. He has a friend named Jack who is completely opposite of him. Jack likes to go to amusement parks, and visit the alligator swamps for for fun. Although they don't share any of the same interests, they are great friends. This story shows that there is no right way, and that one way is not necessarily better than another. It lacks a plot, but the pictures are great and young kids will enjoy this story. EL(K-3) - ESSENTIAL. Anna, Elementary Teacher.

Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman

Carman, Patrick Thirteen Days to Midnight, 296 p. Little, Brown, 2010. $16.99.  Language: PG-13 (45+ swears, no “f”); Violence: PG-13.  After a series of foster homes, Jacob Fielding has found himself a nice place to settle in with an older, single gentleman – until the day Mr. Fielding dies in a car crash and leaves Jacob with tree words: You are indestructible.  When Ophelia James, gorgeous transplant comes to town, Jacob writes those three words on her cast – and starts a strange, dark journey to place there may be no coming back from.  Jacob has discovered a super power – but it also has the power to destroy him.  This book has a dark, almost evil end  - not for the faint of heart.  MS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Take Me With You by Carolyn Marsden

Marsden, Carolyn Take Me With You, 160 p. Candlewick, 2010.  $14.99.  Content: G.  Susanna and Pina are best friends, helping each other to keep their spirits up during their lives in an orphanage  after WWII.  Susanna is pretty sure she will never to adopted – she is the daughter of an Italian woman and a African American GI who deosn’t even know she exists.  Pina, on the other hand, while very pretty, is for some reason never picked to be adopted.  She doesn’t know that her mother has given her up, but told the nuns that she is never to be adopted.  I have loved many of Marsden’s books, but this one is not a favorite.  The writing is not Ms. Marsden’s usual fine quality.  EL – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Islands of the Blessed

Farmer, Nancy The Islands of the Blessed, 468 p. Atheneum (Simon), 2009.  $18.99.  In order to save his village, Jack, Thorgil and the Bard, must set off on a epic journey to right a wrong  - a death caused by none other than Father Severus.  Thorgil is as exasperating as ever, clinging tightly to her berserker roots.  Jack will need her strength in order to fulfill his mission, but that doesn’t mean he has to like it.  Read this final chapter in Jack’s tale.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Soldier’s Secret: The Story of Deborah Sampson by Sheila Solomon Klass

Klass, Sheila Solomon Soldier’s Secret: The Story of Deborah Sampson pgs. 215 Henry Holt and Co. Language~G, Sexual Content~PG; Violence~PG-13

“In the 1700s, women's responsibilities were primarily child rearing and household duties. But Deborah Sampson wanted more from life. She wanted to read, to travel—and to fight for her country’s independence.” from front flap

Growing up Deborah Sampson was a head strong girl, always going against convention. It is no surprise that when she turned 18 and was finally her own woman, that she decided to turn convention completely on its head. Assuming the name of Robert Shurtliff, Deborah enlisted and fought in the Continental Army for over a year. Klass takes this extraordinary true story and builds a wonderful historical fiction adventure about a strong female heroine. In her author’s note, Klass does provide a brief biographical sketch and a chronology of events.

There is no sex or sexual innuendo, but there is discussion of breasts and menstruation. The violence is minimal and stems from war action.

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

Babymouse Burns Rubber #12 by Jennifer L. Holm

Holm, Jennifer L. & Matthew Holm Babymouse Burns Rubber #12 pgs. 96 Random House Books for Young Readers Language~G, Sexual Content~G; Violence~G

Readers start your engines! In the newest volume of the Babymouse Saga, brakes will squeal. . .rubber will burn. . .as Babymouse attempts the Soap Box Derby! When Babymouse catches a glimpse at Wilson’s derby car she is bound to enter and win! She must build her own car, find sponsors, and learn to drive. . . I’m not sure which one will be the hardest. See who wins. . .on your mark, get set, GO!

EVERYONE –ESSENTIAL. Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Healey, Karen Guardian of the Dead, 333 p. Little, Brown, 2010. $17.99  Language: R (60+ swears, 5 “f”); Sexual Content: PG-13 (creation myth with reverse birthing).  Ellie Spencer, 17, Lives at a boarding school on the South Island of New Zealand, fairly unprepossessing, not entirely friendless, until the day she runs into her long time crush – literally.  After touching the bracelet on his wrist, Ellie’s fate has changed forever.  She is now a key figure in either the destruction or salvation of the North Island.  The creatures of Maori mythology are real – and some of them have dastardly plans for all human life.  Maybe Ellie can stumble her way into a solution.  Ellie joins a long cast of recent “heroines” who really fdo nothing for themselves, but instead blindly follow along in the name of love and friendship and somehow find themselves to be a hero.  BORING. Oh – unsophisticated teen readers will probably adore the fantasy and romance elements, but they really shouldn’t be encouraged.  HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher

Haberdasher, Violet Knightley Academy, 469 p. Aladdin (Simon), 2010.  $15.99.  Violence: PG (fencing, with blood, mild bullying).  Henry Grim yearning for knowledge has been secretly fostered by one of the professors at the prestigious boarding school where Henry is a menial servant.  Through a twist of fate, Henry is allowed to sit for an exam that could win his entrance into another, even more exclusive place – The Knightley Academy – where the knights of his land of trained.  Because of a long standing treaty, knights are not trained in arms, but are detectives, police and such.  But just making it into Kinghtley will not be Henry’s biggest challenge – lasting the first year without being expelled will.  With the help of two other commoner friends and the mischievous daughter of the headmaster, Henry has l=multiple problems on his hands.  What you have in your hands is a mediocre rip off of Harry Potter.  Oh, it’s not bad, it is just not original.  It might be worth the cost in paperback?  EL –OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Year of Goodbyes by Debbie Levy

Levy, Debbie The Year of Goodbyes, 127 p. Hyperion, 2010. $16.99.  Content: G.  Deborah Levy intersperses pages from her mother’s (correction) autograph book, circa 1938, Hamburg, Germany, with short, supposedly poetic musings on the chronology of World War II.  While Levy has the interesting addition of her mother’s (correction) album, the material she writes does nothing to add to the body of Holocaust literature that already exists.  I looked up poetry in the dictionary, wondering if I was missing something – this is what it says: “Poetry (from the Greek "ποίησις", poiesis, a "making") is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning.  Where are the aesthetic qualities, the evocative meanings?  Nowhere.  I would, instead, stick with something else – like Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine.  EL – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs by Ron Koertge

Koertge, Ron Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs, 169.  Candlewick, 2010.  $15.99.  Lnaguage: PG (5 swears).  Kevin has survived his time without baseball and he also has himself a girlfriend – so why isn’t he happy?  Mira may be cute, but she knows nothing about poetry – and doesn’t care.  Amy, on the other hand, loves poetry and is more than happy to email Kevin about it.  Dad, meanwhile, seems to have found himself a girlfriend and is moving on from Kevin’s Mom’s death.  Bummer.  Kevin has himself a new journal, a new place to pour out his feelings, in whatever form they take.  This second look at Kevin’s life does not feel as poetic as the first.  Kevin resorts to free verse, without any poetic elements, most of the time.  Oh, there are a few poems, but nothing that caught my attention like the first.  MS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Earthgirl by Jennifer COwan

Cowan, Jennifer Earthgirl, 232 p.  Groundwood, 2009. Language-Pg13 (29 swears no "f") sexual content-Pg13 violence-Pg   Sabine used to buy Lots of things and would rarely recycle until the day someone threw their garbage out their car window and it hits her. Sabine quickly begins to change. But will her new life be as good to her as her old one?  I personally like this book. It was at some points vulgar but it was still a very good book. I understand though that this isn't the kind of book that everyone likes. MS-HS OPTIONAL Student reviewer: CRH

Movie For Dogs by Lois Duncan

Duncan, Lois Movie For Dogs, 198 pg. Scholastic Inc., 2010. $16.99.  Language-PG(0 swears, 0 “f”), Sexual Content-PG; Violence-PG;  Bruce and Annie find out about this film making contest, and they decide to make Annie’s story into a movie because it was so good. Bruce has this awesome dog who is definitely made for the TV, so since Annie’s book has to do with dogs they make him the star. Bruce and Annie never really thought they would win since millions of people are going to be in it, but when they are called to Hollywood will life ever be the same? This book is really funny and not hard to get into. If your looking for a fast fun read this is the book for you.  EL - ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: MM

That's Life Samara Brooks by Daniel Ehrenhaft

Ehrenhaft, Daniel That's Life Samara Brooks, 215 pg. Random House, 2010. $15.99. Language-PG13(10 Swears, 0 “f”), Sexual Content-PG; Violence-PG;  Samara Brookes likes to play blackjack in her spare time, and when she decides she wants to make money she starts a blackjack club at lunch in the cafeteria. When the principle finds out about her little game he threatens to kick her out of school. Samara does not want to get kicked out of school so she conducts a science experiment to show she has the same DNA as the smartest kid in school. When a kid who knows all about UFOs gets involved things begin to get weird. She learns that she learns her DNA matches the eye symbol in the Phaistos disk and the Voynich manuscript, a six hundred year old undeciphered riddle. Now Samara is on a new journey to find out if she is an alien. This book is good, but at the same time it’s a little strange. If you are into the mystery kind of books this is for you.  MS- OPTIONAL. Student Reviewer: MM

Touch by Franicine Prose

Prose, Francine, Touch. HarperTeen, 2009. pgs. 272. Language: PG-13, Violence: PG-13 Sexual Content: PG-13

When a girl’s guy friends say that she let them touch her on the back of the bus, she says no, that she didn’t. But, when pressure builds and a friendship gets put to the test in a courtroom, what story will be true and which will be false? What really happened at the back of the school bus that day?

A good book, but a disturbing topic to read about. Although it addresses an important issue of where to draw the line between touching when it comes to boys and girls, more conservative readers and younger readers may find this book hard to digest. MS/HS (Grades 8 and up). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica M, Librarian, Olympus Jr. High.

The Case of the Case of the Mistaken Identity by Mac Burnett

Barnett, Mac, The Case of the Case of The Mistaken Identity. Simon and Schuster, Inc. 2009.

Steve Brixton is a fan of the Bailey Brothers detective books. He has always wanted to be a detective, but when it gets mistaken for a real detective, he learns quickly to be careful what you wish for. With the help of some undercover, rappelling librarians, he will have to defeat a criminal mastermind, recover a national treasure, and a social studies report all by Monday. Will Steve solve his first case? Will Steve survive his first case?

A thrilling, humorous, action-packed detective/adventure story that is riveting and will keep you in suspense. . The characters are entertaining and well-developed. The plot is fast-paced and enjoyable. This book is a must-have for any library’s collection.

EL/MS - ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Jessica, Librarian, Olympus Jr. High.