Martha Speaks: A Winter's Tail by Susan Meddaugh- OPTIONAL

Meddaugh, Susan.  Martha Speaks:  A Winter’s Tail, 24 pgs.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books, 2011.  $12.99.  Back cover:  “Puppy Skits loves to chase things-balls, Frisbees, chew toys, even hockey pucks.  But when Skits chases a hockey puck onto thin ice, the children can’t figure out how to save him.  Can Martha?”  This book would be loved by younger children who watch PBS Kids.  It is a cute story, but I don’t see a lot of application to the classroom.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  OPTIONAL.  Reviewer: SL. 

Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors by Danna Smith- OPTIONAL

Smith, Danna.  Petrone, Valeria.  Pirate Nap:  A Book of Colors, 40 pgs.  Clarion Books, 2011.  $14.99.  Inside cover: “Afternoon on Spyglass Street.  Pirates fighting in bare feet.  Time for a nap, rowdy crew.  Mighty pirates need sleep, too. From a white bandanna to yellow coins to a red blanket, two boys use their imaginations to turn everyday objects into colorful pirate treasures as they prepare for naptime.  Even the youngest readers and listeners will want to chime in as they get ready to sail off to sleep.”  The illustrations and rhyming in this story are wonderful.  This book could be used in a unit about colors but it is mostly a bedtime story.  Pre-K.  OPTIONAL.  Reviewer: SL.

String of Hearts by Laura Malone Elliott- ESSENTIAL

Elliott, Laura Malone.  Munsinger, Lynn. String of Hearts, 32 pgs.  Harper Collins Publishers, 2010.  $17.99.  

Inside cover: “Valentines come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  Some are home-made and some are store-bought.  Some are funny and some are not.  Sam wants to give just the right valentine to the most popular girl in the class, Tiffany.  But what kind is the right kind?  Mary Ann helps Sam figure out how to make all sorts of valentines.  But will Tiffany even notice Sam gives her a special valentine?”  

This is a delightful book!  We loved it.  There is a surprise ending that will warm hearts of all ages.  We immediately read it a 2^nd time.  It would be a great addition to any classroom and could be used in a unit on Valentine’s Day, feelings, friendship, and emotions.  

Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer: SL.

Bravo! by Ginger Foglesong Guy- OPTIONAL

Guy, Ginger Foglesong.  Moreno, Rene King.  Bravo!, 32 pgs.  Harper Collins Publishers; Bilingual Edition, 2010.  $16.99.  Inside cover: “Let’s go!  Vamos!  Let’s look!  Mira!  A brother and sister are on a treasure hunt.  What will they find? And what will they do? Join the search- in English and Spanish- and discover a celebration of friends and creativity.” This is our first bilingual story and we found it interesting. Obviously having both the Spanish and English words on each page will be helpful in teaching both languages.  We didn’t love the storyline.  Pre-K.  OPTIONAL.  Reviewer: SL. 

Everneath by Brodi Ashton - ESSENTIAL

Ashton, Brodi Everneath, 384 p. Balzer + Bray (Harper), 2012.  Content: G.  

For 100 years (or six months in human time), Nikki has been caught in the Feed.  She should have wasted to almost nothing, but somehow she managed to stay almost the same as when she went in.  Instead of going straight to the Tunnels for eternity, she has been allowed to Return – to go to her home, where she has six months (100 years in EverNeath time) to say goodbye.  But to return home means she has to confront everyone she left behind – her best friend Jules, her boyfriend Jack – her heart.  When she is finally able to trust again, maybe, just maybe, there is a way for her to defeat the Tunnels and remain with those she loves.  But Cole, the Everliving she Fed, is not willing to let her leave; he will sabotage or coerce her in any way possible to get her back.  

Let's face it - there have been WAY TOO MANY paranormal romance books published lately.  So, I was very ready to be all skeptical as I started another paranormal romance with a “girl in a gown” on the cover.  Instead I was literally swept away into an amazing story.  Yes it is romantic, but it is not just romantic.  Yes it has supernatural beings, but it is the humans that remain in control.  Bravo Brodi Ashton!!  

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Hidden by Helen Frost - ADVISABLE

Frost, Helen  Hidden  Frances Foster Books, 2011. $16.99

Content: Language, G; Violence: PG (off page domestic violence); Mature Content, G.

EL, MS - ADVISABLE  

Wren is in her mom’s van when it is stolen from a convenience store.  She hides in the back of the car, going unseen by her captor, but when the car stops she finds herself trapped in his garage.  She spends two days locked in the garage and can hear the father yelling at his wife and daughter.  The daughter, Darra, figures out that Wren is in the garage and occasionally leaves her food.  Eventually Wren escapes and gets home safely and Darra’s father is arrested for kidnapping.  Years pass and Darra and Wren find themselves at summer camp together.  They have to wade through their emotions and blame to become friends, but in the end they figure out that neither of them was to fault for the events from their past.  

This book is told in prose and the characters are well developed.  The ending is hopeful and the friend’s relationship is believable.  My only complaint about this book is the cover because it looks like a fantasy novel and it doesn’t do justice to the story.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Strega Nona’s Gift by Tomie dePaola - OPTIONAL

dePaola, Tomie  Strega Nona’s Gift  PICTURE BOOK Penguin Young Reader’s Group, 2011. $17.99  Content: G.  The beloved characters of Tomie dePaola’s books celebrate the Christmas season in Italy.  Each of the feasts of the month of December is included and one feast is for the animals.  When Strega Nona asks Big Anthony to go out and feed the goat the special turnips that she made for the goat, they smell so good that Big Anthony can’t resist and finds himself eating the whole bowl.  As revenge the goat eats Big Anthony’s blanket.  At another feast Big Anthony is able to pick any meal that he would like, so he asks Strega Nona for the turnips that she had made earlier and then Big Anothony offered the turnips to the goat as a truce.  The last page in the book summarizes the different feasts.  The book has fun illustrations and a good moral, but it would help to give the reader some background on the celebrations.  EL (K-3), EL (3-6)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick - ESSENTIAL

Patrick, Cat  Forgotten, 228 p.   Little Brown and Company, 2011. $17.99.  Content:  Language: PG (3 swears); violence PG (kidnapping); Sexual Content: PG-13.  London has a memory problem, she can’t remember her past, but unlike all amnesiacs she can remember her future.  When London meets a boy at school named Luke, she is smitten, but she can’t see him in her future, so she assumes that it never turns into anything.  Through notes that she leaves herself at night she remembers Luke and they start to build a relationship although he doesn’t show up in her future memories.  At the same time Luke shows up she starts delving into her past and tries to uncover the memories that have caused her to forget.  This book is impossible to put down, it carries the reader along with believable characters and an intriguing mystery.  MS, HS-ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Little Croc’s Purse by Lizzie Finlay - ESSENTIAL

Finlay, Lizzie. Little Croc’s Purse. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2010, $15.00. Dial Books, 2011 $16.99. Content G-PICTURE BOOK.

When Little Croc finds a purse that doesn’t belong to him he is tempted to keep it and the contents. His conscience is working overtime to make sure he does the right thing.

This is a great book about doing the right thing and the benefits that come along with it. Truly a keeper.

EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.  Shauna, reading teacher.

Moonshadow: Rise of the Ninja by Simon Higgins - ADVISABLE

Higgins, Simon Moonshadow: Rise of the Ninja, 312 pgs. Little, Brown and Company, 2010. Language – G, Sexual Content – G; Violence – PG; Moonshadow is going on his first mission: steal some weapon plans from Silver Wolf. But just like everything else, there are complications. Moonshadow has to launch his attack a day before planned and there’s another spy trying to steal the plans! Moonshadow’s improvising was fun to read and the action scenes were amazing. I thought the first day of his mission went a little too smoothly, but it was all made up for later in the trouble that popped up. I’m looking forward to reading the next book of Moonshadow’s adventures—I need to know what comes next. MS – ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CCH

Ollie the Purple Elephant by Jarret J. Krosoczka - ADVISABLE

Krosoczka, Jarret J.  Ollie the Purple Elephant PICTURE BOOK Alfred A Knopf, 2011. $16.99  Content: G.  The McLaughlin family finds Ollie the purple elephant one day at the park and because Mr. McLaughlin promised his children they could have a purple elephant if ever they should find one, the children took Ollie home.  Ollie was a great friend and loved his family, but the evil pet cat and the crabby downstairs neighbor joined forces and put Ollie in a traveling circus.  The McLaughlin’s looked for Ollie, but couldn’t find him.  A year later when the circus came back into town, Ollie went to visit his old friends with his Lion and Monkey from the circus.  They save the McLaughlin’s from a robbery and all live happily together again.  A fun read with cute illustrations.  EL-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson

Modelland by Tyra Banks - NOT RECOMMENDED

Banks, Tyra. Modelland, pgs. 576. Random House Children’s Books, 2011. $17.99. Language: PG13 (no “F” words); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG;  Tookie De La Creme is too ugly to ever be chosen to go to Modelland, a magical, mythical land where girls become Bellas and the best of the best become Intoxibellas. But when she is picked, she must find a way to fit in and survive. This book is almost unreadable. The heroes are thinly painted and one dimensional. The villains are over the top and unbelievable. The book rambles around through a weak plot to an unbelievable and unsatisfying conclusion. MS, HS- No. Reviewer, Josh Bingham.

Manners Mash-Up by Tedd Arnold - NOT RECOMMENDED

Arnold, Tedd and others Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior. Dial Books For Young Readers, 2011, $16.99. Content G-PICTURE BOOK. Yep. Just like the title indicates, it’s goofy. It might be a great motivator for older elementary/early middle school aged kids, but it won’t appeal to many. NO. Shauna, reading teacher.

Ultimate Magic by T.A. Barron - ADVISABLE

Barron, T.A. Merlin’s Dragon: Ultimate Magic, 223 pgs. Philomel Books, 2010.

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

There is about to be yet another battle for Avalon. Basilgarrad stands with meager forces up against a trained army both in the air and on the ground. He feels alone and overwhelmed as he fights for the land he loves, but fights hard in order to live through this battle in order to fight one more. The battle that will end in defeat of the monster responsible for it all or saying goodbye to Avalon.

Overwhelming despair is triumphed by wisdom and a bit of luck at the very moment that death seems to be inevitable. This and the always present touching scenes about the lives of the most daring characters made this book fun to read. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to, though, because I haven’t read the first two. The absence of those books made it confusing, but only took a little from the otherwise enjoyable tale.

MS – ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CCH

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers - ADVISABLE

Jeffers, Oliver Stuck Philomel Books, 2011, $16.99. Content G- PICTURE BOOK. Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree. When conventional removal methods are not successful, Floyd tries some pretty crazy things to get the stuck kite out of the tree.  Such a cute book. I can see it becoming a fast favorite. The artwork is very bright and eye-catching. EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.  Shauna, reading teacher.

Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn - NOT RECOMMENDED

Cohn, Rachel Very LeFreak 303, pgs. Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. Language – PG-13 (13+ swears, 12+ “f”), Sexual Content – R; Violence – G; The sexual content was not something I wanted to continue reading, so I stopped at page 64. Very is a stupid and irresponsible college freshman. She breaks rules and hearts like nobody’s business. This story wasn’t interesting enough to make me want to keep reading. HS – NO. Student Reviewer: CCH

FROM CINDY:  As always, if you disagree with our student reviewer, you are welcome to leave a well-constructed review of your own in our comments!

Being Wendy by Fran Drescher - ESSENTIAL

Drescher, Fran. Being Wendy Grosset & Dunlap, 2011, $17.99. Content G- PICTURE BOOK.

Wendy has to choose a box to wear and is having a hard time deciding what she wants to be. Wendy feels like she should be able to do more than just one thing and shouldn’t limit herself.

With characters like Mrs. Reedenwright, the schoolteacher and a police officer named Miranda Wrights, parents and kids will love the message this book sends about not limiting yourself. The color scheme and artwork are very retro; it reminds me of an episode of I Dream of Jeannie.

ESSENTIAL - EL (K-3) MS, Shauna, reading teacher.

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill - OPTIONAL

Barnhill, Kelly The Mostly True Story of Jack, 323 pgs. Little, Brown and Company, 2011. $16.99. Language- G (0 swears); Sexual Content-G; Violence-PG. Nobody notices Jack at home in San Francisco, but when his parents send him to Hazelwood, Iowa  to spend the summer with his eccentric Aunt and Uncle, everyone seems to take notice; Jack makes friends for the first time in his life with local kids Wendy, Frankie, and Anders. The town bully, Clayton, beats him up, which is better than not being noticed, and Clayton’s father, Mr. Avery, who is the most powerful man in Hazelwood seems to be plotting against Jack, he may even want him dead.  Upon Jack’s arrival in Hazelwood, his Uncle Clive gives him a book to read, the history of Hazelwood, which tells some pretty strange stories that at first Jack thinks are fairy tales, but when he discovers that children in Hazelwood mysteriously disappear and the adults seem to forget about them, he realizes that the book may hold the key to unlocking the mystery. I found this story to be a very original and also complicated fantasy. Aficionados of the genre may feel otherwise, but the plot was just really confusing. Fans of Harry Potter, CS Lewis, and Lemony Snicket may enjoy this tale. EL, MS - OPTIONAL. Anna Schneider MS Library Media Specialist

Snowed Under and Other Christmas Confusions by Serge Bloch - ADVISABLE

Bloch, Serge. Snowed Under and Other Christmas Confusions. Sterling Children’s Books, 2011. $12.95. Content G- PICTURE BOOK. Oh Idioms, we love to use them and hate when we don’t understand what they mean. This book is full of Christmas and non-Christmas idioms. The illustrations are the literal translation of the idiom. Example: “that’s just the way the cookie crumbles” has a picture of a broken cookie and it’s crumbles. This book would be great for middle school kids and ELLs (English Language Learners) that have a pretty good grasp of the English Language. One downside is that it does not define the idioms so if you don’t know what “when pigs fly” means, you won’t after reading this book. MS, EL, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE. Shauna, reading teacher.

Nina in That Makes Me Mad by Hilary Knight - NOT RECOMMENDED

Knight, Hilary and Steven Kroll Nina in That Makes Me Mad, 32 pgs. Toon Books/Candlewick Press, 2011. $12.95. Content - G. A graphic novel/comic book-stye exploration of the many, many things that make Nina mad. While a lot of children will relate to the frustrations Nina experiences, the thirty pages of examples showcase a slew of infuriating situations with only two pages, at the very end, showing how to deal with the resulting anger. This imbalance takes what could be a book about learning to deal with anger and frustration, and instead turns it into one long whine-fest. Perhaps if it were part of a series the others would balance it out, but as a standalone it left me with a very negative feeling. EL - NOT RECOMMENDED. Reviewed by: Caryn.