Monday, September 3, 2012

False Memory by Dan Krokos-ESSENTIAL



Krokos, Dan, False Memory. Hyperion Books, 2012. Pgs. 327 Language: PG (5 swears, no “f”s), Violence: PG-13,Sexual Content: PG

Miranda North wakes up on a bench in the park with no memory of her past. All she can remember is her name and her age. When she goes into a nearby mall for help, she ends up releasing a mysterious psychic energy that incited pure terror into everyone around. All except for a boy named Peter, who explains she is part of a group of 4 geneticall-altered human teens trained to be weapons with combat skills and powers that could destroy a city. The only thing keeping them in control: shots that keep them from losing their memory. When Peter and Miranda return to their “home,” with the other two teens on their team, Olive and Noah, they discover that the organization who raised them wants to sell them as a weapon to the highest bidder. The four escape and go on the run in order to save the world and themselves. Time is running out and so are the shots Their creators are hot on their tail and aren’t afraid to use force and clones just like them  to bring the four back under the organization’s control. Will the four be able to find a solution before it’s too late?

An intense, fast-paced novel for avid and reluctant readers alike. The plot is well-developed and gripping. The characters are likable and realistic as well as well-developed. Readers who like save-the-world type fiction, science fiction, action, adventure, and books about teens with super powers will devour this book and will wish there was already a sequel. A must-have for any collection. MS, HS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library

Sunday, September 2, 2012

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin-ADVISABLE


Colfer, Eoin, and Donkin, Andrew. ill. by Giovanno Rigano. The Supernaturalist. Disney Hyperion, 2012. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Pgs. 128. Language: G, Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: G

Set in the futuristic Satellite City, children who are unclaimed by parents or whose parents have died, are sent to live in an orphanage. Cosmo Hill is one of those unfortunate children who were sent to live at Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys. Each orphanage has to find their own way to fund the orphanage since the government doesn’t provide any funding. Inmates at Clarissa Frayne are subject to horrible science experiments. The only ways out are escape, adoption, and death.The average life expectancy of orphans is 15. Cosmo is 14. Since the last two are very unlikely to happen in a favorable way, Cosmo chooses to run away when the orphanage’s bus crashes. Pursued by one of the corrupt wardens, he finds himself facing the last option a little sooner than expected. As he lies dying next to his dead friend, he sees some really weird creatures begin feeding off of him. Saved by a group of rebels known as the Supernaturalists, Cosmo learns how to fight back and save his city, but will the groups efforts be enough? Can they stop the weird creatures and the government? Are they somehow linked?

An action-packed dark science fiction for graphic novel fans. The pictures are dark and make the text hard to read, but the story is fast-paced and keeps you wanting to read. The characters are entertaining and likable. Readers who like adventure, action, futuristic societies, and paranormal fiction will enjoy reading this book. MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan-ESSENTIAL


Riordan, Rick,  The Demigod Diaries. Disney Hyperion Books, 2012. Pgs. 242.

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

Who really was Luke Castellan? What happened to Percy and Annabeth in between series? Learn the answers to these questions and more.

In this book, readers will find the campers’ untold stories, puzzles, character portraits, interview, maps, diagrams, and other fun tidbits that will satisfy your demigod obsession. The puzzles are fun. The stories are entertaining and short. Readers who are fans of Rick Riordan’s books will definitely want to read this book.

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden-ADVISABLE


Marsden, John, Tomorrow, When the War Began. Quercus Books, 2011. Pgs. 286. Language: PG-13, Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG-13

Australian teenager, Ellie and six of her friends came home from their camping trip only to find the houses in their neighborhood abandoned, food rotting, pets dead, and the electric power turned off. When one of them finds a fax from their dad warning the seven friends to hide for safety, they decide to reconnoiter the fairground. When they get there, they see a big tent in which people are being herded into by armed soldiers. After a life-threatening skirmish with the soldiers, they discover that their country has been invaded and they are the only ones who can take it back. Ellie and her friends take to their isolated campsite in the bush country and begin their guerilla war to take back what’s theirs, but can seven teenagers stand up to an army of invaders?

An action-packed, intense story for reluctant and avid readers. The characters are courageous, semi-realistic, and profound. Fast-paced and provocative, readers will have a hard time putting this book down and will eagerly want the next book in the series. MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Infinity Ring; A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner-ADVISABLE


Dashner, James, Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time. Scholastic Press, 2012. Pgs. 192. Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G

Set in an America controlled by a government controlled by the SQ, this unknown, confusing world is beset by natural disasters and ultimate suppression. When Sera and Dak fix Dak’s parents’ time-traveling ring, they travel back in time with his parents. Along the way, however, the parents are losdt and Dak and Sera find themselves in the hands of the Hystorians. Soon they discover that a time-long battle has been going on between the SQ and the Hystorians.  Every time history is changed in a way it’s not supposed to be, a Break is created. People then have what’s called a Remnant, a memory of something that never occurred or was lost. Before they can go back in time with a trained team of Hystorians to fix the Breaks in order to right history, the SQ attacks the Hystorians’ headquarters and history’s only hope lies with the two friends’ ability to fix it. The SQ is hot on Dak and Sera’s tail and time is running out. Can they find Dak’s parents, fix the breaks, and save history?

Although the book is very confusing at first, readers will be sucked into the time travel hero idea and appreciate the lovable characters and action-packed adventures. Fans of James Dashner and readers who like science fiction, adventure, and time travel books will enjoy reading this book and will be excited for the next one to come out in November. EL (4-6), MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

The Baby That Roared by Simon Puttock - ESSENTIAL

Puttock, Simon and Nadia Shireen The Baby That Roared. 32 pgs. Nosy Crow/Candlewick, 2012. $15.99. PICTURE BOOK.

Mr. and Mrs. Deer have always wanted a child, but they can't have any of their own. When a cute but odd-looking baby shows up on their doorstep one day, Mr. Deer is skeptical but Mrs. Deer insists they take him in. Their friends show up to help, but when they begin disappearing one by one, Mr. and Mrs. Deer know something peculiar is afoot. It takes one clever granny (and a great big burp) to figure out just who this baby is - and where everyone else went.

This silly picture book is worth the read for the surprise ending and fun illustrations alone. In addition, the cute - and rather wet-looking - spread in which the baby burps is sure to earn some giggles from children who like physical humor. Fun either as a silent read, paying attention to the creative elements in the pictures, or as a read-aloud, with lots of room for different voices and even a few sound effects.

EL - ESSENTIAL. Reviewed by: Caryn

Bill the Boy Wonder by Marc Tyler Nobleman –ADVISABLE


Nobleman, Marc Tyler and illustrated by Templeton, Ty Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman 48 pgs. Charlesbridge, 2012. $10.76.  (Rating: G)
This is the biography of a man hidden in the shadows! He was the co-creator of batman from its inception, including plot and design. But he never got any credit, and never pushed for it. Fans wanted him to be acknowledged and his story to be told.
I think this book will be a hit for assigned biography projects. Students may or may not know the credited creator “Bob Kane” but they will love to read more about this forgotten one, and especially more about Batman and the creation of the character and story.
ELEMENTARY –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary Librarian & Author.

Presidential Pets by Julia Moberg –ADVISABLE


Moberg, Julia and illustrated by Albrecht, Jeff Presidential Pets: The Weird, Wacky, Little, Big, Scary, Strange Animals that have lived in the White House 96 pgs. Charlesbridge, 2012. $10.76.  (Rating: G)
This book provides a one page set of facts about each and every President of the United States. It starts with a silly poem about any pets they have had, and includes more information about their pets in the body of the text. This includes sections called Presidential Stats, Tell Me More, and Accomplishments & Events. There are big bright full page illustrations to show off the pets in action.
If you need a fact book about all the presidents in your library –this is the book! It’s got all the basics plus that attention grabbing silly pets part, including a swearing parrot! (No swear words are detailed –don’t worry!). Students will love the illustrations and the silly poetry about the pets.
ELEMENTARY –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary Librarian & Author.

Outside your Window by Nicola Davies –OPTIONAL


Davies, Nicola and illustrated by Hearld, Mark Outside your Window: A first book of Nature  108 pgs. Candlewick 2012. $14.31.  (Rating: G)
Facets of each season are presented in poetry form such as making compost, baby birds, and the leaves and wind of autumn. There are also hints and tips about topics such as saving seeds and making bird cakes.
From an adult perspective this is a stunning piece of art, worthy of framing or at least a coveted place on a well-kept coffee table. The collage style artwork is fantastic. But I think a nature book can offer so much more to children and students than just little poetic snippets about times of the year and acorns. Some of it is a bit too complex for a younger child –while the other half is too easy for an older child. Overall, it’s just a bit too abstracted for my educational tastes.
EL –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary Librarian & Author.

Let’s have a Tree Party! By David Martin –ADVISABLE


Martin, David and illustrated by Manders, John Let’s have a Tree Party! 32 pgs. Candlewick 2012. $12.47.  (Rating: G)
All of the creatures in the forest come out to party in a big tree. They eat and dance and play. Even after they think the party is over, the owls wake up and get it started again.
The illustrations are so adorable –but I just couldn’t get a rhythm going with the story. Parts of it flowed well for me, and then I would hit a snag, so I wouldn’t use it as a read-aloud. I still think that younger elementary students would enjoy this book, if nothing else because the pictures are so darn cute and action packed.
EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary Librarian & Author.

Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi –ADVISABLE


Lorenzi, Natalie Dias Flying the Dragon 240 pgs. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2012. $12.13.  (Rating: G)
Although Skye is half-Japanese, she was born in America and doesn’t think too much about her heritage. That changes when family, including a cousin her age –Hiroshi, move to their city. Skye’s parents force her to take Japanese lessons, which might ruin all she has accomplished in soccer, in order that she can get to know her Japanese grandfather. Hiroshi on the other hand, loved his life in Japan and resents having to learn English and share his grandfather’s attention. But the two cousins must help each other out if they want to win a kite making/flying contest that is coming up.
This was a wonderful book! It did a great job of putting us into the culture shocked head of Hiroshi, letting us experience a new life with him. The author was skilled at weaving together characters, plot components, emotions and motivations into a dynamic story with heart. Teachers will love the cultural component. But, I think students will find “The Dragon” to be the most interesting part. The kite almost has a life of its own, and is almost another character.
ELEMENTARY –ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary Librarian & Author.

The Scorpions of Zahir by Christine Brodien-Jones –ESSENTIAL


Brodien-Jones, Christine The Scorpions of Zahir 384 pgs. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2012. $12.85.  (Rating: G)
Zagora might long for a mother she has never known, but she adores her father. He is a brilliant explorer and professor. Finally it’s her turn to go on an adventure with him –to the deserts of Morocco! She just knows that a mysterious necklace she found is part of a great mystery. Even though her brother has to be there, Zagora finds plenty to be excited about. Something more sinister than any of them could have imagined is underway and Zagora might need to learn a few things about herself in order to help.
This was a fantastic book –I couldn’t put it down. Students are going to love this interesting adventure with a touch of magic, archeology, and world travel. I would guess the main character is in 5th grade or so. There is a fantastic trailer  if you want to get your students eager to check this book out.
ELEMENTARY –ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary Librarian & Author.

Oh No, Little Dragon! by Jim Averbeck - ESSENTIAL

Averbeck, Jim OH NO, Little Dragon! 36 pgs. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012. $14.99. PICTURE BOOK.

Little Dragon loves to use his flame, "Phooshing!" everything in sight. The downside? He gets sooty and has to take a bath. When he gets a little too excited in the bath one afternoon and swallows a mouthful of water, his flame is extinguished - and with it, his "Phoosh". Poor Little Dragon tries everything to get his spark back, from putting on all his winter clothes at once to eating chile peppers. In the end, it turns out there's only one solution: his mother's love.

This sweet, funny story does a wonderful job of capturing the playful spirit of young children. The best parts, though, are the illustrations, which are not only adorable but include some hilarious details that observant kids will enjoy picking up on. All in all, this is a fun story about the love between a mother and her child.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL. Reviewed by: Caryn.