Light in the Darkness by Lesa Cline-Ransome-ADVISABLE

Cline-Ransome, Lesa, ill. by James Ransome, Light in the Darkness. Disney Press, 2013. PICTURE BOOK.

Slaves during the 19^th century were forbidden from learning to read. Some slaves were taught in secret by their masters, but others risked everything to learn in secret from those who already knew how to read and write. If they were caught, they would suffer severe punishment. Here is just one example of many stories.

The pictures are a little dark, but are detailed, enjoyable, and complement the text. The story is well-written and would appeal to older students. Recommended for use in classroom or for older readers interested in slavery.

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

Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-Li Liang-ADVISABLE

Jiang, Ji-Li, Red Kite, Blue Kite. Disney Press, 2013. PICTURE BOOK.

Tai Shan and his father, Baba loved to fly kites. Tai-Shan would fly his red kite while his father would fly his red. One day, armed men with red armbands ransack their village, destroying many stores and taking many away to work in labor camps. Since he has no other family, he’s sent to live with a farmer named Granny Wang in a village near his father’s labor camp. Although they are far apart, the two find a secret way to communicate.

Based on a true story, this book will inspire and delight. The pictures are colorful, detailed, and complement the text well. The story is a little long, but still manages to keep the reader’s interest. Elementary students who are interested in Chinese culture and history will enjoy reading this book.

EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Meet the Marvel Superheroes by Scott Peterson-ADVISABLE

Peterson, Scott, ill. by Olliffe, Pat, Meet the Marvel Superheroes. Marvel, 2013. Pgs. 144. INFORMATION.

Who is Wolverine? Spiderman? Iron Man? How did they become superheroes? Learn about these superheroes and more of the Marvel heroes in this guide to Marvel.

The layout is colorful, well-done, and eye-catching. The text is simple enough for younger kids to enjoy, but enough information to keep any superhero fan’s interest. Readers and young children will enjoy marveling at their favorite superheroes. Recommended for most library collection. PreK, EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Little Sweet Potato by Amy Beth Bloom-ADVISABLE

Bloom, Amy Beth, ill. by Jones, Noah Z., Little Sweet Potato. Katherine Tegen Books, 2012. PICTURE BOOK.

When Sweet Potato gets his first look at the world, he feels a shaking and a rumbling coming from the ground. Soon he finds himself dislodged from home and trying to find his way back. Will he succeed?

A cute read aloud for young children. The pictures are colorful, eye-catching, and complement the text well. The text is easy to follow and catches one’s interest. Readers and young children who like books about gardens, farms, and vegetables will enjoy reading this book. PreK, EL (K-3). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, W HI Public Library.

Sirens by Jane Fox –OPTIONAL

Fox, Janet Sirens 384 pgs. Speak, 2012. $9.99.  Content: Language: G (0 swears);  Mature Content: PG13 ;  Violence: PG13.

Josephine wants to finish school, but just before that happens, her dad makes her stay with rich relatives in New York City. Right away she is approached by a gangster asking, insisting, and threatening for information about her “dead” brother Teddy. As she delays, Josephine experiences 1920’s NYC flapper style, going to speakeasy’s, meeting writers, and crushing on a cute musician. (Yet remaining pure and unscathed by the decadence of the time). But time is up, bad things start happening, and she must makes some tough decisions.

Everything needed to make this book great is here, the setting, the plot, the characters, and the writing. But stretch those out and hash over the same stuff over and over and it became really boring.  Though the style and voice are mostly pretty genuine, I couldn’t help but laugh (and do comedic read-alouds for friends) at the dramatic yet incredibly hilarious cheesy climax of the story.

HS -OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen - OPTIONAL

Jensen, Melissa  The Fine Art of Truth or Dare, 380 pgs.  Speak, 2012.  $8.99  Content:  Language: PG-13 (39 swears; 26 God); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG.  

Ella considers herself at the bottom of the social ladder of her school, yet she still holds out hope for the coveted Alex Bainbridge who sits at the top of said social ladder.  Ella against her two best friends’ opinions puts herself on Alex’s radar and Alex and Ella become friends.  When they become more than friends, they keep their relationship a secret from Alex’s crowd as well as Ella’s two best friends.  When Ella begins to wonder about Alex’s intentions she realizes that their relationship can’t move on without her having more confidence in herself.  Throughout the story, Ella is researching an artist for her AP art history project and learning about life and love from his story, so the two stories intermix.  

This is a sweet enough story, I love Ella’s family and her two best friends are great characters, but I felt like the relationship between Alex and Ella had some holes in it that made the relationship seem unbelievable.  Ella’s character development was good, but the story between her and Alex didn’t develop as well.  Also, the art history parts might be distracting and boring for younger readers.  Overall, it’s a fun teen romance that is clean and you wouldn’t have to worry about putting it on your library shelf, but on the other hand there are better teen romances out there.  

MS, HS - OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Here Come the Humpbacks! by April Sayre - OPTIONAL

Sayre, April Pulley Here Come the Humpbacks! PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2013. $7.95. Content: G. 

A migratory swim of humpback whales is chronicled in this book.  We follow along as the mother whale and her baby progress through their journey and encounter all sorts of creatures and challenges.  Each narrative section of the story is accompanied by facts about whale behavior and physical makeup.  This book felt so long!  It is a fun concept and there was a lot of good humpback whale information included, but it was fairly tedious to get through.  The illustrations are done well with charcoal and pastels.  This would be a good addition to support other books on whales, but as a stand-alone, I think readers would lose interest. 

EL - OPTIONAL. Reviewed by: Shay, School Librarian

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy - ADVISABLE

Meloy, Maile  The Apothecary, 353 pgs.  G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011.  $16.99  Content: Language: G; Mature Content: PG (the female and male characters undress in the same room in order to make a potion work); Violence: PG.  

Janie Scott is sad to move from America to England, but her parents are accused of sympathizing with communists and it’s 1952.  When she arrives in England, she meets the apothecary across the street and his son, Benjamin.  Janie is intrigued by Ben because he is spying on a man in the neighborhood and Ben uses Janie as a cover story for his spying.  There spying turns into something more when they realize that Ben’s father has secrets because of his apothecary skills that his father convinces them to hide one of his apothecary books that has secret potions in it.  Ben and Janie get caught up in a plot to defuse an atomic bomb and have great adventures along the way.  

This book is fun and fast pace.  The characters are funny and smart and as a reader you find yourself cheering for them to succeed.  The book is well written and the quirky characters and exciting adventures will keep any reader hooked.  

EL (4-6)-OPTIONAL.  MS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

In the Land of Milk and Honey by Jpyce Carol Thomas - ADVISABLE

Thomas, Joyce Carol In the Land of Milk and Honey, PICTURE BOOK. Amistad, 2012. $16.99. Content: G. 

Follow along on one family’s journey to California; the Land of Milk and Honey.  The main character is a little girl in anticipation of her new home, describing what she sees along the route and how she feels once she arrives.  

The writing comes off as an enchanting poem with thought-provoking vocabulary that will encourage investigation by readers.  The descriptive language and graceful pictures help to create a warm atmosphere of expectation that is translated well to the reader.    A strong author’s note at the end of the book helps to tie the whole piece together.  

EL - ADVISABLE.  Reviewed by: Shay, School Librarian

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt - ADVISABLE

Leavitt, Lindsey  Going Vintage, 310 pgs.  Bloomsbury, 2013. $16.99 Content: Language: PG (2 swears; 3 God); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: G.  

Mallory finds out that her boyfriend, Jeremy, of one year has been sharing his thoughts and feelings with a girl online, while Mallory has been sharing all of her feelings with Jeremy.  Feeling betrayed, Mallory swears off all technology and is inspired, by a list she found from her grandmother’s high school boxes, to live as though it is the 60’s.  She dresses the time period and refuses to use her phone or the internet.  As she realizes that her relationship with Jeremy wasn’t always perfect she also realizes that her grandmother’s life during the 60’s had just as many complications.  With the help from her best friend, little sister and a new friend Oliver, Mallory begins to find out who she and is able to live in the now.  

This book is about a girl finding who she is on her own and accepting her time in life.  It’s about family, friends and boyfriends and how Mallory learns to communicate better with each.  Overall, the story was interesting and regardless of the teenage drama, I cared for the characters.  I had just finished reading Lindsey Leavitt’s other novel, Sean Griswold’s Head a week before and felt they were similar with a strong female character learning to be comfortable with her situation in life.  

MS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

The Museum by Susan Verde - ADVISABLE

Verde, Susan The Museum, PICTURE BOOK. Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2013.  $16.95. Content: G. 

How do you feel when you see a glorious painting in an art museum?  What do you think the artist was trying to tell you when she sculpted her masterpiece? With rhyming narration, the reader is led through the thoughts and feelings of the museum visitor as she wanders through hallways and rooms of artwork.  The artwork is high quality and the effect of the museum visitor’s response to the artwork is well demonstrated.  The rhyming is occasionally ineffectual, but the book as a whole is an effective introduction for children on art purpose, interpretation, and individual response.  

EL- ADVISABLE.  Reviewed by: Shay, School Librarian