Save Me a Seat by Weeks and Varadarajan - OPTIONAL

Weeks, Sarah and Gita Varadarajan Save Me a Seat, 240 pages.  Scholastic Press, MAY 2016.  Content: PG (bullying).

With the help of his 5^th grade teacher, Joe ended the year on a high note and has high hopes for 6^th grade.  Ravi has just moved to town from India, where he was the star student at his school; this first week of life in America is going to be a very rude awakening for the boy, starting with introducing himself to the class and no on e can understand his speech, which he thought was perfect English and his teacher thinks he might need ESL classes.  By the end of the week, the two boys will find out that they need each other in order to survive. 

As much as the cover conveys the differences between the two cultures, I wish it were more appealing.  I enjoyed Joe and Ravi’s story very much, but unless it is a classroom read, I am not sure that students will pick it up on their own.  The author does an excellent job of conveying Ravi’s immigrant experience, including a little lesson for the boy who used to be king of the hill.

EL – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library teacher

Girl & Gorilla Out and About by Rick Walton - ADVISABLE

Walton, Rick Girl & Gorilla Out and About, illustrated by Joe Berger.  PICTURE BOOK.  Harper, 2016.  $18.  Content: G.

A girl and her gorilla want to go to the park to play.  Gorilla, however, has elaborate plan after elaborate plan fro how they should get there, and is increasingly agitated when things don’t work out the way he wants them to.  Girl, however, also has a plan to distract her worried friend.

Such a  sweet book and the illustrations are the perfect compliment to the text.  Many adults will either recognize themselves or little friends in Gorilla.  In fact, In his bio at the back of the book, Rick says that the book is auto-biographical and that he is gorilla.  This will be fun to share as a read aloud.  Kids could come up with other crazy plans to get to the park, or you could use it as a springboard to talk about anxiety and how to cope when plans are changed.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library teacher

Everland by Wendy Spinale - ESSENTIAL

Spinale, Wendy Everland, 320 pages.  Scholastic Press, MAY 2016.  $18.  Language: G, Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (honestly, I was so caught up in the story that I didn’t keep track of the violence – it may be PG-13).

Gwen, her sister Joanna, and their little brother Mickey are barely surviving in a London that has been devastated by a deadly disease that was unleashed by the tyrannical queen of Germany.  They have been hiding an accepting help from no one, until an encounter with Pete and Belle, who help them escape from Captain Hook and his Marauders, show them a whole other side, or under side, of the city.  Things are about to rapidly change from bad to worse, however.

I am always a little skeptical about Neverland rewrites, but there was no need for skepticism this time.  Spinale has crafted a masterpiece of fiction.  If you hade never seen a Peter Pan movie or knew nothing about the story, you would still treasure this book.  Having read and seen many such items, I enjoyed the appearance of every single detail that she wove into her narrative.  This is a must read for anyone who lieks alternate history, fantasy, or even steampunk.  The eye-catching cover will sell it on its own and the story will satisfy your soul. I’m adding this to my personal favorites.

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library teacher

Will’s Words: How William Shakespeare Changed the Way You Talk by Sutcliffe - ESSENTIAL

Sutcliffe, Jane Will’s Words: How William Shakespeare Changed the Way You Talk, illustrated by John Shelley.  PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION.  Charlesbridge, 2016.  $18.  Content:  G.

Sutcliffe tells the story of play-going in Shakespeare’s time, especially goings-on at The Globe Theatre and about Shakespeare’s plays.  She weaves in Will’s own word, including side notes with definitions and origins in his plays.

Any part of this would be a gem to share with theater class, Language Arts and anywhere that Shakespeare or his plays are studied. 

EL, MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library teacher

Sophomores and Other Oxymorons by David Lubar - ESSENTIAL

Lubar, David Sophomores and Other Oxymorons, 414 pages.  Dutton, 2015.  $18.  Language: PG (5 sweares, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Scot Hudson is ready to start his sophomore year.  Unfortunately, he got off on the wrong foot with his English teacher and he can’t seem to dig himself out of the massive hole he created.  How could he feel so smart last year, but be acting so dumb this year?  He seems to be avoiding the other pitfalls of his freshman year.  But this is Scott we are talking about, so something is sure to go wrong!

Ahhh – David Lubar!  You are a comic genius!  Even if I have to wait a few more years, I hope I get to follow Scott through the rest of high school.  I love that Lubar lets a good idea percolate until it is actually ready.

MS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library teacher