Never Ever by Sara Saedi - ADVISABLE

Saedi, Sara Never Ever, 320 pages. Viking (Penguin Random House), 2016.  $17.99.  Content: Language:  PG-13 (2 swears, 0 “f”) Mature Content: R  Violence:  PG.  

It’s Wylie Dalton’s 17^th birthday and her life is a mess.  Her parents are in the midst of a divorce leaving the family in turmoil.  Instead of going to her family birthday dinner and spending the last night together as a family before her brother Joshua is sent to juvie, Wylie and her brothers sneak out of the house and go to a rooftop party.  There she meets Phinn Moonlight, where there’s instant attraction between the two.  By eating a parvaz flower Wylie and her siblings are given the ability to fly.  The three are finally convinced by Phinn to go to Minor Island, a place that he claims would fix all their problems.  They discover an island where no one ages beyond seventeen.  There are no parents or police officers telling them what to do.  It seems like paradise.    

But then there’s talk of Hopper and the forbidden side of the island.  And Wylie learns about the lost kids, who went out camping one night and never came back.  Everyone seems to idolize Phinn, never questioning any of his policies or decisions.  But when Wylie starts standing up to him, she learns that he doesn’t like it when people challenge him.  Maybe Minor Island isn’t really paradise after all.

This is a modern retelling of Peter Pan and the first of its kind that I’ve read.  I found it to be an engrossing read and enjoyed the unexpected plot twists.  Although the Peter Pan theme of the book may interest younger readers, the content is targeted toward an older audience (underage drinking, drug references, birth control and sexual relationships).  This is author Sara Saedi’s first book, but there’s a sequel in the works, which I am looking forward to reading. 

HS – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer:  Nancy W.

The Christmas Fox by Anik McGrory - ADVISABLE

McGrory, Anik The Christmas Fox. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. $16.99. Content: G.

A little fox is invited by numerous other animals to join in readying a place for a special baby who is set to arrive.  Each time the fox chooses to stay behind because he does not have anything to give or add to the preparations. When he finally comes to the place, he does in fact bring joy. And that is enough. 

This is a simple and beautiful addition to a Christmas library. I loved the illustrations, the childlike innocence of the fox, and especially the message. The story might be especially appealing to younger readers who need to be reminded that everybody can do something to help. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL—ADVISABLE. Reviewer: TC

Get Coding! by Candlewick Press -ESSENTIAL

Candlewick Get Coding! 205 pgs. Candlewick Press, 2017. $12.99  NON-FICTION

This book has 6 missions relating the discovery of a large diamond. The reader/coder creates a website step by step based on the story. It starts with basic HTML, then moves into adding new elements via CSS and JAVAscript. Young coders can retrieve images from the book’s website to supplement their creation (and get help and tips). Features lots of little illustrations and informational tidbits.

I LOVED this book! A student coder can learn to create a fun website from this easy to read and easy to use book. The missions are awesome and add a ton of interest as the reader feels like they are part of a story, making the creation process easier to understand! A teacher could use this book and use each mission to take a class on computers through the entire web creation process. I thought it would be too overwhelming to throw in three types of computer language but the book does an excellent of explaining the necessity of all three in the process and seamlessly pulls them all together in a manageable way. This has been my favorite coding book so far, I can’t wait until it comes out in August 2017. Best for upper elementary and middle school.

EL, MS –ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Animals by the Numbers by Steve Jenkins -ADVISABLE

Jenkins, Steve Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Animal Infographics 48 pgs. Houghton Mifflin, 2016. $17.99  NON-FICTION

This book provides facts and information about a wide variety of animals. It starts with animal classification: invertebrate’s vs vertebrates. It moves into a pie chart that vividly shows how many more insect species there are than any other type of animal. Scale models are show for a variety of creatures, including some shown as life size, like the hummingbird. There is a bar chart for speed per MPH, including some interesting facts! Also included are infographics for jumping, flying, amount of sleep, and many more. Fully illustrated in Jenkins typical style.

This was an absolutely fascinating book, that could easily be used by a teacher for a lesson on animals or on the different types of infographic/charts. The infographic format was essential to providing the information and is stunning because of it. I learned quite a bit reading this book and it was all interesting. I think student will enjoy reading this book, as its kind of the Guinness records version of animals and more. Though I am a big fan of photographs in non-fiction (and this one has zero), in this particular book its mostly necessary to have all the illustrations and works very well.

EL (K-3), EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Rivers of Sunlight by Molly Bang -OPTIONAL

Bang, Molly Rivers of Sunlight 20 pgs. Blue Sky Press (Scholastic), 2017. $18.99  NON-FICTION

This large picture book focuses on the sun’s place in the water cycle from the point of view of the sun. It features large illustrations with lots of movement. The last part of the story focuses on helping to conserve water and climate change.

To show the movement of water in its various states, the illustrations are quite busy, then the text is placed directly on top of the action which results in both a challenge to read the text and a bit uncomfortable to look at. I am not sure what age the author intended this book to be for, but it seems too challenging for our first graders who learn about this topic (even as teacher read-aloud) and wouldn’t appeal to older readers. Also the title is a bit misleading, it made me think this book was about the sun itself, not its place in the water cycle, though that is listed at the bottom in smaller text.

EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Skunked by Jacqueline Kelly - ADVISABLE

Kelly, Jacqueline Skunked! (Calpurnia Tate #2), illustrated by Jennifer Meyer. 106 pgs. Macmillan (Henry Holt) 2016. $15.99. Content: G.  

When Calpurnia’s brother Travis brings home an orphaned baby skunk, Calpurnia scrambles to help care for the secret pet - an animal no one wants, but is so cute! But when Travis goes back to the hollow tree, there’s another surprise.  

The first in a new series (Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet)  this heartwarming easy reader is a sweet story with enough action and skunks that the boys will like it too. A spin off of the older reader (The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate) no prior understanding of the book is required to enjoy this fun historical read.  

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig - OPTIONAL

Haig, Matt A Boy Called Christmas, with illustrations by Chris Mould, 236 pgs. Penguin Random House, 2015. $16.99. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (peril, fairy creature deaths) 

Eleven-year-old Nikolas, tired of being ill treated by his Aunt, runs  away to find his father who had joined a search party looking for the magical village of Elfhelm, far to the north.    Taking a mouse with him, and meeting a reindeer along the way, eventually Nikolas is discovered by elves who take him (against the Elf rules apparently) to the village themselves and try to protect him from their mean ruler Father Vodol.  Nikolas escapes and tries to right the wrong his father committed, and becomes the hero of Elfhelm in the process.  

The story of how ordinary Nikolas (nicknamed Christmas by his father) became the magical Santa is full of boy humor (tough talk, dumb jokes, impossible situations) Christmas (elves, snow, toys) and suspense.  A funny Holiday read, but not really a “Christmas Classic”  

EL - OPTIONAL  Lisa Librarian

Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke - ESSENTIAL

Hatke, Ben  Mighty Jack, 205 pgs.  GRAPHIC NOVEL  First Second, 2016 (Roaring Brook Press).  $22.99  Content: PG.  

During summer break, Jack is charged with watching his little sister while his mom works two jobs and tries to save them from financial ruin.  Jack resents this responsibility because Maddy is autistic and doesn’t talk.  When the two siblings go to a flea market and are sold seed packets they begin a garden, but the garden isn’t normal and monster-type vegetables are taking over.  Jack works with his neighbor friend as they try to figure out how to control the magic that has been unleashed in his yard.  

This is a fun new graphic novel series.  The illustrations are great and the story line is well paced and entertaining.  I like the characters and can’t wait to see where the story goes, because the ending is a cliff hanger.  The content is PG because the monsters are a bit creepy.  

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.    

Anna Sewell's Black Beauty by Ruth Brown - ADVISABLE

Brown, Ruth  Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty  PICTURE BOOK Andersen Press, 2016 (Lerner Imprints).  $17.99  Content: G.  

Black Beauty is a horse that was born on a peaceful farm and then worked as a carriage horse.  He eventually is owned by a careless master who rides him hard and he is injured.  He goes through different owners and is treated poorly by some and well by others.  As he nears the end of his life one of his grooms from early in his life takes care of him.  

This version of Black Beauty is well done and has great illustrations.  The story is simplified for younger readers and there is 6-7 sentences per page.  If you have horse lovers or need a newer version of Black Beauty this is a great addition.  

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Bridget Wilder Spy-in-Training by Jonathan Bernstein - ADVISABLE

Bernstein, Jonathan Bridget Wilder Spy-in-Training, 304 pages. HarperCollins Publishers, 2015. Language - G (0 swears, 0 "f"),  Mature Content - G; Violence - G; 

Bridget Wilder is adopted, the middle child, and with a devilish older brother, and angelic little sister, practically invisible. However, when Bridget's 13th birthday comes around, she receives a mystery present that leads Bridget to find out her dad is spy! Bridget is now determined to do whatever it takes to follow in her father's footsteps and become a spy, and get` her very own mission! 

There many twists and turns I did not see coming, and the characters had enough personality to come alive. I think if I was younger I would have enjoyed the book more than I did, but I still thought it was a pretty good book. 

EL- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: MMH

The Biggest Smallest Christmas Present by Harriet Muncaster - OPTIONAL

Muncaster, Harriet The Biggest Smallest Christmas Present. PICTURE BOOK. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016. $16.99. Content: G

Clementine is the smallest girl in the world, but unfortunately Santa Claus does not seem to know that. Each year he leaves Clementine wonderful gifts but they are all too big. Finally her family is able to get the message across and Santa leaves her the perfect gift. The premise of this book and the look of the illustrations really made me want to love it, but I just could not. The pictures are cute, the color scheme is right on point, but the story is lacking. If Santa “sees you when you’re sleeping” then surely he should know Clementine is small. And even if he didn’t know—the story seems to smack of ingratitude for all the wonderful gifts Santa had given her over the years. 

Some readers will probably still enjoy the story of a cute tiny girl, but it’s not the whole package a good book could be.

EL (K-3)—OPTIONAL. Reviewer: TC

The Midnight Star by Marie Lu - OPTIONAL

Lu, Marie  The Midnight Star (Young Elites, #3), 316 pgs.  G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016.  $19 

Content: Language: PG (2 swears); Violence: PG-13; Mature Content: PG-13.  

Adelina is a power-wielding queen who uses her dark magic to control those around her.  Because of her revengeful ways she has lost the friendship of her sister and her friend Enzo.  As Adelina tries to take over all the kingdom, she is distracted by the voices inside her head, a poisoning of the mortal world they live in and the weakening powers of the Elite.  

In this final book of the Young Elite series, Adelina has to come to terms with what she has become through her revengeful actions.  I don’t like this series.  I didn’t like Adelina, she is mean and brutal and instead of overcoming her sad past and making life better, she rampages and tortures others.  I liked the minor characters, but the author just starts killing them off left and right.  I thought the ending might justify the journey, but Adelina was so annoying and cruel that even the ending couldn’t save her.  

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

Night of the Living Shadows by Dave Coverly - ADVISABLE

Coverly, Dave  Night of the Living Shadows, 122 pgs.  CHAPTER BOOK Christy Ottaviano Books, 2016 (Henry Holt and Company).  $13.99  Content: G.  

Speed Bump and Slingshot are two birds that are best friends.  They have to go on a scavenger hunt for their Boy Scout assignment and they find a bird friend named Nuthatch who takes them to the local mall to find their treasures.  They end up having an adventure at the local mall.  

This book is funny and the story is easy to follow along.  The characters are good to each other and the adventure makes you want to keep reading to see what happens next.  The illustrations are in black and white and could be better, but they still add a lot to the story.  

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Lesser Spotted Animals: The Coolest Creatures You’ve Never Heard of by Martin Brown -ADVISABLE

Brown, Martin Lesser Spotted Animals: The Coolest Creatures You’ve Never Heard of  52 pgs. Scholastic, 2017. $18.99  NON-FICTION

This book features 22 lesser spotted animals, each one gets a double page with large colorful illustrations and tons of information including a map of where they live. The book set up and content is completely humorous, where students are told its time to learn about some animals that are never in the spotlight and the super star animals are all grumpy about it. The content is present with a ton of personality which makes the read incredibly interesting and fun. The illustrations are gorgeous and well crafted, enough to make me re-think my photography in non-fiction obsession.

EL(K-3), EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Stickmen’s Guide to Ocean’s in Layers by Catherine Chambers -OPTIONAL

Chambers, Catherine Stickmen’s Guide to Oceans in Layers 32 pgs. (Hungry Tomato) Lerner, 2017. $8.00  NON-FICTION

This book provides chapters on each layer of the ocean, where it is, what happens there, and what lives there. Its full of detailed illustrations, lots of interesting facts, and includes a glossary. It delves into climate change and the future of the oceans as well.

By far my favorite in the series, I still have an issue. I think this is a book a teacher would make best use of, and its printed very small for a student use. I honestly don’t get a ton of students checking out habitat or biome books on their own. If they did, this would be a fun one, but they hardly ever (unless it’s a giant rain forest book or something eye catching). Although, of course, I wanted photographs, I thought that the illustrations were nicely done and added quite a few details.

EL –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Marine Superstars (Animal Bests) by John Farndon -OPTIONAL

Farndon, John Marine Superstars (Animal Bests)  32 pgs. (Hungry Tomato) Lerner, 2017. $8.00  NON-FICTION

In this book readers learn all about many sea creatures from otters to dolphins to crabs, including informative tidbits about a plethora of other creatures. Includes a combination of illustrations and photographs.

This is my favorite so far in this Hungry Tomato science grouping. The cover is incredibly unappealing and dated looking so I probably wouldn’t add this to my library. But inside it has a nice variety of illustrations, page colors, layouts, and photography. I enjoyed reading all the interesting facts. Still though, why bother with so many illustrations in an informational book when real life photos have so much more appeal to young readers.

EL –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.