The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Dress - ADVISABLE

Kress, Adrienne The Door in the Alley (The Explorers #1), 305 pages.  Delacorte (Random), 2017.  $17.  Content: G (mild danger).

Arthur has always followed every single rule in his life.  Then one day, instead of taking his normal path home, he follows his more reckless cousin up an unfamiliar alley and he gets involved with the Explorers Club.  He can’t get himself to be as curious as the explorers, until one day he finds a girl hiding and crying in the alley – she has just been kicked out by the Explorers.  Why would they help Arthur, but not help Evie who really is in danger?  Arthur’s sense of right is offended and now he will do whatever it take to help her, even if he starts breaking rules and puts himself in danger. 

Kress has written a nice upper elementary/middle grade adventure novel.  While there’s no magic, there are strange happenings.  Arthur is a good puzzle solver and honestly has to conquer his nerves to stretch himself and help Evie.  It does end on a definite cliff hanger, which I find a little bit frustrating.

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Quantum Physics by Ruth Spiro - ADVISABLE

Spiro, Ruth Quantum Physics (Baby Loves), illustrated by Irene Chan.  BOARD BOOK.  Charlesbridge, 2016.  $9.

Spiro take Schroedinger’s cat and make it a little kinder to help little ones understand about quantum physics.  While the book doesn’t really explain why this is physics, it does a fine job at explaining this particular conundrum.  A great niche book for a science lover of any size – and a good gift for a science teacher on any level.

Pre-K, EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story by Suzanne Slade - ESSENTIAL

Slade, Suzanne Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story, illustrated by Jessica Lana.  PICTURE BOOK.  Sleeping Bear Press, 2017.  $17. 

Anna Comstock loved nature from the time she was small.  She followed her dream to college and created life-like drawings that helped everyone from her professors to farmers trying to figure out what was eating their crops.  Then came her years of pioneering children not only learning about nature, but going outside and learning from observing nature.

What a circle we keep dancing in education!  We keep enclosing our children in rooms and houses and not letting them get their fingers and toes wet and dirty.  A definite timely reminder about allowing children time to be children. 

EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Infinity Year of Avalon James by Dana Middleton - ESSENTIAL

Middleton, Dana The Infinity Year of Avalon James, 214 pgs. Feiwel and Friends (MacMillan) 2016. $16.99. Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence PG (Bullying).

Avalon James is 10yo - her Infinity Year.  This should be the best year ever! - Atticus’ grandpa has told them that, because they are best friends - and 10yo - they will get a special power just for the year, and maybe only once. They can’t tell anyone and can only talk about it with each other. But when school starts, Avalon and Atticus, for the first time, are in different classes, and Avalon is stuck with her enemy Elena in her class.  Last year was so hard, and this one looks like it might be, too. Her father has recently gone to jail and Avalon is dealing with the social and emotional problems associated with that.

This debut novel has such great voice, I loved the boy/girl best friends, the way parents and teachers handled things and the storyline was both intriguing and well paced.  Avalon is funny, resilient and struggling. Highly recommended for upper elementary students; full of great lessons on dealing with friends, bullies, secrets and family.  

EL - ESSENTIAL  Lisa Librarian

That's Not Bunny! by Chris Barton -- OPTIONAL

Barton, Chris That's Not Bunny!, illustrated by Colin Jack. PICTURE BOOK. Disney Hyperion, 2016. $17. Content: G.

A hawk swoops in on a carrot-wielding rabbit, only to fly away with the carrot and not the rabbit. Angry at himself for flubbing up the hunt, the hawk tries again...and ends up with a cucumber! Now it's war. But who will win: the clever rabbit or the embarrassed hawk?

The illustrations are clever, and there is plenty of room for students to make predictions throughout the story. However, the idea of empathizing with both predator and prey as they try to outsmart each other is, well, a bit morbid. Also, the ending was felt incomplete and even confusing. I'd probably only share this one with my students if I had a very specific purpose I was trying to fulfill. (And a lesson on predicting plot points is not that purpose, since there are plenty of excellent books out there for that.)

EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

The Song from Somewhere Else by A.F. Harrold - ADVISABLE

Harrold, A.F.  The Song From Somewhere Else, 217 pgs.  Illustrated by Levi Pinfold  Bloomsbury, 2017.  $16.99 

Content: Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying and supernatural violence).  

Frank is often bullied by some boys from her school, but one week in the summer the social outcast from her school, Nick, stands up for her against the bullies.  They are pulled into a friendship and Frank learns that Nick has a secret in his basement.  Nick trusts Frank with his secret and Frank starts to see magic in her world, but they have to work together to protect this world and another world.  

In much the same flavor as Neil Gaiman, this is a fantastic tale of friendship and magic.  I loved the characters and the bridge between reality and the supernatural seemed believable.  The black and white illustrations are well done and complementary to the rest of the feel of the book.  

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

Martina and Chrissie by Phil Bildner - ADVISABLE

Bildner, Phil  Martina and Chrissie: The Greatest Rivalry in the History of Sports  Illustrated by Brett Helquist  PICTURE BOOK  Candlewick Press, 2017.  $16.99  Content: G.  

Chris Evert was an outstanding tennis champion from the United States.  Martina Navratilova was also a great tennis champion but she was from the Soviet Union.  They were great tennis rivals during the Cold War and although the world thought they should hate each other they were actually really good friends.  

This book reads like someone is talking to you, for example: “You do know what the Cold War was, right? No?” and then it goes on to explain it.   The story has suspense and action with the tennis matches and it also has heart and friendship.  This is a fun sports history.  

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

The Storm Whale in Winter by Benji Davies - ADVISABLE

Davies, Benji  The Storm Whale in Winter  PICTURE BOOK  Henry Holt and Company, 2016.  $16.99  Content: G.  

Noi and his father live by the sea.  Last summer Noi saved a baby whale, and hasn’t seen him since.  Noi looks for him everywhere but never can find him.  One night during a snowstorm, Noi’s father hasn’t returned home from his fishing trip, so Noi sets out over the frozen sea.  When Noi finds his father’s boat abandoned, he curls up tight inside.  Soon he hears whales bumping the bottom of the boat and his whale has come to help Noi.  All the whales work together to break the ice and take Noi to the lighthouse where he is reunited with this father.   

This book has delightful illustrations.  The story line is compelling and Noi is a fun character to follow.  Readers will enjoy this especially if they have read The Storm Whale.  

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

Pet-Sitting Peril by Willo Davis Roberts-ADVISABLE

Roberts, Willo Davis, Pet-Sitting Peril. pgs. 244. REPRINT. Simon and Schuster, 2016. $7.99. Language: G, Mature Content: PG, Violence: G

In order to earn money for his family’s trip to Disney Land, Nick starts working as a petsitter for the Hillsdale Apartments where he lives. Things aren’t as easy as he thinks, however, Lightbulbs mysteriously burn out, small fires ignite, and other strange things. Things start to take a weird turn when Nick is spending the night alone Will he figure out what’s going on before it’s too late?

Full of mystery and suspense, Roberts’ uniquely developed plot draws readers into Nick’s world. Nick is a likable, realistic character. The mystery elements are well woven into the story, intriguing, and cleverly done. Fans of mystery, pets, and realistic fiction will enjoy reading this book. 

MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica M, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High

Lazy Bear, Crazy Bear: Loony Long Vowels! by Kevin Bolger -- ADVISABLE

Bolger, Kevin Lazy Bear, Crazy Bear: Loony Long Vowels!, illustrated by Ben Hodson. PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins, 2015. $7.99. Content: G.

This primer on long vowels aims to amuse while it educates. It includes several long-vowel pronunciation rules, as well as short, humorous, comic-bookish stories highlighting each vowel. Because of its length, it would likely work best when used a little at a time as opposed to all at once, which makes it more suited to an individual classroom or small tutoring groups rather than a full library class. The snippets will likely appeal to children who have tired of textbook-style language learning. I do have some reservations about the "nude dude" and "crude" references. While nothing is actually shown, some students may take issue with these. Most, however, will likely find them hilarious (especially after explaining what "crude" means for those who don't already have the word in their vocabulary). I do wish it didn't advertise the short vowels book in the middle of this one; it feels a bit like having a commercial in the middle of a book. And, after all, commercial-free entertainment is one of the many perks of reading.

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Ferocious Fluffity: A Mighty Bite-y Class Pet by Erica S. Perl -- ADVISABLE

Perl, Erica S. Ferocious Fluffity: A Might Bite-y Class Pet, illustrated by Henry Cole. PICTURE BOOK. Abrams Books, 2016. $16.95. Content: G.

Mr. Drake's students are thrilled when their teacher unveils the new class pet. They all vow not to touch Fluffity until she is bigger and more accustomed to the classroom. But when Mr. Drake is late one day, the children can't help it. They take turns holding Fluffity -- and getting bitten! The terrified kids try to escape, but their class pet runs right after them, teeth ready to chomp. Oops. Maybe they should have listened to their teacher after all.

This rhyming tale is graced with hilarious text and illustrations, and I'm already looking forward to reading it aloud to my students when school is back in session. It seems like it will be a fun one to perform, as well as a good start for discussions about how to treat new pets and listening to adults' suggestions despite temptation. (Okay, the latter sounds like a bit of a snooze, but I think we could have some fun with it.)

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist