All This Time by Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott - HIGH

All This Time by Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott, 325 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2020. $19. 

Language: R (113 swears, 26 “f”); Mature Content PG-13; Violence: PG 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL 

 AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

 Kyle and Kimberly are graduating high school. They have been the perfect couple for years: he the football hero and she the cheerleader. Kyle is excited to give Kimberly a custom-made bracelet on the night of their graduation party, to seal their relationship, but Kimberly has other ideas that don’t involve Kyle. Things go south pretty quickly, and following a car crash, Kyle wakes up in the hospital with a severe brain injury and Kimberly is dead. Kyle is understandably despondent until he meets Marley, who is dealing with her own loss, one she believes she caused. Grief brings the two together, and it seems that Kyle can finally pull himself together. Kyle’s new relationship seems almost too good to be true and it just might be. 

The authors have done a good job creating doubts about Kyle’s thinking, especially with the brain injury. I found myself changing my predictions and then reading to find out if I was right or not. Sex is implied but not on page. The tone ends up being just the right amount of sweet balanced with the traumatic. If you want a fresh and captivating romance with a touch of mystery, this one’s for you. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher - ADVISABLE

Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher, 304 pages. Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press), 2021. $19.

Language: PG13 (23 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

While her life has been far from perfect, 18-year-old Amelia has been happy -- in large part because of Jenna. Jenna is Amelia’s best friend who has planned out their lives perfectly. But then Jenna dies. Following a hope that is 60 percent whim, Amelia goes to Lochbrook to somehow get part of Jenna back, but happiness without Jenna is harder to grasp than it is to let go of.

Choosing to keep reading this book was difficult for me because I felt every blow that hit Amelia in the first few chapters, felt hope and happiness slipping from my grasp as I desperately reached for it to give back to her. To protect both Amelia and myself from more pain, I put down the book for weeks. I finally went back to Amelia’s story, praying that things might get better. Amelia’s journey took me with her step for step. There was more pain, but we found hope and dreams, too. Grief and loss never really go away, but we can move forward despite their weight that encourages stagnancy. Schumacher has crafted a story of hope for happiness even if our lives aren’t inherently happy. The mature content rating is for underage drinking.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

If We Were Giants by Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith - ADVISABLE

 If We Were Giants by Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith, 304 pages. Disney-Hyperion, 2020 $17. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (fighting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

10yo Kirra lives a comfortable, safe life amongst family and friends, deep in the heart of a dormant volcano. Fires are kept burning at all hours to keep enemies away. Only Kirra and her father are allowed to leave the volcano and travel to nearby villages. Kirra's father is a Storyteller and captivates audiences with his fearsome tales to keep outsiders away from their land. One day Kirra can't contain her adventurous spirts and decides to leave the volcano on her own and do some investigating. Little does she know she ends up leading the Takers right back to the volcano where disaster strikes. Left with no family to call her own, Kirra eventually meets up with Luwan. His family adopts her and she finds herself living in a new village high in the trees. Determined to never let her past catch up with her, Kirra stays quiet and does not speak of her past life until Luwan is captured by the Takers and she has no choice but to speak up. Kirra discovers she is not alone and is surround by people who love and care about her, and actually need her to be their Storyteller. She soon crafts a tale and spins an adventure the village people will never forget. 

This is a compelling story of family, loss and resilience. Students will love diving into a new world deep inside of a volcano, then venturing high up to the tops of the trees for another. Matthews and Smith will have readers believing every aspect of this story and keep them coming back for more. The adventure and suspense with keep the pages turning complete with a bitter sweet ending. 

Jessica Nelson Librarian 

The True Definition of Neva Beane by Christine Kendall - OPTIONAL

The True Definition of Neva Beane by Christine Kendall, 240 pages. Scholastic Inc, 2020. $10 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (Discussion of bras and boobs); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Neva Beane is experiencing the pains and confusion of growing up. With the help of her dictionary and extensive vocabulary, she is navigating her way through her changing body, new bras and her appearance. Mom and Dad are on the road working, leaving Neva and her brother, Clay, living with their old fashion grandparents. Clay has decided to be an activist against the wishes of Granddad and Nana and Neva's friend Jamila, is getting all of the attention. Neva is not sure where she fits in, in the politically charged neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Through the comfort of words, Neva is able to make sense of her world she is now slowly feeling part of. Neva decides opening up to those around her is actually much better than holding everything inside.

 I liked the political aspect of this story because it could help young readers understand some of the events currently happening in our world. I don't like how the cover looks very juvenile but the content of the story is for a more mature audience. I would not recommend this book to elementary students, but the cover makes it look like that is where it belongs. 

Jessica Nelson Librarian 

Crossings by Katy S. Duffield, illustrated by Mike Orodan - ESSENTIAL

 Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield, illustrated by Mike Orodan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2020. $19. 9781534465794 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Man’s roads have cut through the habitats of every animal in the world. Only now are we taking animals into consideration and building in or adding structures to help the anmials find safer ways to cross the roads of all sizes. 

Duffield and Orodan have crafted a beautiful book about these, unfortunately fairly unique crossing structures. After reading the book together it is an easy step to search the internet for photographs of the structures and look for more examples. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Jump at the Sun by Alicia D. Williams and Jacqueline Alcantara - OPTIONAL

 Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston by Alicia D. Williams, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Atheneum (Simon), 2021. $18. 9781534419131 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

From her youngest age, Zora loved sitting around the general store listening to the folks swapping tales. This inspired her to create and write and share her own tales. Though her new stepmother kicked her out of the house at 14, Zora always remembered her mother’s advice: Jump at the sun; you might not land on the sun, but at least you’ll get off the ground. This guided her life as she worked for her education, collected folktales, and wrote her own stories. 

Alcantara’s illustrations are full of the sun for which Zora is jumping and Williams breathes life into Zora with her telling. As I was reading, I realized that though I have heard of Zora, I can’t say that I have actually read any of her stories myself. For elementary schools, you should also get Lies and Other Tall Tales which is an illustrated version of many of the tall tales Hurston collected. It can also support any Black Lives, Authors, or Women’s History collection. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Shaped by Her Hands by Anna Harber Freeman, Barbara Gonzalez, and Aphelandra - OPTIONAL

 Shaped by Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzalez, illustrated by Aphelandra. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Albert Whitman, APRIL 2021. $17. 9780807575994 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Maria was born in the late 1880’s and already her people. The Tewa of New Mexico, were losing their pottery-making skills because they were buying factory-made tinware. But the young girl tracked down a teacher and was able to learn to make the pots and dishes her family and village needed. When an archaeologist came asking her about recreating a black-fired pot, Maria experimented and was able to recreate the black on black pottery, which also revived interest in pottery making. 

We have several ceramics classes at my school, so I am very excited to share this book with those teachers! It is a simple book, but a great jumping off point to talk about crafting as a way to keep historic skills, as a connection to culture. One of the authors and the illustrator are both connected to Native American tribes. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Lincoln Clears a Path by Peggy Thomas and Stacy Innerst - ESSENTIAL

 Lincoln Clears a Path: Abraham Lincoln’s Agricultural Legacy by Peggy Thomas, illustrated by Stacy Innerst. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mill), 2021. $19. 9781684371532 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: ADVISABLE 

Abraham Lincoln started out helping on his family farm – working hard to feel trees and remove stumps to clear a path for a place for the family to grow. That idea of clearing a path became an informal motto for him as he served in his state legislature, became a lawyer, and then became the President of the United States. There he used his influence and power to sign into law major pieces of legislation to clear the path for people to grow: creating the Department of Agriculture, starting the Homestead Act, opening land-grant colleges, and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. 

A great non-fiction picture book choice for elementary through high school. Whether an introduction to Lincoln as president, or a unit starter for a government class – so many ways to use it. And I love the on-going thread of “Clearing a path”. The subtitle may be about an agricultural legacy, but his legacy is much deeper, and Thomas let’s us see the scope of his life. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Leaf Detective by Heather Lang and Jana Christy - ADVISABLE

 The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jana Christy. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mill), 2021. $19. 9781684371778 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In 1979, after fighting for an education as a botanist that few people wanted to give her, Margaret knew she wanted to study the rainforests of Australia. Not just by looking through binoculars as other botanists did, but on the branches, in the canopy, above that canopy. She engineered her own tools and found her into her beloved trees. To this day she travels the world, trying to convince those who live among the existing patches of rainforest, to find ways besides logging and farming to make the money they need from the trees. 

Any class of any age that explores nature, the rainforest specifically, and women at work should use this. There are time-lapse videos of rainforest deforestation on youtube – and so many others ways to use this as a cornerstone of other lessons. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Grace Banker and her Hello Girls Answer the Call by Claudia Friddell and Elizabeth Baddeley - ADVISABLE

 Grace Banker and her Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators by Claudia Friddell, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mill), 2021. $19. 978168437505 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In 1917, Grace Baker saw that America’s armed forces needed switchboard operators to join the troops overseas and keep communication flowing. Grace applied, trained, and headed to the front with her group of 33 charges. Through adverse conditions, including a fire, they managed to keep the information flowing. 

I loved this, but I especially love that the ship the women boarded was a dazzle ship! I’m not how useful this would be in an elementary school – in fact, I don’t know where WWI is covered, but even so, any conversation about women, women in war, technology advances, can use this in the collection. There are videos of switch board operators on youtube.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Charlie Thorne and the Lost City by Stuart Gibbs - ESSENTIAL

Charlie Thorne and the Lost City by Stuart Gibbs, 367 pages. Simon & Shuster, 2021. $18 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (danger, shooting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Charlie has been laying low in a remote South American city, spending her days surfing, reading, and volunteering at a tortoise breeding center. One day, however, not only one stranger comes looking for Charlie specifically, but two. One takes Charlie to the Center, where they have found a riddle written into the undershell of an ancient tortoise. The other is tracking down Charlie for the Russians, because they want Pandora, Einstein’s formula, which is only stored in Charlie’s brain. 

Charlie’s newest puzzle will reunite her with her half-brother, CIA agent Dante, expose more layers of betrayal and danger, and send into the deep of the Amazon on the search for something Darwin says will change the world as we know it. You still have to believe that Charlie can do what she does, even though she is only 12. However, the excitement and sleuthing and sheer level of danger makes up for the lack. Definitely turning into a globe-trotting National Treasure series. So much fun! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS https://amzn.to/3qp7tsB

A Phoenix First Must Burn edited by Patrice Caldwell - OPTIONAL

A Phoenix First Must Burn: Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope edited by Patrice Caldwell, 354 pages. SHORT STORY COLLECTION Viking (Penguin, Random House), 2020. $19.

Language: R (28 swears 7 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (references to sexual assault and intimacy) Violence: PG13.

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

16 works by prominent authors tell magical stories of black experiences. Witches, mermaids, sorcerers, queens, vampires, lovers and more, some are about magic, some just touched by it. Alaya Dawn Johnson, Ibi Zoboi and Karen Strong retell folktales, while Amerie and J. Marcelle Corrie's stories are science fiction. Historical Fiction stories tell of a girl born on a plantation with special powers, or another girl, shot and left for dead who makes a deal with the desert to get revenge in the old west. Justina Ireland's tale about an apprentice trying to learn magic from a jealous sorcerer was one of my favorites, as was Dhonielle Clayton's story of a girl whose breakup was actually causing her heart to die.

Intended for a teen audience, these stories are about powerful, strong, resilient and magical women (and non-conforming individuals). I loved the diversity of the stories, they really reflected each author's unique style. There were a couple of High Fantasy, some urban legends and even some tech stories as well. While I didn't love them all, I'm certain there's plenty of content for varying tastes, with special appeal for those looking for a Black perspective.

Lisa Librarian

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed - OPTIONAL

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed, 368 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2020. $19. 

Language: R (187 swears, 55 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (teen intimacy, drugs, alcohol); Violence: PG13 (police brutality, talk of Jim Crow violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Ashley attends a private high school in a fancy neighborhood in L.A. Her parents have always given her and her sister the best of everything, so even though she is black, she fits in better with the rich white friends from her neighborhood than she does with the other black kids at her school who are there on scholarship. It's 1992 and the aftermath of the Rodney King trial has LA in flames, and Ashley is learning some quick and personal lessons about racial inequity, family history, and life outside her posh neighborhood. 

I loved the perspective of using the LA Riots as a background, Reed weaves in enough details to engage readers who may not know what happened without making it sound like a history lesson. Ashley's relationships were raw and realistic. This debut coming of age novel is well done, a gritty story with girl drama, family drama, and several high stakes moments that kept me thoroughly engaged.

Lisa Librarian

Don't Tell a Soul by Kirsten Miller - OPTIONAL

Don’t Tell a Soul by Kirsten Miller, 384 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2021. $18.

Language: R (52 swears, 9 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (parental death, drug use (off page), mention of suicide); Violence: PG-13 (sexual assault/attempted rape)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

17yo Bram finds that her life in Manhattan has become unbearable and decides to head to the tiny town of Louth to live with her uncle. Bram meant to leave the scandal and secrets behind, but now finds herself in the middle of new intrigue when it seems as though her uncle’s manor it haunted by its own mysteries and tragedy. His wife died in a fire supposedly set by her daughter, who survived, but is in the grips of mental decline. Then there are the stories of the Dead Girls. These are tales told of the many girls whose lives have been cut tragically short while staying in the manor that Bram now calls home.

What is set up to be a spooky gothic horror quickly turns into a bland story with numerous plot holes and twists and scares that fall flat. The main character is annoyingly overdramatic and teases the secrets and scandals of her past for far too long leaving the reader to lose interest long before the big reveals. The winter setting helps the creepy claustrophobic vibe, but with two separate stories that do not complement each other, the story sinks.   

Reviewer: AEB

Special Forces: Unconventional Warfare by Chris Lynch - NO

Special Forces: Unconventional Warfare by Chris Lynch, 166 pages. Scholastic, 2018. $18

Language: PG (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG-13.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - NO  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Danny always had a violent streak and it would come out most often with his brothers. After constant fights at home and constant fights at school, Danny found himself in trouble with the law. The judge gave him the option to enlist and he did just that, serving in the Studies and Observation Group during the Vietnam War. Danny enjoyed most of his experience but had a hard time grappling with killing innocent people and animals.  

For me this book focused on the very worst reasons to get involved in military service - the desire to fight and kill. The characters were constantly violent with each other and in the way they talked about their enemy. War was used as an outlet for killing legally, with this ideology even stated explicitly by one of the characters.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck by Bette Midler - ESSENTIAL

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck by Bette Midler, photographs by Michiko Kakutani and illustrations by Joana Avillezani, PICTURE BOOK, Random House, 2021. $19. 9780593176764 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Once upon a time . . . in a great city with lots of people (NYC), life was lively and exciting. They did all sorts of things together and life was great. But then, an invention that worked not only as a telephone, but also it played music, answered questions and was a camera, came to the city, and before long, everyone was looking at their screens and not at each other. Until, a beautiful bird came to town and people ran to see him - everyone was taking pictures with their phones, until a kid said "I'm going to see this with my eyes". So, others followed suit and just enjoyed watching the beautiful duck, but because their phones were put away, they started seeing each other again. 

"The Tale of the Mandarin Duck" is a timely story, well written by Bette Midler. Reading the author's note at the end, I discovered that it is based on a true story, and I love how Midler has woven in the message to look up and interact with more than your phone. The best part is Michiko Kakutani's breathtaking photography of New York City and the beautiful duck. I'll be showing this to my middle school teachers.

Lisa Librarian

This Is My Brain in Love by I.W. Gregorio - OPTIONAL

This Is My Brain in Love by I.W. Gregorio, 384 pages. Little, Brown and Company, 2020. $18 

Language: PG13 (43 swears, 3 'f') Mature Content: PG13 (Teen dating circumstances) Violence: G. 

HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

16yo Jocelyn Wu has a lot of plans this summer, including making a short film with her best friend - but when her father lets her know that their family business - a struggling Chinese Restaurant - is in trouble, her summer plans suddenly change. Determined to try to save the business through marketing, Jocelyn hires a summer intern, 16yo Will. When their professional relationship turns romantic, the two find themselves in a bit more trouble than they bargained for. Now Jocelyn's dad has them under contract for the summer - save the restaurant, or no boyfriend - and no "hanky panky" in the meantime. 

On the surface, this is a cute teen romance, but the layers are raw and complicated. The kid's relationship brings up some family prejudice, and there's discussions of mental heath, medications and therapy. Told in two voices - Will's and Jocelyn's - the reader learns the whole story, one that is revealed more slowly to the characters. I loved the restaurant descriptions - so craving dumplings while reading. The author's note at the end is an important tie in about the stigma of mental health help, and the appendix includes resources to help yourself or others who may need it.

Lisa Librarian

City of Villains by Estelle Laure - ADVISABLE

City of Villains by Estelle Laure, 229 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2021. $18 

Language: PG (9 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Romance); Violence: PG13 (descriptions of violent crime) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Mary Elizabeth has wanted to become a cop ever since her parents and sister were murdered years ago. Now she's an intern for the Monarch City Police Department, and her dreams are in sight. The community of Scar, where she lives, used to be home to magical people (herself included). When a high school classmate is missing, and her high powered father demands the police investigate immediately, Mary Elizabeth is assigned a partner (Bella) and the two plunge themselves into the underworld of Scar, looking for Villains. 

Book #1 in a planned trilogy, City of Villains is a detective novel meets origin story and reads very crime noire. Ursula, Maleficent and Captain Hook as high school students was a fun twist, and I enjoyed trying to figure out who the supporting characters might be. While the characters are in high school, the storyline and readability will be popular in middle school as well.

Lisa Librarian

Hilo: Gina the Girl Who Broke the World by Judd Winick - ADVISABLE

 

Hilo: Gina the Girl Who Broke the World (Hilo, #7) by Judd Winick, 208 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2021.  

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Gina develops her magic as she tries to save her friends and the world. Monsters come in search for Nestors, alien creatures who are hunted for their magical abilities.  The Nestors in this book secretly want Gina and her powers to help them travel back in time to stop the hunting and capturing of their kind. This endangers the entire future of the world.  

I recommend this for Hilo fans. I have loved the whole Hilo series.  It was full of surprise and adventures. The friendships hold together throughout the book.  The illustrations are fun and cartoonish.  

Reviewer, Logan P., age 12.

Rebel Daughter by Lori Banov Kaufmann - OPTIONAL

Rebel Daughter by Lori Banov Kaufmann, 385 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2021. $19.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Esther is a thirteen year old who lives in Jerusalem during 65 CE with her family, led by her loving father, a high priest at the Jewish temple.  Esther’s brothers are drawn into different rebel groups who form to combat the Romans and their oppressive taxes and Esther’s father trades with a freedman Roman, so her Jewish family’s lives intertwine with the Romans throughout the climactic events leading to the war between the Jews and the Romans. Esther is betrothed to a blacksmith, but she doesn’t think he will approve of her curious love of learning.  As time passes, Esther’s family and her life will be turned upside down by the Romans and the impending war.  

As far as historical fiction, this is amazing. The setting and political explanation is ingrained throughout the story and I felt like I gained an understanding of a historical event that I knew little about. Esther is strong-willed, yet the men influence her day-to-day life, which was a fascinating role to consider.  This book covers Esther’s life from the time she is thirteen until she is nineteen.  Although Esther is a teen, this book has mature content, including threat of rape, physical abuse, decapitation, descriptive childbirth, murder, hate crimes, bullying and killing babies. Historically accurate depictions of Rome aren’t without mature content, so it’s not gratuitous but it makes for a dark edge throughout the story. 

Reviewer, C. Peterson