Linked by Gordon Korman - ESSENTIAL

Linked by Gordon Korman, 256 pages. Scholastic, 2021. $18. 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Someone drew a giant swastika on a wall at Chokecherry Midde School. As the only Jewish student, 13 yo Dana is getting way too many questions from everyone when she just wants to lay low until her parents finish their dig and move on to a new town and a new school. Then Link - a middle school BMOC, a jokester, a pain in Dana’s side – finds out that his grandmother was hidden in an orphanage as a child to escape the Holocaust and wants Dana help and support as he embraces studying for his bar mitzvah, even at this late date. The school student council, in response to the swastika incident and the other swastikas that have followed, have decided they are going to try to make a paper chain 6 million links long to show their fellow students how much 6 million means. When a prominent blogger picks up the story and the whole world knows what the kids are trying to do. When the truth comes out about the identity of the original swastika vandal, the fallout will be higher than can be imagined. 

While the pieces of Korman’s book paints a complicated picture, he has managed to weave them together with his signature humor and empathy. Very much a must read! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft - HIGH

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft, 226 pages. Adams Media (Simon), 2020. $22. 9781507214510 

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

How much do you love Disney? Especially the Disney parks! And the food? Of course you do, just like I do. Craft not only gives us recipes based on actual food served in the past or present in Disney’s US Parks, but she organizes the recipes by park and gives snippets of history. I was drooling by the time I finished. I love that the book is not recipes inspired by Disney food, but she has tried to replicate the actual food we all fell in love with. Many of them are very simple – others will take some skill, but the fun is in the memories as much as they are in the food. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Edge of the Ocean by L.D. Lapinski - HIGH

 The Edge of the Ocean (Strangeworlds Travel Agency #2) by L.D. Lapinski, 356 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2021. $18 

Content: G some mild danger) 

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Flick’s summer has been unbearable – she is in so much troubles with her parents for vanishing without explanation. But how can she tell them that she traveled to another dimension, through a suitcase(!!), and saved all the worlds? Luckily Jonathan, who runs the Strangeworlds Travel Agency is able to offer Flick a summer “job”, which her parents agree to. Little do they know that a small world of pirates and mermaids is in deep trouble and the pair will have to go out to save a world again. 

How did I miss #1 in this fantastic series?! I’m very excited to read the first to catch me up on the backstory. Your fantasy reading middle readers will eat this up. The different worlds are fun and engaging, the action hits all the right spots. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

GraveMaidens by Kelly Coon - OPTIONAL

GraveMaidens by Kelly Coon, 394 pages. Ember, 2019. $11

 Language: PG (2 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (references rape, themes of women's bodies and curves and how desirable beauty is); Violence: PG-13 (some blood brick and descriptions of dead people/ injuries) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Kammani and her younger sister are the daughters of a healer. In the kingdom they live in, the tradition is when their ruler is on his death bed- the kingdom must supply three "Sacred Maidens"who are to be sacrificed when the ruler dies. Kammani is livid about this tradition claiming that it is awful to kill three healthy young ladies just because one man is dying. When the Kammani's younger sister is chosen as one of the Sacred Maidens, Kammani will do whatever it takes to heal the dying ruler and save her sister. 

I thought the premise was interesting, I've always been fascinated with Aztec culture and how they sacrificed people to their gods but this book just didn't have all the right elements. I found that the main character had right motivations and intentions but she just came out as so annoying and pessimistic. That the world was out to get her. Not to mention the world was so confusing- I could tell the by the descriptions of clothes and architecture that the kingdom got inspiration from ancient Egypt and Macedonia but the characters talked as if they were from our time period. I thought the writing wasn't up to par and that the plot was rather boring. 

 Kenzie Hoehne, Student Reviewer 

Dark Skies by Danielle L. Jensen - OPTIONAL

Dark Skies by Danielle L. Jensen, 478 pages. Tom Doherty Associates, 2020. $11

 Language:PG-13 (23 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (Kissing, slight innuendos but nothing too sexual); Violence: PG-13 (Fighting ongoing war, hand to hand combat, blood and gore mentioned and horse cut open but nothing too graphic) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The gods are real. And the people of Mudamora are fighting an ongoing battle that is rumored to started because of a High Lord's son- Killian. 19yo Killian is a god "marked" which means he has strength and endurance unlike any man and he makes for a really good solider. But when the city's defenses fall because of him, he is reduced to being nothing more but a bodyguard for the Princess. But the longer he gets to know the Princess, the more he gets roped up in her depictions and manipulations. 

 I thought the world of Dark Skies was very cool one. I mean people that get 'powers' from their gods? Sounds creative and like nothing I've heard of before, I am in! I will admit the fantasy terms and names are hard to grasp at first but when you do, the plot becomes so complex. Speaking of complex, I thought the characters where complex, had very good motivations and where awesome. A problem I had with this book though was that it lacked in logic. Sometimes I would read a description and I would be confused how, logically it all worked. But this is a fantasy novel so I digress. 

 Kenzie Hoehne, Student Reviewer 

Loveless by Alice Oseman - NO

Loveless by Alice Oseman, 393 pages. Scholastic Press, 2021. $13

 Language: R (65 swears, 40‘f’); Mature Content: R (The main plot is revolved around sex, making out and sexuality/attraction. Talks and jokes about sex and teen sex.); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - NOT RECOMMENDED 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Georgia is a little confused. She's just graduated high school and yet she's never kissed anyone before. Is it her too high of standards? Or maybe the fact she doesn't like to party?I mean everyone in her grade has at least been kissed before, so what's her problem? As she goes into college with her two best friends she makes a vow to try harder in the romantic industry and hopefully get someone to kiss her. 

 Loveless tries to be funny, cool and relatable and falls flat on it's face with all three. I thought it played way into the quiet theater girl cliche way too much and just all the high school tropes rolled into one. I found the writing to be really just boring. There isn't an ounce of excitement or creativity in the author's words and she uses the same ones over and over again. I thought the plot relied heavily on the whole "she hasn't been kissed" before and it just got overused. 

 Kenzie Hoehne Student Reviewer 

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari - OPTIONAL

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari, 284 pages. Walker Books, 2020. $18.

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

“Something BIG is happening soon.” When Mars’s idol says it, Mars believes it -- especially when Aurora goes missing. And then Jonas. Maybe the big thing made them disappear. Maybe the big thing is whatever Mars has to do to get them back.

The mystery of finding the kids who had gone missing was exciting until it became confusing. In the ending climax scenes, pieces are revealed as if they will explain everything, but I felt like the pieces didn’t all go to the puzzle I was trying to put together. Furthermore, Mars is loyal to a fault and is portrayed as a hero by making poor choices that readers shouldn’t emulate. Maybe the story would be more fun for me if I was familiar with the podcast it’s based on, but, at this point, I am not interested in the original story or this book’s sequel.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

What Adults Don’t Know About Art by The School of Life - ADVISABLE

What Adults Don’t Know About Art by The School of Life, 147 pages. NONFICTION. The School of Life, 2020. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Most books about art talk about pieces of art or artists, listing a bunch of facts you don’t really care about. That is not this book. The School of Life wants to help you answer the real question: why art is important?

I have a minor in art history, and I learned so much reading this book. The School of Life articulates the importance of art in a simple way that helps readers understand how and why they make connections with works of art. Of course there is a little bit of discussion about pieces of art and artists, but these facts are part of a conversation and not a boring textbook lecture. This is a non-fiction book that I will actually want to reread because I like it, not because I forgot all the information. The mature content rating is for some nude figures in art shown.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard - OPTIONAL

Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard, 312 pages. Macmillan Children’s Books (Simon & Schuster), 2021. $20.

Language: R (121 swears, 50 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Canada is a long way from England, which is exactly what Peyton wanted. This is where she will prove to the world that she can be independent. When reality turns out to be different from her expectations, Peyton must adjust the way she views other people -- and herself.

While I was initially impatient with the jumps between the present and “before,” Barnard crafted Peyton’s story so well that I was brought to tears with her at the most vulnerable part of her journey. Fear, loneliness, and discovering the meaning of friendship are talked about so sincerely that simple statements feel profound; that rawness was not what I expected from an adventure story. Also, Peyton’s story is punctuated with the occasional illustration from her sketchbook, which was a fun addition. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, drug use, innuendo, groping, partial nudity, crude language, manual sex (descriptive in a more explanatory way and not a graphic way), and vaginal sex (also not graphic).

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Kilpack, Walker, and McConkie - OPTIONAL

Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack, Anneka R. Walker, and Sarah L. McConkie, 268 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $16.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Love has been lost and relationships hurt. In these three short stories, the main characters take advantage of the Christmas spirit to heal their hearts and give gifts of forgiveness.

Through the words of these authors, readers will be warmed and have their spirits lifted. Whether or not it’s Christmas time when these stories are read, seeing the fruits of honesty, kindness, and forgiveness will light your Christmas spirit. However, Kilpack’s story in this collection is about a widow, which might not be as relatable and interesting for high schoolers. Fun fact: Walker’s story is a companion to the short story she wrote for A Hopeful Christmas.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Great Stink: ... London’s Poop Pollution Problem by Colleen Paeff and Nancy Carpenter - ADVISABLE

 The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solves London’s Poop Pollution Problem by Colleen Paeff, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2021. $18. 9781534449299 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

London, England, in the 1800’s was disgusting. Not only did it smell terrible, but the city went through several cholera outbreaks in short succession. Joseph survived the outbreaks and he was determined to not only find the source of the disease, but also straighten out London’s higgledy-piggledy sewer system, which he hypothesized was the cause of the outbreaks. Parliament stalls until the 1850’s. It takes only 6 years to build Joseph’s system and when the next outbreak comes, he is proven correct. 

 While the walking skeletons that represent London’s dead are a bit macabre, the book is fascinating. I would love to read this with a class – at whatever level or class covers disease, sanitation, pollution, or even the history of London. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

North & South: a tale of two hemispheres by Sandra Morris - ADVISABLE

 North & South: a tale of two hemispheres by Sandra Morris. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2021. $18. 9781536204599 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Morris juxtaposes the hemispheres in a month-by-month look at a representative animal from each hemisphere. 

 The information is detailed, but each page could be read one at a time over several sittings, instead of trying to read it in one sitting. The beautiful endpapers show the location of each animal. Morris is a talented writer and illustrator. I would buy two or three copies of the book and ask the publisher for permission to make wall posters for each month; it would make a great classroom display! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens - HIGH

In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens, 303 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2021. $19

Language: R (5 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

16yo Prince Taliesin is about to embark on his coming-of-age tour around his kingdom, but his forbidden magic makes such an outing fraught with danger. On his voyage, he rescues a mysterious boy named Athlen, who has his own secrets. In the course of events, Athlen ends up jumping overboard and Taliesin thinks he is lost to the open sea. However, when Tal finds Athlen a couple of days later in town, he is left with more than a few questions. Athlen then helps save Tal in return. It is now up to Tal to save his family from war and help save Athlen from his own problems. 

 This queer teen fantasy adventure was a delight to read, mostly because of how normal it felt. In this world, there was no awkwardness or censure around the gay romance, it was just an accepted part of life. This story would appeal to teens of all sorts. The romance is sweet, however, there is some allusion to going beyond kissing, hence the PG-13 rating in Mature Content. The action can get a little graphic and bloody at times, as is expected with fantasy adventure, so be aware of that. I really enjoyed this world, the character growth for Taliesin, and his budding romance with Athlen. It would be a great addition for any high school library looking to build up their LGBTQIA options for teens. 

Reviewer: BookswithBeddes 

Misfit in Love (Saints and Misfits #2) by S.K. Ali - ADVISABLE

Misfit in Love (Saints and Misfits #2) by S.K. Ali, 320 pages. Salaam Reads (Simon and Schuster), 2021. $20 

Language: PG13 (23 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG (reference to sexual assault). 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Janna is spending the summer after high school staying at her dad's lake front estate, and helping her brother prepare for his upcoming wedding in just a few days. As her friends and her brother Muhammad's friends begin to arrive - to also help with pre-wedding preparations, Janna anticipates Nuah's arrival, because feelings have grown between the two of them, and she is excited to announce to the family that they might be official. But, everything does not go as planned, her brother is a bit of a groomzilla, and Janna is recruited to help get the wedding back on track; a couple of guys she's never met, Haytham and Layth confuse her feeling for Nuah; and Nuah is acting strangely. 

A companion novel, it would be best to read "Saints and Misfits" first so that you understand Janna better and know all the friends as they arrive, however, it can stand on its own. I really liked reading about all the Muslim traditions surrounding a wedding, and appreciated the serious subplot surrounding the young people's reactions to the older generation's racist ideas. Well explained, you don't need Muslim background knowledge to become completely involved in the story, but I'm sure Muslim readers will have a much fuller reading experience. 

Lisa Librarian

The Story of the Olympic Games by The Olympic Museum - ADVISABLE

The Story of the Olympic Games by The Olympic Museum, 93 pages. NONFICTION. Welbeck, 2020. $23.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Olympics brings athletes and spectators together from around the world -- and has been doing so since 1896! How did this world tradition start? Who are some of the great Olympians that have competed? Let’s find out!

The variety of pictures and facts keeps readers interested as this book talks about how the Olympics have developed over time into the games we know today. Readers get to learn about the host countries, how world events have impacted the Olympics, and the examples set before us by competitors -- whether or not they have won gold medals. I loved reading through the facts, especially as some athletes became familiar to me across several Olympics which made it feel more like a story than I expected from a nonfiction book. The mature content rating is for the use of nearly nude figures used in examples of past Olympic posters and medals.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford - ESSENTIAL

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford, 128 pages. BIOGRAPHY Clarion Books, January 2022. $18 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Mary Anning lived in Victorian England in a small village called Lyme Regis where she searched the cliffs at low tide for fossils, discovering some of the richest fossil beds, and beautifully intact specimens of her time. Anning sold most of her discoveries to support herself and her family, many to private collectors. She made a lifetime career in paleontology, and although today Anning is a celebrated and important paleontologist, during her lifetime her discoveries were credited to others and she was not welcomed into the scientific community. 

 I read this in egalley (thank you Netgalley) so I can't tell much about the physical book. It appears to be picture book size, with a colored illustration on the cover, however, the interior illustrations and photographs are amazing and intended for an older reader. The text is engaging and exciting.  Includes colored illustrations, photographs of contemporaries and artifacts, a timeline, glossary, where to see Mary Anning's fossils and a thorough bibliography. I'm anxiously awaiting my copy, as I can't wait to talk it up.

Lisa Librarian

Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper - ADVISABLE

Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper, 352 pages. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), November 2021. $19

 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12 yo Melody is one of the smartest girls her age, but at first sight people don't know that - Melody is in a wheel chair and needs help to do almost everything. Last year she was on the Quiz Kids team at school, but now it's summer vacation and Melody is ready to try something new - like Summer Camp! With the help of her librarian, Melody researches camps for kids with special needs and find one still accepting campers and it's only 2 hours away! Both excited and worried, Melody finds herself sharing a cabin with 3 other girls and 4 counselors (each camper has their own) in a place designed especially for kids like her. But is she brave enough to try everything, like swimming, ziplining and even horseback riding? 

I loved seeing Melody making friends with other kids who get it, and being given the opportunity to not be constrained by limitations for the first time in her life.  While not as gripping as book 1, I found myself spending a day at camp with Melody, knowing she was well cared for and enjoyed seeing how regular experiences were accommodated for a special needs camper.   A wonderful companion/sequel to "Out of My Mind" which was originally published in 2010, so this is a great time to update your shelves and buy both books. 

Lisa Librarian

Prehistoric Pets by Dr. Dean Lomax, Illustrated by Mike Love - ESSENTIAL

 

Prehistoric Pets by Dr. Dean Lomax, Illustrated by Mike Love NON-FICTION, INTERACTIVE PICTURE BOOK Templar Books (Candlewick Press), 2021. $18. 9781536217148 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Did you know your pet has animal ancestors? Dr. Dean Lomax (a paleontologist) tells about the pet, i.e guinea pig, gold fish, parakeet, cat or dog; the kind of animal - rodent, bird, fish; and then, when you open the fold out page, the prehistoric animal ancestor pops up and you learn all about them! So full of great facts, and colorfully illustrated. Dr. Lomax shows what their fossil looks like, where they lived, even what they ate. 

Ok, pop-up books are usually for the little kids, but I was thoroughly surprised and engaged when I opened the flap and there was a huge snake! (or saber tooth cat or Velociraptor). The informational pieces are in text boxes which are also fully illustrated, and I've gone back to re-read several times because it's just so cool. Putting this copy in my middle school library, but taking it up to show the Natural History Museum so they can get copies in their gift shop.

Lisa Librarian

13 Ways to Eat a Fly by Sue Heavenrich and David Clark - HIGH

13 Ways to Eat a Fly by Sue Heavenrich, illustrated by David Clark PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Charlesbridge, 2021 $17.00 9781580898904 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

So many things eat flies - they are the food source for at least 13 - frogs, spiders, water striders, wasps, fish, birds and more. And because it's 13 ways - the reader also learns HOW they are eaten. From catching a fly in a web, to a fungus that infects them - eating the fly from the inside, it's a good thing they are so abundant! 

Delightfully illustrated by David Clark, what sounds like it could be a gross book, really isn't. So full of information, both fly and consumer are identified as part of the illustration, and the simple explanation is just perfect. Includes "nutrition facts", a chart of the parts of the fly, a thorough bibliography, websites and books for additional reading. I'm at a middle school and will be adding this to my books about insects.

Lisa Librarian

It’s All Love by Jenna Ortega - OPTIONAL

It’s All Love by Jenna Ortega, 221 pages. NONFICTION. Random House Children’s Books, 2020. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Jenna Ortega is a young Latina working for balance between school, family, acting, and finding herself. She shares her personal experiences and lessons learned to encourage other teenagers to do the same.

Ortega’s book is half fortune cookie sayings and half personal thoughts. Her uplifting and encouraging words relating to a variety of subjects are nice to read one bite at a time. When I tried to sit down to read big chunks, Ortega’s positivity all ran together. The mature content rating is for mentions of sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen