Sophomore Switch by Abby McDonald - NO

Mcdonald, Abby Sophomore Switch, 297 p. Candlewick, 2009. $17.99.

Mature Content: PG-13 (off page sex – lots of it; morning after pill); Language: PG-13 (20-ish swears), Violence – G.

HS – NO

After an embarrassing incident, Tasha flees to England for a semester abroad at Oxford – hoping that the world will forget all about her; Emily was supposed to go to Harvard for semester, but instead finds herself at UC Santa Barbara, taking over Tasha’s place while Tasha takes hers. Both girls supposedly learn a lot about themselves along the way.

When all is said and done, I was pretty bored by the whole thing. Tasha decides that she has to be a stuffy tweed-wearer to fit in and Emily decides to take crash courses in beach bunny-ism. It read more like a potential screenplay (think House Bunny) than a novel.

Cindy, Library-Teacher

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn - OPTIONAL

O’Flynn, Catherine What Was Lost, 240 p. Henry Holt, 2007. $14.00. 

Language: R (65 swears, 30-ish “f”); Violence: PG-13 (kids fall off the side of a mall in a tragic shopping cart accident); Sexual Content: G. 

HS - OPTIONAL

Kate, 11yo, loves being a detective and staking out people at the mall. Then one day she disappears without a trace. Twenty years later, Lisa, the sister of the man accused (though never proved) of killing Kate is working at the mall when she strikes up a friendship with Kurt, a security guard, who has seen something funny on the monitors – something that may be related to Kate’s disappearance. 

If it weren’t for the large amount of “f’s”, I would recommend this as a classroom read for high school. The theme of loss is expounded and expanded and eloquently expressed without being obvious. You should recommend this to an adult to read – I thought it was well worth my time. 

Cindy, Library-Teacher

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Laura Amy Schlitz - ESSENTIAL

Schlitz, Laura Amy Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! 2 CD, Audio. Recorded Books, 2008. 

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

MS-ESSENTIAL, HS-ADVISABLE

This full cast audio recording transports the listener into the middle of a medieval English village as seen through the eyes of 22 children from all classes in the village. The stories are told in verse or prose and can sometimes be harsh. The story of a Jewish boy and a Christian girl playing across the river is especially moving in its reading by two voices. 

The medieval music and Ms. Schlitz’s background segments adds flavor to the stories. The book was originally written as a play for students so it really soars in this audio version. Students studying or wanting more information on medieval life will enjoy this. 

Reviewer: Sarah Herron, Teacher Librarian, WHS.

Standing For Socks by Elissa Brent Weissman - ADVISABLE

Weissman, Elissa Brent Standing for Socks, 220 p. Atheneum (Simon), 2009. $16. 

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Near the end of 5th grade, Fara accidentally wore two different socks to school. Now, at the beginning of 6th grade, wearing two socks has become her signature and her burden as she struggles to find her place in middle school. Fara decides to at least stay with the bit until after the 6th grade elections, as the notoriety can only help her campaign. But a bit of dirty tricks make pull the dream rug right out from under her. 

I found Fara very smart and a lot of fun to get to know. Especially when she realized that being known for one thing is not always that great. 

Cindy, Library-Teacher

The Mythology Handbook by Lady Evans - ESSENTIAL

Evans, Lady Hesta The Mythology Handbook, 80 pages, published 2009. 

Language: G, Sexual Content: PG, Violence: PG.

EL, MS- ESSENTIAL

This book is about Greek mythology. It’s filled with tales of mighty gods, powerful monsters and titans. It also has ancient Greek myths of heroic heroes. It’s even filled with activities and stickers.

I like this book because it has a lot of information of practically all of the interesting Greek myths. I also like this book because it’s filled with adventures of mighty heroes and heroines.

Student Reviewer: SO.

Return of the Emerald Skull by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell - ESSENTIAL

Stewart, Paul and Riddell, Chris Barnaby Grimes: Return of the Emerald Skull, 203 pages, published 2008

Language: PG, Sexual Content: G, Violence: PG

EL, MS- ESSENTIAL

Barnaby Grimes is a tick-tock lad who delivers things. The school master of Grassington hall asks if Barnaby can deliver a package to him. Barnaby delivers it, and after he delivers it he notices weird things start going on. 

What do you think happened? Will he be the hero? I enjoyed reading this book because it had both mystery and action in it. It was also very exciting to read. 

Student Reviewer: SO

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach - OPTIONAL

Roach, Mary Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, 303 p. NON-FICTION. W.W. Norton, 2003. 

Content: PG-13

HS - OPTIONAL

This non-fiction book is a humorous, off-beat look at the “life” of a cadaver. The author provides historical background as well a current account on the role of human cadavers in medical science. The author treats the subject of death with respect and just enough lightheartedness to keep the reader actively engaged. This is not a book for people with weak stomachs, but for the more mature young adult reader with an interest in science the pages are a fascinating read. 

Reviewer: Library-Teacher, LGP.

Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer - ADVISABLE

Schaefer, Laura Teashop Girls, 250 p. Simon and Schuster, 2009.

Content: G

MS - ADVISABLE

Annie, 13, has practically grown up in her grandmother's tea shop, along with the other Tea Girls, her best friends Genna and Zoe. Now, after one day as an official barista in the shop, Annie finds out that the shop is in trouble. Annie will do everything that she and her friends can think of the save the shop, but even that may not be enough.

Students who love The Mother-Daughter Book Club will also adore these girls; I liked them even better.

CINDY

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - ESSENTIAL

Ryan, Carrie Forest of Hands and Teeth, 310 p. Delacorte (Random), 2009.

Violence: PG-13

HS - ESSENTIAL

Mary's village is surrounded by a deep forest and sturdy fences - fences to keep out the hordes of Unconsecrated whose only desire is to feast upon the flesh of the humans. ecause no one has spoken for her hand, Mary is sent to live with the village's Sisters, who are the repository of memory and spiritual teachings. There she stumbles upon a secret that sets dire circumstances in motion, sending the entire village running for their lives.

At first I thought this was a take on M. Night Shamalan's The Village, but instead it became a look at the world after the long discussed (at least by horror lovers) zombie uprising! This will be very popular with the horror crowd, but the violence is not for younger students.

CINDY

Brutal by Michael Harmon - ESSENTIAL

Harmon, Michael Brutal, 227 p. Knopf (Random), 2009.

Language: R (80, 15 "f"); Violence: PG-13.

HS - ESSENTIAL

Poe's mother has left for a year doctoring in the wilds of Africa, leaving Poe with her father, whom she hasn't seen for sixteen years. Poe comes with a lot of baggage and a lot of guts - the guts to stand up to the system, even if means standing up to her own father. Poe throws herself right into making waves - in the show choir, in PE, and in the defense of her weird neighbor "Velveeta", whom is the punching bag for the school jock king.

Harmon's book is so powerful, it needs to be mandatory reading for every teacher, administrator, counselor and I hope that there are schools out there brave enough to add this to their curriculum. I love Poe and I hope others will love her too. Unfortunately, becuse of the language and violence ratings, I can't recommend this for most school collections. But, like 13 Reasons Why, this one will be passed from hand to hand.

CINDY

Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede - ESSENTIAL

Wrede, Patricia C. Thirteenth Child, 352 p. Scholastic, 2009. $16.99.

Content: G

MS - ESSENTIAL

Lan is the seventh son of a seventh son, but his older twin sister, Eff, is the thirteenth child in their family. The people in their small town treat Eff like a bad seed, until their family moves to a rural border town so that their father can teach magic at the local land-grant college. There Eff has a chance to learn how to use her magic in the place where people to look upon her with dread and suspicion.

The first book in a series, I just hope that Ms. Wrede had a lot more ideas for the series, because I enjoyed reading this one! I love how the she uses the prevalent use of magic to change the history of the world in exciting ways. It feels like a western, with a magic infusion.

CINDY

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - ESSENTIAL

Anderson, Laurie Halse Wintergirls, 278 p. Viking (Penguin), 2009. $17.99.

Language: PG-13 (20, 1 "f").

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

Lia ignored the calls from her former best friend Cassie all night long. Now she knows that Cassie is dead - from a ruptured esophagus, a bad consequence of her bulimia. Lia is still slave to her own eating addiction and the appearances of Cassie's ghost, taunting her, doesn't make anything easier. Lia wants to do well, or at least look like she's doing well for her young stepsister, but the heartfelt desire to be the thinnest ever and the angry, self-deprecating voices in her head may win out in the end. As winter deepens, so does Lia descent into a winter girl.

Anderaon has again written a beautiful book that captures the essence of a problem. This makes everything since Speak look like a practice run.

CINDY

The Brimstone Network by Tom Sniegoski - ESSENTIAL

Sniegoski, Tom The Brimstone Network, 293 pages, Published 2008,

Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G.

EL-MS, ESSENTIAL

The Brimstone Network is about a 13yo boy Abraham, Bram for short, is hidden away in the Himalayan mountains. His dad runs a network to protect the world from paranormal monsters. His dad and his network gets killed, so when he dies his dad sends him a bizarre man named Mr. Stitch to help him. Bram is the only one left. He has to start a network before its too late. Bram and his network also have secret powers.

I liked this book because the big adventure and the suspense pulls you into the book. Interest Level:

Student Reviewer: SO.

Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn - NO

Weyn, Suzanne Distant Waves: A Novel of the Titanic, 336 p. Scholastic, April 2009.

Content: G.

NO

All of the Taylor girls have psychic powers to one degree or another. All of them will end up on the Titanic with very different destinies. I had no interest in the fate of any of the Taylor sisters. I especially didn’t like the historic name-dropping; it seemed very obvious and jarring.

Cindy – Library Teacher.

Ruby's Imagine by Kim Antieau - ESSENTIAL

Antieau, Kim Ruby’s Imagine, 208 pages. Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

Content- G

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

Ruby is a young girl that lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. She lives there with her grandma as Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans. Many things are being revealed about Ruby as she tries to stay safe as the hurricane hits.

I liked this book. I liked the description that was in it. I could really picture what was going on with Ruby at the time. It was a very interesting book to read.

Student Reviewer: MB

Night of the Spadefoot Toads by Bill Harley - ADVISABLE

Harley, Bill Night of the Spadefoot Toads, 222 pgs. Peachtree Pub. Ltd.

Content: G

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Ben has just moved from Arizona to Massachusetts and he misses his friends and the desert. He feels that Massachusetts has nothing on Arizona, and he is lonely with no friends. Then he discovers that his teacher loves wildlife too, and she has rare spadefoot toads on her property, that only come out once a year, and he begins to think Massachusetts isn’t so bad.

This was a good book, and it also was well-written. However, the plot was very predictable.

Student Reviewer: RG

Bro by Robert Newton Peck - ESSENTIAL

Peck, Robert Newton Bro, 150 pgs. Harper Collins.

Content – G

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

After a horrible incident on his grandfather’s ranch, Tugwell Dockery hasn’t spoken a word. His brother is in jail for smuggling liquor, and his parents die in a horrific accident. His great-aunt comes to get him, and he goes back to his grandfather’s ranch to live. When his brother Broda hears that he is back on the scene of the accident, he knows he must be with his brother.

This was an OK book, but it got a little bit hard to understand sometimes because they used the slang the people speaking would use. Otherwise, though, it was a great book. The characters were pretty well developed and it was a pretty good storyline. I would recommend it to anyone.

Student Reviewer: RG

Cracked up to Be by Courtney Summers - PUBLIC

Summers, Courtney Cracked up to Be, 214 p. St. Martin's Griffin, 2009.

Language: R (about 100 - 30+ "f" - and that was only before I gave up counting).

Parker Fadley is doing her best to alienate everyone around her. From being the perfect child, the perfect student, the perfect friend, Now she is self-destructive and barely holding it together enough to graduate from high school. Now Jake, the nicest guy in the world, has arrived at Parker's school and wants to know what's up with Parker. And he, of course, sets things in motion to make Parker confront the situation that started her downward spiral.

This intense novel is best left in the hands of the public libraries. It's an initmate look at the consequences of high school pettiness combined with alcohol.

PUBLIC.

Cindy - Library Teacher.

Delicious: The Life and Art of Wayne Thiebaud - ESSENTIAL

Rubin, Susan Goldman. Delicious: The Life and Art of Wayne Thiebaud, 108 pgs. NON-FICTION. Chronicle Books, 2007.

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

This tribute to a great American artist is also a very readable biography of Thiebaud that takes him from his birth in Arizona to his Mormon childhood on a ranch in Utah, to California's Sacramento Valley. Along the way we learn how this realistic artist thinks about art, and how he goes about making it. His brightly colored images of cakes and pies and gumball machines are extrememly child friendly making the book an excellent choice for children ages 10 - 14.

The beautifully composed book is itself a work of art and is a must purchase especially with Thiebaud's Utah connection.

The Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia - ESSENTIAL

Beccia, Carlyn. The Raucous Royals, 64pgs. NON-FICTION. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008.

EL, MS- ESSENTIAL

This book tells about royal rumors commonly known by everyone. But, are these rumors really true? Some are and some are not. It gives you clues to help you try to figure it out yourself.

The book is really interactive and makes you curious to see the answers. I really liked how creative this book was. It was really interesting to see the facts behind the rumors.

Student Reviewer: CW