Fangirl by Ken Baker - ADVISABLE

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Baker, Ken Fangirl, 272 p. Running Press, OCTOBER 2012.  $10.  

Mature Content: G; Violence: G; Language: PG-13 (31 swears, 0 ‘f’)

MS – ADVISABLE; EL  - OPTIONAL

Josie Brandt, 14yo, has always been a huge fan of Peter Maxx, 16yo pop star, but now that the two have met, things quickly became very serious.  It started when her BFF entered Peter’s song contest using one of Josie’s songs.  Now Peter can’t get his mind off Josie and Josie feels just the same. In the world of whirlwind tours, paparazzi and gossip leaks, do these two young lovers have a chance to build something serious?  Or will the pair fall victim to paranoia and pressure?   

Fangirl is so wonderfully cute that you might think it was written as fan fiction by a 14yo "Stan" (read stalker + fan), but author Ken Baker is anything but.  He does, however have a great view of life inside the Hollywood fishbowl and does a fabulous job of opening up that world to our view.  If you want to steer your students away from the Clique series or from Gossip Girl, add this to your collection.  I’m pretty sure this one will by shared by tweens and young teens all over.  And its coming out in paperback, so make sure you buy 2.  

  Cindy, Library Teacher

Walls within Walls by Maureen Sherry -ADVISABLE

Sherry, Maureen and Illustrated by Stower, Adam Walls within Walls 368 pgs. Katherine Tegen Books, 2012 . $6.99.  (Rating: G)

When Brid, CJ, and Patrick move to Manhattan, they miss their old neighborhood and even more -the time their parents used to spend with them. They are pretty depressed, but when they discover their entire apartment is a puzzle they band together to solve it. It was created by the long dead past owner, as tricky way to get his inheritance to his children.  They must decipher words puzzles, read poetry and look at architecture for clues, and put it all together with the help of a robot, an old woman, and some old fashioned brain power.

This was a fantastic mystery with great characters! Students will love this treasure hunt, its dynamic, fast paced, thoughtful, interesting, and fun! Teachers, especially us librarians, will love it because there is an emphasis on poetry, word puzzles, the use of internet searches, the use of libraries, and synthesis of knowledge. Parents might not like it so much, because these elementary aged students lie to sluff school! That might be starting a bit young! Without that bit, I would have rated this as essential.

ELEMENTARY – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate & Author.

Iva Honeysuckle Discovers the World by Candice Ransom -OPTIONAL

Ransom, Candice and Illustrated by Ross, Heather Iva Honeysuckle Discovers the World 160 pgs. Hyperion Book CH, 2012 . $11.47.  (Rating: G)

When 8 year old Iva finds an old map of sorts she is convinced it will lead to treasure.  But her cousin Heaven keeps fouling up her plans. And so does summer church camp.  Iva really wants to be an explorer and adventurer and this treasure hunt is teaching her that even the best treasure hunter needs a friend every now and then.

Spoiler Alert: She finds out that friendship is the treasure. After the whole book, the treasure is friendship (can you tell I am upset). Wholesome and sweet, this book will be sure to disappoint students who read the entire way through to discover the treasure is friendship (UGH!). Adults just eat up stuff these idealized childhood lessons, but seriously, treasure, kids want REAL treasure! (See my review of Walls within Walls!)

ELEMENTARY – OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate & Author.

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray-ESSENTIAL

Murray, Alison, Apple Pie ABC. Disney Hyperion, 2012. BOARD BOOK.

When a girl makes an apple pie, her dogs smells it and wants it for himself. Will he get it?

A cute alphabet book for young children. The pictures are cute. The text is easy and has made the letters big enough to help young children learn their alphabet. Children who like dogs, board books, and/or want to learn their alphabet will enjoy reading this book. PreK, Public Only. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Don't Squish the Sasquatch by Kent Redeker-ESSENTIAL

Redeker, Kent, Don’t Squish the Sasquatch. Disney Hyperion, 2012. PICTURE BOOK

When Señor Sasquatch gets on the bus, he hopes that his bus ride won’t have a lot of people on it. He hates being squished. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get his wish and is squashed by various animals. What will happen if he gets squeezed one time too many? What will the animals do to help Señor Sasquatch?

A cute, fun picture book for young children. The pictures are well-done and cute. The text is simple, repetitive, and does a great job of getting children to practice their narrative skills. A great read aloud for storytime, a kindergarten classroom, or for a parent to read to a child.

PreK, EL (K-3). ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Silhouetted in Blue by Traci Jones-OPTIONAL

Jones, Traci L, Silhouetted in Blue. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2011. Pgs. 200. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: PG

Ever since her mother was killed in a car accident, Serena Shaw is the glue that’s been holding her family together. Her father keeps going in and out of debilitating depression. Her brother, too young to completely take care of himself, has to rely heavily on Serena to make sure he gets to and from school okay each day, is fed, and that his homework is all done. Longing to be a part of the school play, Serena tries out and gets the lead for The Wiz. Just as she gets the part, however, her father sinks into one of his bouts of depression. This means that the two hours she needs after school every day for the play will conflict with her brother’s need to get home from Can Serena find a way to be in the school play and take care of her brother?

A good book for girls dealing with depression or if they know someone who is dealing with it. The characters are likable. The plot is slow-paced, but appeals to one’s emotional side. Readers who like realistic fiction, books that deal with hard issues, and family stories will enjoy reading this book. Ms, HS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Leading Ladies by Elizabth Cody Kimmel-ADVISABLE

Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody, Forever Four: Leading Ladies. Grosset and Dunlap, 2012. Pgs. 212. Language: G, Violence; G, Sexual Content: G

Paulina, Tally, Miko, and Ivy are back and are starting to put together their second edition to their magazine, but things aren’t going as peachy as they would like. Miko is swamped with schoolwork and her other friends, the PQuits, forcing her to be on the school’s Homecoming dance committee. Overwhelmed, she takes a leave of absence from the magazine. Tally tries to help out with the next issue, but is busy trying out for the school play, Annie. Feeling she’s destined for the part of Annie, the magazine takes a back seat to her theater dreams until she gets laryngitis shortly before auditions. With a bad case of the flu going around that’s getting in the way of making their deadline and two of their friends out for the count to help on the newsletter, can Tally and Ivy do double the amount of the work in the short amount of time they have to finish the magazine?

A funny, endearing chick-lit book. The characters are likable and fairly well-developed. The plot is entertaining, believable, and fairly well-developed. Readers who like realistic fiction, friendship stories, and school fiction will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.