The Perfect Present by Fiona Roberton –ADVISABLE

Roberton, Fiona The perfect present 32 pgs. Putnam Juvenile, 2012. $13.25 (Rating: G)

This is a follow up to the book Wanted a Perfect Pet. Spot the duck and Henry are the best of friends. But when Henry ignores Spot’s perfect birthday present, but one that is much more exciting, well Spot is upset. He runs away, feeling sorry for himself, and learns a lesson about true friendship.

I really liked both the first book and this follow up. They are simple, adorable, and full of heart. Students will love the clear images and clear message. Spot the duck is a great character!

EL -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Maggie’s Chopsticks by Alan Woo –ADVISABLE

Woo, Alan and Illustrated by Malenfant, Isabelle Maggie’s Chopsticks 32 pgs. Kids Can Press, Ltd, 2012. $13.22 (Rating: G)

Maggie is trying to learn everyone else’s techniques for holding chopsticks. But it’s just not working out, and she realizes that her own way might not be perfect, but it’s just right for her.

This is a cute culturally relevant story with a wonderful message. There are lots of sounds, creative descriptions, movements, foods, and colors. A rich cultural backdrop for learning a subtly presented life lesson. Great book!

EL -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Make a Wish Bear by Greg Foley –ADVISABLE

Foley, Greg Make a Wish Bear 32 pgs. Viking Juvenile, 2012. $11.67 (Rating: G)

Bear isn’t sure how to make his wish on a star come true, but his friends all sure of advice. Bear tries them all, before realizing his wish has already come true –to spend time with all his friends.

Adorable artwork, cute and simple message about friendship. Can’t go wrong here. Students would have fun trying to act out all the advice (like stand on one foot while holding your breathe!).

EL -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta –ESSENTIAL

DaCosta, Barbara and Illustrated by Young, Ed Nighttime Ninja 32 pgs. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012. $11.55 (Rating: G)

Through all obstacles a ninja sneaks through a house at night. Climbing, jumping, and hiding. All to get to a hard to find object. Will his mom catch him eating the ice cream?

Awesome collage style artwork with a quiet sneaky buildup to a dramatic ending! This is almost a pure picture book, students would have fun making up more story to go along with it. Not to mention the popularity of ninjas!

EL -ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook –ADVISABLE

Heling, Kathryn and Hembrook, Deborah and Illustrated by Davies, Andy Robert Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do 36 pgs. Charlesbridge, 2012. $10.91  (Rating: G)

The title says it all. A cute simple clothesline with an outfit attached, accessories on the ground, and a simple short verse with hints. The next pages reveal the career person at work. Examples are cook and farmer. Simple bright and colorful.

I really liked that they didn't use traditional gender stereotypes. It was clear and to the point. Children will love the guessing game part, perfect for a unit on jobs!

EL -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

The Girl who could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina –NOT RECOMMENDED

Medina, Meg The Girl who could Silence the Wind 256 pgs. Candlewick, 2012. $13.57.  (Rating: PG13 –Gore, groping)

For all her 16 years Sonia is known for her protective powers. Despite the faith of the villagers, she knows she is just a normal person. When given the opportunity to have a city job, she takes the chance –even if it means leaving behind her impetuous brother and a very special friend. Her new life is restrictive, but she when she finds out her brother has gone missing, Sonia will stop at nothing to find him.

I am pretty sure the intent of this slow moving story is for Sonia to build some confidence and find her own magic. But it was just a flop for me. I couldn’t figure out if there was a real cultural basis or it was just made up. The motivations for the majority of the characters were murky at best. For example Sonia’s brother - he wanted to earn more money –but his timing made no sense. If he had waited just a few months, Sonia could have sent him money for a car –no need to run away on foot through bandit country! Confused. The whole book sort of orbits around her brother really, Sonia takes a boring second –I don’t see her evolving much as a character. If there was more folklore or culture to this book, perhaps tying it to an actual real world culture –I might have found something to hold onto, but this story just wasn’t enough.

HS -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

The Second Life of Abigail Walker by Frances O’Roark Dowell –NOT RECOMMENDED

Dowell, Frances O’Roark The Second Life of Abigail Walker 240 pgs. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012. $13.17.  (Rating: G)

Rotating chapters between the point of view of a watching, intelligent, and perhaps ancient Fox and a 6^th grader names Abigail. Abigail is a bit overweight and gets made fun of at school; she tries to avoid the “middle” girls and instead becomes friends with some of the boys. She also finds a new friend on a nearby yet somehow previously unknown farm. Abigail spends much of her time trying to help her new friends father. This father, Matt, is trying to heal from his time at war.

Hands down one of the strangest books I have read in a long time. I am sort of at a loss to describe how poorly everything came together. Abbie is pathetic and wishy washy. The addition of the damaged veteran dad is just a bit off putting. Abbie sort of has a crush on him, and spends time alone with him, trying to help him.  Although the description of the book ties this to her developing some inner gumption, I didn’t see it. The chapters about the fox were uber bizarre and I am a big fan of fox mythology. (Trickster Tales are my favorite!!). Nothing really comes together and I won’t recommend this mess to students.

ELEMENTARY -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

The Creature from the Seventh Grade by Bob Balaban –OPTIONAL

Balaban, Bob The Creature from the Seventh Grade 256 pgs. Viking Juvenile, 2012. $10.87.  (Rating: G)

Charlie’s dorky existence goes from bad to worse, when he suddenly transforms from a boy to a dinosaur like creature. There is a little outcry, but mostly everyone treats him the same. But now he has to deal with his big tail, a hunger for his brothers tropical fish, and some new found popularity that is testing the bonds of his true friends.

I appreciate that the whole “dorky/wimpy/nerdy” boy gets his say books are popular right now, but this one was just not quite right. It had one lesson on friendship, which isn’t very sophisticated for an audience of upper elementary readers. I think students will be off-put by the fact that everyone treats Charlie normally (he continues to flirt with girls? Confused!), and the many outdated references. (Such as the title! Creature from the black lagoon isn’t well known with the past 2 generations!!). I liked the general idea and I think students will be attracted to the cover art, but overall it was just take it or leave it.

Elementary –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Horsecamp by Nicole Helget and Nate LeBoutillier –PUBLIC ONLY

Helget, Nicole and LeBoutillier, Nate Horsecamp 304 pgs. EgmontUSA, 2012. $11.78.  (Rating: Language: PG-13 (Swear Count: 4), Violence: G, Sexual: PG-13)

When their family falls apart 12 year old Percy, his sister Penny, and their little brother are sent to Horse Camp. Which is really just a cover up for staying at their Uncles Stretch’s sort of run down farm. He isn't great with kids, they aren't great with farm life. But all of the kids learn to cope. Percy bonds like an older boy who loves basketball, Penny learns to ease up on her religion, and Stretch even learns to let go of the past.

I am torn about being super pissed that there was a TON of religion in this book which was unmentioned on the jacket flap (my own bad for not practicing what I preach about reading a few pages as a sample) and sort of liking this book. But overall, I really disliked slogging through all the preachy stuff. I appreciate that it was an important and later interesting part of the plot, but I was so not in the mood for being immersed in it. This is the kind of book adults love to pick out for kids, lots of life lessons and reality. But I don’t think students would like this book. Its starts out with some major chore slogging...if the character is bored, I think it’s a given that the reader will be too! There is just enough literal sex talk (vs. allusions to) to make this book inappropriate for a school library.

MS –PUBLIC ONLY Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Summer at Forsaken Lake by Michael D. Beil –ADVISABLE

Beil, Michael D.  Summer at Forsaken Lake 336 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012. $12.13.  (Rating: G)

Nicholas spends the summer mirroring a summer his father spent in the same place. Forsaken Lake. Nicholas isn’t excited about staying with his Great-Uncle Nick, nor his twin sisters, nor being without technology. But he finds himself enjoying the joys of a simpler time –sailing, swimming, making boats, baseball. On top of that is a couple of big mysteries, a new friend Charlie, and some danger.

Despite the author playing out the idea of an ideal, magical, adventurous, nostalgic, and wholesome summer for a pre-teen boy…well I actually bought in and liked it a lot. Despite the fact that I have zero interest boats and baseball!! There was a ton of cool plot lines and mini-adventures to hold my interest through all the perfect summer fun. I think students will enjoy this book, especially since they can go and watch the authors own version of The Seaweed Strangler!

EL, MS –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE6nHYl-DEY
Here is the link to the video with sound --Cindy

The Infects by Sean Beaudoin –PUBLIC ONLY

Beaudoin, Sean  The Infects 384 pgs. Candlewick, 2012. $11.35.  

Rating: Violence: PG-13, Sexual: R, Language: R (3 official Swears –but lots of funky spellings of real ones, plus tons of adult talk)

17 year old Nick is just trying to take of his kid sister, working a full time job and going to school, while his dad sits at home. When an accident happens at the chicken processing plant where he works, Nick gets the blame, criminally. He is sent off to a juvenile delinquent camp for teens. Something goes horribly wrong though, and the first morning Nick (AKA Nero, his camp assigned name), finds one counselor eating another one! Zombie time.

I was so in a mood for a zombie fest and this one brought it and more. It was also current, raw, whitty, incorrigible, harsh, and at times a bit full of itself. (For example I am pretty sure the ending was supposed to be super profound in its revelations, but I thought it was kind of messy). Both the physical and mental action was non-stop. Really fun to read, but really adult (sex and violence). Not even close being appropriate for a school library.

HS –PUBLIC ONLY Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

The Land of Neverbelieve by Norman Messenger –NOT RECOMMENDED

Messenger, Norman  The Land of Neverbelieve 32 pgs. Candlewick, 2012. $12.23.  (Rating: G)

Yet another journal of an explorer. The narrator has visited an island that has disappeared –perhaps even walking away. But he left with his sketchbook, so that is what the reader is presented with. Also little snippets of information. There are beautiful places, cute inhabitants, and some scary Spooky Dark Mountains.

 There isn't much to say about this, I guess it would make a decent coffee table book, but as for students? No way. There is NO PLOT and NO STORY. I think the worst thing about that is that the reader is baited with these scary mountains, but nothing comes of it besides a description!! Even the creative illustrations get boring after a while since the colors are so monotone. A student may flip through this but I don’t recommend it for purchase for your school library. Yawn.

ELEMENTARY, MS –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

The Wondrous Journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington Wiggins by Leslie M.M. Blume –OPTIONAL

Blume, Lesley M.M.  The Wondrous Journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington 256 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012. $12.13.  (Rating: G)

A "long lost then found journal" explorer story. Dr. Wellington had accomplished some serious discoveries during his many travels, but after his death, his journal was much delaying in reaching the scientific community. Full of fantastical creatures, like a fossilized vine that still sung to potential victims, to a mysterious little dog type creature that becomes a  pet of sorts, this book doesn’t fall short of creativity.

But it does fall short on plot. It’s just chapter after chapter of a formulaic mini-adversity plus an outlandish discovery. The only threaded plot is the dog! I was more than a bit creeped out by the Dr’s Mother’s voice tagging along in his head, which for me, was reminiscent of Norman Bates. I think students will be really bored by this book –despite its obvious creativity. This book is just too long to keep a reader without more of a plot.

ELEMENTARY, MS –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Darkbeast by Morgan Keyes –ADVISABLE

Keyes, Morgan  Darkbeast 288 pgs. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2012. $13.10.  (Rating: G)

Keara has always lived with her raven, Caw. He is her “Darkbeast”, which is an animal or a reptile that every newborn is bound to –as they grow up they feed all their dark emotions to this creature, freeing themselves of it. This creates a bond, which must then be severed on the day a child becomes an adult, by killing the creature. Keara can’t and won’t –she is naturally rebellious. Instead she runs away to join a traveling troupe of performers. She must hide from the Inquisitors, learn a new craft, make friends, and live with her deceit.   

This was a real page turner, I read it straight through. It reminded me a lot of The Golden Compass, but with a slightly different spin. It was an interesting and well-crafted story. I think students will enjoy this book, especially if they like animals. The author set up nicely for a sequel too.

ELEMENTARY -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

Lulu walks the Dogs (Lulu Book #2) by Judith Viorst –ADVISABLE

Viorst, Judith  Lulu walks the Dogs (Lulu Book #2) 160 pgs. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012. $10.87.  (Rating: G)

Lulu is back and just as determined and stubborn as ever. She wants something, bad enough to get a job. But there is competition, a boy in the neighborhood, Fleischman, who does all the little chores people need help with, and Lulu can’t stand him. She decides to be a dog walker, and it’s a bit more challenging than she thought. Of course Fleischman makes it look easy, which just makes Lulu more mad. Is what she wants worth working with Fleischman?

I really like Lulu, she reminds me of me! The presentation of the book is like a beautiful gourmet cupcake, all cute and perfect. The story is cute and quirky too. The only problem is that it’s a hard sell. A 160 pages is too much for a 1^st grader, but Lulu seems like she around that age, so older students aren’t too interested. The first book in this series is a Beehive Book Award Nominee, so partner this new one with your presentations on the voting, and it will be a sure hit!

EL -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Levinson - ESSENTIAL

Levinson, Cynthia We’ve Got A Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March, 160 p. $20. Content: G.

 In 1944, Birmingham, Alabama adopted the first of their Segregation Ordinances, to keep blacks away from whites.  In 1956, when Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth starts found a Human Rights Coalition, things start heating up, culminating in the racially charged, physically dangerous year of 1963.  AS part of the Movement, 100’s of the black children of Birmingham decide that they, too, will participate in a march of their own, willing to be attacked or go to jail for the chance to be treated like a human being.  

Loaded with photographs, testimonies and well-researched information, this book is a powerhouse look at the power of children.  Levinson looks through the eyes of four specific child participants, but gives an excellent overview to the entire history of racial strife in Birmingham.  In her afterword, Levinson mentions the concerns of those marchers who feel like the latest black generation is wasting all of the rights that their parents and grandparents fought for.  I’m glad we love non-fiction at my school – I hope yours does too.  

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer - ESSENTIAL

Falconer, Ian Olivia and the Fairy Princesses.  Illustrated by Ian Falconer.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012.  $17.99 Content:  G PICTURE BOOK.  

What girl doesn’t grow up thinking they want to be a fairy princess?  Not Olivia.  Olivia likes to stand out, but she also wants to fit in more than anything, too.  Olivia likes to think outside of the box, but also wants to be accepted by all the other kids.  So how will Olivia become the fairy princess she wants to be, but not be like all the other kids?  

This book has the best twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.  It had me laughing out loud the entire time I read it because it reminded me of myself as a little girl.  The message is meant for both girls and boys that is it okay to be yourself and not be the typical “fairy princess” that everyone else is trying to be!  This is a must read!  Hilarious!  

EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.  Ashley, CTE Teacher.

The Drowned Vault by N.D. Wilson - ESSENTIAL

Wilson, N.D. The Drowned Vault (Ashtown Burials 2), 447 p. Random House, 2012.  $17. 

Violence: PG (lots of danger and pain, but nothing overly descriptive)

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

The Smith siblings made it into the Order of Brendan by the skin of their teeth, but that doesn’t mean that people are welcoming – not for descendants of the evil Captain John Smith, not for children fathered by a reject from the Order nor the heirs of a renegade order member.  And especially not someone who had the Dragon’s Tooth and then lost it to one of the Order’s supreme opponents, the Phoenix.  When Transmortals start dying, they invade Ashtown and force a vote for a new Brendan – a puppet who is ready to turn everything over to their enemies – an enemy worse than even the Phoenix.  Now Cyrus, Antigone and the rest of the Polygoners are on the run – to where, they don’t know; to find what, they are not exactly sure; and who is their enemy?  More possibilities than they could ever guess.  

Even as the enemies, the allies and the goals become less clear, Wilson has still crafted a high energy novel that will grab the attention of readers of his first.  I was a little creeped out by the picture on the cover – okay, a lot creeped out – but I thoroughly enjoyed the reading.  I am hoping, however, that things will become a bit clearer in book #3 – the kids have A LOT of enemies and A LOT of goals.  Share this with lots of kids!  

Cindy, Library Teacher

FYI:  Wilson was recently in SLC on his book tour and I had a chance to sit down to dinner with him.  It was 3 1/2 very fun hours.  

Millie Fierce by Jane Manning - OPTIONAL

Manning, Jane Millie Fierce.  Philomel, 2012. $16.99. PICTURE BOOK. Content: G.  

Millie is a little girl who needs to blow off some steam. Tired of being invisible to others, she looks for ways to make sure people notice her.

The writing isn’t particularly memorable, but the illustrations are full of fun and great character. A story about how we all need to get angry sometimes, the main character attempts to make people notice her through negative behaviors. Although Millie does try to right her wrongs, I didn’t feel there was any resolution to the problem that launched the tantrum in the first place. I finished the story feeling a little disappointed, not inspired. 

PRE-K, EL(K-3) - OPTIONAL. Reviewed by: J. Hafen

Shadow Spell by Carol King - OPTIONAL

King, Carol Shadow Spell,  308 p. Simon, 2010.  $7. 

Content: G

EL, MS – OPTIONAL

The Drift is dying and only Nin and her friends can save it.  In order to do so, they must find the reclusive, elusive Simeon Dark – the only sorcerer who might have enough power to stop Arafin Strood’s evil designs.  But Dark is hidden so cunningly, it will take all their smarts and their bravery to save the other world.  

This is pretty heroic stuff, but it won’t create the same buzz as Harry Potter and friends.  I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but it may actually be too smart for most kids.  It is well worth it for bustling libraries that check out large amounts of fantasy.  

Cindy, Library Teacher