The Scary Solo by Sally Rippin -- ADVISABLE

Rippin, Sally Hey Jack!: The Scary Solo, 44 pgs. Kane Miller, 2012. $4.99. Content: G.

When Jack freezes up at auditions for the school concert, his best friend lands the solo instead. Despite his initial jealousy, Jack is a good sport and helps Billie prepare. But when there's trouble at the concert, Jack has a chance to really step in and save the day.

This early reader is a good introduction to overcoming jealousy and working as a team. Jack is a very sympathetic character, and his actions at the end will likely have some kids cheering. Although the text is very large, and the book weighs in at only 44 pages, it has fewer pictures and longer words than the average early reader, so it may be better for slightly more practiced students.

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

The Winning Goal by Sally Rippin -- ADVISABLE

Rippin, Sally Hey Jack!: The Winning Goal, 44 pgs. Kane Miller, 2012. $4.99. Content: G.

Jack envisioned making a lot of goals during his very first soccer game, but his coach makes him goalie instead. Even though he's out of the action, Jack learns that goalies can still be team players.

This early reader is a nice introduction to teamwork and being a good sport. The focus on soccer is nice for sports fans. Although the text is very large, and the book weighs in at only 44 pages, it has fewer pictures and longer words than the average early reader, so it may be better for slightly more practiced students.

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

The Nowhere Box by Sam Zuppardi -- ADVISABLE

Zuppardi, Sam The Nowhere Box. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2013. $15.99. Content: G.

George is tired of his pesky little brothers following him everywhere, so he escapes to the huge box from the new washing machine. Alone. Soon he's riding a roller coaster, blasting off in a rocket ship, and sailing across the ocean beneath a pirate flag -- all courtesy of a cardboard box and a heavy dose of imagination. But as it turns out, playing is not nearly as fun when you do it by yourself.

This creative, colorful ode to the imagination is a quick read with a sweet twist. It is both understanding of the need for children to have time to themselves, and appreciative of all the fun siblings can bring to free play.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

Otis Dooda: Downright Dangerous (Otis Dooda #2) by Ellen Potter -ESSENTIAL

Potter, Ellen Otis Dooda: Downright Dangerous (Otis Dooda #2) 240 pgs. Feiwel & Friends, 2014. $16.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G.

In this second book in the series, Otis is going to school, but his nemesis, Sid, a Lego genius, isn't making things easy. His home in the Tidwell towers is still full of drama. When he is assigned to interview a senior citizen, Otis and his friends forget about the test of the new belly button poppers, and craziness ensues. When a boy in his building eat a mysterious egg, the whole place is convinced he is going to have an alien baby, which leads to major problems later on for Otis as he tries to enter a big Lego competition.

This second book in a series has so much fun going on that its impossible to describe the plot properly, out of context. I was worried that this one wouldn't be as funny as the first but it totally was, I could not stop laughing. Its so goofy and yet quiet whitty in how the little plot elements later come into play. I am adding this author to my favorite list. This book is perfect for those students who love Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and to be honest, I like it way better. Hilarious!!

El (K-3), EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

In the Shadows by Kiersten White – ADVISABLE

White, Kiersten  In the Shadows 384 pgs. Scholastic Press, 2014. $15.99 

Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: PG13. PART GRAPHIC NOVEL

Set in the early 1900’s, Thomas and his sick brother Charles are sent to live at a boarding house. Luckily there are some wonderful sisters who live there, the serious Cora and the wild Minnie help to keep the brothers entertained.  There is creepy local witch, swims at the beach, and piano music. Mysterious forces are converging on the house, Arthur is a family friend is trying to hold things at bay. Between short sections of this story are a wordless graphic novel story. In this story we see a scarred man perusing some very evil and scary looking people throughout the span of the entire 1900’s, the true plot not revealed until the two stories come together.

I think teen readers would enjoy this thriller, which is an interesting mix of graphic novel and written story.  But keep in mind this was a super dark and creepy book. The graphic novel portions are downright  chilling, the artwork in angry reds, blacks, dark blues, and oranges. The characters are evil and there are dark images of a boy chained in a cage. The story of the teenagers is also spine chilling and its hard to watch as they put themselves in dangerous situations.

HS –ADVISABLE 

Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Secret of the Silver Key by Jane O'Connor - - ADVISABLE

O’Connor, Jane Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy: Secret of the Silver Key, 121 pgs. Harper Collins Children 2014. $9.99. Language: G (0 swears) Violence: G; Mature Content: G.  

When Nancy is helping her dad restore her new roll top desk, she finds a secret compartment with a key inside.  Can Nancy and Bree follow the clues to find out what the key fits?  

This is book 4 in the Nancy Clancy series.  With little bits of French expressions sprinkled in, this illustrated chapter book stands on its own and would be enjoyed by girls in 3th-6th grade.  

EL  (K-3) - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian

Prickly Rose by Shelley Gill -- ADVISABLE

Gill, Shelley Prickly Rose, illustrated by Judy Love. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2014. $17.95. Content: G.

Prickly Rose is tired of always being in her ten-foot-tall sister Sitka's shadow, so when Sitka takes off on an adventure, Prickly vows to follow. How else to prove she can keep up, after all? Unfortunately, Prickly is soon lost. As she wanders Alaska, looking for Sitka, the giant Prickly accidentally forms volcanoes and ocean tides, tsunamis and earthquakes -- all the things responsible for Alaska's beautiful terrain.

This fun adventure story would work well for a unit on Alaska, tall tales, or even family dynamics. Because of the constraints of the rhyme, the plot is occasionally hard to follow, but colorful, lively illustrations help keep readers on track.

EL -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

The Only Alex Addleston in All These Mountains by James Solheim -- ESSENTIAL

Solheim, James The Only Alex Addleston in All These Mountains, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbler. PICTURE BOOK. Carolrhoda Books, 2014. $17.95. Content: G.

When Alex Addleston and Alex Addleston meet on the first day of kindergarten, they immediately become the best of friends. But when Alex's family moves to Kenya to build schools for the needy, the friends lose touch. It doesn't mean they forget each other, though, and they dream of the day when they can meet again and rediscover their friendship.

This is a wonderful story of a lifelong friendship with a sweet twist at the end. It makes a very nice addition to the many books about best friends who are separated when one of them moves away. While the identical names seem like they would cause confusion, the book is actually very easy to follow and the story flows nicely. The illustrations complement the text well; the ones inside the front and back covers are a particularly nice touch.

EL (K-3) -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn.

Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka -- ADVISABLE

Raczka, Bob Joy in Mudville, illustrated by Glin Dibley. PICTURE BOOK. Carolrhoda Books, 2014. $17.95. Content: G.

In this nod to the poem "Casey at the Bat," Casey has choked, and the Mudville Nine need someone to replace him. Enter Joy, a female pitcher with an unusual style. She doesn't just pitch; she hikes the ball, lobs it like a tennis serve, and sends it arcing toward the batter with a jump shot. Joy is determined to rescue the team, while also showing everyone that girls excel at many sports. A reprint of "Casey at the Bat" is provided as an endnote.

This is an enjoyable story with a creative heroine. Many kids will likely find Joy's inventive pitching styles humorous, although baseball purists might balk. Because of the ample sports terminology, some comprehension help may be necessary for those not familiar with baseball, football, and the like. The rhyme scheme leads to some very awkward sections where the rhythm is thrown completely off; still, it would make for a fun read-aloud, especially among sports fans.

EL -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

Matilda's Cat by Emily Gravett -- ADVISABLE

Gravett, Emily Matilda's Cat. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012. $16.99. Content: G.

Matilda's cat isn't into the things Matilda likes, such as playing with wool, jumping into boxes, or riding bikes. There is one thing the cat likes, though: Matilda.

I love the quirky illustrations, which depict cat behavior so well, and the constantly-revised lists make this one a lot of fun to read aloud. The sweet, loving ending is perfect for a pre-bed reading, although it would work well at any time. Because the format is so different, it might be difficult for younger children to catch on to the story, but a little help from adults should clarify things nicely.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

Captain Cat by Inga Moore -- ADVISABLE

Moore, Inga Captain Cat. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2013. $15.99. Content: G

Captain Cat is a trader who doesn't care for treasure. Instead, he exchanges his goods for cats, until he has an entire ship full of them. But when he is blown off course and ends up on a remote island, he meets a young queen with a rat problem. As it turns out, there's someone who needs his cats even more than he does.

This is not only a delightful tale with lovely illustrations, but also a celebration of some people's love for cats. At 48 pages, it's longer than the average picture book, yet it does not feel overly wordy, and the plot warrants the length, especially in the end.

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

Let's Dance, Grandma! by Nigel McMullen -- NOT RECOMMENDED

McMullen, Nigel Let's Dance, Grandma! PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins, 2014. $16.99. Content: G

Lucy loves to dance. Unfortunately, as her mother tells her, grandmas do NOT dance. Sure enough, when her grandma comes to visit, Lucy can get her to play ball, give her a horsey ride, and play dress up -- anything but dancing. After a sweet moment, though, Lucy learns that grandmas do dance, but "only with very special people."

While the artwork for this one is fun, and many children will empathize with a character who loves to dance, I had several issues with this book. For one thing, the blanket statement that grandmas never dance is quite often false and paints grandmothers in a bad light. Yet when it is then turned around to state that grandmas do dance but only with special people, it may make some children ask, "Well, then why doesn't my grandma dance with me? Am I not special?" The statement also had me wondering why her grandma only danced with her at the end. Was Lucy not special until then? And how could someone who couldn't dance play so many other energetic games? It also bothered me that the grandmother not only seemed not to be enjoying Lucy's company, but that she went as far as to crawl into the closet during hide and seek so she could escape Lucy and get a nap in. All in all, way too many blanket statements, inconsistencies, and negatively-portrayed characters for me to recommend this one.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- NOT RECOMMENDED. Reviewer: Caryn

Gone Fishin' by Mike Berenstain -- ADVISABLE

Berenstain, Mike The Berenstain Bears: Gone Fishin'. HarperCollins I Can Read, 2014. $3.99. Content: G.

Papa Bear takes Brother, Sister, and Honey fishing so he can show them how it's done. Unfortunately for him, his fancy rod and reel catch nothing but river junk. It's his cubs, with their plain poles and lines, who have all the luck. Finally, a surprise catch that helps Papa see that maybe the fanciest, most expensive gear is not always the best.

This fun, easy reader makes a good addition to any Berenstain Bears collection. Papa Bear's accidental catches will likely elicit a few a few giggles, and many children will enjoy seeing his comeuppance. If used in the classroom, it could make a good lesson in perseverance and handling disappointment gracefully.

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

Sacagawea’s Strength (Blast to the Past #5) by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon –ADVISABLE

Deutsch, Stacia and Cohon, Rhody Sacagawea’s Strength (Blast to the Past #5) 114 pgs. Alladin, 2014. $5.99  

Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

The students of the History Club have a new mission. For some reason historical figures are giving up on their dreams, so Mr. C sends the students of the club back in time to fix things. This time it’s Sacagawea. Since Abigail, Zack, Bo, and Jacob  don’t know that much about this time in history they can’t be sure what Sacagawea’s dream is! Turns out she doesn’t either! This is one of their biggest challenges yet.

I love this series, where have you been!? Compared to the Treasure Chest series, which I don’t care for, this one is what I have been looking for. A third-fourth grade level magic treehouse! Hooray! The characters are well developed; the story was fun and interesting. I think students will love these books! I was surprised to see very beautiful black and white illustrations as well.

EL (K-3), EL -ADVISABLE 

Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

He has shot the President (An Actual Times Book) by Don Brown –ADVISABLE

Brown, Lee He has shot the President (An Actual Times Book) 64 pgs. Roaring Brook Press, 2014. $17.99  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.

Readers find out step by step the events of the shooting of President Lincoln. We see  the perspective of the different characters, as the whole event comes together. Features watercolor illustrations.

I think this is a great book for upper elementary students. It does feature some illustrations of hangings, gun and knife violence so keep it out of the hands of younger students. There is just enough information to give a clear concise picture, without overwhelming with too much information. Its hard to find a balance for elementary students, this author has a knack for it. The illustrations do a good job as showing the anger and sadness, but I feel like its too grim. I would love to see illustrations that breathe the events to life instead of washing them out.

EL -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

The Dominion Key (Joshua Dread #3) by Lee Bacon -ADVISABLE

Bacon, Lee The Dominion Key (Joshua Dread #3) 256 pgs. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2014. $16.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G.

Joshua is going to start middle school and isn't that excited about it. But when he goes to the mall with his friends Sophie, Miranda and Milton, plans change when they are attacked. Their parents send them off to a school for super hero and villain students. They know that the big bad guy Phineas Vex is using his minions to collect powerful items from a list. When their school is attacked, they know they need to find the Dominion Key, the last item on the list of magical items. Who will find it first?

I hardly ever say this, but I wish this series was longer or more drawn out. I would like to get to know the characters better, their school, get a better feel for the world. Things more so fast that I don’t even feel like I get to enjoy the story. I really like this series, students have enjoyed it as well.  I think the portrait illustrations really add to the story.

EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Barbarian Lord by Matt Smith –NO

Smith, Matt Barbarian Lord 176 pgs. Clarion Books, 2014. $17.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: PG. GRAPHIC NOVEL

The Barbarian Lord is banished to a tiny boat on the ocean. After surviving a horrific journey, he find the nearest leader and presents himself. The Barbarian Lord is given an impossible task and only by accomplishing it can he get the help he needs to take back his land. In the meantime his nemesis is pursuing the Barbarian Lords death with the aid of his witch. But the Barbarian Lord has aid of his own.

I was surprised that the book was in black and white, it felt like an unfinished work. Many of the characters has a similar look, so I had trouble telling the big bad guy from the bard who also doesn’t like the main character. I feel like the author presented a strong character with a really weak story. The inclusion of the talking animals was really confusing! Not my favorite book, but maybe those knowledgeable about Norse mythology might find more meaning.

MS, HS –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Rio: Snakes Alive! by Stefan Petrucha - OPTIONAL

Petrucha, Stefan Rio: Snakes Alive!, 54 pgs.  Illustrated by James Silvani and Amy Mebberson.  Papercut, 2014.  $7.99  GRAPHIC NOVEL  Content: PG.  

Linda and Tulio learn that they have to pay for the bird sanctuary or they are going to lose it.  Blue overhears them and wants to help them find money.  Blue tries to raise money by finding a hair growth formula, but instead they help Tulio find a new species of bats.  They use the new species of bats to write a book and get attention, so it leaves the ending hanging thinking that they save the sanctuary.  

I liked this book because the pictures looked like the movie.  I liked the story because it’s about family.  I didn’t like that Blue was always freaking out and told his kids scary things so they would stay safe and I didn’t like that he lied.  

EL (4-6)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, Isabelle, age 10.    

Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry - ESSENTIAL

Lowry, Lois  Gooney Bird Greene, 115 pgs.  Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2002.  $5.99  Content: G. 

This book was about a second grade girl named Gooney Bird who just came to Watertower Elementary School. The class is learning about how to write a good story.  Everyone wants Gooney Bird to tell some of her stories. 

I liked this book because some of the stories were really funny. I also really liked the pictures. And I also liked Gooney Bird. I loved everything!  You have to have this book.  

EL (K-3)-ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, Isabelle, age 10.

To Be Perfectly Honest by Sonya Sones - OPTIONAL

Sones, Sonya  To Be Perfectly Honest, 480pgs.  Simon and Schuster, 2013.  $17.99  Content:  Language: PG-13 (30 swears); Mature Content: PG-13 (lots of talk about sex; underage drug use); Violence: PG.  

Colette is a pathological liar.  She blames her inability to tell the truth on the fact that her mom is a Hollywood starlet and she has to try and make herself interesting, so the only way she can do that is to lie.  When Colette goes to a new town where her mom is shooting a new movie, she meets Connor and falls for his good looks and the connection she feels towards him.  But what happens when you are in a relationship that is filled with lies?  

This book is told in prose and the main character is entertaining and easy to like, even though she lies.  The idea that lying is ugly and mean is clear, but the way the author got that message across was a bit too much for young adult readers.  Spoiler alert:  Connor spends the whole book wooing Colette so that she will have sex with him and when she won’t he lies to her and tells her he is dying of cancer in an attempt to guilt her into it.  Awful right?  It makes the point about the importance of honesty, but it’s too focused on sex.  Oh and by the way neither character is eighteen, Connor was lying about his age-he’s 21 and Colette was lying about her age as well—she’s 15.  VERY WRONG.  

HS-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.