Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks - ADVISABLE

Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Disney Hyperion, 2018 $21.99

Language: PG (5 swears 0 'f'); 

Mature Content: G; 

Violence: PG (blood and guts described) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sanity and Tallulah live on a space station with their parents. Sanity is a talented scientist and has (illegally and without permission) bioengineered a kitten with 3 heads named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds. But when the kitten escapes, the girls need to search everywhere to find her, because bad things are happening at the space station and it may be the kitten's fault! 

This was an exciting adventure with some interesting twists. While I'm not sure the age of the girls because they dress younger than they act, I think this would be enjoyed by both the elementary and middle school graphic novel readers. Lots of good things to recommend STEM, multicultural, strong girl characters and science fiction! 

 Lisa Librarian 

Star Wars: Millenium Falcon Book and Mega Model - OPTIONAL

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Star Wars: Millenium Falcon Book and Mega Model.  Studio Fun International, 2018.  $18.  9780794442071

BUYING ADVISORY:  GIFT (EL to ADULT) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Do you know someone who loves Star Wars? Especially fans of  Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon? Can’t afford the $800 Lego model version?  Then here is a great option for you for a holiday gift!  The accompanying 32 page book has some Falcon facts and some activity pages along with the directions for building the model.  The pieces are sturdy paperboard and the directions seem fairly easy to follow.  I would build it all once and the rebuild it using some glue for added strength and holding power.  A good shared activity or alone. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher - ESSENTIAL

Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher, 280 pages. Margaret K McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $16.99.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

It's 1252 and the king of Norway is sending a great ice bear as a gift to the king of England. Arthur, 12yo,  has run away from home, and when faced with the caged bear (a couple of sailors stuff him into its cage when he steals some meat from them) he makes a remarkable connection. Now, he is working on the ship that is transporting the bear and seems to be the only one she trusts. But the journey is fraught with danger, for both boy and beast. 

The high seas, pirates, shipwrecks, the middle ages, a polar bear - what's not to love in this great adventure novel! Susan Fletcher is a masterful storyteller taking historical information and weaving it into a rich reading experience. I want to visit the Tower of London, sail on a Norwegian ship and scratch a polar bear behind the ears - wait! I think I just did. My middle school boys are going to snatch this one up! 

Lisa Librarian

Eliza Bing is (not) a Star by Carmella Van Vleet - ADVISABLE

Eliza Bing is (not) a Star by Carmella Van Vleet, 249 pages. Holiday House 2018 $16.99.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL,  MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Eliza Bing has started middle school. She and her best friend Annie are keeping a list of "how to survive 6th grade", which is proving difficult as Eliza has already caused a rainstorm and flood in the science room and kids are calling her Nimbus. Resilient Eliza is trying to negotiate being best friends as Annie is really her first. So, she decides to be the best best friend and tries out for the play with Annie who wants to grow up and be an actress. Turns out, Eliza is good at acting, which threatens the 8th grade star and complicates the show. 

Finally, a sequel to Eliza Bing is (not) a Big Fat Quitter! There is a lot going on, school drama, family drama, drama drama . . . but Van Vleet has done a masterful job of neatly tying everything together. Eliza has grown up a little and so have the issues, (family conflict) but the lessons (friendship, confidence, resilience) are important on any level. 

 Lisa Librarian 

What's the Big Deal About Elections by Ruby Shamir - ESSENTIAL

What's the Big Deal About Elections by Ruby Shamir, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK. Philomel Books (Penguin), 2018. $18. 9781524738075


BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL, MS - AVERAGE

Voting in America is seen as a fairly ubiquitous right at this point, but the actual who/what/when/where/why can be a bit more complicated. This easy-to-read picture book explains the details of voting in the United States. Each page has fun illustrations, answers an important question about voting (How do we know who to choose in an election?), and includes a few interesting tidbits or stories. The basic heart of the book encourages young readers to get involved and get educated on the important subject of voting.

This is a fantastic nonfiction picture book that checks all the boxes for me. The information is accurate and important, the text is detailed but still written in a way kids can understand, and the illustrations are on point. This is the sort of book middle readers could handle on their own, and elementary age readers could utilize with a teacher's guidance. I think its a book that should be used in elementary social studies classes, for sure! Overall a great book that covers all your bases when teaching students about voting in America.

Reviewer: TC

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka - OPTIONAL

Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, 300 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL  Graphix (Scholastic), 2018.  $25.  

Content: Language: R (49 swears; 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH  

Jarrett was born to a teen mother who falls into drug addiction.  Jarrett’s grandparents, Joe and Shirley eventually intervene, and Joe adopts Jarrett.  Jarrett’s grandparents love him but they each have their own quirks and problems, including alcoholism and verbal abuse.  Jarrett sees his mom on and off again throughout his childhood and his aunts and uncles are like siblings.  Jarrett’s unconventional upbringing is something he has to come to terms with, and although his family has it’s share of problems, he realizes that he is loved.  

I loved this book.  It’s a very touching memoir about growing up among addiction and letting people love you the best they can, even if sometimes it’s not perfect.  Jarrett Krosoczka wrote the Lunch Lady graphic novels, but this book is high school and adult because of the amount of content.  The content includes graphics of drug use, creepy/disturbing monster nightmares, bullying and it eluded to sleeping around.  Jarrett’s grandparents fight and there is a lot of crass name-calling.  Also, Jarrett gets his hand stuck in the escalator and it's a bit bloody.  The ending has an author’s note that explains what Jarrett has done since he moved out of his grandparents’ house and it’s a great addition to the story.  

C. Peterson   

Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army by Enigma Alberti and Scott Wegener - OPTIONAL

Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army by Enigma Alberti and Scott Wegener, 82 pages.  Workman Publishing, 2017.  $13.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL – AVERAGE  

Sergeant Victor Dowd helped lead a group of men, called the Ghost Army, throughout World War II as they set up fake armies to throw off the enemy.  Using blow-up tanks, props and sound effects they would set up close to the enemy’s lines and try to distract the enemy while the real army moved into better position to surprise the enemy.  Dowd and his men would attract enemy fire, even though the army wasn’t equipped with real guns and their strategies worked to help win the war.  

This is such a fascinating unknown facet of World War II history.  I loved the illustrations and the simple, but fact-based telling of this Ghost Army.  My only issue with this book is it comes with a mystery hidden in the pages and an envelope of “spy-craft tools” to uncover the mystery (making it feel like an activity book) and I feel like it takes away from the story which is amazing on its own.  

C. Peterson   

Totally Middle School edited by Betsy Groba - ESSENTIAL

Totally Middle School : Tales of Friends, Family and Fitting in edited by Betsy Groban 178 pages. SHORT STORIES Penguin Random House, 2018 $16.99

Language: PG (4 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL -ESSENTIAL,  MS -ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

13 different authors have penned 11 stories about Middle School. This wonderful collection includes stories by Lois Lowry, Gregory Maguire, Gary Schmidt and Karen Cushman who have written stories about Family: Katie's Language Arts teacher is her aunt, and she is trying to avoid embarrassment; twins Beulah Mae and Margaret Mary have been assigned different middle schools; a boy takes care of a soldier's dog when he is drafted for Vietnam; and moving to a different state the first year of middle school is really hard. Hena Khan, Mary Downing Hahn and Margarita Engle write about friends: Raniya, only 3 months in America, is going on a 3 day sleep away field trip; Cassie is forced to choose between best friends; and a girl counts down to her first school dance. Joyce Sidman, Katherine and Jordan Paterson, Linda Sue Park and Anna Dobbin, and David Wiesner write about fitting in: Band Class; Facetime conversations to help navigate Middle School; Joining a school club; and feeling really out of place in the building.

After each story, there is a middle school picture of the author and a short bio. That was my favorite part. The Top 10 Things to do Before Middle School list at the end is on point. These stories are so engaging, so well written! Totally Middle School is essential for the student about to start middle school and would make a great gift for the graduating 5th or 6th grader.

Lisa Librarian

If Da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur by Amy Newbold - ESSENTIAL

If Da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur by Amy Newbold, pictures by Greg Newbold PICTURE BOOK Tilbury House Publishers 2018, $17.95. 0884486672

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In this sequel to "If Picasso Painted a Snowman" Amy and Greg Newbold introduce, well, dinosaurs into classical art, as though the masters themselves had incorporated them. We see dinosaur ballerinas a la Dega, dinosaurs incorporated into the works of Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo and Grandma Moses, we even see what Andy Warhol might have tried and many others. 20 different takes on painting a dinosaur. 

The Newbolds present another great introduction to art and artists! Includes an appendix about each artist and their style, a list of which dinosaurs were in what painting, and the illustrator's advice to new artists. I loved the blank canvas at the end, inviting the reader to draw a masterpiece of their own.

Lisa Librarian 

The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn - ADVISABLE

The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn, 193 pages. Clarion (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2018, $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

13yo Jules is dragged from place to place so her dad can restore old buildings. While not happy about being uprooted constantly, their new destination, Oak Hill seems immediately foreboding to her. Jules and her family sleep in a new addition built to the side of the house, where Jules thinks she sees something in the upstairs window of Oak Hill.  

The chapters alternate between Jules’ story and that of a lonely girl who has been in the house for over 100 years.  Gradually their stories begin to creepily intertwine. 

Hahn has done it again with a ghost story that is, as Goldilocks would say, “Just right.”  It’s a cool page-turner that should appeal to young readers.  I liked how the chapters gave different perspectives from two different time periods. I couldn’t put it down till I finished. 

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

The 91-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths - OPTIONAL

The 91-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton. 363 pages, Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2017. $14.

Language: G (9 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Andy and Terry are back again, with an even bigger treehouse.  It comes fully loaded with its own desert island and a submarine sandwich shop that makes sandwiches the size of actual submarines.  There is also a mysterious big red button that could be disastrous, or not, because no one can remember what it does.  Andy and Terry are babysitting Mr. Big Nose’s three grandchildren for the day and of course things get pretty dicey, because how much trouble can three children be?

If you are fans of the Treehouse series, then this one won’t disappoint. The pictures and text are fun and go together well.  If this is your first Treehouse book, then think random storylines on acid strung together.  Young kids will probably love the random weirdness, though it may leave adults scratching their heads.

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

The Girl Who Married a Skull edited by Kel McDonald - OPTIONAL

The Girl Who Married a Skull and other African Stories edited by Kel McDonald, 205 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL. Iron Circus Comics, 2018, $15.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book is a collection of 15 short stories done in graphic novel format.  The art varies with the stories.  These are cautionary fables and fairytales to help the reader see why you should listen to your parents, not marry strangers, not steal wisdom, or marry a lion if you are human.  All good lessons.  

The stories are fun, most with a sense of humor.  If you like legends and myths from other cultures, this is a fast and fun read. Some of the stories are a but uneven, but an overall good read.  

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

Penelope March is Melting by Jeffrey Michael Ruby - OPTIONAL

Penelope March is Melting by Jeffrey Michael Ruby, 310 pages.  Delacorte (Random House), 2017, $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Penelope March seems like an ordinary girl, living an ordinary life on an iceberg.  Yep, iceberg.  This iceberg has a town with roads, cars, and houses, (though I wondered where the cars came from).  Anyway, ordinary Penelope discovers through an eccentric ice-sculptor named Buzzardstock that her town of Glacier Cove is in grave danger from an ancient evil. Penelope also discovers she may have the unique skills to save her town so they don’t have a meltdown. Literally.   

Read this book with a cup of hot chocolate or a blanket, because Glacier Cove is cold.  Although the premise seems truly weird, Penelope is a likeable character and Glacier Cove is a unique setting that plays well into the storyline.  I liked the story more than I thought I would because it addresses some universal themes of fitting in, family issues, and relationships, though the storyline gets pretty bizarre as it wraps up.  

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher

Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book? by Ally Carter - ESSENTIAL

Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book? by Ally Carter, 336 pages. NON FICTION. Scholastic Press, March 2019.  $19

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY:  MS, HS- ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH   

Every author is constantly asked about writing books and publishing books.  Ally Carter has decided to take this a step further and write a book about the craft and the logistics of writing and publishing.  She has enlisted about 30 of her author friends to help her along the way.           

Whether you are harboring the desire to write a book or are just an avid reader of books, you need to read Ally’s advice.  Even though it is aimed towards kids, who will definitely eat it up, it is also a primer for adults.  I am going to recommend that any creative writing classes start using this as their textbook.  My only regret is that this isn't coming out before Christmas 2018, so I can't gift it to everyone who I think needs a copy!            

Cindy, Middle School Librarian

                                              

The Sweetest Kind of Fate by Crystal Cestari - ADVISABLE

The Sweetest Kind of Fate by Crystal Cestari, 310 pages. Hyperion (Disney) 2018. $18. 

Language: PG13 (10 mild swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Amber’s mother is a witch who runs a shop for the supernaturally inclined. Amber is a partial witch. Her only supernatural ability is that of matchmaker. She can see a person’s perfect match. This poses a problem when she sees her boyfriend matched to her friend. When they start hanging out, Amber’s jealousy gets the best of her. In other matchmaking ventures, Amber’s siren nemesis desperately seeks her help to save her sister from marrying her mermaid girlfriend.

This is a cute book with other supernatural beings. A vampire. A werewolf. A sea witch. Take away the minor brushes with mature content and it would have a Disney feel. It tackles teen dating in a way that is so much more fun than your typical realistic fiction novel. I love the lesson Amber learns about taking control of her “fate,” but not thrilled with the secondary plot about changing who you are to be with the person you love. Rarely good advice in the real world.

Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist

Spooked! : How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America by Gail Jarrow - ADVISABLE

Spooked! : How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America by Gail Jarrow 139 pages. NON FICTION Calkins Creek 2018 $18.95 Content: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

On October 30, 1938 Orson Welles' Mercury Theater presented a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells novel the War of the Worlds. Setting it in the real town of Grovers Mill New Jersey, and presenting the action through realistic sounding news broadcasts caused people to believe the reports were real and danger was imminent. But the story of wide spread panic doesn't end there. The aftermath of the broadcast with a possible investigation by the FCC and threats of government controlled radio programming may ruin careers or make Welles and his associates celebrities. 

Jarrow tells the whole story of the broadcast, including the writer's challenges with shortening and updating a classic novel, the rehearsal process where the actors felt the show was going to be dumb and boring, and the production itself, choreographed by the masterful directing of young Orson Welles. Well documented with captioned photographs, side bar information and quotes, as well as an appendix including sites to listen to the broadcast itself, interviews and documentaries; sources to find out more about Mars, Hoaxes, and Old Time Radio; a bibliography and index. This is a great resource for a classroom learning about fake news, propaganda, or World War II. 

Lisa Librarian

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat - ESSENTIAL

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat

PICTURE BOOK Disney Hyperion, 2018 $17.99. 1484767608

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

When a young boy is dropped off at his grandfathers house, he quickly realizes that the language barrier is insurmountable, so he gets out his paper and markers and starts to draw - that's when grandfather gets out his brushes and ink, and the two spend the afternoon communicating through their artwork. 

Such beautiful illustrations, the mixed styles blend so well together and the art makes the story take on a life of its own. A great idea, well executed. A great art lesson as well.

 Lisa Librarian

Dead Endia by Hamish Steele - ADVISABLE

Dead Endia : The Watcher's Test by Hamish Steele, 216 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL No Brow 2018 $14.95.

Language: PG (14 swears 0 'f') Mature Content: PG (Dating, Partying) Violence: PG 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Dead End is a haunted house attraction at Pollywood Amusement Park. At night, however, it is a portal to Hell. When a demon king possesses Barney's dog Pugsley, Norma and Barney destroy the demon, but this is only the beginning . . . Pugsley now has the gift of speech and they seem to have started a war - between Angels and Demons. 

Hamish Steele is an animator, and Dead Endia reads like a cartoon movie. LGBT main characters, just enough weird bad guys, young adult drama and gross action. His world builds fast, and is believable and exciting. Readers who loved his Dead End short will appreciate this graphic novel version. 

 Lisa Librarian 

Friday Night Stage Lights by Rachele Alpine - - ADVISABLE

Friday Night Stage Lights by Rachele Alpine, 333 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2018 $17.99. Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Brooklyn loves Ballet, and she is very good. When her mother remarried, and they moved to Texas, they built a dance studio in the basement for her. She'll be going to high school next year and wants to get into the prestigious Texas School of the Arts, but when her partner in the pas de deux breaks his leg, she asks one of the middle school football players to learn the dance and be her partner. He agrees only if she will let him try to make her a football fan. Brooklyn HATES football! Her new stepbrother is the hero of the high school team and the whole town seems obsessed with football, but Brooklyn is desperate, so she agrees. Maybe ballet and football have more in common than she thinks. 

So many of these Aladdin mix books are girl centered, it's great to see one I can recommend to the boys as well. A great mix of football and ballet with lessons learned on both sides, especially, "When you give people a chance, they end up surprising you!" I think the same thing applies to books.  

Lisa Librarian

The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig - ADVISABLE

The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig, 311 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2016 $16.99

Language: G (silly elf swearing) Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (ala "Home Alone" people slipping on butter, getting hit with frying pans, Troll danger) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Amelia Wishart was so full of hope that first year Father Christmas delivered presents she was really all the magic he needed. But now, two years later, her mother has died and she is in a workhouse laboring for the cruel Mr. Creepers. Back at the North pole:Father Christmas missed Christmas altogether last year because of a vicious Troll attack, and this year there is barely enough hope to lift the sleigh off the ground - he's got a letter in his pocket from Amelia and needs to find her - maybe her hope can work it's magic again! 

Haig has written a much more serious Christmas Story in the Girl who Stole Christmas. Still silly with Blitzen up to his old toilet humor, but a story about a world that needs to find hope must be fraught with sadness and doubt and tears. I enjoyed it, very Dickensian. 

Lisa Librarian