Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson - OPTIONAL

Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson, 405 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2021. $19

Language: R (12 swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG - 13; Violence: PG - 13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Kat and Stevie are seniors, theater nerds, & best friends who are complete opposites. They decide to sneak away to spend an awesome night in NYC. They will see a show, peek at some celebrities, eat a bougie dinner and return to the suburbs with their parents none the wiser. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out, nearly everything - they don’t have phones, they don’t have purses, and when they get separated, they don’t even have each other. Can Stevie and Kat get back together before their wild night out falls apart? 

As someone who needs to have an itinerary, parking options, and driving directions before I go adventuring, this whole novel was anxiety-inducing. I can’t imagine being lost in a city and left to my own devices. However, it was fun and exciting (albeit totally implausible) to see what each girl got up to, and I was pleased to see their character growth as a result. It was a lot for one night, but I could see this book being appealing to teenage girls, especially those who are trying to decide future paths. 

 Reviewer: BookswithBeddes 

Glimpsed by G.F. Miller - HIGH

Glimpsed by G.F. Miller, 374 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2021. $20

Language: PG - 13 (14 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Charity is a fairy godmother. Not the poofy dress/sparkly wand type but rather a teenage cheerleader socialite who makes dreams happen for her “Cindys” a.k.a. Cinderellas. However when one of the wishes she orchestrated goes down in flames, it forces Charity to reconsider all of her life’s work so far. Can she actually get everyone a real HEA, even herself? 

At one point, I was going to toss this book across the room if I had to Google one more teeny-bopper Disney heartthrob namedrop, however, this book ended up surprising me. I loved Charity’s willingness to reevaluate her misconceptions and I loved how Noah’s geeky family was so unapologetic in their nerdiness. This is a super cute opposites-attract high school romance with a supernatural twist, however, beware of lots of Star Trek references, lots and lots of Star Trek. 

 Reviewer: BookswithBeddes 

As If On Cue by Marisa Kanter - OPTIONAL

As If On Cue by Marisa Kanter, 389 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2021. $20. 

Language: R (99 swears 2 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (sexual teasing); Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

17yo Natalie has been competing with Reid for 10 years - he's her dad's clarinet student, and they've been pranking each other since they were kids. This year, due to budget cuts, there is no drama club. The only club the school is funding is Band, good for Reid, but bad for Natalie; she has written a play - "Melted" a parody of "Frozen" but with no budget or advisor the school doesn't plan to produce a play this year. Until one of Natalie's pranks gets out of hand, and Reid's answering prank also causes a lot of trouble - the school's answer? Make them work together as co-directors of "Melted" and make it a musical by making Reid write the score. 

The pranks were sometimes funny, but often terrible, even though they had agreed that the pranks weren't supposed to be mean, when they turned out that way Natalie seemed surprised because that wasn't her intention. I had trouble liking Natalie - she was just too much. There were also a lot of characters - lots of kids in the cast and Nat's friend group. One of the friends is bi.  I also hate when the school leaves the production up to the kids, puts an adult without theater experience in charge and they don't supervise; too much pressure on the kids and not a realistic example of a student production. 

Lisa Librarian

Long Distance by Whitney Gardner - ADVISABLE

Long Distance by Whitney Gardner, 317 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL Simon and Schuster, 2021. $21.99.  

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

  9yo Vega's two dads have moved her to Seattle, Washington and she is struggling about leaving her best friend behind. In an attempt to help Vega get to know new people, her dads sign her up for a summer camp.  Vega feels socially awkward, and the camp has a weird vibe, but slowly she starts to make new friends. The new friends also notice that there is a boy who seems to live at the camp full time and the counselors aren't who they appear.  The clues are stacking up to make this the weirdest summer camp any of the campers have ever attended.

     I loved Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner, so I was excited to read this.  I liked Fake Blood better as this gets way out there and at a point I felt like I was watching a Saturday morning cartoon gone wrong. However, I like Vega and I think her struggles socially are something most kids can relate to.  Although the plot gets very sci-fi strange, I enjoyed the unpredictable plot.  The image are well done, bright and attractive and for those kids who devour graphic novels, this book will be a hit.

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Camp by L.C. Rosen - NO

Camp by L.C. Rosen 374 pages. Little, Brown and Company, 2020 $18.

Language: PG-13 (70 swears; 1 'f'); Mature Content: R (Sexual references, sexual innuendo, on page sex) Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: NO

16 yo Randy has had a crush on campmate Hudson ever since he started coming to Camp Outland (a camp for queer teens) when he was twelve. But Hudson likes boys who are more masculine, so this year, Randy returns to camp as "Del", a masc version of himself, ready to win Hudson's heart and become his boyfriend. But that means Randy also gives up some of the things he loves best about camp, mostly the camp musical - his theater friends are surprised but supportive. His plan seems to work - Hudson asks him out right away, but how far is Randy willing to go, and how much will he have to change for Hudson. 

"Camp" is funny, and a great use of the "changing yourself for love" trope. I hate that in many YA novels the gay kids are the theater kids, so it was nice to see a story that was more rounded that way. The message of be who you are took a long time to develop, but it had a satisfying ending. There was a lot of gay culture talk and references, I liked the gay history lectures the kids attended at the end of the day. Too explicit for a school library. 

Lisa Librarian

The Queen Will Betray You by Sarah Henning - ADVISABLE

The Queen Will Betray You (Kingdoms of Sand and Sky #2) by Sarah Henning, 352 pages. Tor Teen, 2021. $18 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13 (battles, lots of blood and guts and talk of torture, moderately graphic) 

BUYING ADVISORY:, MS - OPTIONAL, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

As 16yo Amarande and Luca part ways, Amarande returns to her kingdom only to discover that she has been declared dead, that her mother - the runaway Queen - has returned with a brother she didn't know about and has installed him as king. Rescued from the tower in which she has been imprisoned , the princess and her arch enemy, Taillefer, embark on another adventure to reunite with Luca, and save the kingdoms from a pair of evil queens bent on taking over everything. 

While just as exciting and action packed as "The Princess Will Save You," "The Queen Will Betray You" was full of back story connecting all the pieces needed for - most likely - book 3. While age appropriate for middle school, the number of sub plots and the age of the characters and as well as the number of sub plots and characters fits this better to a high school library. 

Lisa Librarian

Needle and Thread by David Pinckney and Ennum Ana Iurov - ADVISABLE

Needle and Thread by David Pinckney and Ennum Ana Iurov, 200 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Mad Cave Studios, 2021. $20 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Noah is a Senior this year, and his parents are anxious that he get his applications in for college. Ideally, they would love for him to go to UCLA, but that's not what Noah wants. Noah wants to sew, he'd love to attend Stonewell, an arts college. But his parents don't approve. Azarie is the Mayor's daughter - she's perfect in every way - - model daughter, head cheerleader, contending for Valedictorian, lots of "only the best" friends - but that's not who she really is. She loves cosplay, and is friends with Noah - but her parents don't approve. 

Engaging story - I loved the "Trending Hashtags" previewing each chapter. Iruov's illustrations were great - it felt animated, rather than just drawn - the angry faces were my favorite. Yes, there's lots of friend drama, but I feel Needle and Thread would appeal more to the Middle School crowd than the high schoolers. Will certainly purchase. 

Lisa Librarian

Tu Youyou’s Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria by Soungju Ma Daemicke and Lin - ADVISABLE

 Tu Youyou’s Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria by Soungju Ma Daemicke, illustrated by Lin. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Albert Whitman, 2021. $17. 9780807581117 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

After a serious bout with tuberculosis in the 1940s when she was 15, Tu knew that she wanted to be a medical researcher and help others heal too. When malaria made a huge resurgence in China, and wasn’t being cured by typical Western medications, Tu looked into Chinese herbal medicines. It took her and her team several years, but they finally find a plant and a preparation that did the trick. It wasn’t until 2015 that Youyou was recognized for her persistence. 

A great look at the process for compounding treatments, the contribution of herbal medicine to modern medicine, and, of course, the undervalued work of women in even the recent past. While the illustrations are childish, the information is still well worth reading with a middle school, especially if your science classes cover any of the topics. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use by Sara Levine and Kate Slater - ESSENTIAL

 A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use by Sara Levine, illustrated by Kate Slater. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Millbrook (Lerner), 2021. $20. 9781541587342 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Fascinating! Levine tells us about all kinds of birds and their useful beaks. Slater’s illustrations compliment the text perfectly. Any age science class that talks about adaptations can fit this in with glee. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Graceling (graphic novel) by Kristin Cashore - ADVISABLE

Graceling by Kristin Cashore, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Clarion Books, 2021. $18.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Katsa has been graced with the ability to kill, making her valuable to her uncle, the king. He sends her out to do his bidding, though she doesn’t always agree with the missions the king sends her on. When Katsa meets Po, he gives her a way out, if only Katsa can bring herself to trust him.

I first read the novel Graceling a decade ago, and I’ve reread it a few times since then. I could not have been more thrilled to see it come to life as a graphic novel. Yes, a few things had to be changed and simplified for the adaptation, but the same compelling characters and fascinating world of higher abilities are portrayed. Being able to see the imagined world and getting a new taste of the story I’ve enjoyed reading made me find a full length copy to reread yet again. I have no doubt that readers new to Katsa’s story will enjoy this graphic novel as much as the loyal fans. The violence rating is for frequent murder and battle gore.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

More Than Just a Game: The Black Origins of Basketball by Madison Moore and Lonnie Ollivierre - ADVISABLE

More Than Just a Game: The Black Origins of Basketball by Madison Moore, illustrated by Lonnie Ollivierre. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Albert Whitman, 2021. $17. 9780807552711 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Basketball originated within the walls of the segregated YMCAs in the late 1890’s. Soon it was played by all over the U.S. – even by Blacks, who had first been left out. Before the formation of the NBA, Black players formed Black Fives teams to play each other and also some white teams. Now more than 70% of the NBA players are Black. 

I loved the introduction to the Black Fives and their place in basketball history. The denser text makes this a book best for older elementary students, and can perhaps reach up to middle school in places with a robust picture book collection. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Of Daggers and Deception by A. L. Sowards - OPTIONAL

Of Daggers and Deception by A. L. Sowards, 238 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sixteen years ago, Rasheed was disowned by his family for kissing a girl promised to someone else. Since then, Rasheed has found a new family, fought and won impossible battles, and bought a bathhouse. When an attractive woman (promised to someone else) and his brother show up in the same day, Rasheed’s life makes another permanent turn -- for better or for ill, only God knows.

Sowards tears at her readers’ hearts as we, alongside the characters, struggle to understand who is friend and who is foe -- and who has been killed in the meantime. I admire how Sowards is able to place her characters naturally into little-known historical settings, but I admit that I skimmed over some of the more political-heavy details. Don’t get bogged down in the details and let yourself feel the hope and betrayal, the desperation and faith of these characters. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mention of brothels, and the implied threat of rape; the violence rating is for murder and battle gore.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Sea Lions in the Parking Lot by Lenora Todaro and Annika Siems - HIGH

 Sea Lions in the Parking Lot: Animals on the Move in a Time of Pandemic by Lenora Todaro, illustrated by Annika Siems. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Minedition, 2021. $19. 9781662650499 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

When people went inside in the early days of Covid-19, the animals responded pretty quickly by moving in to the usually loud people spaces. Todaro introduces us to 12 instances of animals seen in unusual places. 

A fun look at how nature moves in when man retreats. Todaro includes a couple of paragraphs int eh back about animals who were more in trouble because poachers were bolder during this time. My only gripe – Todaro should have done a better job of citing her sources for the stories on the pages. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

An Accidental Romance by Karen Tuft - OPTIONAL

An Accidental Romance by Karen Tuft, 237 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Rebecca has taken the shortcut through Mr. Arnold’s property countless times without mishap, so, of course, this crossing must result in a broken ankle only two days before she should be off to London for her first Season. Ben feels terrible for startling Miss Rebecca and causing her disappointment, and now he feels he must make it up to her when all he really wanted was to be alone. Rebecca and Ben now have to decide if what they thought they wanted is still desirable.

Rebecca and Ben are delightful characters who surprise readers with their contrast of levity and depth. While not all the details of the story comply with purported standards of the time period, Tuft’s book is entertaining. One of the best parts was discovering mid-read that it’s a companion novel to her book The Duke Meets His Match and includes character overlap -- a fact that also explains some of the story’s ridiculousness.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

We Want to go to School! by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler - ADVISABLE

 We Want to go to School! The fight for disability rights by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Albert Whitman, 2021. $17. 9780807535189 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

As recently as the 1970’s, children in the United States with disabilities were rarely allowed inside schools, or in regular classrooms. Then a group of families in in the District of Columbia filed a class action law suit against their school district, demanding the right for their disabled children to attend school. 

Cocca-Leffler and her daughter Janine, born with cerebral palsy, give us an excellent, easy to understand look at one of the two landmark cases that changed the lives of children in the U.S. forever. I didn’t know that the seven families that started the original court case were all Black, the parents having been affected by Brown vs Board of Education. Any easy purchase for any school that covers the topic. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Shipwreck Reefs by Aimee M. Bisonette and Adele Leyris - ADVISABLE

 Shipwreck Reefs by Aimee M. Bisonette, illustrated by Adele Leyris. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Albert Whitman, 2021. $18. 9780807512876 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

While nature can create reefs from build-ups of coral, man has helped ref building through the many shipwrecks and purposefully-wrecked items around the ocean floors. 

Bisonette’s writing makes me want to become a certified scuba diver so that I can explore reefs around the world. The variety is so enticing! She includes a lot of interesting information and includes the man-made pollution problems that are affecting reefs. This one would also be of interest to older students, I believe. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

How to make a Book (About My Dog) by Chris Barton and Sarah Horne - ESSENTIAL

 

How to make a Book (About My Dog) by Chris Barton, illustrated by Sarah Horne. PICTURE BOOK. Millbrook Press (Lerner), 2021. $20. 9781541581289 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Chris Barton (and the whole publishing team) gives us a behind the scenes look at what it take to publish a book – this one about his dog, Ernie. With his usual wit and the support dynamic of Horne’s illustrations, we a easily understandable book, that is also a lot of fun. I would use this in any school that has a creative writing class. Truly one to share with everyone! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Hold the Flag High by Catherine Clinton and Shane W. Evans - ESSENTIAL

 Hold the Flag High: The True Story of the First Black Medal of Honor Winner by Catherine Clinton, illustrated by Shane W. Evans. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Katherine Tegan (Harper), 2021. $8 (paperback reprint from 2005). 9780060504304 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

William Carney was a soldier of the 54th Massachusetts regiment – an all Black Civil War company. During their most famous battle, Carney grabbed the flag when the flag bearer was shot and rallied the troops to protect it and keep fighting. 

Another nice dimension to stories of the Civil War of also of Black heroism. You should be proud to share this story with any age. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

After She Falls by Carmen Schober - OPTIONAL

After She Falls by Carmen Schober, 368 pages. Bethany House Publishers, 2021. $16.

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

25yo Adri wants to leave her mistakes behind when she moves back in with her uncle, but Sparta is too small a town to avoid those she knew before and the rumors running rampant now. As she starts boxing again and opens up about the last six years she’s been away, Adri makes a couple steps forward. However, the fear and mistakes that haunt her aren’t going away easily. Not without making Adri face her toughest fight yet.

On the one hand, Adri’s story is inspiring in that she chooses to go after her abandoned dreams even though they’re harder to reach now. On the other hand, I quickly got tired of the constant wishy-washiness of the main characters. They rehashed the same issue every other chapter, and I found it annoying. Setting the slow, repetitiveness of that issue aside, I liked how Adri’s story is as much about faith as it is about fighting. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of sex, and innuendo. The violence rating is for domestic violence and frequent MMA fighting.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Across The Desert by Dusti Bowling - ESSENTIAL

Across The Desert by Dusti Bowling, 310 pages. Little, Brown and Company, 2021. $17. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Jolene watches "Desert Aviator" a live stream of "Addie Earhart" who flies her ultralight across the Arizona Desert. Jolene wishes she could be an adventurer like Addie. But one day, Jolene witnesses Addie crash the ultralight, and as possibly Addie's only viewer/fan - it's up to Jolene to get help. But she doesn't know Addie's real name, and couldn't tell where the ultralight went down, only that it's in the Alamo Lake Area. With only vague details to go by, no one will believe her, and she has to be careful - she doesn't want to risk anyone coming to her house to check on her story - Jolene's mom is addicted to opioids, and Jolene is afraid of being put into foster care. So, once her mom goes back to sleep, Jolene sets off on an impossible rescue, to find her friend who is over 100 miles away, hurt and alone in the desert. 

Bowling captured me on the first page and I couldn't put it down. Not just a survival story, "Across the Desert" is also about friendship, and trust, and dealing with an addicted family member (one who should be taking care of you). Bowling has a great note at the end with a message of hope to readers who may be dealing with issues similar to Jolene's. I would love to know if she walked through the desert alone at night for research - because I was right there with Jolene, hearing all the sounds and feeling just as anxious. Definitely buying. 

Lisa Librarian