R+ Star Recommend
R
Recommended
A Add per need
M
Marginal
NC Not recommended
Joan Enders, Review Chair
Robert A. Long High School
2903 Nichols Blvd
Longview, WA 98632
jenders@longview.k12.wa.us
Adornetto, Alexandra
TITLE: Halo
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: R. R. Donnelley & Sons 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780312656263
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 484
Gabriel, Ivy, and Bethany are angels sent to earth to bring light to the darkness Venus Cove. Gabriel’s new job will be as a music teacher at the
school where Bethany will attend. They are to have little contact with humans and are forbidden to have relationships. Bethany struggles to separate
herself from her angel personality and human body. She feels attracted to and drawn toward Xavier. In the midst of this, Gabriel, Ivy and Bethany
realize that Jake Thorn is a demon bent on destroying as many people as he can. This draws them deeper into a battle between the forces of good and
evil. “Halo” is a love story, with a twist. In some instances it was a struggle to finish reading because of all the different plots going on at the same
time.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Adornetto, Alexandra
TITLE: Heaven
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Macmillan 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780312656287
INTEREST: 7-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 419
Heaven is a book about an angel who makes several sacrifices for the mortal she loves. Bethany and Xavier have moved into an area of human love
where no angel from Heaven is supposed to go: they get married. This sets in motion the “Sevens” who are in charge of keeping the boundaries
between mortal man and heavenly angels separate. Their goal: to capture the “fallen” angel and bring her back to their realm. Bethany will try or do
anything to be back in the arms of the mortal she loves. All through the book there is a mystery that leaves you wondering what will happen next. I
recommend this book because it is very engaging to read and to feel the excitement of finding out the answers to all the mysteries through out the
book.
REVIEWER: Kaylee Florek, Student/Tina Campbell Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Anderson, Jennifer Joline
TITLE: Langston Hughes
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing, 2013
PRICE: $22.95
ISBN: 9781617837180
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th Grade
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 48
Langston Hughes is a well-known African American poet. He overcame many obstacles, and helped spread messages about pride in being African
American and spoke out against racism. His poetry was a great tool during the Civil Rights Movement, and gave Hughes an important voice during
this time. Throughout this book, the author challenges the reader to probe a little deeper in their own understanding of Hughes’ life and poetry and
the messages he promoted.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Anderson, R. J.
TITLE: Wayfarer
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780061554773
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 294
The faeries of the Oak have had a spell placed on them by Jasmine, and evil faery. Linden is their only hope to save them from extinction. She must
go find an island of faeries to help restore their magic. She meets up with Timothy and they encounter many “evils” along the way that want to keep
them from succeeding. Linden starts out timid, but must find courage and strength to accomplish the task given to her by their dying queen. While
on their quest, Timothy begins to understand that it is better to care for others than to think of his own desires. He helps Linden overcome Jasmine
and return to the Oak to help return power to the faeries.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
1
Angus, Jennifer
TITLE: In Search of Goliathus Hercules
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Co., 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780807529904
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Jennifer Angus
PAGES: 350
Ten-year-old Henri Bell has been sent to live with his Great Aunt Georgie while his Mother begins her search for his father who has gone missing
while looking for a mysterious insect, Goliathus Hercules. Henri learns that he has the ability to truly speak to insects and becomes a local hero
among the local insect population. Henri gets a bad feeling about Aunt Georgie’s neighbor, Mrs. Black. While visiting the local circus, Henri views
the flea circus and finds his calling. He leaves his aunt a note and joins the circus. He quickly improves the flea show & adds new acts with various
insects, due to his secret abilities. Henri confides in the flea circus’s leader, Maestro Antonio, that his father is missing and Maestro Antonio agrees to
take their show to London to gather financial support from the scientific community as they prepare for their own journey to locate Goliathus
Hercules. Mrs. Black follows the group, assuming different aliases. After a harrowing journey, Henri’s group finds the elusive beetle and stages an
all out war against Mrs. Black. Henri’s group believes that she is gone for good and Henri convinces one of the beetles to come home with him to
share with the world. While back home in England, the beetle is overly friendly and a bit too familiar and turns out to be Henri’s missing father. His
father’s time is cut short when Mrs. Black suddenly appears and kills him. Throughout the story Henri has been gaining more and more insect-like
qualities and by the end has completely turned into an insect himself. This a great adventure that will surely appeal to a broad audience of upper
elementary and middle school readers. Boys & girls alike will cheer for Henri all the way to the end!
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Arlon & Gordon-Harris
TITLE: Rainforest
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic, 2013
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780545495622
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-6th
ILLUSTRSTOR: NA
PAGES: 79
I love the Scholastic Discover More series and am very excited to receive Rainforest. The books are all visually stunning. The photographs and
colors are exceptional. As a nonfiction book the information is given in a very palatable fashion. Each page has many inserts and picture captions
that educate without overwhelming the students. The easy to read maps show exactly where rainforests are in the world. The section about the layers
or floors in the forest and each of their ecosystems is particularly interesting, as well as the discussion of why rainforests are important to the Earth’s
environment. I can highly recommend this series.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Arlon, Penelope & Gordon-Harris, Tory TITLE: Emergency Vehicles
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Inc., 2013
PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780545495639
INTEREST LEVEL: PreK-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 32
A very exciting book on emergency vehicles is sure to please your youngest readers. This non-fiction book uses actual pictures throughout the book,
and talks about every emergency vehicle utilized today. There is a main part to read on each page, but then there are several additional captions and
sections that go a little deeper on whatever vehicle or subject is featured on that page. There is a Table of Contents which is something you don’t
always find in a book geared towards such a young child, but is much appreciated. The front of the book also shares how to access the free digital
book which comes with this one. Additionally, the pages are extra thick which is brilliant as little hands will turn these pages again and again!
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Arlon, Penelope
TITLE: Bugs
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic 2012
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780545365741
INTEREST: 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Various Photos
PAGES: 80
A compilation of various bugs, their classifications and how they survive in a harsh world where they are always the “hunted”. “Bugs” encourages
young readers to explore their back yard to really see the world around them contains more than meets the eye. From the ugly, the mysterious and
the down right mean, all classifications of bugs are covered. Most of these bugs will not be found in the normal neighborhood but it is fun to read
about bugs around the world.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Atkins, Catherine
TITLE: The File on Angelyn Stark
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375869068
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 250
With all the potential of an impending train wreck, The File on Angelyn Stark takes readers on a journey of tragedy that is both painful and
impossible to ignore. From the first pages of a confrontation with the “new girl,” readers are introduced to a tough, beautiful young woman who
doesn’t mind getting into a scrap and isn’t afraid to give boys almost everything they want. The story is told with raw emotion from the perspective
of Angelyn Stark. It is the story of a young woman who has struggled with men and boundaries, starting at age 12 when her stepfather developed a
“special” relationship with her. When the relationship was discovered, rather than examine the evidence, Angelyn’s mother vilifies the young man
who reported his observation and begins to view Angelyn with suspicion—as if her daughter is now a rival. Navigating the mixed messages is a
challenge. The one thing Angelyn DOES know is that sex is power, and it can get her things. The confusion in her world is compounded when she
begins to enter a relationship with one of her teachers that verges on the inappropriate. The File on Angelyn Stark is complex and honest. The scenes
of sexuality are not step-by-step how-to instructions, but they are sufficiently graphic and the language is sufficiently course that readers with easily
offended sensibilities should probably steer clear. The topic merits discussion in health classes, since the character of Angelyn engages in many of
the self-destructive actions that victims of sexual abuse practice. The story lends itself well to discussions about healthy relationships.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
2
Avery, Jo
TITLE: One Direction, A Year with One Direction
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Harper Collins, 2012
PRICE: $10.99
ISBN: 9780062223173
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 64
For our many pre-teens who are in love with the band One Direction, this book will be the highlight of their year. The many large photographs, the
interviews on each member, as well as fashion facts and quizzes will keep them riveted to the pages. I felt it was well done, very comprehensive and
informative. I’m sure I’ll have a request list a mile long for this selection.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Baguchinsky, Jill
TITLE: Spookygirl
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dutton Books, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780525425847
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 279
Fifteen-year-old Violet has the ability to see and speak to ghosts. Violet is apprehensive about starting a new school as she has just recently started
living with her father again after the death of her mother. Her parents were paranormal investigators and her mother was killed during an
investigation. Her father was cleared of any wrong doing and she was sent to live with an aunt while her father attended classes to become a
mortician. She doesn’t worry about fitting in at school and slowly makes a small circle of friends. She helps bring peace to a ghost in the art room
after reconnecting him with one of her friends. After Violet finds a stash of her mom’s investigation equipment, and with some unexpected help from
her p.e. teacher, she also helps rid the girls’ locker room of a pair of active, angry ghosts. Finally, she has the courage to return to the site of her
mother’s death and learns the truth – her mom was killed by an angry ghost. Violet and her friends are saved from the same fate when her mom’s
ghosts turns up and helps. Together Violet and her mom convince the ghost to move on. Violet is thrilled that her mom can stay with her for a while
and enjoys her company, even though she is a ghost. This a entertaining read that will appeal to upper middle school and high school girls,
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Banks, Kate
TITLE: The Bear in the Book
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Frances Foster Books, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780374305918
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 4-7
ILLUSTRATOR: Georg Hallensleben
PAGES: UNP
A young boy and his mother begin reading a book about a bear that is going into hibernation for the winter. But along the way of the rhyming text is
the additional story of the boy who asks questions as if the story were really alive. His mother reads the story until spring arrives and the bear wakes
up, but the boy falls asleep for the night with his favorite book on his lap. The broad and bright strokes of artwork just add to the imagination of the
boy. I definitely can see myself reading and discussing this same story with my grandson.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Barlow, Jeremy
TITLE: Boba Fett and the Ship of Fear
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Spotlight, 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9781614790563
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Daxiong
PAGES: 76
New reinforced library edition; original copyright 2011. Part of the Star Wars Adventures series. This full color graphic novel finds Boba Fett
tracking down an old abandoned luxury spacecraft trying to find an ancient valuable artifact. A pair of brothers is also trying find the same artifact
and give Boba Fett a run for his money. Somaz also wants the artifact and is shocked when it is lost and Boba Fett captures him for the bounty that’s
been set for him. An enjoyable read that will appeal to Star Wars fans.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Barnholdt, Lauren
TITLE: Aces Up
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2010
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780385738743
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 272
Shannon Card is accepted into Wellesley College and takes a job as a server in a local casino. She meets Cole the leader of a group called “Aces
Up”, which is a group of very good poker players. The thrill of working a job, when underage, cheating the gambling system and which boy she
likes best becomes too much for her, things begin to unravel. In the end she loses much more than she bargained for but gets the guy that really
means the most to her, Max. “Aces Up” proves that things that look too good to be true really are just that, high hope for a quick fix to a problem.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Barnhouse, Rebecca
TITLE: The Coming of the Dragon
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375861932
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 301
Rune washed up on the shore in the land of the Geats. King Beowulf allowed Amma to raise him on her farm, outside the kingdom. Someone has
awakened the dragon and Rune must find and slay the dragon. Many people in the kingdom still feel that he has brought a curse to their shores.
When King Beowulf chooses a group to search for and kill the dragon, Rune is not one of the chosen. He then realizes that the man who woke the
dragon is leading them on a path to destruction. Rune must hurry to save the king. He, also, finds that Amma is the mother of the man Rune’s father
killed. The dragon kills King Beowulf and Rune, much to his dismay, is chosen to be the next king of the Geats. At first, I thought this would be just
another “dragon story”. “The Coming of the Dragon” was a pleasant surprise, that I enjoyed reading.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake, JR/SR High School
3
Barrett, Tracy
TITLE: King of Ithaka
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Company 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805089691
INTEREST LEVEL 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 261
Telemachos has never left the small island he lives on with his family. Now, he must go in search of his father, before his mother is forced to marry.
The town leaders say his father is dead and she must fulfill the laws and marry in order for them to have a new king. Is he up to the task? No, he has
never sailed a boat, fought a battle, or had to provide for his own wellbeing. He receives a mysterious prophecy from centuries old cave dwelling
monster, whom he risked his life seeing. Telemachos struggles with physical battles, thieves and just trying to have enough food to eat. “King of
Ithaka” is slow reading, at the beginning, but draws the reader in to Telemachos’ journey. I found myself rooting for him to find his father and win
the battle to keep his mom from having to remarry.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Basye, Dale E.
TITLE: Precocia: The Sixth Circle of Heck
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375868351
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Bob Dob
PAGES: 418
Nine Circles of Heck book 6. Deceased siblings Marlo and Milton have now been sentenced to go to Precocia, the sixth circle of Heck. They find
Precocia to be a land where childhood is all but extinct. Children are forced to grow up early, keeping to strict time schedules and never wasting time
having fun. Marlo and Milton get separated when Milton has an adverse reaction to a cooties shot. Milton drifts into a alternative reality where he has
become an adult and Marlo now is an executive. With wit and humor, the twins are able to outwit their way out of Precocia and are on their way to
another circle of Heck. This humorous fantasy will appeal to a wide audience. It would also make a great read aloud and will be gobbled up by those
who’ve read the previous installments.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Bean, Jonathan
TITLE: Build Our House
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780374380236
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades PreK-2
ILLUSTRATOR: Jonathan Bean
PAGES: NP
This colorful picture book tells the story of a family that moves to the country and builds their own home. From staking out the foundation lines to
finally moving in, the steps and stages of building the house are clearly presented and everyone in the family helps. (I especially appreciate that Mom
has a tool belt!) Students will enjoy the detailed illustrations and warm text. The author’s note tells of his personal experience of his parents building
their own home and includes several photographs. A very enjoyable read!
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Belle, Trixie & Melissa Caruso-Scott
TITLE: Cinderella
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Com., 2012
PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780805096248
INTEREST LEVEL: Infant-per-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Oliver Lake
PAGES: 24
This story is told by a single word on each page. It covers the whole story of Cinderella with simplicity of language and sweet illustrations. This is a
great introduction to young readers the classic fairy tales. This is a great idea for your baby library.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Belle, Trixie & Melissa Caruso-Scott
TITLE: Snow White
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Com., 2012
PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780805096231
INTEREST LEVEL: Infant-per-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Oliver Lake
PAGES: 24
This board book tells the tale of Snow White in one word per page. This is a great introduction to fairytales for very young readers. The computergenerated illustrations are age appropriate for little readers. They are bright and colorful with cartoon sweetness.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Bemis, John Claude
TITLE: The Prince Who Fell from the Sky
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375867521
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 258
In a futuristic setting, humans no longer rule the world. Animals have reclaimed Earth and live in a hierarchy ruled by wolves. One day a strange
thing crashes into the forest floor and a small “skinless” (human) crawls from the wreckage. An old bear, Casseomae, takes pity on the “cub” and
takes him into her den. Word quickly travels about the skinless and all say it must but be killed, except Casseomae. She risks her life to find a safe
place for him as she can’t see what possible harm he could ever do. A rat teams up with her as he is looking the family he got separated from. The rat
knows a lot about old human ways and helps Casseomae and the boy. After traveling a long and perilous journey, they finally find a family of
humans and know the boy is safe. This interesting fantasy will surely appeal to a wide audience in elementary schools. It’s interesting to read about
human things from an animal’s perspective. The title is a bit strange though as the boy is never thought of as a prince by the animals.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
4
Bernstein, Richard
TITLE: A Girl Named Faithful Plum
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf, 201
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780375869600
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 270
As the country of China is becoming more significant in the United States, Richard Bernstein’s biography of Li Zhongmei, one of China’s most
famous dancers (and, as it turns out, Bernstein’s wife) becomes much more relevant. Zhongmei’s story is fascinating. She was born to a family of
seven—two adults, five children. That, in and of itself, in Communist China was an interesting tidbit of trivia. Her birth meant a great deal of strain
on the families already stretched resources, so her determination to audition for the Beijing Damce Academy was an ambitious dream. Using the
threat of a hunger strike, Zhongmei convinced her parents to borrow the money to send her on a three-day train journey to Beijing for the audition. It
turns out Zhongmei had talent. Still, the classes society of Communist China was not as classless as propaganda would have outsiders believe.
Zhongmei was ignorant of many of the refinements of city life, and her hometown of Baoquanling (near the borders of Russian Siberia) marked her
as an ignorant country girl. In spite of discrimination and great odds, Zhongmei’s determination to sacrifice and succeed earned her the respect of her
nation. The voice of the narrator in the story is very much like that of the old-fashioned narrators of children’s stories, which stylistically limits the
appeal of the book to younger readers. Older readers who are determined to learn about China’s culture may be willing to tolerate the somewhat
condescending tone. The pictures and cover make the book much more appealing.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Bjorkman, Lauren
TITLE: Miss Fortune Cookie
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt & Co., 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805089516
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 274
High school senior Erin lives in San Francisco’s China Town and attends Lowell High School, a public school for high achieving students. She
secretly writes an online advice column called “Miss Fortune Cookie.” Erin and her friends, Mei and Linny, and awaiting their acceptance/rejection
letters from the colleges they’ve applied to. Mei is under great pressure attend Harvard to make her mother and family proud. However, Mei wants to
attend Stanford so that she can be near her boyfriend. Mei’s mother will not have it. The friends must come to terms with the changes that graduation
will bring. Contains mild sexual content.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Black, Holly
TITLE: Welcome to Bordertown
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Random House 2011
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 9780375867057
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 516
“Bordertown” is a collection of short stories and songs written by various authors. The way to Bordertown has been blocked for many years and is
not open for people to pass between the human world and an elfin world. The stories did not have anything to do with each other and were confusing.
Occasionally, they would reference a previous character. The book mentions sex a large number of times and references gay and lesbian characters.
In all honesty, I probably would not read anything by these authors again.
REVIEWER: Jasmine Young, student Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Blackstone, Matt
TITLE: A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780374364212
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 248
To crawl inside the mind of a 14-year-old sufferer of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and realistically recreate that teen’s world is nothing short of
genius. This is a character-driven book. Rene is the 14-year-old boy with an androgynous name and quirky habits like smelling his hands and tearing
his napkins into smiley faces. Giovanni is the equally quirky “normal” teen who is kind-hearted and has befriended Rene. Giovanni marches to his
own drum and hasn’t met a rule that he wasn’t willing to break. Mr. Head is an English teacher at their school. He loves his subject, but the students
make his life hell. This novel is Rene’s verbal processing of all of the confusing stimuli he encounters—which includes the potential reuniting of his
divorced parents. This book contrasts rather sharply with the equally compelling book, Lexapros and Cons, but the character of Rene is far more
naïve and less cognitively capable than the character of Chuck Taylor. The cover is a little bit misleading. Readers may think that they are getting a
parody that is much like the Scary Movie film series. The emphasis on characterization tends to de-emphasize the plot. There are so many foci that
the major plot point of the potential reintroduction of Rene’s father—who is a jerk—into his life and Rene’s subsequent running away tends to get
lost. The end result is a muddy climax and dénouement. In spite of that, this book is an excellent tool to help build student sensitivity to the needs of
students like Rene.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Blackwood, Sage
TITLE: Jinx
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Harper, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780062129901
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 360
Twelve-year-old orphan Jinx is being taken to be abandoned in the wild Urwald forest by his stepfather. Jinx is saved when a wizard, Simon, offers
to purchase him as a servant. Simon treats him well and Jinx learns a lot, especially about magic. Jinx’s trust in Simon is shattered when Simon does
a spell on Jinx that removes Jinx’s ability to “see” the true feelings of others. Jinx sets of to find the witch, Dame Glammer, in hopes that she can tell
him how to get it back. Along the way, Jinx makes friends with two others, both having magical troubles of their own. Dame Glammer tells them
that only a powerful wizard can help them and the set out to find the evil wizard, The Bonemaster. The Bonemaster agrees to help them, but really
has other plans for them. The trio defeats The Bonemaster but Jinx is gravely injured. Simon comes to his aide and reverses the spell. The ending is a
bit open so I wonder if another installment is planned. This is a delightful read! Jinx overcomes a wide variety of challenges and comes to believe in
himself. This one will be enjoyed by a very broad audience!
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
5
Boyle, Caitlin
TITLE: Operation Beautiful: One Note at a Time
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Grosset & Dunlap, 2012
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780448457567
INTEREST LEVEL: 9th-12th
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 192
People are very unique and we are all created to be beautiful, and yet as we grow we learn that inward beauty is not always what people are interested
in. Our minds become distorted by the world around us and outward beauty becomes the more significant then what takes place on the inside.
Operation Beautiful examines what women and girls have done to take back beauty and make it truly what it needs to be and inward glow that we
show through to the outside. There are examples upon examples of what girls are doing to show others around them true beauty. Writing post its of
inspiration, make clubs that promote charitable works, or working on your physical form through being healthy. There is also a glossary and finishes
with inspiring quotes. If you have a tween and teen girl this might be the book for you to purchase.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Brimmer, Larry Dane
TITLE: Black & White
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Calkins Creek 2011
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 9781590787663
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
In the 1950’s and 60’s Birmingham, Alabama has erupted into war and violence involving those fighting for the rights of the black population and
those vehemently opposing it. Reverand Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor emerge as the strongest participants in this
battle. One side has the courage to stand up for what is right, even when they bomb his house. A story that is poignant and gutwrenching to know
the battles and hardships that the black population of Birmingham endured. They were considered to have no rights or authority to stand against
Mr. Connor and the Ku Klux Klan.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Broach, Elise
TITLE: Missing on Superstition Mountain
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Company 2011
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780805090475
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: Antonio Javier Caparo
PAGES: 260
The Barker family moves to Arizona to a house they inherited from “Crazy Uncle Hank”. While exploring Superstition Mountain, which they were
warned to stay away from, they discover three skulls lined up on a ledge. The mystery begins! Simon, Henry and Jack get themselves into more
trouble and end up grounded for the rest of the summer. I was disappointed in the way the story ended, and am hoping that there will be a sequel,
because this one left the reader with many questions. “Superstition Mountain” could have had a better ending.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Brown, Don
TITLE: Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story
Of the American Revolution
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9781596432666
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 1-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Don Brown
PAGES: NP
This non-fiction picture book tells the story of how Henry Knox helped get 59 cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston (over 300 miles away)
during the Revolutionary War. The trip was extremely difficult, but was accomplished without losing a single cannon. The arrival of the cannons
marked the end of British soldiers in Boston. The text is engaging and interesting. The illustrations are muted and add to the text. I do wish the
people’s faces had more details as some don’t look quite finished. This would also make a good real aloud for older students studying the
Revolutionary War.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Brown, Tameka Fryer
TITLE: My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780670012855
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Evans, Shane W.
PAGES: 22
As Jamie goes through his day he describes his moods by using color and verse. It is reminiscent of an old classic, Hailstones and Halibut bones, but
is targeted to a younger audience. I enjoyed the illustrations that reinforced the text with facial expressions and body language. As well as being fun
to read, this book can help with students that have difficulty identifying and handling their emotions.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Bryant, Melissa
TITLE: A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780375867125
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 1-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Melissa Sweet
PAGES: NP
This non-fiction picture book tells the interesting life story of artist Horace Pippin. Horace grew up loving to draw and his family and friends often
asked him to draw for them. When times grew hard Horace had to go to work to help support his family. He then joined the army and fought in
World War I where his drawing arm was injured, forcing him to stop drawing and painting. Years later he found the courage to start painting again
by using his left arm to guide his right hand. He unsuccessfully tried to sell his artwork until an art club discovered his work and set him on the path
to fame. The book includes a historical note, author’s note, illustrator’s note and references. The illustrations are richly done and include some small
samples of Horace’s work. Primary students and older students needing a lower reading level will enjoy this. It would also make a good read aloud
for middle and high school art classes.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
6
Burg, Shana
TITLE: Laugh With The Moon
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780385734714
GRADE LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 245
Claire Silver has lost her mother and now her father wants her to live halfway around the world, in a place very foreign to her. She has no phone or
any electronic device for the 64 days her father is in Africa. She is attending a primary school with no friends or concept of the culture she has been
thrust into. Slowly, she makes friends and starts to see the struggles of those around her are far worse than her “situation”. Toward the end of her
time in Africa she begins to embrace the culture and work to help an orphan, Memory, whom she meets in one of the villages she has visited.
“Laugh with the Moon” was a struggle to read until I was halfway through the book. Once Claire begins to turn from her self imposed pity, then the
book picks up and is a lot more interesting.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Burnie, David
TITLE: Disasters
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic, 2013
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780545479738
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: NP
Part of the Scholastic Discover More series. This oversized non-fiction text provides a vivid look at a variety of disasters, ranging from tornadoes &
hurricanes to earthquakes & tsunamis. The text is skillfully arranged around interesting colorful photographs, charts and maps. The text is
differentiated by font size and is able to be enjoyed by a wide range of readers. Also included is a free digital download of the book Storm Chasers
and Other Disaster Heroes. The binding is a bit unusual – while listed on various websites for this ISBN as hardcover, it isn’t a true hardcover. It’s
only slightly heavier weight than a paperback, but the binding appears sturdy. This will fly off the elementary shelves more than Eyewitness books.
Middle school readers interested in the topic or working on reports will also enjoy this one.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Bussiere, Desiree
TITLE: What in the World is a Centimeter?
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing Company, 2013
PRICE: $15.95
ISBN: 9781617835964
INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd Grade
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 24
An introduction to the metric system is what is found in this book. It talks about several different forms of measurement and what it is used to
measure. It is a very simple book with pictures to accompany the text. There is a fun facts section at the back and a short true or false quiz which are
nice touches.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Butler, Dori Hillestad
TITLE: The Case of the School Ghost
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Co.,2010
PRICE: $5.99
ISBN: 9780807509371
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Tugeau, Jeremy
PAGES: 129
Our students are very fond of the Buddy Files series. The story told in the voice of the dog is exuberant and funny. In this selection, Buddy tries to
solve the mystery of Agatha, the school ghost during the fourth grade sleepover. Dire warnings and secret letters create a spine tingling atmosphere
as Buddy helps his humans along the way. I recommend The Buddy Files for reluctant readers as they are fairly low reading level, but high interest.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Buyea, Rob
TITLE: Because of Mr. Terupt
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2010
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 9780385738828
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 268
Mr. Terupt is not your normal fifth grade teacher. Snow Hill School will never be the same. Seven students lives are interwoven with anger,
laughter, teasing and every normal fifth grade behavior. It starts with a math contest: 100 point words, and ends with a snowball fight and their
favorite teacher in a coma. The students are drawn together over one common goal: Mr. Terupt getting well. “All because of Mr. Terupt” is an
emotional book written by a former elementary teacher. Rob Buyea does a good job of describing the activities and emotions of the students.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Byrd, Robert
TITLE: Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin
Franklin
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780803737495
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Robert Byrd
PAGES: NP
This oversized picture book style biography tells about the life of Benjamin Franklin. The text tells an interesting story; from Ben growing up and
learning a trade as a printer to his rise to political power. The multiple illustrations vary in size and location and help draw the reader around the text.
However, the illustration’s captions are entirely in too small of font. Many readers will look at the illustration and skip the captions. The oversized
format gives the appearance of being more appropriate for primary students, but the text is geared for upper elementary/middle school students who
may balk at the book’s oversized size.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
7
Cabot, Meg
TITLE: Underworld
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Point, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780545415071
INTEREST: Gr. 8 - 11
ILLUSTRATOR: na
PAGES: 336
Pierce Oliviera is not dead. She escaped death in Abandon, the first of the trilogy, thanks to John Hayden. He is smitten by this ditzy girl and whisks
her away to the underworld for protection. John, as the protector of the underworld, normally guides the dead to the boats of hell, but in Pierce’s case
she is a guest in his house, that is, future consort. Pierce is an innocent teen, and much of the humor in this dark existence is due to her naïve
attempts to improve John’s job. The reader knows there is more to this uneasy arrangement as there is something unsetting about John. Pierce’s
Persephone necklace glows black far too often to feel safe. A little slow start to this volume, but meeting Henry and the attempt to save her cousin
from “the” coffin sped up the action. The saga continues in Awaken.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Cain, Patrick G.
TITLE: BMX Vert
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publications Co., 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9781467707503
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 32
Part of the Extreme Summer Sports Zone series. This non-fiction text takes a look at BMX vert (vertical) bike riding competitions. From its
beginnings in the early days of motocross and early modified bicycles to the elite riders and tricks of today, this book will surely appeal to any
student who’s dreamed of doing tricks with his bicycle. Includes a breakdown of parts of a BMX bike, glossary, references and index.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Calkhoven, Laurie,
TITLE: Will at the Battle of Gettysburg 1863
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dutton Children’s Books 2011
PRICE: $$16.99
ISBN: 9780525421450
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 229
Will has always dreamed of being a drummer in the Union Army. Until, he sees first hand the horror of men losing their lives and limbs, when the
fighting happens in his hometown of Gettysburg. Will risks his life to get a Union officer across the battle lines to deliver information vital to the
war. He is hailed as a hero for helping win the battle, and no longer wants to have anything to do with the war. I loved this book and was drawn into
the story from the very first chapter.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Carr, Elias
TITLE: Fight the Wind
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Darkycreek, 2012
PRICE: $27.95
ISBN: 9780761383314
INTEREST LVL: 5th- 9th gr
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 94 pg.
In a post-apocalyptic United States, a small group of teens tries to make their way to some place where they can feel safe and live like a family. We
aren’t sure what caused the devastation of the country or how long ago it was, but there doesn’t seem to be any adults left alive. Fix, Cleo, Nic and
Gus are trying to survive in an falling down apartment building when roving gangs of scavengers force them to leave Minneapolis and head south in
the ruins of a pick-up truck. Along the way, they pick up Rob and Todd and come across the remains of a farmhouse. Gangs have already been
there, leaving the farmer and his wife dying on the front porch. Fix wants to stay, rebuild the windmill and set up housekeeping. Cleo wants to push
on toward Refuge, a place where civilization might be rebuilding. This is a fast pace story of kids trying to make sense of a world gone wrong. Preteens and low-level readers will enjoy the action, the short chapters and the fact that these are outcasts and mostly illiterate teen survivors. Much of
the action is violent with little remorse, so this might not be appropriate for younger or sensitive children. It is a stand -alone book in the After the
Dust Settled series. There was no price printed on the book, but it is carried by Amazon.com in paperback and library binding. I think that the cost
of the library binding is rather high for this book.
Reviewer: Linda Solberg, Castle Rock High School, Castle Rock, Washington
Carroll, Michael
TITLE: The Ascension
RATING: APUBLISHER: Philomel Books 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780399256240
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 378
Superhumans, Supervillains and bad guys galore in this futuristic book. Roz, Lance and Abby had just defeated Krodin and were back to living their
“normal” lives, or so they thought. In just three weeks time, their world in turned upside down. Martial law has been instated and people are acting
like robots. Roz and her friends are now in a battle to return the United States back to the life they know and defeat a villain that seems unbeatable. I
found “The Ascension” to be a difficult story to follow and it jumped around too much. Many of the action scenes were hard to believe and
unrealistic. This book is definitely for someone who really likes to read science fiction.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
8
Cass, Kiera
TITLE: The Selection
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780062059932
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 327
The Selection is completely unoriginal. It is a dystopian society comprised of a caste system that limits its citizens to a station assigned by birth. It has
an attractive heroine who knows she isn’t ugly, but doesn’t consider herself particularly attractive either. She is selected to be part of a reality show
similar to the multiple iterations of The Bachelor in which she has the opportunity to become the next queen of Illea. Like Esther in the Bible,
America Singer eschews all the frippery of other young women, but her natural beauty and pragmatic approach to life are like catnip to Prince Maxon
her erstwhile suitor. Which ushers in our third completely unoriginal component: the love triangle. It is that very love triangle that inspires Prince
Maxon to make an agreement to keep America around for the benefit her appearance in The Selection will bring her family, but by the time Aspen—
America’s true love—has been recruited to the military as a palace guard, America is having to rethink her opinion of Prince Maxon. In spite of his
pretentiousness, Macon’s character is geekily lovable. Aspen is equally dreamy, but can never provide America with the opportunity to do good on
the scale that becoming a royal could. Ah, the dilemmas of young love. In spite of its seemingly predictable plot and characterization, I couldn’t
dislike the book. Believe me, I tried. Somehow, Cass has managed to take something that would be otherwise ho hum, and make it fun. Young
women will totally know what is coming, and yet they will continue to read because everyone likes a young woman who takes her destiny by the
horns and refuses to be frightened by terrorists, emotions, or life. This is the first in the series, and the second—The Elite—has just been released. I’m
afraid if that book is as entertaining as this one, I will have to add the series to my list of guilty pleasures.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Chen, Wei Dong
TITLE: The Expulsion of Sun Wu Kong
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Jr* Comics, 2013
PRICE: NA
ISBN: 9788994208756
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 5-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Chao Peng
PAGES: 174
Monkey King book 7. In this hardcover, full color graphic novel, San Zang and his disciples are traveling along a deserted mountain road when the
evil White Bone Goblin takes human form to try to kill San Zang. Wu Kong, knowing that it’s really the Goblin, kills each of its human forms,
angering San Zang who doesn’t understand the danger. He only sees three people dead. San Zang banishes Wu Kong, who returns to and restores his
homeland of Spring Mountain. Meanwhile, San Zang’s group continues their travels and encounter dangers that they can’t protect themselves from
without Wu Kong. One of the disciples escapes and finds Wu Kong, who comes to their aide and defeats the evil demon. This is an interesting
adventure, based on classic Chinese tale. The rich illustrations and engaging text will appeal to a wide audience.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Child, Lauren
TITLE: Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780763651206
GRADE LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 383
Ruby is 13 years old and works for the agency called Spectrum. She is called upon to crack a code that ultimately got a former “operative” killed.
Ruby’s family gets a new butler, Hitch, because their other house helper has disappeared. She comes off as laid back and extremely smart. When
you mess with Ruby, she will use her brilliance to out maneuver the opponent. She and Hitch, who is also an operative for the same agency, race
against time to discover the answer to the code and save lives. “Look Into My Eyes” is a fast paced book that will keep you wanting to read more. A
definite great read for middle school level.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Clarke, Gus
TITLE: ROME: A 3D Keepsake Cityscape
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2013
PRICE: $8.99 each
ISBN: 9780763664152
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. Pre-adult
ILLUSTRATOR: Kristyna Litten
PAGES: np
Again, Gus Clarke has taken a popular scrapbooking technique of accordion scrapbooks, combined it with pop-ups, and created a delightful primer of
the cityscape of Rome. It comes protected in a small board box. Twelve different architectural and historical attractions are highlighted with small
pop-ups and summaries. Wonderful book that will have its nitch in the personal market.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Claybourne, Anna
TITLE: Life Processes
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Raintree, 2012
PRICE: $25.49
ISBN: 9781410944238
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 6-10
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 48
This is one of six books in the series called The Web of Life by Raintree. In this particular book it discusses the life processes of living things and
shows how they are interdependent. It addresses the seven life processes and explains in the beginning of the book what each means. It states that
the interest level is 6-10 years but I would bump it up to 8-12 years as some of the vocabulary and page setup are a bit complicated for younger
readers. I do not think that I would order this for my school library as it seems to me to be more of a nonfiction directed text. It does have
bibliographic information which aids the reader but I still feel it is not kid friendly to use.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
9
Clayton, Emma
TITLE: The Whisper
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chicken House, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780545317726
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 6-12
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 309
Sequel to The Roar. Twins Ellie and Mika have finally been reunited. Unfortunately, the evil Mal Gorman is still in control and planning to send his
computer controlled army of children to begin another world war. Ellie and Mika learn that they can mentally communicate with the army of children
and arrange a coup to overthrow Gorman. They learn that the entire world isn’t devoid of trees, wildlife and real food; just their side of the wall. The
other side of the wall is lush, green and thriving. Unfortunately, this knowledge could lead to the very war they are trying to avoid. The must work
out a deal with the leader of the other side of the wall, who does not want the mass of people destroying the beauty of what they have. After a tense
show of power from both sides, the children prevail, opening a whole new world to them. This futuristic science fiction story will engage a wide
variety of readers.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
TITLE: A Vacation for Pooch
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt & Co., 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805091069
INTEREST LEVEL: K-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
PAGES: 27
This charming story tells of the love Violet has for her dog Pooch. While she is on vacation in Florida, Pooch goes to grandpa’s farm. Violet
discovers that the bag she packed for Pooch was switched with hers, and she worries that he will be lost and lonely. A call to grandpa reassures her
that Pooch is just fine curled up with Violet’s favorite doll. This would be very good as a read aloud to young students. The pictures are vivid and
expressive. I enjoyed it.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
TITLE: Time to Say Bye-Bye
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Penguin Group, 2012
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780670013098
INTEREST LEVEL: infant-pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 31
It is so hard to day good-bye. Oh the meltdowns…until you get the transition word. What do you say to the park? “Bye-Bye.” When the day is going
to be busy there are lots of times to practice saying bye-bye. The illustrations are warm and bright. The characters are sweet and pull you in to the
story. This is a great book for young children and their parents.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Collins, Pat Lowery
TITLE: Daughter of Winter
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2010
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 9780763645007
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 272
Adalie’s father has left the family to seek fame and fortune in the gold fields on the West Coast. She, then, loses her mother and brother to the flux.
Adalie knows that if her neighbors find out she is alone, they will force her into servitude in another household. She spends the snowy winter in the
woods, suffering from cold and hunger. A Wompanoag woman, Nokummus, comes to her rescue. Every turn of the page brings new and exciting
information about Adalie’s past. At first, Adalie is repulsed by this woman, then she begins to care about her. Startling news causes Adalie to rethink
who she considers “family”. I would highly recommend this book to students in our library. First impressions are not always indicative of who a
person really is. Adalie realized this once she was able to spend time with Nokummus.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Cornish, D. M.
TITLE: Factotum
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Putnam
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 9780399246401
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: D. M. Cornish
PAGES: 684
The books starts off exceedingly show. It takes a few chapters for the pact to pick up. The book is filled with action, but the plot wasn’t the greatest.
There was no guessing as to what would have happened next. Also, it was hard to keep the names of the new characters straight. The author would
add new characters, then get rid of them shortly after. This book was hard to finish. There were a lot of detailed fights, especially with Rossumond
and his boss. The author’s descriptions helped me visualize the characters and places.
REVIEWER: Jasmine Young, student Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Covell, David
TITLE: Rat and Roach Rock On
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2013
PRICE: $14.99
ISBN: 9780670014101
INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Covell, David
PAGES: 33
Rat and Roach are friends with a different sense of style. When their band is playing at M.C. Fleea’s Big City Jam, Rat refuses to wear the sparkly
costume Roach provides. They have to learn to co-operate and reach an agreement in order to perform. The text is minimal, relying on the expressive
and humorous illustrations to fill in the details.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
10
Crockett, S. D.
TITLE: After The Snow
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Macmillan 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780312641696
INTEREST: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 288
Ice and snow is the only world Willo has ever known. His family moved out of the city to avoid total government control. Willo has learned to live
off the land, hunting and trapping. He loves his life, until he returns home to find his family gone. Leaving all he knows, Willo loads supplies and
heads deep in the hills to try and figure out what to do next. “After the Snow” is a story of the struggle to survive, when the government and ruthless
bands of gangs are determined to destroy your life and make you dependent on them, or worse yet, kill you.
This was the most difficult book to read. It is written from Willo’s perspective, making him seem illiterate and unlearned.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Cronin, Doreen
TITLE: Diary of a Fly
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Joanna Cotler Books, 2007
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780062232984
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Harry Bliss
PAGES: 32
This is a great book to introduce a food web or flies and their skills. It is a cute way to learn about the importance that flies bring to the world. Diary
of the Fly is not filled with too much text. It is a great read aloud for young learners. I can’t wait to add this to my library. The illustrations are big,
capture young audiences, and are not scary but actually have an endearing quality to them.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Cross, Gillian
TITLE: The Odyssey
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick, 2012
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 9780763647919
INTEREST: Gr. 6-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Neil Packer
PAGES: 176
If you need a retelling of The Odyssey, this is the book for your library. Gillian is a marvelous storyteller in her own right, and the illustrations are
entertaining and unique. I love the dedication art, stunning! The graphic style and re-envisioning of the story is perfect for readers who love
mythology and graphic novels.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Cross, Gillian
TITLE: The Odyssey
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick, 2012
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 9780763647919
INTEREST: Gr. 6-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Neil Packer
PAGES: 176
If you need a retelling of The Odyssey, this is the book for your library. Gillian is a marvelous storyteller in her own right, and the illustrations are
entertaining and unique. I love the dedication art, stunning! The graphic style and re-envisioning of the story is perfect for readers who love
mythology and graphic novels.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Dahl, Elisabeth
TITLE: Genie Wishes
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Amulet Books, 2013
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 978141975267
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 4-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Elisabeth Dahl
PAGES: 273
Fifth grader Genie Kunkle has been elected as her class’s blogger. Genie and her best friend Sarah are excited to start school again at their private
school. Sarah’s been away at camp and is thrilled to discover her friend, Blair, from camp will be attending their school. Blair quickly becomes the
center of Sarah’s world and Genie, who’s not really into boys, make-up or bras, starts branching out and making new friends. Genie’s blog reflects
what’s happening in her class, and her friendships. This is a relevant read, especially for fifth graders as friendships begin to change. It offers an
honest, but hopeful look as some elementary girls start wanting to become “older” while others are pleased with wear they are. Genie stays true to
herself and shows courage through it all.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Davies, Nicola
TITLE: Escape From Silver Street Farm
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2011
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780763661335
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 2-5
ILLUSTRATOR: Katharine McEwen
PAGES: 65
Silver Street Farm book 2. The urban Silver Street Farm is getting ready for their grand opening when the turkeys escape and two sheep go missing.
The sheep are found eating the flowers inside a local grocery store. The turkeys are found floating down the river on a deflated bouncing house and
they end up inadvertently protecting a human baby that ended up in the bouncing house. The kids are worried about why a hole was cut in their
turkey pen and set up a stake out to see who did it. They find two boys who come to steal a turkey for Christmas dinner. The children foil the boys’
plan and the boys end up volunteering for the farm. The grand opening then goes on without a hitch. This is a fun story that will appeal to primary
students that are better readers and middle elementary readers looking for a short chapter book. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this read.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Davies, Nicola
TITLE: Who Lives Here?
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2012
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780763662639
INTEREST LEVEL: Toddler-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Marc Boutavant
PAGES: 20
This flip-flap lets you the read discover who lives where by raising the flaps. So, who lives in the jungle, ocean, pond, or the savannah come find out
in this book. The illustrations are colorful and bright. This is a great book for our young readers. Flap and are always hard for libraries but I think
that they keep young readers engaged. After you read this book your little ones, they will take this book off the shelf and will look at it by
themselves.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
11
Deans, Sis
TITLE: Riding Out the Storm
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt & Co. 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805093551
INTEREST: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 176
The story of Zach is told on a long bus ride through a snowstorm to visit his much loved, absent brother who has been made a ward of the state.
Through short flashbacks and connections with his Grandfather and other fellow passengers, we learn of the family’s situation, the brother’s mental
illness and what troubles Zach. His seatmate “Purplehead”, (Zach’s name for her) is a talkative teen who becomes both an unusual companion and a
sounding board to help him sort out his past. At the end of the ride, we understand more about the brother’s condition and how Zach feels better able
to face his own future.
The story is well told and the characters are aptly describes through Zach’s observations. The situation being related is serious, but the author finds a
way to tell the story with humor and insight into a pre-teen boy’s thinking. It is never condescending and the pages almost turn themselves. I liked
the setting’s short time span, which allows an in-depth look at the passengers and how they relate to Zach. He comes across as very real, liking
basketball, sketching and, most of all, his brother who has caused as much grief as joy. A few sexual references seem appropriate to the telling of the
story, however limiting reading to older high school students.
When I finish a story and instantly want to re-read it, I know it is a story well told. This is an honest look into two troubled young people without
being sappy or melancholy.
REVIEWER: Karen Brockman, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Delsol, Wendy
TITLE: Stork
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick 2010
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780763648442
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 357
Katla Leblanc moves from a comfortable, upscale life in Los Angeles to a small town in Minnesota. She meets Hulda, the leader of the Icelandic
Stork Society. Against Katla’s wishes, she is forced into becoming a member. This group sees visions of babies and possible choices for the mother
of this child. They must choose who is deserving of the blessing. She has a disastrous date with Wade, and is interested in finding out more about
the mysterious editor in chief of the school newspaper, Jack. Katla finds out that she has mystical powers and must overcome evil in the end. The
story revolves around Nordic myths and magic. Stork was an okay read, but difficult to follow, at times.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
DiConsiglio, John
TITLE: Superbugs
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Raintree 2012
PRICE: $33.00
ISBN: 9781432960377
INTEREST: 4-7
ILLUSTRATOR: Various Photos
PAGES: 64
So many super bugs have been “created” because of the over use of prescription antibiotics. When viruses and bacteria fail to respond to prescribed
medicines or they are “overused” then doctors consider this a “super bug” or a strain resistant to medicine. Pharmacies and laboratories are racing to
find new cures and medicines in order to save lives. I had a difficult time reading this book because it had so many pictures and stories of people
who suffered through horrible diseases.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Doeden, Matt
TITLE: Safety Smarts: How to Manage Threats, Protect Yourself,
RATING: A
Get Help, and More
PUBLISHER: Twenty-First Century Books, 2012
PRICE: $23.95
ISBN: 9780761370222
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 7-10
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 64
Part of the USA TODAY Teen Wise Guides: Lifestyle Choices series. This non-fiction text discusses a wide variety of situations that teens may find
themselves in and how to deal with them. Topics include school bullying, driving, sexual assault, cyberspace safety among others. While it provides
solid, accurate information, most teens will find that the text is overly simplistic and seemingly geared toward a younger audience. Another drawback
is the excessively small font size. Good readers will read it anyway while average to struggling readers will think twice after browsing through it.
Most appropriate for 8th through 10th grade students.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Doeden, Matt
TITLE: Human Travel to the Moon and Mars
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publishing Group 2012
PRICE: $35.00
ISBN: 9780761364368
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
The author explores space travel from the beginning, and where are we going with it? Is it possible to sustain life on the moon or any other planet?
Well written book with pictures and news articles explaining the money and risks involved in sending men into space. “Human Travel to the Moon
and Mars” presents the arguments from both sides as to what the future will hold for the NASA Space Program.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Dogar, Sharon
TITLE: Annexed
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin 2010
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 9780547501956
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 332
A fictional story based on the details from “The Diary of Anne Frank”. Peter and his family are hidden behind the bookcase with the Frank family.
He knows the time will come when they will be found. There are a lot of things in their lives they will never experience. Peter and Anne fall in love,
and must hide this from their families. A poignant story told from a different perspective, as only Peter sees it.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
12
Dolby, Tom
TITLE: The Trust
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780061721649
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 356
Exclusive membership in the Society is not so important to Nick, Lauren, Patch and Phoebe. They have two classmates that were found dead and
they want out. The only problem is you are never really free. Before his death, Nick’s grandfather gives him cryptic clues to help free him and his
friends. Nick hears some disturbing news that he is not sure how to handle. Patch is not sure where he belongs. They must hide their true intentions,
for fear of being the next students to disappear. Confrontations, secret trips and relationships, good and bad, draw the reader in to the race to find a
way for them to be truly free.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Dolezalek, Holly
TITLE: The Global Financial Crisis
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing 2012
PRICE: $34.00
ISBN: 9781617831003
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
This book takes the reader inside the reasons why we are in a financial crisis. It lays out the failures and downfalls of the housing market, banks, and
the massive United States debt that has caused our country to go into a recession. Each chapter deals with a specific topic and the steps that cause the
collapse and what actions are being taken to recover. I found “The Global Financial Crisis” to be informative and frustrating. This book helped me
to better understand what brought on the recession and the people responsible.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Donaldson, Madeline
TITLE: Deadly Bloody Battles
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publications Co., 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9781467706018
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 32
Part of the Shockzone – Deadly and Dangerous series. This non-fiction text takes a look at ten of the mostly deadly battles in world history. Battles
range from the ancient Greeks battle of Thermopylae and Salamis to the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. The basics about each battle are
included. Be warned there are several black and white photos showing decease soldiers. Also discussed is the rape of Boudicca’s daughters and her
own suicide during the Battle of Watling Street. Middle school students will pick it up looking for shocking details, rather than a history lesson.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
DPiazza, Francesca Davis
TITLE: Friend Me!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Twenty-First Century Books 2012
PRICE: $33.00
ISBN: 9780761358695
INTEREST: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
For someone born in 1994, there were only 634 websites on the Internet. By the time the student turned 18, there were over 200 million. Social
networks have advanced from strings of beads, hieroglyphics and printing presses to instant internet interactions. Early communications took longer
and were very time consuming. Many times the news was months old before the reader has access to it. Now, we are able to respond and interact
with friends and family with the click of a button. The downside is too many people are lost without their internet and messaging capabilities.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Duane, Diane
TITLE: A Wizard of Mars
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harcourt 2010
PRICE: $18.00
ISBN: 9780152047702
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 550
“A Wizard of Mars” follows the organized chaotic lives of two wizards, Kit and Nita. Kit is addicted to Mars, and has been spending all is time on
that planet. He accidently opens the “Super Egg” and the former inhabitants of Mars are released. The interplanetary war is on and Kit and Nita
must find a way to send the Martians back or it could mean death for all inhabitants on Mars and Earth. “ A Wizard of Mars” is action packed and
fun to read. I would definitely read more books by this author and recommend it to other students.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell and Jazz Young, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Edge, Harry
TITLE: Spray
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: R. R. Donnelley & Sons 2010
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780312613440
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 228
A story about a game of assassination for teenagers, where they can only use water guns or balloons. As players form alliances, they try to outrun, or
out maneuver their intended target. There is a surprising twist in the end that has nothing to do with the plot of this book. “Spray” in not as intense as
I thought it would be, but will be a good read for junior high students.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Enderle, Dotti
TITLE: Crosswire
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Calkins Creek
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 9781590787519
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 135
With parched land brought on by a drought, Jesse and his family have enough problems. There is a battle brewing between farmers who fence their
property and those who believe in free range. Jesse’s brother has been banned from their home, his mom is mourning the loss of her son and then a
stranger shows up looking for work. Who is this mysterious man and what is he doing at night when everyone else is asleep. Leather, Jesse’s dog is
injured, and cattle are being killed. The farmers work out a plan to catch those causing all their problems. Jesse follows Jackson, the ranch hand, and
gets himself into more trouble. Although a short book, “Crosswire” keeps moving at a fast pace. It keeps the reader guessing, who is to blame for all
the troubles on their farm.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
13
Farrell, Courtney
TITLE: The Mexican Drug War
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing Company 2012
PRICE: $34.00
ISBN: 9781617831362
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
“The Mexican Drug War” exposes the realities of fighting a battle that seems impossible to win. The Mexican drug lords will do whatever it takes to
get their drugs to the dealers. Countless people have been killed and children left fatherless because someone tried to do what was right. The drug
cartels even turn on each other in hopes of having more area to control. Young children are used as assassins and drug curriers because they need the
money to support their families. “The Mexican Drug War” is informative and often brutal, but shows the daily battle officials face to try to keep
drugs out of the United States.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Fitzmaurice, Kathryn
TITLE: A Diamond in the Desert
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Penguin Group 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780670012923
INTEREST: 6-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 258
“A Diamond in the Desert” is about a young teenager named Tetsu Kishi. Tetsu is one of the hundreds of thousands of Japanese-Americans who
were sent to camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tetsu’s father is shipped to North Dakota for further questioning, while Tetsu is left to tend to
his family. He is able to make a few friends. Tetsu likes baseball and to trying to keep his family’s life as “normal” as possible, and decides to build
a baseball diamond in the middle of the hot desert. They name their team, Gila River, and Tetsu is their first baseman. After his sister becomes ill, he
hangs up his mitt. Then, soon returns to playing after his father returns from North Dakota. The Gila River baseball team gets the upset win over a
local powerhouse team and learns some important lessons along the way.
This book is fantastic. It gave me an understanding of just how bad life was for the Japanese-Americans after the attacks. This is hands down one of
my new favorite books.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell/Anthony Nusbaum (student), Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Flavin, Teresa
TITLE: The Blackhope Enigma
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Templar Books 2011
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780763656942
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 280
Three children, Sunni, Dean and Blaise are caught in an enchanted painting created by Fausto Corvo. The must fight monsters, sail across dangerous
oceans and find their way out of mazes in order to be released from the painting. All the while, they are being chased by Lady Ishbell Blackhope and
Angus Bellini. I like this book, and felt like I was one of the characters, taking part in the action. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
REVIEWER: Jasmine Young, student Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Fleischman, Paul
TITLE: The Matchbox Diary
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780763676011
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 1-5
ILLUSTRATOR: Bagram Ibatoulline
PAGES: [40]
This picture book depicts the life of an Italian immigrant as told through his collection of small items stored in matchboxes. When his great-grand
daughter comes to visit, he tells her to choose an item from room and he’ll tell her a story about it. She selects a cigar box that is filled with old
fashioned matchboxes. Each box contains a small memento from his life; from growing up poor in Italy and his family’s immigration to the United
States to him finally getting to learn to read. This powerful story about the overcoming hardships will appeal to a wide audience. The illustrations
beautifully add to the story with modern scenes done in gentle, yet colorful tones and scenes from the past in rich sepia. This would also make a great
read aloud for older readers.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Forester, Miriam
TITLE: City of a Thousand Dolls
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper teen, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780062121301
INTEREST LEVEL: 9th-12th
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 359
Nisha is surrounded in mystery. Orphaned at a young age she is placed in the City of a Thousand Dolls. This is an orphanage of sorts. It is full of
unwanted girls. The appeal of the City of a Thousand Dolls is that once you enter and are trained the sixteenth year after your birth you can be
redeemed. You are no longer a part of a caste that you might have been born into but are revered by your skill, beauty, or knowledge that you
learned under the tutelage of the City of a Thousand Dolls’ Houses. At the redeeming, you are redeemed by someone that is willing to pay for your
past training and take you to their home. Nisha is an exception as we find out. She is not under a House but is the Head Matron’s assistant. She
enters every house and has learned many of the skills at all the houses. The Head Matron only required that she bring back information from the
houses on the girls’ treatment and satisfaction or discontent in all the houses. She is also required to get the mail. This is a task that she greatly
enjoys because it brings her closer to the boy named Devon. Tanaya is her best friend that is being trained to marry the prince of the land, although
her non-human best friend is Jerritt. He is a cat. He and his family that live in the City of a Thousand Dolls are able to communicate with Nisha
telepathically. As it gets closer to Nisha redeeming, her world begins to change. The Council that oversees the City wants to get rid of the Matron,
and that means taking away her eyes and ears, Nisha. They want to sell Nisha off, and then murders begin happening in the City. The Matron needs
to catch the killer and to do that she needs Nisha’s help. The layers upon layers of the story weave an intricate path to the truth. Who is Nisha?
What is the City of a Thousand Dolls? Is this truly the way to deal with unwanted children? Should the girls have a choice in this decision, and who
gets to redeem them? The story is compelling with just the right amount of cliffhangers, and only a touch of the super-natural creates a rich story
with interesting characters and a fantastical thought provoking world in which to lose yourself.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
14
Forman, Gayle
TITLE: just one day
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Dutton, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780525425915
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 369
Can a life totally change in a day? Allyson finds out after she ditches a traditional Shakespearean performance on her senior tour to London. She
opts instead for a mad-hat, underground performance of Twelfth Night, admiring Willem, a mesmerizing, hot, Dutch actor. There is a spark. So
when Allyson chances upon Willem again, she adopts his moniker of “Lulu” and dashes off on the Chunnel for a day in Paris. It is amazing, with
Lulu becoming more and more infatuated with Willem, and he reciprocating the lustiness while spending the night in an artist squat. When Allyson
awakes, he is gone. Realizing that she was used, she finds a phone, calls the tour director, and is escorted back to the subway to join her group in
London. Allyson takes her broken and humiliated heart home to prepare for college. It does not go well. Allyson slips deeper into depression. An
astute college counselor guides her toward an easier, less-pre-med freshmen schedule which Allyson must hide from her type-A mother. But her
grades and mental health improve. So much so, that she is employed for the first time, enrolls in a community French class, and pays to return to
France and Holland to “gain clarity”. There she unveils the mystery of Willem’s disappearance and puzzles together their encounter. She travels to
Holland and meets former girlfriends and is invited to a Shakespearean play. As You Like It is playing in the Volenpark and Orlando is… Full of
clever repartee, honesty, and pathos, I find it hard to believe that anyone fifteen and above would not love this new book from Forman! Willem and
Lulu’s love scene is quite sensuous and will curl toes. So there may be some objections to that, but I hardly see it as objectionable. The great news?
The companion novel from Willem’s perspective will come out…in just one year.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Foxworthy, Jeff
TITLE: Dirt on My Shirt
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper, 2013
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780062231918
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Steve Bjorkman
28PAGES: 25
Congratulations Mr. Foxworthy, this is a worthy effort. Poems for young people are a difficult genre, but this is great fun and the illustrations are
very sweet and fitting. Some of the poems are hit and miss, but my favorite is “Uncle Ed and Aunt Foo Foo.” I loved the poems about family
members; don’t miss the uncle page. Enjoy this treat…
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Freedman, Russell
TITLE: Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass The Story Behind an American Friendship
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Clarion Books
PRICE: $18.99
ISBN: 9780547385624
INTEREST LEVEL: GR 5-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 119
What a wonderful way to become familiar with the friendship between two of the most influential men in American history. This highly readable
book will cause students to form an interest in American history in a way they may not have experienced, as yet. The descriptions given of the two
men, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, as well as the accounts of their early years are mixed well with the political events of the times,
creating a book where the reader not only learns about how the two men grew up but what influenced their thoughts and opinions in their later years.
Their differences in position and race should have created a rift between the two men, however, as Freedman explains, “The two men had much in
common, and, it seems, they enjoyed each other’s company…they shared a common purpose.” In addition, while the Civil War obviously plays a
major role in any book about Abraham Lincoln, this is one book that does not allow the war to overshadow the men, themselves. Freedman walks a
fine line, allowing details and primary source accounts of the war to help build a picture of both President Lincoln’s and Douglass’ selflessness and
integrity. Also enjoyable are the drawings and photos that accompany the text, utilizing both primary and secondary sources to create a picture of the
period, adding an element of realism to the words. Even a student who does not enjoy reading nonfiction will find this book pleasurable.
REVIEWER: Jodi McLean, Cascade Middle School
TITLE: Spirit’s Princess
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House 2012
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 9780375869075
INTEREST: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 449
Himiko is the daughter of the leader of the Matsu clan. She lives a privileged life and should have no worries in the world, but she is so unhappy.
She wishes that her days were filled with hunting and foraging in the nearby woods. Himiko is forbidden to think such thoughts or to be an
apprentice to the clan shaman, Yama. Her days are filled with chores and caring for her younger siblings.
She begins to understand and communicate with the forest animals and must realize that her life is destined to be more than a simple daughter of a
powerful clan leader. How can Himiko and Yama get her father to accept her as the next shaman? Yama passes away and it is time for her to step
into the roll that she is destined for. A confrontation with her father sends Himiko running to her friend’s village and sets her mind to wondering if
she really is capable of being a healer. Missing her family, she returns to find her village destroyed and all the people taken as slaves to a
neighboring clan. Hope is renewed when she sees a vision of her village restored. Now, there is no turning back. Himiko stands firm in the calling
she was destined for.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Friesner, Esther
15
Fussel, Sandy
TITLE: Shaolin Tiger
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2011
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9780763657024
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Rhian Nest James
PAGES: 255
Ki-Yaga must take his students on a long, dangerous journey across the Sea of Japan in order to protect the temple and the monks living in it. They
encounter many trials. Their biggest test will be against Qing-Shen, Ki-Yaga’s former student, who wishes to get revenge on his former master. In
order to challenge Ki-Yaga, the samurai students must train with the monks in the temple. Once again, this ragtag bunch of students are able to
defeat the challenger and protect their beloved teacher. This book is full of action and has many humorous situations that keep the reader engaged
through the entire book.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Fussell, Sandy
TITLE: Monkey Fist
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2012
PRICE: $7.00
ISBN: 9780763658274
INTEREST: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Rhian Nest James
PAGES: 250
This is book four in the “Samurai Kids” series. As they travel back toward their home in the Tateyama Mountains of Japan, Kyoko is kidnapped and
the search is on to rescue her. Sensei, their master, has many enemies and none more dangerous than Lu Zeng. Lu Zeng is the minister of the
Forbidden City in Beijing. He is a bitter man who spends his time searching the truth of immortality. Their journey toward the city challenges Niya
and Yoshi’s friendship, because of hidden secrets. In order to battle Lu Zeng, the group must be one is spirit. The forces are against them and every
turn provides a new danger. Sensei and Lu Zeng are brought before the Emperor and Lu Zeng is demoted, banished from the city and his palace
destroyed. The “cockroaches” offering some amusing antics that offer a glimmer of hope for those who live for truth and justice in an evil world.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Fussell, Sandy
TITLE: Owl Ninja
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2011
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9780763657727
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Rhian Nest James
PAGES: 248
The drumbeat echoing across the mountains can only mean one thing: It is calling the all the Ryu’s (local schools) to war. The Cockroach Ryu is a
bunch of ragtag students that no one else wanted, with each one having a disability. They prove to be worthy opponents by winning the competition
between all the Ryu’s in the land. They must go the Emperor to prove that the war must not commence and innocent blood must not be shed. They
are wise beyond their years and trick the Emperor in to thinking that the Dragon Master is wrong and the battle would shed innocent blood. I found
this book to be well written and slightly amusing, even when they are called the “Cockroach” Ryu.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Gaiman, Neil
TITLE: Chu’s Day
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins, 2013
PRICE: 17.99
ISBN: 9780062017819
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. Pre-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Adam Rex
PAGES: [32 p.]
Imagine my delight of seeing a picture book authored and illustrated by two of my favorite young adult authors! Chu, a young panda, is notorious for
his sneezes. Bad things happen . His helicopter parents hover over him when his nose tickles in the library and at the diner. The sneeze does not
happen in either location, to his parents’ delight. When his parents take him to the circus later that day no one pays attention to Chu when he tries to
tell his parents that he is going to sneeze, and guess who are engrossed in the circus? The impressive sneeze explodes the tents, and stirs up the
library and dinner. The final scene shows the ever-patient parents tucking Chu into bed. Adam’s illustrations are clever: A goose READ poster in
the library, mice on computers in an old card catalog, pilot goggles on Chu (ominous), a whale chef at the Moby Diner, a folktale-allusion act in the
circus.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Gay, Kathlyn
TITLE: Food: The New Gold
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Twenty-First Century Books, 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9780761346074
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 9-adult
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 96
This interesting non-fiction book discusses the world’s food supply and how so many people are hungry and/or starving when so much food goes to
waste. It also looks at how farming and food production (and engineered food) is mostly run by corporations and its effect on what ends up in our
markets. Furthermore, it looks to current improvements that are being made and ways to maintain healthy farmlands. The text is engaging and easy to
read and the accompanying photographs add interesting details. This is most appropriate for high school readers.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
16
Gidwitz, Adam
TITLE: In a Glass Grimmly
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dutton Children’s Books, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780525425816
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-7
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 314
Companion to A Tale Dark & Grimm. Cousins Jack and Jill are reunited after both want to run away from their homes and miserable lives. They are
joined by Frog and their journey weaves them through a variety of fairy tales and they end up on a quest to find the lost Seeing Glass. This story
would make a great read aloud! It is not for the faint of heart as it claims to tell the real versions of the fairy tales, complete with all, and I do mean
all, of the gruesome details. (One example…Frog is spun through the air, his leg comes off, blood goes everywhere and he lands on the wall. The
mean princess tosses the leg out the window and a weasel eats it. Frog then limps away home.) The stories are very entertaining and elementary
students will gobble up this gruesome version of the fairy tales.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Gier, Kerstin
TITLE: Ruby Red
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Company 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805092523
INTEREST: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 330
This should not be happening to her! Charlotte is the one chosen with the family inherited time travel gene, not Gwen. Charlotte has been living with
family members, the Guardians, who can teach her of what to be prepared for when suddenly transported back in time, and how to control it. It starts
with 10 – 15 minutes of travel and soon Gwen realizes that she is the one with the gene. Charlotte is furious and does not believe that it is Gwen.
Gwen encounters a mysterious time traveler, Gideon, and together the travel to unlock family mysteries hidden for hundreds of years. I definitely
want to read the first two books in this trilogy. A book worth reading!
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Gillam, Scott
TITLE: Sigmund Freud
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing 2012
PRICE: $34.00
ISBN: 9781617830044
INTEREST: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
Sigmund Freud was considered by many to be fanatical in his treatment of neurological disorders. He first believed in “free association”. Patients
would be allowed to talk freely and therefore they would work through the problems they had in their lives. Later it evolved into studies of the mind
and the human brain. Sigmund Freud is known by most people for what we call the “Freudian Slip”, words that “slip” when we are speaking, but are
not what we really wanted to say. He was criticized regularly for his work and struggled with being able to accept the disagreements he had with
others working in his field. Sigmund Freud grew up in a happy home and married Martha Bernays at the age of 30. Although he gained acceptance
in some areas of his work, many of his co-workers tried to discredit his beliefs.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Gilman, David
TITLE: Ice Claw
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2008
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 9780385735612
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 433
Max Gordon enters an Xtreme sports race in the French Pyrenees Mountains expecting to win. Little did he know that he would soon be racing for
his life. He witnesses the death of a Basque monk, who gives him mysterious clues. Different people come to his rescue or to kill him. He must
choose whom he can trust. It is a race to uncover the answer to the clues left by the monk, before his adversaries kill him. Max races to save his
friend Sayid and stop the catastrophic destruction planned for Lake Geneva and the surrounding cities. I could not put this book down, because of
the fast paced action with the turn of every page.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Gimpel, Diane Marczely
TITLE: Violence in Video Games
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $22.95
ISBN: 9781617837364
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 48
Part of the Hot Topics in Media series. This non-fiction text discusses violence in today’s video games. Beginning with a brief history of the video
game industry, it further looks at the correlations between violence in video games than have been linked to real violence in our society. It reinforces
the idea that parents should take a more active role in what their children are doing and offers a site to compare and select less violent games.
Elementary and middle school students who need a lower reading level would find this interesting. Includes timeline, glossary, references, reflection
section and index. This book comes from a Core Library set designed to appeal to the current buzz words of common core. While it contains
questions to throughout to help the reader stop and think about what they’ve read, I do not see many students stopping to the write the suggested
sentences and paragraphs (that are encouraged) along the way.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Gitlin, Marty
TITLE: Ole Miss Rebels
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $21.95
ISBN: 978117836558
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 48
Part of the Inside College Football series. This non-fiction text discusses the history of the University of Mississippi’s football program. From its first
game to modern day and everything in between, the interesting, detailed text covers all of the team’s highlights and lows. It also covers its famous
players and coaches. Includes timeline, quick stats, quotes, glossary, references and index. While the text is interesting, the small font size will turn
off many readers that pick it up and browse it. There is plenty of clean white space on the pages that would leave room for larger font. This is most
appropriate for middle school readers.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
17
Gomi, Taro
TITLE: Peekaboo!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books, 1990
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9781452108353
INTEREST LEVEL: Infant-pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 16
This board book has a hole in it that when opened it represents the eyes of all the animals inside. This is a very cute book for little readers. As you
open the book the illustration is a bear with two holes for eyes and he says, “I like to eat honey.” “I am a bear.” Each page is similar with a different
animal. Until the last page when you see a friend that is playing peek a boo.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Goodwin-Sturges, Judy Sue
TITLE: Construction Kitties
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Christy Ottaviano Books, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805091052
INTEREST LEVEL: Toddlers-Pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Shari Halpern
PAGES: 23
Kitties are doing construction. What a cute book and sweet computer illustrations that show kitties at work. They use loaders and excavators with
backhoes, and crawlers until the sun goes down on the job done. There is a nice new playground for every one to enjoy. They take off their hard hats
and head for home. Some day it will be time for them to play. This is great addition to a preschool library, and introducing students to construction
all around them.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Grisham, John
TITLE: Theordore Boone Kid Lawyer
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dutton’s Children’s Books 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780525423843
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 263
Theo is the son of two lawyers, so naturally he does a little law business of his own. There is a big murder trial in town and his dad has threatened to
have the judge throw him in jail, if he skips school to attend. The killer is about to be set free for lack of evidence. Theo has learned there is an
important witness, who does not want to come forward for fear of deportation. He promised to not tell anyone, but how can he keep that secret when
it appears that Peter Duffy is guilty of murdering his wife. The story ends with a mistrial and promise of refiling charges against the accused.
Theodore seemed to be too good of a character. He never questioned his parents or teachers. Some parts of the book are not really believable from an
real life perspective. Theo has way too much freedom within the courthouse, and during the trial. I was disappointed that the book ended with many
questions. It is too bad readers will have to wait another year for the sequel.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Guiberson, Brenda Z.
TITLE: Frog Song
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt & Co., 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780802092547
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades K-2
ILLUSTRATOR: Gennady Spirin
PAGES: NP
This oversized, non-fiction picture books shows interesting facts about 11 frogs from around the world, focusing, mostly, on the unusual ways they
take care of their eggs and/or tadpoles. The rich illustrations clearly show each frog in its habitat depicting information found in the text. Students of
any age who like frogs will enjoy this one!
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Gutman, Dan
TITLE: Ted & Me
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper, 2012
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780061234873
INTEREST LEVEL: 5th-8th Grade
ILLUSTRATOR: Various Pictures
PAGES: 194
What an absolutely fantastic book! The concept is that 13 year old Joe Stoshack (Stosh) can travel through time by holding a baseball card in his
hand. This adventure has him helping the FBI and trying to prevent the attack on Pearl Harbor with the help of Ted Williams. Stosh also has a vision
of helping Williams’ increase his stats by steering clear of entering the military on two different occasions and losing out on valuable baseball
playing years. Williams used colorful language and Gutman explains that at the beginning of the book. He has a plan on how to handle it in the story
in order to keep the flavor of Williams’ character. The book is full of history, adventure, time travel, and baseball. I love Gutman’s concept and the
fact that he clarifies the facts at the end of the book. I think that is a critical component of the book, and causes this reviewer to endorse the A
Baseball Card Adventure series even more. Gutman has oodles of books in this series, and I think every library should own them all!
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Gutman, Dan
TITLE: You Only Die Twice
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780061827709
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 289
The Genius Files book 3. Thirteen-year-old twins Coke and Pepsi have survived numerous attempts on their lives as they traveled from California to
Washington, D.C. for their aunt’s wedding and are shocked to discover that she’s marrying the evil Dr. Warsaw. Dr. Warsaw corners the kids and
tells them that he will track them down once he heals from his injuries (from the previous book) and threatens their parents’ lives if they tell. The
twins are on edge as the family begins their journey home. They continue to stop at strange, but real, (like the world’s largest frying pan & world’s
largest fire hydrant) places for their mom’s blog about unusual places in the U.S. An evil Elvis begins showing up at their stops and Coke & Pep start
having trouble again. Each has numerous attempts on their life and the final showdown happens when their RV is destroyed. They are further
shocked to discover that the evil Elvis is their Aunt Judy! The family is left wondering how they will get home, which leads us into the next
installment. This is a delightfully entertaining read! Black and white photos are included from their various destinations and enhance this humorous
adventure. Upper elementary and middle school students will thoroughly enjoy this series!
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
18
Hamilton, John
TITLE: V-22 Osprey
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $18.95
ISBN: 9781617836909
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 4-7
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 32
Part of theXtreme Military Aircraft series (set 2). This full-color non-fiction text looks at the military’s V-22 Osprey, an aircraft that is part
helicopter and part airplane. It discusses its various features, uses and capabilities. The full spread photographs and large font size will appeal to
younger readers as well as older readers that need less text. Its reading level appears to be 4th/5th grade. Includes glossary with detailed definitions
and index.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Hamilton, S.L.
TITLE: Tour de France
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $18.95
ISBN: 9781617836978
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 32
Part of the Xtreme Races series. This vivid non-fiction book tells all about the basics of the Tour de France bike race. It discusses the race’s history,
significance of the colored jerseys, famous winners and traditions. Also includes glossary and index. The multiple full page color photographs help
bring the story to life and give readers a sense of being part of the action. Elementary students interested in this famous bike race will enjoy this.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Harness, Cheryl
TITLE: Mary Walker Wears the Pants: The True Story of
the Doctor, Reformer, and Civil War Hero
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Co., 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780807549902
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 2-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Carlo Molinari
PAGES: NP
This picture book style biography tells about the life of Mary Walker. Mary was one of the first women doctors in the United States and went on to
become the first female assistant surgeon in the U.S. Army. She helped countless soldiers during the Civil War and remains the only woman today to
have earned the Medal of Honor. Her outspoken nature helped her campaign for women’s rights as well. The beautiful illustrations are rich and
highly detailed. This will appeal to elementary girls and older students needing a lower reading level.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Hawkins, Jeff
TITLE: The World Series
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $22.95
ISBN: 9781617836763
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 64
Part of the Sports’ Great Championships series. This non-fiction text looks at the history of the World Series, from baseball’s humble beginnings to
the crowded World Series games of today. Includes timeline, championship overview, glossary, references and index. The text is clear and interesting
and baseball fans will surely love this read! This book provides a nice balance of historical and modern games. Upper elementary and middle
schoolers will enjoy this one.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Heiligman, Deborah
TITLE: Intentions
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375868610
INTEREST LVL: 9 -12 gr.
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 263 pg.
What’s a nice Jewish girl to do when she overhears the rabbi having sex, with someone other than his wife, in the sanctuary behind the altar? Rachel
is faced with this dilemma. On top of this secret is her growing unhappiness caused by her parents’ constant arguing, her best friend deserting her,
and trying to decide if Jacob is more than a friend. The rabbi was someone that she idolized, thinking that she could go to him with any of her other
problems, now she’s not so sure. Not only has he betrayed her trust, but also it seems that her mother is now falling under his spell. Grandma’s
health is failing as well as her mind, friend Alexis is alternately warm, cold, and mean to her, and Jacob has placed her on such a high pedestal that
she can’t confide in him. Talk about teen angst! Finally, in weak moments, Rachel makes two terrible mistakes. Intentions is about choices that we
do deliberately and then when they go wrong, how to atone for them. While Rachel seems to live in a mostly Jewish community on the east coast, I
believe that most teen girls will relate to her conflicts between pure human emotion, wanting to be a good girl but tempted by bad people and then
dealing with poor choices, even if they don’t fully understand the religious references. There was a little surprising twist in the last paragraph of the
book, that I found not only satisfying, but oh, my, gosh, I hadn’t even thought about that! This will be a remembered book to recommend.
Reviewer: Linda Solberg, Castle Rock High School, Castle Rock, Washington
Hennessy, B. G.
TITLE: The once upon a time map book
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick, 2013, 1999
PRICE: 24.99
ISBN: 97807636645756
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 3-9
ILLUSTRATOR: Peter Joyce
PAGES: [16 p.]
For your enjoyment are six tour maps of fantastical lands: Neverland, Oz, Wonderland, the Giant’s Kingdom, Alladin’s Kingdonw, and Snow
White’s Enchanted Forest. Each 31 x 16 double-spread map includes alpha-numeric grid, 8-direction compass, points of interest, a local walking tour
and key/legend. Honoring page searches, the reader needs to find a treasure on each map and hidden characters or objects germane to each storyline.
Be careful. These are habit forming. Before you know it you will be tracing the walking tour throughout each map. The “Big Book” is delightful,
and can be used as a map reading introduction or refresher for higher grades. It needs storing in an oversized book shelf. This is its first American
publication.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
19
Henry, April
TITLE: Girl, Stolen
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt & Company 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805090055
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 213
Cheyenne has pneumonia and, to make matters worse, her step -mom’s car has been stolen, with her in it. Griffin makes a rash decision, to steal a
car, without thinking of the consequences. They. find out that Cheyenne is blind, so really no threat to run away. Roy, his father, is angry until he
realizes that Cheyenne is the daughter of the president of Nike Corporation. Cheyenne and Griffin form a friendship and Griffin eventually helps her
escape. In order to do this, she must use her other senses to familiarize herself with her difficult surrounding. “Girl, Stolen” is a quick read for Junior
High level.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Herlong, M.H.
TITLE: Buddy
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780067014033
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 296
Tyrone Elijah Roberts, better known as Li’l T, is a 12 year-old-boy from a poor but tightly knit family living in New Orleans. When Li’l T meets
Buddy there is a strong connection between the two and an even greater one develops as Li’l T helps Buddy recover from the amputation of one of
his legs. As a reader you are drawn into Hurricane Katrina as it approaches and then prevails upon the area. Li’l T and his family must leave Buddy
behind in an evacuation and I found myself just as heartbroken as Li’l T and his family. There is much going on this first-person account of the
struggles of the family during this difficult time in their lives. But when they move back home from Mississippi, Li’l T learns that he might be able
to get Buddy back from the family in California who adopted him. This is a touching story of hope and I loved the voice of Li’l T in this fiction
story. I think any reader with a love of animals will also fall in love with this story, too.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
TITLE: Jennifer Lawrence: The Hunger Games’ Girl on Fire
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publications Company, 2013
PRICE: $19.95
ISBN: 9781467707435
INTEREST LEVEL: 4th-6th
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 32
Jennifer Lawrence is an up and coming movie star. Students will recognize her most readily as Katniss , the heroine of The Hunger Game trilogy.
She comes across as a pretty candid person and not totally affected by all her fame. There are lots of pictures and side note explanations. This book
will be a favorite amongst our upper elementary kids.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Higgins, Nadia
Hobbs, Will
TITLE: Never Say Die
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780061708787
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 5-9
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 212
Fifteen-year-old Nick is a Canadian Inuit and a skilled hunter. His grandfather is terminally ill and Nick sets out to bring home a caribou for him.
After a successful hunt, a strange, aggressive hybrid bear – part grizzly/part polar bear, attacks him. Nick is lucky to get away with minor injuries and
he promptly reports the incident. A letter arrives from his half brother, whom he’s never met, asking Nick to accompany him on a photographic trip
to the Firth River to try to capture images of enormous caribou herds. After encouragement from his grandfather, Nick agrees to go. The pair gets
into trouble when their raft flips after hitting unexpected ice. Nick must use his survival skills when they separate trying to locate the raft. They
reunite after several days and find their way to the magnificent herds of caribou. The hybrid bears appears to be tracking them as they start home. A
freak storm comes up and they seek shelter in an old cabin. As the storm breaks, the bear attacks them and Nick draws on the skills taught to him by
his grandfather to kill the bear. Another great read by Mr. Hobbs that blends environmental information with an action packed story. This will appeal
to adventurous boys of all ages.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Hopkinson, Deborah
TITLE: Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780399252419
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades K-2
ILLUSTRATOR: Steven Guarnaccia
PAGES: NP
This historical fiction picture book tells the story of Mikey, a boy whose father has left to fight in World War I. Mikey turns up his nose when his
mom and sister try to get him to knit items for the soldiers as he wants to do something bigger than that. However, when his teacher invites his class
to enter the Central Park knitting event, Mikey gets drawn into a bet by the girls and ends up knitting with a small group of boys. They get frustrated
learning, but Mikey is very proud when he knits a perfect sock at the event. He makes a mistake on the second sock and ends up giving his perfect
sock to soldier with only one leg who admired his work for the war. The illustrations are colorful and add to the story. The facial expressions on the
children really show their emotions. The author’s note adds to the story by telling an in-depth account of the Central Park. Real photographs on the
end pages show children knitting during World War I. Most appropriate for primary students, but the subject matter is interesting to older students
that need a lower reading level.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
20
Howard, A.G.
TITLE: Splintered
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Amulet Books, 2013
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 9781419704284
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 371
Teen Alyssa Gardner is a descendent of the original Alice from the book Alice in Wonderland. Her mother was long ago put into an asylum and
Alyssa does not want to admit that she too can hear the bugs and plants talk. After a recent visit with her mother goes horribly, Alyssa discovers that
her mother has left her clues on how to return to Wonderland in hopes of breaking the curse on their family. Alyssa’s neighbor, and secret crush, Jeb,
ends up accompanying Alyssa when she begins her crazy quest to get to Wonderland. They are both astonished to discover Wonderland is real. They
learn that if Alyssa completes a series of tasks, righting the wrongs that Alice did while she was there, that the curse will be broken and they’ll be
free. However, Morpheus is lying to Alyssa and she is actually completing a series of tasks to become the new queen where he can make her live in
Wonderland forever. Eventually that truth comes out and Alyssa is able to outsmart Morpheus, breaking the curse and setting her family free. An
interesting spin on a classic tale that includes drama, adventure and romance.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Hubbard, Kirsten
TITLE: Like Mandarin
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2011
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780385739351
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 305
Grace Carpenter lives in Washokey, Wyoming and dreams of living in a big city. A good student just hoping to not be noticed, Grace is paired with
Mandarin Ramey on a school project. These two girls are polar opposites, but working together they become good friends and make a pact to run
away. Grace wants to be like Mandarin, until she realizes how trouble of girl she is. “Like Mandarin” is about finding out who you really are and
knowing that life isn’t so bad on “ your own side of the fence”.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Hughes, Mark Peter
TITLE: Lemonade Mouth Puckers Up
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Delacorte, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 97803857737128
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 8 - 11
ILLUSTRATOR: na
PAGES: 290
Olivia, Wen, Stella, Charlie and Mo reappear in this continuation of the story of their jaw-dropping band, Lemonade Mouth, zooming right into a
dizzying summer of big-time promotion, an arranged marriage for Mo, and the reappearance of Olivia’s deadbeat mother. The story is alternately
told or scripted by the fab five. Their fall from corporate grace is inevitable when they sing their opinions about the severe airbrushing for ads. Then
they fire their agent. A powerful agent. It is looking bleak for them until Stella’s favorite singer asks them to perform at her free event. As in the
first novel, each member of the band is working through their own challenge. The chatty, familiar writing style and the varying narrators, and
avatars, make this an enjoyable read. It will be great to promote both books at the same time.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Hughes, Mark
TITLE: A Crack In The Sky
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978038573708
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 395
Eli Papadopoulos is from one of the most powerful families in the world. His grandfather created InfiniCorp, a corporation that runs all of the domecities. Eli begins to notice problems within the dome. No one has ever worried, because InfiniCorp has promised to take care of them. The artificial
sky displays strange colors, and images. It is getting hotter everyday. The Foggers, or Outsiders, begin to contact Eli. At first, he resists, but then
realizes they may be right. The dome-cities are failing. Eli is branded a traitor and imprisoned in the Tower for reeducation. He ends up outside the
dome trying to survive. This book would be a good read for Junior High boys. It was difficult to follow, at times.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Hughes, Pat
TITLE: Five 4ths of July
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Penguin Group 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780670012077
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 278
Jake Mallory despises his father and wants to run off and sail on a privateer ship. He and his friends are celebrating the nation’s independence, with
not a care in the world. There is talk of the British invading and Jake must be ready to go to war. He falls in love with a servant of his best friend
Tim’s family, the British invade, and he spends two years on a prison ship. Over the next four years, Jake is subjected to sorrow, grief and barely
survives on the prison ship. He escapes and returns home to find things not as he left them. The reader will get drawn in to the emotions Jake
endures, and the battles our country faced to become the United States of America.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
21
Humphreys, C. C.
TITLE: The Hunt of the Unicorn
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375858727
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 341
Alice-Elayne, her name is in a story of unicorns and beasts. Elayne and her father live in New York City. Yet, she is drawn in to this mystical world
through a tapestry, and Moonspill the last known unicorn is waiting to help her fulfill her destiny in the family history. The dangers are real and she
realizes what she must do to protect the unicorn, and her family. All she really wants to do is get back to her father who is seriously ill with cancer,
and is going in for more tests the next day. When I started reading, I thought it would be “just another unicorn book”. I was pleasantly surprised.
The author weaves history and family tales in to a story of mystery, intrigue and doing what is right at all cost to save people you care about.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Hunter, Nick
TITLE: Cyber Bullying
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Heinemann Library 2012
PRICE: $25.00
ISBN: 9781432948696
INTEREST: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 56
Bullying is on the rise due to the advances in technology and the ability to hide behind anonymity on the internet. The top five types of cyber
bullying are: Hurtful text/voice messages, Hurtful comments on networking sites, Hurtful messages regarding someone else, Prank phone calls and
intimidating pictures to embarrass someone. Some students have felt so trapped by cyber bullying that they feel suicide is the only way out. There
are many laws now to combat this abuse. Students need to know that they don’t have to put up with bullying and have someone they can talk to
without reprecusions.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Hyman, Bruce M.
Pedrick, Cherry
TITLE: Anxiety Disorders
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Twenty-First Century Books 2012
PRICE: $25.00
ISBN: 9780761360841
INTEREST: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
The 99 page book written on Anxiety Disorders was well written and informative. The authors were able to separate each disorder according to
behaviors as well as clarify what was a real disorder and what were “symptoms” of a disorder. Bothe Dr. Hyman and Cherry Pedrick were well
versed in the subject and did their research, which gives the reader a sense of security that what I am reading is factual based on scientific research
and not someone’s opinion. The treatment options for each disorder were very clear, concise and there are many resources as well as web sites for
the reader to access to get help for themselves or someone else. I recommend this book for anyone who is in need of education on the subject of
anxiety disorders.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell/Leann Couch, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Idle, Molly
TITLE: Flora and the Flamingo
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9781452110066
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 32
Molly has created a story through illustrations. There are no words but the illustrations are very animated. Flora copies the movements of the
Flamingo, however she runs into trouble and falls over into the water and the Flamingo laughs. Although, the Flamingo has a change of heart and
helps Flora up, and they continue their dance together. The simple illustrations with expressive faces make this book a quiet gem.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Ignatow, Amy
TITLE: The Popularity Papers: Book Five: The Awesomely Awful
Melodies of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Amulet, 2013
PRICE: $15.95
ISBN: 9781419705366
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Amy Ignatow
PAGES: 205
The Popularity Papers book 5. Julie and Lydia are finally seventh graders and looking for ways to become popular. Lydia’s idea is to start a band and
that they should ask for instruments for their birthdays, which are close together. Julie really wants her own computer, but agrees that being in a band
might be fun. Their two person duo slowly becomes a group of 4 and their first gig is a children’s birthday party. Their band is horrible and the party
goes badly, but rumors spread at school that they were great. The girls end up hosting their first real party at Julie’s house, after her two dads agree,
so that they can play for kids at school. What is supposed to be a small group quickly turns into lots of people and the band gets scared. They decide
to play really loud so that the kids can’t really tell how bad they are and it works! Julie’s dads decide the party is over and start send the kids home.
Finally, popularity at last, but for how long? Middle school girls love this series.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Ignatow, Amy
TITLE: The Popularity Papers: Book Three: Words of (Questionable)
Wisdom from Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Amulet, 2011
PRICE: $8.95
ISBN: 9781419705359
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Amy Ignatow
PAGES: 206
The Popularity Papers book 3. This paperback edition finds sixth graders Julie and Lydia reunited after Lydia returns from a six month stay in
England. Julie ends up doing most of the work making a comic book for an art project and Lydia enlists a few friends to help out. When Julie’s
partner only puts his name and Julie’s on the cover, the others get mad. The pair then makes a trunk list of good works and makes a new friend, Jen,
in the process. This colorful book is written in journal style, alternating as Julie and Lydia take turns writing in the journal. A fun read that will
readily appeal to middle school girls.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
22
Jaffe, Michele
TITLE: Rosebush
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Penquin Group 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9781595143532
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 323
Jane Freeman plans on celebrating Memorial Day weekend at a party with her boyfriend David Tisch and her two best friends. She arrives at the
party with her friends Kate and Langley. The next thing she remembers is waking up in a hospital bed unable to recall anything from the previous
days. Everyone in her family thinks it was an accident, that she was hit by a car. She knows differently. Someone is trying to kill her and it is up to
her to figure out who it is. She listens for clues, when each of her friends come to visit her in the hospital. Each person gives Jane a different version
of what happened at the party, and how she was injured. Each day she regains memories of what she thinks happened. The story is drawn out and
sometimes repetitive, but still interesting enough to make you want to finish the book.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Jakobsen, Lars
TITLE: The Red Ruby
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Graphic Universe, 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9780761379140
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Lars Jakobsen
PAGES: 49
Mortensen’s Escapades book 3. This full color graphic novel finds Mortensen on the trail of the missing legendary Red Ruby ruby and to return it to
its proper place in history. Unfortunately, a group of bad guys want to get their hands on it as well. The two groups skip around through history, each
trying to get the ruby before the other. Mortensen finds it and hides it so that it will properly be found, but the story is open ended and will most
likely continue in a sequel. The end also includes several pages about the historical events and places in the story, as well as information on the real
Red Ruby. Students may have difficulty jumping between the parallel storylines until they come together.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Jarman, Julia
TITLE: Two Shy Pandas
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Andersen Press, 2012
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 9781467711418
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Susan Varley
PAGES: 24
Who will make the first move to become friends some one has to have enough gumption to just say hi. This rhyming book is a great read aloud for
young children. The message that two shy pandas can lead to a lonely time. It was not until they bumped into each other that they began to be
friends. Sometimes we just need to say hi to one another to create a friendship. Give this book a try if you have a classroom with very young
children that are shy at making friends.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
John, Antony
TITLE: Elemental
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dial Books, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780803736825
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 326
Elemental Trilogy book 1. Sixteen-year-old Thomas is the first and only child born in the colony without an elemental power (earth, water, fire,
wind) and is treated as an outcast by most colony members, and all, except for his family, refuse to touch him. His mother was killed thirteen years
ago by pirates a few days after his deaf brother, Griffin, was born. The colony is ruled by the Guardians who send the children to a safe place when a
huge storm threatens their island. The next day the children wonder what is taking the Guardians so long to come and get them when they see smoke
billowing from their village. They also see the pirate ship and know something is terribly wrong. Thomas and Alice sneak back and discover that
everyone is gone, presumably captured by the pirates, who are planning to take the children too. With the help of a long banished adult, Thomas
learns that he does have a powerful element and that the entire colony has been lying to him. This is difficult for him to work through and to forgive
the other children who were forced to lie to him. The children work together and save their families and destroy the pirates. There are many
unanswered questions about the plaque that killed the majority of people on Earth, Thomas’ element (what is truly is), how the colony is going to
rebuild and what the children will do now that they know the world is much larger than they once thought. A highly engaging read for middle and
high school students.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Kallen, Stuart A.
TITLE: Che Guevara You Win or You Die
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Twenty-First Century Books
PRICE: $33.27
ISBN: 9780822590354
INTEREST LEVEL: GR 8 and up
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 88
The life of the iconic revolutionary Che Guevara is laid out for teen readers in this short book. The difficulties in the reading of this book arise not
from poor writing, it is well written in an easy to understand format, but from the very strong feelings most Americans have regarding politics and
economic factors. While readers may enjoy learning of the life of Che Guevara and the events leading up to his death, the allusions of socialism and
communism over capitalism might hold a reader back from truly enjoying their time spent with this book. In addition, while some references are
made to his questionable actions during his time spent in the Cuban government, after overthrowing the previous ruling powers, there seems to be a
tendency toward staying away from exploring more in depth “the brutality he exhibited as a guerilla leader”. In fact, Guevara’s participation in
guerilla warfare and the deaths occurring directly from his actions are almost completely glossed over. The repercussions of the Cuban revolution
are never fully explored before the focus becomes centered on Guevara’s failed attempt to overthrow the Bolivian government. The last section of
the book, in fact, seems to glorify the life and death of a man who epitomizes the contradictions between revolutionary hero and brutal guerilla
fighter.
REVIEWER: Jodi McLean, Cascade Middle School
23
Karamali, Sumbul
TITLE: Growing Up Muslim
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780385740951
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 213
Sumbul Karamali shares her experiences growing up Muslim in a country where people are known to have preconceived ideas of her culture. She
speaks from her own experiences and writes of many misconceptions that people believe about her country and religion. Her poignant explanations
of why they do the things that are expected of them will help the reader understand more fully a people group that is often misunderstood.
Whether we agree or not with her beliefs “Growing Up Muslim” gives insight into an often misrepresented group of people.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Kelly, David A.
TITLE: Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud
That Changed Baseball
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Millbrook Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 9780761380924
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 1-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Oliver Dominguez
PAGES: NP
This non-fiction picture book tells the story of Lena Blackburne and the mud that is used today in major league baseball to remove the shine from
new baseballs without making them soggy. Lena wanted to be a great baseball player, but was average at best. He went on to become a coach and
discovered mud near his home in New Jersey that would help new baseballs without damaging them. Lena went on to market and sell his secret
product and it is the official mud for new baseball still today. The two page author’s note in the back gives more in-depth details. The illustrations
add details that help bring the story to life. Primary aged students will enjoy learning about this interesting baseball fact. Upper elementary and
middle schoolers that need a lower reading level will also enjoy this one.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Kessler, Liz
TITLE: Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun
RATING: A
PUBLISHER:Candlewick Press, 2012
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780763685243
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Natacha Ledwidge
PAGES: 272
Emily Windsnap book 5. Emily is human on land and a mermaid in water. Neptune’s nightmares are creating fierce storms and he has entrusted
Emily and her boyfriend, Aaron, to go on a secret mission to end his nightmares. Emily and Aaron end up in the Arctic Circle and find Neptune’s
twin brother, Njord, frozen in ice. They learn the Njord was frozen by Neptune to end their fighting. Emily thaws Njord, who feigns wanting to
reconcile with Neptune, while he really wants to rule all of the oceans. In the end, Neptune prevails and Njord becomes part of a mountain. Emily
and Aaron get safely home. This is a straight forward enjoyable read. It seems a bit too simplistic, and would be more appealing to younger readers.
(As there is hand hold and kissing, I’m not sure about putting it in an elementary library?)
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Kim, Derek Kirk
TITLE: Tune: Vanishing Point
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: First Second, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9781596435162
INTEREST LEVEL: Adult
ILLUSTRATOR: Derek Kirk Kim
PAGES: 155
Tune book 1. This paperback black and white graphic novel tells the story of Andy, an unemployed art school dropout, who lives with his parents.
His job search is fruitless, but things start to look up when he runs into Yumi, his college crush. He ends up getting hired by aliens. Andy’s character
seems to put down his Korean roots and I did not appreciate the story’s humor. The cartoon like cover is inviting to young readers, while the content
is certainly not appropriate for anyone younger than high school.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Kinch, Devon
TITLE: Pretty Penny Makes Ends Meet
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375867378
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 32
When water is bursting through your basement and money for the plumber threatens to throw your budget into a tailspin, what do you do? Penny
offers to chip in to help her Grandma Bunny. She makes jewelry to sell. This book outlines in story form the difference in money we spent, money
we get from sales, and what money that we truly earned. The illustrations are bright and very kid friendly. The story also is very encouraging to
young entrepreneurs. There is a very empowering message to this story and I think that many young readers would like this type of story.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
TITLE: Happy Harry’s Café’
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Feiwel and Friends, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9781250016881
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 28
Are your dreams to big for your body? Oh so (the bunny’s name) dreams so big that he becomes very lonely. And he discovers that sometimes it is
better to be small. How often we wish and dream for big things when what we need are the small things just in front of us. Children wish to be big
and then they might just miss out on the great things about being small. I am so glad to show them the greatness of their childhood. Get this book
for your library and have a read aloud for your class and talk about the great things only they get to do.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Kirk, David
24
Kite, Patricia
TITLE: Building the Three Gorges Dam
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Raintree 2011
PRICE: $25.00
ISBN: 9781410939920
INTEREST: 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 56
The Three Gorges Dam project was one of the largest, most expensive dam projects. It also displaced thirteen major cities, 140 small cities/towns,
and 1,352 villages. Many people debated the positive affects versus the relocating of millions of people. Dam construction began in 1993 and
progressed in two stages. The final stage was completed in 2008, when all 26 turbines were working. The final reservoir depth was 574 feet. The
dam employed about 60,000 workers of those 100 died during construction. The Chinese people are still debating whether the project was worthy of
the billions of dollars spent. This book gives concise information with pictures that follow each stage of progress. It is too bad that the rising waters
of the Yangtze River destroyed many ancient relics.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Kling, Heidi R.
TITLE: Sea
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Putnam 2010
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780399251634
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 323
Three years after losing her mother in a plane crash, Sienna’s father wants her to join him on a trip to Indonesia. She, at first, refuses to go. Her
feelings are changing toward her best friend, Spider. While in Indonesia, Sienna meets Deni. She knows, right from the start, she must find out who
he is, and where he came from. Then the unexpected happens, she falls in love with him. Deni has learned someone is looking for him and thinks it
is his father, whom he thought died in the Tsunami. Sienna and Deni fly back to his hometown, only to discover that it is his former fiancé who is
looking for him. I truly enjoyed reading “Sea”. The plot and characters really come to life with each chapter. It is easy to get caught up in the
emotions and struggles of Deni trying to find out who he is and where he belongs. Sienna must face some hard choices.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Krohn, Katherine
TITLE: Dressing a Nation
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publishing Group 2012
PRICE: $17.96
ISBN: 9780761358909
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 64
What you wore in the 1840-1890’s depended on where you lived, your social status and the necessities of life. The frontier clothing had to last for
many years and was plain and simple design. Most women wore little or no makeup and dressed so that they were completely covered. Clothing was
uncomfortable and there weren’t many choices in design. Through the years a few dared to push the limits on what was acceptable attire.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Kromhout, Rindert
TITLE: 1 2 3 Little Donkey
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Gecko Press, 2013
PRICE: $14.95
ISBN: 9781877579349
INTEREST LEVEL: Toddlers-pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Annemarie Van Haeringen
PAGES: 19
This is a sweet counting book that has donkey and monkey waiting for momma to put away the groceries. They spot treats and they want them so
they climb the ladder to get them and fall down. The story ends with soft kisses 10 of them to be exact. The illustrations are soft and cute. This is a
great add if you need a counting book in your classroom or your library.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
TITLE: Don’t Feed the Boy
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press, 2012
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9781596437555
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Stephanie Graegin
PAGES: 288
No kid knows more about zoo life than eleven-year-old Whit because he sleeps, eats and even attends home-school at the Meadowbrook Zoo where
his mom is the zoo director and his dad is the head elephant keeper. But now that he’s older, Whit feels trapped by the rules of the Alabama zoo and
his family. He suddenly notices a mysterious girl who visits every day to draw the birds and begins to watch “Bird Girl.” He soon is taking her
around the zoo and teaching her everything he knows. At the same time Whit is beginning to understand what a friend truly is and discovers that the
zoo for Stella is an escape from her chaotic life at home. I loved the characters in this story and quickly discovered that it was not only about
friendship in the middle school years but also that learning who you are and making hard choices is part of growing up.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Latham, Irene
TITLE: A Green Kid’s Guide to Soil Preparation
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Magic Wagon, 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9781616419479
INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Laura Zarrin
PAGES: 24
Soil preparation is not as easy as it sounds. There are months of preparation. To be a green gardener takes a little work but the pay off can be great.
The opportunity to grow your own foods are being encouraged and helping students understand the necessary elements that are needed. This is a
very easy guide and interesting analogy of making a human bed to illustrate what a soil bed needs. There is also a glossary and an index with web
sites that can also help. This is a great non-fiction book for young readers.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Lay, Richard
25
Leeds, Constance
TITLE: The Unfortunate Son
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Viking 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780670013982
INTEREST: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 302
Luc is The Unfortunate Son. The adventure story follows his fate as part of a poor, disgraces family, to his relationship with a kind fisherman and his
family, through his capture into slavery in Tunisia. With only one ear and a very bright mind, he discovers the meaning of good fortune.
The beginning of this historical fiction drew me in completely. The ways of 15 th century Europe and Africa, an unusual setting, were beautifully
detailed, from midwifery to fishing to harvesting olives. Aside from that, the temptation to start skimming a quarter of the way into the story was too
strong. I wasn’t tempted to sneak a peek at the ending (I already had the outcome figured); I just wanted to be done. The characters were interesting
enough, but not developed as to seem real. The part luck plays in life and the message of tolerance and acceptance were commendable themes.
However, I couldn’t tell if I was reading a sophisticated child’s tale or a watered down adult novel. Perhaps, it would be an okay choice for mature
elementary readers or middle school, but I cannot whole-heartedly recommend it.
REVIEWER: Karen Brockman, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Lerangis, Peter
TITLE: The Colossus Rises
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780062070401
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 4-7
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 348
Seven Wonders book 1. Jack’s life dramatically changes when he learns the strange v-shaped white patch of hair on the back of his head means he
has a lethal genetic marker and his only hope is to help find some missing relics of the fabled civilization of Atlantis. The marker ties him to Atlantis
and also enhances his own special talents. Jack is taken by the Karai Institue and meets three other children with the same marker. They team up and
try to escape the island, but are brought back. Finally Dr. Bhegad, lead doctor at the institute, starts giving them information. Jack helps decode some
clues left by the previous members and they discover the heart of Atlantis, but it is missing its seven Loculi and the children set off on their first quest
to find the Loculus at the Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the world. This science fiction novel will appeal to fantasy lovers, especially those
who enjoyed The Lightning Thief.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
TITLE: World Rat Day: Poems About Real Holidays You’ve
Never Heard of
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2013
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780763654023
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 1-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Anna Raff
PAGES: 36
This collection of 26 poems brings recognition to 22 obscure holidays. Ranging from “International Cephalopod Awareness Day” to “Worm Day”
and a wide variety of interesting holidays in between, this poem book will bring smiles to primary students’ faces. While some of the poems are
certainly more interesting than others, the illustrations bring the subjects of the poems to life.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Lewis, J. Patrick
TITLE: Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Harcourt Children’s Books
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780547513386
INTEREST LEVEL: GR 4th – 7th
ILLUSTRATOR: Slack, Michael
PAGES: 37
What a truly delightful read! Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie is one of those books whose author has thought, and written, outside the box. This poetry book
is a collection of works by Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis. Each poem is a parody of a more famous poem by other famous poets. For
example, Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” has been reimagined into “Edgar Allan Poe’s Apple Pie,” of which the first two lines are “Once up
on a midnight rotten/Cold, and rainy, I’d forgotten.” With such delightful verse, a book doesn’t need anything more to make it wonderful, and yet
Mr. Lewis has also created math puzzles within each poem. As I was reading and solving the puzzles in front of my class they were intrigued. When
I read a couple of the poems aloud to them they were eager to try the problems. This is truly a “must have” book for any library!
REVIEWER: Jodi McLean, Cascade Middle School
Lewis, J. Patrick
TITLE: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman, 2013
PRICE: 19.99
ISBN: 9780062017819
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 10-adult
ILLUSTRATOR: James Daugherty
PAGES: [48 p.]
James Daugherty is the first artist ever to interpret the address in heroic, mural style. In fact, I felt as though I were looking at a miniaturization of the
actual, gigantic works, all the time wondering, “Where can I see these in person?” Lucky for us, there are painting by painting commentaries by
James in the after pages of the book, as well as a copy of the original Gettysburg Address text by Lincoln. Social studies and English teachers would
enjoy using the paintings to discover characters of history and Daughtery’s symbolism as there is lots of practice in inference in these panels.
Inscribed beneath each painting in bold script, are the phrases and sentences of the address. My favorite panel was number thirteen which had a
pletheria of symbolism in the crucified soldier, the cast off diplomacy ploys and arms of the past, sacramental peace table and delineated opponents
of war and peace. A high school library would be remiss not to own this amazing work. This is a Caldecott-winning book.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Lincoln, Abraham
26
Livingston, Lesley
TITLE: Starling
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780062063076
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 341
This story came as a little bit of a surprise since the synopsis given on Audible bore little resemblance to the clues given on the dust jacket. Imagine
my surprise when the story about a promising fencing competitor turned into an urban fantasy that incorporated Norse gods and goddesses. The
author’s depiction of New York locales was almost as effective in piquing my curiosity as Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Gosforth Academy is a fictional private school that educates and enriches the children of New York’s rich and powerful families. Mason Starling,
with her androgynous name and single-minded ambition to be a national-caliber fencer, makes an excellent protagonist. She is strong, not quite as
beautiful as Heather, her nemesis, and has a vulnerability—her debilitating claustrophobia. Everything is on track with her program until fencing
practice at Gosforth is interrupted by a complete blackout of that portion of New York and a simultaneous attack by mythical creatures called draugr.
Add a completely naked gorgeous—though amnesiac--young man who drops into the gym, saves Mason and the other students—including her love
interest—from the draugr, and becomes instantly attracted to Masion and you have all the makings for a mystery/love triangle/fantasy. As it turns
out, Mason’s father is an iteration of Odin. His interpretation of a prophecy has led him to work towards the destruction of the world as Mason and
her classmates know it, and Fennrys Wolf—Mason’s benefactor—is all a part of the plan. Readers are taken on a journey of discovery as Fennrys
begins to discover who he is and Mason discovers roots she didn’t know she had. It’s a fun read and incorporates a little bit of everything for the
strong, romantic female reader who wants to see her heroines able to hold their own when they play in the big boys’ leagues.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
TITLE: Froggy’s Worst Playdate
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780670014279
INTEREST LEVEL: pre-K-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Frank Remkiewicz
PAGES: 28
Froggy wakes up on a Saturday and all of his friends are busy and there is no one to play with. Mom fixes that she sets him up on a play date with
Frogalina. It is the worst play date ever. Dad takes them to the movie and in the movie the frog kisses the princess, so Frogalina kisses Froggy.
YUK! Then they get ice cream and she bites the bottom of his cone and it drips ice cream all over his clothes. Conclusion…it is the worst play date
ever. You win some and you lose some.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
London, Jonathan
Lusted, Marcia Amidon
TITLE: APPLE
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing 2012
PRICE: $25.00
ISBN: 9781617833311
INTEREST: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 112
Apple, a company that has introduced cutting edge technology to the world was founded by a man who struggled in a normal school setting and
dropped out of college his freshman year. Steve Wozniak was the brains behind building the computers and Steve Jobs saw them as a money maker.
Apple grew out of “Homebrew Computer Club” started in Menlo, California, on March 5, 1975. Apple Computer became the official name on April
1, 1976. Now, they needed to find customers to sell their circuit boards to for $50. Steve Jobs resigned from Apple on September 17, 1985, because
of conflicts with the new CEO. He returned on September 16, 1997, as the permanent CEO. Apple continues to grow and introduce new products to
keep up with the demand from its customers. Steve Jobs resigned from Apple in August 2011, due to poor health. He passed away October of that
year.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
TITLE: After All, You’re Callie Boone
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Feiwel and Friends 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780312563318
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 168
Callie Boone is your typical teenager struggling with friendships, family and mostly being grounded. This story follows Callie as she tries to survive
summer break. She meets “Hoot” and they become friends when it counts the most. His parents are getting a divorce and her dad has had a heart
attack. “After All, You’re Callie Boone” is not a book that would grab the interest of readers. It is easy reading with no real story. It has the setting
of your everyday rural America household.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Mack, Winnie
Manzano, Sonia
TITLE: The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780545325059
INTEREST LEVEL: GR 7 & UP
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 205
Evelyn Serrano is a fourteen-year-old Puerto Rican girl growing up in El Barrio, East Harlem, in the 1960’s. When her grandmother enters her life
for the first time a whirlwind of change begins to sweep through Evelyn’s life. As her Abuela and the Young Lords begin a revolution in El Barrio
Evelyn finds she is keeping secrets from the people around her. She isn’t interested in Puerto Rican history and she is fascinated and a bit
embarrassed by her activist Abuela. She must make decisions between right and wrong and find her own path. How is a girl suppose to navigate the
raging tempers, upset loyalties and closed minds when she is unsure of how she, herself, feels. Sonia Manzano has used real events from a
tumultuous period of time to create a coming-of-age type story that readers will remember
REVIEWER: Jodi McLean, Cascade Middle School
27
Marciniak, Kristin
TITLE: Navy SEALS
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $22.95
ISBN: 9781617837258
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 48
Part of the Great Warriors series. This non-fiction text takes a look at the history of the Navy SEALS, missions they’ve done and the training process
a soldier must complete to become a Navy SEAL. Clear, action-shot photos enhance the interesting text. It also includes a primary source excerpt
from a retired SEAL. Includes timeline, glossary, references, reflection section and index. This book comes from a Core Library set designed to
appeal to the current buzz words of common core. While it contains questions to throughout to help the reader stop and think about what they’ve
read, I do not see many students stopping to write the suggested sentences and paragraphs (that are encouraged) along the way.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Markle, Sandra
TITLE: What If You Had Animal Teeth?
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Inc., 2013
PRICE: $3.99
ISBN: 9780545484381
INTEREST LEVEL: PreK-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: McWilliam, Howard
PAGES: 32
Using actual animals and then imagination make this book the perfect blend of fiction and non-fiction. Featuring an animal and sharing facts about
it, and then sharing how it would make your life different if you had the same teeth is a great conversation starter for kids. They are able to make
great inferences with this book. I like the fact that it shows a variety of kids in the illustrations, as well. The illustrations are quite humorous, but give
a definite image of how life would be different.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
TITLE: The Long, Long Journey: The Goodwit’s Amazing Journey RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Millbrook Press, 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9780761356233
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 1-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Mia Posada
PAGES: NP
This non-fiction picture book tells the story of a bird called the godwit as it breeds and raises it chicks in Alaska and then makes its non-stop journey
home to New Zealand. The book provides facts about its life cycle, foods it eats, predators and it eludes being eaten, and concludes with its non-stop
7,200+ mile flight home. Young readers will root for the female chick along the way. The text also includes facts, reference, and an author’s note.
Primary aged students will enjoy learning about this unusual bird. Upper elementary and middle schoolers that need a lower reading level will also
enjoy this.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Markle, Sandra
Marshall, Linda Elovitz
TITLE: The Passover Lamb
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780307931771
INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Tatjana Mai-Wyss
PAGES: 26
Based on a true story from the author’s farm a lamb was born just before the Passover Seder and the mother neglected the lamb. So instead of the
family abandoning the lamb, they packed it away like Moses put the lamb in the basket, and took him to the Passover Seder. The illustrations are
done in watercolor and are the perfect blend of whimsy and beauty. There is an author’s note in the back of the book at that tells the true story of the
lamb.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Massini, Sarah
TITLE: Trixie Ten
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Com., 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805095203
INTEREST LEVEL: pre-k -2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 24
Ok I know it is going to be just me but…this book was such and inspiration to the preschool teacher in me. Trixie is ten she is a finger print and so
cute. There was so much to inspire first was the alliteration in the numbers Wanda one, Thomas two, Theo three, Florence four, ect…then there were
ten of them creating different sounds. You could see the comradely of siblings or the pride of being an individual. There were many avenues that
you could teach to with the depth of this book. Trixie was a fingerprint that made her unique and yet she was part of a group of ten. You could teach
to her individuality or to the sense of community that we need to establish. I need this book for my library. Plus what I could do with finger print
art!
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Mc Phail, David
TITLE: Bella Loves Bunny
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Abrams, 2013
PRICE: $8.95
ISBN: 9781419705434
INTEREST LEVEL: Infant-pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 22
What a special bond children have with their stuffed animals. This book celebrates that love. Bella loves her bunny and the bunny loves Bella. They
have a great day together side by side. The illustrations are sweet and reminiscent of Beatrix Potter.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
28
Mc Phail, David
TITLE: Ben Loves Bear
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Abrams, 2013
PRICE: $8.95
ISBN: 9781419703867
INTEREST LEVEL: Infant-pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 22
Ben loves his bear. They spend the day together doing this that makes them both very happy. This is a very sweet book about a boy that loves his
stuffed bear. The illustrations are a soft watercolor. This is an adorable book.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
McClintock, Norah
TITLE: Last Chance
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publishing Group 2012
PRICE: $20.95
ISBN: 97804761383116
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 226
How is Robyn going to survive working at the Humane Society, with animals that scare her to death? She must serve community service hours for
the entire summer and with boys in a juvenile offender program. Can she really trust Nick D’Angelo and Orion the dog Nick is training? Did
someone take the money or was Robyn just thinking she saw someone in the office. As much as she would like to think Nick should get what he
deserves, Robyn doesn’t believe he is guilty for hitting a bicyclist while driving. Then, to make matters worse, she finds that her mom, a lawyer, is
representing Nick. Persistence pays off and Nick is not guilty of all charges and his stepbrother Joey is to blame. Robyn learns to not always take
things she observes at face value. She and Nick become friends and Robyn knows that Nick has tried to turn his life around.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
McCormick, Patricia
TITLE: Never Fall Down
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Balzer & Bray 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780061730931
INTEREST: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 224
Based on a true story, this novel reveals the against-all-odds survival of a young Cambodian boy, Arn. As a young boy living a poor but pleasurable
life, his family and whole community are stripped from their homes and all their possessions only to endure cruel and inhuman acts by the Khmer
Rouge. By his wits and will to survive, Arn becomes a musician and then child soldier. Death and hopelessness surround him. He learns to become
invisible to the power of the Khmer Rouge. Striving to “never fall down”, he exists through unspeakable conditions, later becoming a refugee to
America where he has dedicated his life to human rights causes all over the world. In one sitting, I devoured Patricia McCormick’s tale of a little
known and often forgotten event, the killing fields of Cambodia. Shocked and intrigued by this story, when I reached the conclusion I was
emotionally drained. The author uses language and Arn’s own voice to make the telling believable which for some readers may take a bit of getting
used to. It is a powerful book! The graphic detail of death, disease and abuse of the victims may be too strong for middle school readers, and
probably ought to be previewed carefully. The author sets you down in the fields, watching these despicable acts. The genocide committed here, as
a ghastly as the Holocaust, needs to be learned of and discussed. The story told here gives a clear view of man’s inhumanity to man, plus provides
inspiration to speak our truth.
REVIEWER: Karen Brockman, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
McDaniel, Lurlene
TITLE: Red Heart Tattoo
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2012
PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 9780385734622
INTEREST: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 216
This could be the scenario at many high schools. Students at the top of the “social chain” having no desire to communicate with those out of their
circle. The “Nerds”, “Techies” and anyone else not fortunate enough to be popular are left to defend themselves and forever be on the outside.
Morgan Frierson and her boyfriend Trent Caparella have no need to seek out popularity. They are at the top. Morgan intrigues Stuart Rothman and
her boyfriend doesn’t like it. Everything changes when “The Watchers”, an outside group, plan something bigger than the illegal fireworks show at
the pep assembly. A bomb goes off in the atrium at school. Trent is dead, Morgan blinded and everyone blames Stuart. Soon, Morgan realizes that
Stuart is a nice guy and her life must go on even though she can no longer see. Through a traumatic flash back of the day the bomb went off, her
sight is restored and Morgan sees the students around her in a different light. I am delighted to have a new book from Lurlene McDaniel on our
library shelf.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Messner, Kate
TITLE: Capture The Flag
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780545395397
INTEREST: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Whitney Lyle
PAGES: 231
Who would steal the famous flag, known for inspiring the “Star Spangled Banner”? Three kids stuck in the airport, waiting out a snowstorm, begin
to realize that the thief might be one of their fellow travelers. With a little sleuthing and asking a lot of questions, Anna, Jose, and Henry begin to
unravel the mystery. The mysterious owner of an airport restaurant, with a snake tattoo and a candidate running for President are their prime
suspects. If they don’t find the flag before the snowstorm abates, the flag could be lost forever.
Best of all, Anna, Jose and Henry realize that each of their parents are members of the secret Jaguar Society that are sworn to protect America’s
National Treasures. The chase ensues and soon they are in desperate need of someone to rescue them from those who stole the flag. All is well, the
flag is recovered and their family’s secret is safe.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
29
Meyer, Susan Lynn
TITLE: Black Radishes
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780385738811
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 222
Nazi Germany is invading all countries in their path. Will France be next? Gustave’s parents are moving his family to Saint-Georges, a small
Catholic village, in the countryside. He has to leave behind his best friends, Jean-Paul and Marcel. His family continues to struggle. They are Jews
in a community that doesn’t want any outsiders. Gustave wakes up to the sound of German soldiers marching through their village. Saint-Georges is
in a part of France that is free. Gustave meets Nicole, the daughter of a French Resistance fighter. They are able to smuggle his friends and families
through occupied France and onto a ship headed for America. “Black Radishes” is filled with history regarding the Nazi invasion and what many
families did to survive. This book was difficult to put down. The author draws you to the story in so many different way.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Montgomery, Heather
TITLE: Wild Discoveries: Wacky New Animals
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic, 2013
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9780545477673
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 2-6
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 64
This colorful paperback non-fiction text takes a look at over 25 different animals from around the world. Broken into chapters by geographic
locations, these animals jump off the page with clear vivid photographs and engaging text. The layouts are similar and help lead the reader around the
page. This will hold wide appeal to elementary students and middle school students that need a lower reading level. Due to the thin size of this
paperback, and the use it will receive, I would recommend purchasing this in hardcover for library use.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Morris, Gerald
TITLE: The Legend of the King
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin Books 2010
PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 9780547144207
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 295
Sir Terence is the last true Knight of the Round Table. He, once again, sets off to protect King Arthur and to try and keep peace in England. They
seem to be fighting a lost cause. They realize that Morgause in against King Arthur and wants her son Mordred to sit on the throne. They must band
together, giving up all they care about and possibly their lives to have enough faith to believe they can save Camelot. The final assault is a battle of
strength that only comes from believing is something so desperately that you will do what ever it takes to win.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Morris, Taylor
TITLE: Hello, Gorgeous!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Penguin Group 2011
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9780448455266
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 223
Thirteen, at last! Now Mickey Wilson can start working in her mom’s beauty salon. What she didn’t realize is that while she was cleaning,, she
would also be hearing the latest gossip. Mickey hears part of a conversation and gets herself in “hot water” because of it. She does more
eavesdropping than cleaning. “Hello, Gorgeous!” will draw in the reader with all the drama that surrounds a teenage girl and her friends. In the
process, the hairdresser she hurt with her gossip gives Mickey a makeover, and it turns out to be a good change. I would recommend this to our
Junior High girls.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Mould, Chris
TITLE: Pip and the Wood Witch Curse
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Whitman, 2012
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780807565483
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 8-12
Ten-year-old Pip is sent to be a cabin boy on a pirate ship, but he escapes and finds himself in Hangman’s Hollow, a place where children are caught
and put in prison by either the town guards or by the forest creatures. He is taken in and hidden by a kind and brave tavern keeper who is also hiding
his own son. I found this story to be a difficult read with confusing and illogical series of misadventures. It reminded me of some Dickens elements
and I do not think that many children of this audience will “get it.” I consider this to be a fantasy where confusion reigns, but maybe it would work
for an older audience.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Moulton, Courtney Allison
TITLE: Angelfire
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Katherine Tegen Books 2011
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780062002327
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 453
Ellie is a 17 year old who is protected by her 600-year-old guardian, Will. She is reborn after each death and is destined to fight evil creatures called
Reapers. “Angelfire” is action packed with Ellie attempting to save every human’s soul, including her own. There is a little romance, too. I was
“hooked” from the very first sentence and would love to read more of this author’s books.
REVIEWER: Jasmine Young, Student at Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
30
Nelson, James
TITLE: On the Volcano
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam’s Sons 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780399252822
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 272
Katie McDonald has lived, with her widowed father, high in the mountains on the rim of a volcano. She has had little contact with the “outside
world”, and has only met two other people; Dan, a family friend, and Lorraine, a nurse who stays with the family a few times each year. Trouble
begins to brew when Katie’s dad takes her down the mountain to town, as promised for her sixteenth birthday. Their secluded life is about to be
shattered by Jess Starkey. Jess doesn’t believe their story and hunts for their home. Katie ends up losing her father, but gaining love through Deputy
Sheriff Adam Summerfield. A good read with a storyline that is easy to follow, yet keeps you wondering what is going to happen next.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Nelson, Kahir
TITLE: Nelson Mandela
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Point, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN:9780061783746
INTEREST: Gr. 3 - 10
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: [38]
Nelson has created breathtaking paintings of the life of Nelson Mandela, accompanied by a sparce narration. A two-page biography and bibliography
follows the picture book story. Our ninth grade English teachers used the book as a visual to accompany some nonfiction text studied in the
classroom. The cover of Mandela’s face is striking. It is a good addition to a library, elementary, if students need an introduction to Mandela, and
for secondary as a supplemental title.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Nicholls’s, Stan
TITLE: Orcs: Forged For War
RATING: NC
PUBLISHER: First Second, 2011
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9781596434554
INTEREST LEVEL: Adult
ILLUSTRATOR: Joe Flood
PAGES: 198
This novel is not appropriate for middle school and I would not recommend it for high school. The pictures and language
are graphic and disturbing. Orcs, goblins and humans viciously battle against each other for dominance. The story takes the reader on a path of
violence, nudity and profanity. The characters are underdeveloped, violent and have no depth. I would not purchase this book, nor recommend it.
REVIEWER: Rose McGowen, Mt. Solo Middle School, rmcgowen@longview.k12.wa.us
Nielsen, Jennifer A.
TITLE: The Runaway King
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780545284158
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: na
PAGES: 331
Jaron has no honeymoon period as the new king of Carthya. A former companion just tried to kill him during the funeral of his parents. Rumors of
war from surrounding countries and from the pirates grow. Jaron makes the unusual decision to flee the castle and destroy the pirates since they will
never rest until he is dead... a pirate pride thing. Along his journey he meets a wonderful gentleman whose granddaughter Jaron has saved from
thieves. The thieves capture Jaron. The pirates capture Jaron and the head thief. The pirate king fights him and dies. The new pirate king is the
assassin, Roden! He breaks Jaron’s leg. Jaron wins over Roden due to his smooth repartee. Jaron become the pirate king. The fair Imogen is left
behind to care for the granddaughter. The kindly grandfather is asked to be Jaron’s regent. Jaron makes nice with his fiancé, the future queen. The
leg heals. Oh dear, they were just invaded. The war has begun. One might think I did not like the book due to my jerky list of happenings, but I
loved it! I loved The False Prince, the first in the series, and cannot wait for the third. Quirkiness, action, gallantry…there are students that will love
it all.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Norwich, Grace
TITLE: I Am George Washington
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Inc., 2012
PRICE: $5.99
ISBN: 9780545484350
INTEREST LEVEL: 4th-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: VanArsdale, Anthony
PAGES: 127
You are going to want to purchase these biographies for your elementary library. There are several in the series already, and hopefully more will
follow. Others include Sacagawea, Albert Einstein, Helen Keller, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Harriet Tubman. George Washington is featured in this
biography, and it gives a very good picture of the man who had a key role in shaping our country and the tremendous personal sacrifices he made for
America. The layout and various sections of this book and others in the series make them very unique. The readers get a complete picture of some of
our American heroes. A sure winner!
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Norwich, Grace
TITLE: I Am Harriet Tubman
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Inc., 2013
PRICE: $5.99
ISBN: 9780545484367
INTEREST LEVEL: 4th-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Simon, Ute
PAGES: 127
What a wonderful series of biographies! I truly hope that many more biographies are produced in this fashion. It begins with a first person
introduction by Harriet Tubman, followed by a section titled People You Will Meet and a Time Line. Then it tells Harriet’s incredible story! The
back of the book concludes with a couple more super cool sections! Ten things you should know about Harriet Tubman pulls out ten very important
facts that were shared in Harriet’s story. The next section shares “10 more things that are pretty cool to know.” Those 10 facts ARE very interesting. I
learned some new things about Harriet Tubman from this book, and grew in my already healthy respect for this amazing lady. There’s an
Underground Railroad map, glossary, places to visit, bibliography and index. This series is a MUST for all elementary libraries!
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
31
O’Brien, Johnny
TITLE: Day Of The Assassins
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Templar Books
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9780763649951
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Nick Hardcastle
PAGES: 201
Jack and his best friend Angus attend a private school that is hiding something potentially dangerous. Their curious minds get them transported back
in history to the time period of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Jack and Angus hold in their hands the power to
stop the assassination and the start of the First World War. One group of scientists wants to change history, while the other group thinks it is too
dangerous. Jack and Angus must decide for themselves what is best. I would highly recommend this book for Junior High level readers. The action
never stops. What would it be like to have the power to change history? Would it be a wise choice?
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
O’Brien, Johnny
TITLE: Day Of The Deliverance
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Templar Books
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780763650759
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Nick Spender
PAGES: 172
Jack and Angus discover a plot by the Revisionist group to change history. They are transported to England, during the time of Queen Elizabeth and
William Shakespeare. Jack and Angus must infiltrate the Revisionist group and gain the trust of their teacher Mr. Pendelshape. Again, they race
against time and history. They boys meet Queen Elizabeth and witness the murder of Lady Sarah, who took the place of the Queen to protect her.
What will VIGIL ask Jack and Angus to do next? The author continues to add new surprises with every turn of the page. This is a great book and
definitely will add it to our library.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Oliver, Lauren
TITLE: The Spindlers
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780061978081
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Iacopo Bruno
PAGES: 246
When Liza’s brother, Patrick, changes overnight,, Liza knows exactly what happened: The Spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul. She also
knows that she is the only one who can save him and she must go Below. She uncovers a world with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy
troglods and over excitable nids as well as terrible dangers. She faces her greatest challenge when she meets the evil queen and must pass several
deadly tests or she, too, will remain Below forever. This is a bewitching story about the loyalty, love and the power of hope. I think readers above
age 10 would be more entertained with this story than younger readers.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Orgill, Roxanne
TITLE: Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2007
PRICE: $4.99
ISBN: 9780763662158
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th Grade
ILLUSTRATOR: Jorisch, Stephane
PAGES: 42
This book chronicles the life of the famous dancer, Fred Astaire, and his lesser known sister, Adele. I was surprised that they were a dancing duo for
many years before Fred became famous in moving pictures. It was while waiting for Adele to finish her own dance class that Fred discovered a talent
for it himself. They would go on to travel the country performing their act on many different stages. I love the fact that books are being written of the
great talents of years gone by. Our current generation of young people can benefit greatly. The illustrations weren’t as engaging as I would have
liked, but reminiscent of that era.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Osborne and Boyce
TITLE: Horse Heroes
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2013
PRICE: $5.99
ISBN: 9780375870262
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Murdocca, Sal
PAGES: 119
This selection is a Magic Tree House Fact Tracker that is the companion to Stallion by Starlight. It describes and explains horse structure from head
to tail and introduces horse terminology throughout the book. This is followed by segments on famous horses throughout history. It is very
informative and comprehensive, but done in an easy to read format that is appealing to even the most reluctant readers. I really like the companion
books of fiction and non-fiction that promote interest and enjoyment. As always, well done!
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Osborne, Mary Pope
TITLE: Stallion by Starlight
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2013
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780307980403
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Mardocca, Sal
PAGES: 110
Newest in the Magic Tree House series, Jack and Annie travel to Macedonia and meet Alexander the Great as a child. Following instructions from
Merlin, they learn one of the factors that make greatness; humility. They Meet Alexander’s famous war horse, Bucephalus, and using kindness and a
little magic, help him to learn to trust Alexander. As always Jack and Annie experience interesting people and events in history. It’s a great way for
students to learn history’s stories using adventure and fantasy to create high interest.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
32
Pantone
TITLE: Color Cards
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2013
PRICE: 14.95
ISBN: 9781419706264
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. Pre-adult
ILLUSTRATOR: Andrew Gibbs
PAGES: np
A set of eighteen flash cards for colors are fun for family use and school use. Interestingly enough, my high school students and I had heated
discussions about value and the capacity of little people age three and below to differentiate between values of yellow or orange or blue. One
students is taking the cards home to test on her nephew. My concern is about the naming of the colors. Children tend to be so literal that they may
be shocked at the real color of an orangutan or blue whale.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Parker, Marjorie Blain
TITLE: Colorful Dreamer, The Story of Artist Henri Matisse
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780803737587
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Holly Berry
PAGES: UNP
This is a wonderful biographical sketch of Henri Matisse with bold, bright colors that capture his intensity of paintings and collages. I love how the
colors are dull and lifeless as seen through his parents’ eyes because their son was not going to grow up and take over the business or become a
successful lawyer. But Matisse’s dreams of beautiful sights are so colorful on the pages that the reader just has to stop and take a look. It is an easy
read with just the right amount of information for a short picture book biography. This would be a great addition to any school library.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Paterson, Katherine and John
TITLE: The Flint Heart, A Fairy Story
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2011
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 9780763647124
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: John Rocco
PAGES: 288
A charm created so the wearer has immense power, but loses the ability to love and care for others, has been lost for thousands of years. Billy Jago
finds the charm and is changed into a sinister person, that even his children do not recognize. Charles and Unity must travel to a world of
enchantment and talking creatures to restore their father and farm to its previous state. Enduring fairies, pixies and banquets galore Dartmoor and
Merripit Farms will be changed forever if Charles and Unity fail on their mission. Their were a lot of extra details that could have been left out and “
A Flint Heart” would be better suited for Elementary and Middle School readers.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell and Jazz Young, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Paul, Fiona
TITLE: Venom
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Philomel, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780399257254
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 435
The cover is brilliant. The premise is brilliant. The setting—Venice—is thoroughly captivating. But there is nothing that wrecks a brilliant historical
novel more comprehensively than anachronistic colloquialisms, and this story is chock full of them. Cassandra Caravello is an orphaned young
woman who is coming of age in her aunt’s dotage. The story opens with the funeral of one of Cassandra’s close friends. Liviana’s interment, Cass
learns later that night, has been disrupted, and in Liviana’s place is the corpse of a woman who is sporting bruises around her throat. The discovery
not only fills Cass with dismay, it is the inciting event that places Falco, a local artist in her path. That meeting and the subsequent sleuthing that Cass
and Falco conduct are highly unseemly, since Cassandra is engaged to Luca de Peraga. Luca is a family friend that Cassandra has not seen in years.
He is in France ostensibly studying to become a lawyer. Predictably, Cassandra falls in love with the poor artist and is then confronted by Luca who
is surprisingly handsome, and the expected love triangle is complete. Both young men want Cassandra to run away with them, and—as is wont in
such tales, the heroine is completely liberated and decides that she can’t decide thereby setting up a rivalry that will be fodder for future books. Part
mystery, part romance, this will be a book that is enjoyed by young women who are looking for a romantic mystery, but only want to dabble in the
historical aspect.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Pearsall, Shelley
TITLE: Jumping Into The Sky
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Knopf Books 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375836992
INTEREST: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 352
During WWII, Levi Battle deals with his fate of always being left by those who should love him. His mother said, “I AM LEVIN”, his father is
serving in the army, and his Aunt Odella send Levi, a naïve thirteen year old, in search of the father he scarcely remembers. By train, he solos into a
world he doesn’t understand. He must confront racism and loneliness while dealing with events that open his eyes and change his life forever. Based
on a little know bit of history about the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the story follows the ending of the war and changing times.
Humanity and Love are the broad themes and the author does a wonderful job of portraying the many facets of her characters. They fairly leap from
the pages. Surely, I have known Levi and Aunt Odella forever. The figurative language is fresh and funny, and poignant. Aunt Odella has adages for
every occasion which are carefully interwoven throughout the story as Levi looks to make sense of his beginnings and his life. The author’s
descriptions are vivid and delightful. For example, “She was wearing a yellow dress and looked like a drunken sun…swaying heavily from side to
side.” The coming-of-age story-line is believable, even though the setting might be unfamiliar to young adult readers. Based on a smattering of real
people and events, the plot is credible and the narrative moves quickly. I was enthralled from the first page to the last. “But as Aunt Odella always
said, “The end of one thing is the beginning of something else.”
REVIEWER: Karen Brockman, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
33
Peirce, Lincoln
TITLE: Big Nate Flips Out
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins, 2013
PRICE: $13.99
ISBN: 9780061996634
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 216
Nate is very messy, Francis is very neat, and together they are best friends…until one day Nate loses the school camera. Francis gets blamed and
receives detention. Nate gets hypnotized and becomes very neat. Nate then finds the camera in his locker. However, we find out that Nick set them
up the two friends to fight. Nick then gets suspended…Nate and Francis make up, and become part of a trivia game. They win of course and
discover that they are best friends because they learn to accept their friend the way that they are. This comic style writing is a great appeal to upper
elementary and middle school students. It was fun to see the character Nate change completely after being hypnotized. I wish that it were that easy
to change behavior. The comics are engaging and the text is easy to read. It is a fun read.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Peterfreund, Diana
TITLE: Ascendant
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperTeen 2010
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780061490026
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 392
Astrid Llewelyn is a unicorn hunter. Her greatest wish is to become a scientist. Things begin to unravel for her as her boyfriend is leaving for school
in New York City, her mom is more interested in her job and her best friend is losing her powers. A chance for her to leave the Cloisters and a dream
job make life seem more bearable. Astrid’s new job is to protect and calm the unicorns at the Gordian headquarters. She begins to wonder if it is
right to protect the unicorns when she is a hunter, if she should go back to the life in the Cloister and whether she really loves Giovanni, her
boyfriend. Through all the struggles and frustrations Astrid realizes that what matters most is what is in her heart. “Ascendant” is your normal
mystical, magic filled story with make believe characters and story line.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Pfeffer, Susan Beth
TITLE: Blood Wounds
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harcourt, 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978054749638
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 248
I wanted to slit my wrists after reading one of Pfeffer’s apocalyptic first books. Things just went from hopeless to worse. Blood Wounds was a vast
improvement, but dealt with no less of a traumatic circumstance. Willa Coffey is a unique character in a unique circumstance. For all intents and
purposes, her stepfather, Jack, has been the father figure in her life. Jack has partial custody of her two stepsisters, and, in an odd role reversal, her
stepsisters’ mother makes a great deal of money and finances a life of luxury for the two that Willa can watch, but on participate in tangentially.
Willa’s biological father has always been a bit of a mystery, but he is a mystery that comes home to roost when one of the remaining contacts her
mother has from her small-town Texas roots calls to say that Willa’s father is on his way to their home with the only daughter who survived his
homicidal rampage. The grisly multiple murders and the uncertainty of her father’s intentions wreak a new kind of havoc on her family. After he is
shot and killed by the police, Willa becomes determined to go to her half-sisters’ funerals as a way of bearing witness. It is this quest that enables her
to come to terms with her history as well as meet another half-sibling whose life has been much different than her own. The premise is fascinating, as
is Willa’s character. Pfeffer somehow manages to depict a character that is strong, albeit less privileged, and vulnerable at the same time. Pfeffer
manages to create a tense—and somewhat gruesome—situation without resorting to gritty language. For students who are developing a fascination
with law enforcement and the criminal mind, or who love a somewhat nontraditional kind of mystery, Willa’s systematic inquiry into her life and her
mother’s former life will be a satisfying journey from the safety of home.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Phillips, J.C.
TITLE: Monkey Ono
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780670785056
INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Phillipps, J.C.
PAGES: 29
When everyone goes to the beach and Monkey Ono gets left behind, he comes up with several amusing plans (called “Operation Beach Day”), to get
himself to the beach. When none of them work, he feels so bad that his friends all pitch in and give him a beach day at home. The story is light and
fun to read. The illustrations are bright and clear and help meld Monkey Ono to your heart.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Pike, Christopher
TITLE: The Secret of Ka
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harcourt 2010
PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 9780547342474
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 407
While in Istanbul Sara finds a magic flying carpet. She and Amesh, a worker at her dad’s job site, begin to learn the secrets of Djinn. Amesh does
the unthinkable and give his Djinn power over him. He leaves Sara on a mysterious island. She learns about Djinns and how to control them. The
two soon find themselves facing death and Sara must use her Djinn to help release them from their captors. She finds out that the man she thought
was her father is actually working with people who are controlled by the Djinn. She is willing to sacrifice her life to defeat all these creatures from
the spirit world.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
34
Pilkey, Dav
TITLE: Captain Underpants nd the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers
PUBLISHER: Scholastic, 2013
RATING: M
ISBN: 9780545175364
PRICE: $9.99
ILLUSTRATOR: Pilkey, Dav
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-6th
PAGES: 219
In this continuing saga, Captain Underpants and friends find themselves going back in time to correct mistakes in the time line. This leads to a series
of repetitious time jumps and much nonsensical adventure. Ok, do I like this book? Not really. Do our kids like it? Absolutely! There is nothing
totally offensive about the book, the base humor is kid oriented and I think gives them enjoyment at the expense of adults. I will keep Captain
Underpants on our shelves for one main reason: the low and reluctant readers will choose it. Any time they are reading it improves their skills and
that is where we want our students to go.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Pinkney, Andrea Davis
TITLE: Dear America, The Diary of Dawnie Rae Johnson RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Inc. 2011
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780545297059
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 324
Their schools had been separated for years and now a Supreme Court ruling is about to change what has been the accepted norm in Hadley.
Dawnie Rae Johnson and two friends were chosen to take a “test” to see if they were smart enough to attend the all-white Prettyman Coburn school.
Racism rears its ugly head and her parents begin the process of enrolling Dawnie in a school where no black student has ever set foot. Parents refuse
to send their students to school and when the class jobs are given, Dawnie is chosen to do the lowest, dirtiest task of all, chalkboard eraser cleaning.
She chooses to do it the best she can in hopes of “earning” a better job. “The Diary of Dawnie Rae Johnson” explores all the injustices blacks had to
face regarding equal rights. Prettyman Coburn school was given the best of everything. Dawnie’s dad loses his job at the dairy, because whites are
boycotting the store. Everything seems to fall apart,but the black community bands together for what they feel is important. The author was able to
tell a story with historical facts and still keep the readers attention.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Pixley, Marcella
TITLE: Without Tess
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780374361747
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 280
Without Tess is disturbing on many levels, but Pixley’s prowess in writing deservedly earned the nod as one of YALSA’s Best Fiction nominees. It’s
a story about madness and misplaced guilt. Tess is wildly brilliant, but deeply disturbed. The story is narrated by Lizzie, the sister who is left behind
when Tess’s mental illness becomes so great that Tess finally commits suicide. Tess’s descent into insanity is fed to readers in bite-sized vignettes
that allow them to piece together the games that are becoming increasingly dangerous to Lizzie. The story is driven by emotional conflict: Lizzie’s
inner conflict over her own inability to help her sister that is in direct conflict to the loyalty she feels owes Tess and the conflict that their parents feel
as they try to balance their responsibility to help Tess with their equally compelling responsibility to protect Lizzie. This is a haunting story that will
stay with readers
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Polak, Monique
TITLE: Miracleville
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Orca Books
PRICE: $12.95
ISBN: 9781554693306
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 246
Ani and Colette may be sisters, but they are polar opposites. Ani lives a quiet simple life in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, Quebec. Her sister, on the
other hand, is obsessed with boys, and extremely hyperactive. Their family is Catholic and owns a tourist shop, catering to “pilgrims” who come to
their town seeking a miracle. Ani meets a neighbor, Marco, who is paralyzed and in a wheelchair. She is kind of “creeped out” by him at first and
then realizes he is genuinely nice. Due to a freak accident, their mom is paralyzed from the waist down and their life has now changed dramatically.
“Miracleville” keeps the reader engaged in the life of Ani and Colette. A person can sympathize with their struggles and triumphs.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Prelutsky, Jack
TITLE: Stardines, Swim High Across the Sky
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Greenwillow Books, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780062014641
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th
ILLUSTRSTOR: Berger, Carin
PAGES: 35
The creativity of Jack Prelutsky is at its best in this collection of poems introducing a meld of animal and activity that surprise and delight the reader.
The poems are short, usually one page and are accompanied by illustrations that assist in visualizing the theme. My favorite is Tattlesnake, reminding
me of many of our earnest students with the need to inform on their peers. It’s fun, easy to read and a great addition to our shelves.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Qaiser, Annie
TITLE: How to Analyze the Works of George Washington RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Abdo, 2013
PRICE: $23.95
ISBN: 9781617836459
INTEREST: Gr. 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: na
PAGES: 112
This is a pleasant departure from the traditional authors of the” Essential Critiques” series. The biographical criticism lense is applied to
Washington’s first inaugural address. The feminist critique to “Washington’s Advice on Love & Marriage,” and the historical critique to his farewell
address. Added is a chapter on moralist criticism about his will. My only complaint about this particular volume is that I was looking forward to
reading his advice about love and marriage and the addresses. I am curious about the 29-page will, but agree that it was best not to publish in full
form. Nicely drawn timeline, and useful end pages.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
35
Quimby, Laura
TITLE: The Icarus Project
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Amulet, 2012
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 9781419704024
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 293
Paperback Uncorrected Proof edition. Thirteen-year-old Maya is feeling left out. Her divorced parents are scientists and her mom is off on a dig and
her dad has been asked to go investigate the discovery of woolly mammoth remains in the arctic and doesn’t want her to go. After pleading her case,
her dad allows her to accompany him and she is so excited! The projected quickly turns sour when her and other scientists determine the mammoth is
a hoax. The landowner then comes clean and tells them he wants them to excavate something else he found frozen in ice. The frozen item turns out to
be a perfectly preserved human-like entity with wings. The scientists are shocked by it and work to free it from the ice and get it back to the
compound. Maya knows it is still alive and vows to save it before the evil scientists can try to clone it. Maya and another scientist’s son, Kyle, help
defrost the boy, Charlie. The compound is shocked that Charlie is alive and plans are quickly made to send him to a lab in Japan. Maya knows that
Charlie is special and helps reunite him with another of his kind. This is a fun fantasy adventure, but the characters and story’s outcome are
predictable.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Reedy, Trent
TITLE: Words in the Dust
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Scholastic 2011
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780545261258
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 247
Zulaikha has lived with ridicule for her entire life. She was born with a cleft palate, therefore relegating her to a live of servitude and embarrassment.
She meets Meena, who teaches her to read and write. This opens a whole new world for Zulaikha. Her sister, and one ally, is married off to a much
older man. She is left alone in her home with her stepmother and younger brother, while her dad works to provide for the family. The opportunity to
fix her lip and attend school causes conflict in her home. Her dad refuses to let her study, because her mother was killed for having “learning tools”
in their home. Women are forbidden to attend school or have formal learning. She is, finally, allowed to have surgery to repair her lip, and chooses
to stay in her city to attend school, her family needs her. “Words in the Dust” is a heart-wrenching story that is so true in many foreign countries
today. Many women are beginning to stand up for equal rights.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Resau, Laura
TITLE: The Ruby Notebook
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2010
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 97803857366354
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 365
Zeeta has lived in 16 different countries, one for each year of her life. This year Zeeta lives in Aix-en Provence, France. She befriends street
performers, a local antiques dealer and Celt spiritual group. Most of all Zeta begins to realize she misses her father, a man she has never met.
Zeta receives mysterious gifts from a secret admirer, a fantome. Zeta and her boyfriend, Wendell go in search of “eternal waters” and her father. She
finds out who her father is, after he leaves France. “The Ruby Notebook” weaves a story with interesting characters and mystery. I like the French
phrases mixed with history.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Robbins, Trina
TITLE: The Bark in Space
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Graphic Universe, 2013
PRICE: N/A
ISBN: 9780761381662
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Tyler Page
PAGES: 58
Chicagoland Detective Agency book 5. This black and white graphic novel finds that Raf’s talking dog, Bradley, has been abducted by alien dogs.
Raf and Megan also get abducted and learn the aliens are here looking for their missing princess. The trio agrees to help them and they are returned to
Earth. They find the princess, who appears just like an ordinary dog, at a Chicago dog show where the evil Dr. Vorschak had captured her. Quick
thinking creates a plan that gets the princess released and returned to her home. The illustrations are clear and engaging. This series will appeal to
upper elementary and middle school students.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
TITLE: I Don’t Want to Go to the Hospital
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Andersen Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 9781467711555
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 22
The hospital is a scary place. This is great book to dispel the fears that young children might have about going to the hospital. The princess doesn’t
want to go but eventually does. After she is back home she has to do things for herself, she decides that she wants to go back. Why? “They treated
me like a Princess in there.” The illustrations are very cute and sweet. I enjoyed the punch line to the story, and I think Tony Ross has a great series
in the Princess books.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Ross, Tony
36
Rylander, Chris
TITLE: The Fourth Stall: Part III
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Walden Pond Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780062120052
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 292
The Fourth Stall book 3. Mac and Vince have started seventh grade and have closed their once famous mob-like business for good. After a serious
shakedown by school administrators at the end of last year, the boys are looking forward to retirement. Their retirement is short lived when a new
boy, Jimmy, asks if he can take over their old customers by giving them a cut of the profits. Things get further complicated when Staples, a former
thug who is now eighteen and seeking custody of his younger sister, becomes Vince’s buddy through the Big Brother program. On top of all of this,
someone has begun sabotaging their school in a big way and the administrators think Mac & Vince are involved. Mac and Vince are back in it deep
when they learn that Staple’s little sister is the head on this new mob and must end the hits aimed at their school. This is a great read! Filled with
intrigue, action and adventure middle school boys with thoroughly enjoy this book!
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Sampson, Jeff
TITLE: Ravage
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780061992803
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 392
Deviants book 3. Emily Webb is the alpha of a pack of hybrid human-werewolves. Genetically engineered before they were born, the sixteen-yearolds have recently been “activated” and have learned to, mostly, control the changes that their werewolf genes have brought to them. The group is
determined to uncover their past that has been hidden by BioZenith company. Emily must figure out how to rescue Dalton, who was kidnapped into
an alternate dimension by the “ShadowMen,” before destroying BioZenith and its portal for good. The teens learn that their parents were all involved
and agreed to have them altered as embryos. This makes them even more determined and they fight fiercely and destroy this portal. Afterwards, the
group stays together as none of them want to return home. This leads one to believe that perhaps another book in the series is planned. Book does
include mild amount of cursing (no f-word though). This will mostly appeal to upper middle and high school girls looking for a blend of science
fiction and mild romance.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Saunders, Kate
TITLE: Magicalamity
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press, 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780385740777
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 320
Eleven-year-old Tom is in shock when he discovers that his dad is an escaped fairy on the run. Tom’s father, Jonas, has been arrested by the fairies
for the murder of Milly Falconer and taken back into the Realm. His mother is being hidden in a jar of tomatoes. Tom finds that he must now trust
his life to three dangerous fairy godmothers whom he’s never meet. Two of them are hardened criminals and the third falls out of the window when
she tries to fly. It is definitely a humorous look at a magical reality involving bats, dragons, flying carpets and all manner of strange goings-on. It
was a fun read and I definitely can see this as a great “boy” read. This is an exciting and fun fantastical adventure full of surprises. I kept thinking I
had it figured out but I was wrong.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Savage, Jeff
TITLE: Prince Fielder
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Lerner Publications Company, 2013
PRICE: $18.95
ISBN: 9780761386681
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 32
Prince Fielder was destined to be a professional baseball player. Not only does his name indicate this, but his father played in the major leagues as a
first baseman. This book covers Prince’s life, including the up and downs of playing sports, as well as, more personal family issues. There are several
color pictures which are always nice when learning about someone new. Known as the Amazing Athletes series, there are over 60 people featured.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Scheff, Matt
TITLE: Jeff Gordon
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $18.95
ISBN: 9781617836633
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-5
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 32
Part of the NASCAR Heroes series. This full color non-fiction text tells the basic life story of NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. Emphasizing his racing
career, it covers the different types of racing he’s done as well as his major wins with NASCAR. The text is simple and straightforward and arranged
in a way that draws the reader around the page. However, the photos tend to be grainy and/or a little blurry, which detracts from the overall
experience. Includes timeline, glossary and index. This is most appropriate for elementary schools.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Schlitz, Laura May
TITLE: Splendors and Glooms
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780763653804
INTEREST LEVEL: GR 6-12
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 384
This book is about a master puppeteer with a terrible secret. His two helpers, Lizzie Rose and Parsefell, get tangled in his mysterious ways.
Witchcraft and supernatural elements are woven into the story, which adds another dimension to the suspense. The author brings original thought and
an interesting plot, which pulls in the reader from start to finish. I would recommend this book to a student, who is interested in mystery and gothic
thrillers.
REVIEWER: Rose McGowen, Mt. Solo Middle School, rmcgowen@longview.k12.wa.us
37
Schmid, Paul
TITLE: Perfectly Percy
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780061804366
INTEREST LEVEL: pre-K-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 32
This is seriously, the cutest porcupine that you have ever met…Perfectly Percy. Percy loves balloons, but is a porcupine to do when they have sharp
quills. They must think…think…think of a solution. What will he think of? Read the cutest illustrated porcupine book to find out. What ever it is
know that it will be perfect.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Scieszka, Jon
TITLE: Guys Read: Thriller
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Walden Pond Press 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780061963766
INTEREST: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 288
The second of the Guys Read books, this anthology brings together ten short “Thriller” stories to middle readers. The topics range from ghost vision
glasses, a body on a railroad track and a wish machine to modern day pirates. The authors are some of the best thriller writers, James Patterson
included, who directed these stories to middle grade boys. In my opinion, short stories really fill the bill for reluctant readers. They can pick up the
book, get caught up in the intrigue of one story, and a few pages later know the outcome. The stories gathered here are mostly shallow and mediocre
from my perspective, but viewing them from their intended audience’s eyes, might be right on target. The settings vary greatly. A particular favorite
of mine, “The Double Eagle has Landed” by Anthony Horowitz takes place in London. It was more humorous than thrilling. In fact, most of them
fail to put fear in my heart. Several seemed to be more cautionary tales. Not the best, but a nice addition to a genre sorely in need of volumes.
REVIEWER: Karen Brockman, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Sendak, Maurice
TITLE: My Brother’s Book
RATING: NR
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins, 2013
PRICE: $18.95
ISBN: 9780062234896
INTEREST LEVEL:
ILLUSTRATOR: Sendak, Maurice
PAGES: 31
Definitely depressive and rather cruel, this book is not appropriate for elementary students either in text or illustrations. It seems to express the
personal angst of Sendak, who suffered the loss his brother, to the extent that I wonder if he ever intended to publish it. It might be more appropriate
in a high school, but even then I feel the heavy aura of the book wouldn’t invite much interest.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Siminovich, Lorena
TITLE: You are My Baby Farm
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Kids, 2013
PRICE: $8.99
ISBN: 9781452106434
INTEREST LEVEL: Infant-pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 10
This is a new type of board book. There is a cut out in the book that also needs to be flipped to match the mama animal to its baby. These animals
are all farm animals. The illustrations are very cute and Easy for young children to turn. This is a great gift for a baby shower.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Siminovich, Lorena
TITLE: You are My Baby Safari
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Kids, 2013
PRICE: $8.99
ISBN: 9781452106427
INTEREST LEVEL: Infant-pre-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 10
This is a new type of board book. There is a cut out in the book that also needs to be flipped to match the mama animal to its baby. These animals
are all animals that live in the African jungle. The illustrations are very cute and Easy for young children to turn. This is a great gift for a baby
shower.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
TITLE: Seymour Simon’s Extreme Oceans
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978145218339
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 57
This colorful non-fiction text takes a look a wide variety of topics dealing with our oceans, including deep sea creatures, tsunamis, weather change
and the Great Barrier Reef. The clear, vivid photographs add to the rich, descriptive text. Each of the short chapters is packed with interesting
information that will appeal to upper elementary and middle school students. Includes index and photo credits.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Simon, Seymour
Singer, Marilyn
TITLE: Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780803737693
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 1-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Josée Masse
PAGES: NP
This picture book sized collection of reverso poems will sure to delight many readers! 12 fairy tales are represented and told through a poem. On the
same page each poem is completely reversed, beginning with the last line and ending of the first line of the original poem. They are so unique that the
original poem and the reversed poem often tell opposite sides of the tale or are told through a different character’s view. Students will enjoy these
poems accompanied by rich illustrations. This would make a great resource for teachers of older students who might want to take a try at creating
their own unique poem.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
38
Smiley, Jane
TITLE: A Good Horse
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Alfred A Knopf 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375862298
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Elaine Clayton
PAGES: 246
“ A Good Horse” is a slow reading book that presented too many details regarding horse competitions and not enough story. Abby Lovitt cares for
the nine horses on their ranch, but really is drawn to one horse, “Jack”. Trouble begins when a letter arrives explaining that her favorite horse may
belong to someone else. Abby continues to attend horse competitions and her trainer finds that she is a natural for horse jumping with Black George,
another horse they may lose. They find the letter is a fake and all ends well.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Smith, Gordon Alexander
TITLE: Execution
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780374362249
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 312
Of the five books in the Escape from Furnace, this last one—surprisingly—is the weakest. The synopsis at the beginning is helpful for readers who
might be new to the series, but this would not likely be the book that would win them to series. There were several dream sequences in which Alex
and Alfred Furnace—his nemesis—share the memory of Furnace’s introduction to a dark entity that subsequently offers Furnace long life in
exchange for a blood/nectar transfer. Those who have invested in the series will want to see how the story ends, but will no doubt have mixed
feelings. The story ends well for Alex, but the same ends could have been achieved in about half the pages.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Smith, Gordon Alexander
TITLE: Fugitives
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780374324841
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 277
Fugitives picks up where Death Sentence left off without missing a beat. After indulging in a criminal past and surviving the horrors of the
penitentiary called Furnace Alex Sawyer has escaped and taken hundreds of prisoners with him. Readers rejoin Alex, Simon, and Zee as they are
experiencing their first freedom since their initial incarceration and Alex’s transformation into a beast that is reliant on nectar to survive. Only Alex’s
determination to hold on to his tenuous humanity stands between him and his desire to wreak carnage. His determination to get revenge against
Alfred Furnace keeps him going. Unfortunately, Alfred Furnace has been busy, and the prison break has also released a pestilence on all the “normal
folks,” so Alex and company are met with the extreme force of the military. Caught between the military and the Rats created by Furnace, the friends
discover they have escaped to a world that has been violently overthrown. They are ultimately harbored by the military, and then find themselves
now the victim of a crazed military scientist who is determined to unlock the secrets of the new, improved nectar. While not as fast paced as the
original Lockdown, this book keeps a pretty fast pace. It is definitely culminating to the final showdown between Alex and Alfred.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
TITLE: Chester’s Colorful Easter Eggs
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Company, 2013
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780805093261
INTEREST LEVEL: PreK-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Smythe, Theresa
PAGES: 24
Combining Easter and colors, this book will make a great teaching tool for learning colors. Chester decides to paint eggs for his friends. He makes
each one a specific color and something special. Then he hides the eggs from his friends. When they find them and put them all together, a rainbow is
shown. At this point, one more color is introduced, as “Chester is tickled pink.” A very cute story with bright colors and simple illustrations is what I
found. Made with a little more durable paper, this book is perfect for young children.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Smythe, Theresa
Solo, Hope
TITLE: Hope Solo: My Story
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780062220653
INTEREST: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 256
An autobiography for young readers adapted from Solo: A Memoir of Hope, it chronicles Hope’s young life and career as an Olympic gold medalist
and member of the U.S. women’s national soccer team. Struggling with a tough home life, an absent father and desiring to be a soccer player, she
details the events in her life from a small community to the University of Washington. She traces her rise from the go-getter forward to awardwinning goal keeper earning accolades of the highest honor, all in spite of tremendous personal setbacks. Hope’s story is inspirational. I had not
heard of her or her accomplishments (can’t imagine which planet I am on) and know very little about soccer. She came on the scene at a pivotal time
in women’s sports and made the most of her opportunities. It is easy to read and, in Hope, young readers can find a sorely needed modern day
female role model (even participating on “Dancing With the Stars”). It was especially fun as Hope is a Washington girl, U of W grad, and Seattle
Sounders team member. Contains lots of game details and history of the growth of American women’s soccer.
REVIEWER: Karen Brockman, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
39
TITLE: Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Calkins Creek
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 9780590784525
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 117
Even though I do not like professional baseball, I was drawn in to the story of Hank Greenberg. The author details his struggles as a Jewish boy
growing up in the face of racism. He was a humble man determined to make a difference on and off the field. His baseball career was interrupted by
World War II, and he picked up where he left off when the war ended. “Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg” will be a book that will be checked out
repeatedly. A well-written baseball book about a man who overcomes adversity and makes a name for himself in history.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Sparrow, Giles
TITLE: Night Sky
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Scholastic 2012
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780545383745
INTEREST: 3-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Tim Brown/Tim Loughhead
PAGES: 105
We all look at the stars on a clear night, but do we really see and understand how vast our beautiful our universe is? How much can we see with the
“naked eye”? In order to see more, we need a telescope and some information concerning what we are really looking for. From the planets, solar
systems and various galaxies, there is a whole “new world” waiting to be explored by common man. “Night Sky” has amazing pictures and common
explanations to help us better understand what was created for our pleasure and how everything in the night sky has order instead of chaos.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Spradlin, Michael P.
TITLE: Orphan of Destiny
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam’s Sons 2010
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780399247651
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 258
This book is very much a “Robin Hood” story. It has all the same type of characters. Tristan escapes Sir Hugh, once again, to reach the shores of
England. He is charged with delivering the Holy Grail to proper “sanctuary”. Robard and Maryam must nurse him back to health after he takes an
arrow to the hip during their escape. Traveling at night, they make their way to Sherwood Forest, only to discover the Abbey destroyed and the
entire city under the rule of the Sheriff of Nottingham. “Orphan of Destiny” is full of rough characters, sword fights, and cruel leaders. Sir Hugh
will do every thing it takes to destroy Tristan and the Holy Grail. Tristan finds out who he really is and realizes it is even more important to finish
the task.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Stanley, Diane
TITLE: Saving Sky
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins 2010
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780061239052
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 198
Sky Brightman lives far removed from the luxuries of television, computers and anything electronic. There have been bombings in various cities in
Americas and everyone in the town is worried they will be next. The power has gone out. The Federal Government has started rounding up all
foreign nationals and moving them to a detention center. Sky and her family realize that they are arresting families only because their ethnic
background. Her classmate Kareem is their next target. Her family hides him on their property until Kareem realizes he must turn himself in. He
can’t hide forever. “Saving Sky” is a poignant reminder of how we stereotype people because of the actions of a few. It is easy to see the same
things are happening today. Mass hysteria causes people to act before they think. This book is definitely a good read for all ages.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Sommer, Shelley
Steinmetz, Karen
TITLE: The Mourning Wars
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Roaring Book Press 2010
PRICE: $18.99
ISBN: 9781596432901
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 223
Eunice Williams lives in a frontier village in Massachusetts. They are not allowed to go outside the stockade because the French armies and their
Indian allies have been raiding many of the villages. Eunice’s mother wakes her up in the middle of the night to say they are being taken captive.
They travel far into Canada. She loses her mother and is separated from the rest of her family. In time, she settles into a routine with a Mohawk tribe
and is befriended by Gaianniana, a girl her age. Eunice spends many summers learning the ways of the tribe and is waiting, in anticipation, to dance
with the women. She must choose her new life or to return to her father. She cannot live in both worlds. In the end she chooses love and life with
the Mohawk Tribe that has, also, embraced her.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Stiles, Martha
TITLE: Sailing To Freedom
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Co. 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780805092387
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 245
Set in the 1850’s, “Sailing To Freedom” is a historical fiction book that follows the life of Ray Ingle as he begs his Uncle Thad to let him join the
crew of his ship and sail the seas. Ray leaves the home of his Uncle Slye, who has been talking care of him in place of his parents. Ray and his pet
monkey, Allie are assigned to help the cook in the galley. He begins to understand the whispered conversations and the secrets that are hidden
among the passengers.
His life is now full of mystery and intrigue as he begins to understand the true meaning of “FREEDOM”.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
40
Stoeke, Janet Morgan
TITLE: Letting Go
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Dial Books, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 97808037686
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 30
Three chickens sitting under a tree and three apples fall to the ground. Who is throwing the apples? Get the Rooster and catch the fox throwing the
apples. However, the rooster gets scared and runs off. Dot the chicken has to go check for herself so she climbs the ladder to see that no one has
been throwing the apples, but that apples are just letting go like the feather on her body. All three chickens head up the ladder to see what they can
see about the apples and view. It is fun being an apple and letting go. The illustrations are simple computer drawings that are bright and uncluttered.
The text is large for reading out loud and simple enough for those are beginning to read to follow along or to read themselves.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Tavares, Matt
TITLE: Becoming Babe Ruth
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780763656461
INTEREST LEVEL: K-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Tavares, Matt
PAGES: 40
A subject that perhaps some could consider has been overdone; I believe that Tavares’ look at Babe Ruth is fresh and interesting. Done in picture
book format, the illustrations are generally large with a section of writing on one side. The illustrations are beautiful and depict The Babe quite
naturally. This look at The Sultan of Swat paints him in a vulnerable light at times, and shows his rise to fame. I love the Author’s Note at the back of
the book as it gives even more information and there is also a very comprehensive stat section.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Taylor, Thomas
TITLE: The Pets You Get!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Andersen Press, 2012
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 9781467711432
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Adrian Reynolds
PAGES: 24
The pet you want is not always the pet you get. Sister has a very cute and cuddly guinea pig, but Brother wants a dog, no a bear, no a big dragon.
Although through out the story he finds some cool things that he does like about his sisters pet, someday he still would like a dragon. The
illustrations are very Adrian Reynolds, bright colorful and expressive. It is a cute book that I could use is a preschool classroom to introduce pet
week.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Templeman, McCormick
TITLE: The Little Woods
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780375869433
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 324
Calista (Cally) Wood was a six year old when her older sister went to visit a friend on break at a boarding school near Sacramento and they both
disappeared. That same year her father died and her mother began drinking to the point she would disappear for days. Cally had an aunt that would
look after her during those times. Ten years later, Cally was awarded a sholarship to attend the same boarding school because of her outstanding
grades and due to her sister’s disappearance. She was hesitant but accepted as she felt it was the only way she would be able to attend a good college
and amount to anything. In the dorm she was assigned to room with a girl whose roommate has, allegedly ran away at the end of the 1 st semester.
Cally went through a lot of the normal teenage acceptance and boyfriend issues but made a few good friends. The boarding school is located by a
wooded are called, “The Little Woods”. This is where Cally’s sister was to have disappeared in a fire. The students all thought the woods were
haunted or cursed and very creepy. Mysterious things start to happen: a decomposed body was found in a cave in the woods (the runaway girl), Cally
receives a puzzle box made by the dead student with a message, and a gym bag of bones from two small children was found in the woods (Cally’s
sister and friend). There are twists and turns as to who did it, but in the end Cally solves the murders. She leaves the boarding school to move back
with her aunt, but remains close friends with two of the students. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is definitely directed toward young adults with way
they talk but I would recommend this book.
REVIEWER: Laurie Higgins and Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Thompson, Lauren
TITLE: Polar Bear Morning
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780439698856
INTEREST LEVEL: pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Stephen Savage
PAGES: 29
The polar bear meets a friend in the morning air a romps through the day. This is a sweet story of two bear that find friendship and spend the day
getting to know one another. The illustrations are by Stephan Savage are compelling and draw the reader into the arctic tundra. This is a nice sequel
to Polar Bear Night.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
41
Thor, Annika
TITLE: The Lily Pond
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780385740395
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 217
Stephie and her sister Nellie were sent to live with foster parents on a Swedish island in order to escape the Nazi invasion of Vienna. Now, at
thirteen she is moving to Goteborg, on the mainland to attend an all girl’s school. She is to live with Dr. Soderberg and his wife. She expects to
become part of their family, only to find that she is treated like the workers in their household. The one bright spot is their son Sven. Stephie quickly
falls in love with Sven . She makes friends with a classmate who lives in the poor section of town, but has everything in a loving family. Stephie is
forced to leave school rather than embarrass her host family due to being accused of cheating on a final exam. She, also, finds that Sven has a
girlfriend, which further humiliates her. Things are set right, and she returns to finish school. “The Lily Pond” exposes the daily lives of how it
could have been for those poorer families struggling to live “normal” lives during the Nazi Regime.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
TITLE: Paul Thurlby’s Wildlife
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Templar Books, 2013
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780763665630
INTEREST LEVEL: pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 18
This book is full of quick interesting facts about animals. Paul does an excellent job with the illustrations and making the facts seem interesting to
young children. This is a great pick up and read for a classroom. Hey did you know that rats spend a third of their lives washing themselves? Find
out more in this cutely illustrated book on animal facts.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Thurlby, Paul
TITLE: Applewhites at Wit’s End
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins, 2012
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780060579388
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 10+
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 253
This is the sequel to the Newbery Honor book Surviving the Applewhites. Shortly after the events of that story, the Applewhites’ fortune has been
embezzled and their lifestyle at their home school of Wit’s End is in danger of ending. When E.D.’s dad announces they will generate income by
starting summer camp for creative children called Eureka!, the rest of the family are none too happy. But each family member gets into the swing of
things by leading a workshop of their own individual talents of acting, poetry, art, and music. However, once the children arrive things don’t go
according to plan and soon anonymous messages are being left in the Applewhites’ mailbox, threatening to shut them down. The fun actually lays in
the way the family figures out how to make it work despite the many complications along the way. Although I got caught up in the campers’ madcap
adventures and enjoyed the laugh-out-loud moments, I did not feel that the character development was as strong as in the first book. There were also
so many characters that there is a descriptive list at the beginning of the book which I had to reference often in the beginning.
REVIEWER: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Tougas, Shelley
TITLE: Little Rock Girl 1957
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Compass Point Books 2012
PRICE: $25.99
ISBN: 978075654409
INTEREST LEVEL: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 64
It is amazing how one picture can capture the feelings of a large group of people. Will Counts, a photographer from the “Arkansas Democrat”,
snapped a picture that shows the anger and resistance found when nine black students were handpicked to attend an all white school. Elizabeth
Eckford was the only one brave enough to actually go through with trying to attend. She was yelled at, spit on and reduced to tears when confronted
in front of the school. She was told to “go back where you came from” and called a “Nigger”. The teenager in the picture, Hazel Bryan, is normally
a quiet student, friendly to all. This shows how quickly people’s demeanor can change when faced with an issue that they truly believe is right.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Tuminelly, Nancy
TITLE: Cool Raw Food Recipes: Delicious & Fun Foods Without Cooking
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO, 2013
PRICE: $19.95
ISBN: 9781617835841
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-5
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 32
Part of the Cool Recipes for Your Health series. This full-color non-fiction text introduces readers to recipes made with raw foods. It offers “tool
box” and “cool ingredients” spreads that show color photos of each listed tool or ingredient. It also does the same with basic cooking terms, also
adding definitions to the photos. Eight recipes are included that have clear and simple directions. Includes glossary and index. This would make a
good addition to elementary libraries, or middle schoolers that need a lower reading level.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Tolan, Stephanie S.
Tuttle, Cameron
TITLE: Paisley Hanover Kisses and Tells
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Penguin Group
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780803732872
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Alli Arnold
PAGES: 346
Paisley Hanover loses the sophomore elections, to Peter Hutchison. She constantly goes against all the rules and suffers the consequences in the
detention room. Drama seems to follow Paisley and her group of friends. A picture of her friend Jen in a compromising situation, and the dilemma
of whether to like Clint or Eric, keep Paisley quite busy. This book is filled with the every day drama in your normal high school. I am sure that
most high school girls can relate to Paisley and her friends.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
42
Tutu and Abrams
TITLE: Desmond and the Very Mean Word
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2013
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780763652296
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-up
ILLUSTRATOR: Ford, A. G.
PAGES: 28
A personal story from Archbishop Desmond Tutu tells of his childhood experience being called names. It speaks to how mean works hurt not only
those they are directed at, but also those who speak them. It concentrates on forgiveness of self as well as others and gives a wonderful life lesson in
compassion. While written in language that very young children can understand, it is appropriate for all ages.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Van Draanen, Wendelin
TITLE: Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375870538
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 5-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 270
Sammy Keyes book 16. Teen Sammy Keyes secretly lives with her grandma in a senior citizen’s apartment building while her mom works as an
actress in Hollywood. She fears her mom has gone off to marry Sammy’s boyfriend’s father, and she secretly goes to Las Vegas to stop it. She’s
surprised to find her boyfriend’s mom and sister, who is Sammy’s arch enemy, in Vegas and discovers they’re both there for the same reason.
Sammy finds an old friend, who is an Elvis impersonator, who agrees to help her find her mom. Several sightings lead them to the House of Blues
where they learn Sammy’s mom is not going to get married. In fact, she’s there with Sammy’s birthfather, whom Sammy has never met. Sammy gets
to meet her father, who is a famous musician. Sammy is a very likable character who always finds an adventure. This is another great installment in
the series.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Van Lieshout, Maria
TITLE: Flight 1-2-3
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books, 2013
PRICE: $14.99
ISBN: 9781452116624
INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-K
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 32
The counting airport book is a full of signs that you would see at the airport. This book is filled with traditional symbols that are found in the airport.
This would be a great book to check out for young children that are planning to take a ride on a airplane or picking up some one from the airport.
Coupled with the counting this could be a great way to even pass the time.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Vanderpool, Clare
TITLE: Moon Over Manifest
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2010
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780385738835
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 342
Abilene Tucker is sent to Manifest, Kansas by her father. She arrives feeling abandoned and disappointed. Manifest is a quirky, old, rundown town
with some interesting characters. Her first night at “Shady’s” she finds an old box containing some letters. The mystery begins. Abilene sets out to
get to know more of the citizens in order to hear the history of this old town. Miss Sadie, a recluse, sits and rocks on her front porch. Surely, she
would have stories to tell. Abilene uncovers many secrets in the first summer after she arrives, some that people don’t want uncovered. Most of all
she finds that her father is still alive and she must find a way to lure him to Manifest. “Moon Over Manifest” could have been written about many
small worn out towns; struggle for survival, sickness, love, and deceit.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Vivian, Siobhan
TITLE: The List
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Inc. 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780545169172
INTEREST: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 333
The “List” mysteriously arrives just before Homeoming. Each girl secretly wishes to be chosen as the prettiest in her class. Some girls know they
will, once again, be considered the ugliest. Eight girls make the list and with that honor comes the challenge of trying to understand why they are
considered ugly or comprehending the sudden attention of being considered beautiful. Sarah decides that she will show them all and not shower or
do any daily hygiene for the next few weeks. She pretends she doesn’t really care, when in reality it hurts to be considered the ugliest girl in your
class all four years. Most students just ignore the list, but to a few it is the one thing they struggle with. Students in every high school have issues
with identity, self-esteem and peer pressure. Making lists and grouping into cliques only heightens those struggles.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
43
Wallace, Rich
TITLE: War & Watermelon
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2011
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780670011520
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 184
“1969 was just like today. . .only much more interesting” promises the back jacket. Unfortunately, this is a coming of age story that seems to be a
collection of vignettes that ramble along various pathways with no real beginning and not much of a definitive ending. Brody Winslow is a likable
character who gets into the typical kinds of mischief most 7 th graders would find. His older brother, Ryan, is a recent graduate, and since he isn’t
showing any signs of applying to a college, the Winslow parents are increasingly nervous about how he will escape the impending draft. Ryan is a
good big brother, so Brody gets to experience Woodstock and the potential of a Mets playoff game. The challenge with this particular book—in spite
of the excellent writing that skillfully depicts the tensions between generations cultures—is divining its audience. There are insufficient music
references to fully appeal to music buffs, and not enough sports action to really appeal to sports buffs. The book is short, which might be enough to
entice a reluctant reader to look at the back cover and the first chapter, but the leisurely pace is unlikely to maintain the interest of the average middle
school student.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Watson, Cristy
TITLE: Living Rough
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Orca 2011
PRICE: $9.95
ISBN: 9781554694341
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 107
Poe Reed has a secret and is in an embarrassing situation. He and his dad are homeless and living in a tent in the forest. He must rely on meals at
school and avoiding questions from his teachers. Everything begins to fall apart as they are logging his area of the forest. Poe befriends Inna, a new
student from the Ukraine and realizes they have many things in common. His father is hurt and very ill and their tent is discovered. Now, Poe feels
he can’t face his classmates because they will shun him even more. Two families step up to take care of Poe and his dad, until they can get an
apartment. The setting for this story could be anywhere in America, and made me realize we need to encourage students and not be judgmental.
“Living Rough” will help students begin to understand that the lives some students live are not by choice.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Wei Dong Chen
TITLE: Adventures from China: Monkey King Vol. 01
Rating: R+
PUBLISHER: JR Comics
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9788994208695
INTEREST LEVEL: GR 5th and up
ILLUSTRATOR: Chao Peng
Pages: 172
The Journey to The West is a famous and much loved Chinese story written by Wu, Cheng En. This graphic novel retells this story about the
Monkey King, Sun Wu Kong. As can be expected from a story about monkeys there is a lot of humor to be found within the pages of this beautifully
drawn graphic novel. There are also many lessons to be learned as the Stone Monkey becomes Handsome Monkey King and later Sun Wu Kong.
When Handsome Monkey King embarks on his journey to find the answer to eternal life he never dreams of the many things he will learn along the
way. With an arrogance and cheekiness that often gets him into trouble there is no doubt that this character will appeal to students of all ages. The
artwork will also catch the attention of anyone even remotely interested in graphics, from comics to video games to anime. Overall, this graphic
novel made for a very enjoyable reading experience, enough so, it was a sad event to see the last page come within view. It was obvious when the
story ended that there were more adventures awaiting the Monkey King, Sun Wu Kong. In fact, with the series containing at least 19 more volumes
there is enough material to keep a reader busy for quite awhile.
REVIEWER: Jodi McLean, Cascade Middle School
Weyn, Suzanne
TITLE: Empty
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press 2010
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780545172783
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 183
Three teenagers, living very different lives, are thrust together because of a shortage of fossil fuels. Gas is being sold for $25-$30 dollars a gallon.
Stores are running out of food. Niki, Tom and Gwen are trying to find the answers to what they need to do to survive. Their family structures are
falling apart, and this is the least of their worries. This story brings to the forefront what could be a scenario for us in the near future. Gwen stumbles
upon a Whippersnapper 3 home that is self-sustaining. This is the answer to their problems. “Empty” could cause some mass hysteria, if taken
literally. It needs to be read for what it is, a non-fiction book. It is a slow moving story, with biased thoughts from the author.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Wheeler, Jill C.
TITLE: Suzanne Collins
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing Company, 2013
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 9781617835742
INTEREST LEVEL: 4th-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 24
Part of the Children’s Authors Series, this one focuses on Suzanne Collins. She is best known for her Gregor the Underlander series and The Hunger
Games Trilogy. Collins grew up with a military father and even used him as a resource for her early Gregor books. Her career has been varied, but
these two multi-book works have made her famous. An interesting fact I learned is that Suzanne and her husband moved from New York to New
Town, Connecticut in 2003. There are oodles of pictures which are always appreciated in learning about someone.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
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Williams, Marcia
TITLE: Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2011
PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780763663155
INTEREST LEVEL: Grades 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Marcia Williams
PAGES: NP
This full-color paperback book tells several tales about Egyptian gods and goddesses. Stories are told in a comic book/graphic novel style. There is
also another set of stories being told along the bottom of the pages. The illustrations are interesting and colorful, but the illustration on the upper right
hand corner of the first page of the story shows Geb holding up Nut, whose is arched over him, by her breast. This will surely start giggles with an
elementary and middle school audience.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Willner-Pardo, Gina
TITLE: The Hard Kind of Promise
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Clarion Books
PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 9780547243955
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 200
I struggled to read this book. “The Hard Kind of Promise” is just a story about two girls who promise to be friends forever. We all know that this
rarely happens when this promise is made at five years old. Sarah and Marjorie are two very different girls. Sarah matures quicker and the girls
interests in the same things begins to change. The entire book revolves around their struggles and fights, and ends with each of them hanging out
with a different group. Nothing spectacular really happens and you could find these two girls in any school or neighborhood.
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Wright, Johanna
TITLE: Bunnies on Ice
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press, 2013
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9781596434042
INTEREST LEVEL: pre-K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: same
PAGES: 29
To be a champion ice skater you need to have a big breakfast, lots of sleep, but most important is the right conditions. Bunny knows that she is a
champion ice skater. You might have to wait all spring, summer, and through the fall until winter and the conditions are right. The condition that you
need is a frozen pond so that you to can become a champion ice skater. The bunnies are quite adorable and I love the writing. Johanna is a great
artist.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Wylie, Sarah
TITLE: All These Lives
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780399256844
INTEREST LVL: 9 -12 gr.
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PAGES: 248 pg.
Dani and Jena are fraternal twins, alike and yet different in so many ways. Now, as teens, the huge difference between them is that Jena is dying of
cancer. Dani has had a couple of near-death experiences and believes that she has been blessed with nine lives, like a cat. A random comment by a
family friend further convinces her that if a cat dies before using all nine lives, those lives go out into the universe to be used by another cat who
doesn’t have enough. This leads Dani to attempt suicide in order to save her sister somehow, but each attempt is thwarted. In dealing with the family
turmoil her sister’s illness has caused, Dani compensates by obnoxious wisecracking at school and with friends, alienating many, and yet trying to be
the perfect daughter in all respects to please her parents. Enter the boy she has teased mercilessly to fill the gap of safe friendship and good clean
fun. This could be a hard book for someone dealing with a similar health crisis in their family, or it could be cathartic, so tread carefully when
recommending it. The cover says that this book hurts to read, and yet it would hurt more to stop. I agree, because the end is not all tied up sweetly
with a happy ending, nor is it awash in sorrow. If anything the ending hints at hope, and it affirms that life goes on, one day at time, regardless of
what happens.
Reviewer: Linda Solberg, Castle Rock High School, Castle Rock, Washington
Yang, Dori Jones
TITLE: Daughter of Xanadu
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2011
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780385739238
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 327
Princess Emmajin is the daughter of one of the most powerful rulers in the world, Great Khan Khubilai. She is determined to become a great warrior
in the Khan’s army. Marco Polo, a traveling merchant, catches her eye. She tries to distance herself from him, but, also, find Marco very intriguing.
Emmajin finds that she is falling in love with him and cannot marry someone in such lowly position. She is allowed to become a warrior and fights a
great battle against a massive army from Burma. The Mongols win but at a great price, Emmajin’s brother is killed. She is considered a great
warrior for her heroics in battle, but has no desire to continue to be a warrior. She, eventually, deceives her father in order to be with Marco Polo. I
enjoyed the “Daughter of Xanadu”. There is a lot of history woven into this great book!
Reviewer: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Ylvisaker, Anne
TITLE: The Luck of The Buttons
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2011
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780763650667
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-9
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 224
The Button family is considered outcasts in their small town. Nothing good is ever expected from them. A swindler, Harvey Moore, comes to town
to “start a newspaper”. Tugs Button begins to realize that he has no intention of doing anything but taking everyone’s money and running. No one
will believe her because they think she is just trying to cause trouble. Finally, Tugs becomes friends with the popular girl in town, Amy Millhouse.
She convinces Amy the Harvey Moore is planning on taking the money and skipping town. The reality in this story is that sometimes people in
outcast situations are ignored and ostracized even when trying to do what is for the good of the community. “The Luck of the Buttons” is a cute story
with a powerful message that people from all levels of society have something to offer.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
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Yolen, Jane
TITLE: Curses! Foiled Again
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: First Second, 2013
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9781596436190
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 6-12
ILLUSTRATOR: Mike Cavallaro
PAGES: 160
Sequel to Foiled. This paperback graphic novel has teen fencer, Aliera, knowing that she is the defender of the Seelie Court. She can see the faerie
folk around the city that humans cannot. Avery, a troll masquerading as a human, is supposed to be helping Aliera, but seems to just annoy her.
Aliera gets captured by trolls and Avery comes to her rescue. They learn that her fencing coach is the Dark Lord of the evil Unseelie Court and is
behind the bad things that have been happening. The coach and Aliera are involved in a fierce battle when Baba Yaga and Avery arrive. Baba Yaga
takes care of the Dark Lord and tells Aliera that she owes her three years of service after college, leaving the door open for another installment. This
is an interesting fantasy read. Having not read the first one, I did feel like I was missing out on some of the underlying story. The illustrations are
well done, but the shift between color and black and white is a bit confusing. Middle and high schoolers will enjoy this fantasy graphic novel.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
TITLE: Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World of Food:
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2011
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780385740036
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 188
Mr. Zimmern must have an “iron gut”. He is willing to try anything, at least once, and many foreign foods often. He realized that to find the best
and worst foods in foreign countries was to go “off the beaten path”. Which he did! This book is not for the weak at heart as Mr. Zimmern describes
some of the most horrifying foods in great detail. “Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World of Food” will appeal more to the male gender. I kept reading,
thinking he couldn’t eat anything worse than the chapter before.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Zimmern, Andrew
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