Joan Enders, Review Chair
Robert A. Long High School
2903 Nichols Blvd
Longview, Washington 98632
jenders@longview.k12.wa.us
R = Recommend
A = Additional (Nothing really wrong with the book, but not really outstanding either)
M = Marginal (Not really something you want on your shelves, but…)
NR = A book you will not put on your shelves
Alvarez, Julia
TITLE: Return to Sender
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-85838-3
INTEREST LEVEL: 4 - 8
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 324
Return to Sender was given its title after an operation to deport illegal Hispanic immigrants. One Essential Academic Learning that seems to be fairly
constant is the skill of identifying what the author is wanting his/her readers to feel or believe about an issue based upon explicit and implicit messages
within the text. This book will provide many opportunities for such discussion. In it, Tyler’s family is about to lose their dairy farm when his father has
an accident on a tractor. In order to be able to afford to keep the farm, Tyler’s father hires a family of illegal immigrants to work the farm. The family is
made up of three men who are sending most of their paycheck back to family in Mexico, as well as three daughters. Mari is the oldest daughter, and,
since she is the same age as Tyler (eleven), she and Tyler attend the same school. Mari’s mother, however, isn’t in the picture because she returned to
Mexico to care for her sick mother. Upon the death of the grandmother, Mari’s mother is captured by coyotes (the groups of people who bring Mexicans
illegally into the country), is abused, and is ultimately held for ransom. Tyler has to grapple with the stigma of what other people in his conservative
Vermont community believe about migrant workers, the enormity of what those workers are contributing to his home, and the legality of what his family
is doing. This is a book that carefully shows the seamy side of how Hispanic workers can be abused and mistreated in their hopes for providing a better
life for themselves and their families both in the United States and Mexico. It also highlights the challenges faced by Mexican families who have
children in the US and then are deported. This book is definitely biased and somewhat one-sided in its presentation of immigration; however, it does
provide an excellent springboard for research and discussion about a situation that is arguably important. This is a particularly good book for schools
that have a culturally diverse student body. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Auseon, Andrew
TITLE: Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen,  2009
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-113923-9
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 473
I’ve never used drugs, so I can’t definitively say this—BUT this book is what I imagine a bad trip must be like. There is no question that it was one of
the most bizarre stories I’ve read in a long time, and the morality play that it represents is somewhat lost in a drug and alcohol related fog of character
behavior. The theme, though, is best presented on page 465: “There comes a time in everybody’s life when you got to take responsibility for the stuff
you do.” Jo-Jo is a seventeen year old whose life is going nowhere. His African-American girlfriend was gunned down for his association with her.
When that happened, he looked around his hopeless world and decided to “off” himself. The plan was all well and good until he met Max, a corpse in
the stream where he was going to do the “deed.” As she resurrects, she requests his help recomposing her band members (the Fiendish Lot) so they can
try out some of their set on a live audience. At that concert, Jo-jo gets his wish for death when he tries to take vengeance on the guy who killed his
girlfriend. And then the story gets really weird. Death, in this book, isn’t about heaven or hell, it’s about the Afterlife, which contains many of the same
bureaucratic nightmares of the current world. The remaining two-thirds of the book focuses on Jo-jo’s search for Violet (the former girlfriend) while
overlooking the reality that Max has fallen in love with him. Librarians considering this book for their collection are going to have to weigh whether
the narrative (which in movie world would be rated PG-13 for drug use, crude humor, and language) is overcome by a message that many youth seem to
be missing. Indeed, I wondered if the message weren’t the pill encased in the equivalent of a Twinkie that would appeal to a certain population that
needs to hear it. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
1
TITLE: Big Rabbit’s Bad Mood
RATING: NR
PUBLISHER: Chronicle
PRICE: 16.99
ISBN: 9780811866668
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Delphine Durand
PAGES: UNP
Sadly, to say this put me in a bad mood after coming to the page about Big Rabbit being so depressed that he picks his nose and wipes his boogers on the
carpet. As a librarian I do not want to read about boogers to a classroom of listeners. I mean we already get enough of the ideas that the bad mood is
everywhere. He is furry, long armed and short legged. I say eliminate the “booger” part. We want to keep the bar high for our children.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Badescu, Ramona
Baggott, Julianna
TITLE: The prince of Fenway Park
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers
PRICE: $ 16.99
ISBN: 9780060872427
INTEREST LEVEL: 4
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 322
I really liked this book. Twelve year old Oscar believes he is cursed just as he believes the Red Sox were cursed by not winning a World Series. Oscar is not w
mother and she leaves him with his strange dad who lives under the Fenway Park baseball stadium. His father and his friends who live under the park also bel
cursed to live there until the curse is broken. Oscar comes to believe his is the one to break the curse.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Bang, Molly & Chisholm, Penny
TITLE: Living Sunlight: How Planets Bring the Earth to Life
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: The Blue Sky Press
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-545-04422-6
INTEREST LEVEL:
ILLUSTRATOR: Molly Bang
PAGES: 32
This is a lovely picture book that explains the cycle of energy from the sun to the processing of that energy by plants to the consumption by humans and
animals and how that energy circulates in a continuous cycle. With the cycle, the energy from the sun literally brings the earth to life and keeps it alive
through plants. Beautifully illustrated, this book explains in simple yet engaging text this important concept that all student s need to understand. It
brings science into a new “light,” if you will. I would highly recommend this book for any elementary library science section.
Reviewer: Angie Boyer-Blum, Carrolls Elementary School
Barner, Bob
TITLE: Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle
PRICE: 16.99
ISBN: 9780811856638
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Bob Barner
PAGES: UNP
This brilliantly colored collage nonfiction book about butterflies living during dinosaur times will fool the reader at first because certainly it must be a
made-up story. There are two texts running through the book. The first font tells the reader general information and the second font more specific
information. There are more fun facts in the back. Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Bently, Peter
TITLE: Shark in the dark
RATING: APUBLISHER: Walker & Company
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780802798411
INTEREST LEVEL: 1
ILLUSTRATOR: Ben Cort
PAGES: <24>
This book is not library bound.
The hungry shark is after the fish for dinner. But they get together and form the shape of a whale and scare the mean shark. The illustrations are very cartoonREVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Berger, Carin
TITLE: Ok go
RATING: NR
PUBLISHER: Greenwillow Books
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780061578669
INTEREST LEVEL: 1
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <18>
Using the form of collage illustrations Carin Berger tells a story of going green. Driving cars and flying planes and going in our vehicles causes pollution. We
and think Green by riding bikes, walking, recycling, etc. But I do not like her characters, nor do I like the print in the book, nor the fold out pages. There are f
to get across the message going green. This book seemed to be a waste of a tree. REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Bleakney, Elaine, ed.
TITLE: Poem in your pocket
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Abrams, 2009
PRICE: $14.95
ISBN: 978-0-8109-0636-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-adult
ILLUSTRATOR: none
PAGES: unpaged
Probably not the best book for a high school library to check out, nonetheless, this is too much fun inside a book binding! The concept is simple:
remove a poem to carry around each day. Give to a co-worker. Give to your sweetheart. Give to your parents. Make a paper airplane and sail it to a
stranger in the park. Use it during Poetry Month and Poetry Day for some fun around the school and your community. General categories of poetry in
the book are “Love & Rockets,” “Dwellings,” “Friends & Ghosts, “Spring & After,” “Myself I Speak & Spell,” “City, My City,” “Eating and Drinking”
and “Sonic Youth.” Each section is listed in the back with an attribution of each poem. CIP is on the back binding. Used for reading promotions,
poetry events, displays, giving to others…this book will live until it is empty, but fills the pocket of our minds. Watch an entertain YouTube about it
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1R5SFP7VXM.
Reviewer: Jo an Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Block, Francesca Lia
TITLE: T he Waters & the Wild
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperTeen, 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-145244-4
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: none
PAGES: 113
Bee is shaken by visits from a doppelganger who hisses that she “wants her life back!” Bee instinctively knows that she does not belong, that she is a
creature of the earthy, natural world, that she has robbed this girl of her life. Meanwhile she befriends two other odd students at school, Haze, who
believes that he was fathered by an alien and who stammers; and Sarah, a large and lovely black girl with an amazing singing voice. As a team they
break through the stereotypes of losers and outcasts. No sooner have they celebrated their victory of crashing a party they were “uninvited” to attend,
2
but Bee ends up in the hospital, obviously near death. Finally Bee flies her way home to the king and queen of fairies, while a new daughter takes her
place. Ephemeral, magical, lyrical. This will be a favorite of the arts crowds in high school and useful in diversity classes.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Bragg, Georgia
TITLE: Matisse on the Loose
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press, ©2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-385-73570-4
INTERESET LEVEL: Gr. 4+
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 149
Matisse, a young boy who is an aspiring artist and was named after the famous Henri Matisse, finds himself in a hug predicament after
switching one of his own created copies for the original. His eccentric family doesn’t help the situation but there is great comedy within.
Matisse’s best friend, Toby, helps him through and shows what true friendship is all about. Even though there is a whole issue of what he did
was wrong, the overall concept of the story shows that truth and individuality are important in live. There is an addition in the back with a
brief synopsis of Henri Matisse and famous art heists of history. This book could be an interesting introduction for an art teacher. Reviewer:
Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Burgan, Michael
TITLE: American Patriot, Benjamin Franklin
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Compass Point Books
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7565-4119-4
INTEREST LEVEL: 4TH-6TH
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 48
American Patriot is a thorough account of the amazing life of Benjamin Franklin. Divided into short, easy to read chapters, the text includes accounts of
Franklin’s political work, his inventions, his early work in the printing business which later became the funding source for his scientific research and
inventions, and his influence on the independence of the United States from Britain. The topics are too numerous to mention. Accompanying the text
are many illustrations that help to explain the topics covered. Also included are additional sources for research, an index, glossary, fun facts, brief
information on some of the important people with which Franklin was associated and a timeline. This is a very comprehensive account of Franklin’s life
that would be accessible to many middle grade readers. I would highly recommend this book for elementary and middle school libraries.
Reviewer: Angie Boyer-Blum, Carrolls Elementary School
Cabot, Meg
TITLE: Forever Princess
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-123292-3
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 383
Tenth in the Princess succession and just one small candle in the plethora of lights that is the Princess franchise, this book is about what you would
expect it to be. It’s a pretty well written reasonably entertaining continuation of the saga of Mia Thermopolis, princess of Genovia, only more grown up.
A good portion of this particular book is: will she or won’t she sleep with boyfriend JP even though a former love interest as re-entered the picture. The
theme of the book (if I had to pick one) is the idea of finding out who you are and then being true to that—a noble theme if ever there was one. In this
installment, Mia is receiving tons of rejection letters from publishers who aren’t interested in the romance cum senior project that she has written but is
shopping around under a nom de plume. On the other hand, she is getting an equal number of acceptance letters from colleges that, she believes, only
want her because of her princess status rather than any real scholastic ability on her part. It’s a cute addition to the series, and will likely be popular
with the fan base already established by both the movie and the previous books. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Calcines, Eduardo F.
TITLE: Leaving Glorytown
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux,  2009
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 978-0-374-34394-1
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 221
This is not a book that most students are going to be drawn to, but should, in my opinion, be part of any collection of memoirs available either to
teachers of history or teachers of English who are requiring students to journal. In this book, Eduardo Calcines recounts his life in the city of
Cienfuegos, Cuba, and the barrio of Glorytown. With a great deal of love, Eduardo shares what it was like to grow up with his grandparents across the
street from him, and how life abruptly changed for both the adults and children when Fidel Castro came to power. In a desire to protect his family,
Eduardo’s father requested an exit Visa to come to the United States. It cost him several months of backbreaking work in the sugar cane fields of the
government followed by work as a janitor when a hernia operation failed to fully correct a preexisting condition. When their lottery number came up,
they were permitted to leave—an opportunity that was almost revoked when Eduardo’s mother, in a fit of generosity, gave away some kitchen curtains
to a less fortunate neighbor. Her crime: giving away government property. Eduardo did not go quietly. He and his sister were called gusanos (worms)
at school and were humiliated by both teachers and students as a result of their family’s decision to leave the Revolution. The author currently resides in
Tampa and has been actively working to help students find a better life. This would be an excellent book for any collection. It will require some book
talk, perhaps, but it is very enlightening. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Cali, Davide
TITLE: The Enemy
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Schwartz & Wade
PRICE: 15.99
ISBN: 9780375845000
INTEREST LEVEL: 4th-12th
ILLUSTRATOR: Serge Bloch
PAGES: UNP
This is written from a soldier’s point of view. The soldier is in a foxhole. He cannot see the enemy but he shoots at the enemy and the enemy shoots at
him. The soldier worries abut growing old in the foxhole, about the rain pelting down on him and escaping the foxhole. All this reflection is done in
simple but effective illustrations. The simple but profound text offers unlimited opportunities for classroom discussion.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Chaconas, Dori
TITLE: Mousie Love
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury, ©2009
ISBN: 978-1-59990-111-4
ILLUSTRATOR: Josée Masse
3
RATING: R
PRICE: $16.99
INTEREST LEVEL: K- Gr.2
PAGES: unp
Tully fell immediately in love with Frill as soon as he saw her, but the lady mouse was not quite as enthusiastic. His first words to her were, “Will you
marry me?” Frill never said yes or no or maybe because Tully never gave her a chance as he raced to prove his love to her while avoiding the cat of the
house. It is a cute story with repetition of words and adventures. It has the ending that most children will predict and the illustrations make the reader
want to smile. Reviewer: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Crutcher, Chris
TITLE: Angry Management
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Greenwillow, 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780060502478
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 269
As Chris left our high school he handed me the galley of AM. (Page numbered? Whew, we are good!) Enter a new anger management
therapist, Nak, a Japanese cowboy therapist who has seen far too many teenagers suffer from AM, the name of his counseling sessions
dedicated to a young man who always called the sessions Angry rather than Anger.
To begin each novella, Nak writes therapy notes on the young adults: Sarah Brynes and Angus Bethune, Montana West, Matt Miller and
Marcus James. And then, let the emotion, the anger, the pathos, the epiphany begin!
As I read I said, "Oh, this is my favorite," three times. Chris' writing has never been better: eloquently sparse and band-aid-yanking raw. Love?
It's here. Prejudice? Oh yes. Hypocrisy? On open display. Strength? An upper-cut worth.
If you are a YA librarian, just save yourself some time and buy multiple copies. If you have been under a rock and are not a Crutcher fan yet,
get your copy pre-ordered now! REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Robert A. Long High School Librarian
Cumbie, Patricia
TITLE: Where People Like Us Live
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperTeen, 2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-137597-2
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 210
Libby and her family move to Rubberville on Lake Michigan where her father is trying for another new life. Little does Libby know that her new
friendship with Angie will introduce her to the sexual abuse that Angie tolerated and grows to enjoy. Will Libby reveal what she saw through Angie’s
bedroom window? To whom will she turn? Does she have the right to tattle when she has does some things with Angie that she regrets? Cumbie’s
first novel is hard hitting while staying appropriate for including in school libraries. Counselors will find the book useful in dealing with students
sexually abused who are caught up in a rodent’s wheel of feelings about the crime perpetrated upon them. I look forward to book two. REVIEWER:
Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Dana, Barbara
TITLE: A Voice of Her Own
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-028704-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 6 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 331
I remember when I heard that a book to follow Gone With the Wind had been commissioned. Scarlett was a grave disappointment to me primarily
because the author didn’t seem to have an authentic voice. Voice is truly one of the most challenging aspects of good writing, and this book provides an
excellent example of voice well done. Barbara Dana immersed herself for ten years in research of Emily Dickinson. Her reading of countless letters and
poems of the poet are evident in her phrase choices (which are noted at the back) and descriptions. Her visit to Emily’s hometown also contributed
mightily to an interesting, and likely accurate, portrait of a young lady with strong thoughts, a fine mind, and a great sense of humor. These vignettes of
Emily Dickinson’s life run from about the time that Emily was nine (telling of her move from the homestead and continuing with her return to the
homestead) and include a clearly drawn picture of Emily’s relationship with family, friends, pets, and nature. The emerging portrait is of a highly
sensitive and fascinating young woman. This is a book that would be a great companion for any study of women in literature and is one that I would
recommend highly to English teachers. Students who enjoy historical fiction will love both the wit and the carefully researched idiosyncrasies of both
Emily and her family and friends. This is definitely a book worth having on the shelves and worth sharing.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Davies, Jacqueline
TITLE: Lost
RATING R
PUBLISHER: Marshall Cavendish, Tarrytown, NY © 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5535-6
INTEREST LEVEL: 8-12
ILLUSTRATOR : NA
PAGES: 256
Based in 1911 New York City, Lost is the story of Essie who is dealing with the tragic loss of a little sister she basically raised, and the mysterious
new girl at the factory where Essie works. Based on the historic Triangle Shirt Waist fire, this is a glimpse into life in turn of the century New York for
the working poor. The story of her little sister’s birth and death is told through flashbacks concurrently to the story of how Essie discovers that the new
girl is really a missing heiress. In spite of her poverty, the family values of the immigrants seem superior to the rich upper class that her new friend has
fled. Getting to know the girls who work for poverty wages and then suffer in the fire as the result of poor factory conditions and disregard for human
life is a great insight into this era and the need for labor reform. Great book for historical background and a wonderful read!
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Davies, Nicola
TITLE: Just the Right Size
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, ©2009
PRICE: $14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3924-2
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 4+
ILLUSTRATOR: Neal Layton
PAGES: 61
The subtitle, “Why Big Animals Are Big and Little Animals Are Little”, sums up the whole of this book. Through the use of interesting illustrations, the
text on each page explains certain rules of why some animals are stronger than others, taller than others, have more skin than others, and much more.
Because the content and vocabulary are harder, I think that a teacher using this in math or science class would have a great introduction and discussion
on the concepts. An index and glossary are included in this nonfiction zoology book.
Reviewer: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
4
Dessen, Sarah
TITLE: Along for the Ride
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2009
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 978-0-670-01194-0
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 383
Auden is the personification of a missed childhood, thoroughly engulfed in the scholarly life prescribed by her ambitious, seated mother-professor. In a
surprisingly impulsive move, Auden chooses to spend her summer before college with her father, his new wife and new baby. She walks in on, literally,
a depressed and sleep-deprived mother, a yowling baby, and a self-absorbed father who needs his nine hours of sleep a night and solitary confinement
writing his next best seller. With the help of Eli, a loner and former bike competitor, she goes on a quest in the middle of nights to experience some
typical kid stuff: sneaking into a club, bowling, hot dog parties, but not bikes: too scary. She bails out her step-mother by computing the daily books of
her very successful boutique and becomes friends with the three sales clerks, all her age. With the hours only seen at a beach resort town, the store stays
open until 10 PM, with the girls all performing a 9 PM dance around the shop to whatever tune is played. Auden is aghast! Her social isolation shows
as she tries to tell the origin of her name to a girl picking a fight with her who asks “What kind of name is Auden?” and is saved by the shop girls. She
makes social blunders one after another, and that is her charm. As the summer progresses Auden makes progress with all her challenges. This book
spoke to me on a personal level. It addresses those out of the social norm, the problems of children of divorce, the adjustments to a death, and just
growing up. Loved it! Dessen hits another homer, which would make another good movie also.
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Donbavand, Tommy
TITLE: Blood of the Witch
RATING: AD
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2009
PRICE: $5.99
ISBN: 9780763646073
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Same
PAGES: 129
This is the second book in a series called Scream Street. When Luke Watson turned into a werewolf for the third time he and his mom and dad were
moved to a place called Scream Street against their will. Luke’s mom and dad were normal and Luke felt really bad that they had to live with vampires,
mummies etc. He vowed to find a way out of there, but the only way to do it was to find six powerful hidden relics. He made friends with Resus
Negative (a wannabe Vampire) and Cleo Farr (a mummy). The three friends had to fight off a sewer full of vampire rats to find the second relic--a vial
of witch’s blood. I think guys will like all the blood and vampires in this book. Lots of good pictures to emphasize all the gory details.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Donbavand, Tommy
TITLE: Fang of the Vampire
RATING: AD
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press 2009
PRICE: $5.99
ISBN: 9780763646080
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Same
PAGES: 129
This is the first book in a series called Scream Street. When Luke Watson turned into a werewolf for the third time he and his mom and dad were moved
to a place called Scream Street against their will. Luke’s mom and dad were normal and Luke felt really bad that they had to live with vampires,
mummies etc. He vowed to find a way out of there, but the only way to do it was to find six powerful hidden relics. He made friends with Resus
Negative (a wannabe Vampire) and Cleo Farr (a mummy). The three friends found the first relic and obviously we will hear more about the other relics
in the sequels. I think guys will like all the scary creatures in this book. Lots of good pictures to emphasize all the gory details.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Doughty, Rebecca
TITLE: Oh no! Time to go!
RATING R
PUBLISHER: Random House, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-84981-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 1-4
ILLUSTRATOR : Rebecca Doughty
PAGES: NP
This picture book is told in verse and shows many ways that we say good-bye. The boy and his dog are showing and telling the story, which includes
hand waves and tears. It even tells you about dogs sniffing another dog’s rear or peeing on a hydrant, which may be objectionable to some but would
engage most of the grade school boys I know! This is a clever treatment of a tradition and could be used in English Language Learner classes or a social
studies class on community. Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Dowd, Siobahn
TITLE: Bog Child
RATING: RPUBLISHER: David Fickling Books,  2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-385-75169-8
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 322
When Fergus McCann discovers a skeleton in a peat bog in Ireland, he sets up a chain of fascinating events and discoveries. Set in 1983 during the
IRA’s hunger strikes, this story creates both amazing tension and suspense. Fergus is a strong student. His older brother James has been incarcerated
for participating in IRA activities. Such participation is almost expected of the young men of Fergus’s age, but his Mam and Da want him to go to
Aberdeen, Scotland to learn how to become a doctor. Fergus, himself, wants that outcome, and is trying desperately to stay out of the war. When James
joins the hunger strikers, Fergus is no longer able to dissociate himself, and, in a dangerous game begins to run packages past the guard house and a new
friend from the other side—Owain. Fergus also falls in love. It turns out, the skeleton from the bog is not that of a recent homicide, but is a bog person
who has been preserved from 80 A.D. The researcher who comes to study the skeleton brings along her daughter, and Fergus falls head over heels in
love. This is a tender story with many unexpected plot twists. It takes a while to get into it, but readers who are willing to invest in it will find that it
pays off. For its treatment of the hunger strikers alone, it is worth inclusion into a library collection. The fact that it is a sweetly written story about
conflict makes it all the more valuable. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Dower, Laura
TITLE: Return of Mega Mantis
PUBLISHER: Grosset & Dunlap 2009
ISBN: 9780448449135
5
RATING: M
PRICE: $4.99
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Dave Schlafman
PAGES: 141
This is the second book in a series called Monster Squad. Damon Malloy lived in a town called Riddle. He was obsessed with movies made by a man
named Oswald Leery who lived on the top of Nerve Mountain in Leery Castle. Leery’s movies were filled with monsters that looked like they could
pop right off the screen. Well, as it turned out, they did and Damon and a three of his classmates were chosen by Leery to stop the monsters. The
second one they had to find and squash was Mega Mantis. This book is like a B movie, okay, but not as fulfilling as an A movie. Lots of illustrations
are included that help move the story along. Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Dower, Laura
TITLE: The Slime That Would Not Die
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Grosset & Dunlap 2009
PRICE: $4.99
ISBN: 9780448449128
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Dave Schlafman
PAGES: 143
This is the first book in a series called Monster Squad. Jesse Ranger lived in a town called Riddle. He was obsessed with movies made by a man named
Oswald Leery who lived on the top of Nerve Mountain in Leery Castle. Leery’s movies were filled with monsters that looked like they could pop right
off the screen. Well, as it turned out, they did and Jesse and a three of his classmates were chosen by Leery to stop the monsters. The first one they had
to find was Slimo. This book is like a B movie, okay, but not as fulfilling as an A movie. Lots of illustrations are included that help move the story
along. Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Druitt, Tobias
TITLE: Corydon: The Siege of Troy
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-83384-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 248
Corydon, son of Pan, has been disgraced by abandoning Atlantis to its fate. Troy is his opportunity to redeem himself. This is one of a series, but I
wouldn’t have known that. The cover looks like something that would come from Terry Pratchet’s work, but there is none of the tongue-in-cheek humor
that more sophisticated readers would enjoy. The content winds up being a rather classical version of the clashing of Olympian gods and goddesses with
humanity and monsters scrapping alongside. It is something that is going to appeal to more diehard Greek mythology fans, but is not going to have wide
appeal to the average reader. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Dunbar, Joyce
TITLE: Oddly
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick
PRICE: 16.99
ISBN: 9780763642747
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-6th
ILLUSTRATOR: Patrick Benson
PAGES: UNP
Oddly is a peculiar story. The text is a large enough font for first graders but definitely not at their level of understanding. The Lostlet, Strangelet and
Oddlet are all trying to garner the meaning of life. They meet a boy who is equally in a quandary as he cannot find his way home. All the characters help
but this book might need to be read aloud more than once for students to understand or for that matter, the reader. The illustrations add to the
strangeness. Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Elya, Susan Middleton
TITLE: Adios, Tricycle
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam’s Sons 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780399254220
INTEREST LEVEL: PS-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Elisabeth Schlossberg
PAGES: UNP.
A little pig’s family is having a yard sale and his beloved tricycle is up for sale. Even though the little pig has outgrown the tricycle, he’s just not sure
he’s ready to give it up. He keeps hiding it behind things so it will not be noticed. Finally, there are no hiding places left and a cute little girl puppy
wants to buy it. Little pig realizes that it time to tell his tricycle good-bye. I’m sure many children will be able to relate to the little pig’s dilemma. The
good news is that they made enough money from the garage sale to buy the little pig a new bicycle! The fun part of this book is that many Spanish
words are used in the rhyming text instead of the intended English word and I think it will be a good experience for little children to use the context
clues to figure out what the words mean. There is a glossary at the end to help non-Spanish speakers. The illustrations are colorful and expressive.
The Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Emberly, Rebecca. Adrian, Ed
TITLE: There was an old monster!
RATING: R++
PUBLISHER: Orchard Books
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780545101455
INTEREST LEVEL: 1-2
ILLUSTRATOR: Emberly
PAGES: <27>
Terrific!!! The illustrations are bold and colorful and catch the reader and listener immediately. The catchy rhythm of the text patterned after “There was an o
terrific. The monster swallows a tick that makes him sick and ants that had him dancing in his pants and a lizard and a bat and a jackal and more! You will wa
read this book. I wish the authors did not use the word ‘swear.’ REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Feldman, Eve. B.
TITLE: Billy & Milly / Short & Silly
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam's Sons 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780399246517
INTEREST LEVEL: PS-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Tuesday Mourning
PAGES: UNP.
This is a delightful book! Each set of two or three pages tells a complete story with only three or four rhyming words. Billy and Milly are the stars and
the illustrator does a wonderful job of matching the illustrations to the words. For instance--Stoops, Hoops, Scoops, Oops shows Billy and Milly sitting
on their stoops (probably a new vocabulary word for many children), then Billy playing hoops, Milly licking her scoops of ice cream and last but not
least, Billy's basketball landing on Milly's ice cream cone. Children will want to have this read to them over and over again!
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Fine, Anne
TITLE: The Road of Bones
RATING: R
6
PUBLISHER: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2008
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-374-36316-1
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 213
In a
dismal tale strongly replicating the social revolution in Russia, young Yuri lives a life of suspicion and dread, escapes from his village, finally is taken as
“an enemy of the state” and pulled from his cushy agricultural experiment position to forced labor camp in a Siberia-like location. The dehumanizing
horrors of the camp are described in detail. Escaping with two inmates, thanks to the help of a swindling guard, Yuri discovers that his companions
invited him along as provisions. His ability to act the idiot and fool them saves his life. As the book ends, he has become a leader of the resistance
movement, and the long soliloquy at the end of the book is prophetic of his grandmother’s oft-quoted statement: “Only a fool cheers when the new
prince rises.” This is an excellent addition to a world history or contemporary world problems course for studying the effects of Stalan-ism on people
who suffer through the “double bookkeeping” of a man-made king. It is also a barbed commentary on the growth of central government’s power over
personal rights. Even the Czar years looked good, mentioned numerous times.
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Flanagan, John
TITLE: The Siege of Macindaw
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Philomel Books 2009
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780399250330
INTEREST LEVEL: 5th-8th
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 293
This is book 6 in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. Will is now a full-fledged Ranger in charge of his own fief. In this story, Will and his warrior friend,
Horace, must save a hostage from the evil Sir Keren. The hostage is Will’s dear friend Alyss. Sir Keren, a rogue knight, has overtaken Castle
Macindaw and is plotting with the evil Scotti to overtake Will’s fief. This series is for an advanced elementary student and I have a few eagerly awaiting
this next installment. Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Gaiman, Neil
TITLE: Crazy Hair
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperCollinsPublishers 2009
PRICE: $18.99
ISBN: 9780060579081
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Dave McKean
PAGES: UNP.
Bonnie meets a man and tells him that she doesn’t mean to stare, but he has crazy hair. The man tells her that his hair has grown since he was two and
then describes all the things she can find in his hair. Things such as butterflies, cockatoos, gorillas, tigers, lions, expeditions, dancers, huge balloons,
water slides and on and on and on. Bonnie decides to comb his hair, but was pulled into it and had the greatest time teaching lions how to rhyme,
digging buried pirate’s chests and so on and so on. Lots of rhyming and lots of fun in this book. The illustrations are a bit bizarre, but well worth your
time!! I think upper elementary will have as good a time with this book as the primary. This will be a fun read aloud!
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Gershator, Phillis
TITLE: Old House, New House
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Marshall Cavendish
PRICE: 17.99
ISBN: 9780761453864
INTEREST LEVEL: Kdg-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Katherine Potter
PAGES: UNP
As the reader can detect from the title this rhyming story tells about an amazing family summer in the country. When autumn arrives they must give up
this simple way of life and move west to a new home. The illustrations are great. Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
TITLE: The Devil’s Breath
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press,  2007
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-385-73560-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 389
I recall reading a treatise on the need for more self-reliant teen heroes written specifically about the marginalizing of the Nancy Drew character. There
is no such concern over Max Gordon’s character. Max Gordon is a fifteen year old who attends Dartmoor High, a unique school with the mission of
creating strong young men and women. An attempt on Max’s life and the subsequent disappearance of his father leads him to go on a search of Namibia
in order to find Tom Gordon—environmental scientist extraordinaire. While this book is designed to be a suspenseful novel, it had the unfortunate
chronology of following a book that truly WAS a good nailbiting read. Most of the suspense occurs near the end of the book, and the story is generally
cluttered by the voice of an omniscient narrator that tells rather than shows the action, but does so in a way that makes it clear that this book is almost the
directorial mandates for a movie that will follow. It also reads like a sequel with allusions to backstory that is nonexistent since this is actually the first
in a series. There appear, in fact, to be films in the works, and the author’s past gives him lots of action from which to draw for inspiration, but, unless
you have a hole in your collection for environmentally conscious action packed tomes, you might be better often waiting for the movie.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Gilman, David
Goldbach, Veronica
TITLE: Deep in the Heart of High School
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux,  2009
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-374-32330-1
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 202
Short, sweet, and full of snippets of San Antonio life, this book fills a niche I have found little literature on: marching band fiction (that doesn’t involve
American Pie). This book follows the lives of Olivia, Fatima, and Vanna, with a little Alex, Travis, and Jake thrown in. Olivia is the daughter of a
widowed fourth grade teacher who tries exceedingly hard to make her mom’s life easier by taking responsibility for as much as she can including her
slightly younger sister. Fatima is one of several children who lives with her traditional Hispanic parents in a two bedroom home. Fatima considers
herself very fat, and there are shades of Spanglish with a mother who is trying as much as she can to help her daughter lose weight. Finally, Vanna is an
unwilling participant in San Antonio life. Her mother moved there after Vanna’s father had an affair and her mother is now engaging in some serious
marathon dating. While each of the girls have their familial crosses to bear, they are also looking for love, and that is the main theme of the book—
7
discovering love and solid friendship. The book is exceptionally clean with the occasional Spanish swear word (which apparently is as offensive as
using the English equivalent) and uplifting in spite of some references to control top pantyhose that I’m not sure are truly a part of the culture today. It
was wholesome and a good piece of realistic fiction—though perhaps not as entertaining as some of the books that are out there.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Gorbachev, Valeri
TITLE: Molly Who Flew Away
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Philomel Books 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780399252112
INTEREST LEVEL: PS-K
ILLUSTRATOR: Same
PAGES: UNP.
Molly the Mouse and her friends loved to go to the fair. Molly wanted to buy a gift for all her friends at the fair and finally decided to buy them each a
colored balloon. She bought six balloons and when the balloon man handed them to her they lifted her up into the air and carried her away! Everyone
chased her until they finally caught up with her at the top of a hill and hauled her down. Molly was then able to give each of her friends their gift. This
is a delightful story about adventure and friendship with colorful illustrations to enhance the joy the little friends found in each other.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Gould, Peter
TITLE: Write Naked
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Farrar, Strays & Giroux, 2008
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-374-38483-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 247
This is probably the first novel where an object truly became a character for me. ROYAL, Victor's antique typewriter picked up at a Vietnam vet's
garage sale, takes on a role in this delightful, delightful novel about writing, first love, caring for the earth, and PTSD. Victor and ROYAL go on a "Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride" to his personal Walden, the landlocked cabin that his uncle built in the Vermont woods up from his home. Victor is a unique sixteenyear-old boy. He is a budding writer who has read that writing naked produces the best writing; also the most embarrassment. He looks up as he writes,
naked of course, in the cabin and see a girl his age smiling at him. Victor also dresses fast. Rose Anna and he begin their own secluded writer's
workshop, he with ROYAL and she with an antique pen with a witch's formula for ink. She and you read his writing, and he reads hers, but with no
comments. Well, Victor tries to make no comments. Want a love story, a quirky story, an earth story all rolled into one? This is it!
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Grandits, John
TITLE: The Travel Game
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Clarion
PRICE: 16.00
ISBN: 9780618564200
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: R. W. Alley
PAGES: 32
Four year old Tad’s family is busy with a tailor shop. Tad enjoys picking up bits of cloth from the floor and carrying bolts of material. The huge lunch is
promptly at 12:30. Tad does not want to nap after lunch but Aunt Hattie insists. They play the travel game with a globe and atlas. Tad usually falls
asleep but not this time. The illustrations are exceptional. The text is great but a little long.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Grant, Michael
TITLE: Gone
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen,  2008
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-144876-8
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 558
There are covers that sell a book, and covers that do the book no justice. This is one of those cases. From the excerpt on the back to the cover on the
front, there is nothing about this jacket that will truly do justice to the story inside—and that’s a shame because the story is excellent. The setting is the
small town of Perdido Beach in California. All of a sudden, every person over the age of fifteen disappears, leaving the kids to fend completely for
themselves. Everyone is shaken—including Sam Temple—until Caine, a student at Coates Academy (a prestigious school for kids who are wealthy, but
unprincipled) steps up and begins to bring order out of chaos. To further exacerbate the issue, the town is completely surrounded by some kind of force
field that is impossible to penetrate. About this time, Sam begins discovering that he, and others, have odd powers. In a Lord of the Flies meets the
television series Lost or Jurassic Park, kind of tale, the author weaves an incredible story about stepping up into leadership roles, absolute power
corrupting absolutely, and strength in the face of confusing times. This is a clean enough read for middle schoolers, although the age of the lead
protagonists may make it less interesting for high school students in the upper grades. There is a great deal of gore, so reader beware. This is a book that
should have a great deal of appeal for both female and male readers. It’s sheer length means it probably won’t be a book that students would read
extensively as part of a class curriculum, but a teacher or librarian could read and discuss excerpts of it in any class dealing with bullying or leadership.
The cover means you are going to have to work a little harder to sell it, but once kids are hooked, they’ll have a tough time putting it down.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Grant, Michael
TITLE: Hunger
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen,  2009
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-144906-2
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 590
If students were hooked by Gone, Hunger will not be a terrible disappointment. One VOYA review (from the back cover) describes this story as
Stephen King meets Lord of the Flies, and that is very apros pos. In this installment, the FAYZ has been in effect for three months. In the first novel we
were introduced to a malevolent force that was housed in an underground cave. That force is taking on an even more sinister role in this book. Without
adults present and with the mutation of carnivorous worms patrolling what agricultural areas remain, starvation has become a very real force in Perdido
Beach. Sam, Astrid, and Edilio are working to keep Caine and Drake from gaining control of important resources (like the power plant and the
remaining food stores). As in any situation calling for a scapegoat, human kids and mutant kids are now beginning to look at each other with mistrust,
8
and the whole situation is brought to a head when a mutant boy accidentally kills a human boy. This book is much of the same as Grant’s first, and has
similar cover art (which, as I stated before, I believe detracts from the quality of the book). The starvation theme gets a bit tedious, as does a bit of the
backstory. This story can stand on its own, but probably wouldn’t generate the interest of Grant’s first. Students who loved the first in the series,
though, will enjoy this one. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Gray, Claudia
TITLE: Evernight
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen,  2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-128439-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 327
There is something undeniably creepy about Evernight Academy, and Bianca Olivier isn’t sure that she cares to find out what it is. Her parents are both
teachers at the exclusive private school, guaranteeing Bianca’s entrance. Bianca also isn’t sure she likes either the headmistress, Mrs. Bethany, or the
snobby kids who attend the school—with the possible exception of Lucas Ross—the sandy haired young man who captures and keeps her heart. The
story is kind of a reverse twist Twilight with a bit of Romeo and Juliet thrown into the plot to provide a vampire with a lover/vampire hunter nemesis.
The story is pretty true to the genre with a few surprises, but not so many that a reader can’t become complacent. Students who flock to the Gothic
theme will also appreciate the twists and turns of a chase at the end. It is not a book with a lot of curricular ties or great moral lessons, but will be a book
that students will enjoy just reading. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Greenberg, David
TITLE: Enchanted Lions
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Dutton
PRICE: 16.99
ISBN: 9780525479383
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Kristina Swarner
PAGES: UNP
Rhyming text finds the reader in a cottage by the sea with a small child looking out the window. We find out the child is Rose and she stares out at the
lions who bound into her room. Rose rides on the lion’s back for a nighttime adventure meeting a unicorn and a stellar whale. The illustrations are
appropriate for the text but I find this type of dream-like books is usually not popular with primary students.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Griffin, Bethany
TITLE: Handcuffs
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press,  2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-385-73550-6
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 306
Imagine the dilemma of having your parents walk in on you handcuffed to the office chair in your dad’s home office with your blouse unbuttoned and
your boyfriend, whom your parents do not like, fondling your bra. This is the scenario that sets the tone for the eternal grounding of Parker Prescott.
While this event doesn’t start the book, it is a pivotal plot point that shapes events for Parker. Parker’s shyness and seeming lack of emotions are a
source of trouble both at home and at school. Her careful precision when it comes to her clothes and her belongings also makes it easy for her peers
and family to view her either as a prude, or selfish, or a snob. In Parker’s mind, however, she can never come close to Paige’s glowing beauty or
reputation. Paige is the oldest sister who was beautiful and popular and married the wealthy school football star. From Parker’s perspective, Paige
had all the good things (materially and genetically) handed to her. This is a convoluted book that touches on a variety of subjects including people’s
perceptions of you, your perceptions of them, and cyberbullying as well as sexual harassment. The author isn’t shy about teen sexuality or the
aftermath, so if your constituency is highly conservative, this would be a book requiring careful facilitation. REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long
High School
Guest, Elissa
TITLE: Harriet’s Had Enough!
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick
PRICE: 15.99
ISBN: 9780763634544
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Paul Meisel
PAGES: UNP
Harriet and her mother have a huge fight. Harriet does not want to stop playing at her mother’s request. She talks back to her mother with phrases like “I
don’t feel like it”, “You need to cool down” and “I’m fed up, too”. Fortunately, mother and Harriet have some cool down time when Harriet prepares to
run away. All ends well. The illustrations depict the text well.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Hale, Bruce
TITLE: Fat Cat of Underwhere
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins 2009
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780060851330
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Shane Hillman
PAGES: 167
This is the fourth in a series called Underwhere. The series will probably appeal to a lot of children because underwear are involved and the book is half
text and half comic book. Fitz the cat tells the story. His human, Hector, and his friends have discovered another land called Underwhere where the
inhabitants wear their underwear on the outside of their clothing. To get there they crawl down a hole at a construction site. In this book the children
and Fitz must try to recover the lost scepter of Underwhere (a bejeweled toilet plunger). The humor and plot are pretty base, but I’m sure it will be
checked out because of the comic book look of part of the book.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Harper, Jamie
TITLE: Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, ©2009
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3597-8
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 1-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Jamie Harper
PAGES: unp
Miss Mingo is preparing her class for Fire Safety Week by practicing the rules of fire safety and fire drills. But each animal member of her class reacts
differently when talking about fire and the illustrations complement their thoughts. Also included on each page are interesting fun facts about each of
the animals. This would be a fun book for a teacher to read to his/her classroom as a review for fire drills as the twists of animal facts keep everyone’s
9
interest. Reviewer: Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Havill, Juanita
TITLE: Just Like a Baby
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Chronicle
PRICE: 15.99
ISBN: 9780811850261
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Christine Davenier
PAGES: UNP
The illustrations for this book are exceptional as they depict well all the oohing and aahing over the new baby. The relatives and friends are delighted
that baby Ellen has arrived. Each relative predicts what Ellen will be like a truck driver or pilot. Finally, the mother intervenes with her bit of wisdom
that Ellen will, for now, do what Ellen wants. Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Heuston, Kimberly
TITLE: The Book of Jude
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Front Street,  2008
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 978-1-932425-26-0
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 217
In contrast to many books about “real life,” this is a refreshingly wise story. I have to wrap my brain around the idea that for high school students the
year 1989 IS historical fiction. Accepting the story within that genre makes it fit, though the message is timeless. Fifteen year oldl Judith Wheelock,
known as “Jude” not “Judy” has her world turned upside down when her mother and father tell her, her fraternal twin sister, and her little sister that their
family will be moving to Prague, Czechoslovakia as part of a Fulbright Scholarship her mother applied for and won. They will be moving behind the
Iron Curtain—a term sure to confound students who can’t remember a world where Communism posed a threat. The move and the stress of living life
under constant surveillance triggers Borderline Personality Disorder in Jude. After a joy ride through the Czech Republic which ends in a car crash,
Jude is taken to the US hospital in Nuremburg, Germany where she is diagnosed and begins her treatment. The story is populated by people who have
suffered grief or loss along the way and who share their thoughts on faith and strategies for making their hearts strong. It is a topic that could be
depressing, but it is handled in such a gentle and loving way that the reader is left with hope as well as insight into the political struggles people in
Czechoslovakia faced before the Berlin Wall came down and Communism was voted out in that country. This has several possible curricular tie-ins
both for health, psychology, and history. It’s a book well worth owning and talking up.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Hoppe, Paul
TITLE: Hat
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
PRICE: $14.99
ISBN: 139781599902470
INTEREST LEVEL: 1
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <30>
Henry finds a hat on the park bench. He imagines all sorts of uses for the hat such as catching mice or doing magic tricks. But his mother reminds him that so
may need the hat. So he left it on the bench.
The illustrations are done in an old fashioned black line with blue and red and green water color. It is not very kid appealing and the characters are not inviting
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Hostetter, Joyce Moyer
TITLE: Comfort
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: HarperTeen, 2008
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 978-01-59078-606-2
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: none
PAGES: 306
A sequel to Blue in which our heroine Ann Fay is diagnosed with polio, Comfort shows her life after polio and her father’s life after World War II. Both
suffer in the post-traumatics of their severe stresses. Ann Fay and her family travel to Warm Springs during Thanksgiving with her grandparents and is
invited to come back as a “polio” to strengthen herself in the warm pools and with physical therapy. She finally goes in January with family and town
support. While there she meets bevies of polio characters with whom she becomes friends, particularly Suzanne. In a dramatic conflict, Junior, her
loyal and attentive teenage neighbor, comes to pick her up due to her father’s explosive episodes and physical abuse of her mother. They make a getaway rather than a legitimate withdrawal that torments Ann Fay. With her pregnancy, the abuse extending to her little daughter, and Ann Fay’s return,
Mildred gets the strength to throw Leroy out until he improves. Ironically, the town crazy man, also affected by the war, ends up helping Leroy back to
reality. This is such a tender book, with accurate information about the Warm Springs Foundation, the effects of war neurosis, the effects of polio, and
how a family fights to preserve itself. Reviewer: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Hunter, Erin
TITLE: Warriors: code of the clans
RATING R
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-166009-2
INTEREST LEVEL: 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR : Wayne McCloughin
PAGES: 15
For fans of the Warrior series this book will be a must. It is set up as short stories that explain the origins of the Warrior Code; the laws that govern
the interactions of the Wind, River, Thunder, Shadow and Sky clans. You, the reader, as invited into the enclave of the Thunder Clan's medicine cat and
he tells you the stories. The codes are shown to emanate from ancient experience that explains the actions behind the codes. Good stand alone book or a
logical companion to the series. Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Keane, Dave
TITLE: Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Clarion Books 2009
PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 9780547056449
INTEREST LEVEL: k-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: David Clark
PAGES: UNP.
Bobby Bramble was a very active boy and his family was always telling him to be careful or he‘d crack his head open and his brain would fall out.
Bobby always laughed at them, but one day he did fall on his head and when it cracked open his brain ran off. Everyone tried to help capture it, but it
was too quick and too tricky for them. They finally got Bobby involved in the hunt and he proved to be speedier and more agile than his brain. Bobby
didn’t change his daredevil ways, but the helmet he started wearing kept his brain from escaping again. This is a silly adventure that is sure to amuse the
10
younger set! Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Kelsey, Marybeth
TITLE: A recipe for robbery
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-1288432
INTEREST LEVEL: 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR : NA
PAGES: 282
Lindy wants to go to band camp with her two best friends, but money is tight and she knows her chances are slim. Then she finds a valuable stolen
locket in her stewed cucumbers, and she’s on the road to a big reward. Most of the action takes place at the Bloomsbury Cucumber Festival. The twist in
this story is the involvement of a pet goose, who belongs to the animal rescue, cook wannabe neighbor of the victim. The kids work on finding out facts
but their suspicions finger the wrong parties, until Lindy stumbles onto the real crooks and nearly gets caught by them! Clever plot and funny quirks in
the “Tarts”- the vegetable group her mom belongs to- make this an entertaining whodunit.
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
Kephart, Beth
TITLE: The House of Dance
RATING: R+
PUBLISHER: HarperTeen, 2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-1142928-6
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: none
PAGES: 263
Rosie’s mom only has time for her affair with her married boss, while she and Rosie are mere strangers in the same house. In one of their passings, she
suggests to Rosie to visit her ill father on a daily basis. Granddad puts Rosie in charge of his piles: to toss or “In Trust.” Discovering a feather her
Granddad reminisces how that particular feather came from a dancing dress of his wife, who loved to push back the furniture and dance for him. So
Rosie bundled newspapers, tossed garbage and created a huge In Trust pile. Walking home she passed The House of Dance studio, and before long she
made the decision to take lessons with the money that her dad sends to her. She made party plans for her Granddad. What is exceptional about the
novel is the lovely, touching, sparse emotion of Rosie’s relationships and the natural growth of her love for her grandfather. It will need to be booktalked for readers, but it would make a wonderful study in a literature class for fine characterization and minimalist style.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Knowles, Jo
TITLE: Jumping Off Swings
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3949-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 11 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 230
I picked this book up because the cover was reminiscent of 13 Reasons Why. This story follows Ellie, Corrine, Josh, and Caleb through Ellie’s sexual
encounter and subsequent pregnancy with Josh. Each of the young people have family lives that contribute to their character. Ellie is desperately
seeking intimacy from the guys who use and quickly leave her. Corrine, Ellie’s best friend, can’t understand why Ellie continues to allow herself to be
used. Caleb has loved Ellie from afar, and listening to the locker room talk of her makes him sick, because he remembers her as an innocent, giving
person. Josh was the last person to use Ellie, and is conflicted by the callous way he left her and his desire to be perceived as manly in his peer group.
Ultimately, Corrine and Caleb become a couple as they band together to support Ellie through her pregnancy. Josh comes to grips with his parent’s own
decision to get married after getting pregnant with him. This is one of the few books I’ve read that treats the father of the baby with tenderness. There
are some uses of profanity and some more graphic descriptions of sexuality, so it’s definitely not a read-aloud sort of book; however, with facilitation,
particularly in a health or human development kind of class, it could be a valuable addition to the curriculum.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Kroll, Steven
TITLE: Barbarians!
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Dutton’s Children’s Books
PRICE: $18.99
ISBN: 9780525479581
INTEREST LEVEL: 4
ILLUSTRATOR: Robert Byrd
PAGES: 48
Barbarian was the name given by the Greeks to anyone who was rude, crude or uncivilized. Later 4 groups of people were considered Barbarians; the Goths, t
Vikings, and the Mongols. Each group moved across Europe and Asia and caused havoc and uproars. They were considered illiterate and very cruel. The wo
action packed place with Barbarians.
This book describes each group and their locations with maps and illustrations. Near the back of the book is a timeline of the groups lives. An excellent index
It is very intense and may be better presented at Middle School level.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Krosoczka, Jarrett J.
TITLE: Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopft, ©2009
PRICE: $5.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-84683-0
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
PAGES: unp
What does the school lunch lady do after hours? That is the question that 3 students decide to answer one day by following her. But little do they know
that not only does she serve lunches, but she also serves justice and is not afraid of danger. With the help of her three young friends, the lunch lady
uncovers a plot at school to replace all the popular teachers with robots and takes action with her own spatula. I think kids will get a kick out of this
simple graphic novel, but I probably will not put it on my library shelf as it is a paperback and will not last long. Maybe I’ll give it to our school lunch
lady!
Reviewer:
Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Libby, Alisa
TITLE: The King’s Rose
PUBLISHER: Dutton Books,  2009
ISBN: 978-0-525-47970-3
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
11
RATING: R
PRICE: $17.99
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
PAGES: 296
The court of King Henry XIII was a tricky place to be if you were an attractive young lady—particularly as he got older and a little more paranoid. In
the case of Catherine Howard, cousin to Anne Boleyn, the experience was as deadly as it was for her predecessor. This book chronicles the rise of
Catherine after she had been placed at court at the tender age of fifteen and follows through her ultimate execution. In the fashion of excellent historical
fiction, this author tried to stay consistent with both the times and what is known of the young lady. The author addresses some of the seamier sides of
the liaisons Catherine had with Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpeper without going into salacious detail. The narrative is given to us in the voice of
Catherine, which at times becomes a little whiny and redundant, but is mostly fascinating. It would be a good addition to a historical fiction collection
since it would appeal both to students with specific interest in the era or students who are interested in a tragic love story.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Limke, Jeff (adapted by)
TITLE: The Haunted Cabin Mystery
RATING: AD
PUBLISHER: Abdo 2009
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9780807531808
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 7-10
ILLUSTRATOR: Mark Bloodsworth
PAGES: 31
This is Gertrude Chandler Warner’s Boxcar Children’s The Haunted Cabin Mystery made into a graphic novel. Fans of the Boxcar Children may or
may not enjoy this adaptation. In this mystery the Alden children have gone to visit grandfather’s friend, Cap Lambert. He had fallen and broken his
leg, so the children wanted to help him. They discovered all kinds of loose boards in the barn and holes dug in the ground once they got there. They
also saw lights and heard whistles at night. One night they stayed up and trapped a young girl. It turned out that she and her brother had been digging
around looking for buried pirate treasure and had also been helping themselves to Cap’s eggs and his vegetables from the garden. The children’s father
had died and they were trying to help their mother out. Cap asked the mother to work as his housekeeper and all was right in the world again.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Lloyd-Jones, Sally
TITLE: Being a pig is nice
RATING: M
PUBLISHER: Schwartz & Wade Books 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780375841873
INTEREST LEVEL: PS-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Dan Krall
PAGES: UNP.
A little girl compares people manners with those of certain animals. She’s pretty sure it would be easier to be an animal. Pigs are supposed to get all
muddy. That sounds like a good idea until she remembers that pigs don’t smell very good. She thinks being a snail would be nice because it would be
okay to dawdle and not always have to keep up. Then she remembers that snails are slimy. She finally decides that being a monster would be best since
they never have to be polite. The illustrations are descriptive and fun, but I feel like the message children are left with at the end of the book is that
manners are not important. It ends with the little girl being a monster at the dinner table. I would hope that we would want our children to use their
manners and not turn into monsters.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Lloyd-Jones, Sally
TITLE: How to get married by me, the bride
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA © 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-8118-5049-0
INTEREST LEVEL: K-3
ILLUSTRATOR : Zina Saunders
PAGES: 45
A cute book on the in’s and out’s on choosing a spouse. Don’t pick in the dark and be sure not to chew with your mouth full, etc. It ends with giving
your daddy a bite of your cake when he comes to take you home. You hold his hand and decide if it is a “happily ever after” kind of ending to the
wedding. I know some adults who could’ve benefited from this little picture book! The girls will love it.
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
TITLE: Moonshadow’s journey
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Co.
PRICE: $
ISBN: 9780807552735
INTEREST LEVEL: 3
ILLUSTRATOR: Karin Littlewood
PAGES: <24>
Moonshadow is making his first flight south as a young swan. His grandfather is the leader but when a storm hits his grandfather was unable to make the journ
Saddened by the loss of his family member he still must go on.
This beautifully illustrated book could be used to discuss death of a family member and bereavement.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Lobel, Gillian
Long, Christopher E. (adapted by)
TITLE: Tree House Mystery
RATING: AD
PUBLISHER: Abdo 2009
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 9780807580882
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 7-10
ILLUSTRATOR: Mark Bloodsworth
PAGES: 31
This is Gertrude Chandler Warner’s Boxcar Children’s Tree House Mystery made into a graphic novel. Fans of the Boxcar Children may or may not
enjoy this adaptation. In this mystery a new family moves in next door to the Aldens. The Alden children want to do something for the two new
neighbor boys so they decide to build a tree house. Children will need to pay careful attention to the story as there are three or four themes running
through it and things move very quickly. One mystery is an old telescope that went missing back when the new boys’ grandfathers lived in the house.
Another was a plastered up bedroom full of little boy’s toys. Another was how to help Uncle Max get more customers to his restaurant. All problems
were solved successfully, of course! Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Madonna
TITLE: Ready, Set, Vote!
PUBLISHER: Puffin Books 2009
ISBN: 9780142411278
RATING: AD
PRICE: $9.99
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th
12
ILLUSTRATOR: Jeffrey Fulvimari
PAGES: 124
This is the tenth book in a series called The English Roses. The English Roses are five best friends who go to Hampstead School in London. I’m
guessing it’s a private school as one of the girls is picked up each day by the family’s chauffeur. In this installment Nicole decides to run for class
president and Grace, as her campaign manager, gets a little carried away. Nicole wants to run a fair above-board campaign, but Grace ruins the
opponent’s posters and says things she shouldn’t. All’s well when she apologizes to the school and Nicole makes an outstanding speech. Nicole wins
the election and makes peace with her opponent. I’m sure fans of this series will be glad to know that number eleven will be out in October and book
twelve will be out in December.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Markle, Sandra
TITLE: Animals Charles Darwin saw
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-84118-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR : Sally Lloyd-Jones and Sue Heap
PAGES: NP
I loved this book. It’s a neat treatment of Darwin with a biography that focuses on childlike details that make it interesting and accessible. The
explanation of how he came up with his controversial theory. It is a great story of a boy who doesn’t want to do what his father has planned and instead
chooses a fateful path that is his passion. The woodcut pictures add to the text and there is a map of the voyage that led to his discoveries, as well as a
glossary of some of the terms. At a time when Americans are being labeled scientifically illiterate what a wonderful way to introduce children to
scientific observation and the birth of a new theory. I think every grade school library should have this book.
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
TITLE: i know it’s over
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-84566-6
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 244
I knew I was going to end up hating this. Lots of hard-ons, f___ and s___, teenagers acting badly, drinking, drug use. I loved it. Within my
recollection there is no book that lays out a young man’s perspective about desire, love, sex, concern, betrayal and the despair of young love the way i
know it’s over does. Nick has tried to play by Sasha’s rules, after all she is intelligent, amazingly beautiful and loving; all that he could hope for. Once
they begin having sex, which prolongs their innocence, there is the accident. Sasha is pregnant. But the novel begins months later when she tells Nick,
getting ready to go to his father’s for Christmas, after he and Sasha have broken up. The story reverts to the first time Nick meets Sasha who meets his
definition of the rarest type of girl, “girls without an act.” Their relationship is instigated by Sasha who has rules, rules made to survive the strict
supervision of her father. It is a stressful relationship, “wroth with peril.” What I found amazing was the voice of Nick. Remember this is a first-time
novel by a young woman. How Nick could maintain that honest boy-ness while displaying deep emotion and deep thinking was an epiphany for me.
The title is prophetic. When the story catches up to Christmas, the break-up and aftermath continue. And it’s over. I eagerly look forward to reading
another book by Martin to see what mind she probes next!
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Martin, C. K. Kelly
McCormack, Caren McNelly
TITLE: The Fiesta Dress, a Quinceaner tale
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Marshall Cavendish
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978076145467
INTEREST LEVEL:
ILLUSTRATOR: Martha Aviles
PAGES: <36>
Lolo’s big sister is turning 15 and all are getting ready for her Quinceaner fiesta. Lolo, being the baby is always noticed until this special day for her sister, Ev
becoming the center of attention. Lolo releases the dog to play with him and he steals the white sash from Eva’s dress. So Lolo rescues it with a bribe for the
again all notice Lolo.
Included in the English text are a few Mexican words. It is a fun story to read aloud and discuss family traditions.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
McDonald, Abby
TITLE: Sophomore Switch
RATING: Ad
PUBLISHER: Candlewick, 2009
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0763639365
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: none
PAGES: 304
What happens when a straight-laced British student and a hot-tub flasher are last-minute exchange students their sophomore year in college? Perhaps
some storylines as improbable as that scenario! Emily is a loser in love and escapes to USC’s film college while Tasha, not so much a loser in tabloid
love, escapes to Oxford (oh please, do I have to review this?) where she becomes a staunch women’s liberation activist. The only sure thing about this
book is that it has a good future as a summer bubble-gummer at the movies; not the theatre. Sure the girls come to love and admire their new
surroundings. They overcome personal adversity. They make friends. Emily finds love in California; after all, Tasha did go to Oxford. If the book had
dragged on 50 more excruciating pages they may have bartered for world peace. Save us from this drivel!
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
McDonald, Megan
TITLE: The mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: 2009
PRICE: $14.99
ISBN: 9780763639624
INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-4th
ILLUSTRATOR: Peter H. Reynolds
PAGES: 117
Judy Moody and Stink go on vacation with their parents to Ocracoke Island. While there they sign up for a treasure hunt. The first team to figure out
the five clues and turn in sixteen pieces o’ eight would win a gold doubloon and a ride with Scurvy Sam on his pirate ship. Judy and Stink won, of
course, but asked to share the prize with a team they called Smart Girl and Tall Boy. Lots of fun and adventure for everyone!
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
13
TITLE: The lion’s share, a tale of halving cake and eating it, too
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Walker & Company
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780802797681
INTEREST LEVEL: 3
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <28>
The lion’s share is a great book to use for a math lesson from K- high school. The animals had finished their meal and a cake was brought out. The elephant b
being greedy and cutting the cake in half, then passing the rest to hippo, who again cut it in half and gave half of that piece to gorilla. This went on through sev
until it ended with the ant that tried to cut it in half but only had two crumbs. She was accused of being selfish as the other animals had shared. The ant, emba
promised the lion a new and bigger cake. Not to be outdone all the other animals decided to double the cake offer to the lion until there was to be made 256 ca
delivery of the ant’s cake, the lion offered to share it with the ant, yet it was very small.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
McElligott, Hatthew
McGhee, Alison
TITLE: Song of middle c
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9789763630133
INTEREST LEVEL: 2
ILLUSTRATOR: Scott Menchin
PAGES: <29>
The little girl is practicing for her piano recital. She practices and practices and has her performance memorized and she is as cool as a cucumber and ready to
teacher loves improvisation and creativity so she adds a little of that in her practice. Preparing for the performance she wears her lucky clothes. Unfortunately
with all the people watching she forgets her song and begins to improvise and makes up her own song using middle c as her guide. She is a hit. No one knows
made up song except for her brother.
This story would be a great one to read just before the students get ready to perform in their concert or school play. Be aware that the author mentions lucky u
the story.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
McGuigan, Mary Ann
TITLE: Morning in a Different Place
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Front Street,  2009
PRICE: $17.95
ISBN: 978-1-59078-551-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 195
Historical fiction focusing on more recent history seems to be coming in vogue. In this tale, Fiona O’Doherty, an eighth grader, has the challenge of
maintaining her friendship with her best friend—Yolanda. The challenge—Yolanda is black, and it is a relationship that is frowned on by Fiona’s very
Irish mother. If the prejudice seems hard to understand, place it in 1963 instead of recent history when even the new Irish immigrants were struggling to
find acceptance in the United States. This story focuses on finding your own voice and making active changes rather than passively ignoring untenable
situations. In this story, Fiona finds the way to solidify her friendship with Yolanda and stand up to her abusive father. It is definitely a worthy
contender for teachers who are considering fiction during the Civil Rights movement or who are looking for companion literature for discussing the
changes that John F. Kennedy was attempting to bring to the country.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
McGuinness, Lisa
TITLE: B is for baseball, running the bases from A to Z
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780811860963
INTEREST LEVEL: 4
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <32>
Since I am a real fan of baseball, I loved this book. The illustrations are sketches and photos. Each letter of the alphabet has some words pertaining to basebal
catcher, center field, and cap with short descriptions of each. History of baseball is included with past players and old uniforms and photos of crowds. I loved
the pictures. I will help kids love this book.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
McNamee, Eoin
TITLE: The Frost Child
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Wendy Lamb Books 2009
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN:978038573563-6
INTEREST LEVEL: 5th-8th
ILLUSTRATOR: Jan Goodell
PAGES: 344
This is the last book in the Navigator Trilogy. Owen is the Navigator and in the last book he and the Resistors on Earth killed the Harsh king. The
Harsh are people from another Time and they vow to turn the Earth into an icy wasteland. It takes a more mature elementary student to hang with this
series, but I have a few who are patiently waiting for this book. If you like adventure, science fiction and a lot of suspense, this series will fill the bill!
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Melmed, Laura
TITLE: Heart of Texas: a lone star ABC
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins, New York, NY © 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-114283-3
ILLUSTRATOR : Frank Lessac
RATING: A
PRICE: $17.99
INTEREST LEVEL: 3-7
PAGES: NP
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
Meng, Cece
TITLE: Tough chicks
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Clarion Books, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 978-0-618-82415-1
INTEREST LEVEL: K-2
ILLUSTRATOR : Suber, Melissa
PAGES: 32
From the moment they’re hatched chicks Penny, Polly and Molly are asked to “be good.” But they’re not, at least not in typical chicken fashion. They
14
like to play in the mud and draw pictures instead of scratching and they are not afraid of anything. Their mother knows they’re good, but the rest of the
farm is skeptical, especially the farmer when he finds them under the hood of the tractor. They finally get a chance to show their worth when the tractor
breaks down during haying, when a rain storm is coming. Then the tractor rolls down the hill toward the barnyard and the chicks have to act fast. They
do, then devise a plan to fix the tractor and save the day, showing that they’re tough and good. Great message and fun pictures!
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
Meng, Cece
TITLE: Tough chicks
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Clarion Books, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 978-0-618-82415-1
INTEREST LEVEL: K-2
ILLUSTRATOR : Suber, Melissa
PAGES: 32
From the moment they’re hatched chicks Penny, Polly and Molly are asked to “be good.” But they’re not, at least not in typical chicken fashion. They
like to play in the mud and draw pictures instead of scratching and they are not afraid of anything. Their mother knows they’re good, but the rest of the
farm is skeptical, especially the farmer when he finds them under the hood of the tractor. They finally get a chance to show their worth when the tractor
breaks down during haying, when a rain storm is coming. Then the tractor rolls down the hill toward the barnyard and the chicks have to act fast. They
do, then devise a plan to fix the tractor and save the day, showing that they’re tough and good. Great message and fun pictures!
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
Mlynowski, Sarah
TITLE: Parties & Potions
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Delacorte Press,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-385-73645-9
INTEREST LEVEL: 6 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 340
Question—where do witches go before coming out? Answer—Charm School, of course. Well, technically, Charmori School, the oldest school in
witchdom that prepares young ladies for their Samsorta, the witching world’s equivalent to the debutante ball. For Rachel Weinstein (yes, a Jewish
Princess witch, no less), the decision to participate in the Samsorta is one that is fraught with all kinds of emotional turmoil. She has carefully avoided
mentioning her special powers to anyone of consequence in her life. In fact, the discovery that she and her sister are witches comes as a bit of a shock
that is dealt with in previous books. Delightfully or annoyingly vapid—depending on your mood—our heroine’s biggest concern is whether or not she
looks adorable UNTIL through mywitchbook.com she meets Wendaline and has to make a decision about whether or not to stick up for someone who is
being bullied because she has a different culture and whether or not to make public that fact that she shares that culture. Sharing the culture and the
various responses to that are choice tidbits left for the end of the book. In the style of Meg Cabot, the self-absorption of our intrepid sophomore can be
somewhat tedious, but in the end it is a cute book with a young lady who, though possessing the depth of a shower floor, has a good relationship with
her sister and those around her. It is also an amazingly clean book with two protagonists—Miri who is in the eighth grade, and Rachel who is a
sophomore—that scan straddle the ages between middle and high schools. I’m not sure it warrants buying the series if money is tight and the previous
books aren’t already on the shelf, but it is a cute enough continuation with positive messages (and even a few Harry Potter allusions, just so we know
that Harry Potter isn’t real, but Rachel and Miri are) and a fun style that would make it a worthy addition to any “chick lit” section. It might be noted
that Sarah Mlynowski was a co-author of How to be Bad, a book that I found much more to my personal liking.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Mora, Pat
TITLE: Wiggling Pockets / Los bolsillos saltarines
RATING: AD
PUBLISHER: 2009
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 978006085470
INTEREST LEVEL: PS-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Maribel Suarez
PAGES: UNP.
This story is written in both English and Spanish. Danny comes inside to join his family at the dinner table and Mom notices that his pockets are
wiggling. Danny reaches into his pockets and brings out lots of little green frogs. They jump everywhere--into the sink, onto Grandma’s apron, onto his
sister’s head and right onto mom’s cherry pie. The whole family helps collect the frogs so they can hop away outside. The family is cheerful about the
whole incident. This book is part of a series called My Family / Mi familia. Libraries that need bilingual books might want to look into this series.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Moran, Katie
TITLE: Bloodline
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press,  2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4083-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 297
Bloodline is an odd blend of historical fiction and fantasy. Set in the time when the Anglo-Saxons were invading Britain, this story captures one event
when the Wolf Folk were struggling against King Penda. Essa, the main character is dropped with the Wolf Folk by his father, Cai. As he grows older,
Essa discovers that he is able to temporarily inhabit animals, and even occasionally bend those animals wills to his own. His life changes when a man
tries to kill him, followed by Egric, the atheling (a prince of sorts), has Essa wear his ring (signifying allegiance and obedience) and asks Essa to spy on
Penda. Essa takes matters into his own hands and not only discovers his father alive and well in Penda’s camp, but then goes on to form a friendship
with Prince Wulf, and, together with Wulf and Wulf’s new bride, goes on to Ad Gefren to try to enlist the help of King Godsrule to encourage King
Penda to call of his plans to annihilate the Wolf Folk. When Godsrule refuses, Essa returns to Egric and the story ends with Penda’s invasion. The story
can be hard to follow at times, thought it appears the author tried to be true to the phraseology and belief systems of the times in her storytelling. A
prologue rather than an author’s note explaining the historical significance of the tale might have made it easier to follow. Students who are diehard fans
of the period might find it an okay book, but most won’t be able to follow it or will not appreciate how the story represented the struggles of the people
inhabiting that isle.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Mowll, Joshua
TITLE: Operation Strom City
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA © 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4224-2
15
RATING: R
PRICE: $16.99
INTEREST LEVEL: 6-9
ILLUSTRATOR : Joshua Mowll, et al.
PAGES: 273
This is a great book. Third in a series, it made me wish that I had read the other two books. It’s set in post world war India. Doug and Becca are looking
for their parents who have been missing through the other two books. There’s a secret society, mysterious symbols, airships and a threat to the world.
This is a page turner with neat fold-outs that show the hidden compartments and cut aways of the big airships. There are insets that explain the essentials
along the way. The kids save the world and find their parents, so everything gets covered. What an adventure!
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
Myers, Anna
TITLE: Spy!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Walker & Company,  2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9742-3
INTEREST LEVEL: 6 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 208
Beloved schoolmaster Nathan Hale is best known for his quote “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” A paraphrasing of a line from
the play Cato is just one of the surprising tidbits of history mined by the author to create this incredible piece of historical fiction focusing on the life of
one of the first spies in the Revolutionary War. It’s a tender book that follows the paths of the real life Nathan Hale and a fictional boy, Jonah Hawkins,
who is first taught by Nathan and then witnesses his hanging for treason. Not every student will love it because of the subject matter. It is a an excellent
literary pairing, though, with information about the Revolutionary War. For students who may not have either the maturity or the reading capacity for
some of Shaara’s works, this is an excellent beginning.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Negron, Ray
TITLE: One Last Time, Good-Bye to Yankee Stadium
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Collins
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-147162-9
INTEREST LEVEL: Kdg-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Laura Seeley
PAGES: 38
As the time came for the wrecking ball to demolish the Yankee Stadium, there was sadness but also hope. Although the old stadium needed to come
down due to its age, there was a new stadium that would be the place where records were broken and the Yankee family could continue. This is an
interesting way of saying goodbye to an American baseball landmark that would not soon be forgotten. The current bat boy has the magic to bring back
the greatest players that were a part of the Yankee family throughout its history. With Ray, the bat boy’s help, they play one last amazing game in the
old stadium and talk about how it is time to move on with the new generation. This would be an emotional book for all of those Yankee fans for even
just fans of the game. I would recommend it for any elementary library.
Reviewer: Angie Boyer-Blum, Carrolls Elementary School
Novak, Matt
TITLE: The Everything machine
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press
PRICE: $19.99
ISBN: 9781596432864
INTEREST LEVEL: 2
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <27>
The Everything Machine does everything for the Quirkians. It paints, grows food, cleans houses, mows lawns, colored books, and even scratched backs. Whe
quit working the Quirkians did everything to get it working including calling a repair person. While in repair the Quirkians had to do their own chores and the
like doing. The Everything Machine was fixed and again began to take over doing the chores, but the people did not want it to do them anymore. So they stop
doing the chores. All but one chore; back scratching!
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
TITLE: Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School
RATING: NR
PUBLISHER: Random House
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 9780375838118
INTEREST LEVEL: 2
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: unp
I am not recommending this for a school library. It is a journal-form that invites writing in. Stickers are included in the back.
But, it is cleverly written. The chapters are: Getting Started, Getting there, Getting Bossed Around, Getting in Trouble, Getting Graded, Getting Smiley. It is
aloud using a “Junie B” voice.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Perkins, Mitali
TITLE: Secret Keeper
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-385-73340-3
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 225
We have read the stories of mean girls with fascination, so it is both appropriate and refreshing to read a book about personal sacrifice and honoring
one’s promises that has a happy ending, but doesn’t have the ending that one would suspect. Asha Gupta’s father leaves for America to find work as an
engineer during the partition. He leaves her with a locking diary (which she refers to as her Secret Keeper) and the commitment to look after her mother
and older sister. This book delves into the Indian culture of castes, arranged marriages, and the proper behavior for a girl. When Asha’s Baba (father)
dies, she must find a way to be strong for all of the members of her family, and she does—by giving up the true love of her life in order to insure her
sister’s well being and mother’s ongoing care. This is a touching book with a strong female character set in the early seventies when Indira Ghandi was
attempting to bring her country through turbulent times. The cultural background of the author makes for a truly wonderful perspective. This would be
a good fictional piece to recommend for students who enjoy the works of Suzanne Staples.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Pfeffer, Susan Beth
TITLE: The Dead and the Gone
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harcourt,  2008
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 978-0-15-206311-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 308
What starts as a good evening with a bright future, a good job, and a hefty tip for Alex Morales quickly turns Apocalyptic when it is discovered that a
meteor has knocked the moon out of its orbit. This turn of events leads to other, equally dire, natural disasters, and by the end of the story nearly
Park, Barbara
16
everyone Alex cares about has died. In spite of the gloomy plot, this story has a strong theme of faith and strength. The book focuses not only on
Alex’s struggles to keep what remains of his family together but also his devout Catholic upbringing which sustains him even in severe trauma. The
writing is good, the plot believable, and the topic gut wrenching. It was much like watching The Pursuit of Happyness, viewers continue to hold on in
the hope that at least SOMETHING will finally go right for the protagonist. Readers who enjoy the genre will not be disappointed. This might also
have a strong curricular tie for classes dealing with philosophy or religion.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Polacco, Patricia
TITLE: Picnic at Mud Sock Meadow
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Puffin Books 2009
PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780142416920
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Same
PAGES: UNP.
Young William wants to impress young Hester at the Grange Hall Halloween picnic, but fails miserably at everything he tries. That is until an eerie
light comes up out of the swamp. Everyone is sure it is a ghost, but William is sure that it is just swamp gas. He alone runs down to the edge of the
swamp and jumps right into the eerie light. It turns out to be swamp gas after all and William wins Hester’s attention at last. This will be a fun book to
read at Halloween time. This was first published in 1992 and the illustrations reflect that day and age, but they are so festive and expressive that I’m
sure children will enjoy them just as much now.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
TITLE: In our Mothers’ House
RATING: R*
PUBLISHER: Philomel Books
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780399250767
INTEREST LEVEL: 4+
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <44>
I recommend this book with reservations. It is a story of two women who create a home and raise a family of adopted kids. The story is beautiful and caring a
great thought. Personally, I would love to share it to my students but I cannot defend it to families who do not agree with this lifestyle. I will keep it on my pr
shelf for teachers and perhaps one day some children who need this book with want to read it.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Polacco, Patricia
Post., Peggy
TITLE: Table manners for kids
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-111709-1
INTEREST LEVEL: Adult
ILLUSTRATOR : Steve Bjorkman
PAGES: 96
This is really more of reference book or a book that could be used by adults to teach children manners. I think there is a place for teaching manners, but
this is not an easy read and the detail that it covers is beyond the kind of kids I’m teaching. Most of them are not interested in whether to use fingers or a
fork. This is an exhaustive book for all kinds of manners, but I’m not sure it has a place in the life of a child that cannot remember to say “thank you” to
their librarian!
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
Prose, Francine
TITLE: Rhino, Rhino, Sweet Potato
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Harpercollins
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780060080785
INTEREST LEVEL: 2
ILLUSTRATOR: Matthew S.Armstrong
PAGES: <26>
The hero of this book, Roy lived in Sweet Potato where they grew sweet potatoes. Attacking rhinos from across the river ate all the potatoes. Sweet Potato he
to kill the enemies. Roy had a better plan to divert the rhinos. He rowed across to the rhino land and sang them into submission. He taught them how to root u
and plant their own sweet potatoes, carry water, and tend to the plant until they grew tall. So both sides of the river have their crops of sweet potatoes and Roy
rhino lullaby.
The illustrations are colorful, fanciful and entertaining. The font choice was perfect to match the illustrations. The story line seems uninteresting to kids. Yet,
helping others to improve rather than hurting each other is a terrific teaching tool.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Rapp, Adam
TITLE: Punkzilla
RATING: RPUBLISHER: Candlewick Press,  2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3031-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 244
This was a hard book. Jamie is a fourteen year old ADHD young man who is against everything his structured military father stands for. After being
busted with pot and some stolen goods, Jamie is sent to Buckner military school where he is miserable enough to go AWOL. This book is a series of
letters sent between Jamie, his brother Peter (who is gay, dying of cancer, and living in Memphis), his mother, father, and various other people whom
Jamie encounters in his cross country effort to get from Portland to Memphis. It is an interesting story with many karmic twists (Jamie admits how he
used to steal iPods from unsuspecting people, but then is jumped himself in a Greyhound background). The language is hard and the life is hard, so it is
not for the faint of heart. Adults can recognize the desire to help the young man who seems bent on the self-destructive self-determination. There are
several wolf references. This has a place in a collection of realistic fiction, and the cover with its anarchy symbol will appeal to young people, but be
aware that strong language and sexual content are a part of this book.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Reger, Rob & Jessica Gruner
TITLE: Emily the Strange: The Lost Days
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-145229-1
ILLUSTRATOR: Rob Reger & Buzz Parker
17
RATING: Ad
PRICE: $16.99
INTEREST LEVEL: 7-12
PAGES: 266
Thirteen reasons this is a strange book/diary to read: 1. doodles and illustrations, 2. a perchance for lists of 13 items, 3. Emily as Earwig because she
has amnesia, 4. a mysterious town of beige, 5. a beautiful barista named Raven who, uhhh, talks little, 6. a love triangle of number five with Umlaut
and Attikol, 7. Attikol proves his love for Raven by moving all buildings one inch, 8. Umlaut runs a strange traveling show, 9. Jakey, in the show, can
read minds, 10. Emily/Earwig has strange allies, 11. the founder of the town had powers like Emily/Earwig, 12. Emily/Earwig must solve this mystery
about the town and herself with a great disadvantage? (see #3), AND 13. this crazy story was engaging, page-turning, and would be a fun introduction
to journaling.
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Rennison, Louise
TITLE: Stop in the Name of Pants
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen,  2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-145932-0
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 310
Georgia Nicolson continues her confessions in this, the ninth installment, of the series. I read number seven: Startled by his Furry Shorts, and vaguely
remembered the lingo that peppered this prose and was prepared to enjoy the book. Ah, disappointment. There is very little backstory, and that is the
good news. In this tome, Georgia’s older boyfriend, Masimo, is spending the summer holiday in Italy with his family. Georgia is trying to get along
without him, help her best matey mates navigate their own luurve (love) situations while she also deals with the possibility that her parents will divorce.
Her cat, Angus, also gets hit by a car and has a few touch and go moments. Thrown into this rather dizzying mix is Dave the Laugh who snogged
(kissed—the Glossary at the back helps translate into American English for those of us on this side of the pond) her at the school sponsored equivalent
of outdoor school. The plot doesn’t do much to give any point to the story. It just seems to be a rambling on about events, and, while it was humorous
two books ago, it just seems rather catty and vapid in this edition. The titles are humorous, and the covers promise great fun inside. There are the
raunchy bits promised on the dust jacket, but it wasn’t entirely “laugh-till-the-soda-comes-out-your-nose humor” as promised. If you have the other
books, this one should probably be part of the package, but beware, the readers’ romance with the main character may be winding down.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Reynolds, Aaron
TITLE: Superhero school
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9781599901664
INTEREST LEVEL: 3
ILLUSTRATOR: Andy Rash
PAGES: < 30>
This story is a great one to motivate reluctant math learners.
Leonard is a superhero headed to Superhero School to learn to battle forces of evil, or so he thinks. But after the first few days of division and multiplication h
convinced he does not like school. The students receive a threat note that the teachers have been captured and the students will have to save them. AHA! Usi
skills they divide up in teams and divide the enemy to save the teachers. Mr. Tornado the teacher congratulated them on passing their math quiz.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Rich, Naomi
TITLE: Alis
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Viking,  2009
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-670-01125-4
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 274
What happens when religious fanaticism turns so-called godly people into hateful beings? This story. In a tale reminiscent of Shirley Jackson’s The
Lottery, this tale is of a group of communities that are becoming more and more repressive under the guise of following the Book. When Alis is told
that it is the Maker’s will that she marry the forty-year-old minister, she rebels. In a careful series of plans, she runs away from her home in Freeborne
to the City where she meets up with her brother who had run away several years before. He is now leading a lawless band of youngsters who have no
compunction whatsoever about using knives and the baser desires of people in order to rob those people. After a year of living roughly, and, in a tale
similar to the Biblical tale of the Prodigal Son, Alis decides that living at home in the community is not as bad as things could be. She attempts to meet
up with Luke, the minister’s grandson of another small town with whom she has fallen in love, but when she is told that he has died of the fever, she
accepts her fate and returns to marry the minister of Freeborne. It is an unconsummated marriage, with some complications as she discovers when Luke
meets up with her now husband. This particular story raises many of the theological questions that plague Christianity today, but does so with a
character that is determined to remain strong while learning about her Maker. For classes dealing in comparative religion or ethics, this book has some
definite possibility. Also, for girls who like historical fiction and strong female characters, this book will have an appeal.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Ritchie, Madonna
TITLE: The English Roses, Runway Rose
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Puffin Books
PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780142411261
INTEREST LEVEL: 3
ILLUSTRATOR: Jeffrey Fulvimari
PAGES: 124
Madonna has written this series of books about a group of modern, cool, hip girls and their lives. In Runway Rose, one of the girls has been asked to participa
Marks & Spencer Teen Fashion Week. Amy has to learn about making lattes, which starts out as a disaster, run errands for Nigel, the fashion coordinator, yet
a learning experience, plus she meets a boy, Simon who is the set carpenter. She later is able to show her fashion drawings to Nigel and he is impressed. Am
the fashion show and all turns out well. Within the story, the girls text each other and the language reflects this.
The girls in 4th and 5th grade will love this story.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Rockwell, Anne
TITLE: Whoo! Whoo! Goes the train
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780061138614
INTEREST LEVEL: K-1
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <32>
Allan loves trains. He collects trains, decorates his room with train posters, plays with toy trains, and read train books. On his first train ride he loves the soun
He ends his ride at “Trainland” and rides other kinds of trains.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
18
Rockwell, Anne
TITLE: Open the Door to Liberty!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin
PRICE: 18.00
ISBN: 9780618605705
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-8th
ILLUSTRATOR: R. Gregory Christie
PAGES: 64
This is a fascinating biography of Toussaint L’Ouverture. Born about 1743 in the Caribbean island of what is now known as Haiti, Toussaint was a
sickly slave baby who grew into a man with a mission. His mission was to claim liberty for his beloved island then known as St. Domingue. The drama
that plays out is exciting and compelling. The illustrations are okay but not my favorite.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Root, Phyllis
TITLE: Toot Toot Zoom!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick
PRICE: 15.99
ISBN: 9780763634520
INTEREST LEVEL: Pkdg-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Matthew Cordell
PAGES: UNP
The fun part of Pierre and his travels to find a friend are the sound effects which children can eagerly provide just at the right moment. Pierre is looking
for friends in his red motor car and picks up goat, sheep and bear along the way. Pierre is not clever enough to realize he has found his friends already
until he reaches the other side of the mountain. The illustrations add to the fun.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse
TITLE: Yes Day!
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers
PRICE: $14.99
ISBN: 9780061152597
INTEREST LEVEL: 1
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <30>
This book is sewn and not library bound. Once a year the little boy has “Yes” day where whatever he asks for the answer is yes. He has pizza for breakfast an
his room tomorrow and choose his groceries, plus more fun events. His parents join in the fun.
What a fun concept for school day; a way to say yes to all questions. Clever!
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Roth, Carol
TITLE: All aboard to work-choo-choo!
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Co
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780807502716
INTEREST LEVEL: 1
ILLUSTRATOR: Steve Lavis
PAGES: < 29>
After hugs and kisses the mommy and daddy animal characters head to work on the train. The Fireman Cat in his hat and the Nifty Newt in his business suit a
board. In progressive repetition and rhyme they all arrive at work and at the end of the day they to back home to be mommies and daddies.
The Kindergarten will enjoy the repetitive of the verses and the rhyming of the words.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Say, Allen
TITLE: Erika-San
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
PRICE: $17.00
ISBN: 9780618889334
INTEREST LEVEL:
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <29>
As a little girl, Erika eyed a photo on the wall of her Grandmother’s house of a small cottage in Japan. She fell in love with it and vowed to go there someday.
grew up, she left to teach in Japan and requested to be in a quiet, small community. Making friends with one of the other teachers, she found a house similar to
and discovered it to be a tea house. Secretly, she learned to perform the tea ceremony and practiced on her new friend. The two teachers fell in love and later
Erika’s dream was fulfilled.
Allen Say writes poignant and lovely family stories of the Asian culture. The illustrations are soft and lovely.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Seuss, Dr.
TITLE: Seuss-isms, wise and witty prescriptions for living from the good doctor
PUBLISHER: Random House
PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780679883562
INTEREST LEVEL: k-adult
ILLUSTRATOR: Seuss
PAGES: <25>
This a reprint of his gift edition (pocket-sized) of quotes from Dr. Seuss books that can be related to life. The quotes seem more relevant to adults’ lives, yet al
somehow connect to Dr. Seuss’ words and pictures. I love it and so do kids.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Seuss, Dr.
TITLE: Seuss-isms for success, insider tips on economic health from the good doctor
PUBLISHER: Random House
PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780679894773
INTEREST LEVEL: K-adult
ILLUSTRATOR: Seuss
PAGES: <25>
This is a reprint of his gift edition (pocket-size) of quotes from Dr. Seuss books that can all be related to the economy. The quotes seem more relevant to adult
all kids can somehow connect to Dr. Seuss’ words and pictures. I love it and so do kids.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Silag, Lucy
TITLE: Beautiful Americans
RATING: NR
19
PUBLISHER: RazorBill 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-1142928-6
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: none
PAGES: 308
Has Lucy Silag traveled to study abroad with an unfortunate cast of spoilt, rich kids? After reading Beautiful Americans, I have to wonder. Poor girl!
Here is a group of self-indulgent, odd, sexually cavalier high school students whose self-indulgence should make those who spawned them denounce
future parenthood. At least I now know designer brands. Secrets? PJ’s is mauled by a French politician, and that is a bigger story than her parents.
Alex is a stereotypical label girl who has to get the clothes and boy and sex she wants. Zack is so stereotypical of a gay teenager, that his
characterization will make gays mad. Olivia is okay; actually, I did like her character. She was typical of an artist who really could not breathe without
her dance, almost to her detriment in healing. This is called “wickedly juicy” by a reviewer. I think it is drivel, soap-opera-ish, and my students will not
find it memorable. On page 191 it should read “drumming out the beat” not “beet” though that is a pretty humorous image. If the TGV is one hour late,
Paris transportation workers are on strike. The TGV is on-time. To walk to the Arc d’Triomphe one must walk in an underground tunnel, but I guess
some suicidal person could attempt the roundabout. I just don’t care about these characters, even if they walked across the roundabout.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Silverman, Erica
TITLE: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Harcourt Children’s Books 2009
PRICE: $15.00
ISBN: 97800152053901
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Betsy Lewin
PAGES: UNP.
This is the fifth book in the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series. It is intended for children who are making the transition from picture to chapter books (little
girls who love horses will probably be most interested in this series). Kate wakes up to find her horse, Cocoa, in the house. Cocoa says he is tired of the
barn and wants to explore the house. After looking over Kate’s bedroom, Cocoa declares that her stall is too small. The bathroom stall is even smaller.
He does like the bathtub, though. It looks like it would hold lots of oats. Cocoa’s favorite stall is the kitchen. He especially likes the refrigerator since
it is full of veggies that he likes. Kate feeds him some carrots and apples, and then they return to the barn where Cocoa decides he likes the smell of
saddle leather and fresh hay. This is a very refreshing book with delightful illustrations.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Singer, Nicky
TITLE: Gem X
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Holiday House, 2008, 2006
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2108-4
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 311
Well, I must say that between the Bones book this month and GemX I am definitely into the future past and the future to come. GemX, Maxo, is an
amazingly perfect, engineered son of the top scientist and top art connoisseur of the Polis. One day, along with other GemXs, Maxo screams as he
discovers a crack at the corner of one eye. On "the other side of the tracks" is Gala, a beautiful Natural, a Dreggie, whom Maxo sees on the TropScreen
and instantly falls for. When he meets her he beams in on her delicate foot which he asks to kiss, a pretty hysterical scene, appreciated, as this is not a
humorous book. Anyway, the Leaderene, Euphony Clore, what a celeb, decrees that the faulty GemXs must be destroyed as they are not perfect. To
appease their parents, the Dreggies are framed, with Gala's brother Phyllo being the chief malignancy to eradicate. I know it sounds complicated, but it is
entertaining and easy to follow, with more to come than what I divulged. And, I am hoping for a sequel.
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Singer, Nicky
TITLE: Gem X
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Holiday House, 2008, 2006
PRICE: $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2108-4
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 311
Well, I must say that between the Bones book this month and GemX I am definitely into the future past and the future to come. GemX, Maxo, is an
amazingly perfect, engineered son of the top scientist and top art connoisseur of the Polis. One day, along with other GemXs, Maxo screams as he
discovers a crack at the corner of one eye. On "the other side of the tracks" is Gala, a beautiful Natural, a Dreggie, whom Maxo sees on the TropScreen
and instantly falls for. When he meets her he beams in on her delicate foot which he asks to kiss, a pretty hysterical scene, appreciated, as this is not a
humorous book. Anyway, the Leaderene, Euphony Clore, what a celeb, decrees that the faulty GemXs must be destroyed as they are not perfect. To
appease their parents, the Dreggies are framed, with Gala's brother Phyllo being the chief malignancy to eradicate. I know it sounds complicated, but it is
entertaining and easy to follow, with more to come than what I divulged. And, I am hoping for a sequel.
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Smith, Cynthia Leitich
TITLE: Eternal
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press,  2009
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3573-2
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 307
Weary of the vampire genre, I was prepared to dislike this book but wanted to retain my objectivity. It turns out; aside from some somewhat goofy
dialogue on the part of Zach (the Guardian Angel) this was a pretty fascinating story of redemption. This storyline pitted the forces of darkness
(vampires—now wanting to refer to themselves as the less repugnant “eternals”) against the forces of light (angels) with some interesting twists.
Miranda, the seventeen year old Zach is to guard, accompanies her best friend, Lucy, to a clandestine meeting at a cemetery in their hometown of Dallas,
Texas. To protect Miranda from falling into an open grave, Zach shows himself in all his radiant glory, and promptly gets his wings clipped and powers
revoked. Meanwhile, Miranda is bitten by THE vampire or appropriates her as his daughter. When Miranda wakes up, she is in a castle and now has
access to great wealth and the prestige of being Dracul’s daughter. There are downsides to said honor, however, as Dracul is a harsh taskmaster who
does not indulge himself in compassion. When Zach is revisited by the heavenly host, he is told that he must go to Chicago to destroy some evilness
there. This sets up the whole question: can a monster be saved? Is love sufficient to do it? Students who like the genre may find this book a little less
stilted in the voice than Twilight was, but will particularly enjoy the love between a vampire and an angel and how the two find a way to overcome
darkness.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
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TITLE: Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Company 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780807551990
INTEREST LEVEL: K-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Anne Kennedy
PAGES: UNP.
When Miss Fox shows up at school on her bicycle, the children want to know why and she tells them that since cars pollute the air she will ride her bike
instead of driving whenever it is possible. She tells them that she is “Going Green”. Her whole class decides to buy into “Going Green” and they
decide to recycle, use less energy and use less water. Her students all take the message home to their parents and pretty soon the whole school is “Going
Green.” When the principal shows up on his bicycle, the children know that “Going Green” has hit everyone. This will be a great book to share with
students in April when we celebrate Earth Day.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Spinelli, Eileen
Stanley, Diane
TITLE: Mozart, the wonder child
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Collins
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780060726744
INTEREST LEVEL: 3
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 42
Presented as string puppets Mozart the wonder child is a biography of the great composer Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgang Gottlieb Mozart by Diane Stanley
his talents at a young age of 3 dabbling at music and writing music by 4 and then he became a performer at age 5. His father took his family all over Europe to
17 Johannes worked for the prince arch bishop of Salzburg. He lost his sister Maria Anna in 1778, which was a very low point in his life. Later he was kicked
archbishop’s service. Living in Vienna he did many small musical jobs, married, and had a family. Lat in life he wrote his best work in opera. At age 35 he d
leaving the world with 600 musical works.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Stead, Philip Christian
TITLE: Creamed Tuna Fish & Peas on Toast
RATING: NR
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press, ©2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-1-59643-401-1
INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. 1-3
ILLUSTRATOR: Philip Christian Stead
PAGES: unp
Wild Man Jack, the father in the story, hates one dish more than anything in the world. When his children ask him what he would do if Mama Jane
served it, he always has an answer since he hates it the most. I did not like the way the children and parents interacted with their language in this book
and did not see or feel the rhyming effect which I know the story revolved around. In fact, the only thing I really did enjoy looking at was the
illustrations as they are an interesting collage. With my diminished budget, I would not buy this book for a school library.
Reviewer:
Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Stein, Tammar
TITLE: High Dive
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred Knopf, 2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-83024-2
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 201
Whoo hoo! I have found a wonderful young woman character in Arden Vogel whose quest to do the things that must be done, as her father instructed, is
fulfilled in High Dive. Arden high dives into impulsiveness by aborting her trip to Germany, dropping into Paris with three Texan co-eds she met on the
flight to Europe. Katie, the organizer, reserved a hostel at a great price for the Texans. With no room at the inn, Arden is reduced to paying an exorbitant
price, in cash, for a sleazy room in a dive hotel. I worried that the foursome were going to crash and burn any second, but they successfully made it to
Florence where the girls had reservations and a curfew in a convent. Arden's rapture of the statue of David was priceless, and her comments about the
beauty in Florence was great for anyone planning/hoping for a visit there. The crash and burn happened when Lola, one of the Texans, ran into two
guys from home. After sneaking them into the convent and a disgusting night with two drunk guys in her room, Arden packs up and leaves for her
original destination: the family vacation home in Sardinia. With her father dead and her mother on duty in Iraq, Arden has to do what has to be done, and
dives into preparing the home to sell. Wonderful events interlace the heartache of leaving her childhood memories.
Each of the four girls brought great life to the story. The wrapping of Arden's childhood memories around her current grief and anxieties show how
bitter herbs are mellowed by the sweet. We need more Ardens! Write more!
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Stein, Tammar
TITLE: High Dive
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Alfred Knopf, 2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-83024-2
INTEREST LEVEL: 11-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 201
Whoo hoo! I have found a wonderful young woman character in Arden Vogel whose quest to do the things that must be done, as her father instructed, is
fulfilled in High Dive. Arden high dives into impulsiveness by aborting her trip to Germany, dropping into Paris with three Texan co-eds she met on the
flight to Europe. Katie, the organizer, reserved a hostel at a great price for the Texans. With no room at the inn, Arden is reduced to paying an exorbitant
price, in cash, for a sleazy room in a dive hotel. I worried that the foursome were going to crash and burn any second, but they successfully made it to
Florence where the girls had reservations and a curfew in a convent. Arden's rapture of the statue of David was priceless, and her comments about the
beauty in Florence was great for anyone planning/hoping for a visit there. The crash and burn happened when Lola, one of the Texans, ran into two
guys from home. After sneaking them into the convent and a disgusting night with two drunk guys in her room, Arden packs up and leaves for her
original destination: the family vacation home in Sardinia. With her father dead and her mother on duty in Iraq, Arden has to do what has to be done, and
dives into preparing the home to sell. Wonderful events interlace the heartache of leaving her childhood memories.
Each of the four girls brought great life to the story. The wrapping of Arden's childhood memories around her current grief and anxieties show how
bitter herbs are mellowed by the sweet. We need more Ardens! Write more!
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School, http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
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Stoffels, Karlijn
TITLE: Heartsinger
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Arthur A. Levine Books,  2006
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-545-06929-8
INTEREST LEVEL: 7 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 134
Heartsinger is a difficult story to categorize. This is a book that will have a place in a collection dedicated to World Literature. It is poetic in its prose
and delivery with storytelling that is reminiscent of old Grimms tales. This shouldn’t be terrifically surprising since it is translated from the three year
old Dutch writing and is the first translation from this author. In this story, Mee (a singer of sorrows) encounters Mitou (a singer of joys). Throughout
the two individuals’ travels, they encounter love in all of its different facets. The two singers meet when a prince, hoping to win the favor of the
perpetually unseen Princess Esperanza, goes on a quest to bring the sorrow and joy singers to the princess and bring her out of her depressed stupor.
This quest covers some of the individual stories both of Mee, Mitou, and several of the people they have encountered. It’s a worthy story and would be
an excellent literary discussion springboard for a creative writing course. It is short, and quickly engages the romantic reader, but would not have mass
appeal—at least not right off. It’s a story that sticks with its readers, but those readers must be in the right frame of mind to appreciate it.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Uehashi, Nahoko
TITLE: Moribito
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Arthur A. Levine Books,  2008
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-545-00542-5
INTEREST LEVEL: 6 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 248
If this book seems to have the flavor of a Japanese story, that would be because the author is Japanese. The text was originally copyrighted in 1996, but
the story is timeless enough that readers will enjoy it. Balsa is an anomaly among women. She is a highly trained martial artist who has hired herself
out as a body guard. When she sees the second prince thrown off a bridge, she immediately leaps into the raging river to save him. As the story
progresses, we learn that the prince is housing the egg of the Water Spirit. This egg is hunted by the mythical creature, Rarunga, which seeks to devour
the egg and kill the egg’s host. Balsa’s task is to protect the prince and help the egg hatch, because without it, there will be a terrible drought. I have
noticed that sometimes distracting colloquialisms (like the word “kids” as well as clichés) make their way into translations. The effect is annoying to
me, but it’s something I doubt diehard fans will notice. Themes in this book deal with the idea of how of history can be changed to suit the current
people in power, discrimination, religion and politics, forgiveness, and self-reliance. Students looking for strong female characters will enjoy Balsa,
who is eminently capable of taking care of herself and others. The story was so popular in Japan that it has been made into the movie Ghost in the Shell
(a fairly well known anime movie) and a manga series. Students of any gender who are fans of all things Japanese or who particularly like Tamora
Pierce’s works will appreciate the story.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Van de Ruit, John
TITLE: Spud – the Madness Continues. . .
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Razorbill,  2008
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-1-59514-190-3
INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA
PAGES: 337
What to do with a book like this?!? The dust jacket promises laugh out loud moments, and the truth is, this book delivers. But the laughs are HIGHLY
irreverent and the content is a little more adult than some school librarians may be willing to tackle. The praises heaped upon the book are, not
surprisingly, from adult magazines rather than from school journals. In fact, one from Best Life magazine chortles: “A rare book that men and their sons
can laugh about together.” And that really does sum up this particular book. Set in the 1990s, this sequel chronicles the happenings of Spud (aka John
Milton) during his second year at his boarding school in South Africa. It starts with the family wagon breaking down on the way to school and goes
through everything from holidays to hazing of the first years to looking for pubic hairs so that he will no longer be a “Spud” but will become a young
man. In this book we continue our relationship with Spud’s crazed grandmother, Wombat, and his roommates who are unnaturally concerned with
whether or not people are gay, and who are determined to have sexual relations with anything that will sit still long enough. It is truly a journey through
adolescence and the attempt to find out who you are while not appearing too weak, and therefore, a target for those who are supposed to be your
“friends.” It is definitely bawdy, body humor, and for those boys who like a more risqué version of coming of age stories, this one will be a winner.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School
Van Draanen, Wenelin
TITLE: The Gecko and Sticky: the greatest power
RATING R
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-84377-8
INTEREST LEVEL: 3-5
ILLUSTRATOR : Stephen Gilpin
PAGES: 194
Dave is a 13-year-old boy who works as a courier and happens to own a talking gecko. He also has an Ancient Aztec wristband that allows him to be
invisible or to walk on walls, which comes in very handy in this story as he works to thwart an evil bank robber. Van Draanen has a zany narrative style
that will appeal to the grade school sense of humor. Much of the action takes place in the evil mastermind's mansion which is filled with gadgets,
trapdoors and even an espresso drinking (and making!) monkey who figures into the resolution when Dave and his gecko friend free it. Three goofy
(dumb) bad guys complete the mix for a hilarious story of good vs. evil with the inevitable outcome.
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Vernon, Ursula
TITLE: Dragonbreath
RATING: AD
PUBLISHER: Dial Books 2009
PRICE: $12.99
ISBN:9780803733633
INTEREST LEVEL: 3rd-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Same
PAGES: 148
Danny Dragonbreath is a mythical creature who must go to a school filled with regular reptiles. He has received an F on his Ocean report and must
rewrite it. He and his friend Wendell (an iguana) go to see his cousin Edward who is a sea serpent. Edward gives each boy a breath mint which will
enable them to breathe under water for a couple of hours. Edward then proceeds to take them on an underwater adventure. Danny and Wendell have
some pretty scary altercations with some of the creatures of the deep, but Danny ends up with plenty of good information for his report. The illustrations
22
in this book look amateurish, but go well with the story. I think this will be a book that guys will like.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Vivian, Siobhan
TITLE: Same Difference
RATING: Ad
PUBLISHER: Push, 2009
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-545-00407-1
INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: none
PAGES: 287
This book, like Beautiful Americans, Sophomore Switch, and Vidalia in Paris presents a view of what a change in venue does for a teenager. All
involve summer school experiences, except for Sophomore Switch. Emily, a talented artist and member of the “in” crowd at school is given an
opportunity to go to an artist summer school in Philadelphia. I must admit that Philly is now a travel destination for me, as Vivian drew an attractive
picture of the city. Emily is hesitant about going, doubting her artistic abilities, but realizing that her best friend is increasingly absorbed by a new
romance. Emily joins bizarre Fiona and her followers and traipses through the city’s art scene. The characters are a bit stock, but drawn well.
Compared with the other three books, I admire it most. I think a librarian could wait for the paperback version.
Reviewer: Joan Enders, Librarian, Robert A. Long High School http://whattoreadwhattoread.blogspot.com
Wallace, Nancy Elizabeth
TITLE: Rocks! Rocks! Rocks!
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Marshall Cavendish
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780761455288
INTEREST LEVEL: 2
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: <35>
Rocks! Rocks! Rocks! Is like a field trip in story form. The bear characters, Buddy and Mama take a hike on a trail that has different types of rock areas and si
information. The text includes rock facts and even riddles. They meet Rock Ridge Ranger Roxie at Rock Stop 3. She introduces them to types of rocks with p
facts. There are suggestions for how to use rocks and explore them, collect them and how to care for a trail on your rock hunt. Good book for introduction to n
through a story that could be shelved in an Everybody section.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
TITLE: Uncle Andy’s Cats
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: GP. Putnam’s Sons 2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780399251801
INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Same
PAGES: UNP.
The author of this book is Andy Warhol’s nephew. His inspiration was an actual incident from his youthful visits to his uncle. He tells in this book
about how his uncle started out with one cat named Hester then went out and got Sam to keep her company. Sam and Hester had lots of little Sams, so
many, in fact, that both Uncle Andy and his mother painted pictures of cats and turned them into books as a way to get people to come and adopt the
cats. The book is full of delightful pictures. This could be a good lead in to a discussion about Andy Warhol, the famous artist.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Warhola, James
TITLE: Pharaoh’s boat
RATING R
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $18.00
ISBN: 978-0-547-05341-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 4-8
ILLUSTRATOR : David Weitzman
PAGES: NP
Though the format is a picture book, this book has a complete history of how the oldest, largest and most complete ship was discovered and how it
was reconstructed. It shows the construction of the boat by the ancient shipbuilders for their pharaoh, as well as the current day reconstruction at the
hands of a dedicated Egyptian restoration expert. It is equally a story of the boat and the many different circumstances that led to its preservation and
reconstruction. Illustrations and diagrams help to explain the techniques that are being described. Although I expected an elementary level book, this is
an interesting history and a wonderful story about a man who would not give up on a dream.
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Weitzman, David
Wells, Tina
TITLE: Mackenzie Blue
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins, New York, NY © 2009
PRICE: $10.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-158308-7
INTEREST LEVEL: 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR : Michael Segawa
PAGES: 208
Mackenzie (Zee to her friends) is nervous about her fist day as a 7 th grader. Her best friend has moved to Paris and she feels like she doesn’t have other
good friends, except a boy from England named Jasper. Then she loses her diary and her secrets start showing up on the first period’s white board. With
texting bubbles and “Dear Diary” pages mixed into the text, she navigates through new friends, music show (like on TV!) try-outs and finds herself and
the diary thief in the process. A quick read with a positive message, 4 th-6th graders will like this fast-paced school-days story. One reference to “boobs”
(she wishes she had them) can’t keep this off your shelves.
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Kessler Elementary
Wild, Margaret
TITLE: Piglet and Granny
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Abrams Books for Young Readers, ©2009
PRICE: $15.95
ISBN: 978-0-8109-4063-5
INTEREST LEVEL: PreK-Gr.2
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
PAGES: unp
Piglet is waiting for her granny to come and spend the day with her. But it is taking a long time so Piglet practices some of the things that her granny
taught her to do like walking on a wall for good balance, chasing butterflies for faster running, playing hide-and-seek in the long grass. Along the way
many of the animals encourage her that granny will come soon. When granny comes and explains why she is late, Piglet is excited to play with granny
on the splashy slide that she has created. The illustrations are delightful and add a whimsical feeling to the story. The reader just knows that everything
will be all right if you are patient while you wait.
Reviewer:
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Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Winkler, Henry and Oliver, Lin
TITLE: A tale of two tails
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Grosset & Dunlap
PRICE: $13.99
ISBN: 9780448443799
INTEREST LEVEL: 3
ILLUSTRATOR:
PAGES: 155
Another funny adventure of Hank Zipzer, the world’s greatest underachiever put out by Henry Winkler. In this plot, Hank wants to train his dog Cheerio to be
animal mascot. His team of friends is supportive until they meet Cheerio and think he cannot do any trick, etc. So they defect to his little sister’s team. Yet, H
perseveres to train Cheerio. In the end, the bully loses out and Cheerio is the champ and the most popular.
This story is a great bully discussion starter.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
TITLE: Miss Little’s Gift
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Pres, ©2009
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-1686-1
INTEREST LEVEL: GR. 3-6
ILLUSTRATOR: Jim Burke
PAGES: unp
The author tells a touching story about himself in second grade. He is ADHD, had difficulty concentrating and even more difficulty learning to read.
But his second grade teacher, Miss Little, gave him extra practice after school every day even though he wanted to be outside playing with others.
While reading books that Miss Little gave him, he discovered The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown which reminded him of the islands in
Minnesota that he visited with his grandfather. The book is a tribute to his teacher and to the gift of reading which she inspired in him. The illustrations
by Burke complement the text and the reader can feel the passion of the author. This would be a great book to read-aloud to students to show how
reading has an impact on people. It is also a wonderful way to show how a real book is part of this story, too.
Reviewer:
Ginny Flegel, Beacon Hill Elementary
Wood, Douglas
Worley, Rob M. (adapted by)
TITLE: Snowbound Mystery
RATING: AD
PUBLISHER: Abdo 2009
PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 97808075154
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 7-10
ILLUSTRATOR: Mike Dubisch
PAGES: 31
This is Gertrude Chandler Warner’s Boxcar Children’s Snowbound Mystery made into a graphic novel. Fans of the Boxcar Children may or may not
enjoy this adaptation. In this mystery the Alden children take a school break vacation up in the woods. Their Grandpa drops them off and tells them he
will be back in one week to pick them up. While up there, they meet a family who runs a little store. A freak snow time strands the children in their
cabin and the young family manages to hike in to see if the children are okay. They stay the night and during the night the room caves in and a secret
recipe the family had been looking for crashes down with the roof. The children are rescued and the young family moves to town and starts up a bakery
using the secret recipe. I’m sure children will be wondering why the children were allowed to stay by themselves without adult supervision, but that was
the way Chandler chose to write her books. She wanted the children to be independent.
Reviewer: Gloria Bailey, Northlake Elementary
Yolen, Jane
TITLE: My uncle Emily
RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Philomel Books
PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780399240058
INTEREST LEVEL: 4
ILLUSTRATOR: Nancy Carpenter
PAGES: <26>
Young Gib’s Uncle Emily is his aunt Emily Dickinson. He lives next door to her and she writes him a poem to take to school along with a dead bee. At schoo
reads the poem and Gilbert is teased and one boy calls his aunt names causing him to fight him off. Both are punished by standing in the corners with dunce h
Gilbert is asked about his limp and he tells a heroic version of the story. Uncle Emily knows better and reminds him through poetry to always tell the truth.
This is a historical fiction in a picture book form. It is a lovely way to share the life of a great poet through the eyes of a child. It is evident that students will b
to read Emily Dickinson poetry after hearing this story.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Yorinks, Arthur
TITLE: Homework
RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Walker & Company
PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780802795854
INTEREST LEVEL: 3
ILLUSTRATOR: Richard Egielski
PAGES: <25>
Tony does not like to do his homework. Each evening he sits on his bed, reads a comic book and falls asleep. One night his writing utensils come to life and t
story. After much arguing they pump out an adventure. Not realizing what it was, Tony finds it and tosses it into the trash. But, when he starts his own story
the one his pens and pencils and eraser wrote.
The story is clever, yet it could have had a better, more in-depth plot from this author.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
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