Grades 5 and Up
-- School Library Journal, 12/1/2005
Fiction
ABBOTT, Hailey. Next Summer. 230p. (A Summer Boys Novel). Scholastic. 2005. pap. $8.99. ISBN 0-439-75540-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–This sequel to Summer Boys (Scholastic, 2004) stands on its own. The Tuttle girls are getting ready for another summer at the family's beach cottage. Beth, though excited about spending time with her cousins, is depressed over leaving her boyfriend, George. Sisters Ella and Kelsi have mixed feelings about the upcoming summer as well. Kelsi had a horrific breakup the previous year and wants a boy-free vacation so she can hang out with the girls and have fun. Ella, the party animal, is tired of all the hook ups. All she wants is a committed relationship with a nice guy. Unfortunately, this summer turns out to be filled with more drama than any of the teens could have realized: Beth is hanging out far too much with a George-look-alike lifeguard; Kelsi keeps running into frat boy Tim, who is totally not her type, and Ella has found the perfect boy, but can't seem to attract him–a first for her! The teens are believable characters and their experiences will have readers laughing and crying along with them. There are episodes of drinking, serious making out, and discussions about sexual encounters, but there are no graphic scenes. Written in an accessible style, this romance will attract both avid and reluctant readers.–Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL
ABELA, Deborah. Mission: In Search of the Time and Space Machine. illus. by George O'Connor. 216p. (Spy Force Series). S & S/A Paula Wiseman Bk. 2005. Tr $9.95. ISBN 0-689-87357-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Max Remy, 11, spends much of her time alone because her divorced parents are busy with their high-powered jobs. To pass the time she writes stories about super spy Alex Crane and the top-secret agency, Spy Force. Little does she dream that she will soon be involved in an adventure to rival those of her protagonist. She is horrified to learn that she will be spending the summer at her relatives' farm in Pennsylvania, but all is not as it seems there. Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Ben are actually brilliant scientists who left a covert operation when they discovered that the head of their agency was corrupt. Uncle Ben has continued working on his invention–the Matter Transporter–and he now has perfected it. Impulsively, Max decides to use it herself to find Ben's estranged brother. She convinces neighbor Linden to go along for the ride and sets the Transporter for London. Tracking Francis down takes some work, and along the way they attract the attention of Eleanor and Ben's former supervisor. He will stop at nothing to obtain the machine that Francis is working on, and he follows and kidnaps Max and Linden. Using their wits (and the Transporter), they escape. Filled with nonstop action, the story is sure to be a hit with fans of adventure mysteries and the "Spy Kids" films. Alex Crane's adventures are interspersed throughout the book, and at the end Max discovers that there really is a Spy Force–that just might need her help in the future.–Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
ABELA, Deborah. Mission: Spy Force Revealed. illus. by George O'Connor. 277p. (Spy Force Series). S & S/A Paula Wiseman Bk. 2005. Tr $9.95. ISBN 0-689-87358-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Max(ine) Remy, 11, is a typical, if unusually klutzy kid, stuck in a new school with no friends, a mother with a new boyfriend, and a negative attitude about everything. In this installment in the series, while visiting her aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania, she and Linden are invited to visit the Spy Force headquarters in London, where they will be made full-fledged members of the team. An invisible jet whisks them to England, where they join Ella, another young spy (whose friendship with Linden drives Max crazy with jealousy) and the entire cast of mad scientists and chefs who run the organization. They are given a mission: to stop evil Mr. Blue from controlling the minds of all children. Max soon realizes that being a spy doesn't immediately solve all of her problems, most of which hinge on the fact that she is a negative person with almost no sense of humor. The tale moves along at a brisk pace and has lots of fun details. Fans of the "Spy Kids" franchise and Roald Dahl's imaginative worlds will find much to like, despite a heroine who needs to lighten up a bit.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library
AMESSÉ, Susan. Kissing Brendan Callahan. 149p. CIP. Roaring Brook/A Deborah Brodie Bk. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59643-015-X. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–It's summer on Staten Island, NY, and Sarah is adjusting to having a new baby brother. The soon-to-be seventh grader is a passionate, budding romance writer who wants to be free of her journalist mother's overbearing, closed-minded, fact-based way of thinking. Sarah wants to model her work after Antonia DeMarco, her favorite author and judge of a local writing contest. She is certain that when Antonia reads her play, she will recognize her talent. Unfortunately, Sarah isn't allowed to participate because her mom is in charge of the competition. Enter Brendan, her pesky but cute neighbor, who is determined to become a comedian. He encourages Sarah to stand up for herself and enter the contest under a pseudonym. The plot takes many twists and turns as the protagonist struggles with her budding independence and her emerging interest in Brendan. With the help of her brother's new nanny, Sarah learns that people aren't always what they seem. She discovers that Antonia is a selfish fraud, that Brendan isn't the immature creep she thought him to be, and that her mother understands her better than she thought. The insecurities and emotions of adolescents come through loud and clear in this innocent yet candid coming-of-age novel.–Julie Webb, Shelby County High School, Shelbyville, KY
ANDERSON, Jessica Lee. Trudy. 170p. Milkweed. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-57131-660-4; pap. $6.95. ISBN 1-57131-659-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Trudy faces many challenges as she begins classes at Benavidez Middle School. She loses her best friend, discovers she is hopeless at math, and is embarrassed by the fact that everyone assumes her elderly parents are her grandparents. While struggling to overcome her loneliness and failing schoolwork, she is befriended by a classmate, and things begin to look brighter. At home, however, Trudy notices that her father repeats himself and gets confused. He even calls her by his sister's name. Then he is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. With the help of her sympathetic English teacher, Trudy sees that she can make the most of the situation as the family works hard to create memories. Ultimately, Trudy learns that she should focus on the things she can change rather than those that are beyond her control. This quiet story is well paced, flowing through very short chapters. It offers a matter-of-fact, yet unique look at one family's changing dynamics. Pair it with Barbara Park's The Graduation of Jake Moon (S & S, 2000) for another perspective on this theme.–Alison Grant, West Bloomfield Township Public Library, MI
ANDERSON, Jodi Lynn. May Bird and the Ever After. illus. by Leonid Gore. 317p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-689-86923-1. LC 2004017829.
Gr 5-7–May has grown up in an isolated home next to Briery Swamp. Her only real friend is her pet cat, Somber Kitty. When she digs through the rubble of a ruined post office, she finds a letter with her name on it. It tells her to travel through the woods to a lake. When she gets there, she accidentally falls into the water, which changes her life. After she returns home, she discovers that she can now see ghosts, and that they are all around her. May returns to the eerie spot in the middle of the night and is dragged down into the lake, which is actually a portal to the Ever After, where all dead people go as well as ghosts, specters, and other spirits. This alternative world is filled with vivid characters, including Pumpkin, the shy ghost who has watched over May since she was a child. The protagonist is sent on a quest to find a book that will tell her what her future is and whether she can get back home. The setting of the book is confusing. Even the early part set in the normal world is not cohesive, but it becomes even less convincing in the Ever After. Character motivation is also an issue, because May chooses to return to the lake and then fights through the entire book to escape what she has found. This is a secondary purchase compared to other vivid fantasy works like those created by Cornelia Funke.–Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI
ATTANAS, John. Eddie and the Jets. 142p. CIP. Darby Creek, dist. by Lerner. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-58196-026-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–The life of a sixth grader spirals out of control when his football team breaks up, his father moves out, and he starts crushing on his best friend's twin sister. Taking a cue from the real-life New York Jets, Eddie decides to start a new squad, replacing two longtime players in an effort to turn around his team's losing record. The writing is serviceable but doesn't come alive in a novel that is driven more by its message than by its characters. The parallel story lines emphasize that teams–be they in sports, among friends, or in families–should stick together, but the characters just aren't convincing. Eddie articulates his feelings about his parents' separation with preternatural ease, and the dialogue is a bit flat ("I'm sorry for what I did. And I'm even sorrier for making you mad. But I like her. And nothing you say or do is gonna stop me from liking her"). This is certainly no better or worse than most of the Matt Christopher titles that fly off the shelves, but, even so, it's mainly a supplementary purchase.–Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY
BARRON, T. A. The Great Tree of Avalon: Shadows on the Stars. 430p. Philomel. 2005. Tr $19.99. ISBN 0-399-23764-X. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–In this second book of a proposed trilogy, Barron continues the epic adventures of Tamwyn, Elli, and Scree in the year 1002 in the legendary world of Avalon, a seven-root tree that was planted from a seed by Merlin. The wizard's 17-year-old grandson, Tamwyn, is a wilderness guide with the ability to understand the languages of nonhumans. But, is he his grandfather's true heir–or is he the child of the Dark Prophecy who is destined to bring about the end of the peaceful world of Avalon? In the tradition of classic high fantasy, this is a lengthy novel of the battle between good and evil. It has a fully realized universe replete with a large cast of characters and is laced with some humor, gory battles, and many magical elements. Barron touches on many worthy themes: the power of one person to make a difference; trusting in one's abilities; the fragility of our environment; the need to honor all forms of life. There is much to keep track of and the plot moves along slowly with long explanations that reference Child of the Dark Prophecy (Philomel, 2004) and set the stage for the final installment. Fans of the author's "Lost Years of Merlin" series (Philomel) will enjoy finding places where the two series converge.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
BAXTER, Stephen. The Web: GulliverZone. 119p. Tom Doherty Assoc. 2005. pap. $5.99. ISBN 0-765-34941-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–In the world Baxter has created, the Internet has evolved into a virtual-reality playground and kids wear Websuits and "spin" into a place that is indistinguishable from the real world. On World Peace Day 2027, young Sarah decides to take advantage of free Web access to explore the GulliverZone, a theme park based on Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. Soon, she and her younger brother are tied up with ropes just like the protagonist in the classic novel. When shrunken to Lilliputian size, they discover that their "scuttle buttons," which are designed to take them back to reality, are not functioning. Only the evil Empress Golbasta has the antidote to save them. She, however, wants to recruit children to download their consciousness and souls to eternal Web life while their physical bodies die. After a number of less-than-memorable adventures, the children defeat her. The premise of immortality via the Internet is interesting, but characterization is bland. Still, this book should be popular with Web-savvy paperback series junkies.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
BENNETT, Holly. The Bonemender. 203p. Orca. 2005. pap. $7.95. ISBN 1-55143-336-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–When Gabrielle meets Féolan and Danaïs, who are elves, Danaïs has been horribly gored by a boar. A trained healer, she tends to him with no thought of their differences. When her father, the king of Verdeau, meets with Féolan, he learns that their mutual ancient enemy, the Greffaires, plan an invasion. As Verdeau begins to gather allies to fight the coming menace, Gabrielle begins to fall in love with Féolan. But how can she be with someone who lives hundreds of years? And what is the secret that her mother has carried about Gabrielle's past? Will the elves break their centuries of solitude and help the human armies defeat the Greffaires? This is a multilayered story filled with romance, brutal battles, elves, a bit of mystery, and great characters. Bennett has created a new world with people (and elves) who have problems, flaws, and heart. Gabrielle is a wonderfully strong young woman who defies convention as she is not content to simply be a royal princess. Bennett is definitely a fantasy writer to watch.–Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ
BONK, John J. Dustin Grubbs: One-Man Show. 243p. CIP. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-316-15636-1. LC 2004021268.
Gr 5-8–Poor Dustin wants to be a professional actor when he grows up, but his sixth-grade class can't seem to get through a single performance of their play, The Castle of the Crooked Crowns, without the fire alarm going off or parts of the scenery crashing down. Dustin's life is further complicated by the fact that his father has run off to be a traveling stand-up comedian. If his mother finds out that there's another performer in the family, it may break her heart. When the child star of Dustin's favorite TV series moves to town, it could solve everyone's problems. Then again, that would be too easy. In the end, Dustin must rely on his own charm, talent, and chutzpah to extricate himself from his various crises and ultimately save the day. Bonk's novel is so lighthearted and uproarious that its serious underlying themes–the nature of true friendship, integrity, and trust–almost slip by unnoticed. Dustin is an eminently likable narrator. He is sarcastic and funny, but always comes across as a genuine 11-year-old boy with all of the insecurities and hopes that go along with early adolescence. Though some of the other characters are slightly overdrawn, most of them are recognizable caricatures of the eccentric grandmothers and hapless principals whom kids have encountered. The fast pace and good-natured humor will appeal to a wide range of readers.–Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA
BROOME, Errol. Gracie and the Emperor. 123p. bibliog. CIP. Annick, dist. by Firefly. 2005. Tr $18.95. ISBN 1-55037-891-0; pap. $7.95. ISBN 1-55037-890-2. LC C2004-905982-3.
Gr 4-6–Set on the remote island of St. Helena, this novel explores the final exile and death of Napoléon Bonaparte. Eleven-year-old Gracie is a motherless Chinese/Caucasian girl whose life drastically changes upon Napoléon's arrival. Her father, sullen and disagreeable since his wife's death, struggles to make ends meet. To help out, Gracie gets a job as a maid at "The Briars," where Napoléon is temporarily in residence. Through her eyes, readers see the island's social hierarchy and ethnic diversity, and how the people prospered with Napoléon's presence. She meets Gilbert the stable boy, Toby the slave gardener, the servants Mrs. Pratt and Kitty and, from a distance, sees General Bonaparte. As her friendship with Gilbert blossoms, so does her relationship with her father, who finally reveals her family's history. With her clever, resourceful ways, Gracie is an appealing character who keeps readers' interest. The story is infused with plenty of well-researched detail, part of which is the author's family history. It should be popular with fans of the "Dear America" series.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
BURNHAM, Niki. Sticky Fingers. 278p. S & S/Pulse. 2005. pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-689-87649-1. LC 2004109060.
Gr 7 Up–Jenna receives Early Action admission to Harvard just before Christmas break of her senior year. Her boyfriend, Scott, thinks it's the perfect time for her to let loose–literally–and have sex with him. Though she is in love with him, Jenna knows she's not ready. Meanwhile, her friend Courtney is acting out of character, shoplifting, lying, and losing too much weight. Jenna also notices that Courtney and Scott are spending time together without her and she overhears heated arguments between them. The suburban Massachusetts setting is just right but the first-person narrative grows tedious as Jenna frets copiously about Courtney and Scott's behavior. The action moves slowly and uneventfully until Scott slips a date-rape drug into Jenna's drink. At this point, the mood goes quickly from frivolous to grave and the neat epilogue doesn't fit the severity of Jenna's trauma. As in Patrick Jones's Things Change (Walker, 2004), the intended message is that even smart girls can be fooled by abusers or rapists. Though Jenna is sharper and more likable than Jones's protagonist, her Harvard acceptance is a cheap symbol of the intelligence that is never shown in her thoughts. The frothy dialogue and tongue-in-cheek prose are better suited to Burnham's teen romances than to this consciously serious and issue-driven story.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library
CARLSON, Lori Marie, ed. Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today. 157p. CIP. HarperCollins. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-623957-5; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-623959-1. LC 2004022186.
Gr 9 Up–The young people's experiences in these 10 short stories will resonate with Native readers and inform and affect non-Natives as well. Joy Harjo writes about a boarding-school experience. Sherman Alexie talks about the slow painful separation and divorce of parents, and the needs of a boy to be seen/heard/taught by his father. Cynthia Leitich Smith shows an example of the everyday struggles Native people have with stereotypes, and the pain it causes on all sides. Richard Van Camp offers a glimpse into a life of addiction, loss, and the struggle to overcome poverty. Linda Hogan demonstrates the pride, generosity, and determination of an elder living on the reservation selling eggs and grain to make ends meet. Lee Francis shares a story of self-realization, oral tradition, and ways things are passed from one generation to the next. This distinguished anthology offers powerful, beautifully written stories that are thoughtful and important for teens to hear.–Marlette Grant-Jackson, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
CARLSON, Melody. Just Ask. 183p. (Diary of a Teenage Girl Series). Multnomah. 2005. pap. $12.99. ISBN 1-59052-321-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up–Kim, 16, struggles with religious questions and ultimately tries to live a Christian life while she writes a teen advice column for her dad's newspaper. Then, a family tragedy occurs and her faith is shaken. Kim is a realistic young woman trying to make sense of her world in the context of her religion. She makes mistakes and experiences the consequences of bad decisions, but, in the end, faith and friends pull her through. Though the theme is heavy, the writing is breezy and fun.–Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL
CARVELL, Marlene. Sweetgrass Basket. 243p. CIP. Dutton. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-47547-8. LC 2004024374.
Gr 5-8–In alternating free verse, two Mohawk sisters tell of their lives at the Carlisle Indian School near the turn of the 20th century. Carvell uses the experiences of her husband's family, and research from the Cumberland County Historical Society, to relate the stories of Mattie and Sarah. After their mother's death, their father sadly dispatches them to the boarding school, where the siblings cling to their language and a few precious items as the rest of their culture is stripped away from them. They long for family, for friendship, and for home, but their attempts to obtain any of these things result in a tragic and true-to-life ending. The inner-thought narratives allow readers to connect with the characters. Though the voices are nearly identical, making it difficult sometimes to tell the girls apart, and the voice of African-American Mr. Davis is awkwardly and inconsistently colloquial, Carvell has put together a compelling, authentic, and sensitive portrayal of a part of our history that is still not made accurately available to young readers. All libraries will want this title on their shelves.–Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA
CLINTON, Cathryn. Simeon's Fire. 116p. glossary. Candlewick. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2707-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Ten-year-old Simeon loves the animals on his family's farm. He wants to be a vet when he grows up, but to do so he'll have to leave his religion–Amish children don't go to school past eighth grade. His questions about the future are set aside when a rash of fires hits his rural area, and soon his own family's barn burns down. Simeon must wrestle with his conscience as he'd been smoking one of his older brother's cigarettes just before the fire started, and worries that he might have been at least partially responsible. And then there are the shadowy figures whom he saw lurking about who threatened to burn down his house if he said anything. Many readers will relate to his struggles with these dilemmas. The fact that the fires may be hate crimes adds a note of topical interest. Clinton's writing style is, overall, smooth and straightforward, with sometimes simple and lovely descriptions of the way the natural world delights Simeon. The pacing, though, is quite slow and deliberate, which may limit the book's appeal. The boy's lack of peer relationships and the numerous details about farm chores may also deter less patient readers. While this book does have many fine qualities, it may be best suited for larger collections or those with a special interest in the Amish religion.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
COBURN, Jake. LoveSick. 226p. Dutton. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-525-47383-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–After driving while drunk, crashing his truck into a tree, and wrecking his knee, Ted York no longer has a basketball scholarship to NYU or much of a future. He attends Alcoholics Anonymous on a judge's orders and has been sober for 90 days. When a stranger offers him full tuition if he'll keep an eye on a bulimic freshman for her billionaire father, the teen accepts the deal, expecting it to require little effort. But he hadn't counted on falling in love with Erica, and he finds himself forced to decide whether his loyalty is to her or the man paying his bills. Coburn skillfully balances the issues of alcoholism and bulimia with the fragile love story of two lost teens. Ted and Erica are surprisingly mature and aware of their faults, and their dialogue, including obscenities, is realistic. Erica's father is sympathetic in his genuine but misdirected concern for his daughter. The fast-paced narrative is helped along by frequent e-mails between characters. Part Ellen Wittlinger's Heart on My Sleeve (S & S, 2004), part Meg Rosoff's How I Live Now (Random, 2004), LoveSick will keep readers rooting for these teens.–Jane Cronkhite, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH
COLLODI, Carlo. The Adventures of Pinocchio. rev. ed. tr. from Italian by M. A. Murray. illus. by Roberto Innocenti. 191p. CIP. Creative Editions. 2005. Tr $19.95. ISBN 1-56846-190-9. LC 2003062740.
Gr 4 Up–This volume is a revision of Innocenti's version of the classic tale (Creative Co, 1988; o.p.). Although the majority of the artwork can be found in the earlier edition, the layout and design have been modified and some new scenes have been added. The book retains the 19th-century European setting, and the careful composition, use of perspective, and dark earth tones are an apt visual expression of this complex moral tale. A more delicate font and text framed on subtly shaded paper give the book a more classic look. Murray's new translation employs more lyrical phrasing and use of language than the earlier edition. Libraries owning the 1988 book needn't replace it, but those looking for a traditional treatment of Pinocchio should consider this handsome revision. Robert Ingpen's version (Purple Bear, 2005) offers a similar traditional flavor, but his portrayal of Pinocchio is more playful than mocking. Sara Fanelli's (Candlewick, 2003) offers a contemporary visual interpretation featuring collage.–Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
COY, John. Crackback. 206p. CIP. Scholastic. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-69733-6. LC 2004030972.
Gr 7 Up–Coy takes the topic of football and weaves it in and out of other conflicts typical of teenage boys such as father/son relationships, girls, steroids, and realizing that there is more to life than just the game. Miles is a likable and talented player who tries to please everyone: coaches, his father, his teachers, and the girl he is interested in. Regardless of his efforts or his talents, he can't seem to satisfy his coach and winds up on the bench where he meets, and likes, the second-string players who have lives outside of football–something that has never occurred to Miles or his father. In addition, he refuses to take steroids, even though his teammates do. Through his struggles with his coach and his dad, he begins to learn that life is complicated and that answers don't always come in the form of X's and O's. The family secret that drives his father, the interesting girl who shows him that the world is a big place, and the intense, sometimes unbelievable coach who teaches him that you can't please some people, no matter what, give Miles a new, perhaps healthier, perspective. Boys will appreciate the well rounded characters and the plot that mixes sports with real life. It doesn't hurt that there is some great football action throughout.–Julie Webb, Shelby County High School, Shelbyville, KY
DALE, Anna. Dawn Undercover. 350p. further reading. glossary. CIP. Bloomsbury. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-58234-657-7. LC 2005011782.
Gr 4-6–Dawn Buckle, 11, is so ordinary that even her parents frequently fail to notice her. This invisibility pays off when a top-secret spy organization called P.S.S.T. recruits her for an important rescue mission. She must learn the tools of the spy trade and then go undercover in a small English village to track down criminal mastermind Murdo Meek. Bumbling spies, numerous mishaps, and a jumble of acronyms–spy agencies called S.H.H., A.H.E.M., and C.O.O.E.E.–contribute to the story's light, humorous tone. The bad guys don't kill people; they just kidnap them, lock them up, exploit their phobias, or knock them off ladders. There is a large cast of colorful characters but, except for the protagonist, few are particularly well developed. The story also gets off to a slow start; the mission doesn't actually begin until almost halfway into the novel. Still, mystery lovers should enjoy following the clues and observing Dawn's development as she becomes more confident and self-assured. Plenty of challenging vocabulary will also make this a good choice for precocious readers who want a book without mature themes.–Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library
DE GUZMAN, Michael. The Bamboozlers. 167p. CIP. Farrar. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-30512-9. LC 2004057670.
Gr 5-8–Albert Rosegarden, 12, is the only child of a single mother who works nights in a dumpy diner to make ends meet. They have traveled from one small town to the next, ending up in Mountain View, ID, complete with bullies and narrow-minded teachers. When Albert's ex-con grandfather, Wendell, visits, the boy joins him on what proves to be the adventure of a lifetime. They visit Seattle and meet several of Wendell's shady friends, one of whom gives Albert a pocket-sized, three-legged dog. With the help of Wendell's friends and an old Stradivarius violin case, they hustle a fortune out of grandfather's longtime adversary, barely escaping his wrath. As Albert's life goes from humdrum to exciting, he gains self-esteem, begins to understand his mother's motivations, and reconciles his mother and granddad. Plot progression is steady, well paced, and broken up into short chapters of clear, concise detail. Language and writing style are visual and uncomplicated, with engaging characters that lend an authentic feel to the story.–Kim Harris, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, NY
DIVAKARUNI, Chitra Banerjee. The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming. 329p. (The Brotherhood of the Conch Series). CIP. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-59643-067-2. LC 2005006418.
Gr 5-8–In this sequel to The Conch Bearer (Roaring Brook, 2003), Anand and Nisha have just begun their schooling in magic when their mentor, Abhaydatta, is sent on a dangerous mission. Impatient to help, the kids and the conch leave the Silver Valley illicitly through a time/space portal (the mirror of the title) to help a contemporary Indian village escape the clutches of a spirit-sucking jinn that lurks in the forest. The focus is on the males, especially Anand, though Nisha and a wise-woman provide some help. Once again, evil is seeking a magic token that will give it dominance (shades of Tolkien's Ring). Anand travels still farther into the past, finding himself in a Mogul palace pretty much on his own. Seasoned with generous helpings of Hindi words (almost always explained in context), Divakaruni's novel offers the flavors, sounds, sights, and stories of past and present Bengal. The description of a jinn is masterly, and the values (don't run away; think for yourself; don't expect to be good at everything; use kindness and humility, not force) are solid, but unexceptionable. LeGuin appears to have been another influence, but to the good. In this fast-paced story, perhaps the young prince Mahabet changes too quickly to be convincing, but Anand remains a character of some depth, and he does the most growing here. Although this is the second book, it is self-contained. Fans will be looking for another adventure, promised to follow.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
DOUGLAS, Lola. True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet. 260p. Penguin/Razorbill. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 1-59514-035-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–This tell-all journal-style story is nearly as amusing and compelling as Meg Cabot's "Princess Diaries" and Louise Rennison's "Georgia Nicolson" series (both HarperCollins), but the subject matter and language are for a more mature audience. Morgan Carter, Hollywood child-star-rehab-has-been, is sent to Fort Wayne, IN. In the guise of Claudia Miller, high school junior transfer student, she is in the custody of a recently divorced, close family friend. Morgan/Claudia's journal entries slowly reveal the painful details of her life: hitting rock-bottom after nearly dying from a drug overdose, rehab in a cushy facility, and being raped by a costar. Her banishment is intended to provide time and space for her to stay clean and sober to lead up to a triumphant comeback. Struggling with school life, she meets a somewhat geeky, yet likable group of students. She also learns how to shop, dress, and act like a normal teenager. As Morgan's feelings for her new friends grow, she finds herself having to keep careful note of who knows what–fact or fiction–about her prior life. At times, Morgan's mind and voice seem too adult–even considering a Hollywood upbringing. Not all teen readers will get the irony and movie references, but this engaging read with a promised sequel will be popular nonetheless.–Suzanne Gordon, Richards Middle School, Lawrenceville, GA
DUBLE, Kathleen Benner. The Sacrifice. 211p. bibliog. CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-689-87650-5. LC 2004018355.
Gr 4-8–Set in Andover in the late 17th century, this novel describes one family's experiences with the Salem witchcraft hysteria. As the story opens, 10-year-old Abigail is sitting in the stocks wearing a sign that says "Sinner." She constantly questions the limits placed on her by her community and does not regret her crime–racing her male cousin, which is considered inappropriate for girls. Expecting her preacher grandfather to condemn her actions from the pulpit on Sunday, she is surprised when he speaks instead on bearing false witness–comments targeted to those who were accusing others of being witches. The madness spreads and before long, Abigail's Aunt Elizabeth is charged and jailed. Eventually, Abigail and her sister are also denounced and imprisoned, sharing her filthy, rat-infested cell. After their aunt dies, the girls' pregnant mother, believing that her condition will protect her, asks her daughters to claim that she is really the witch so that she can take their place in jail. In the end, Abigail speaks up about the evil of false accusations and helps bring the insanity to an end. Based in part on family history, Duble's narrative clearly captures the sweeping effects of community fear and shows how one youngster's bravery can bring about change. Well written with accessible language, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers.–Jane G. Connor, South Carolina State Library, Columbia
DUNBAR, Fiona. The Truth Cookie. 219p. Scholastic/Orchard. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-439-74022-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Magic and cooking combine when Lulu Baker, 13, finds herself pitted against her father's gruesome fiancée. As ex-supermodel Varaminta le Bone and her loathsome son, Torquil, begin to take over Lulu's home, she is not pleased. While firming up wedding plans, the duo resort to blackmail and try to isolate the girl from her father, and she realizes that something has to be done. Her deliverance comes in the form of a mysterious cookbook discovered in strange Mister O's bookshop. It contains a recipe for cookies that cause the consumer to speak only the truth. Now it's a race against time as Lulu must find the rare ingredients for the sweets and discover a way to get her enemies to eat them before that final walk down the aisle. A sorceress/taxi driver Cassandra comes to her rescue, providing the condiments and clues to foil the le Bones. The writing is crisp and inventive, though the story is nothing new and the plot relies too heavily on the tired conceit of a magical character to solve all of the heroine's problems. In spite of this deus ex machina, the book will definitely delight kids captivated by modern fairy tales. Tasty, if not entirely filling, fare.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
FARDELL, John. The 7 Professors of the Far North. illus. by author. 217p. maps. Putnam. 2005. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-399-24381-X. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Eleven-year-old Sam Carnabie is spending two weeks with the intriguing Professor Ampersand, an old family friend, and his young charges, Zara and Ben. Upon arrival in Edinburgh, Sam is amazed by the thousands of quirky inventions that the professor created in his fantastic home and learns about his host's intriguing past. Thirty-five years earlier, the professor and six colleagues had attempted to create the world's greatest university on an island nation called Nordbergen in the Arctic. One of them was evil Professor Murdo, who kidnapped his colleagues and left them to die. Fortunately, his plan didn't work. Unfortunately for Sam and the siblings, Professor Murdo's henchmen appear and again kidnap the six good professors, who have gathered at Ampersand's because of rumors of Murdo's reemergence. The children have only three days to rescue the professors and save the human race. Side stories involving Marcia Slick and her dreadful parents, who have paid a fortune to Nordbergen Research Enterprises to turn her into the "perfect" daughter, and several teenagers who aid Sam, Ben, and Zara culminate with the infiltration of the children into Murdo's lair. Comic relief is provided by Ampersand's cranky neighbor, who speaks in colorful Scots language. Action is nonstop and very exciting. This inventive, funny, suspenseful, and exciting book will appeal to most readers, especially fans of Dahl and Rowling.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY
FAST, Natalie. The Secret Apartment. illus. by Sara Shepard. 183p. Delacorte. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-385-74671-7; PLB $16.99. ISBN 0-385-90902-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Jillian, 11, is forced to adjust to major changes in her life after the death of her father and her mother's marriage to a New York publishing executive. She leaves her quiet Pennsylvania suburb for an apartment in the historic Dakota on Central Park West and inherits an unfriendly stepsister. While cat-sitting for an elderly neighbor, Jillian and Emily, a new friend, make themselves at home by going through the woman's closet and personal items. They make a game of watching people in the apartment building across the street and devising stories about them. When they see a lonely boy in an empty room, they imagine he's being held prisoner. Then they hear about the kidnapping of a local politician's son on the evening news. Readers will appreciate the humorous situations that Jillian encounters at summer art camp and in a posh grocery store. However, it's difficult to accept the irresponsibility of some of the adults: the bus driver lies for Jillian so that she can skip camp, and a doorman helps the girls sneak past building security. When the confrontation with the kidnapper becomes violent, the kids decide to handle the matter on their own and keep everything a secret from parents and the police. The book has a great premise, but the plot wraps up too quickly and a narrow focus keeps real-life issues such as trust and friendship from being developed.–Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH
FLOOD, Pansie Hart. Sometimey Friend. illus. by Felicia Marshall. 128p. CIP. Carolrhoda. 2005. PLB $15.95. ISBN 1-57505-866-9. LC 2004027724.
Gr 4-6–A heartwarming, humorous sequel to Sylvia & Miz Lula Maye (Carolrhoda, 2002), set in South Carolina in 1978. Ten-year-old Sylvia Freeman is staying with her great-grandmother while the aunt who raised her goes to Florida. Despite Miz Lula Maye's many quirks, Sylvia dearly loves the 100-year-old woman, whom she considers her best friend. However, when she starts in a new school and the other kids begin saying that Sylvia lives with a "witch," her loyalties are severely tested and the elderly woman is relegated to the position of "sometimey friend." It seems okay just not to tell anyone about her eccentric relative until fall carnival comes and Miz Lula Maye suggests that the two of them dress alike, as angels! Flood's characters are likable, and the realistic dialogue lends an appealing ethnicity to this charming story about a loving African-American family. Marshall's pencil drawings add spice to this story of a special intergenerational relationship. If the pace seems a little slow at first, readers can be reassured that as the characters develop, so will their interest.–Kathryn Childs, Morris Mid/High School, OK
FREDERICK, Heather. For Your Paws Only. illus. by Sally Wern Comport. 258p. (Spy Mice Series). S & S. 2005. Tr $9.95. ISBN 1-4169-0573-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-6–Morning Glory Goldenleaf, introduced in The Black Paw (S & S, 2005), is back. Premiere operative of the secret Spy Mice Agency, she has uncovered an evil rat plot of vast importance. Roquefort Dupont, leader of America's dastardly vermin, has learned how to read. Using his newly gained knowledge, he is gathering rat agents from all around the globe to meet in New York City. Their goal is to achieve a mouse-free world. Glory appeals to her human friend, Oz Levinson, to aid the Spy Mice once more. Oz has his own set of problems. He's been forced into a junior bake-off contest in the Big Apple and must work alongside two of his biggest tormentors from school. By working together, Glory and Oz solve their individual problems and make the human and mouse civilizations safe from bullies. The story relies heavily on repetition, two-dimensional villains, and a plot that will win no awards for originality. Still, this new tale, set against the Manhattan skyline, gives the series a much- needed kick and the adventure remains fast-paced without becoming too predictable. The cartoonlike, black-and-white illustrations provide interest. This is a series that reluctant readers with a penchant for spy tales will readily embrace. Recommend it to those kids who are too young for Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider Adventure" series (Philomel) but love the genre.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
GAVIN, Jamila. The Blood Stone. 340p. CIP. Farrar. 2005. Tr $18. ISBN 0-374-30846-2. LC 2004053257.
Gr 6-8–This gripping 17th-century odyssey takes 12-year-old Filippo Veroneo from Venice to Hindustan. He has never seen his father, a jeweler, who left before his birth. Now the Veroneos are in the clutches of their guardian, Bernardo Pagliarin, Filippo's brother-in-law who is trying to gain the family's wealth, most especially an extremely valuable diamond. The Veroneos learn that a high ransom is needed to secure the jeweler's release from prison, and Filippo goes to Hindustan with the diamond surgically hidden in his skull, a rather sophisticated procedure for the time. Gavin has created fascinating, multidimensional characters whose actions and motives remain suspicious through much of the story. Only Pagliarin is one-dimensional, being a thoroughly evil character solely interested in power and wealth. The rich prose at times borders on poetry, and the author cleverly parallels the protagonist's adventure to that of Ulysses as she intersperses quotes from Homer spoken by the grandmother of Filippo's friend Andreas. This is well-researched historical fiction but it does include some element of fantasy; the diamond endows Filippo with a sixth sense. As a storytelling device, it helps to keep all of his problems in focus as the scene shifts back and forth between the journey route and Venice. Strong readers will find this challenging, unpredictable tale absorbing and rewarding.–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
GOOBIE, Beth. Something Girl. 105p. CIP. Orca. 2005. pap. $7.95. ISBN 1-55143-347-8. LC C2005-900420-7.
Gr 7 Up–Sophie, 15, comes from an abusive family. Her mother is a depressive alcoholic. Her father appears to be an upstanding member of the community, but in reality he is a savagely violent man. Without any provocation, he has beaten Sophie many times. She has no real friends, her boyfriend has just dumped her, and she is on probation for petty theft. Her only ally is 12-year-old JuJube, her former babysitting charge. After a particularly brutal attack, Sophie is hospitalized and it is JuJube who forces her to tell the truth. The ending is happy yet bittersweet. The novel deals with mature themes in a quick and easy-to-read manner. However, it has all the hallmarks of a message book and is not the most subtle piece of literature. Still, it could help teens with severe issues.–Amy Patrick, New York Public Library
HALPERN, Sue. Introducing...Sasha Abramowitz. 282p. appendix. CIP. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2005. Tr $17. ISBN 0-374-38432-0. LC 2004053269.
Gr 5-8–Sasha, 11, lives in the dorm at Krieger College with her professor parents. Her older brother has Tourette's syndrome and goes to a boarding school. Sasha doesn't talk easily about Danny, even to her therapist, but she is able to talk to her neat babysitter, Andrew Hardy, who plays baseball for the college. Danny's unexpected return home brings things to a head. Although a series of amazing coincidences links the lives of several characters from various times and places in Abramowitz family history, the plot feels natural, never forced. Sasha's narration reveals her to be precocious but believable. Her maturation is subtle and realistic as she develops from a scrappy child who denies all feelings about Danny's illness to a kind friend who views him with clear-eyed compassion. Her straight-faced wit makes her kin to E. L. Konigsburg's heroines. Facts about Tourette's remain in the background, and nothing about the book is preachy.–Wendi Hoffenberg, Yonkers Public Library, NY
HOLUB, Josef. An Innocent Soldier. tr. by Michael Hofmann. 231p. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-62771-0. LC 2005002583.
Gr 8 Up–The book begins in 1811 in pre-unification Germany as a farmer enlists his unwitting farmhand, Adam, in Napoleon's Grande Armée under the name of his only son, Georg Bayh. The bewildered teen, who is sure that this great "mistake" will eventually be rectified, trains dutifully despite being continually harassed by a sadistic sergeant. He is saved when a young aristocratic lieutenant needs a servant, and his situation greatly improves. This is a tale of unlikely friends marching from Germany to Moscow with Napoleon's ill-fated invasion of Russia. While few battles are detailed, readers experience all of the horror, drudgery, and absurdity of war. Vivid descriptions include the endless walking, hustling for boots and warm clothing, gnawing hunger, and dysentery. Old-fashioned rules of engagement, etiquette, and a strict class system are all seamlessly worked into Adam's believable narrative. The boy grows from being a scared child to an obedient servant, to becoming a capable and resilient, if arguably less innocent, soldier. The first two thirds of first-person account are rich in period detail, but rarely broken up with dialogue, making it a tad slow going. The pacing somehow echoes the experiences of Napoleon's coalition army. Things pick up during its retreat, as the danger increases and the boys are able to lay aside class strictures to forge a true friendship. This is a well-wrought psychological tale that might have a difficult time finding an audience, but has a lot to offer to those seeking to build a deep historical fiction collection.–Christina Stenson-Carey, Albany Public Library, NY
HOROWITZ, Anthony. South by Southeast: A Diamond Brothers Mystery. 148p. CIP. Philomel. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-24155-8; pap. $5.99. ISBN 0-14-240374-1. LC 2005043169.
Gr 5-9–Horowitz has created another well-written, well-paced spy melodrama. This fifth addition to the series will engage readers with its hilarious, nonstop story line. Tim Diamond, the world's worst detective, has few cases to solve, so he and his younger brother, Nick, are destitute until a stranger offers Tim a fistful of much-needed cash in exchange for his raincoat. With the stranger's violent death, Tim and Nick find themselves dealing with disbelieving police and people claiming to be government agents. The brothers have a multitude of hair-raising adventures, including one in which they are chased by a small plane in a scene reminiscent of Hitchcock's classic film North by Northwest (hence the book's title). The story ends as the sibs meet the chief villain on a village fair's Tunnel of Love ride. Tim is likable but clueless, and Nick, the narrator, the true brains behind their act.–Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ
HUGHES, Pat. Open Ice. 274p. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-385-74675-X; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-385-90906-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–Hockey is more than Nick's favorite sport–it has become the very framework of his life. His friends are all players, his hot new girlfriend's a huge fan, and his hopes for college hang on securing an athletic scholarship. So when his physician, coach, and family all agree, following his fourth concussion, that the 16-year-old star should stop playing the game, it means major upheaval in his life. Hughes's attention to detail in terms of both head injuries and the sport adds lots of pith and interest to this story, and her accurate portrayal of middle-class teen life (which includes sex, obscenities, and pot smoking) should keep reluctant readers turning pages. The central question shifts from the prospect of whether Nick can return to the rink to the more important matter of whether he can regain control of his roiling emotions.–Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI
JUBERT, Hervé. Dance of the Assassins. tr. from French by Anthea Bell. 396p. (The Devil's Dances Trilogy, Bk. #1). CIP. HarperCollins/Eos. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-077717-6; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-077718-4. LC 2004028084.
Gr 9 Up–Have Jack the Ripper, Montezuma, and other famous villains come alive to commit grisly murders? That's the question that Roberta, a sorceress in her 40s, and her 20-something assistant must determine in this futuristic fantasy/mystery novel. This first book in a projected trilogy takes place in a world in which virtual-reality theme parks have been created in London, Paris, Versailles, and Venice. Each city is set in a time from the 17th to the 19th century. Tourists wear period costumes and totally immerse themselves in that city's milieu. A wealthy man named Count Palladio has financed these re-creations and is suspected of being the mastermind behind a series of murderers committed by a group called the Killers' Quadrille. They are famous villains come back to life to do the Devil's bidding. The plotting is quite convoluted and involves, among other things, astral twins, telepathic hedgehogs, and babies comprised of organs taken from murdered women. The transitions from scene to scene are often abrupt. At times, the translation is awkward, resulting in melodramatic and laughable prose–"she let the warmth envelop her, savoring it like warm tangerine sauce." Although there are no teen characters, the plot will appeal to fans of historical mysteries, fantasy, and forensic science. A few brief sexual situations and some graphic violence make the story more suitable for older teens. The author's pairing of elements from Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter is unique but not completely successful.–Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton
LEVITIN, Sonia. The Goodness Gene. 257p. bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Dutton. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-525-47397-1. LC 2005002143.
Gr 7 Up–Sixteen-year-old twins Will and Berk believe that they are the sons of Hayli, the Compassionate Director of the Dominion of the Americas. As the founder of The Goodness, a movement to save humanity following nuclear disaster, plague, and environmental collapse, Hayli rules a world in which babies are born in sterile labs, food is manufactured to optimal nutritional standards, and the fortunate live under atmosphere-controlling domes and exchange their ration of pleasure stamps to experience everything from travel to sex in carefully controlled situations. However, not all is perfect, as Hayli favors methods used by dictators from Hitler to Hussein. Outside the dome there is a growing resistance movement made up of those who still want to be able to walk in the woods and make love and give birth to their own children. Will inadvertently discovers all this on his first mission as a new government intern; he also learns that he and Berk, raised to be the dictator's perfect offspring and successors, are not what or who they believe they are. Comparisons to Nancy Farmer's The House of the Scorpion (S & S, 2002) are unavoidable here, but Levitin's world requires much more suspension of disbelief. Unlike her science fiction in The Cure (Harcourt, 1999), which is fast-moving, taut, and realistic in both its far future and its medieval European settings, The Goodness Gene is painstakingly slow. Fortunately, just when a sequel or two seem inevitable, the pace picks up and the conclusion is decisive, predictable, but still surprisingly moving and thought provoking.–Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
LIMB, Sue. Girl, Nearly 16: Absolute Torture. 216p. Delacorte. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-385-73216-3; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-385-90245-X. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-10–A thoroughly welcome, laugh-out-loud addition to British chick lit told in Jess's comedienne-to-be voice. At the end of Girl, 15, Charming but Insane (Delacorte, 2004), the teen realized that she was crazy about her clever pal, Fred, and that he shared her affection. As they're about to settle into a perfect summer, Jess's mom announces a two-week vacation visiting historical and literary landmarks–just what a teen relishes most–that will end with a trip to the beach where her artist dad lives. Along the way, her grandmother plans to scatter her grandfather's ashes in the sea near their honeymoon village. Although Jess longs to visit her dad, she despairs at the timing, especially since Fred has bought tickets to a music fest. As in its predecessor, this story relies on Jess's misconceptions, emotional dips and heights, and on characters and situations that are both sweet and wacky. In a fit of spontaneity, she boards a bus to her father's a day early and learns that he broke up with her mother because he's gay. She meets his partner, a boutique-owner and boatsman, who offers to take Granny out to sea for a private ash-scattering ceremony. Although readers will savor this novel on its own, reading Girl, 15 first makes it even funnier.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
LUZZATTO, Caroline. Interplanetary Avenger. 120p. CIP. Holiday House. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1933-9. LC 2004058834.
Gr 4-6–Sam figures middle school is the same everywhere. He has just finished his first miserable day at yet another new school, complete with bullies, grim cafeteria food, and a trip to the principal's office. He finds a mysterious package and can't resist exploring, even though it is clearly marked "Do Not Open." Suddenly, he finds himself transported to the Central Denebian Accelerated School for Expatriate Space Travelers and Associated Mutants. He is not surprised that the food is gross, the teachers are test-happy and, as usual, he is in trouble. When he arrives, one of the school bullies is released from interplanetary detention, and the principal warns him that Exeter Lar Junderpanz will wreak havoc on Earth. Sam can either bring him back or serve detention himself. The space kid, a shape-shifter, transforms into Sam's double and begins to take over his life. He is a rude, careless slacker, and Sam, of course, gets blamed for his activities. When the alien decides to stay on Earth, Sam must save the planet and get his life back before the obnoxious mutant destroys both. Exeter's odd cognomen is typical of the book's middle school wit. There is lots of wise-cracking dialogue and body humor. The amusing interplanetary cover art should attract reluctant readers to this lightweight and lighthearted science fiction adventure.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
MALONE, Patricia. Lady Ilena: Way of the Warrior. 199p. map. Delacorte. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-385-73225-2; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-385-90251-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–The saga begun in The Legend of Lady Ilena (Delacorte, 2002) continues as the young woman tries to live up to her new role as chief of the fortress Dun Alyn. Her fiancé, Durant, has been called back to Arthur's legendary table, and, in his absence, Ilena is courted by the chief of a neighboring tribe. When she refuses the union, tribal unrest escalates, and Dun Alyn finds itself under attack. Ilena falters during battle, which is unacceptable for a warrior and chief. Under Druid law, she must be put to death, but as an act of mercy, her people allow her to leave the tribe in order to prove her worthiness to lead. The journey takes her to old friends in need of her help. Her bravery and strength are also tested when she helps to rescue the kidnapped Arthur. After a harrowing adventure, Ilena returns to her rightful place as chief with renewed faith in herself. While the story line in this book is concluded, the ending seems to lead to another sequel. The author does a credible job of setting the scene, giving readers a sense of the times and presenting the intriguing idea that women in Dark Ages Britain had many and varied roles. The plot, though somewhat predictable, will keep readers engaged.–Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
MARTIN, Rafe. Birdwing. 359p. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-21167-0. LC 2004011695.
Gr 6-10–This fantasy continues the Grimms' tale of The Six Swans, in which six brothers are turned into swans. Through the great sacrifice of their sister, the spell is broken, but the youngest is left with a swan's wing. Ardwin is torn between his life as a prince and his yearning to take to the skies and rejoin his avian companions. Believing his father will force him to replace his wing with a mechanical arm and marry a rival king's daughter, he flees. His friends Stephen and Skye (on whom he has a secret crush) accompany him. Feeling betrayed after finding them together as a couple, Ardwin goes his own way, hoping that by switching horses with Stephen, he'll elude his father's pursuers. His adventures have only begun as he seeks out the swans he once knew, is attacked by a lion, and rescued by the same wizard who designed the mechanical arm. He also meets the wizard's automatons, his enchantress stepmother, an unusual horse, and a goose girl who is not who she thinks she is. In true fairy-tale fashion, all's well in the end and Ardwin wisely realizes that his wing is a blessing, not a curse. Like all fairy tales, there are lots of plot twists and turns and perhaps that contributes to the sometimes meandering narrative. Overall, this is a well-realized, but unexceptional story.–Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton
MINTER, J. Break Every Rule: An Insiders Novel. 246p. CIP. Bloomsbury. Dec. 2005. pap. $8.95. ISBN 1-58234-667-4. LC 2005012233.
Gr 9 Up–Jonathan narrates alternating chapters of this latest adventure of the Insiders, Manhattan's richest, handsomest, most fashion-obsessed prep-school guys. The plot centers around New York magazine's Hottest Private School Boy issue. Jonathan thinks he'll be picked because of his totally great taste in clothes. It turns out that the magazine really wants Patch, but he's too busy having an existential crisis to answer his phone. Lothario Arno is picked instead. Meanwhile, the group seems to be breaking up into small cliques and David may be making a play for Jon's girlfriend. A plot hinging on a fictitious issue of a real magazine might be clever, if its premise and title weren't so ridiculous. Even the society pages of New York, where boys like these might appear, generally feature those old enough to vote. The characters develop only enough to be distinguishable from each other. However, the author's crisp, natural dialogue, and the sections written entirely in answering machine messages, are spot-on and hilarious. The debauched mood, short chapters, and simplistic themes make for a mercifully quick read. The unceasing name-checks of high fashion labels, celebrities, and hot New York clubs, present in place of setting, would bore even Paris Hilton.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library
MOWLL, Joshua. Operation Red Jericho. 271p. (The Guild Trilogy, Bk. #1). diags. illus. photos. reprods. appendix. Candlewick. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2634-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-8–Excerpts from 15-year-old Becca's diary interspersed with third-person narrative combine to produce a tale of high adventure, intrigue, and science fiction along the China coast in 1920. Following their parents' mysterious disappearance in the remote Sinkiang region, Becca and her younger brother, Doug, are sent from their home in India to live with their sea-captain uncle, whose research vessel they board in Shanghai. Through their inquisitiveness and spying, they learn of a secret society that may have had something to do with their parents' fate and of a very volatile substance called zoridium that their uncle is trying to retrieve from an evil warlord. Their curiosity leads to their capture and captivity on his island fortress–the site of a rousing showdown that sets the stage for the second volume in this trilogy. Memorable, over-the-top characters and an often unbelievable plot are united with fascinating sidebars and graphics, such as short biographies of people like Bohr and Einstein, archival photographs of old Shanghai, vintage newspaper clippings, a chart of the Morse code, diagrams of "inventions," or Doug's sketches of the action scenes. Several "confidential" full-color pull-outs provide detailed descriptions of the various vessels and of an ancient fighting order, the Sujing Quantou. Some readers may pore over the details in this novel; others will simply appreciate the comic adventure.–Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
MYERS, Anna. Assassin. 212p. Walker. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8027-8989-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Through the device of a fictional young woman interacting with historical figures, Meyers provides readers with a glimpse of the people, events, and surroundings of a dramatic time in history In alternating chapters, John Wilkes Booth and Arabella Getchel, a 14-year-old White House seamstress, relate the story. Booth's unstable emotional state is revealed in his zealous passion for the Confederacy and intense hatred of the Union as symbolized by President Lincoln. The novel offers a good opportunity for discussion about the assassin, his motivations, and, in this case, how he drew an unsuspecting girl into his scheme. An author's note delineates truth from fiction.–Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD
OKORAFOR-MBACHU, Nnedi. Zahrah the Windseeker. illus. by Stephanie Cooper & Amanda Hall. 308p. CIP. Houghton. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-34090-4. LC 2004015783.
Gr 5-7–Zahrah was born with dadalocks–dreadlocks containing living vines. Although she lives in a world in which nature provides everything (even computers grow from seeds), being dada is cause for scorn. Then she discovers that it also means that she can call the wind and fly. She and her friend Dari enter the Forbidden Greeny Jungle that borders their kingdom to explore her powers, but when he is bitten by a poisonous snake, Zahrah must set off alone in search of an elgort egg to save him. Her adventures are full of encounters with talking animals and peril; unfortunately, the excitement is dulled because readers know that everything will be fine from the start. References to Alice in Wonderearth abound (to Zahrah, Earth is a legend), and some of her journey (particularly advice received from a pink frog reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat) seems like an attempt to create an Africa-infused Alice tale. There are also nods to Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (S & S, 1981) that are unlikely to resonate with the intended audience. The world-building is interesting, and Zahrah's journey to self-acceptance is obvious but satisfying; the important theme of exploring, rather than fearing, the unknown is heavy-handed. Because there is little African science fiction written for young readers, comparisons with Nancy Farmer's The Ear, the Eye and the Arm (Scholastic, 1994) are inevitable, but this story lacks much of the complexity of Farmer's work.–Karyn N. Silverman, Elizabeth Irwin High School, New York City
OLDFIELD, Jenny, comp. The Kingfisher Book of Horse & Pony Stories. 127p. illus. Kingfisher. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-7534-5850-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4-7–Twelve touching short stories celebrate the special bond between horses and the people who love them. There is a fine mixture of contemporary, fantasy, and historical fiction. The tales effectively portray the various roles that horses have played around the world and include the adventurous encounter between Alexander and Bucephalus; a horse in Japan that is sent off to war; and a rivalry in Vienna at the stable of the Lipizzaners. In another, a girl proves her loyalty for an elderly pony; and two stepsisters learn to accept one another through their interaction with a horse. From police mounts to carousel steeds, the horses change lives. Superb, expressive illustrations capture the unique physical characteristics of each equine and evoke the passion of the humans with whom they interact. These well-written and sensitively selected stories will appeal to readers who are looking for some unforgettable animals and their human companions.–Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
OPPEL, Kenneth. Skybreaker. 372p. CIP. HarperCollins/Eos. Dec. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-053227-0; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-053228-9. LC 2005008386.
Gr 6-10–Oppel does it again! This action-packed sequel to Airborn (HarperCollins, 2004) starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the satisfying ending. Matt Cruse, now a student at the Airship Academy, finds himself training as a navigator aboard a worn out, tumbledown cargo airship piloted by a reckless captain. Flying through a typhoon at dangerously high altitudes, they see a ghost ship that set out 40 years before and was never seen again. The captain risks his life, the crew, and his ship as he tries to reach the Hyperion to claim the fortune in gold that's rumored to be aboard. His attempt fails after the crew is stricken with altitude sickness. Only Matt remembers the coordinates of where Hyperion was last seen. This knowledge plunges him and Kate, now a pilot in training herself, into a breakneck race against a pirate intent on getting to the riches. They find themselves aboard a new type of pressurized ship called Skybreaker piloted by Hal, a wealthy and dashing captain with designs on Kate. What they discover aboard Hyperion is a more fabulous treasure than any of them could have imagined. That is, if they survive to tell anyone about it. This worthy companion to Airborn maintains its roller-coaster thrills in true swashbuckling style.–Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ
POLLET, Alison. The Pity Party: 8th Grade in the Life of Me, Cass. 149p. CIP. Scholastic/Orchard. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-439-68194-4. LC 2004022331.
Gr 5-8–In this sequel to Nobody Was Here (Scholastic, 2004), readers get to know Penelope Schwartzbaum's friend Cass better. Orphaned when she was eight, she lives with her beloved guardian, Bea, and attends a New York City private school. Cass is devastated when she discovers that she does not have classes with her two best friends. While she is at first horrified that troublemaker Rod Punkin sits behind her in English class, the two eventually develop a friendship, and she begins to understand herself and why he is the way he is. She is able to come to terms with her parents' death, accept the benefits of counseling, and gain a sense of belonging. Inventive details, such as Cass's word lists, the comforting rhyming games she remembers playing with her mother, and the warm support of her art-collecting guardian and psychoanalyst aunt make this a first-rate purchase. Multilayered characters inhabit this complex, thoughtful book that beautifully hones in on middle-school friendships.–Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI
PORTER, Pamela. The Crazy Man. 214p. CIP. Groundwood. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-88899-694-2. LC C2005-903001-1.
Gr 5 Up–This beautifully written novel in verse tells the story of a 12-year-old girl struggling to recover after a freak farm accident leaves her partially crippled and fatherless. Her dad, after shooting the dog that he blames for the tractor mishap, walks out on her and her mother, leaving them to tend the farm by themselves. After a long and painful hospital stay, Emaline returns home to a distraught mother who doesn't have any help sowing the fields. When several conventional plans fall through, the woman decides to bring in a patient from the local mental hospital to drive the tractor and sow the fields. Angus, a gentle giant, slowly gains the trust of Emaline and her mother through his hard work and his kindness to people and animals alike. Despite the town's grumblings about how dangerous Angus must be, he is allowed to continue working on the farm, but not without enduring much cruelty from neighbors and townspeople. It is only when he performs the ultimate act of heroism that others in the town finally recognize Angus's worth as a human being. Emaline is a rich character full of conflicting emotions about her father, her mother, and her strange new family. Subtle in its themes and organization, this book is pure pleasure, offering lessons about love, loyalty, and loss.–Julie Webb, Shelby County High School, Shelbyville, KY
PRATCHETT, Terry. Johnny and the Dead. 213p. (The Johnny Maxwell Trilogy). CIP. HarperCollins. Jan. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-054188-1; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-054189-X. LC 2005005073.
Gr 5-7–In this sequel to Only You Can Save Mankind (HarperCollins, 2005), 12-year-old Johnny discovers that he can see, hear, and communicate with spirits in the town cemetery. The cemetery, the only spot of unblighted land in the town, is about to be bulldozed and developed by a large corporation, so Johnny and his friends set about trying to save it (and its denizens) from destruction. Unfortunately, no one particularly famous was ever buried there, so the boys' publicity plan seems doomed–until the dead take things into their own innovative and rebellious hands, and Johnny finds the courage to take a stand against all odds. Fans of Gregory Maguire's books will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek tone and wry humor, and the quarrelsome yet friendly chatter among the dead spirits is reminiscent of Eva Ibbotson's titles. The plot (kids versus big corporation, à la Carl Hiassen) is tied up rather too neatly, but that's beside the point. Readers will take immense pleasure in the jokes, some broad and some subtle and dry, that come sailing at them from all sides. This book stands alone easily, but after reading it, kids will want the first one.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
PRIESTLEY, Chris. Redwulf's Curse: A Tom Marlowe Adventure. illus. by author. 186p. Doubleday UK. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-385-60695-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-10–Young Tom Marlowe and his friend Dr. Harker have had enough of the smog-filled air of London. It's 1716 and an invite to stay in the country with Harker's friend Abraham Gibbs is readily accepted. Once they arrive in Norfolk, they discover Gibbs's excavation of Redwulf, an East Anglian warrior king of the seventh century. It now appears that a supernatural figure is wreaking vengeance on those who have dared to disturb the king's grave. Tom becomes wrapped up in a series of strange events involving a mute giant, stolen treasures, and a neighboring landowner who may be in league with the devil. This third book in the continuing saga sticks closely to the formula already established. Action moves at a fast clip, effortlessly combining the essence of a good old-fashioned murder mystery with ghostly undertones. With its unique 18th-century setting, the book is certain to interest readers who are looking for good adventure. This stand-alone novel is a rousing addition to any mystery collection.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
RABIN, Staton. Black Powder. 245p. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-689-86876-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-9–In 2010 Los Angeles, brilliant Langston Davis loves to go to his science class, where he studies astronomy. He and Neely Neubart have been best friends forever, and Langston becomes concerned when his pal starts running with a gang and lets his grades fall. Then Neely is gunned down by his own gang, and Langston will go to any measures to get him back. When Mrs. Centauri, his science teacher, shows him the time machine she's invented, the 14-year-old uses it to go back to the 13th century so he can convince Dr. Roger Bacon to destroy his formula for gunpowder, thus preventing Neely's murder. What follows is a touching story of two great scientific minds discovering the humanity behind the ideas. Langston is particularly well-developed as an intelligent, mostly responsible African-American finding his way, reminiscent of Bobby in Angela Johnson's The First Part Last (S & S, 2003). Lots of adventure and strong characterization are only slightly marred by a few far-fetched plot elements that require leaps of faith on the part of readers. The author of the well-received Betsy and the Emperor (S & S, 2004) has once again woven together an inventive plot that will sweep readers along to a satisfying conclusion.–Melissa Moore, Union University Library, Jackson, TN
RIVERS, Karen. The Cure for Crushes: And Other Deadly Plagues. 300p. CIP. Raincoast, dist. by PGW. 2005. pap. $6.95. ISBN 1-55192-779-9. LC 2005921632.
Gr 10 Up–In this follow-up novel to The Healing Time of Hickeys (Raincoast, 2004), readers are once again led in a diary format through the trials and tribulations of Haley Andromeda Harmony, high school senior. Haley has a lot going on during part two of The Greatest Year of My Life (TGYML): she has a boyfriend, really nice Brad, whom she keeps avoiding; her "bestish" friends, flawless Jules and sympathetic Kiki, are getting on her nerves–no, they're not–uh, yes, they are–well, sometimes, anyway; and she does not, absolutely does not, still have a crush on JT (the one that gorgeous Jules wound up with, of course!). Her aged, perennially jobless, hippie Dad has, ugh, an MYG (Much Younger Girlfriend)! If all that weren't enough, a party faux pas, weekend mishaps, birthday-party bungee-jumping in mid-winter (in Canada, no less!), broken limbs, devastated self-esteem, over-dyed hair, and non-cooperative horoscopes all conspire to make Haley's TGYML an ongoing disaster. The teen's relentless self-denigration is grating, and readers might be tempted to suggest that she choose her friends more carefully. Nevertheless, those who find confessional, self-deprecating, wildly over-the-top, teen chick lit entertaining will embrace this novel. More discerning readers will get more bang for the buck from Louise Rennison's clever series, beginning with the legendary Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (HarperCollins, 2000). The British manage to present the absurd, zany, self-absorbed teen novel formula with tongue firmly in cheek–something North American writers haven't quite achieved yet.–Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green
