Grades 5 & Up
By Staff -- School Library Journal, 7/1/2006
Fiction
ABBOTT, Tony. Firegirl 145p. CIP. Little, Brown 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-316-01171-1. LC 2005007964.Gr 5-7–Tom, a seventh grader, tells about the arrival of Jessica, a new student who was badly burned in a fire and is attending St. Catherine’s while she gets treatments at a local hospital. The students in Tom’s class are afraid of her because of her appearance but little by little he develops a friendship with her that changes his life. Through realistic settings and dialogue, and believable characters, readers will be able to relate to the social dynamics of these adolescents who are trying to handle a difficult situation. The students who shy away from Jessica are at a loss as to what to say. Tom begins to look beyond her exterior and realizes that his life will not be the same after she leaves, just three weeks later. The theme of acceptance is presented in a touching story of friendship that is easy to read yet hard to forget.–Denise Moore, O’Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD
ANASTI, Tedd & Patsy Cameron-Anasti. Spider Riders: Quest of the Earthen 231p. CIP. Newmarket 2006. pap. $5.99. ISBN 1-55704-681-6. LC 2005033979.Gr 4-6–Hunter Steele, the protagonist introduced in Spider Riders: The Shards of the Oracle (Newmarket, 2005), is still in the center of the earth in the city of Arachnia and has joined the Spider Riders, but still must prove that he is truly one of them. With his battle spider named Shadow, he goes on a quest that will be familiar to anyone with even a passing acquaintance with fantasy tropes. Along with the other riders, he must recover five shards of the Oracle, a vague source of power, from the evil Mantid, a stock giant insect villain with visions of world domination, and his minions, known as Insectors. Mantid has the support of a “large blob of pale, pulsating gelatinous substance” that communicates telepathically and is known as Fungus Brain. It should be clear at this point how derivative this plot is, with echoes of Garth Nix’s far superior “The Keys to the Kingdom” series and Suzanne Collins’s “The Underland Chronicles” (both Scholastic), all of which are better choices. And if overly familiar plot elements weren’t enough, this volume doesn’t stand alone. The writing is pedestrian, but the dialogue and the glib tone will be familiar to children raised on Saturday morning cartoon fare. In fact, the TV series based on this series is scheduled for broadcast this fall and will be in the popular Japanese anime style, so limited purchase of this title may be appropriate to anticipate popular demand.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
BUCKLEY, Michael. The Problem Child illus. by Peter Ferguson. 292p. (The Sisters Grimm Series). Abrams/Amulet 2006. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-8109-4914-8. LC number unavailable.Gr 4-6–Sabrina Grimm, 11, and her 7-year-old sister, Daphne, are still on the trail of “The Scarlet Hand,” which has kidnapped their parents. On the way to rescuing them, the sisters meet their likable Uncle Jake, whom they had never heard of before. Granny Relda had arranged for everyone in town to forget him after he inadvertently broke the spell that kept a deranged Little Red Riding Hood in the asylum. The book is loaded with cameos by fairy-tale characters, including Prince Charming as playboy turned sleazy politician. Although they will delight fairy-tale fans, some of the most interesting figures get short shrift. Puck, who combines magic with mischief in a way that both attracts and repels Sabrina, disappears from the action early on. Granny Relda’s gentleman friend and every tale’s wicked wolf is resurrected only at the end of the novel. Still, there is plenty of plucky Sabrina, nurturing Granny Relda, and Daphne. The end leaves plenty for the next book to resolve. Each chapter starts with a menacing silhouette, and black-and-white full-page illustrations add more macabre details. Recommend this to anyone who is craving a bit of dark humor rolled up with whimsy and adventure.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
BUCKLEY-ARCHER, Linda. Gideon the Cutpurse: Being the First Part of the Gideon Trilogy 404p. CIP. S & S July 2006. Tr $17.95. ISBN 1-4169-1525-7. LC 2006042204. Gr 5-8–Peter and Kate, 12, have literally stumbled from the 21st century back to 1763, and even though they are still in England, many things have changed. Their time travel must be connected to the antigravity machine Kate’s father has been working on, but since it has been stolen by a vicious criminal called The Tar Man, they really have no choice but to trust Gideon, the stranger whose offer of help seems genuine enough, even if he is known as a cutpurse. Buckley-Archer may very well give J. K. Rowling a run for her money. This wonderfully rich and complex novel, written in lyrical and vivid language, is destined to be a classic. History interweaves with science, social issues in both centuries are thrown in; yet what readers will remember most is a fast-paced plot with a cliff-hanger ending and multidimensional characters who continue to inhabit their thoughts long after the book is closed. With appeal for reluctant and advanced readers, this novel is a rare gem.–Melissa Moore, Union University Library, Jackson, TN
BURCH, Christian. The Manny Files 296p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-4169-0039-X. LC 2004026957.Gr 4-8–Third-grader Keats Dalinger is thrilled when his parents hire a male nanny for him and his three sisters. Matthew, the “manny” as he wishes to be called, quickly wins over Keats. Fourth-grader India and three-year-old Mirabelle also delight in his comical antics and unconventional attitude. Not so with seventh-grader Lulu, who is horrified by the babysitter’s eccentric behavior. She begins recording everything he does in a secret diary dubbed “The Manny Files.” Keats is worried, since Lulu’s earlier complaints led to the firing of previous caregivers. In addition, Keats faces problems at school. His teachers constantly compare him to brainy Lulu, and a classmate constantly taunts him. When Lulu finally presents her evidence against the manny in a mock family trial, Keats leaves his fears and shyness behind and quickly defends him. Their parents consider the evidence and present a ruling that pleases everyone. A gentle background story hints at the developing relationship between Matthew and the children’s Uncle Max, which gives the family something else to celebrate. This book not only portrays loving family relationships, but also shows how to deal with bullies through self-acceptance and an understanding of human nature. Whether read for entertainment or for beginning a discussion on bullying, this book will find a wide audience.–Linda L. Plevak, Saint Mary’s Hall, San Antonio, TX
CALDWELL, V. M. Runt 196p. CIP. Milkweed 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-57131-662-0; pap. $6.95. ISBN 1-57131-661-2. LC 2005027358.Gr 5-7–Rejected by his aunts who take in three of his sisters following their mother’s death, 13-year-old Robert Remick, nicknamed Runt, is offered a home by his estranged older sister, Helen, who lives in a trailer with her sinister boyfriend, Cole. His family’s poverty and despair had kept Runt an outsider and now he refuses to attend school in the new place, instead spending his days exploring the town and collecting empty cans for pocket money. Drawn to the serenity of a nearby cemetery, he meets wheelchair-bound Mitch Curran, a spirited, intelligent boy who is determined to befriend him despite his resistance. It is quickly apparent that Mitch is in the final stages of cancer, refusing further treatment, and the boys open up to one another’s pain. Robert visits Mitch almost daily until his death, and his friendship and support are rewarded with the Currans’ kindness to him. Runt’s father’s abandonment, his mother’s religious rigidity, the deaths of his two baby sisters, and Cole’s verbal and physical abuse weigh down this bleak story, but the conclusion, if somewhat implausible, is hopeful. The writing is sometimes self-conscious, but characterization is good and readers will respond to the plight of two desperate boys and the people who make a difference in their lives.–Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
CARBONE, Elisa. Blood on the River: James Town 1607 256p. notes. Viking 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-670-06060-7. LC number unavailable. Gr 5-7–After attempting to steal back a necklace that belonged to his deceased mother, Samuel Collier is sent to an orphanage run by Reverend Hunt. The 11-year-old joins him on a journey to the New World, serving as a page to Captain John Smith. Samuel’s account of the voyage to Virginia, political intrigues among the settlers, and the harrowing first winter of the James Town settlement brings to life figures like Smith, Powhatan, and Pocahontas. Details about food and daily life add realism to the story, and quotes from historical sources begin each chapter. This Samuel is more conflicted than the one in Gail Langer Karwoski’s Surviving Jamestown: The Adventures of Young Sam Collier (Peachtree, 2001). His initial selfishness changes as he responds to the reverend, to Smith, and to his new friends. His time in an Indian village and his changing perspectives on the Natives add interest to the story and depth to his character. While the opening chapters move slowly, the pace picks up as Samuel reaches Virginia. This title is a good choice for a tie-in with the 400th anniversary celebrations of Jamestown in 2007.–Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI
CARMODY, Isobelle. Winter Door 315p. (The Gateway Trilogy). CIP. Random 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-375-83018-9; PLB $18.99. ISBN 0-375-93018-3. LC 2005012518.Gr 7 Up–The second book in this fantasy trilogy picks up some months after the conclusion of Night Gate (Random, 2005). Rebecca Jane “Rage” Winnoway’s mother, while no longer comatose, still suffers from the aftereffects of a devastating car crash, and Rage is under the guardianship of her seemingly indifferent uncle. The school bully has made her a target, and her town is suffering from an unnaturally long and violent winter–a phenomenon that may be connected to the similar unusual weather caused by an evil force in the enchanted realm of Valley. In a particularly interesting twist, Rage accesses Valley this time around by literally “dreaming” herself there when she falls asleep in our world. C. S. Lewis’s “Narnia” and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (both of which play minor roles in the text) are obvious inspirations here, but Carmody develops some intriguing ideas of her own. The author’s skillfully designed worlds, expressive prose, and theme of hope in the face of despair will appeal to fantasy fans; but readers who have not experienced the first book may have some difficulty catching up.–Christi Voth, Parker Library, CO
CARTER, Ally. I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You 284p. Hyperion 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 1-4231-0003-4. LC number unavailable.Gr 7-10–Cammie Morgan, 15, is a student at Gallagher Academy, a top-secret boarding school for girls who are spies-in-training. She studies covert operations, culture and assimilation, and advanced encryption, and has learned to speak 14 languages. Her troubles begin when she falls for Josh, a local boy who has no clue about her real identity. Keeping her training secret forces her to lie to her new love, which leads to comic complications. Subplots include Cammie’s relationship with her mother–the headmistress at Gallagher–and her grief over the loss of her father, who died while on a spying assignment. The teen’s double life leads to some amusing one-liners, and the invented history of the Gallagher Girls is also entertaining, but the story is short on suspense. The stakes never seem very high since there are no real villains, and the cutesy dialogue quickly becomes grating. However, the novel has been optioned for a film and will likely attract readers who enjoy lighthearted, frothy tales and squeaky-clean romances. Unfortunately, it lacks the warmth and appeal of other teen books turned into movies, such as Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries (HarperCollins, 2000) and Ann Brashares’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Delacorte, 2001).–Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library
CAVE, Patrick. Sharp North 518p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-4169-1222-3. LC 2005011944.Gr 9 Up–In this story set in the future, Britain is an icy region where society is ruled by a select group of families who have been in power for generations. Mira has grown up in the mountains where valuable power is generated. Her life is uncomplicated until she sees a woman who looks familiar being shot in her small village. She then discovers her own name among others on a piece of paper dropped by the woman. The list is the key to realizing the mystery that is her life. Who is she? Why does the woman look so familiar? Where did Mira come from? And why has she been assigned a “watcher?” The story is also told from the point of view of Kay, a boy from one of the privileged families who lives in luxury, but somehow doesn’t fit in. There is plenty of action and adventure in the story as readers travel with Mira across the frozen north and into the dangerous city. The book is a thriller that wanders a bit in the middle, but by the end it has found its quick pace and tautness again. Some parts of the complex society are muddled and glossed over, making the novel confusing at times. This futuristic novel will be enjoyed by those who like science fiction as well as fans of mystery and suspense.–Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI
CHIMA, Cinda Williams. The Warrior Heir 426p. CIP. Hyperion 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7868-3916-3. LC 2005052720.Gr 5-9–An apparently ordinary 16-year-old boy turns out to have magical powers that make him a target of a covert society of wizards, enchanters, and warriors called “the Weir.” Jack’s small-town world in Ohio begins to unravel when he starts to unleash unintentional bursts of wizardry. When he recovers a powerful sword from an ancestor’s grave, he begins to realize how different he really is. A battle with a wizard and some magic-laced conflicts at his high school keep the pages turning while the truth about Jack’s destiny slowly emerges. The scene switches to Great Britain, where he learns that he must participate in a duel to the death against a mysterious opponent. Many details about the Weir are initially hidden from readers, as well as from Jack, so the gradual revelations about the society are involving and often surprising. Jack makes a fairly convincing hero. He is disbelieving at first and reluctant throughout, but ultimately finds a way to utilize his new powers without sacrificing his honor or basic decency. An appealing mixture of supporting characters includes relatives with various magical abilities, a couple of nonmagical but loyal friends, and an engaging assortment of villains. Occasional plot developments are unconvincing, as when Jack’s protective aunt, an enchanter, takes him straight into the clutches of a wizard who clearly wants the young warrior in her power. For the most part, though, the teen’s unavoidable involvement in the intricate world of the Weir is suspenseful and entertaining.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
CLEMENTS, Andrew. Room One: A Mystery or Two illus. by Chris Blair. 162p. S & S July 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-689-86686-0. LC number unavailable.Gr 4-6–Red Prairie Learning Center has only 10 students and is facing possible closing unless more families move to the small Nebraska town. Ted, the only sixth grader, loves mysteries, so when he sees a girl’s face at the window of a supposedly abandoned farmhouse, he decides to investigate. He meets April, who tells him that ever since her dad died in Iraq, someone has been stalking their family. She and her mother and younger brother were heading for a relative’s place out west when their car broke down. Now they are stranded and are worried about who might be following them. Ted pledges not to turn the family in and agrees to bring them food and supplies. In all the mystery stories that he has read, young detectives don’t need interfering grown-ups. However, this is real life, and he begins to wonder if he can handle the situation on his own. But whom can he trust–and what about his promise to keep the fugitives’ secret? The story explores the potential conflict between promises and duty. There is a good balance of seriousness and humor with brisk, realistic dialogue and observations. Small black-and-white illustrations emphasize key points in the plot. Clements’s usual excellent sense of character is evident. Both adults and young people are multidimensional, with true-to-life emotions and concerns. There is also a strong message about responsibility and individual courage. The conclusion is unexpected but satisfying, as both the lost family and the struggling town find hope for the future.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
COLASANTI, Susane. When It Happens 307p. CIP. Viking 2006. Tr $17.99. ISBN 0-670-06029-1. LC 2005026405.Gr 9 Up–In the first chapter, readers find out that Sara is entering her senior year hoping that she’ll find “true love.” She is encouraged when Dave asks her out. He is part of the in crowd, and she begins to hang out with his friends, at the expense of her relationships with her girlfriends. Next, readers hear from Tobey. He has slept with a couple of girls, but is uncomfortable with that kind of relationship. He thinks Sara is his “real thing,” and he asks her friend Laila to help him win her over. Tobey and Sara become partners in music class and find they have much in common. Dave, on the other hand, is a disappointment to her. When he pressures Sara to sleep with him, she finally realizes that she confused her attraction to his good looks and connections with honest feelings. Through alternating chapters, readers get the perspectives of Tobey and Sara about their developing relationship. The easy style of the writing reflects how teens speak, and some of the characters’ language is realistically gritty. This is a fun romance with lots of dialogue that, due to the many popular-culture references, will become dated quickly.–Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL
COOPER, Susan. Victory 192p. glossary. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. July 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-4169-1477-3. LC number unavailable.Gr 5-8–Modern-day Molly, 11, understands that her family had to move from Connecticut to London because of her stepfather’s job, but she’s still achingly homesick. Sam, also 11, lives in England in 1803, until he’s forced into several years’ service on the H.M.S. Victory under Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson. The boy eventually grows to enjoy many things about life in “this small city of people in one floating wooden frame.” Molly finds a scrap of the Victory’s flag tucked into an old book about Nelson and begins to experience bits of Sam’s memories. The children’s stories alternate as Sam’s memories help Molly come to terms with the loss of her childhood home and the death, years earlier, of her father. The mystery behind the flag and Molly’s “haunting” by Sam drive the girl’s narrative, while a prologue hinting at Sam’s participation in the great Battle of Trafalgar propels his along to climactic scenes of the battle itself. His descriptions of 1800s naval warfare are both fascinating (the technology) and horrible (the stench, earsplitting noise, and the utter carnage of cannonballs hitting ships full of unarmored men and boys). Hesitant, loving efforts by Molly’s family to help her cope with her unhappiness and Nelson’s small kindnesses to Sam bring secondary characters to life. They also advance the parallel emotional stories underlying the novel about the difficulty of leaving a beloved place and the way new connections help a strange environment become home.–Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
COPELAND, Mark. The Bundle at Blackthorpe Heath illus. by author. 167p. Houghton July 2006. Tr $15. ISBN 0-618-56302-4. LC 2005025443.Gr 4-6–Welcome to Piper’s traveling insect circus where Art, 12, and his friend Daisy share the big top with Rufus the ladybug, Horatio the stag beetle, and wood lice Bob and Curly. Imagine Art’s dismay when he catches their agent, a fly, conspiring with a wasp. Wasps, the Voldemorts of the insect community, always spell trouble, but the two children unravel the entomological conspiracy with satisfactory results. Quaint insect-circus books set in the English countryside don’t surface every day, and Copeland’s light adventure will entertain readers. Ostensibly set in the late 19th century, the story strikes a charming balance of mystery, drama, and the allure of insect-circus life. Children will enjoy the author’s tongue-twisting conventions: flies use unorthodox grammar (“I’ve just thinked of something”), and snails can’t pronounce s’s (“ath thure as thnailth eggth”). While Americans might pause at the title (a “bundle” is a fight), the eclectic cast keeps the pages turning in spite of insect and circus vocabulary, helped along by Copeland’s pen-and-ink drawings of this unique world. Even if insects elicit the screech/squash instinct, this gentle idyll will make readers smile.–Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT
CORNISH, D. M. Foundling illus. by author. 434p. (Monster Blood Tattoo Series, Bk. #1). charts. diags. maps. appendix. glossary. CIP. Putnam 2006. Tr $18.99. ISBN 0-399-24638-X. LC 2005058602. Gr 8 Up–This inventive debut novel follows Rossamünd Bookchild, a foundling boy saddled with an unfortunate name, as he ventures out from his childhood home at the orphanage into the wide world of the Half-Continent, a Georgian-esque society where humans wage an unending battle against the shadowy “monsters” of the wilds. (The tattoo of the series title is the mark given to the slayer of such a beast.) During his journey from boy to man, Rossamünd has his share of adventures, encounters a variety of colorful characters, and learns that the world is more complex and perilous than he was raised to believe. Including an extensive “Explicarium” (glossary) and pages of maps, diagrams, and character portraits, Cornish’s world-building efforts show a depth and intricacy reminiscent of the work of J. R. R. Tolkien or Robert Jordan. While the elaborate jargon may bewilder some, the unique and fascinating Half-Continent, where ships with organic engines sail caustic vinegar oceans and monster-hunters gain supernatural powers through dangerous surgeries, is a delightful, refreshing standout in a sea of cookie-cutter fantasy worlds.–Christi Voth, Parker Library, CO
DECKERS, Amber. Ella Mental: And the Good Sense Guide 231p. S & S/Pulse 2006. pap. $5.99. ISBN 1-4169-1322-X. LC 2005931306.Gr 6-9–When 14-year-old Ella’s group of mates begins to experience individual troubles, she does her matter-of-fact best to be there for each of them while putting off her own problem: her feelings for her best friend, Toby. Her sense of morality is absolute, and she dredges up quotes from her “Elemental Good Sense Guide” as they apply. This book is easy to enjoy. Ella’s kooky, humorous voice is made even more fun for American audiences with its Briticisms: “I set off with a neat girlie giggle that makes my shoulders quiver daintily...soon the pair of us are…rocking with gales of hilarious hooting. Bystanders gawp as if we’re certifiable.” Although two of her friends’ problems are indeed serious (race-based and sexual abuse), this remains a light, slow, feel-good romance that will be appreciated by fans of Louise Rennison and Cathy Hopkins.–Rhona Campbell, Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC
DREYER, Ellen. The Glow Stone 184p. CIP. Peachtree 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-56145-370-6. LC 2005027634.Gr 8 Up–Fifteen-year-old Phoebe’s college-age uncle, with whom she shared a passion for rock collecting, has died of supposed pneumonia, and her depressed mother has stopped painting. Shortly before the unveiling of Bradford’s tombstone one year later, Phoebe finds her mother’s old diary, which details Mom’s suicide attempt as a teenager, and she begins to suspect that her uncle’s death was not accidental. During a caving trip with her Aunt Erica, Phoebe hears a voice calling to her and gets lost. Frightened and hurt, she is amazed when Bradford (hallucination? ghost?) appears and not only asks for her forgiveness, but also helps her to survive. Once she’s rescued, Phoebe has the courage to talk to her family about the depression that seems to affect many of them and makes peace with her uncle’s death. This realistic portrait of a family’s grief makes it clear that keeping secrets–even to protect your loved ones–often results in more pain. Readers get a strong sense of the characters’ personalities, motivations, and emotions. Dreyer incorporates rock-related imagery into the narrative, neatly reflecting Phoebe’s interests. Introspective teens should appreciate Phoebe’s hard-won journey to self-acceptance. For a more in-depth portrayal of the grieving process, suggest Julie Reece Deaver’s Say Goodnight, Gracie (HarperCollins, 1998).–Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
ENSOR, Barbara. Cinderella (As If You Didn’t Already Know the Story) 109p. illus. CIP. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. 2006. Tr $12.95. ISBN 0-375-83620-9; PLB $14.99. ISBN 0-375-93620-3. LC 2005012999.Gr 3-6–This lightweight retelling of the classic fairy tale will please girls who like undemanding and familiar stories with a twist. In this version, Cinderella writes letters to her dead mama complaining about her evil stepmother and attractive but mean-spirited older stepsisters. She spends her days cleaning, cooking, sewing, and generally feeling miserable and put-upon even though she tries to be nice and accommodating. Readers know how it all ends, and Ensor recounts it dutifully, but adds what happens after the curtain traditionally falls on the story. The two work hard on their marriage, since they barely know one another, and eventually the prince becomes a king and a singer while Cinderella finds the other side of herself–as a talented diplomat fully capable of improving their country and the world all around them. Black-and-white silhouettes are positioned throughout the text but don’t add much to the story.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY
EVANS, Mari I’m Late: The Story of LaNeese and Moonlight and Alisha Who Didn’t Have Anyone of Her Own illus. by Varnette Honeywood. 86p. Just Us Bks 2006. Tr $14.95. ISBN 1-933491-00-0. LC number unavailable.Gr 7 Up–Evans deals with themes of teen pregnancy, popularity, loneliness, child abuse, and making choices. LaNeese, 14, becomes pregnant, and star athlete Moonlight, 15, denies that he is the child’s father. He has his dreams set on professional sports and cannot have family responsibilities hold him back. (“No woman just in ninth grade whining 'pregnant’ like they all do was going to mess up his life.”) With no parenting skills, LaNeese uses harsh physical punishment, resulting in the death of her son when he is 18 months old. Her friend Alisha, an overweight girl who feels unloved, lets boys do as they wish with her and also becomes pregnant. She wants a baby so she will have someone with whom she can share love. She goes into premature labor, and the infant does not survive due to low birth weight and lack of prenatal care. Evans effectively uses lots of dialogue to tell the interweaving stories of these African-American teens. Contemporary line drawings complement the text beautifully. The characters initially make bad choices, but later make better ones. A postscript tells what happened to them later and includes questions for discussion about their behavior, making this an excellent selection for health education classes. I’m Late is just right for its target audience, carefully mixing multiple adolescent themes and suggesting alternate pathways.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
FALCONE, L. M. The Devil, the Banshee and Me 192p. CIP. Kids Can 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-55337-894-6; pap. $6.95. ISBN 1-55337-895-4. LC C2005-902157-8.Gr 5-8–Will is chased by a sumo wrestler while at the neighbor’s house borrowing some eggs. Later that evening, he hears a Banshee crying in the cemetery next door, a sound said to foretell the death of a loved one. The “loved one” happens to be Megan, the neighbor’s daughter, who is to die on her 13th birthday unless her mother can make a bargain with the Banshee. Will becomes involved in the plot to trick the evil creature and save Megan’s life. This quick read has lots of over-the-top humor and a sprinkling of Irish folklore. While the author does a good job of building tension, the development of the characters is lacking. Still, it’s a fair distraction for readers looking for a light read.–Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
FISHER, Catherine. Day of the Scarab 400p. (The Oracle Prophecies Series). CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-057163-2; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-057164-0. LC 2005052626.Gr 7-10–Mirany, one of a select group of priestesses called the Nine, struggles alongside her friends and allies–including a “thief lord” called the Jackal and Alexos, a boy who embodies divinity–to defeat the renegade general Argelin, who has made himself king. The ruthless ruler destroys statues of the god and particularly despises the Rain Queen, goddess of water and of the dead, including Hermia, whom Argelin has unintentionally killed and intends to reclaim from the underworld. Fisher’s fantasy world, introduced in the first two books in the series, is a fully realized creation, mingling characteristics of ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and even the later Byzantine Empire when the Vikings had become a threat. The headlong rush of Fisher’s writing is perfectly suited to teens raised on blockbuster movies and video games. Full of dialogue and action, the brief scenes force readers to concentrate on what is happening and to whom, allowing the accumulation of detail and circumstance to supply the explanations. Readers who have not first read the earlier titles will find themselves puzzling over background material, though much is cleared up by dialogue as the story progresses. The book is so full of incident and character, and the scenes shift so rapidly, that it can be difficult to keep the various plot threads separate. Likewise, the constant breathless pace may lessen the impact of the climax for some readers. Most, however, are likely to be swept along in this entertaining and evocative adventure, eager to keep turning the pages.–Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX
FRIEDMAN, Aimee. French Kiss 306p. Scholastic 2006. pap. $8.99. ISBN 0-439-79281-9. LC number unavailable.Gr 9 Up–Parisian-born Alexa St. Laurent moved to New Jersey because of her father’s job. She has convinced her boyfriend to fly to Paris for spring break. They fight; Alexa feels that Diego is behaving like a tourist and, insulted, he leaves. She goes to stay with her cousins and calls her estranged friend Holly to join her. Holly is in England with her high school track team for an international meet. Of course, Holly slips away to Paris. She and Alexa have a wonderful time talking, shopping, and eyeing glamorous men. Their friendship back on a steady keel, Holly helps Alexa when Alexa’s much-older male interest proves to be unworthy of her devotion. Sensible, conscientious Holly is an excellent and strong secondary character who endured Alexa’s snubs and maintained a sense of her own self-worth when her friend deserted her for the in-crowd. Friedman skillfully depicts teenage bravado and fearlessness balanced against a lack of worldly ways and knowledge. A charming story of friendship and growing up.–Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ
GAUTHIER, Gail. Happy Kid! 227p. CIP. Putnam 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-399-24266-X. LC 2005003534.Gr 5-8–To Kyle, Bert P. Trotts Middle School is “the gateway to hell.’’ All he wants is to get through seventh grade unnoticed. Since he’s infamous for an incident with a screwdriver on the bus in sixth grade that was blown way out of proportion by the administration, and he has been placed in accelerated classes, he has lost all of his friends. On the night before school starts, his mother gives him a book to help him counteract his negativity, claiming that Happy Kid: A Young Person’s Guide to Satisfying Relationships and a Happy and Meaning-filled Life just screamed his name when she saw it. But the book seems to have a plan of its own, falling open to the parts that are pertinent to the zany situations that Kyle finds himself in, although sometimes offering advice that makes his life more complicated. Gauthier perfectly describes a typically self-absorbed teenage boy who sees himself as an underdog. Her one-liners, rapid-fire humor, and sharp ear for dialogue make this a quick, funny read. This portrait of middle school will ring all too true to students who run that gauntlet daily.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
GOLDS, Cassandra. Clair-de-Lune 197p. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-375-83395-1; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-375-93395-6. LC 2005016771.Gr 4-6–Clair-de-Lune’s mother died when she was a baby, and the girl has never been able to speak. She is treated meanly by the other students at her ballet school because of her talent and her inability to communicate. She lives with her grandmother who is determined that her granddaughter will never experience love because her mother died on stage from what the elderly woman believes was a broken heart. Surprisingly, Clair-de-Lune is now going to perform this same ballet in spite of misgivings by almost everyone, including the child herself. The young ballerina’s only friend is a mouse named Bonaventure. He is definitely the warmest and most interesting character in the story. He has fallen in love with classical dance and is determined to create a mouse ballet. Before he can realize his dream, however, he is killed by a cat, and the other mice perform it in his honor. Through Bonaventure’s friendship, Clair-de-Lune finds her father and her voice and perhaps a happy future. This is a curious, melancholy story with a young heroine who is malnourished both physically and spiritually. It is hard to determine the audience for this book. Although Bonaventure might add spark, it is not enough to attract many readers.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA
GRATZ, Alan. Samurai Shortstop 280p. bibliog. CIP. Dial 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-8037-3075-6. LC 2005022081.Gr 7 Up–It is 1890, and 16-year-old Toyo Shimada is uniquely poised to witness the clash of old and new ways in his native Tokyo. Emperor Meiji has instituted a series of radical reforms; one of them requires that all samurai hang up their swords. In the hypnotic opening scene, Toyo and his father assist as his Uncle Koji commits ritual suicide or seppuku. Toyo’s father, Sotaro, is a scholarly samurai whose weapon has always been his ink brush, but he too has decided that he cannot live in this new Japan. He tells Toyo that once he has taught him the ways of bushido, or the warrior’s code, he, too, will take his own life. Meanwhile, Toyo begins his studies at an elite high school where the hazing by the senior students makes the first-year students miserable. Eventually, the teen and his friends are able to stand up for themselves, and Toyo wins a place on the school’s besuboro or baseball team. His lessons in bushido include meditation, balance, and swordplay, and Toyo finds in baseball a way to make the connection between “both modern and ancient, mental and physical.” Gratz’s concluding notes offer more on the period as well as sources for more information. This well-written tale offers plenty of fascinating detail, a fast-paced story, and a fresh perspective on “America’s pastime.” It should delight baseball fans and win a wide audience.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
GREENBURG, Dan. Claws 194p. CIP. Random 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-375-83410-9; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-375-93410-3. LC 2005023550.Gr 5-8–Cody, 14, is 6 feet tall and passes for 16. His appearance has eased his flight from an abusive mother in New York City and made it possible for him to find minimum-wage jobs. He hopes for something better and more interesting when he hires on at the “Sam Houston Tiger Ranch” in central Texas. Dealing closely with the daily needs of big cats, he finds that his boss and coworkers are a colorful bunch, including ranch co-owner Sunny. Her brother and partner, Wayland, has recently disappeared and is presumed dead. The heart of the story is Cody’s learning the ropes and beginning to feel a sense of home. A touching subplot involves an eight-year-old neighbor with a bad stutter whom Cody draws out of his shyness, and the violence of a summer tornado is a tense counterpoint to Cody’s well-earned happiness. The other subplots, concerning Wayland and the accusation that Sunny murdered him, as well as Cody’s worries that his mother, a noted television child psychologist, might find him, add unnecessary and not terribly convincing clutter to the story. Despite these caveats, however, Claws is a swiftly moving and sympathetic tale of a teen who wants to find a place for himself.–Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX
GREENE, Michele Domínguez. Chasing the Jaguar 227p. glossary. CIP. HarperCollins 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-076353-1; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-076354-X. LC 2005022735.Gr 8 Up–An intriguing mystery by the L.A. Law actress and songwriter. While Mexican-American Martika prepares for her quinceañera in a tough section of Los Angeles, she begins to have vivid and frightening nightmares that always feature a jaguar. She also dreams about a rich girl who has been kidnapped by a shady art collector; Martika is able to experience what abducted Jennifer Colton feels. With crisp dialogue liberally sprinkled with Spanish words, Greene portrays the coming of age of an unusual teen. Martika discovers that she is one of a long line of Mayan curanderas, or witches. Her growing and unusually strong powers help her to eventually solve the kidnapping case. Los Angeles is vibrantly described, with its sharply divided communities, the prevalence of drugs, and a sly bit of commentary on the residents’ often superficial priorities and morals. Martika’s story combines a traditional mystery told from multiple perspectives, magical realism of the Mayan world, a girl’s inherited powers, and a statement on value systems. While Martika’s telekinetic and pyrokinetic powers add unusual flavor to the tale, she is in many ways a typical teen. Greene introduces the tale with information about the ancient and current Mayan cultures, and the importance of magic, talismans, and shape-shifters. This unusual mystery is sure to attract teens, and should encourage them to find out more about Mayan culture.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY
GWALTNEY, Doris. Homefront 310p. CIP. S & S 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-689-86842-1. LC number unavailable. Gr 6-8–To Margaret Ann Motley and her family, World War II seems very far away from Wight County, VA, until Aunt Mary Lee and her daughter are forced to flee England. Margaret Ann and her cousin Courtney, both 12, don’t hit it off, and, to make matters worse, Courtney wins Grandma Motley’s heart and Margaret Ann’s boyfriend and is pampered by the rest of the family. The war comes even closer to home when Pearl Harbor is bombed. Elizabeth Motley and her fiancé decide to marry before he leaves for the army, and her brother enlists in the navy. The strain of waiting to hear from loved ones, of getting good news and bad, rationing, and the loss of farm help as men go off to fight are all intertwined with the events of everyday life as Margaret Ann tries to get along in her family, win back her boyfriend, and outwit her cousin. The characters are superbly delineated. Margaret Ann, the quintessential adolescent at the beginning of the book, morphs into a much more mature person. Courtney is lonely and scared, which she covers up by being obnoxious. She has the sly, sweet voice of a girl who knows how to get her own way while sticking it to her rival. The other family members and close friends receive the same careful characterization. This perceptive novel focuses on how war affects the people who are left at home–their fears, dreams, hardships, and, above all, hopes.–Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC
HABER, Melissa Glenn. The Pluto Project 263p. Dutton 2006. Tr $17.99. ISBN 0-525-47721-7. LC number unavailable.Gr 7-9–Since his mother’s death two years earlier, 13-year-old Alan Green has worked to achieve the sort of cool indifference that allows him to exist outside the radar of most of his teachers and the school bullies, while making him the center of a small clique of devoted friends. One of his group’s pastimes involves lurking in a culvert under the road and listening in on the conversations of passersby. It amuses them to seek coded messages in the commonplace interactions that they overhear, and they merge them into a secret-agent game. This fun doesn’t distract Alan from his obsession with Juliet–tall, dark, graceful, and completely committed to ballet. At first, she ignores him. Eventually, though, he charms her into a friendship and draws her into the spy game. One by one, he alienates his pals in his pursuit of her and the game. As he copes with the crashing disappointment that Juliet has no romantic interest in him, he becomes more and more convinced that the spy game has predicted the assassination of the governor and perhaps a plot to kill her replacement as well. On top of his delusions and loneliness, Alan also has to cope with his father’s imminent remarriage. The novel doesn’t satisfy as adventure because the spy work is merely an unrealized backdrop; nor is the story itself successful because of the confusion engendered by the boy’s state of mind; and his words, featuring a fondness for profanity, seem too adult at times.–Suzanne Gordon, Richards Middle School, Lawrenceville, GA
HARDINGE, Frances. Fly by Night 487p. CIP. HarperCollins 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-087627-1; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-087629-8. LC 2005020598. Gr 5-9–Mosca, 12, and Eponymous Clent, a traveling wordsmith of dubious repute, become immersed in the intrigues of the city of Mandelion, where rival guilds vie for power with a “pixilated” Duke and his scheming sister. Initially awed by her confusing new surroundings, Mosca gradually pieces together important truths about the realm and her place within it. Through rich, colorful language and a sure sense of plot and pacing, Hardinge has created a distinctly imaginative world full of engaging characters, robust humor, and true suspense. Readers get to know the realm and its people through the interactions between Mosca and a well-drawn cast of supporting characters. While she tries to judge right from wrong within the complex plots that ensnare her, she finds that few of the people she meets are as simple as they first seem. Vying religious beliefs also play a part in the fate of the realm, and the details develop neatly as the adventures progress. Plot twists, lively dialogue, and the antics of Mosca’s fierce pet goose add plenty of humor. The conclusion addresses the value of words in a satisfying manner. This sophisticated tale is not for everyone. Some readers may struggle to keep track of the complex politics, history, and religion in Mosca’s world, but those who appreciate the inventive plots of Cornelia Funke and Jonathan Stroud or Lloyd Alexander’s colorful prose should thoroughly enjoy this highly original adventure.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
HARVEY-FITZHENRY, Alyxandra. Waking 118p. Orca 2006. pap. $8.95. ISBN 1-55143-489-X. LC 2005938905.Gr 7-10–Since her mother’s suicide, Beauty, 16, has been visited by the Shadow Lady in her dreams. The teen is withdrawn and desperate to avoid the stares and questions of her classmates. Her well-intentioned father has gone so far as to lock up everything with an edge, even to the point of forbidding the use of plastic utensils, in an attempt to prevent any other “accidents” in the house. Then in walks Luna, a new student who marches to the beat of her own drum. She tells Beauty that girls with weird names need to “stick together.” Slowly, Beauty begins to reclaim her life. She finds the confidence to paint again and takes tentative steps toward a relationship with her longtime crush. The allusions to Sleeping Beauty are well done and subtle. As Luna and a handsome male classmate named Poe provide the impetus for this Beauty’s awakening, her dream-life begins to take on a darker, more sinister–yet freeing–tone. This novel about waking up from a nightmare–literally and figuratively–is nicely crafted and will resonate with readers who are struggling with grief and similar emotions.–Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA
HEADLEY, Justina Chen. Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies) 241p. CIP. Little, Brown 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-316-01128-2. LC 2005022021.Gr 9 Up–This novel is a mostly successful exploration of teen “hapa” (half white, half Asian) life and the struggles unique to those who live between two distinct cultures. High school sophomore Patty Ho feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere: in her family, she is a distant second to her older brother; she sometimes feels out of place among her white friends; and she is decidedly concerned about fitting in at the math camp that she’s getting ready to attend. When she arrives at Stanford University, however, Patty starts to see her situation a bit differently. The good-looking Asian boy she meets on the first day just might meet her strict mother’s approval, and her new roommate is someone who, Patty notes, “breaks all the rules.” Just when she’s starting to enjoy math camp, her domineering mother arrives and, convinced that Patty is spending more time having fun than studying, threatens to bring her home. There are some funny and thoughtful moments in the narrative as the teen undergoes significant changes in her feelings about herself and her family. The first 75 pages set up her situation at home and at school; they are both funny and telling. However, some readers might be disappointed because they can’t see Patty back in her “real world,” and how her life has changed. In spite of these drawbacks, Headley’s voice is a new and much-needed one that shows great promise.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston
HEMPHILL, Helen. Long Gone Daddy 175p. Front St. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-932425-38-1. LC number unavailable.Gr 6-9–Harlan Q, 14, lives and works with the local funeral director and his wife because his evangelical preacher father, Harlan P, has evicted him for religious doubts. There he meets his grandfather, Harlan O, for the first time. The fact that the man is dead doesn’t stop him from wanting to know more about his relative. The teen convinces his father to drive the body to Las Vegas to collect an inheritance, and thus the two have the opportunity to develop a relationship and learn something about the man who has been lost to them for 20 years. The premise is interesting, but not much happens as the two travel, have car troubles, take on an aspiring actor who is more interesting than either Harlan, and find themselves in a city that fascinates the younger Harlan as much as it horrifies the elder. The characters are not fully developed except for the former and some barely seem to have a face or voice, like his mother. As Harlan Q learns about his grandfather through the people who knew and loved him, he discovers a compassionate and intelligent man, but Harlan P never does accept him. Harlan Q knows a bit more about his father at story’s end, but it’s not clear what lessons are learned by either of them as they begin their ride home together.–Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL
HERRICK, Steven. By the River 238p. CIP. Front St. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-932425-72-1. LC 2005023967.Gr 8 Up–Through rich, vivid poetry, Harry Hodby brings readers into his remote Australian town. He documents the mundane and unique qualities of daily life and the quirkiness of the townspeople, and gives a lively sense of locale. Three-dimensional characters come alive as Harry offers his insightful take on their strengths and foibles. A likable, perceptive, sensitive teen, he is intuitive beyond his years. His mother died when he was seven and now he shares his life with an attentive father and a brother, Keith, one year his junior. His father has built a nurturing home for the boys, though some wagging tongues are quick to criticize. Although there are adventures, Harry finds the town boring and yearns to escape for a time some day, but he worries that too many people have left and never returned. He also mourns for his friend Linda, who was swept away when the river on which the town is situated swelled and overflowed its banks. He secretly tends a shrine created in her honor, only to discover later that he is not alone in his admiration of her. This is a beautifully and sensitively written novel featuring a caring, intelligent protagonist.–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
HOLM, Jennifer L. Penny from Heaven 270p. photos. reprods. further reading. Web sites. CIP. Random 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-375-83687-X; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-375-93687-4. LC 2005013896.Gr 5-7–Penny Falucci, 11, lives with her widowed mother and maternal grandparents, but her father’s large, Italian family is tremendously important to her, too. It frustrates her that no one talks about his death, but as the summer of 1953 progresses, several events occur. First, her mother begins dating the milkman, and, when Penny’s arm goes through the wringer on the washing machine, things come to a head. Finally, the secrets behind her father’s death come out. Aunt Gina tells her about a minor incident that had horrifying consequences for him because of the restrictions placed on Italian Americans during World War II. Penny and her world are clearly drawn and eminently believable, made up of seamlessly interwoven details from everyday life. The period is lovingly re-created, from the fear of catching polio to Penny’s use of the word “swell.” An author’s note with photos is included. Recommend this novel to readers who enjoyed Ann M. Martin’s A Corner of the Universe (Scholastic, 2002) for another intricate picture of a girl with knotty ties to an imperfect family in a not-too-distant past.–Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL
HOPKINS, Ellen. Burned 532p. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-4169-0354-2. LC number unavailable.Gr 9 Up–Once again the author of Crank (S & S, 2004) has masterfully used verse to re-create the yearnings and emotions of a teenage girl trapped in tragic circumstances. Poems in varied formats captivate readers as they describe a teen’s immobilizing fear of her abusive father, disgust with a church hierarchy that looks the other way, hope that new relationships can counteract despair, joy in the awakening of romance, and sorrow when demons ultimately prevail. Pattyn Von Stratten is the eldest of eight sisters in a stern Mormon household where women are relegated to servitude and silence. She has a glimpse of normal teenage life when Derek takes an interest in her, but her father stalks them in the desert and frightens him away. Unable to stifle her rage, Pattyn acts out as never before and is suspended from school. Sent to live with an aunt on a remote Nevada ranch, she meets Ethan and discovers “forever love.” Woven into the story of a teen’s struggle to find her destiny is the story of her aunt’s barrenness following government mismanagement of atomic testing and protests over nuclear waste disposal. Readers will become immersed in Pattyn’s innermost thoughts as long-held secrets are revealed, her father’s beatings take a toll on her mother and sister, and Pattyn surrenders to Ethan’s love with predictable and disturbing consequences. Writing for mature teens, Hopkins creates compelling characters in horrific situations.–Kathy Lehman, Thomas Dale High School Library, Chester, VA
HOROWITZ, Anthony. Evil Star 318p. (The Gatekeepers Series). CIP. Scholastic 2006. Tr $17.99. ISBN 0-439-67996-6. LC 2005022135.Gr 5-8–Though this is the second installment in this series, new readers will catch on quickly. Fresh from his victory over Raven’s Gate, Matt is once again called upon by the mysterious Nexus. As one of the five kids foretold by prophecy to fight back the Old Ones, the 14-year-old is needed in South America. From the very beginning, his enemies seem to always be one step ahead of him. But these shadowy opponents don’t count on Matt’s unexpected allies: the second of the five, and an ancient tribe of Inca warriors. While the story and characters are not particularly original, and more experienced readers will not be glued to their seats, the plot turns and emotional relationships will more than satisfy thrill seekers, especially those already into Horowitz’s “Alex Rider” series (Philomel). A must-have for reluctant, middle-grade boys.–Morgan Johnson-Doyle, Sierra High School, Colorado Springs, CO
KADOHATA, Cynthia. Weedflower 260p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-689-86574-0. LC 2004024912. Gr 5-8–When Pearl Harbor is attacked, the lives of a Japanese-American girl and her family are thrown into chaos. Sumiko, 12, and her younger brother, Tak-Tak, live with their aunt and uncle, grandfather Jiichan, and adult cousins on a flower farm in Southern California. Though often busy with chores, Sumiko enjoys working with the blossoms, particularly stock, or weedflowers (fragrant plants grown in a field). In the difficult days that follow the bombing, the family members fear for their safety and destroy many of their belongings. Then Uncle and Jiichan are taken to a prison camp, and the others are eventually sent to an assembly center at a racetrack, where they live in a horse stable. When they’re moved to the Arizona desert, Sumiko misses the routine of her old life and struggles with despair. New friends help; she grows a garden with her neighbor and develops a tender relationship with a Mohave boy. She learns from him that the camp is on land taken from the Mohave reservation and finds that the tribe’s plight parallels that of the incarcerated Japanese Americans. Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko’s growth from child to young woman. She is a sympathetic heroine, surrounded by well-crafted, fascinating people. The concise yet lyrical prose conveys her story in a compelling narrative that will resonate with a wide audience.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
KESSLER, Liz. Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep illus. by Sarah Gibb. 219p. Candlewick 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2504-3. LC number unavailable.Gr 4-6–Emily is ecstatic. In The Tail of Emily Windsnap (Candlewick, 2004), she learns that she is a mermaid and reunites her human mother with her merman father. Now, the happy family is going to live together on an island smack dab in the center of the Bermuda Triangle. King Neptune himself has designated Allpoints Island as a safe place where humans and merfolk can coexist in peace. Even better, Emily’s mermaid buddy Shona is moving to the island as well. Unfortunately, Emily is still feeling a little different as she is the only half-human/half-mermaid hybrid she knows. In an attempt to impress the others, she unwittingly unleashes a monster sleeping at the heart of the island. To put it to rest, she must now face not only her fears but also her old rival from middle school, Mandy Rushton. Constantly shying away from taking responsibility for her actions, Emily opts for the path of least resistance time and again, only stopping the murderous kraken when forced to do so. The book comes across as overly simplistic much of the time and relies too heavily on coincidence and some unbelievably cheery endings. Just the same, mermaid lovers everywhere will undoubtedly enjoy this story. Consider purchase if the first book is popular.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
KUIJER, Guus. The Book of Everything tr. from Dutch by John Nieuwenhuizen. 101p. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-74918-2. LC 2005018717.Gr 4-6–In spite of his hard life, Thomas believes in happiness. He adores Eliza, who has an artificial leg. He sees Jesus and talks to him. He sees tropical fish in the canal. In between his father’s beatings, he records all he believes, thinks, adores, and sees in his Book of Everything. His Bible-quoting father justifies his brutality toward his son and wife as, “It is the man’s task to lead and instruct his wife and children. And if they refuse to listen to him, he has no choice but to….” Things come to a head when his older sister threatens their bullying father with a carving knife, their mother stands up to him, and neighbors turn against him. In the end, he sees that his lonely father is terrified of life. He is encouraged by an unlikely ally, Mrs. van Amersfoort, who lost her husband to the Nazis, but still believes in happiness. Winner of the Flemish Golden Owl award, this book is enchanting. The translation manages to hold the shaky feel of a postwar Netherlands. Thomas is proof that there is beauty in dirty streets and that innocence cannot be destroyed. A solid, if not first, purchase.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
LAYNE, Steven L. Mergers 206p. CIP. Pelican 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 1-58980-183-0. LC 2005032652.Gr 7-10–Four friends were raised together. Each one is of a different race and has a different superpower. One is psychic, another empathic, another can morph into other forms, and the final one can travel through and control time. They live in a society in which their very faces will get them killed, a merged world where race has been eliminated and all people are the same combination of races. When the teens are caught and their caregiver is murdered by crazed Senator Broogue, they are rescued from a similar fate by four adults who are also of different races and have similar powers. The adults train the young people to strengthen their powers in order to travel back in time and reverse the merged races. This book reads like a comic book with plenty of action. The pace is generally fast, though the story does bog down occasionally in the middle. The matching powers of the teens and their adult counterparts are never explained, leaving lots of loose ends. There is also unevenness in the story line; upcoming obstacles seem to be insurmountable, but then when they are finally overcome, they are made to seem insignificant. A quick read, this is not an essential purchase but it should be well received if you can get it into the hands of graphic-novel fans.–Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI
LIPSYTE, Robert. Raiders Night 232p. CIP. HarperTempest July 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-059946-4; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-059947-2. LC 2005017865.Gr 9 Up–The Nearmont High School football team and the adults who support it see winning as the ultimate goal, even if it means resorting to illegal steroids. The players are the toast of the town, enjoying wild parties, drugs and alcohol, and girls who offer casual sex. Matt Rydek, one of the team’s popular stars and a cocaptain, is torn between two girls and deals with a pushy father who lives vicariously through him. During preseason camp, the obnoxious and angry cocaptain, Ramp, assaults Chris, a new sophomore player and the object of his jealousy, and violates him with a baseball bat. The stunned upperclassmen, including Matt, don’t tell anyone what they have witnessed, and although the coaches eventually learn the facts, they attempt to keep them quiet and pacify Chris to prevent a scandal. When Chris finally confronts Ramp with a gun, Matt must make some serious decisions about revealing the truth. Realistically gritty language peppers on-the-mark dialogue in this disturbing tale of bullying and competitive fury taken too far. Matt is a strong character believably confused by the mixed messages he gets from those around him, including his father. The alarmingly clear depiction of athletes trying to conceal hideous violence is reminiscent of that in Erika Tamar’s Fair Game (1993) and Nancy Garden’s Endgame (2006, both Harcourt). Lipsyte has added to his repertoire a remarkable, tough, important story exposing various negative elements that are far too common in today’s world of sports.–Diane P. Tuccillo, City of Mesa Library, AZ
LOWERY, Linda. Truth and Salsa 176p. CIP. Peachtree 2006. Tr $14.95. ISBN 1-59145-366-8. LC 2005027633.Gr 4-7–When Hayley Flynn’s parents separate, the 12-year-old is sent to live with her grandmother in Mexico for six months. After she arrives, she becomes fast friends with a neighbor, Lili, and the two girls have a series of adventures, including solving a mystery about a ghost and being extras in a movie starring a local heartthrob. But all is not well in San Miguel. Some of the villagers who work in the States as migrant laborers are being cheated out of their salaries and cannot pay their way home. Hayley begins an e-mail campaign that helps to resolve the problem, and the men, including Lili’s dad, are finally reunited with their loved ones. Hayley is a refreshing heroine, warm and realistic, who struggles with her sadness about her fractured family and expresses herself through painting. The writing is engaging, and Lowery has created a strong sense of place through vivid descriptions of local festivals, scenery, and day-to-day life in the town.–Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX
MCCAFFREY, Laura Williams. Water Shaper 218p. Clarion 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-61489-3. LC number unavailable.Gr 7 Up–Evocative descriptions and elements of Celtic folklore add much to this tale of a young woman’s search for a place that feels like home. Margot lives a Cinderella-like existence in the midlands with her father, King Philip, and her stepmother. Her mother was believed to be “tainted” with magic and an “unnatural” knowledge of water, and it is assumed that Margot, too, is tainted. When a group of holy men visits from the westlands, Margot, intrigued with their leader, King Orrin, returns home with them. On the journey, she and Orrin are betrothed, and she hopes that she will finally fit in once they reach his lands by the water. Her mother’s Book of the Sea begins to reveal more and more of itself to her as she travels toward the ocean. When Orrin discovers that she has been hiding it from him, he becomes enraged. Margot is called into an undersea world by a mysterious light, but finds that she is no more at home with her mother’s sea family than she is with the westlanders, and she decides to make her own way in the world. The real strength of this book is the descriptive language, which evokes the settings quite clearly and beautifully. Margot’s struggle to make a place for herself is well realized. However, the other characters are not well developed, and the plot is a bit choppy. Readers are likely to prefer Mollie Hunter’s A Stranger Came Ashore (1977) and The Mermaid Summer (1988, both HarperCollins).–Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
MCCALL, Josh. The Blackout Gang 188p. Sleuth/Razorbill July 2006. Tr $10.99. ISBN 1-59514-050-6. LC number unavailable.Gr 5-8–Three 12-year-old friends are at summer camp, north of New York City. Unfortunately, Monica finds it impossible to practice her violin, and BB can’t get a signal to work on his computer. Kevin is reasonably happy because his strength happens to be physical, and he can outrun or outplay anyone else in camp. Their plan to escape back to the city for one night becomes urgent when a scratchy message comes in on BB’s cell phone from Newt Lizzard, a classmate whose father is a billionaire. He’s in serious danger, and he needs help fast. Once the three friends get to the city, they not only have to find Newt, but they must also deal with a citywide blackout. The kids pool their talents to locate Newt and discover what diabolical mind is behind the disappearance of their parents, the blackout, and the attack on Newt. Readers will enjoy this fast-paced mystery with three likable protagonists. The specialized skills of the young people will attract kids who have a talent that makes them stand out, and Kevin’s physical prowess adds a twist to the normal “geeky” detective squad. This is definitely a book for reluctant readers as there is always some excitement around the corner. The ending wraps up far too conveniently, but the ride there will satisfy most readers.–Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI
MCDONNELL, Vincent. Children of Stone 206p. Collins 2006. pap. $9.95. ISBN 1-903464-88-9. LC number unavailable.Gr 4-7–Set at the end of the Stone Age, McDonnell’s adventure concerns the coming of age of 12-year-old Bolan, son of a village headman. While his father is in Sarnay seeking a protective alliance with its lord and a supply of a new wheat, another villager gains control and takes Bolan and his younger brother and sister captive. Fearful of death and desperate to warn their father, the siblings escape and face not only the dangers of the wild–wolves, bears, and nomads–but also their enemy. Readers will thrill to the adventure. McDonnell’s language is sometimes overwrought, as when he notes an enraged bear “rushing hither and thither through the trees, trampling saplings beneath its feet as if they were but flowers,” but generally it is appropriate for the audience. Unfortunately, given the seriousness with which the material is approached, the comic cover illustration, featuring large-eyed waifs with hair apparently of straw, may turn some readers away. Even so, this is a stirring tale of family love, friendship in unexpected places, and the courage to face up to the trials of life in a much harsher time and place.–Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX
MCKAY, Hilary. Caddy Ever After 218p. CIP. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-4169-0930-3. LC 2005031449.Gr 5-8–In this fourth installment featuring the Casson family, McKay’s strong points shine through. Though it takes much of the book to get there, the climactic event is the (attempted) marriage of oldest sister, Caddy, to someone other than Darling Michael. The youngest sibling, Rose, has promised Michael not to let his true love marry anyone else in his absence. Luckily, Rose’s teacher has informed her that there is a point in the ceremony where the “umpire” says: “Anyone got any problems before I go ahead?” McKay’s brilliance is in her characterization. As the narrative viewpoint shifts, each character is unique, charming, and entirely likable. The depth of the story is conveyed in the dynamic of this family that is at times both touching and hilarious. Beautifully crafted descriptive language makes this offering a real gem. It does not stand alone, however, as previous knowledge of the characters and the story line is required.–Rebecca Stine, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
MACPHAIL, C. Get That Ghost to Go! illus. by Karen Donnelly. 83p. ISBN 1-59889-004-2. LC 2005026574.NORMAN, Tony. Terror World illus. by Paul Savage. 33p. ISBN 1-59889-008-5. LC 2005026567.
TOWNSON, H. The Secret Room illus. by Martin Salisbury. 75p. ISBN 1-59889-003-4. LC 2005026583. ea vol: (Pathway Bks.). glossary. Web sites. CIP. Stone Arch 2006. PLB $21.26.
Gr 5-7–These novels are designed for reluctant and slow readers. In the first book, Duncan is hit by a soccer ball and can then see an evil, smelly ghost. Blamed for the apparition’s actions, the boy must figure out how to get rid of him. In Terror World, two boys find that the game they are playing at an arcade has taken them into a frightening real world inhabited by razor cats. Secret Room puts Adam in the middle of a World War II air raid. All three titles feature middle-school characters and have plots that develop quickly. The chapters typically end with some hook to keep readers involved. Accomplished readers won’t be attracted to these books because of their simplistic appearance, but the large print and short length may appeal to readers who are intimidated by longer, text-heavy titles. The books might actually be more useful for teachers purchasing materials for resource-room use rather than for general library collections as they seem to lend themselves to direct reading instruction. Each novel contains discussion questions and writing prompts.–Anne L. Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
