Grades 5 & Up

By Staff -- School Library Journal, 8/1/2006

Fiction

Gr 7 Up–As in Kit’s Wilderness (2000) and The Fire-Eaters (2004, both Delacorte), Almond revisits the English north country of his youth to spin this metaphysical tale of boys in conflict. Davie and his friend Geordie are altar boys, but are beginning to doubt the value of their long-held religious beliefs. They live in fear of the bullying Mouldy, a hulking, drunken lout from a neighboring village whom they’re sure is out to kill them. Enter Stephen, a slightly older boy whose father is dead, whose mother is mad, and who was reputedly kicked out of priestly training for some kind of trouble related to devil worship and performing a Black Mass. A talented sculptor, he proceeds to scare Davie silly with his talk of creating life, of creating, in fact, a monster that will wreak revenge on Mouldy. Davie sees Stephen’s clay figures move. Is it hypnotism, faith, or madness? Whatever, their monster is eventually made real. Mouldy may have been killed by it in a fall from a cliff, and Davie wrestles with his guilt until he ultimately destroys it. This is a Catholic ghost story, a sort of “Secret Life of Boys” with which many readers, should they persevere through the heavily nuanced language, will identify. While the look of the book is deceptively simple, the weighty content of the plot and its accompanying themes are chilling, indeed.–Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA

Gr 4-7–These selections, newly written for this collection, include stories, plays, essays, and verse, and, for the most part, they are as wholesome and innocent as Boy’s Life. In one exception, Bill C. Davis’s “Family Meeting,” the narrator has to deal with the suicide of his older half brother and acknowledge that his father did not marry any of his three wives until they were pregnant. In Ron Koertge’s realistic play Lanky Boys with Cars, two 12-year-olds discuss what they know, or think they know, about sex. But the norm here is uncontroversial. Sneed B. Collard III’s narrator in “The Tower” faces his fear of jumping from a high platform into a river. In “To Speak or Not to Speak,” Edwin Endlich’s protagonist discovers that, when acting out memorized lines, he does not stutter. Barbara Robinson’s allergic hero of “A Pet for Calvin” adopts a worm. “The Squids” and “Heroes and Villains” have science-fiction motifs, and “The Marooned Boy” is a version of a Caddo Indian story. Perhaps the most touching piece is Raymond Bial’s essay, “Bucking Bales,” about a summer he spent doing chores for a neighboring farmer and learning in the process that, unlike his father, a man could praise and appreciate what a boy does. The appendix contains information about the writers and short essays by them about how the pieces came to be written. Dude! will find its niche in libraries where more anthologies are needed, where librarians and teachers want ready access to read-alouds more mature than picture books, and where one-act plays are popular.–Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX

Gr 4-7–Eleven-year-old twins Jason and Julia and their friend Rick are caught up in an adventure in space and time in this second volume in the series. Back home at Argo Manor, Julia and the aged butler, Nestor, confront a thug in the employ of the nefarious Oblivia Newton while the boys, stuck in ancient Egypt, try to follow the clues to a long-lost map in order to return home. With the help of Maruk, the daughter of Egypt’s high priest, and Mammon (also known as Lucifer), who runs the Shop of Long-Lost Maps, the boys race against time to find the Room That Isn’t There, unaware that Ms. Newton is also on the hunt. The story seesaws between past and present, weaving together the adventures of Julia, the boys, and Ms. Newton. Baccalario’s pages are so full of action and his pace is so breathless that readers may not realize, until the boys themselves do at book’s end, that the map’s importance is still unexplained. Clever street urchins, a pet crocodile, an ancient ballad, and the allegedly dead Ulysses Moore, the manor’s previous occupant, all figure into the excitement. Paced like a Hollywood thriller–Indiana Jones from a kid’s-eye view–The Long-Lost Map sacrifices character development and literary verve for nonstop excitement, which it provides in spades. Recommend this one to those students who have worn out their copies of Lemony Snicket’s books and Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black’s “Spiderwick Chronicles” (S & S).–Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX

Gr 5-8–This off-the-wall science-fiction comedy verges on the absurd. In 1957, a spaceship launched by the Soviet Union contained Laika, the first dog in space. It entered a wormhole and crashed on the alien planet Gersbach. Forty-nine years later, Gersbach is in danger of breaking apart due to an invisible force called a Disturbance of Gravity (D.O.G.) that’s flowing from the wormhole and creating planetary seismic tremors. Two of Gersbach’s best Galactanauts, doll-sized Belka Sparkleman and Strelka Funkmaster, are chosen to head a space mission through the wormhole back to Earth to find and destroy the source of the D.O.G. They assume that all of Earth’s inhabitants are dogs like Laika so they travel in an aircraft that resembles a terrier. Escaped prisoner Colonel Bars, his squad of fighting fleas, and Flanger Damka, his beautiful female accomplice, have stolen another Gersbachian aircraft in the shape of a dachshund and are determined to find the D.O.G. for themselves. Both rival teams land in Australia and are adopted by the angst-ridden Buckley family, including Lucy, 11, and Amy, 14. In the course of their mission, the Gersbachians have outrageous encounters with a garden gnome, feral cats, sheep, cockroaches, cockatoos, and a Russian rocket scientist. This novel has too many subplots, simplistic writing, and a frantic pace, but middle school readers with a penchant for silly-sounding names and bad puns will have a blast.–Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton

Gr 4-7–In this sequel to Peter and the Starcatchers (Hyperion, 2004), trouble arrives at Mollusk Island (otherwise known as Never Land) in the form of a ship filled with nefarious characters searching for the trunk of “starstuff” that the Starcatchers spirited away in the first book. When the bad guys, led by nonhuman Lord Ombra, learn that it is in London, they sail off in pursuit, and it takes the combined efforts of Peter, Tinker Bell, and Peter’s friend Molly’s Starcatcher family to ensure that it is returned to outer space before Lord Ombra can use it to rule the world. Kids won’t have to have read the first book to dive headfirst into this one; it is filled with enough rollicking, death-defying adventure to satisfy anyone. Readers familiar with James Barrie’s Peter Pan (or even the Disney animated version) will immediately recognize and enjoy familiar characters, but it is when the action switches to London that the plot really starts to sizzle. Breathless chases and near-death experiences are spiced with a miasma of Dickensian squalor, creating scenes that are rich in color and action if short on in-depth characterization. This should appeal to fantasy and adventure fans alike.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 5-8–The sudden death of a classmate affects 13-year-old Mia Singer in ways even she doesn’t understand. She was an excellent student, but now her grades have dropped, she skips school and stops seeing friends, and she is caught shoplifting. When she calls the attendance secretary and explains that Mia Singer is absent because she is dead, her parents send her to Mountain Laurel, an alternative boarding school housed in an old country farmhouse. Here she is the only girl amid a half dozen boys with issues ranging from ADHD to depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and autism. Her teacher asks her to keep a journal; the novel consists of Mia’s written and drawn observations. At first she feels that she, too, belongs there, but when she sneaks into the school’s office to check her files and finds no diagnosis, she decides to take charge of her own life, defy craziness, and be happy. Baskin nicely portrays Mia’s complicated relationship with her mother, who lives vicariously through her daughter. Going home for Thanksgiving, Mia decides not to return to Mountain Laurel and her mother agrees to let her make her own mistakes. The changes that come about seem somewhat abrupt, and the ending is too neatly tied together. However, Mia is a candid, sensitive, and keenly observant narrator. A mildly engaging story of a girl’s growing independence as she transitions from childhood to adolescence.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

Gr 6-8–The sequel to The Door Within (Tommy Nelson, 2005) opens a few weeks after Aidan Thomas has returned from the kingdom of Alleble, located in The Realm, where he trained to be a knight to fight the minions of the evil Paragor the Betrayer, King Eliam’s nemesis. He meets Antoinette Reed, a classmate who also has knowledge of The Realm. This time, the plot turns on her adventures as she travels from Alleble to Yewland to convince the queen to align herself with King Eliam and discover whether Paragor has awakened the Wyrm Lord as a weapon against Alleble. However, Antoinette’s task is somewhat muddled by Aidan’s entreaty for her to find his friend’s Glimpse and convince him to turn away from Paragor. There are some good imaginative elements here, but the Christian allegory is heavy-handed and unwieldy: science and logic are incompatible with faith and belief, and much emphasis is placed upon whether or not the people of Earth actively believe in the stories of Alleble (and therefore, ensure their salvation) without the compelling Gospel counterparts. The dialogue is much improved from the first book, but it still clunks along in parts where contemporary dialect is invoked. An additional purchase for collections that are in need of more fantasy trilogies.–Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA

Gr 8 Up–This enthralling novel delves into the life of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley during her tempestuous relationship with Percy Bysshe Shelley and explores the basis for writing Frankenstein. While many readers may have heard of the novel, most will be unaware of the underlying theological and philosophical issues with which the author wrestled. Shelley’s parents were progressive thinkers, and she was raised to participate in intelligent debate with the poets, novelists, and philosophers of the day. When she was 16, she had an affair with Percy, who was married. Her stepsister accompanied them to Europe, thus beginning a convoluted set of affairs with poet Lord Byron and his friends. The Shelleys faced many tragedies, and both struggled with depression and night terrors. However, the author portrays a great love between them that makes the story as much a romance as a psychological tale. Bennett takes liberty with a couple of events, including when and under what circumstances Frankenstein was written, but, ultimately, readers won’t mind. Much as Laurie Halse Anderson does in Speak (Farrar, 1999), the author grabs readers and takes them on a believable journey into a psyche beset with demons.–Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Gr 4-7–When the mysterious Circus Oscuro arrives in the dead of night, Miles Wednesday, a runaway orphan living in a barrel, is the only person in the town of Larde to witness the event. Later that same night, he is approached by a tiger who claims he can “smell the circus” in Miles. Thus begins a chain of events that introduces the boy to a winged waif named Little, a captive of the circus’s sinister ringmaster. Upon Little’s escape, the two set out to rescue her friend from the Palace of Laughter, which seems to be far more dangerous and horrible than the name implies. Berkeley’s first foray into writing is mostly successful; the story is filled with captivating and ingenious descriptive passages. While the author’s habit of introducing Miles at the beginning of nearly every chapter (with definitions such as “clean-shirted and cat-surrounded” and “dawn-chilled and hungry”) does tend to get stale, the lively plot and colorful supporting cast are enough to hold readers’ attention. Try displaying this book alongside classic whimsical tales such as Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth (Knopf, 1961) or the work of Roald Dahl to create interest.–Christi Voth, Parker Library, CO

Gr 6-9–Danny Bell, 13, is the kind of kid whom nobody notices. He would rather relax in a bath and read his favorite book about birds or daydream about the comings and goings of his made-up alter ego than engage with the real world. He’s no slacker; rather, he’s a victim of circumstance: his father, an alcoholic former rock star, hasn’t left the house in two and a half years; his older sister yells at him; his younger brother lives for cartoons; and his mother left the family to pursue her career. When the teen finds an advertisement for ParentSwap™, a business that promises to change kids’ lives by resettling them with a new family, Danny decides that this might be just the opportunity he’s been waiting for. Soon though, he begins to wonder if the so-called business is an elaborate ruse. The presence of surveillance cameras in the rooms of his new household and the way the organization seems always to know what he is doing–these clues point to something even fishier than a parent-switching service. The narrative is broken up by interviews with the major players in the scam; their answers to an anonymous interviewer’s prompts serve as immediate foreshadowing devices and as clues to what is really going on. This humorous and ultimately tender story examines the sense of powerlessness young people can feel in a world that seems controlled by adults and pokes good fun at the unreality of reality TV.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 9 Up–If the Greek gods lived today, would Psyche be a film star, compelled by her father to act however he directed her? Would Hades have been abused by his parents? Would Aphrodite own a dress shop selling clothing made of petals and butterfly wings? Would Orpheus be a rock musician who hides his talent by working as a bartender until after hours, when he plays for strippers? It is Block’s genius to cast the gods with all their beauty and horror, manipulativeness and self-destructiveness, cruelty and tenderness into a modern society that feels a lot like California. This novel in verse, which begins with Psyche’s (sometimes graphically described) affair with Eros, spirals down through Hades, and flows up again to Joy, will hook readers with its vivid imagery and the immediacy of its emotions. It may also send them hunting for Bulfinch’s Mythology (Random, 1998) to learn more about the sources of the stories. Riveting and brilliant, this is a must for most YA collections.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 6-9–Boyce’s second novel is written with the same charm and deadpan humor as Millions (HarperCollins, 2004). Dylan Hughes is the only boy living in Manod, an uneventful Welsh town of drizzling grayness that he thinks is full of Hidden Beauty. His best buddies are two agoraphobic chickens named Michelangelo and Donatello after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His family runs the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel garage. When the business falters, his father takes off, and Dylan, Mam, his older sister, Marie, and his aspiring criminal genius younger sister, Minnie, try to make Oasis more profitable so that he will return. Flooding in London causes the National Gallery to evacuate its paintings to the safety of Manod’s mine. (An actual evacuation to the Manod slate quarry occurred during World War II.) Lester, the art expert in charge, takes a shine to Dylan as an art connoisseur on hearing the chickens’ names. When he agrees to put one masterpiece at a time on view, the villagers’ lives are changed. Minnie concocts a hilarious scheme to nick Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, replacing it with a paint-by-number affair. All gets sorted out and Dad comes home. The colorful characters steal the show–even the secondary players are cleverly drawn. But it is Dylan’s narrative voice, with its unintended humor, appealing naïveté, and expression of absolute belief in his dad that is truly a masterpiece.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

Gr 6 Up–Writers from the United States, Great Britain, and Australia are represented in this collection; interestingly, all have similar stories to tell. The title story is written from the point of view of an adolescent whose divorced dad plays with a band, “Bucket of Snot,” and is seldom there for his son. The selections cover myriad complex paternal dynamics including a devoted dad, a workaholic, a homosexual, a deceased father, and one from the future. The stories are funny, truthful, poignant, and bittersweet. Each protagonist has specific needs but the common thread is that each boy wants to spend more time with his father. This book gives teens a realistic picture of the variety of father/son relationships.–Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK

Gr 8 Up–Reed Brennan is nervous as she begins her sophomore year as a transfer student at prestigious Easton Academy. All of the other students are richer than she could ever believe, and she immediately finds that she’s in way over her head academically. She determines that she’ll do anything to keep from flunking out and going back to her dreary home. Reed aspires to be just like the beautiful and brilliant girls who live in the luxurious Billings dorm, but she has little hope of ever being accepted into that elite crowd. Somehow, though, she edges in and barely notices their cruelty because she’s so grateful to be tossed the crumbs of their kindness. Although her experiences could have resulted in nine months of insight, the teen doesn’t seem to make much progress in understanding herself or the larger world around her. The story has major gaps in plot development and background. Too many elements are left hanging or unexplained, such as why Reed can’t empathize at all with her mother’s pain-killer addiction following a long-ago accident, her lack of a relationship with her brother, her oddly unemotional loss of virginity, and any sort of character development in the Billings girls. Readers might feel as if they’ve missed the first 10 minutes of a 30-minute TV show, and the ending is choppy and unsatisfying. Steer readers to Brian’s earlier (and better-written) titles.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY

Gr 4-8–Molly and her parents are still trying to find a sense of normalcy after the events of Bruchac’s heart-pounding Skeleton Man (HarperCollins, 2001). Here, they’re off on a vacation to the Mohonk Mountain House in the Hudson Valley. Skeleton Man is presumed dead, but, as the family settles in, Molly starts seeing small signs that perhaps he’s still pursuing them. As in the first book, the preteen protagonist tells her story in the first-person present, a device that keeps the narrative moving but is awkward in passages in which she provides extended backstory or attempts to analyze her feelings in real time. The book relies on a sense of menace that’s never fully realized. Molly’s fears are vague until Skeleton Man makes his appearance three quarters of the way through the book, and then he proves surprisingly easy to defeat. Even so, this engaging and fast-paced sequel to a modern horror classic will be in demand.–Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY

Gr 8 Up–Three Australian teens grow up and out of their friendship. Nat’s voice, smoothly narrated and paced, tells part of the tale, with all the right soft warning chimes ringing at readers between her lines as she tells of her obsession with her older boyfriend, of her faith in her mother’s perfection, and of her friend Lise’s strange, reticent behavior. Interspersed throughout is Lise’s narrative: a painfully honest confessional of the insecurities and self-loathing leading her into serious anorexia nervosa. The third friend, Sofia, does not narrate, but the other two tell of her; her more mature life nicely balances out the drama of the other two. While the structure is a little choppy and the ending disproportionately weighty, the strength of the characters–particularly Lise’s voice–carries readers satisfyingly through. Avoid the temptation of classifying this simply as an “anorexia” book; it’s much more.–Rhona Campbell, Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC

Gr 7-9–Cárdenas presents a stark portrait of the difficult life of a young African-Cuban girl. Each brief chapter represents a letter that she writes to her deceased mother. She tells of her unkind grandmother, her aunt’s abusive boyfriend, and her cousin’s sudden illness and paralysis. Although the main character, who remains unnamed, wants to die and join her mother in heaven, she continues to live and eventually to hope that she might find her father. As in Kimberly Willis Holt’s Keeper of the Night (Holt, 2003), Cárdenas sets his protagonist’s struggle with grief in a rich cultural framework. The author’s modern Cuba is a world in which Christianity and superstition, whites and blacks, love and infidelity coexist uneasily. The main character’s voice is authentic, and the other characters, sketched with spare lines, are believable and sympathetic. The girl is only 10 at the beginning of the book but thematic elements and a nonexplicit description of the aunt’s sexual encounters make the book better suited to an older audience. Short chapters and lucid writing will appeal to reluctant readers who want reassurance that even the bleakest periods of one’s life can be endured.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 4-6–In this final volume in the series, the nasty overlord, Grindall, and his band of ogres have kidnapped Alexa’s miniature friend, Yipes. Now Alexa is traveling over the seas with her motley crew of animal, giant, and human companions to save him. She makes some daring escapes, placates some wild creatures, and must defeat Grindall and his supernatural master, the fallen Abaddon. At the end, she and her companion get a glimpse of the heavenly Tenth City wherein lies the good creator, Elyon. The book draws more heavily on Christian imagery and religion than the previous titles and has some distinct similarities to C. S. Lewis’s “Narnia” tales, especially at the end. Unlike the first two books, this one does not stand alone. Purchase where the series has proven popular.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

Gr 4-7–In this accessible entry in the series, Catanese imagines events many years after “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” ends. Mischievous Bert and timid Will, twin sons of the baron and constantly in trouble, are separated by their parents to keep them out of trouble. Bert is sent to “The Crags,” the former castle of the Witch-Queen of the Grimms’ story, and now ruled by his Uncle Hugh and Aunt Elaine. He finds the enchanted mirror and is bewitched by it, deciding to kill his brother whom he believes is likely to inherit the barony from their father. While the plot starts a little slowly, it quickens and does not lag until the exciting and action-filled climax. The human characters have a contemporary feel, which is especially evident in their dialogue. This limits the magical and historical elements of the story, but makes it more accessible to reluctant readers. While Bert undergoes some soul-searching, the transformations in the boys over the course of the story are predictable and two-dimensional. The dwarves, or Dwergh, are the most successfully drawn and interesting characters. The mirror itself is far more evil than that in the original fairy tale, and, as the title suggests, this is really its story. Buy where there is a demand for fast-paced, easily read adventure fantasy.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

Gr 6-9–Kiyoko Katsuda is one of several teen interns who is toiling away at Flirt magazine in New York City. She’s a fashionista with attitude to spare and has a permanent cutting-edge soundtrack running through her mind. As the daughter of a Japanese diplomat, Kiyoko grew up in several countries including Brazil and England. She is a fierce individualist who is willing to take big-time chances, question authority, and find her own way in the world–even if it means making mistakes. As her internship draws to a close, she’s still the only one without a major assignment. Does the boss think she’s just a scatterbrained party girl or is there something big in the works for her? As Kiyoko continues to burn the candle at both ends, she gets closer to finding out what matters to her and jumps into that dream with both feet. This story will resonate with the trendsetters and fashion-forward set, delighting readers with the Manhattan club scene, fast-paced action, and quirky characters. An ideal chick-lit beach book for CosmoGirl devotees.–Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA

Gr 9 Up–On his way to France as an exchange student, 15-year-old Stephen meets a young couple who seem to recognize him. As the three begin talking, he discovers that they are friends of his older brother, Rob, who disappeared 18 months earlier. When Jerry mentions that Rob was planning to travel to Istanbul and that he and Astrid are headed in that direction, Stephen decides to join them with the hope of finding his brother. A map on the frontispiece shows Stephen’s trek through two continents while the novel loosely fills in the rest. Set in 1966, the story makes little of the historical setting beyond casual mentions of hippies and hashish and references to Hermann Hesse’s Journey to the East and Allen Ginsberg. The writing lacks description of the changing landscape, of the various cultures, or of Stephen’s fellow travelers; in fact, the most vividly related passages are those in which Stephen is plagued by dysentery. Gradually, readers learn that he is running not only toward his brother, but also away from a memory of sexual abuse suffered at the hands of a trusted teacher. Ultimately, few real conclusions are reached and, throughout the course of the novel, Stephen seems to grow very little. The author does not establish the mood of an effective quest or bring to life the chaotic setting of Europe and Asia in the mid-1960s.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 7 Up–Despite a slow start, this novel offers an interesting glimpse into a pivotal period in Canadian history. It takes place during late 1837 and 1838, a time during which many of the settlers of Upper Canada were demanding a more democratic form of government in the colony and chafing against restrictive British governance. John Meyers, 15, inadvertently gets involved in Upper Canada Rebellion and gives readers an objective perspective as to the righteousness of the cause. He sympathizes with the Reformers’ complaints about the lack of self-government and is dismayed by the brutal British attempts to quell the rebellion. Yet he also rejects the example of the American Revolution, preferring a more peaceful and gradual approach to change. And while he is excited by the adventure involved in the movement, he also characterizes the dissenters as a bunch of “disorganized hooligans.” Interwoven into the tale are numerous Canadian historical personalities, such as John A. MacDonald, William Lyon Mackenzie, and Bishop Strachan, who lend a sense of realism to the narrative. Readers will also appreciate the two major subplots, which include romance and buried treasure. The author’s familiarity with both the history and geography of southeastern Ontario is strongly reflected throughout the book.–Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Gr 5-9–Cushman creates another introspective female character who is planted firmly in her time and who grows in courage, self-awareness, and conviction. This novel follows Francine’s eighth-grade year, from August 1949 to June 1950, at All Saints School for Girls in Los Angeles, a year of changes largely inspired by a new transfer student, Sophie Bowman. While Francine is quiet and committed to staying out of trouble, happy to daydream of Hollywood movie stars and to follow her father’s advice not to get involved in controversy, Sophie questions authority and wants to make a difference. Her questioning of the nuns’ disparaging comments about “the Godless” communists frequently leads to her being punished and eventually to her expulsion from school. Francine begins to examine her own values, particularly when an actor friend of Sophie’s father is blacklisted and Mr. Bowman loses his scriptwriting job. At the novel’s end, Francine is poised to stand up to Sister Basil, the bullying principal, and exercise her freedom of speech. Cushman captures the era well, with references that range from Dragnet to “duck and cover” drills in schools and her father’s aborted attempt to build a bomb shelter in their backyard. Francine Green is reminiscent of Jamie Morse, another 13-year-old and the protagonist of Ellen Levine’s Catch a Tiger by the Toe (Viking, 2005), who is also coming of age in the shadow of McCarthyism and the beginnings of the Cold War. Readers will relate to the pervasive fear of the period as it resonates in our post-9/11 world.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

Gr 4-7–Lady Catrain must defend Queen Alynna from the evil Lord Valdyk. This does not sound “insanely real,” does it? In fact, it is the journal writing of feisty 12-year-old Cassie, who finds solace in writing fantasy that parallels her personal experiences. Her single mom works long hours to support the family; Miranda, 15, is often irresponsible and sometimes angry. Cassie takes a lot of responsibility at home, particularly regarding six-year-old Jackson, who is in need of attention. The bane of Cassie’s life is her sarcastic English teacher. She mistakenly comes to believe that her teacher only counts the number of pages in their journals, ignoring the contents, and begins writing a series of very funny and definitely hostile journal entries musing on such deep topics as rubber bands and converting fractions into percents. After her “best friends” drop her due to the lessening of her family’s social status, Cassie reluctantly befriends overweight outcast Bess, who shares her love of fantasy fiction. The characters and their interactions are effectively delineated. Cassie realistically struggles with insecurity, rudeness, and impossible expectations from those around her. Everyone in the family has an epiphany of some sort that leads to a satisfyingly believable ending. Cassie is a spunky preteen, and girls will easily relate to her awkward chats with the boy she likes, sibling spats, and occasional moments of clarity.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Gr 5-8–Elsa is having a hard time. Her mother recently died and she is moving to a new school right before the end of seventh grade. On her first day, she is ridiculed by Darcy and her friends, the über-popular clique that Elsa would love to be a part of, or so she thinks. Thanks to a special appearance by her mom and a magical family heirloom, Elsa is gifted with the power of do-over: she can rewind the last 10 seconds of her life and change it as many times as she wants to, until her 13th birthday in a month’s time. No, this is not a Lindsay Lohan movie; it’s a typical coming-of-age, finding-yourself-among-snobs novel. Unfortunately, the writing is average and the characters are not fleshed out. Readers don’t get much more than stereotypes: Elsa, the struggling newbie; Darcy, the stuck-up cheerleader; and Martin, the cute nerd. The theme is a bit too obvious and Elsa learns her lessons all too easily. Average fare, with a fast pace and lots of dialogue but little depth.–Carly B. Wiskoff, Sayville Library, NY

Gr 6-10–This inventive reworking of a fairy tale explores issues of identity, self-perception, and true love. The story features two beautiful young women. The first, Rapunzel, is shunned by her vain mother at birth because she is odd looking (completely bald). Melisande, a sorceress, takes the infant as repayment for a theft from her garden, and raises and loves her as if she were her own daughter. The other beauty is Rue, the sorceress’s real daughter, imprisoned for years in a magic tower by a wizard who once sensed thoughtlessness in Melisande and decided to teach her a hard lesson. As Rapunzel matures, her increasing ability to see into people’s hearts allows her to discern the other girl’s presence in Melisande’s heart. When growing unrest results in suspicion directed toward the sorceress, she and Rapunzel, now 16, must flee from their farm, accompanied by a tinker and his boy, an orphan named Harry. Melisande takes them to the tower where she hopes Rapunzel will figure out how to save Rue, and the result is a happily-ever-after ending for all. Strong characters, a clever plot, some interesting moral dilemmas to ponder, and a touch of romance make this version of the fairy tale worth a second look.–Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA

Gr 4-8–These journal-style mystery adventures follow two teens as they solve crimes. In the first book, set in the middle of Prohibition, 14-year-old G. Codd Fitzmorgan attends a family friend’s engagement party on a secluded island. During the event the groom disappears. Can G. Codd find him and break the bootlegger ring based there? In 1906, 14-year-old Fitz Morgan is traveling by train from New York City to San Francisco. Along the way some of the passengers are poisoned, and it’s up to Fitz and his new friend, Justine Pinkerton, to solve the mystery. Both stories are laid out in similar ways. Both texts resemble handwriting, and black-and-white sketches, newspaper clippings, or photographs appear on most pages. The characters are well rounded and likable. With short chapters and the extra bits of information included in the art, these titles will appeal to general as well as reluctant readers.–Krista Tokarz, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH

Gr 5-9–A family living on the coast of Cornwall gets caught up in the undersea kingdom of the Mer people. After their father mysteriously disappears, Sapphy and her brother, Conor, visit Ingo and find themselves yearning to return to the ocean world. Conor resists, but Sapphy has a stronger affinity with the watery kingdom. While she struggles with its temptation, she also clashes with her mother, who seems too ready to forget the children’s father. These elements come together in an exciting climax in which the siblings risk traveling to Ingo to save the life of the human diver their mother is dating. Sapphy’s present-tense narration brings readers right into her world. Through her eyes, they see the beauty of Ingo, the comfort of her earthbound home, and the confusing muddle of thoughts and emotions that her experiences inspire. The undersea world seems equal parts menacing and alluring, which builds suspense and keeps everything pleasingly unpredictable. Relationships are especially well drawn. Sapphy is dedicated to Conor, despite some jealousy; she loves her mother, though she’s keenly aware of how different they are; and she is not sure how to feel about Faro, the charming, sometimes angry young Mer man who serves as her undersea guide. Strong character development combines with an engaging plot and magical elements to make this a fine choice for fantasy readers, who will look forward to the next installments in this planned trilogy.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

Gr 9 Up–When aspiring forensic pathologist Cameryn Mahoney convinces her father, the county coroner of Silverton, CO, to hire her as his assistant, she has no idea that one of the first deaths she will investigate will be that of her friend, Rachel Geller. Rachel is the fourth victim of a serial killer who strangles his victims and leaves a St. Christopher medal on their bodies. The teen must put aside her emotional response to the murder in order to evaluate the information clinically. In her relentless pursuit of the truth, Cameryn puts herself in danger of becoming the fifth victim of the Christopher Killer. Teachers and librarians who are trying to reach their television-junkie reluctant readers should look no further; this novel reads like an episode of CSI. Each scene lends itself to a mental picture straight from some crime-fighting show. The narrative gallops through a story line that is as engaging as it is implausible. Suspension of disbelief is made easy by the well-researched scientific tidbits sprinkled throughout the text, lending an air of credibility. There is the sense that this is a pilot episode with people that readers will see again as the series progresses, so the characters feel introduced rather than fully developed. Despite these flaws, this is an enjoyable read that teens will appreciate.–Heather M. Campbell, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 5-9–In the second volume in this series, apprentice Ranger Will becomes involved once again in the war against the evil Morgarath. When he joins what should be a simple envoy mission, he and his companions realize that they are the only ones who know the extent of Morgarath’s duplicity, and it’s up to them to save the kingdom. Will and his friend Horace, along with noblewoman-in-disguise Evanlyn, make a dangerous journey and discover that Wargals, Morgarath’s mindless warriors, are infiltrating their kingdom, and their brave actions at the “burning bridge” of the title lead to Will’s and Evanlyn’s capture and much room for sequels. Will’s initial doubts and learning process add reality to his character, but his exploits never achieve true immediacy. Background characters are generally flat, though touches of humor add spice to the narrative. Flanagan creates a well-realized picture of life on the trail and its hardships, but his battles and their resolution seem almost too easy. Fans of the first volume will enjoy this adventure, but readers new to the series may not share their excitement.–Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI

Gr 6-9–Ilana is relieved to get a summer job, but she wonders if she’s made the right choice when the Divine Relief Temp Agency sends her to Tabby Fabricant Textiles, where she meets the three unusual sisters who will be her supervisors. Tabby, Dimity, and Georgette refer casually to work that they’ve been doing for the past several centuries, brandish extremely sharp scissors, and seem to know every detail of Ilana’s life. When she is given an unusual typing assignment, Ilana wonders aloud why a textile business would be issuing death certificates. Georgette calmly replies, “They’re not death certificates, dear….They’re death receipts. We’re the Fates. It’s what we do.” Soon Ilana discovers that everyone employed by the agency works for the gods or the heroes. Learning that she isn’t the only one with a bizarre job gives her the impetus she needs to persevere through a summer filled with unusual experiences. She also becomes a close friend of Arachne (currently residing in her web at Tabby Fabricant Textiles) and weathers her older sister’s frequent wedding-planning anxiety attacks. Teens familiar with Greek mythology will have the most fun with this book, since they’ll pick up on the clever references to myths (“I temp for Demeter and Persephone….It’s a great job, very down to earth”), but even readers without this background will find Ilana’s story a perfect choice for their own summer reading.–Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA

Gr 9 Up–This violent, dark, and disturbing tale pulls no punches. Gébler has taken an epic Irish poem, “Cattle Raid of Cooley,” and expanded it significantly. He frames the story as a tale within a tale, having nearly passed from memory, but magically retrieved to be passed on again through the generations. The hero is Cuchulainn, born half-mortal, half-immortal. From a very early age, he demonstrates superhuman powers. He is the only male who is able to escape a curse on the men of Ulster, who are crippled during the winter season with the pains a woman feels when giving birth. The “Bull Raid” of the title is initiated by Queen Maeve of Connacht, who uses the curse to her advantage as she tries to obtain Ulster’s famous Brown Bull. Initially, Cuchulainn is able to go up against the queen’s armies single-handed and dispatches even the finest warriors sent to do battle with him one on one. But ultimately, he cannot escape the tragedy that has followed him from birth. While this sprawling saga takes perhaps a bit long to get started and only really gets going in the final third, the language throughout, while formal, is often breathtaking and occasionally horrific. A book for readers who have a strong interest in fantasy, myth, and legend.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 4-7–In this latest installment in the series, the madness and the antics are as crazed as ever. This time the Strega-Borgia children’s father has been framed for murder by his evil half brother, Lucifer Di S’Embowelli Borgia. The family is trying to find a way to prove his innocence all the while coping with the loss of their beloved nanny. The story is definitely difficult to follow for those who haven’t read the previous volumes, but for fans of the series, there are many resolutions and answers to cliff-hangers left from the earlier books. This series is perfect for fantasy readers who want humor with their magic. Adults will be reminded of the Addams family with the collection of strange animals and the Strega-Borgias’ blithe acceptance of the strange, but therein lies the secret of its success.–Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ

Gr 5-9–This final installment in the set focuses on illegal third-child Luke, who has been working undercover in the Population Police stables with the hope of somehow helping to topple the oppressive regime. After being handpicked for a special chore by government officials, Luke and several other boys are loaded into a van and driven through the gates of headquarters and out into the world. All of the country’s citizens are being issued new identification cards and they are told to knock on every door and summon the terrified people to a mandatory assembly. But one woman’s steely refusal to comply kick-starts a revolution in which Luke is destined to play a critical role. Haddix’s storytelling hums along quickly, if somewhat predictably. She relies a bit too heavily on stock dialogue and caricatures; change the name of the evil empire in command, for instance, and lines like “The Population Police will prevail” could have been written for any number of government goons in practically any futuristic novel. That said, this is a light, easy read that delivers what it promises. Fans of the series won’t be disappointed.–Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 3-6–As the story launches, 12-year-old Jen and her father are settling into the West Virginia castle they inherited from an eccentric great-uncle. Jen is excited about this new adventure until she meets her father’s evil new love interest. Moura, a local antiques dealer, has bewitched Jen’s father to gain control of a blown-glass witch catcher inhabited by a certain fairy. Moura and Jen engage in a supernatural tug-of-war as Jen gets drawn into the middle of an age-old battle between fairies and witches. After her cat accidentally releases and befriends the fairy, Kieryn, they face off against Moura and her ilk in a contest to trap the other side forever in the luminous bulbs. Although the story gets off to a slow start, the pace picks up and is sustained with page-turning suspense. Jen makes a brave heroine and a nice foil to Moura’s over-the-top evil-stepmother routine. Although some characters are developed more than others, Hahn weaves an engaging story.–Nicki Clausen-Grace, Carillon Elementary School, Oviedo, FL

Gr 9 Up–Best friends Paige and Anthony are seniors at a New York City high school, and they’re both looking for boyfriends. Anthony is still trying to get over being dumped by Ian, and Paige can’t seem to attract a nice guy. Into their lives walks Max, who is friendly to everyone and extremely attractive. Anthony and Paige are both interested in him but they can’t tell if he’s gay or straight–Anthony’s “gaydar” seems to be off, giving rise to the book’s title, so they come up with a series of contrived ways to find out if Max likes guys or girls. Other than the main characters’ occasional internal struggles to stay true to themselves, most of this fluffy romance centers around how others are never quite what they seem. By the time Paige and Anthony learn Max’s sexual orientation, they have discovered that their interest was just an infatuation and that it no longer matters. Paige discovers she enjoys the company of Anthony’s brother, and Anthony discovers that his coffee-shop server is both gay and interested. Fun summer romance reading and that’s about it.–Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL

Gr 8 Up–In 2076 in the United Safer States of America, verbal abuse, obesity, and dangerous activities are against the law. Helmets and health food are de rigueur, and sports are either outlawed or radically changed (runners’ track times have slowed appreciably because of the bulky safety equipment required). The penalty for breaking any of the rules is a lengthy prison term, and 24 percent of the population is incarcerated and responsible for doing much of the country’s manual labor–without pay. For Bo Marsten, 16, the punishment for allegedly spreading a rash through school is a prison sentence, which is suspended, but he then goes to jail for lack of self-control after he hits a classmate. Bo has the opportunity to reduce his sentence when he’s chosen for the prison’s (illegal) football team, but the sadistic coach is determined that his players win at any cost. This odd pairing of satire and sports thriller is carried along by the protagonist’s confident narrative voice. The angry teen is struggling to explore his options in a world that has little concern for his emotional well-being. The satire is obvious but astute, and Bo’s development is convincing. The many threads that run through this book may overwhelm some readers, but there is much for them to ponder and the overall effect is fresh.–Sarah Couri, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–Jewel’s primary concern has always been to keep her mother alive and happy throughout a constant stream of abusive boyfriends, so when her mother places her in foster care just before her 16th birthday, the teen’s heart is broken. Jewel is moved through a number of homes until an English teacher at her new high school fights for some stability in her life. He knows that Jewel is smart (not only with her mouth) and he convinces her to start tutoring a fellow classmate in math. As she learns to let herself love and be loved, she goes on to touch the lives of many more around her, although not all of the personal transformation comes easily. The novel’s numerous characters are candidly depicted in intimate and private moments by an omniscient narrator. A deeper understanding of Jewel is developed through her poetry, which appears at the end of many of the chapters. The author builds suspense about how Jewel will ultimately weather the traumas she’s seen. There are plenty of them, and the book’s greatest fault may be that it includes too many serious issues, from racism to rape. Nevertheless, The Throwaway Piece is satisfying in its conclusion.–Emily Rodriguez, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

Gr 8-10–With the hindsight provided by two years’ maturity, Jessica looks back on the year her parents divorced, her mother withdrew, her father moved in with his girlfriend, and she herself slipped into sexual activity that she almost immediately regretted. Hoffmann vividly depicts how a 12-year-old’s confused desperation, need for comfort, and inability to know when or how to stop self-destructive behavior lead her down a perilous path. Even well-meaning friends and a concerned teacher have difficulty breaking through to her. It’s almost an accident when an observant neighbor alerts her mother to a suspicious stranger–Jessica’s lover–helping the girl to end that relationship. A pregnancy scare gives her additional reason to reflect on and question what she’s been up to. In the end, she has the luck and support that enable her to change course. The writing is realistic, insightful, and nonjudgmental. This book can provide teens with some understanding as to why people might make risky choices while offering readers the assurance that bad decisions need not be irrevocable. –Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 3-7–When 15-year-old Lexie’s father dies and her brother, a former Pony Express rider, is wanted for robbery, she is faced with a choice: be sent back East without her beloved horse or dress as a boy and head out on her own to clear her brother’s name. Horse lovers will enjoy the suspenseful plot, but the ending is a bit contrived. Still, with its short chapters and simple text, the book could be an introduction to historical fiction for older reluctant readers. A nice addition for horse enthusiasts looking for something different.–Krista Tokarz, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH

Gr 4-6–Using the highly successful format introduced in Regarding the Fountain (Avon, 1998), Klise offers readers another punny tale about the kids at Geyser Creek Middle School. In preparation for a conference that will be held at his school, Principal Russ re-hires Florence Waters to renovate the bathrooms in the basement. She enlists the help of the children attending summer school, who discover that the school was built on the site of the Geyser Creek Bath and Spas. They find more than just the spa during their summer, including escaped convicts and buried artifacts. The tale is told exclusively through heavily illustrated letters, memos, newspaper articles, and police reports, and it includes multiple subplots that are tied up neatly at the end. Puns and bathroom humor are rampant in this clever, funny romp. A must for fans of the series.–Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

Gr 8 Up–In Exit Point, 16-year-old Logan died in a car wreck. As he begins to explore the afterlife, he meets up with a guide and his grandmother, who explains that he has choices now just as he did when he was alive. This includes the opportunity to help his younger sister, who is being molested by a family friend. There are consequences for him, but he realizes that saving Amy matters more than anything else. In Crush, 17-year-old Hope stays with her older sister in New York City while her parents spend the summer building a school in Thailand. She soon discovers that Joy dabbles in drugs and alcohol and has a live-in boyfriend. Hope meets up with Nat, who is a lesbian, and she is offered a position as a nanny by a lesbian couple with twins. To her surprise, she discovers that she is attracted to Nat in more than a platonic way, although whether this is just a “crush” or something more serious is not certain as the story ends. In both novels, the plot relies on everything neatly falling into place. The character development lacks subtlety although the teens do have some real issues that they are trying to solve with some reflection and honesty. With their “Dr. Phil” talk-show themes, angst-driven protagonists, and short texts, these slick novels will appeal to reluctant readers who want fast-paced escapist reads.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

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