Grades 5 & Up

Fiction

Gr 6-9–Gilda Joyce, psychic investigator, makes a return appearance in this comic mystery set at a swanky Catholic girls’ school where she is a new student on scholarship. Our Lady of Sorrows seems haunted by the ghost of a student who drowned three years earlier. Gilda’s encounters with the headmistress, a handsome teacher, and a small group of popular senior girls lead her to a situation in which she might solve the mystery at the expense of her own safety. Meanwhile, she’s not crazy about her widowed mother’s unemployed boyfriend. Gilda is a verbal, funny, engaging character whose self-confidence and fearlessness are more reminiscent of Nancy Drew than Sammy Keyes. And, like the classic old series mysteries, this one has an exaggerated sense of reality that usually works well. Occasionally the mix of humor and spookiness doesn’t quite mesh, and an anti-hazing plot is worthwhile but a bit heavy on the didacticism. More often, though, this is an intriguing story filled with surprise and suspense. Its length is a plus in that it allows for more complexity. (For instance, Mom’s boyfriend turns out to be not quite the clown that Gilda had imagined.) Overall, it’s an irreverent, well-written addition to the too-small collection of engrossing mysteries for junior high readers.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 4-7–Fans of 11-year-old Tom Golden and his Invisible Friend, ghost Grey Arthur, will thoroughly enjoy this sequel to Golden & Grey: An Unremarkable Boy and a Rather Remarkable Ghost (S & S, 2005). For readers new to this pair, the author fills in the details, allowing careful readers to catch up. With their newfound celebrity, Tom and Grey are fairly bombarded by ghosts in all forms looking to become companions to human children in need of friends. Meanwhile, ghosts the world over are disappearing at the hands of the legendary Collector. Although a few notes sound reminiscent of a Harry Potter story (notably the references to spaces hidden between train station tracks), the ghostly elements and personalities are refreshingly original, funny, and endearing even in the face of danger.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

Gr 9 Up–Ally Cavanaugh signs up for In the House, a national reality-TV program featuring the lives of five college freshmen in which her every move and her every word are televised. Now, she can’t seem to make new friends, as she always has a cameraman in tow. Likewise, the camera can’t help but capture her romantic interest in one of her new housemates. Reality Chick is what it is. It is neither deep nor meaningful; it is simply mind candy–but it is delicious.–Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

Gr 6-9–Using the literary technique of magical realism, Bloor brings readers a serious tale of justice and redemption, of fathers and sons, of the privileged and the common. John Martin Conway feels out of place at his exclusive prep school, where he is constantly reminded that he is a scholarship kid. After a confrontation with Hank Lowery, the great-grandson of the school’s founder, he requests to work at home on an independent study project. The World War II-era radio that his grandmother left him brings him into contact with Jimmy, a boy who lived during the war and who needs his help. He takes Martin back to the time of the London Blitz. In his own time, he focuses his research on the things Jimmy shows him and the people he encounters. Along the way he uncovers some new information about his grandfather’s and General Hank Lowery’s dealings during the war and discovers how he can help put Jimmy’s soul to rest. He also comes to terms with his alcoholic father and with his own depression. Readers will identify with the modern elements of the story and be drawn into the tension of the historical events. Evocative descriptions and elegant phrasings make the writing most enjoyable, and because the author uses a first-person voice, the story seems very personal, and readers will feel Martin’s turmoil and angst. Bloor’s fans and those who like a little light fantasy with their history will find something intriguing here.–Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Gr 5-7–Cornelia Street Englehart’s mother, a world-famous concert pianist, is always traveling, and Cornelia is left with the housekeeper. The 11-year-old has no interest in following in her mother’s “finger-steps”; instead, she is enthralled by words. One afternoon, she meets her new neighbor in her New York City neighborhood: a captivating woman named Virginia Somerset, who lives in a stunning, exotic home. The only thing that equals the décor is Virginia and her stories of the four adventuresome Somerset sisters, world travelers who shook things up across continents from 1949 through the early 1950s. Cornelia treasures her time with Virginia, and she desperately hopes that no one, especially her mother, finds out about their friendship. Then, Virginia becomes ill, and a new understanding between Cornelia and her mother heals what has been until then an irreparable rift. Friends and storytellers don’t last forever; it is their presence and invaluable gifts that live on in those close to them. Virginia encourages her young friend to share her “audacious” stories, as that is the purpose of telling a story. Cornelia is a fabulous read that will enchant its audience with the magic to be found in everyday life.–Tracy Karbel, Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL

Gr 5-8–This final book in the trilogy barrels along at breakneck pace. Young Fern is a royal Anybody, possessed of transformative powers. Her fellow Anybodies inhabit a city under Manhattan, but Fern lives aboveground with her aging grandmother, the Great Realdo, and her ineffectual Anybody father in a house made entirely of books and also inhabited by hobbits and Borrowers. Although Fern’s grandmother defeated the evil Blue Queen in an earlier book, she is losing her powers and it is now up to Fern to save the Anybodies and the world from the resurgent queen and her henchmen, the Somebodies. There is quite a bit of catch-up involved to get readers up to speed here, and a liberal amount of Victorian-like cozy asides from author to reader. Narrow escapes, evil villains, and captured souls from books will keep kids turning pages through an imaginative kaleidoscope of transformations definitely reminiscent of our friends at Hogwarts. Fern’s best friend, Howard, is a robotlike wimp who serves as an effective foil to the brave and take-charge Fern, and the Blue Queen is truly terrifying as she gobbles souls from books with the ultimate goal of stealing human ones. Puzzles, anagrams, and references to other children’s books will please young sleuths. Old-fashioned-looking black-and-white sketches contribute to the feel of a classic children’s book. Lessons about being true to oneself are preachy but fit the genre. Lemony Snicket’s fans will welcome this fantasy.–Quinby Frank, formerly at Green Hedges School, Vienna, VA

Gr 9 Up–Boyne has written a sort of historical allegory–a spare, but vividly descriptive tale that clearly elucidates the atmosphere in Nazi Germany during the early 1940s that enabled the persecution of Eastern European Jews. Through the eyes of Bruno, a naive nine-year-old raised in a privileged household by strict parents whose expectations included good manners and unquestioning respect for parental authority, the author describes a visit from “the Fury” and the family’s sudden move from Berlin to a place called “Out-With” in Poland. There, not 50 feet away, a high wire fence surrounds a huge dirt area of low huts and large square buildings. From his bedroom window, Bruno can see hundreds (maybe thousands) of people wearing striped pajamas and caps, and “something made him feel very cold and unsafe.” Uncertain of what his father actually does for a living, the boy is eager to discover the secret of the people on the other side. He follows the fence into the distance, where he meets Shmuel, a skinny, sad-looking Jewish resident who, amazingly, has his same birth date. Bruno shares his thoughts and feelings with Shmuel, some of his food, and his final day at “Out-With,” knowing instinctively that his father must never learn about this friendship. While only hinting at violence, blind hatred, and deplorable conditions, Boyne has included pointed examples of bullying and fearfulness. His combination of strong characterization and simple, honest narrative make this powerful and memorable tale a unique addition to Holocaust literature for those who already have some knowledge of Hitler’s “Final Solution.”–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 4-8–Gang wars, pickpockets, pushcarts, and tenements best describe New York City’s Lower East Side in the 1890s, home to 13-year-old Sam Glodsky, the half-Irish, half-Russian Jewish protagonist. He and his buddy Manny hawk newspapers for pennies to help put food on their tables. Sam gets involved with the Chief Inspector of the Health Department, who enlists his help in tracking down a cholera victim who has escaped a quarantined ship and may be inadvertently spreading the disease. In order to gain access to the ship, the boy takes a job with notorious gangster/animal lover Monk Eastman, who pays him and another boy to rescue a prized carrier pigeon from the ship. The other boy turns out to be Sam’s archenemy, and when Fink mishandles the bird and breaks its wing, Eastman is out to get him. Expletives and coarse language are a natural part of the characters’ dialogue. Though there is some mention of Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, the main focus is on the immigrant factions; an afterword refers to the “long-held prejudices” of the various ethnic groups that heightened as they competed for jobs and housing. Even reluctant readers will enjoy this engaging, action-packed novel, and the period will spring to life.–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 5-8–Presented in brief, free-verse poems, this is a poignant character study of a dysfunctional family. In the opening sequence, Rachel watches her mother get ready to “run away from home,” packing up the car with everything that is important to her, except her daughter. When Mom is gone, neither Rachel nor her father can cope. Rachel shuts down and ignores schoolwork and friends, questioning why her mother left and blaming herself. Dad does not initially provide much comfort, closing himself off, too. As in Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie (Candlewick, 2000), father and daughter gradually grow closer together out of necessity and begin to pull together as a family. Rachel must accept the painful truth that her mother, who suffers from bipolar disorder, never really wanted to settle down or have children. Her father, who in the past had left most of the parenting to her mother, begins to play an active role in Rachel’s life and reveals his softer side, ultimately becoming more involved and affectionate. Written in straightforward language, the text clearly reveals Rachel’s emotions, describing moments both painful and reassuring. This novel will be therapeutic to children dealing with the loss of a parent or a mental illness.–Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

Gr 5-8–No good deed goes unpunished in the fourth installment in the popular series. Gregor and his sister Boots are regular visitors to Underland, where their mother is slowly recovering from injuries incurred in the previous episode. Gregor is supposed to be studying echolocation with his rat friend, Ripred the Gnawer, but he’s doing very badly. Ripred has his own problems, largest of which is Bane, the once-sweet little baby Gnawer whom the protagonist refused to kill in Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (Scholastic, 2004). Bane, now a half-grown monster of a rat, is surprisingly charismatic yet emotionally stunted and easily controlled by the forces of evil. When Queen Luxa gets a message that the mice that saved her life in the jungle are in trouble, she and Gregor head out to investigate, accompanied by her cousin Howard, several bats, Gregor’s sisters, and a brave cockroach named Temp. The breathless pace, intense drama, and extraordinary challenges will leave fans clamoring for the conclusion of this fine series.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 5-7–Princess Meg, 15, has a problem. Her father, the king of Greeve, has issued a proclamation offering her hand in marriage to any prince who can defeat a dragon, a witch, and a hoard of local bandits. The princess isn’t thrilled with this plan. After all, the witch is harmless, the dragon defunct, and the bandits steal from the rich and give to the poor. Unfortunately, because she objects so strongly, she is immediately sequestered to the tower until the contest is over. Fortunately, Meg knows how to get out of a difficult situation, and it’s up to her to warn the witch, help the bandits, and take care of a relatively innocent young dragon before some of the less-than-honorable princes wreak havoc on the kingdom. Coombs’s good-natured tale is as comfortable poking fun at established fairy-tale tropes as it is honoring them. Readers will have no difficulty rooting for Meg, and the story as a whole is a pleasurable read with amusing details and witty twists. Pair this rousing adventure with Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997).–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

Gr 4-7–A worthy sequel to Weasel (S & S, 1990), DeFelice’s beloved tale of Ohio’s frontier in the 1840s. As that story ends, Nathan Fowler has experienced evil incarnate in the form of Weasel, a mercenary trained to hate the area’s Shawnee. Nathan’s father nearly died by Weasel’s treachery, but Ezra Ketcham, a white neighbor who was married to a Shawnee woman, saved him, and then left to seek his wife’s people. As this story begins, Nathan has learned that a freak show is displaying Ezra as a “White Injun.” Traveling with a peddler of dubious reputation, he sets off to find him and bring him home. Only 12, Nathan has become shy of strangers after his experience with Weasel, and he must learn to read people, to hone his instincts. He relies on his practical frontier background, and a great deal of courage, to get his friend home. His biggest surprise is that Ezra seems to be only a husk of his former self. On top of the physical challenge of returning from Western Pennsylvania to his Ohio home, Nathan must reconnect to Ezra’s soul. Told in Nathan’s voice, this adventure treats readers to a double-dip cliff-hanging plot and heart-searing maturation.–Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE

Gr 8 Up–Virginia Sauter throws in her tiara, pierces her nose, and quits the beauty-pageant circuit to try out to become drum major at her high school. Winning is bittersweet when she must share the title with Drew, whose family members have held the position for generations. Despite the fact that he is competitive and dating one of the Evil Twins, Tracey or Cacey (even he isn’t sure which one), Virginia thinks that he is hot. To complicate matters further, the drum-major role isn’t what she envisioned it to be and she begins to believe that she made a big mistake. The protagonist is also dealing with the aftermath of her father’s extramarital affair; while her mother has forgiven him, Virginia cannot. However, the issues never get in the way of this entertaining story. The characters’ voices are real, and situations are dealt with in a believable way. Readers looking for romance and a few laughs won’t be disappointed.–Angela M. Boccuzzi-Reichert, Merton Williams Middle School, Hilton, NY

Gr 5-8–Thirteen-year-old indentured servant Nathaniel Dunn arrives in Williamsburg in 1774 to work for the local carriage maker. As the royal governor and the king’s loyalists attempt to control the colonists more tightly, it becomes apparent that there will be no peaceful resolution to the tension. Through his friendship with an elderly schoolmaster, Nathaniel is exposed to music, philosophy, and the political ideas of the day. While his inclination is to keep to himself and avoid trouble, he cannot help but be caught up in the events around him. One of his fellow servants is full of patriotic fervor and draws Nathaniel into the protests. The carriage maker, a staunch loyalist, becomes increasingly volatile as his business dwindles in the face of rising tension. In the end, Nathaniel must determine what he believes in and act accordingly. Elliott’s engaging and highly readable novel is well researched and sprinkled liberally with renowned patriots of the period. Readers come away not only with an accurate glimpse into 18th-century life, but also with a better understanding of how the colonies cooperated. Particularly noteworthy is the way in which Elliott handles the paradox of colonial Americans fighting for their independence from England yet clinging to the practice of enslaving other human beings. She does not provide pat answers, and Nathaniel’s inability to reconcile what he sees around him promises to provoke thoughtful discussion. A rich and robust piece of historical literature.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 9 Up–Cameryn Mahoney, the teenaged forensic detective from The Christopher Killer (Viking, 2006), continues her adventures as assistant to her father, the county coroner of Silverton, CO. Her latest case involves the death of a favorite teacher, whose body is found by her classmate Kyle. Brad Oakes has seemingly been burned, but there are no signs of fire in his bedroom. Cammie is also dealing with an upcoming visit from her mother, who left long ago. On top of that, she finds herself attracted to Kyle and Deputy Justin. As she gets closer and closer to discovering the killer’s identity, she puts her life in danger. The forensic details are intriguing and will definitely attract all of the CSI fans out there. The author doesn’t shy away from the gorier details, and she seems to have done her homework about the ins and outs of being a county coroner. Reluctant readers looking for a mystery will enjoy the fast pace and page-turning suspense.–Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI

Gr 4-6–Two years after his father perished in the World Trade Center, Gus Moskowitz is stuck in grief, making a tent of his bed quilt to block out the world. His sister and mother both try to bring him out–his sister by encouraging him to audition for the school play and his mother by arranging for him to take oboe lessons from her employer’s father. It’s the latter strategy that is the most effective, as Gus forms a bond with Mr. M. that transcends their musical connection. Friedman addresses the boy’s understandable anxieties in a number of spheres: dealing with the school bully, presenting an oral report to his sixth-grade class, treading lightly around his mother’s expectations, and gearing up for an audition. Through music and in composing his own songs, Gus is able to find solace and a mode of expression. The author attempts a lot in this book and she doesn’t quite bring it all off. Though Gus is the narrator, readers don’t become immersed in his emotional experiences–he seems to be observing his own behavior from as much of a remove as his mother or Mr. M. Even his descriptions of the music he writes are sketchy. As this is one of the first novels for middle-grade readers to emerge from the 9/11 disaster, it’s a shame that it doesn’t dig a bit deeper into Gus’s inner life.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 6-9–These 10 short stories present glimpses of what it’s like to be considered irrational and to face an invisible fear that disrupts ordinary life. The selections are by notable authors, some of whom explain how their stories came about. Neal Schusterman’s eerie “Fear-for-Al” is about a boy who has no compassion for those who are so afflicted. Gavin receives his just deserts when he becomes the community’s phobia magnet, absorbing the collective fears like a sin-eater and experiencing the terror that has plagued members of his therapeutic school. In Nancy Springer’s “Rutabaga,” Lydia avoids knives because of what they can do–or what she might do. She’s the quiet, obliging daughter who won’t utter a sharp word against her control-freak perfect mother. Only when she stands up to her mother is she free of fear of the kitchen weapons. This is an excellent collection on a topic that holds a strange and fascinating allure.–Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

Gr 4-8–This heartwarming novel continues the saga begun in Nory Ryan’s Song (Delacorte, 2000) and Maggie’s Door (Random, 2003). With the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge as background, the story is told from the alternating perspectives of Bridget (Bird) Mallon and Thomas Neary, from the time that they are nearly 13 until they are 14. Bird is the youngest child of Nory and Sean Mallon, who came from Ireland to Brooklyn to escape the poverty and hopelessness of the potato famine. Thomas moves with his father into the tenement where the Mallons live. Mr. Neary spends most of his time at a neighborhood pub, and where the boy’s mother is remains a mystery for much of the book. A strong friendship develops between the young teens. The creation of the bridge looms as a dream that parallels the dreams of the characters. Bird, a bright, sensitive girl, wants to follow in her mother’s path and become a healer, but she discovers that the road is not without obstacles. Thomas dreams of becoming a writer and of having a family like the Mallons. Though the plot is somewhat predictable and the likable characters are a bit stereotyped, Giff masterfully integrates the historical material and presents a vivid picture of the immigrant struggle in the 1870s.–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

Gr 9 Up–Iggy Corso, 16, doesn’t do drugs, even though he was born addicted to crack. He lives in a city housing project, in an apartment filled with furniture that his stoned and drunken father collects from the street. Iggy’s mother is an addict who has been AWOL for a month. The cool thing about the teen is that, despite his parents and his environment, he doesn’t feel sorry for himself. A freshman who has failed two grades and been suspended eight times, he takes things for what they are, until he gets suspended again, pending a hearing. His principal says to him, “You’ve had a lot to overcome...but....We can all...do something that contributes....” After listening to this, Iggy realizes that his only chance for the future is to get back into school. The principal’s statement haunts him throughout the book. He enlists help from his so-called mentor/friend, Mo (who was suspended from pre-law school after being caught smoking pot), but his association with this disaffected youth from a wealthy family creates a whole new set of problems. Thick pencil lines run down the inner margins of the pages; Iggy’s life is like these lines, on the edge, reaching out, searching for somewhere to go. The story is told in widely spaced paragraphs, making it a good choice for reluctant readers. Like Troy Billings in Going’s Fat Kid Rules the World (Putnam, 2003), Iggy Corso is unforgettable.–Shannon Seglin, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 9 Up–This novel is not as issue-oriented as Green’s Looking for Alaska (Dutton, 2005), though it does challenge readers with its nod to postmodern structure. Right after intellectual child-prodigy Colin Singleton graduates from high school, his girlfriend (who, like the 18 young women and girls whom he claimed as girlfriends over the years, is named Katherine) breaks up with him and sends him into a total funk. His best friend, Hassan, determines that he can only be cured with a road trip. After some rather aimless driving, the two find themselves in Gutshot, TN, where locals persuade them to stay. There, Colin spends his spare time working on a mathematical theorem of love, hypothesizing that romantic relationships can be graphed and predicted. The narrative is self-consciously dorky, peppered with anagrams, trivia, and foreign-language bons mots and interrupted by footnotes that explain, translate, and expound upon the text in the form of asides. It is this type of mannered nerdiness that has the potential to both win over and alienate readers. As usual, Green’s primary and secondary characters are given descriptive attention and are fully and humorously realized. While enjoyable, witty, and even charming, a book with an appendix that describes how the mathematical functions in the novel can be created and graphed is not for everybody. The readers who do embrace this book, however, will do so wholeheartedly.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 4-7–This third installment in the series opens as 10-year-old Olivier embarks on yet another adventure that begins at the rather extraordinary home of his grandfather and peculiar step-step-stepgramma, Sylvia de Whosit of Whatsit. The boy and his sidekick, Murray, an enchanted and rather verbose fountain pen, are literally swept up into another fantastical escapade that involves myriad eccentric characters including a garbage-loving dastardly doorstop; a cordial incorporeal head; a scholarly vegan giant; and a chatty babbling brook. Olivier soon finds himself wandering the Dark Woods in search of Nohow Town, a homogenized municipality ruled by the evil Facilitator, Sleek. Sleek, who seeks to take over the world by controlling the weather, has created a police force known as the Control Freaks, whose mission is to enforce uniformity on all residents. This amusing and imaginative fantasy adventure will delight readers with its oddball characters and clever wordplay. Although some of the vocabulary and literary references may be over the heads of some children, the book offers exposure to a wonderful writing style and creative use of language, and might well be used as a read-aloud. Fans of such fantasy classics as Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth (Knopf, 1961) and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will enjoy this engaging romp.–Debbie Lewis O’Donnell, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

Gr 6-8–A sweetly told story about the budding friendship between two young people and their understanding of one another’s differences. Bogie is a blind teenager with a lot of insight when it comes to taking chances, seeing the world, and eventually mastering the game of golf. Birdie has asthma and lacks the confidence even to ride a bike, until she finds her purpose: assisting Bogie with his game. When they consider the idea of entering a golf tournament, Bogie’s family secrets are divulged, helping to clear up some of the mysteries surrounding his mother’s death and his father’s lack of interest in golf. This novel’s appeal is enhanced by humorous, lively dialogue; the innocence of the main characters; and the positive portrayal of their relationship and disabilities. An interesting read.–Hope Marie Cook, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Gr 5-8–This coming-of-age novel introduces 13-year-old Carmen Cathcart, the oldest girl in a family of eight. In the summer before junior high, her parents move her family once again, this time to the small town of Independence, MO. As if that isn’t bad enough, her mother is pregnant again. But it is when mom dies during childbirth that the real story begins. Harness accurately portrays the thoughts and feelings of an aspiring artist whose life is suddenly put on hold. Carmen’s pain and loneliness are brought to life through her narrative. The writing flows nicely and is especially true and tender in the dialogue between mother and daughter, but it can also be heart-wrenching when witnessing the internal struggles of Carmen’s father. Emotions are brought to life as the teen believably changes from a selfish adolescent into a nurturing older sister. Although some of the characters lack development, especially bad-boy-on-the-block Ricky Scudder, Harness handles well the effect of a parent’s death on a family.–Carly B. Wiskoff, Sayville Library, NY

Gr 5-8–This well-researched novel expertly captures Thoreau’s character and life in mid-19th-century Massachusetts. Despite frequent bouts with tuberculosis, the man who lived for two years in Walden woods introduced innovations to his family’s pencil business, ran a school with his brother, and went on hiking and boating expeditions. His integrity was remarkable, as evidenced when he helped fugitive slaves or spent a night in jail over a point of principle. For much of his life, Thoreau wandered seemingly without direction, but, when viewed as a whole, his life was spent developing a personal philosophy. This book makes clear that Thoreau was the product of both a loving, supportive family and New England’s Transcendentalist movement. Though at times the dialogue seems stilted and overly philosophical, careful readers will have much to mull over, and they will savor the adventures of this great American thinker. It’s a quick inspirational read for budding naturalists or for those who feel as though they don’t fit into their own time and place.–Christina Stenson-Carey, Albany Public Library, NY

Gr 4-7–With the Mississippi River full of magic, and a touch of the Pinocchio effect, a thriving “rivery” realm spills out into the real world. A human couple has been turned to stone while sitting across from one another in the breakfast nook, and when a few well-meaning people try to help, they too fall under the spell. Only 12-year-old Claire, accompanied by her irascible cousin, Duke, dares to get to the bottom of things. Duke has already been cursed with a horn for not showing an act of kindness, and the girl’s trust in him backfires when he steers her toward three conniving river trolls. From there, Claire must maneuver a perilous path through troll-river folklore and magical twists. Tongue-in-cheek humor brings a delightful zing to the playfully inventive storytelling and fast-paced plot. Enchanting sketches foreshadow each chapter, adding to the wonder. A new Mississippi River fable has been born.–Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL

Gr 7-9–This lyrical novel is actually a collection of vignettes that spans five generations of a family living in the Louisiana bayous. Beginning with Rose as a young girl who, in 1939, must drop out of school in order to help her mother put food on the table, the stories follow pivotal moments–an injured dog, learning to dance, a summer job–in the lives of her descendants. What connects the chapters is the presence of books, whether on a bookmobile or on a library shelf, or even the writing of one’s own story. Holt once again excels at creating character and an evocative sense of place.–Melissa Moore, Union University Library, Jackson, TN

Gr 9 Up–Though Lauren never knew her mother, Paula, she is haunted by the story of the rising model who died so young in prison. When she is scouted by a London modeling agency, Lauren sees an opportunity to understand a part of her mother’s promiscuous life that led to violence and abuse, and she is surprised to learn that her guardian, Nessa, is supportive, if cautious, of Lauren’s interest. Her newfound recognition, though, brings them to the attention of a person from Paula’s past who is a danger to them both. Alternating chapters tell the stories of 15-year-old Lauren and of Nessa 16 years earlier. As both stories develop, readers learn more and more about how Nessa came to raise Paula’s daughter, and how the choices that she made as a teenager shaped both her life and Lauren’s. Though this is a suspense story, and a good one, Nessa and Lauren’s relationship is what really makes it stand out. Young adult novels seldom let readers see how their teenage protagonists turn out. Seeing the adult Nessa through Lauren’s eyes, however, allows them to do so in a unique way that will be appealing to teens.–Stephanie L. Petruso, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Odenton, MD

Gr 9 Up–This first YA novel from a noted poet provides lots of thrills and chills with the added bonus of gorgeous, evocative use of language. Framed in an urban legend, the story centers around pretty, popular 17-year-old Kristy Sweetland and her week at cheerleading camp. Kristy and her best friend, slutty Desiree, and a new girl named Kristi sneak out to go skinny-dipping in Lost Lake when they pass two young local yokels in an old station wagon. Feeling bold and carefree, the girls flash their breasts as they speed by, and Kristy forgets about the whole thing until both Desiree and Kristi tell her that the two boys keep coming around to their cabins at night, whispering things in the dark. Suddenly, events take an ominous turn and Kristi starts becoming extremely weird, refusing to eat, sleep, or bathe, and uttering dark forebodings. Rightly so, as there are deadly consequences to that flash of skin the boys glimpsed. Although it takes a very willing suspension of reality for readers to believe the events, many of which don’t make sense (could two girls and a male lifeguard disappear overnight and not have anyone in the camp notice?), Kasischke’s writing imbues the book with such an eerie sense of apprehension that the pages keep turning. Her adult novel The Life before Her Eyes (Harcourt, 2002) is currently being made into a film and will probably drive even stronger interest in her work.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY

Gr 6-8–Moon, 10, has spent most of his life in a camouflaged shelter in the forest with his father, a Vietnam veteran who distrusts people and the government. Pap has educated him in both academics and survival skills. His life suddenly changes when the land is sold to a lawyer and his father dies. The lawyer discovers him and, believing what he is doing is best for the child, turns him over to Mr. Gene from the local boys’ home. When Moon escapes, Mr. Gene alerts the constable, an emotionally unstable bully who becomes obsessed with capturing him. Once at the home, though, Moon makes his first real friends and learns what friendship is all about. Much of the story revolves around multiple chases, captures, and escapes. The ending might be a bit too perfect, but it is a happy one for Moon. The book is well written with a flowing style, plenty of dialogue, and lots of action. The characters are well drawn and three-dimensional, except for the constable–but then, maybe that’s all there is to him. Even those who knew him as a child have nothing good to say about him. The language is in keeping with the characters’ personalities and the situations. Although Moon is only 10, older readers will also enjoy the book and will better understand the adults’ perspectives.–Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC

Gr 8 Up–Klass enters exciting and provocative new territory with this sci-fi thriller. Seventeen-year-old Jack Danielson’s life has always been normal–except that his parents have encouraged him to blend in and not try too hard. But then he learns that he is different, that he has special powers and abilities, and that he is from the future and has been sent back to save the planet. Strangers kill his adoptive parents and come after him, and the teen’s only hope to survive is to trust in Gisco, a huge dog who speaks to him telepathically, and Eko, a ninja babe whose loyalties are ambiguous. The writing is fluid and graceful in places. The sobering events and tone are leavened with engaging humor, and the characters are multidimensional. The relentless pace, coupled with issues of ecology, time travel, self-identity, and sexual awakening, makes for a thrilling and memorable read. The cliff-hanger ending will make readers hope that Klass’s work on book two of the trilogy is well under way.–Melissa Moore, Union University Library, Jackson, TN

Gr 4-6–The siblings from the “On the Run” series (Scholastic) return for a new adventure. Aiden and Meg are having some difficulties adjusting to normal life after being fugitives while their parents were wrongly held in prison. Fast-paced and true to Korman’s style, the novel has a cliff-hanger ending to every chapter. By page 10, Meg has been abducted. Only Aiden knows her well enough to interpret the clever clue she leaves, and he must learn to trust the man whom they previously saw as their enemy. The book will be popular with readers who want to know what happened after Meg and Aiden went home in the earlier titles, but it won’t make much sense to anyone else.–Sharon R. Pearce, Chippewa Elementary School, Bensenville, IL

Gr 6-10–A problem novel that’s nicely paced and easy to read. Ultra-normal teenager Izzy learns that she has stage IV Hodgkins lymphoma. She undergoes standard treatments, withstands her newfound pity-popularity at school, leans on her best friend, and grows in her understanding of her mother. She narrates with a relatively light, joke-cracking tone as her ballpoint pen doodles cartoon jibes at the things making her uncomfortable. Throughout, readers see how the teen’s condition affects her loving family and supportive best friend. Reassured by the preface, they will have no fear of Izzy’s recovery. Rather, the story focuses in great detail on her treatments and how she gets through them, holding out for a future in which she will have “long, braided hair” and a boyfriend who can deal with serious stuff like cancer. Readers witness every hospital visit, every injection–everything that goes in, and the color of what comes out (with some spectacular pukes). The book has realistically typical teenage characters and apparently solid research into various Children’s Hospital patients and their treatments, but it’s not too heavy, complex, or long.–Rhona Campbell, Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC

Gr 6 Up–In a world in which elegance, beauty, and singing ability are revered, Aza is bulky, awkward, and homely. Her saving grace is that she can sing and has a gift of voice manipulation that she calls “illusing.” Through a chance meeting at her family’s inn, a duchess invites Aza to act as her companion and accompany her to the palace to attend the king’s wedding. When the beautiful new queen discovers Aza’s gift for throwing her voice and for mimicry, she sees a way of protecting her reputation and disguising her own lack of talent. Pressured by the woman’s threats upon her family, Aza deceives the court into believing that Ivi is a gifted singer. When the ruse is discovered, Aza is forced to flee the castle in order to save her life. Through her adventures, she discovers her own strength of character, learns about her true heritage, and decides that her physical appearance is not worthy of the stress and worry she has wasted on it. The plot is fast-paced, and Aza’s growth and maturity are well crafted and believable. Readers will enjoy the fairy-tale setting while identifying with the real-life problems of living in an appearance-obsessed society. A distinguished addition to any collection.–Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX

Gr 9 Up–In this novel set in the near future, The Decents, who use God and family values to spread hate, are in the minority. The real Jesus freaks, who feel He would have loved everybody regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, have prevailed. Gay, Jewish Duncan Weiss, 17, is elated when gay, Jewish Abe Stein is elected President of the United States. Then the governor of Kansas calls the election into question. The teen and a busload of his friends travel to Topeka to join millions in protest. Duncan’s arc from well-meaning bystander to political participant stands as allegory to the uselessness of empathy without action. Levithan’s dialogue is as natural and evocative as ever, and elegant, persuasive political speeches help sustain the wondrous mood. Duncan’s friend Gus, a campy man-slut who ends each sentence with “la,” provides much-needed comic relief. The members of The God Squad, Janna and Mandy, are equally natural and believable. Oddly, though, the romances lack juice. Duncan’s earnest narrative will engage any teen who has felt powerless, but his militant boyfriend, Jimmy, is just too flat to care about. Keisha, Mira, and Sara, a love triangle of indistinguishable lesbians, speak of pain that readers never feel. The story still moves briskly, by force of the uncertain outcome more than by involvement with the characters. However, in conjuring a world where every vote actually counts, Wide Awake stands with Levithan’s extraordinary Boy Meets Boy (Knopf, 2003) in sheer creativity of plot, setting, and message.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 7-10–Ever since Jess Jordan surprised readers by stuffing bags of minestrone soup down her bra to create the perfect filler in Girl, 15, Charming but Insane (Delacorte, 2004), the laughs haven’t stopped. This third book about the teen does not disappoint. Jess’s boyfriend, Fred, is great. Her best friend, Flora, is super supportive. She gets along with her librarian mom and she has made peace with the fact that her father is gay and living in Cornwall with his lover. In fact, she keeps planning out how to best introduce that newly unearthed fact once school starts. On the last day of break, Fred suggests that perhaps they can keep their relationship a secret so as not to ruin his reputation as a loner. An incensed Jess abruptly rushes home, knowing that Fred will call to apologize shortly. He never does. In addition to starting out the school year with this black cloud, Jess’s favorite teacher has been replaced by a woman who takes an immediate dislike to her. As Jess muddles through the first few weeks of school without Fred, she finds herself in nonstop odd predicaments that will keep readers entertained. Another fun, funny tale of teen angst, British style.–Emily Garrett, Naaman Forest High School, Garland, TX

Gr 9 Up–Ruby, first introduced in The Boyfriend List (Delacorte, 2005), continues to narrate the events in her life at Tate Prep. Interspersed throughout the story are excerpts from The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them, a journal written by the teen and her friends in years past. Ruby is now in her junior year and discovering that there is life after a boyfriend breakup and the loss of previous friends for not following “The Rules for Dating.” She discovers that she can make new friends, reconnect with some of her old ones, and simply accept that some people are lost forever. She continues therapy with Dr. Z. and gains control over her panic attacks. The story is both humorous and witty, and the language is realistically raw. Sections such as “The Care and Ownership of Boobs” are particularly funny. Teens will relate to the situations that Ruby finds herself in and learn from her skills about how to cope with the “minefield” of crises that today’s teens face.–Sheilah Kosco, Bastrop Public Library, TX

Gr 4-6–The summer of 1960 is an eventful and special time for Nick. His mom meets Glen, the new handyman in town; Nick learns a bit more about his father, who died in the Korean War; and he finds a tiny mockingbird that, through nurturing, becomes a healthy, and seemingly happy, adult. As boy and bird bond, Marcy teaches Nick about true friendship–about loving someone enough to allow them their freedom. Plausibly written in a voice that seems appropriate for a 10-year-old boy, the story is both realistic and tender. Soft, realistic pencil vignettes and full-page drawings are nice touches that add to the story’s nostalgia. Bowman shows a young bird sitting in her newspaper-lined box, and a young adult Marcy flying through Fourth of July sparklers, perching on Nick’s knee as he sits quietly thinking in the large sewer pipe that is his secret place, and standing on his seed-filled hand. A note on the habits of mockingbirds is appended. Young people who enjoyed Sterling North’s Rascal (Puffin, 1990) will love Nick’s story as well.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 5-7–Feisty Garnet Hubbard, 12, endures a difficult school year without her parents. Her father is in the hospital recovering from severe burns sustained in a work-related accident. Her mother, Melanie, intent on pursuing her dream of becoming a country-and-western singer in Nashville, has taken Garnet and her older sister, Opal, to live with their Aunt Julia. Rural and deeply conservative Willow Flats, OK, in the early 1960s is different from the girls’ hometown in Texas, and they miss their old way of life. They are also worrying about their father and having to deal with their mother’s selfish betrayal and abandonment. By the end of the school year, they are happy to be going home to their healed dad, yet sorry about leaving their new friends and their aunt. That they are not reunited with their mother teaches Garnet about some of the costs–not only to oneself, but to others–of pursuing one’s dreams. Love’s descriptions are nicely evocative of a different time and place, but it is the intriguing questions she poses that make her an author to watch.–Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID

Gr 9 Up–Three teens–friends since their first day of Catholic school–tease, pummel, and support one another in this story set in a working-class Boston diocese. The narrator, Drew, like his dad, is a skeptical observer of the ways that power plays out in the classroom and church; fatherless Skitz is one of those kids who is not going to stay in the system much longer; and Hector–well, something is really eating at Hector, the devout Altar Boy of the Year. The three have vowed to stand by one another, come what may. What comes is a growing awareness of the personal problems of the men who are supposed to be shepherding them through adolescence. Fathers Blarney, Mullarkey, and Shenanigan, as the boys call them, have an inordinate hold over their lives, both in school and beyond. The charming and disarming Father Mullarkey is a bit of a renegade and the two older priests engage in petty cruelties and power games. The evocation of parish life and parochial-school experience is pitch perfect, as are the boys’ ribald camaraderie and sports obsession. As Drew’s awareness of the priests’ fallibility grows, so does the eerie sense that one of them is harming Hector in secret–and that the abuse may be sexual. This vivid, fast-paced, hard-hitting novel is no diatribe; instead it conveys with texture and conviction the damage that young people can be subjected to when adult influence goes unchecked. Overriding even this sad truth is the memorable depiction of the boys’ friendship and the redemptive power of their deep commitment to one another.–Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

Gr 9 Up – As this heartbreaking story opens, 13-year-old Lakshmi lives an ordinary life in Nepal, going to school and thinking of the boy she is to marry. Then her gambling-addicted stepfather sells her into prostitution in India. Refusing to “be with men,” she is beaten and starved until she gives in. Written in free verse, the girl’s first-person narration is horrifying and difficult to read. “In between, men come./They crush my bones with their weight./They split me open./Then they disappear.” “I hurt./I am torn and bleeding where the men have been.” The spare, unadorned text matches the barrenness of Lakshmi’s new life. She is told that if she works off her family’s debt, she can leave, but she soon discovers that this is virtually impossible. When a boy who runs errands for the girls and their clients begins to teach her to read, she feels a bit more alive, remembering what it feels like to be the “number one girl in class again.” When an American comes to the brothel to rescue girls, Lakshmi finally gets a sense of hope. An author’s note confirms what readers fear: thousands of girls, like Lakshmi in this story, are sold into prostitution each year. Part of McCormick’s research for this novel involved interviewing women in Nepal and India, and her depth of detail makes the characters believable and their misery palpable. This important book was written in their honor.–Alexa Sandmann, Kent State University, OH

Gr 4-6–Ten-year-old Laney Grafton is more than a little relieved when Lara Phelps (immediately dubbed “Larger-Than-Life Lara”) joins her class. Enormously fat and relentlessly kind, Lara distracts the local bullies from all the negative attention that Laney has previously received. Unfortunately, Lara’s cheerfulness attracts quite a lot of nasty attention from her other classmates as well until something happens that tears down Lara’s remarkable spirit entirely. Laney is an engaging narrator. Particularly delightful is the way in which she tells the story. Each chapter has a title that is related to the narrative, such as “Rising Action,” “Suspense,” “Dialogue,” etc. Laney then explains why she chose to include or hold back pertinent information in accordance with her teacher’s storytelling rules. Her explanation of how to write a book is just as interesting as the events that she’s describing. Best of all, none of this detracts from the novel’s emotional core. Thoroughly enjoyable and unexpectedly wry, this book is as intelligent as it is succinct. A good companion piece to Tony Abbott’s Firegirl (Little, Brown, 2006).–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

Gr 5 Up–These 10 literate stories make for great leisure listening and knowing chuckles. Pete Bruce flatters a baker out of a coconut cream pie and a quart of milk; Mingo may or may not have anything smaller than a 100-dollar bill to pay his bills; Frank and Jesse James, or “the Howard boys,” help an old woman against the KKK-ish Knights of the White Gardenia; and Cake Norris wakes up dead one day–again. Carrilho’s eerie black-and-white illustrations, dramatically off-balance, lit by moonlight, and elongated like nightmares, are well-matched with the stories. The tales are variously narrated by boys and girls, even though the author’s preface seems to set readers up for a single, female narrator in the persona of McKissack herself. They contain the “essence of truth but are fiction from beginning to end,” an amalgam of old stories, characters, jokes, setups, and motifs. As such, they have no provenance. Still, it would have helped readers unfamiliar with African-American history to have an author’s note helping separate the “truth” of these lies that allude to Depression-era African-American and Southern traditions. That aside, they’re great fun to read aloud and the tricksters, sharpies, slicksters, and outlaws wink knowingly at the child narrators, and at us foolish humans.–Susan Hepler, formerly at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

Gr 5 Up–McNish continues his clever blend of science fiction and fantasy. The Silver Child (Carolrhoda, 2005) saw six children drawn by some unknown force to Coldharbour, where they each discovered extraordinary abilities that would help protect them from an approaching danger known as the “Roar.” Now, children from every corner of the planet are descending on Coldharbour. With Milo–the silver child and one of the original six–protecting the others from the sky in his massive, angel-like form, the remaining five must keep the newcomers from new threats hidden deep in the Earth’s core. It is through the voices of Thomas, the healer, and Helen, the psychic, that McNish’s story truly takes shape. Though the other characters can be a little flat at times, these two continue to move the action forward. For readers looking for something imaginative and distinctive, Silver City will not disappoint.–Lisa Marie Williams, Fairfax County Public Library System, Reston, VA

Gr 9 Up–Mimi Schulman, first introduced in The Rise and Fall of a 10th-Grade Social Climber (Houghton, 2005), is back at New York City’s Baldwin School after spending a week in the Dominican Republic doing charity work with her rich and ritzy friends. She is plagued by typical teen problems: an unrequited crush, divorced parents and their new relationships, and low self-confidence. However, she’s quickly repairing the friendships she strained last semester as well as meeting some new and quirky people. When she gets the chance to go after the first big story for the school newspaper, an article on Baldwin parent and art-world king Serge Ziff, who has made a major donation, she’s determined to prove herself worthy of the assignment. Chasing after Ziff for an interview doesn’t leave much time for her friends, though, and chasing down the elusive truth about his true character proves even more difficult. With the help of friends and their contacts, Mimi writes a revealing article–but then the angry headmaster insists on killing the story. The trials of this middle-class teen in an upper-class world are entertaining and light. The writing style is breezy, but the vocabulary is occasionally complex and may challenge low-level readers. Though there are mentions of hookups and underage drinking, the details are sparse. Instead, friendships and self-worth are the center of attention. This sequel can be read as a stand-alone, but be prepared for requests for the first book.–Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL

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