Grades 5 & Up

Gr 5–8—When an environmental agent is murdered on her grandfather's farm, Ingrid Levin-Hill, 13, is again cast in the role of detective. Her grandfather is the primary suspect, but she knows that honorable, independent, and sometimes cranky Grampy could not have committed the crime. So why does he refuse to give an alibi? From the outset Major Ferrand seems a much more likely suspect. He also is a World War II veteran and the town newspaper is about to present a series of articles featuring the three men from Echo Falls who served in the war. Alymer Hill refuses to offer an alibi for his whereabouts at the time of the shooting (the killer using coincidentally a World War II issue rifle). The story is accessible, and Ingrid's ability to not only think through the crime but also solve it is impressive. There's suspense, as Ingrid is captured by the murderer during her investigation, and a fire that also puts her life in danger. Additional appeal comes from Ingrid's friendship with the sheriff's son and her relationship with her brother and grandfather.—Sheila Fiscus, Our Lady of Peace School, Erie, PA

Gr 5–7—Thirteen-year-old Tommy's life in the Bronx in 1940 is dominated by the Brooklyn Dodgers and radio shows, while his politically aware friend Beth continually tries to tell him her concerns about the raging war overseas. Newspaper headlines and radio reports reflect Germany's successive invasions across Europe, but Tommy, influenced by his dad's opinion that America should stay out of the conflict, is indifferent to what is happening faraway to people he doesn't know. His simple neighborhood life is overshadowed by worry about his symptomatic mother, who is ultimately diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As his family situation becomes more complicated and distressing, his friendship with Beth, whose mother died of cancer, strengthens. This coming-of-age story introduces the war's particular consequences for Jews through their schoolmate Sarah, who fled Germany with her family. Sandwiched between Beth and Sarah, sensitive Tommy relies on their compassion while trying to maintain a normal male camaraderie with his baseball-loving friends. His appreciation for the world's threatened freedom takes hold as events bring the war closer to U.S. soil. Readers may identify with Tommy's disinterest in politics while going about his everyday life.—Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

Gr 7–10—Cherries have not been harvested at Cherry Heaven since the shooting deaths of the last owners a decade earlier. Despite their regret at having to relocate from the war-torn five cities to the New Frontier, sisters Kat and Tanka feel somewhat relieved to be living at the outstanding house at Cherry Heaven. Once settled in their new home, they discover that Meander town isn't as peaceful and comfortable as it seems on the surface. Intelligent and inquisitive Kat sees through the facade and questions the events of the past, and ultimately forces the townspeople to face up to the truths of life in Meander. Alternating chapters from the point of view of Kat and a slave girl who desperately wants to escape so she can expose the truth about murders long forgotten make this novel a multidimensional exploration of race, class, adventure, and ethics while remaining a nonstop page-turner. This accessible story, a companion to The Diary of Pelly D (HarperCollins, 2005), provides many opportunities for deeper discussions and thought. With many subtle references to the current worldwide exploitation and discrimination toward certain groups of people, it would be a good cross-curriculum classroom study.—Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY

Gr 9 Up—Jayson Porter, 16, spends his days as a struggling scholarship student at a prep school in a wealthy Florida suburb, and the rest of his time at home in the projects avoiding his abusive white alcoholic mother, checking in on his wasted-on-crack black father, and smoking dope with his friend Trax. Jayson knows how to survive in "the hood," but the mounting pressures of his mother's beatings, his challenges at school, and his menial job build until he sees suicide as his only escape. The idea of jumping from the 18th-floor breezeway outside his apartment door entices him. Trax is killed in a meth-lab explosion, and then Jayson's father lets slip that he and Lizzie aren't really his parents, but stole him from their friend Trina when all were drug addicts living together. It's the last straw, and Jayson jumps, but only from the seventh floor. He survives but with a broken neck, narrowly missing serious paralysis, and facing months of surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation. Jayson's first-person narration throbs with the pain of his life, revealing the frightened teen behind the cocky exterior. Adoff writes candidly, with carefully chosen details carrying a wealth of insight, in a style approaching free verse that draws out the complexities of Jayson's character as he deals with sexuality, self-esteem, and identity. The ending is a bit too tidy, but Jayson is a vivid, dynamic character who will get under readers' skin.—Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS

Gr 7–10—A government survey estimated in 2003 that 4000 women had been trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation; that number may well be larger today. Bell puts a human face on such statistics in this poignant story of two unhappy 14-year-olds who end up in a Turkish-run brothel above a London fish-and-chips shop. Looking for a better life and believing the flashy young man who promised her work, Oksana left her impoverished village in rural Russia, only to become the slave of the series of men who took over her care. In an escape attempt she takes refuge in the van belonging to a wealthy English businessman whose daughter, Hope, conceals her near their farm home and promises to take her to London. Instead, the two are captured together and delivered to the brothel owners who had ordered two European girls. Oksana's story is revealed slowly, in flashbacks that show how strongly she has come to believe that her condition is what she deserves. Only Oksana is raped (without explicit description) and sent off to "work." Perhaps the English girl is being saved for the Internet, or, more likely, for ransom. Told in alternating first-person narratives, this harrowing account is an appropriate companion to Patricia McCormick's Sold (Hyperion, 2006).—Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD

Gr 7 Up—"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference." Madge, 16, makes Elie Weisel's statement her mantra, promising to never be indifferent, even as it takes her to extreme, unrealistic measures. As the only person of color in rural Hollowdale, PA, except for her Indian friend, Krishna, who moved there in ninth grade, Madge has never felt at peace. Her tough-talking white mother is an ex-con and illegal British immigrant and Madge has never met her Jamaican father. Even with that weak set-up, the book remains readable until Madge decides to bring home Timmy, an impoverished, Hispanic four-year-old boy she met while visiting her white, newspaper reporter cousin in New York City. Madge, who has essentially kidnapped Timmy, acts like he's her own child, letting her once-stellar grades and at least mildly interesting social life fall by the wayside. Benedict's first YA novel suffers from too many competing issues, including biracial identity, racism, child abuse, and the troubled New York City foster-care system. With its resolution that raises far more problems than it solves, strong language, and lack of focus, it's hard to envision this book at home in any library. Instead, recommend Chris Crutcher's Whale Talk (Greenwillow, 2001) for topics of racial identity and Catherine Ryan Hyde's The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance (Knopf, 2007) for issues of child welfare.—Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 4–6—Max and his crew of Griffins continue their magical and tactical education in this last volume in the trilogy. As in the "Harry Potter" books, the adventure follows a group of friends with varying magical abilities, and the addition of the Knights Templar to the story line makes it an intriguing mix of fiction and history. Morgan La Fey and the evil Lord Sumner, Max's father, have tricked Max into giving him the powerful Spear of Ragnarok so that the wicked man can destroy the world. Max and his friends must descend into the Underworld and beat Lord Sumner and his band of Black Wolves to the Eye of Odin, the only weapon that can be used against the Spear. The plot is interesting, but the only thing keeping the book from becoming wholly cliché are additions like the Knights Templar's FBI-like mode of operation and a Griffin that is slowly becoming a Changeling in an amusing manner. However, the characters are not completely fleshed out, and the adults are two-dimensional stereotypes. The plot turns sickly sweet at the end, and readers are pounded over the head with the moral. This one is only for those who read the first two books and want to find out what happens to Max and his friends.—Jennifer-Lynn Draper, Children's Literature Consultant, Aurora, ON, Canada

Gr 9 Up—This compilation is sure to please most readers. Well-known writers such as Holly Black, Cecil Castellucci, and Nina Kiriki Hoffman appear along with lesser-known talents. The selections vary from high-tech to goblin wizardry, and they all integrate common YA issues into the story lines. For example, cheating boyfriends are spied on using a magic ring, and a bullied teen gets his revenge with the help of a dark god. In the space of a few pages the authors have created settings and moods that carry teens into another world from the start. A solid purchase for all fiction lovers, not just fantasy fanatics.—Jennifer-Lynn Draper, Children's Literature Consultant, Aurora, ON, Canada

Gr 9 Up—In this epic tale of global warming and environmental disaster set at the dawn of the next century, 15-year-old Mara has lived with the realization that the world is drowning. Growing up on Wing, she has watched her North Atlantic island become smaller each year, and people have long ago abandoned technology in their struggles to subsist. After a particularly bad ocean surge, another part of the village is lost. This spurs Mara to convince the villagers that they will have a chance at a new life in the Sky Cities, which she has located on the now-defunct version of the Internet. After a grueling journey, the refugees find themselves locked out of the city by a giant wall. As sickness and disease claim some of her people, Mara decides to find a way into the city to save them. Through the netherworld (under the city), the teen has encounters with the ratbashers (urchins) and the Treenesters. The Treenesters think that Mara is The Face in the Stone that will save them. Ecologically conscious teens will embrace this girl who is destined to save humanity.—June H. Keuhn, Corning East High School, NY

Gr 4–8—The Penderwick sisters are back. Their Aunt Claire has come for a visit, bringing with her a letter from their late mother that encourages their father to date, and an immediate crisis ensues, as the girls assume that this is the first step on the treacherous road to having a stepmother. After frantic consultation, they implement the "Save Daddy" plan, designed to set him up with perfectly dreadful women so that he will not want to date again. Numerous subplots add to the domestic drama. Skye struggles with her temper on the soccer field. Rosalind and neighbor Tommy experience a frustrated romance. Skye and Jane switch homework assignments, leading to a school performance of Jane's Aztec drama, with everyone thinking that it was penned by Skye. While the solution to the dating dilemma can be seen from the beginning, the sisters are so caught up in their drama that they can't see who's right next door. Laugh-out-loud moments abound and the humor comes naturally from the characters and situations. Especially funny is the scene in which the youngest Penderwick hides in the car hoping to spy on one of her father's dates. Like much of the book itself, this scene resolves itself in a tender moment between father and daughter. This is a book to cherish and to hold close like a warm, cuddly blanket that you draw around yourself to keep out the cold.—Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 3–6—This adventure novel starts when Vasco, a rat, finds his tribe mysteriously decimated. He reluctantly joins another group, but has a violent encounter with its cruel leader and strikes out on his own. Though he is followed by several new friends, he constantly wrestles with self-doubt. Having determined that their kind is being aggressively exterminated in the city, Vasco decides to seek a safe haven in another land and leads his new tribe aboard an ocean freighter. Unfortunately, accidental imprisonment in the ship's hold, starvation, and warfare with other rats continue to threaten their survival. Their eventual landing still fails to provide a safe haven. An eventful trip through the jungle and final epic battle provide a satisfying ending. Chased by tragedy and certain death at every turn, Vasco transforms from quiet follower to thoughtful leader. All the while, he struggles with maintaining his control over the independent-minded members of the group and tries to convince them that the old ways are not always best. Bondoux does an excellent job of setting the story firmly and believably in the rodent world while imbuing the characters with enough human qualities to allow young readers to relate to them. Animal lovers who crave edge-of-your-seat action and the triumph of reason over violence will love this page-turner.—Nicki Clausen-Grace, Carillon Elementary School, Oviedo, FL

Gr 5–8—In 2006 alone, nearly 600,000 people fled war-torn countries and authoritarian regimes, seeking asylum in safer parts of the world. Seeing a child climb a fence to enter the Channel Tunnel between France and Britain inspired Bradman to solicit original short stories on this theme. The result is this moving collection of 11 powerful narratives, quite different in their particulars but astonishingly similar in their sense of loss and loneliness. Some are written by people who were themselves refugees: Solomon Gebremedhin was 17 when he wrote the title story, based on his journey from Ethiopia. Others have worked with refugees in the U.K. and elsewhere. While most of the stories focus on current asylum-seekers in Britain, one looks back to a Vietnamese child's trip to Australia, and another is set in an unnamed Eastern European country, a dead end for many. Gaye Hicyilmaz offers a different perspective, writing of a time in her English childhood when she ignored a refugee child in need. The Congo, Eritrea, Iraq, Turkey, Kosovo, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Sudan—around the world children leave familiar homes to find safety, but are not always welcome elsewhere. Perhaps sharing their experiences will help readers change that outcome.—Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD

Gr 8 Up—Nothing much happened in Dayton, TN, until the summer of 1925. That was the year that J. T. Scopes, a science teacher at Rhea County High School, asked students to read a chapter on evolution from their textbook. Tennessee had recently passed a law against the teaching of evolution in public schools, and the American Civil Liberties Union was seeking an opportunity to prove that this law was unconstitutional. Mr. Robinson, a local store owner, thought that Scopes could bring publicity to the town and boost its stagnant economy, if he would submit to a trial. The ACLU pledged support, and the teacher found himself in the middle of one of the most controversial trials of the century. What ensued was a circuslike atmosphere that surprised and eventually divided the residents of Dayton. This novel in verse chronicles the events and drama of the trial. There is a host of characters, both fictitious and real: J. T. Scopes (real), William Jennings Bryan (real), Mr. Robinson (real), Clarence Darrow (real), Paul Lebrun (fictitious), and many students and citizens (fictitious). The poems are in first person, giving a voice to all primary stakeholders—the citizens, young and old, who are stunned by the chaos that erupts in their tiny town. The epilogue provides information about the events and the people following the trial. Bryant offers readers a ringside seat in this compelling and well-researched novel. It is fast-paced, interesting, and relevant to many current first-amendment challenges. Students who like this novel will also enjoy Robin Brande's Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature (Knopf, 2007).—Pat Scales, formerly at South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville

Gr 6–10—Cadnum attempts to answer a historical mystery: Did Walter Tirel shoot King William II of England by accident or design? Set in south England in AD 1100, the novel follows 18-year-old Simon's journey from bystander to Tirel's de facto accomplice. Born of a Norman-English union, Simon doesn't fit in with the conquerors or the vanquished. Thrilled to be invited to assist on a deer hunt, he witnesses the fateful shot (meant for the king's marshal Roland) and, with Tirel, flees for his life by horse and by sea. William's successor, Henry, turns a blind eye to the escape, hinting at Henry's own plans for his brother's demise. Readers could wish for no better guide through medieval England than Cadnum. He explores the concepts of fate, honor, and the changing political landscape with the surefooted poise of his noble characters. Through Simon's eyes, readers understand the difficulties of assimilating to foreign rule as well as the importance of each word spoken to powerful men like William and Tirel. Always, Cadnum's language is king. "English, the language of hill and river, but not the language of government." Until the hunt, the plot moves deliberately, explaining medieval customs and jobs and seamlessly setting the scene, but once the arrow is loosed, the action takes over, and the story becomes a breathless ride to freedom. Cadnum's elegiac style gracefully complements his tale of a time when honor and right speaking could cost or save a man's life.—Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT

Gr 4–6—Noah Nowicki and his younger sister live next to the Clarksville Zoo. One night, Megan mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind only a few pages from her diary as clues. Noah and his friends, Ella and Ritchie, who call themselves the Adventure Scouts, set out to rescue her. They befriend a batch of sentient yet nonspeaking zoo animals that include a polar bear named Blizzard; Podgy, a penguin; and Marlo, a Malachite Kingfisher. These creatures, who claim to know what happened to Megan, lead the Scouts into the zoo, which has a secret entrance to a fanciful land called the City of Species where animals and humans live alongside one another. During their stay, the children learn of the city's origin and discover that Megan was most likely taken to the Dark Lands, a place separated from the city and ruled by dangerous sasquatches, beasts that are half human, half gorilla. In order to enter this land to find her, the Scouts risk releasing hundreds of sasquatches into the city. This book, which is the first of a series, is a fast-paced mix of mystery and fantasy. There is enough action and suspense to keep the most reluctant reader entertained while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of friendship and teamwork. It promises to be the beginning of a popular series.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 6–9—Emily, a junior, doesn't fit in with the superficial students at posh Crestview Prep. She nurtures a crush on her next-door neighbor, its basketball star, and she aspires to be editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. Chance brings her and her dream boy together and gives her a lead on a potentially winning story. Following that lead takes her places she never expected: both good and bad, but always funny and enlightening. In the end she learns the value of being true to herself and helping others. Plot twists and turns are sometimes predictable, sometimes surprising, and occasionally inexplicable, such as why this boy is suddenly so interested in her. The story is told in accessible first person. Emily is likable, if a little bland, but will hold the interest of most readers. She changes in realistic adolescent fits and starts. Chapter headings are formatted like newspaper headlines tracking the path of Hurricane Emily, a charming homage to the teen's journalistic goals.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

Gr 8 Up—Miles is wry, sarcastic, and smart, an almost-18-year-old Goth with a weight problem and a growing addiction to pharms. She and her "golden" cousin, Laura, were raised like sisters on their Georgetown estate, she in the carriage house out back with her mom, Laura in the main house with her wealthy gay father. In a first-person narrative peppered with flashbacks and essays written for school, Miles tells of Laura's suicide and a summer spent grieving. It's a story of Miles's changing perceptions of the people in her life: of Laura herself; Miles's best friend, Jamal, with whom she's falling in love; Jamal's affluent black family; Laura's grief-stricken father; and Miles's own parents (an artist mother who runs off to a boyfriend in London, and a formerly alcoholic, absentee father who shows up to watch over her). Cohn tackles a lot here: clinical depression, suicide, drug addiction, homosexuality, grief, Washington, DC 's racial and social stratifications, and the political fight for District statehood. Fans of titles such as Cohn's "Gingerbread" series and Pop Princess (2004, both S & S) will find a darker, more wrenching and poetic narrative, but may also get lost in the book's overabundance of social and political themes and wish for more insight into the relationship Miles mourns. While Cohn's characterizations occasionally teeter toward stereotype, the story's evolving relationships keep it compelling enough to propel readers through to its dramatic conclusion.—Riva Pollard, formerly at The Winsor School Library, Boston

Gr 7 Up—For many girls, the prospect of preparing for a London debut into society would be terribly exciting. Persephone Leland, however, would like nothing more than to read her books and practice her magic in private. It's 1837, and 17-year-old Persy, who lacks the confidence of her twin sister, is unprepared when their childhood friend Lochivar Seton appears once more in their lives and finds his way into Persy's heart. If that weren't enough, the girls' governess and tutor in magic has been kidnapped in conjunction with a sinister plot that will affect the future of Queen Victoria. When Persy messes with spells that have no place in 19th-century high society, things become a little more complicated, and a lot more exciting. A pleasant premise from the outset, the real problem with the book is just how unsympathetic its heroine is. Persephone is none too bright, perpetually self-pitying, and essentially unlikable. Though it starts out well, the story for the most part is predictable and the ending leaves more than a few loose strings dangling. For a better mix of a Jane Austen-like comedy of manners and magic, consider Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer's clever Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot (Harcourt, 2003) instead.—Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

Gr 5–9—In 1939 Finland, Marko serves proudly as a sky watcher, a junior member of the Civil Guard. On November 30, when Russian bombers attack his village, his best friend is killed, and his younger sister and brother must evacuate to Sweden. A chance encounter with a former teacher, now an army lieutenant, propels Marko, who still limps as a result of a bout with polio, to the front lines. His familiarity with the area around Savolahti and his orienteering skills make him an ideal clandestine messenger, carrying information back and forth between the small companies of soldiers hidden in the hills. The Winter War, a little-known campaign of World War II, comes to life as Marko relates his experiences during the bone-chilling months of 1939 and 1940. Durbin's graphic depictions of the realities of war are not for the faint of heart, and he does not soften his message regarding the lack of support that America and the world showed Finland during this time. More than a war story, though, this is a tale of resilience and self-discovery: Marko finds unsuspected reservoirs of strength within himself. The endings for him and his friends are a little too pat, but an afterword and sources for further study will satisfy readers who want to learn more. An engaging novel for adventure lovers and fans of historical fiction alike.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 8–10—Jay and Haroon are caught up in parallel plots that begin when police initiate a school lockdown and arrest a Muslim student under suspicion of terrorist links. Tensions are sparked in the racially divided high school where "brown" students congregate in "Brown Town." Jay, a newcomer, is a football jock. Haroon provides contrast as a nerdish academic-quiz-team member, but he has come under police suspicion for being Muslim after another Muslim student says he understands why terrorists behave as they do. Further conflict leads to the vandalizing of Brown Town. On Halloween, the captain leads some footballers to vandalize houses, including Haroon's. Both boys struggle to understand people and events around them and must rise above the mistrust created by 9/11 to make powerful choices. Jay finally stands up to his bigoted team captain and Haroon overcomes his fear. The authors' intentions are noble as they bravely plot the course of two strangers becoming less strange. The climax is moving. Regrettably the story is peppered with dialogue and actions that are inaccurate of Muslims. Consequently the book unintentionally contributes to the continuation and reinforcement of stereotypes, which limits its usefulness.—Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Oberlin Public Library, OH

Gr 6–10—For anyone who has ever thrilled to the sight of gigantic creatures battling it out on the big screen—King Kong, T. rex, Godzilla, Gamera—here comes Tim, short for Tyrannosaur: Improved Model! Tim, a made-to-order superweapon modeled after T. rex but much, much larger, was created in a lab far beneath London's Trafalgar Square. When funding for the project is redirected by Britain's new prime minister, Tim is scheduled for execution. Fortunately for London and the rest of the world, he escapes his fate just in time to fight off a misguided scientist and his terrifying plot to take over the world using nanobots. Enthoven has created two of the most unlikely heroes ever in Tim and his sidekick, Chris, a 15-year-old who desperately wants to be cool and sophisticated, yet finds himself tied to Tim through an odd bracelet given to him by a mysterious woman during a class trip to the museum. Both characters are reluctantly resolute, neither is very bright, but together they just may save the world. This fun, action-driven, science fiction tale will be snapped up by restless boys who can never find books written just for them.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

Gr 4–8—Gil is one of 5000 kids competing for fame and prizes in a fantastic event sponsored by the Golly Toy and Game Company. By solving a series of word games and puzzles, and passing physical challenges, he reaches the finals, where he must outshine four others, including an ex-classmate who may be cheating. Gil has further motivation to win—his father was wrongly accused of embezzling from the company, a personal stake that provides added interest. The challenges themselves are fun: the wordplay and codes required to solve them are tricky, but not impossible, and it's interesting to see the kids' thought processes. Part of the competition involves teaming up, and Gil shows leadership skills and learns to see his partners' hidden strengths. Adequate black-and-white drawings appear throughout. With occasionally stiff dialogue and fairly superficial supporting characters, the process of the Games is the main draw. Several plot contrivances, including the fact that the fathers of two of the finalists were rival Golly Toys employees, make things a bit less suspenseful. Despite these flaws, the appealing premise of a competition within a toy company headquarters recalls Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Knopf, 1964), and the puzzle solving may appeal to fans of Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society (Little, Brown, 2007) or Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer (Scholastic, 2004), making Feldman's book a workable, though less satisfying, follow-up to those titles.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 9 Up—Cameryn Mahoney, 17-year-old forensics expert and assistant to her father, the county coroner of Silverton, CO, is back for her third case, which involves the apparent suicide of a girl whom Cameryn's estranged mother picked up as a hitchhiker only hours before. As it becomes increasingly obvious that the victim was murdered, Cameryn struggles to shield her mother from the authorities while trying to find out the truth about the girl's death, which involves a polygamist cult very loosely based on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is also attempting to learn more about her mother's past and her parents' separation. In her desperation to solve the case, she enters into an email correspondence with a dean of the CU College of Forensics, but all is not as it seems. As with the previous two books, there is an abundance of gruesome and accurate forensic detail that will delight CSI fans, and the story is fast paced and exciting enough to hook reluctant readers as well as mystery enthusiasts. The conclusion is a real shocker (although those who read the second book may see it coming), and Ferguson definitely leaves the door open for a sequel.—Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

Gr 7–9—Andrea, the youngest of four princesses in the kingdom of Montemaior, is forced to give up her dream of being a knight and become a lady. In a stolen conversation outside a formal ball, she receives confirmation of a hidden door to another world. Wearing a strange gift from her Tío Ramiro, a jacket with the mysterious words "University of California" written across the chest, Andrea runs away from her family's castle, stumbles into a cave at high tide, finds herself on Earth, and learns that Tío Ramiro and her mother came to Montemaior through the hidden door when they were teens. Tío returned to California, but her mother was wooed away by her father to become queen. Andrea soon attends classes at UC Davis and craves to keep this life beyond the walls of her father's kingdom. Caught in a rainstorm near a cave, Andrea and her friend John accidentally return to Montemaior. His presence in the kingdom is a threat, until he falls in love with Andrea's sister, which encourages Rosa to break her engagement to the heir of a rival kingdom. Rosa's abandoned suitor then declares war on Montemaior. In her first novel, Ferreiro-Esteban shows potential and presents an interesting take on old world vs. new world, but the romantic plot between Rosa and John means that Andrea's story feels neglected. Those looking for a more finessed story about a young woman trying to succeed in a man's world might turn to Tamora Pierce, but Two Moon Princess is worth a second look.—Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 6 Up—Katie Wilder, 14, is convinced that her family's move from Manhattan to rural upstate New York is the worst thing that could happen. A city girl through and through, she can't imagine living where denim overalls and plaid shirts are the outfits of choice. She and her sister were both ballerinas in New York City. Michaela was the star pupil that Katie always wanted to be, with a place at Julliard after graduation. So when Michaela actually likes and fits in at Fir Lake, Katie feels totally left out. She can't understand what's gotten into her older sister, who's keeping a couple of shattering (for Katie) secrets. Katie is so jealous when Michaela gets a hot boyfriend and is elected homecoming queen that she can hardly stand it. After several months, Katie finally finds a friend and starts liking the small town, which takes the pressure off Michaela to be Katie's everything. Though the conflict seems perhaps a little too weak to carry a 400-page book, and parts of the plot seem totally unrealistic, the story is still likely to be popular. There's sweetness in Friedman's teen world, and some of her characters are delightful. And who can resist a good sister book?—Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID

Gr 5–8—As the last born in a family of nine siblings, the lass is a source of great displeasure to her mother. Angry that she had been unlucky enough to produce a girl, the woman denies her a name. Nevertheless, the child finds happiness in a close relationship with her older brother. This closeness is broken when an enchanted polar bear enters her home and demands that she spend a year and a day with him in return for her family attaining riches and good fortune. This exciting tale built on the foundation of an old Nordic tale is a work of great beauty. George demonstrates her mastery of both Norwegian folklore and storytelling by taking an old yet familiar story and making it captivating from start to finish. As the nameless lass searches for the answers to the riddles that surround her and her loved ones, readers will find themselves engaged in the emotions and adventures that she faces. They will be taken on wild rides across the countryside on the back of a polar bear, experience life in an enchanted ice castle, and fly on the winds of the far corners of the Earth, as the girl moves swiftly toward her inevitable destiny.—Caryl Soriano, New York Public Library

Gr 5–9—Pale, stocky Will Burrows, 14, never felt that he belonged at school or at home. In his predominantly self-absorbed family, Will's younger sister, meticulous Rebecca, maintains the house while Mrs. Burrows languishes in front of the TV and stereotypically scattered Dr. Burrows is preoccupied with archaeological paraphernalia. Will is happiest in tunnels he excavates beneath town with the help of friend, and fellow outcast, Chester. Though he and his father share a mutual obsession with archaeology, they separately engage in secret digs and both unearth "The Colony," a dangerous society hidden since the 1700s in an impressive network of tunnels and caverns. Its people have their own theology, social hierarchy, and a disdainful superiority complex. The Colonists and Styx (the more powerful, arrogant, malicious class) fear and revile "Topsoilers," lying in wait for their destruction. Revolutionary, "Topsoil"-friendly thinkers exist but most of the people fall in line in this grimy, Dickensian society. Although the story is slow to start, once Dr. Burrows disappears and Will (with Chester) stumbles into the Colony's perilous outpost, the pace of the adventure picks up. Readers will root for loyal, impetuous, overwhelmed Will as he discovers his roots, faces betrayal, and struggles to save those he cares for. Purchase this for the intriguing plot (including a surprising twist) and subterranean settings. Several still-buried mysteries, fates unknown, and the final gripping chapters promise an anticipated sequel.—Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

Gr 6–10—This fantasy portrays a strange but somewhat familiar world. Dovella is an apprentice engineer as well as an apprentice healer. When the Village's water supply begins to dwindle, she is sent to the source to find out what is causing the problem. Getting there involves traveling through lands inhabited by the untrustworthy Hill Folk and the deadly Raiders. Guided on her quest by Zagoad, a young Forester, the girl slowly discovers that her ingrained prejudice against outsiders is unfounded. The story switches between the quest and life in the Village, which becomes even more treacherous as one person tries to use religion to gain power over the inhabitants. The strength of the novel is the incredibly complex and detailed society that has been carefully constructed by the author and is just as carefully revealed throughout the book. Dovella, Zagoad, and the other characters are vividly portrayed, though it is odd that Dovella's parents are not as prejudiced as she is toward non-Villagers. Nonetheless, the book features interesting individuals in a compelling society that faces great dangers. Recommend to readers who enjoy Tamora Pierce's work.—Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 5–7—Portia Avatar, 12, lives in Palmville, CA, with her vegetarian mom, Indigo, and her cat. The novel covers five days, beginning with an earthquake at 3:47 a.m. Portia has created reasons that explain why her father has never been a part of her life and has given him an imaginary one. The earthquake shakes loose a photograph of him and a ring. Portia's preoccupation with her father is contrasted with her everyday experiences like checking out the effects of the earthquake, sending and receiving PDA messages to her friend Amy Clamdigger, helping right her mom's damaged health food restaurant, and doing community service. Portia's dreams and their interpretations are also included. Although the mystery of her father's absence is never solved, Portia does learn that she can rely on her mother's love and her community's support. Frequently the narrative is clever and chatty, but Portia tells readers so much about events, feelings, and other characters that it bogs down. This protagonist is lively and hip, but her story falters with the proliferation of details.—Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH

Gr 8 Up—Seconds into her first kiss, Scarlett watches her dream guy, Dan, fall to the floor dead. Traumatized, she switches from one posh English girls' school to another, where a mysterious note forces her to question whether he died naturally or was murdered. Sharp, witty narration makes Scarlett's simple sleuthing a lark. Teens will find themselves enamored with Henderson's sassy British colloquialisms and the protagonist's pluck. Her gymnastics skills, which surface at key moments throughout the story, will inspire oohs and aahs as well. A cliff-hanger ending might frustrate readers looking for resolution, but like a complicated tumbling sequence, this lithe mystery has great momentum.—Shelley Huntington, New York Public Library

Gr 4–7—Temporarily living with his mom at his grandparents' home on Bird Lake, 12-year-old Mitch Sinclair's plans to make the seemingly abandoned house next door his own are shattered when Spencer Stone arrives with his family. Both the Sinclairs and the Stones are in crisis—Mitch's parents are divorcing, and Spencer's parents are returning to the house for the first time since the death of their son Matty, who drowned there when Spencer was two. While each boy is deeply affected by his family's drama, both are powerless to influence its unfolding. Mitch, indignant at the Stoneses' intrusion, attempts to scare them off by creating mysterious signs that suggest a ghostly presence. Spencer observes these signs but chooses not to share them with his family. Eventually, the boys meet and connect immediately, leaving Mitch resolved to set things right. Characters are gently and believably developed as the story weaves in and around the beautiful Wisconsin setting. The superbly crafted plot moves smoothly and unhurriedly, mirroring a slow summer pace. Alternating perspectives between the boys gives readers deep insights into their feelings and actions. The secondary characters, the adults and Spencer's firecracker sister, Lolly, are also fully limned, complex individuals. Henkes creates compelling, child-centric images, excellent dialogue, and a believable resolution, with humor and just the right amount of tension to make this a significant and highly readable book. A "must-have" for every library that serves young people.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 5–7—Given the recent proliferation of fine novels incorporating characters and themes from Greek mythology, including Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series (Hyperion/Miramax), Anne Ursu's "Cronus Chronicles" (S & S), and Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris's "Young Heroes" books (HarperCollins), to name a few, there is little need to add this title to most collections. Hennesy's depiction of Pandora owes more to the influence of the "Gossip Girls" than to standard conceptions of the pantheon. It may be reasonable to portray Pandy as a spoiled brat. Other plot points—that a teenager takes the infamous box of troubles to school to fulfill a show-and-tell assignment—are harder to swallow. Altogether inessential.—Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 4–8—This is an interesting novelization of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Red Shoes." Thirteen-year-old Daphne dreams of two things—being adopted and becoming a ballerina. When a mysterious package arrives for her at the Orphanage of St. Jude, it contains a book on ballet technique with a handwritten riddle and a pair of scarlet stockings. A short while later, she is adopted, and she discovers that the stockings transform both her personality and her talent. As her success increases, so do her selfishness and conceit. She neglects her new family and focuses only on her ambition. The prima ballerina of the Ballet Splendide de Paris plots to destroy this young upstart and almost succeeds. After a terrible accident, the stockings are destroyed, and Daphne becomes a better person and a great dancer through hard work and dedication rather than magic. The 1920s London and Paris settings are believable, and Daphne's transformation from an insecure and lonely child into a self-absorbed dancer is well done.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

Gr 6–8—This book has all the tendencies and trappings of a first novel. Danny Parsons is a seventh-grade dreamer who is always imagining a different, more adventurous life than the one he's living. With the help of his sister, Bridget, he discovers that he has access to and can manipulate the quantum world. As the situation grows increasingly chaotic, he has to make a choice between having the father he's always wanted—and losing Bridget in the process—or saving his sister and coming to terms with the father he has. He learns that difficult decisions need to be made to move forward and that every choice has consequences and new possibilities. This story could have appeal for readers who feel powerless to alter the course of their own lives. However, it tries to be too many things all at once and, in the process, does not do any one thing very well. Science fiction fans will most likely wish for more science (and the science that is there is fuzzy), and readers who prefer character-driven stories will be disappointed in the lack of information about these complex figures. There isn't enough action to make this a strong plot-driven novel, and the author throws in some Eastern mysticism for good measure ("Be the water"). Not an essential purchase.—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 4–8—Hapless and hilarious Greg Heffley returns with another diary full of the minor irritations, major disasters, and occasional triumphs of a wimpy boy's middle school life. Kinney combines hand-written text with comical cartoons to present a character who is self-centered, sneaky, and dishonest, but also occasionally insightful and always very funny. Older brother Rodrick is his primary nemesis this time, partly because he threatens to spill Greg's embarrassing secret to the whole world. A nerdy best friend, a little brother who gets away with everything, and a bunch of clueless adults add significantly to Greg's problems. Readers, of course, will note that most of the narrator's troubles are self-inflicted, as when he wraps himself in toilet paper to avoid hypothermia in the boys' bathroom, does a disastrous job of pet-sitting, or decides to "wing it" for his school report on "The Amazing Moose." He's a character that readers can laugh at and empathize with at the same time. The line drawings that appear on every page play a large part in bringing Greg's world to life, providing humorous characterizations and details not mentioned in words. They also extend the appeal of the book to readers who are still a few years away from middle school themselves. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams, 2007) has been wildly popular, and this sequel should be an equally big hit with reluctant readers, especially boys, and anyone looking for a funny book.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 7–10—Gert, 15, has a totally original voice, hilarious but so sarcastic and negative that she's sometimes unlikable in the first part of this book. She changes over the course of the novel to someone more balanced, but one has to wonder if readers will stick with her while she gets her act together. She has a gay best friend, Adam, who goes with Tim. Gert has an unrequited crush on Tim's twin, struggles when Adam's relationship overshadows their friendship, and snipes about teachers, cliques, eyebrow plucking, and life in general. Her first-person narrative alternates with her ramblings in script, which will be difficult for reluctant readers to tackle. At first, these cursive sections are random rants but later make more sense in context. "Sorry: tangent" is dropped in every so often to indicate that Gert has gone off the point; the device is distracting and unnecessary. When her health teacher introduces a frank and educational exploration of female genitals, Gert feels better about herself and "her sexual being," and, in turn, everyone else. She finds new friends and a boyfriend, and her self-esteem is no longer dependent on Adam. Gert's self-centeredness limits her impact, and Adam and her boyfriend aren't fully fleshed out. Nobody but Gert, with her opinions, passions, and quirky insights, really matters. And that is problematic enough to make this unique but flawed book an additional purchase.—Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Gr 8 Up—Returning home to Hadley-by-Hudson after surviving his treacherous, six-month-long quest to save the Earth's oceans in Firestorm (Farrar, 2006), Jack Danielson is anxious to make sure that his girlfriend is all right. He is horrified to find that P.J. is missing and that he is considered responsible not only for her disappearance, but also for the deaths of his parents, who perished trying to save him from the Dark Army in the first book. This evil army from the future has now kidnapped P.J. and is gathering its forces to thwart Jack in his mission to save the planet from ecological disaster. To find P.J. and fulfill his mission, Jack must travel to the heart of the Amazonian rain forest; find the missing time-traveling wizard, Kidah; and join with him to defeat the Dark Lord from the future before he destroys the Earth. Like Jack's first adventure, Whirlwind is filled with thrilling, death-defying situations seldom found outside computer games. The fast-paced, gripping plot is an excellent vehicle for presenting a significant environmental message to an audience that might not hear it otherwise. The story stands on its own, but will be especially appreciated by those who experienced the cliff-hanger ending of Firestorm (Farrar, 2006). All readers will eagerly await the third book.—Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA

Gr 8 Up—The small coastal town of Neptune, NJ, is thrown for a loop when flamboyant and flashy Leonard, 14, arrives to live with the Hertle family. His cousin Phoebe, 15, resents his inclusion and watches with annoyance as he proceeds to join the high school drama crowd and give her mother's beauty parlor clients makeovers of body and mind. When Leonard goes missing, Phoebe begins to realize that she had not been able to see beyond his six-inch platform sneakers; his love for others and his desire to be loved in return touched the people of Neptune more deeply than anyone had expected. As she struggles to make sense of his disappearance, she leans on Travis, her wrong-side-of-the-tracks boyfriend who had at an earlier time accosted Leonard. This novel touches on myriad sensitive topics, including incest, shoplifting, wounded veterans, abandonment, sexual identity, and hate crimes, giving the book something of a crowded feel. Still, the frank tone of Phoebe's narration and the tragedy of Leonard's abbreviated life will give readers plenty to ponder.—Nora G. Murphy, Los Angeles Academy Middle School

Gr 7 Up—Frankie Landau-Banks has always been underestimated. After spending her childhood as a bright but sheltered ugly duckling, she begins sophomore year at her elite boarding school as a swan, catching the attention of senior Matthew Livingston. Frankie is ecstatic, particularly when she learns that he is the leader of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, an all-male secret society. She spends most of her time with Matthew and his friends but soon realizes that no matter how smart or funny she may be, she will never truly be a part of the group, simply because she is a girl. This frustrates her to no end. In a remarkable turn of events, Frankie takes control and begins to direct the Bassets, through email, in a series of elaborate school pranks, revitalizing the Order and the student body as well. These ingenious pranks embody the vigor of Frankie's personality, making social commentary on everything from the school's lack of female leadership to its disgusting cafeteria salad bar. Lockhart has created a layered and engrossing story that is as smart and quick as Frankie, combining the thrilling prospect of how she will get caught with her earnest attempts to understand what it means to be an outsider, an underdog, and in love. An empowered female hero like Frankie is a rare and refreshing find. She is the ultimate feminist role model for teens: a girl with guts and imagination who's brave enough to take on the "old boy's club."—Emily Anne Valente, New York Public Library

Gr 5–8—A dystopian novel, starring Little Fearless as a "nameless" girl in a work asylum. The inhabitants of Lott's world naively follow the propaganda of the supposedly democratically elected City Boss. His cohort, the Controller, runs the workhouse under the guise of it being a school for wayward girls. Cleverly manipulating her fellow inmates, Little Fearless risks her life thrice by attempting to pull the wool off the eyes of the City's residents. Carefully contrived to feel like a traditional fairy tale, both in its larger-than-life themes (e.g., selflessness in miserable circumstances) and in its pacing, the plot holds few surprises. Characters are simplistic, not as clever as they are set up to be, not very likable, and far too easily manipulated, as is the ultimate resolution. The very obviousness of the thematic content might recommend Fearless for classroom discussion, and the well-drawn dreariness and misery of the setting might draw in melodramatic romantics, but the book is strictly additional.—Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library

Gr 10 Up—McDaniel is known for her "crying and dying" novels, but this one is not her usual fare. Ms. "Lori-to-my-friends" Settles is about 30 years old and built like a centerfold. Her tight clothing and stiletto heels have made an impression on students and administration alike, but especially on Ryan Piccoli, a handsome, motherless freshman whose dad is a traveling salesman. When he and his history teacher start an affair, it spirals into more than perhaps either of them had bargained for. McDaniel asks readers to determine who is predator and who is prey. To most readers, the answer will seem obvious, but the troubling final chapter, in Ryan's voice, may leave not only an unpleasant taste, but also a nugget of doubt. The story is packed with illicit sex, underage drinking, and frank adult situations, and it comes right out of today's headlines. Ultimately, it is about a broken trust in what is meant to be a respectful relationship. McDaniel's fans are sure to find it thought-provoking.—Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

Gr 6 Up—Cameron Storm, 15, lives in a white working-class neighborhood until her single mother, a manicurist, loses her job at a Brighton Beach nail salon, which forces a move to an all-minority project on the other side of Brooklyn. Then Cameron finds out that her absentee father is African American. The dialogue between Cameron and her girlfriends seems totally unrealistic, and her conversations with her mother are often just as wooden and cloying. The African Americans in Cameron's new building are folksy caricatures: the wizened sassy widow, the gaggle of tough but happy project girlz. Her African-American "multicultures" teacher and biracial guidance counselor ferry her through her struggles as if on cue. More than half of this slow, slim novel takes place before Cameron and her mother move to the projects, and the time spent in the build-up is wasted constructing characters that never achieve depth. The action picks up only marginally after Cameron's discovery, as the narrative centers on pat and pretty pedestrian discussions of racial identity. The Brooklyn setting is well drawn, especially the contrasts between white and black neighborhoods. McDonald's promising and provocative subject is lost in perfunctory social examination.—Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up—This clever novel opens with Janie Hannagan, 17, inside the star quarterback's dream—she knows it's his dream because he's the only one naked on the football field. Janie dreams along with her fellow students when they fall asleep near her—on the bus, in study hall, in boring classes, etc. She begins to dream with loner Cabel Sturmheller and discovers both his horrific childhood abuse and longstanding feelings for her. The third-person omniscient narration sets a perfect mood; readers are, like Janie, observers. Janie and Cabel's friendship is sweetly drawn, their conversations are smooth, and their romantic tension builds naturally. The language is realistically gritty. Unfortunately, McMann uses a plot twist right out of Law and Order to doom their relationship, and an even cheaper twist to reconcile them. Still, an economy of language, swift character development, and mysterious circumstances drive the narrative to a fast and mostly satisfying conclusion. McMann also gives useful attention to the science of dreaming. This book is ideal for reluctant readers, especially girls.—Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 4–7—Things are getting more difficult for Livy Two Weems's family in the last book in the series. The landlord is demanding the back rent, and Daddy still hasn't regained all of his memory since a car accident. Grandma Horace insists that they leave their beloved valley and move in with her, but their mama, Jessie, refuses to go back to her mother's home. The only bright spot for the children is secretly reading the diary she wrote when she was Livy Two's age. The 12-year-old has decided to solve the family's problems by slipping off to Nashville and selling her songs. She is caught by her sister Jitters, 10, who demands to go, too. Meeting with bitter disappointment there, the girls return home to their frantic family and to the jeers and laughter of the town. As the family's plight worsens, the sisters hatch another moneymaking scheme—the opening of a music hall, Jessie's Smoky Mountain Music Notes. The plot is predictable, but the book is an interesting character study of Livy Two's brand of love, her mother's courage in protecting her family, and feisty Jitters. The outcome of the girls' final plan is unrealistic given their ages, but it makes for a happy ending. Fans of the series will enjoy this one, too.—Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC

Gr 9 Up—Eighth-grader Cassie Sullivan is big for her age, physically and intellectually. She has strong opinions: She hates WWJD bracelets and NCLB-driven standardized tests. She rejects cell phones, CDs, and MP3s, but adores her vinyl record collection. She also loves visiting her family's place in the Colorado mountains, gazing up at the stars and thinking about infinity. She believes that the world is almost certainly more than 6000 years old; that things with faces probably shouldn't be eaten; and that war, despite any trumpeted reasoning, is still just a sad human failing. At the beginning of the school year she defends evolution and finds herself, as she starts the first of the 11 journals that comprise this diary novel, ostracized from—and bullied by—most of her classmates, who begin calling her Cassie the Antichrist. Her refusal to sing "America the Beautiful" in choir earns her the name Osama O'Sullivan. With some help from her brother's college-age girlfriend and a compassionate GT teacher, Cassie considers a scheme to skip through her current hell and jump directly to high school, all the time wondering "is it worth it? Is anything worth it?" Librarians will want to slip this excellent and therapeutic selection to precocious early teens facing similar alienation, depression, and bullying issues. Just be aware that there is frank language and references to drug and alcohol use.—Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI

Gr 9–11—Charlotte, Janie, Melissa, and Petra are not friends, so when the new director of Special Study at their hoity-toity Los Angeles private school pairs them up on a group project, it is no surprise that high drama ensues. The girls are supposed to work on developing a fashion label. They bring a variety of talents and ideas to the table—Charlotte is an accomplished seamstress, Janie can bring the amazing creations she imagines to life on paper, Melissa is interested in marketing, and Petra wants to design environmentally friendly clothes—so the main challenge is combining these ideas into something viable. Can they agree to disagree or will their differences tear them apart? This book has all of the same elements that made Lisi Harrison's "The Clique," Zoey Dean's "The A-List," and Cecily von Ziegesar's "Gossip Girl" series (all Little, Brown) so popular, and they have the added attraction of being about fashion, which will attract a broader audience. The back of the book contains DIY instructions for making some of the fashions contained within.—Robyn Zaneski, New York Public Library

Gr 5–7—Egypt is the setting for the final volume of this epic fantasy: an Egypt unpeopled except for the powerful and violent sphinxes and the main characters, and bound in devastating snow and ice. The story picks up shortly after Merle and Junipa escape from Hell on the back of Vermithrax, the obsidian lion, in The Stone Light (S & S, 2006). With few explanations for latecomers, Meyer's trilogy should be seen as a single work divided into three physical volumes, rather than three stand-alone novels. Merle, Junipa, and Serafin are reunited in the nonstop action that courses through the book, and go on to work with Lalapeya, the Flowing Queen, and Vermithrax to save the world from the devastating evil that threatens it. Meyer explains the mysteries at the heart of the series, including the nature of the water mirror and Merle's heritage, the true nature of both the sphinx Lalapeya and the Flowing Queen, and the truth about the threat posed by Egypt to the world. The relationship between Merle and Serafin also reaches a resolution, although so much attention is paid to the action that the emotional power of Merle's crucial choice at the end is muted. Buy where the first two titles have been popular.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

Gr 5–8—When eighth-grader Sara Thurman finally gets her first period, her mother sends her "period flowers" on Valentine's Day. Despite Sara's efforts to keep it quiet, the entire student body soon knows that she's "entered womanhood" and the jokes are endless. But who spilled her secret? Was it her friend Arlene, the only person Sara told about the flowers' origins, or Kirstie, the new girl who is suddenly smothering Sara with attention? This incident sets off a string of mishaps that includes Sara wearing an outfit identical to her teacher's and exploding The Ball, a cherished winning basketball from the Bandits' only state championship in 1989. Also, Sara is adjusting to her parents' separation, her friendship with Arlene is in a shambles, and she has a crush on a boy who seems way out of her league. Despite everything, Sara keeps her cool and carries on with her plan to become popular. When it's yearbook time, she isn't voted Class Favorite as she'd hoped, but she does earn the Courage award for her ability to overcome circumstances that would cause most teenagers to enter the Witness Protection Program. This fun, fast-paced book is full of realistic dialogue and laugh-out-loud passages. Sara's sticky situations will make readers cringe while simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief that these things aren't happening to them.—Robyn Zaneski, New York Public Library

Gr 4–6—In this sequel to Wind Tamer (Bloomsbury, 2006), 10-year-old Archie Stringweed is now an International Curse Exterminator (I.C.E.) and his services are needed when mysterious things start happening on the coast and in his hometown, Westervoe, Scotland. While fishing with his best mates, George and Sid, Archie hears an army marching underwater. He leans closer and sees two hypnotic eyes. Then everything goes black. Ruby, a new girl at school, claims to have seen a mermaid and that her father was killed by a cursed lion. Professor Himes at I.C.E. headquarters explains that defeating Huigor (the curse from the first book) left a black hole that is reactivating old curses and sending them toward Westervoe on a collision course. Only Archie, with the help of his curse-breaking artifacts, can stop them. The fantasy elements are original and fun, the British words and phrases will appeal to Harry Potter fans, and the final battle between the reactivated curses and Archie is exciting. His friends have more space and personality in this sequel, and Ruby adds a much-needed female character. The short chapters and quick plot pace will appeal to reluctant readers, particularly boys. The book's ending does not resolve every plotline; expect more sequels.—Samantha Larsen, West Jordan Public Library, UT

Gr 8–10—As one of only a handful of Asian-American students at her posh Los Angeles high school, 16-year-old Joyce Park has never felt as though she fits in. In the throes of an intense crush on John Ford Kang, a gorgeous and aloof classmate, she is consumed with worry about the way she looks, especially in comparison to her beautiful older sister, a social and academic superstar who seems to get everything she wants. Then her cosmetic surgery-addicted aunt comes into a lottery windfall and offers Joyce a gift: surgery to add a fold to her eyelids, transforming her Korean features into something more Western and, it is suggested, more beautiful. At first Joyce is appalled at the idea, but as she begins to obsess about the eyes of the Asian women around her, she becomes increasingly convinced that "the fold" is all that lies between her imperfect appearance and the ideal of feminine beauty. But will the surgery require her to give up her sense of herself in the process? Na explores issues of beauty and ethnic identity with sensitivity and wit. Her protagonist is carefully and realistically drawn; even as the novel is guided by a larger message about self-esteem, Joyce's struggles and choices never seem predetermined for didactic purposes. This story will speak to both Asian-American teens and other adolescents dealing with issues related to the way that they look, the way they wish to be perceived, and the often painful distance between the two.—Meredith Robbins, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, New York City

Gr 5–8—Twelve-year-old Max's life changes dramatically after a vision of a tapestry scene reveals itself to him at the Art Institute of Chicago. Following a terrifying encounter with a strange woman and a series of unusual tests, he finds himself enrolled at Rowan Academy, a semisecret and definitely Hogwarts-like school for children with abilities and experiences similar to his own. It is at Rowan that Max learns about the ancient struggle between those who watch over and nurture the world and those who want to control it. As an Apprentice, First Year, Max begins to hone his mysterious magical skills and shows a particular talent for amplifying his own physical capabilities, such as running and jumping. As the school year progresses, Max must face his destiny as a key player in the struggle against evil Astaroth. Overall, this is a solid and worthwhile beginning to a new fantasy series. The book lacks fully realized secondary characters and relationships, but as this is the first in the series, there is opportunity for development. And, of course, Astaroth's reemergence promises plenty of future conflict. Parallels to J. K. Rowling's work are inescapable, but Neff's tale certainly has potential and should help ease the suffering once Harry Potter withdrawal sets in. For general purchase, particularly where fantasy is popular.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

Gr 10 Up—Eighteen-year-old Frances Robinson, born Francine Jelks, has been living in Alabama with her loving, adopted family for years, but there are still nights when she wakes up in a cold sweat, reminded that she once lived in a place called Fireless with her mother, Afton, and three younger sisters. One day a lawyer arrives, informing her that Afton has been released into a halfway house and giving her a letter from her mother; it ends, "We need to finish." The last time Frances saw Afton was when the woman tried to suffocate her with a pillow after murdering her siblings in the same fashion. With the help of her friend Ann Mirette, Frances plans a road trip with her boyfriend, "Nix," to find her birth mother. As scared as she is of seeing this frightening figure from the past, she wants to know if her mother was all bad. Can there be any good left in a person who was capable of something so evil? Nelson's novel is a thoughtful, moody, and entirely thrilling book. Flashbacks of Frances's youth in Fireless establish a creepy atmosphere showing Afton's descent into darkness. Nelson lightens the mood with a supporting cast of sympathetic and quirky characters, including recent New Orleans transplant Nix. Breathe My Name doesn't shy away from exploring the gray areas: forgiveness and family. With major twists and turns in the last 50 pages, this book will keep readers riveted until the very end.—Jennifer Barnes, Homewood Library, IL

Gr 5–7—Riding his bike through the Welsh countryside, 13-year-old Matt Lancaster is hit by a Land Rover—or is he? He is unhurt, his bike is unmarked, and there is no sight or sound of the vehicle. Moreover, the spot where it happens was the site of a similar accident years before, in which 13-year-old Martin Lloyd was killed. New to the town of Hay-on-Wye, where his parents have opened a bookstore, Matt finds himself reluctantly spending time with Tig and Robbo, school bullies who have targeted an old man for sinister mischief, convincing Matt that Wil was Martin's murderer. When Wil brings in a box of books to sell, he inadvertently includes a manuscript (reproduced in its entirety within the novel) which tells the story of another death—that of five-year-old Tommy Jones—lost in the hills many years before. Was Tommy Wil's son, or is Owen, to whom many of the books are inscribed? Gradually, and with the help of three new friends, Matt sorts everything out, but continues to have nightmares, feeling the presence of Martin Lloyd, and sensing that there is something that Martin wants him to do. Readers will empathize with Matt's conflict between needing to belong and doing the right thing, and will enjoy this engrossing mystery with a touch of the supernatural.—Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 7–11—Though they are best friends at their upscale private high school, shutter-bug Sam has always stood in the shadow of Salah, considered the most eligible teenager in Manhattan. Usually, Sam's more than happy to take Salah's cast-off "cuties" as sloppy seconds, but that changes when their class takes a field trip to Egypt, planned in conjunction with a swanky London girls' school, and Sam meets the outrageous British beauty, Octavia. What Octavia wants, Octavia gets, and she wants Salah. But all of her preening, posturing, and excessive behavior is really a distraction to hide a secret even her best friend, Rosie, doesn't know. Rosie enjoys Octavia's company, but is often exhausted by her theatrics. However, she never stood up to her best friend, until she realizes that she too wants Salah. As the teenagers explore the sites and history of Egypt and socialize aboard their river-cruise boat, the Nefertiti, everyone is expecting Salah to hook up with Octavia, but his heart lies elsewhere. This flirty, fun romcom, told from four distinctive points of view, reads like an old-time comedy of errors. O'Connell describes Egypt with such vitality and richness that it shines as a separate character. This novel is a trip worth taking.—Terri Clark, Smokey Hill Library, Centennial, CO

Gr 5–8—Aggie Duncan cannot muster the energy to fix up the Sleepy Time Motel since her husband died, and with no visitors stopping by on North Carolina's Smoky Mountains back roads, she reluctantly concludes that it's time to sell. Within days of placing an ad, she has an offer from Clyde Dover, who is eager to make a new life for himself and his daughter, Willow, after his wife's desertion. They are soon joined by Loretta and her parents, who are on a journey to learn more about Loretta's birth mother, and Kirby and his mother, whose car broke down en route to a last-ditch reform school. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Aggie, Willow, Loretta, and Kirby as the four family units get to know one another and form unlikely friendships. While Clyde is eager to improve the motel, Willow shows him the wisdom of keeping some of Aggie's traditions. Angry Kirby, who has spent a lifetime living up to his label as a troublemaker, is initially irritated by Loretta's bubbling optimism, but he comes to appreciate the value of her trust. And Aggie learns that even the emptiness of her husband's absence cannot seal her heart from a girl who misses her mother. O'Connor's knack for well-developed characters and feisty protagonists is evident, as is her signature Southern charm. While the format increases the distance between readers and characters, the author's fans will find much to enjoy in this examination of family in the 21st century.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 4–6—In 1951, Maggie, nine, and her older brother, Joey-Mick, are dedicated baseball fans though their beloved Brooklyn Dodgers always disappoint them at season's end. Maggie enjoys listening to the games with the firefighters in her neighborhood station; her dad worked there before an injury forced him to accept a desk job. When a new firefighter, Jim, joins the crew, he teaches Maggie how to keep score and she comes to share his admiration for Giants' great Willie Mays. Then Jim is drafted and sent to Korea. They writer to one another until his letters abruptly stop. Maggie, frustrated and worried, tries to understand the conflict by researching it at her local library and even drawing her own maps tracing the war's progress on the Korean peninsula. Eventually, she learns that Jim suffered traumatic shock after a horrific battle and has been sent home with a medical discharge. Park paints a vividly detailed account of life in 1950s Brooklyn. Maggie's perspective is authentically childlike and engaging, and her relations with her family and friends ring true. Jim's tragic experience raises difficult, troubling questions for Maggie, but her grief eventually brings her to the conclusion that "hope is what gets everything started." Baseball fans will savor her first visit to Ebbets Fields, but this finely crafted novel should resonate with a wide audience of readers..—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 7–10—Chelsea, 17, is a popular cheerleader. Her sister, Adrian, 15, is a Goth who resents the attention her sibling gets. Adrian's boyfriend is the rock star of their high school, and he's taken on his girlfriend's grudge. Unfortunately for Chelsea, his entire repertoire consists of belittling her and her cheerleading compadres with songs he writes such as "Dangerously Blonde." After her routine at the all-school pep assembly is sabotaged by such a performance, Chelsea attempts to get even by outshining him in the national High School Idol show to be televised from their town. The plot grows more complicated as Chelsea finds herself smitten with a mysterious college student. Not high literature, but a fun addition to chick-lit collections.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

Gr 5–8—This novel explores the life of one of history's most intriguing figures, Queen Elizabeth I of England. Told in her voice, the story follows her from when she was nine until the death of her half sister, Queen Mary, and her ascension to the throne. Raised in a time marked by political intrigue and power struggles, Elizabeth is taught to trust no one and lives in a constant state of instability, knowing that her existence is at the whim of whomever is in power. The author credits Elizabeth's survival to her intelligence and supportive advisers and effectively represents her burgeoning understanding of how to play the games necessary to stay alive. Her emotional life is believably depicted as well. She has a lifelong affection for Robin Dudley and, though she knows it's inappropriate, she is easily flattered by the attention of Sir Thomas Seymour. Rinaldi's writing style is accessible, and the integration of background material is smooth. The author characterizes Elizabeth as a more vulnerable person than does Carolyn Meyer in Beware, Princess Elizabeth (Harcourt, 2001), but both books are enjoyable. For a more complete picture of Tudor history, direct readers to Rinaldi's Nine Days a Queen (HarperCollins, 2005), about Lady Jane Grey, and Meyer's Mary, Bloody Mary (Harcourt, 1999).—Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Gr 9 Up—Xenos, or X, never feels like he quite fits in. He's of mixed race in an almost all-white high school, is a golf prodigy who's not sure his skills are up to par, and is a serious kid who covers his uncertainty with swagger and bravado. He feels trapped in the rickety trailer he shares with his unreliable ex-hippie mother and toddler brother, and equally trapped in his relationship with Cat, his on-again-off-again girlfriend. Cat is no less confused. Convinced that she'll never live up to the standard set by her overachieving twin sister, she acts out ferociously with cutting words, body piercings, and too much alcohol, throwing herself at boys and men to hide her insecurity. Their classmate Ruby is a shy girl whose increasing rage at her celebrity-shrink father and his girlfriends makes her fear that she's going crazy. X's growing alienation from Cat (who discovers that she is pregnant) and his fierce crush on Ruby are complicated by an unexpected discovery: he can fly. Alternating chapters narrated by X, Cat, and Ruby chronicle the fascination—and sometimes repulsion—that each character has for the others, as their interconnecting paths head toward an explosive conclusion. The first in the "XYZ" trilogy, Rivers's dark, meandering novel offers more nuanced characterization and subtle action than typical science fiction. This intriguing juxtaposition of the teen relationship drama and the contemporary fantasy novel should please fans of both genres.—Meredith Robbins, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, New York City

Gr 4–7—At the opening of this art mystery reminiscent of Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer (Scholastic, 2004), teen art enthusiasts Kari and Lucas encounter a foul-tempered man painting secretively at an exhibit of Rembrandt's famous Lucretia at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The strange episode proves significant when the best friends embark on a trip to London with Kari's mother and bump into the same unsociable painter in the Rembrandt room of the National Gallery. They realize the man is more than what he seems and make it their mission to discover what he is painting with such intense secrecy. Disguise and hilarity ensue, but before they know it, Kari and Lucas find themselves in real danger. The situation spirals when a new Lucretia painting surfaces unexpectedly, and the two sleuths must piece together the clues before the painter catches up with them—or before Kari's mom discovers that they have been spending their sightseeing time spying on a criminal. Kari narrates in a believable, contemporary voice, straightforward and humorous, reflecting the foibles and fears of an average 14-year-old. The story is carried by its continuous action and likable characters, not by the mystery, which remains a bit flat, without many twists. Nevertheless, the clarity of the plot, as well as the relative lack of violence, makes this a worthwhile choice for readers newly acquiring a taste for the mystery genre.—Emma Runyan, The Winsor School, Boston, MA

Gr 7–10—Fifteen-year-old Ava had never been to a funeral until her boyfriend died. She is quickly consumed by sorrow and overwhelmed with the guilt that she, the unadventurous one, dared Jackson to dive off the rock in the first place. Unsure how she can possibly go on without him, she soon discovers that his spirit hasn't gotten very far. When she begins to feel his presence in various manifestations around her house, she holes up and spends all her time with "Jackson," unwilling to let him go. Ultimately, she realizes she will never live a normal life if she doesn't move on, but must figure out how to let him know. Told in Ava's voice, this novel-in-verse captures the all-consuming nature of intense teen love. Beyond Ava, though, the characters are only shallowly realized and a somewhat hackneyed plotline-a ghost can't leave unfinished business-is presented without any new spice. Still, this is a quick and agreeable, if not earth-shattering, read.—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 4–6—In America in 1920, "proper young ladies" are expected to behave in a certain way. But when 11-year-old Violet Mayhew discovers that her parents have been keeping her disowned older sister Chloe's letters from her, she abandons propriety and runs away to find her in New York City. There she meets Myrtle, a "colored" girl who is happy to leave her own training as a maid and join Violet in finding her sibling, who has left the city. Their travels take them first to Washington, DC, and then to Tennessee, where Chloe works on the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. Here Violet and Myrtle join the fight for women's suffrage. The girls confront heavy issues such as racism and sexism, but the narrative is leavened with humor. The story is packed with period details—Jim Crow laws, Bolsheviks, Palmer agents, Prohibition, shell shock, autocamping, just to name a few—but Schwabach's attention to character and plotting ensures that it never bogs down. Readers will cheer along with the "Suffs" as the victory in Tennessee grants women the vote. The book concludes with historical notes and a voting time line that includes black-and-white photos. Illuminating a time period rarely featured in children's literature, this is a fresh choice for historical fiction fans.—Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI

Gr 5–8—Newly orphaned Brigitte Dubrinsky leaves Warsaw to help her aunt and uncle in their Parisian café. From the first, the 14-year-old detests the drudgery of food preparation and the nastiness of their Russian assistant Henri as much as she adores the performers at the local Cirque Medrano. Picasso, a frequent café visitor, finds them equally fascinating, and Brigitte's story frames Picasso's Family of Saltimbanques. Brigitte acquires a true taste for Montmartre's diversity when she discovers that Henri might be a revolutionary attempting to sway Picasso to his cause. At heart, Brigitte's story is one of politics, culture, and art. While the dialogue and characterization are only serviceable, those who enjoy fiction built up with history and biography will be interested in this window into Picasso's famous painting. Although somewhat revisionist and undoubtedly sanitized, the story evokes the riotous, layered culture of Montmartre in the early 20th century. The details of Russian intelligence agents in Paris add suspense, as does a page-turning escape scene on the rooftop of the Russian embassy. While this book has a niche audience, those readers will be satisfied with this novel of a rarely depicted era in European history.—Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT