If You Liked The New Policeman
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-- School Library Journal, 3/19/2008 12:31:00 PM
Kate Thompson’s book took almost two years to cross the pond, but young readers will agree that it was totally worth the wait. An enthralling blend of music, magic, and Irish mythology, the story revolves around 15-year-old J.J. Liddy, a contemporary teen who discovers a leak in time, which threatens a mystical faerie world. The following titles all have strong central characters with musical gifts, which they use to save their family, themselves, or their world.
PATERSON, Katherine. Come Sing, Jimmy Jo. Puffin. 1995. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-14-037397-4.
Gr 5-9–The magic in this title lies in 12-year-old James Johnson, aka “Jimmy Jo,” a rising country/western star. While his mother seems to have hitched herself to a different star, his father and Grandma encourage him to keep on singing. When a stranger shows up claiming to be his real father, James’s world is in danger of falling apart. An interesting look at the dynamics of a family who live and work together.
WOLFF, Virginia Euwer. The Mozart Season. Scholastic. 2000. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-439-16309-5.
Gr 6-10–Allegra’s musician parents are thrilled when she shows promise as a violinist, but they leave it up to her to decide if she will compete in a young musician’s contest. Well-rounded and open to the world, she decides to go for it. Her inspiration comes from a variety of sources–her grandmother, loving brother David, and a homeless guy called Mr. Trouble who claims to have lost his song, “Waltz Tree.” Allegra renews her confidence as she helps Mr. T recover his music.
YOLEN, Jane & Adam Stemple. Troll Bridge: A Rock ’n’ Roll Fairy Tale. Starscape. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7653-1426-0; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-7653-5284-2.
Gr 6-10–When the dairy princesses of Vanderby, along with the pop sensation the Griffson Brothers, are unexpectedly kidnapped by trolls, the citizens of Trollholm get more than they bargained for. Moira, an accomplished harpist, must find a way to free her fellow princesses from their bonds of slumber and escape the clutches of Aenmarr, the biggest baddest troll around. Steer readers who want more funny, fast-paced “rock ’n’ roll fairy tales” to the authors’ Pay the Piper (Starscape, 2005).
Remarkable Reads are produced by the editors of NoveList, NoveList K-8, and Book Index with Reviews (
