Grades 5 & Up

Gr 9 Up—Set in Little Bend, CO, and North Dover, VT, Abrahams's novel follows Cody, 16, who sustains a serious knee injury that leaves him on the bench during the most important recruiting year in his high school career. With no college scholarship in sight, he drops out of school. When his rich girlfriend, Clea, is reported missing from her Vermont boarding school, he drives East to find her and endangers himself in the process. Though not as complicated as Abrahams's adult novels, Reality Check is a solid mystery reminiscent of Carol Plum-Ucci's The Body of Christopher Creed (Harcourt, 2000) or Nancy Werlin's The Killer's Cousin (Delacorte, 1998). That Cody is a country boy and a dropout both complicate and inform his detective persona; the realization that "with the exception of football" he was wasting his time in school sends him "some message about a whole different way for him to look at things, to live." It is this "whole different way" that allows Cody—a fish out of water among wealthy Dover Academy students—to solve the mystery, though not before a red herring is revealed and a surprise villain is unmasked.—Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 9 Up—Professor Rosa Medina, a folklorist teaching at a Southern California university, is plunged again into her pursuit of aliens and monsters in this sequel to Anaya's Curse of the ChupaCabra (Univ. of New Mexico, 2006). She's awakened at 2 a.m. by what seems to be a ChupaCabra—one of the bloodsucking monsters of Mexican folklore—creeping into her house. She narrowly escapes, and soon hits the road to Roswell, NM, famous in UFO lore, to discover whether the evil scientist Saytir is succeeding in his plans to terrorize the Earth with cloned creatures that are genetic blends of aliens and ChupaCabras. Unfortunately, the book is written in a style that is far too melodramatic to go down easily, with lots of shocks and dramatic statements, complete with exclamation points. Purchase only if the first book is popular.—Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX

Gr 5–7—To baseball fans, "The Curse" means only one thing: the Red Sox's 86-year-long failure to win a World Series because their owner sold a young Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1919. Working from the brilliant premise that an enraged half-elven fan actually did curse the team, Baggott populates tunnels and back rooms around Fenway Park with a cast of magical creatures from the Banshee ("The Lost Soul of the Lost and Found") to a two-headed sportscaster named The Bobs—and sends into their midst 12-year-old Oscar Egg, a human child destined to break The Curse at last. Baseball is, however, only the context here; the story is really about racism, as exemplified both in Oscar's ruminations over his own mixed ancestry and in what he knows or discovers about the Sox's (and Major League Baseball's) dismal historical reluctance to break the color line. Traveling into the past, Oscar gathers up 12-year-old versions of Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Willie Mays and other stars for a climactic game against the less-worthy likes of Ty Cobb, Gaylord Perry, and Pete Rose at the same age. Before stands filled with the ghosts of taunting bigots and cheering supporters, that game plays out in tandem with the classic 2004 contest that turned the Yankees-Red Sox playoffs, and the Curse, around. Both whimsical and provocative (the "N" word crops up in some historical references), this story will engage readers who like clever tales, and also those who enjoy chewing over controversial themes.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 6–9—It is 1307 in Scotland, and 13-year-old Tormod is rushing through the night to fetch a tinderbox to light the Beltane fire for his village when a Knight Templar interrupts his errand to send him on another that is even more pressing. Tormod spends the entire tale rushing from one place to another in the company of Sir Alexander as they follow a map without knowing what lies at the end and are pursued by the French king's soldiers. The constant chase is exciting at first but begins to grind, particularly after Tormod loses two toes in a mishap and must still continue his flight on foot. The historical setting is well drawn, and additional interest is added by visions that both Tormod and Alexander receive, although the images seem to be invariably of death and doom. Their dialogue is written in a pseudo-brogue, so there are many examples of "ye" and "o'" (for "of") but otherwise their speech is modern. The visions and the Templar theme may interest readers but they may be drawn up short at the cliff-hanger ending.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Gr 9 Up—When Wrenn, a slightly overweight sophomore, is convinced by her friend Zoe to try out for the school musical, Grease, she decides to go after what she has always wanted: popularity. She is cast as Rizzo and begins a strict diet and exercise regime that gets way out of control when she starts using laxatives. When the in-crowd accepts her, Wrenn spends less time with Zoe, and as her eating disorder consumes her, she begins to lose herself. When she passes out at the cast party, her family and friends take action. Her mother enrolls her in a rehab program, where Wrenn works on feeling good about herself and learning to do things in moderation. This is perhaps a less-stark view of eating disorders than Robin Friedman's Nothing (Flux, 2008) or Madeleine George's Looks (Viking, 2008), but it is still realistic enough, and there is no happily-ever-after ending. The characters are well developed and three-dimensional, even the adults. This engrossing novel lets readers see this issue up close without being completely pessimistic.—Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX

Gr 8 Up—In this dark, futuristic novel, 15-year-old Ash lives with more than two dozen teens in a fortified beach compound, where they had been left by their parents years earlier. Ash, a champion surfer and the de facto camp leader, is abducted by predatory Raptors, a mutant species that lives in the remains of a human city. While struggling to escape, she encounters friendly, peace-loving rodents, a cross between humans and rats. Their leader informs Ash that her father, Professor Helix, was inadvertently responsible for the genetic mutations that largely destroyed the human race. Following a war between the human/rat allies and the Raptors, the novel concludes with the fragile promise of peace and cooperation among all three species. Brindley's fast-paced novel is initially difficult to follow as it's unclear what has happened to human adults and why some of Ash's friends are showing signs of mutation. The teens' slowly devolving society is reminiscent of William Golding's classic Lord of the Flies with Ash unable to stop her friends from violating their own long-standing rules. In The Rule of Claw, the teens are rescued not by adults, but by the redemption offered by the rats and their own dawning recognition that they can choose to live in cooperation. Science fiction fans will enjoy the constant action, richly drawn characters, and fully realized setting.—Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD

Gr 6–8—In 1977, 12-year-old Matt Pin lives a fractured life. He is the son of a Vietnamese woman and an American soldier and was airlifted to safety from the war zone. Adopted by a caring American couple, he has vivid and horrific memories of the war and worries about the fates of his mother and badly injured little brother. Matt's adoptive family adores him, and he is the star pitcher for his middle school baseball team, but there are those who see his face and blame him for the deaths of the young men they lost in the war. The fractured theme runs the course of this short novel in verse: Matt's family, the bodies and hearts of the Vietnam vets, the country that is "only a pocketful of broken pieces" that Matt carries inside him. Ultimately, everything broken is revealed as nonetheless valuable. While most of the selections read less like poems and more like simple prose, the story is a lovely, moving one. Use this in a history class or paired with Katherine Applegate's Home of the Brave (Feiwel & Friends, 2007).—Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 5–8—Happenstance Found, 12, does not remember who he is, where he came from, or any details of his former life. He wakes up in an underground cavern, accompanied by a mysterious stranger who refuses to tell him anything about his origins. The stranger hands Hap over to personable, yet in many ways equally mysterious, Lord Umber. Acting on the stranger's advice, Umber invites Hap to join his company. They immediately meet with adventure and danger, and Hap learns that Umber is a man of diverse talents and boundless curiosity. Umber discovers that Hap can see in total darkness, jump to extraordinary heights, and sense when momentous events are about to occur. Hap is also being pursued by a menacing figure, which he and his companions dub "the Creep." In the final conflict with this character, Hap's ingenuity, abilities, and loyalty are tested. He triumphs over his adversary, but enough tantalizing loose ends are left to be resolved in the sequel. Though some may lament the uneven characterization, there's plenty of adventure and mystery to appeal to fans of Catanese's earlier works.—Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY

Gr 5–8—A richly woven story set in pagan Ireland. After his father loses his chieftain robes and title, Ket leaves his family to study as a fosterling under the direction of the druid. Five years later, he and the other five fosterlings are no closer to becoming his anruths, or assistants. But with the cry of a raven at the new moon, the druid decides that it is time for new beginnings and that one fosterling will be sent away each new moon until only two remain. Of those two, only one will be chosen to become an anruth. Though the characters are often stereotypical in their actions, Ciddor's attention to detail and knowledge of the setting drive the story forward. As it moves through the seasons, so, too, does the author's imagery, creating a world so tangible that readers can feel the chill of the wind and the frost underfoot during the long winter. Young people interested in a historical look at Celtic Ireland will love Night of the Fifth Moon.—Lisa Marie Williams, East Gwillimbury Public Library, Holland Landing, Ontario

Gr 5–8—In a bleak future, humans use terrible chemicals to fight The Animal Plague that causes all of the world's animals to go rabid and renders most of the planet uninhabitable. The population now cowers in overcrowded walled cities. Mika, 12, and his parents live in London in terrible conditions. His twin, Ellie, supposedly drowned a year earlier, but Mika is convinced that she still lives. He's right. The story begins with Ellie and a tiny monkey named Puck fleeing a spaceship in a stolen Pod Fighter. Sadly, their attempt to escape is foiled by the evil Mal Gorman, who has a plan to co-opt the entire first generation of children born after the Plague and make them into an army for his own nefarious purposes. And Gorman has special plans for kids like Mika and Ellie, whose mutations give them unique abilities. To save his sister, Mika will have to win a contest involving simulator battle games and many deadly challenges, using abilities he never knew he had. The story starts fast and never slows down. While the bad guys are a bit stereotypical, the good guys are interesting and realistic. There's a touch of the supernatural, some interesting philosophical questions, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave readers hungry for more. Give this one to readers not quite ready for Orson Scott Card.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 8 Up—The quest for love and belonging motivates the three teens who tell this engrossing story set in the early 1700s in Venice at the Ospedale dell Pieta, an orphanage and home for abandoned girls. Marriage or a life in the church is the only future that these girls can hope for. Antonio Vivaldi, a character in this fictional account, wrote much of his music at the Ospedale and was responsible for teaching music to a select segment of the girls. Each chapter is told by Anetta, Luisa, or Rosalba, all well-drawn and believable characters. They all seek love in different ways. Despite their disadvantaged backgrounds, they show great inner strength. Luisa has a magnificent voice, which could attract a fine prospect for marriage, but she hopes her talent will snare the attention and affection of her mother, who abandoned her. Rosalba is an incurable romantic who refuses to be confined by the walls of the Ospedale and takes great risks in her pursuit. Anetta nurtures the younger girls at the institution and is intensely devoted to Rosalba and especially to Luisa. Near the end of the book there is a hint that Anetta's attraction to Luisa may be romantic. Collins's descriptive prose makes Venice and a unique slice of history come alive as the three connecting narrative strains create a rich story of friendship and self-realization.—Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

Gr 7–10—Emma Proctor is the only person in her small town with big dreams of leaving. Even worse, she slipped up and kissed her best friend's boyfriend, who was also her good friend. And when members of the popular clique begin fabricating stories of drug poisonings and place the blame on the school outcasts, Emma is one of the few people with proof that they are lying. Now she must make some tough decisions: Will she risk her track scholarship and ticket out of town to do the right thing? And will her friendships survive this drama? Cook keeps this book fresh with her smart and sassy protagonist. While some of the plotlines are predictable, Emma's moral struggles and subsequent questioning of her born-again faith are touching and sincere. Fans of chick lit will appreciate this book.—Jessie Spalding, Tempe Public Library, AZ

Gr 6–9—Three orphaned teenage siblings, separated by the tragic supposed patricide of their father by their two-year-old brother, reunite a year later to save this same brother from the clutches of their evil aunt, who wants to sell them out on a tell-all television show. The plot involves a lot of aimless meandering around their small Connecticut town, the characters are unremarkable, and the title, of course, gives away the mystery, but, as with all of Cooney's novels, the joy is in readers being more clued in than the hapless characters. Thus every chapter, narrated alternately by each sibling, ends with a successful degree of suspense. Contemporary technology—texting, cell phone videos, digital photography, online bank accounts—plays a weighty role; initially the reliance upon them aids each character's unhealthy distance from one another, but by the conclusion, it has become the link between them, creating laughably miraculous resolutions at every turn. A Christian theme pervades as well, as the siblings each question their relationship with God as well as with one another, and inevitably resolve both issues simultaneously. Fans of previous Cooney offerings will enjoy this, but most others can pass on it.—Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library

Gr 8 Up—In this concluding volume in the quartet, Maerad and her brother Hem face war, flood, and plague as they try to find one other and defeat the Nameless One. Now they have half of the lost Treesong, the powerful magic song known only in legend and prophecy. Both of them have bardic magic, and they are pushed to the limits of their endurance and abilities as they face an enticing and almost overwhelmingly powerful enemy. The grim tone here, particularly as Maerad begins to perceive horrific visions from the past, is consistent with the sense of imminent danger, and Croggon brings together a variety of elements and characters from the previous volumes to build to a compelling confrontation. Her device of presenting the novels as the translation of an epic from a lost civilization allows her to present details about the lives of the characters after the conclusion of the story and provide background information. While not a starting point for new readers, fans of the series will enjoy seeing the final stage of Maerad's transformation from a slave to her world's savior, and they will once again be drawn into this complex and gripping tale.—Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI

Gr 4–6—Bettina Valentino is in love with "Mr. Popart," the eccentric new teacher at Bayside Prep who instills a love of art in Bettina and her fifth-grade classmates. He shows how art can be used to challenge, shock, and surprise by discussing graffiti, Dadaism, Cubism, and Pop Art. He encourages them to see everyday life in new and different ways. Bettina and her friends start a Picasso Club, and they meet to work on their entries for a competition. Mr. Popart hosts an informal Dada exhibition for parents, leading to some humorous moments. One boy's doggie-doo creation becomes attached to Maxine's mom's shoe, and she also drinks from another artist's display featuring genuine spit. When Mr. Popart shows a book of Matisse nudes to Maxine and she makes a fuss, her influential parents cause trouble for him with the school. It is up to Bettina and her friends to figure out how to turn this mess into a masterpiece. Whimsical black-and-white spot art graces most of the pages. With tidbits about famous artists, this is a quick-paced, entertaining book about the power of art.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH

Gr 7 Up—Dana writes as if Emily Dickinson were speaking, chronicling her life from age 9 to 24. She fervently considers grave questions of God and death, women's roles, her susceptibility to rampant tuberculosis, and her discovery of the power of words. Meticulously researched, the novel conveys a convincing portrait of this well-brought-up upper-class Amherst girl who became one of America's best poets, and it brings various friends and family members—and pets—to life as well. The sense of time and place are spot-on and appealing, evoking vivid images reminiscent of Louisa May Alcott. Unfortunately, there is almost no story line and little sense of structure, making large portions of this tome drag on with repetitive sentiments, none of which are satisfyingly resolved. The result is a title for limited purchase.—Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library

Gr 4–8—Toby Lolness, 13, is a mere 1.5 millimeters tall but he has a big heart, big dreams, and is in really big trouble. After his scientist father discovers that the oak tree on which their people live is actually alive and in danger because of the destructive digging and building Joe Mitch and the Neighborhood Committee have been engaged in, Toby and his family escape to the Lower Branches. When they are followed and captured by Mitch's minions, Toby is the only member of his family who manages to escape and, alone, must endure extreme hardship, betrayal, and loss. Fantastical situations, appealing characters, and whimsical illustrations help carry the book, but the overriding themes of disregard for the environment and the denunciation of the "grass people" as the enemy are written with such a heavy hand that readers will quickly tire of the propaganda. Toby Alone is the first volume in a two-part novel that received much acclaim when originally published in France in 2006.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

Gr 4–7—Twins Emma and Payton Mills start seventh grade at a new school with high hopes. Brainy Emma wants to join the science, math, and geography clubs. Somewhat of an academic slacker, Payton dreams of joining the fashion-loving in-crowd. Both girls are off to a good start until a burrito catastrophe strikes Payton at lunch, leaving her too embarrassed to face the rest of her day. Emma comes to her twin's rescue by (you probably guessed it) switching places with her. What was supposed to last only a few class periods quickly snowballs out of control. Shy Emma finds herself shopping with the popular girls, talking to a cute football player, and leading cheers at the pep rally. Meanwhile, Payton tries filling in for Emma's honors classes and school news show. The girls know they have to switch back, but now that they've become so enmeshed in one another's lives, how can they? And even more importantly, do they want to? While twins switching places is by no means a new plot device, the story is fast paced and fun. Emma and Payton are both likable characters with middle school worries that readers will relate to. A good choice for girls who like their school stories with a bit of drama and a lot of fun.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 7 Up—After Theresa's father is murdered on Christmas Eve, his body is discovered in a Gypsy camp, his precious violin missing. Her mother is with child and not well, so it is up to Theresa to make funeral arrangements and to figure out how their family will survive without Papa's income. Theresa has had an unusual upbringing for a young woman in 18th-century Vienna: she has been taught to play the viola. Even so, it is unlikely that anyone would hire a 15-year-old girl, so she seeks the help of her father's friend and employer, the composer Franz Joseph Hayden. He reveals a secret to her: he is going blind and needs her assistance putting his compositions to paper. While working for him, the teen is also intent upon solving the mystery of her father's death, and she discovers that Hayden's blindness is not the only secret Papa had been keeping. Despite a slow start and an ending that wraps things up a bit too tidily, this book is a rip-roaring adventure with music, murder, and espionage. It's clearly well researched, and the level of detail in the narrative makes readers believe that this story might have actually happened. Theresa's first-person narrative reveals her to be a quick-thinking, courageous, and likable individual. Pair this book with Philip Pullman's "Sally Lockhart" series (Knopf) for some entertaining historical mysteries with plucky heroines.—Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 4–6—Jemma can't wait for summer camp, where she will be reunited with Tammy, who moved away at the beginning of fifth grade. Then Tammy arrives with her cousin in tow, and Jemma's hopes for a fun-filled summer are dashed. She dislikes Brooke, whose eyes seem to roll whenever Jemma talks, and who insists on partnering with Tammy during sailing instruction. Jemma is at a loss to understand why her best friend has suddenly deserted her. Any child who has ever lost a friend will relate to her inner turmoil. Ferber has drawn a realistic main character who experiences pain and discomfort when Tammy continually rejects her. The plot moves along swiftly, and Jemma's first-person narrative rings true, as do the issues and the camp experience.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

Gr 9 Up—Forman creates a cast of captivating characters and pulls readers into a compelling story that will cause them to laugh, cry, and question the boundaries of family and love. While out on a drive with her family, 17-year-old Mia is suddenly separated from her body and forced to watch the aftermath of the accident that kills her parents and gravely injures her and her younger brother. Far from supernatural, this shift in perspective will be readily accepted by readers as Mia reminisces about significant events and people in her life while her body lies in a coma. Alternating between the past and the present, she reveals the details and complexities of her relationships with family and friends, including the unlikely romance with her punk-rock boyfriend, Adam. An accomplished musician herself, Mia is torn between pursuing her love for music at Julliard and a future with Adam in Oregon. However, she must first choose between fighting to survive and giving in to the resulting sadness and despair over all she has lost. Readers will find themselves engrossed in Mia's struggles and will race to the satisfying yet realistic conclusion. Teens will identify with Mia's honest discussion of her own insecurities and doubts. Both brutal and beautiful, this thought-provoking story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

Gr 9 Up—Leigh Hunter, 17, moves from New York to Washington, DC, to help his stepsister Millie cope with the death of her father. Maia Morland, a recovering anorexic and self-mutilator, eats her meals with the Hunters as part of her recovery. At first Leigh wants only to keep her safe but finds himself falling in love. He eats so that she will eat. She's raped (and filmed) by three prep-school classmates on his one night away from DC. In the background, bombs drop on Baghdad, and Leigh discovers that nations, like preppies, can justify anything. The author's feel for character and voice has never been better, and Leigh narrates with deep intelligence and heightened feeling. He's a complex and fully fleshed out protagonist. Millie is an especially vivid supporting character—precocious and hyper-verbal, wide-eyed yet cosmopolitan. Maia, however, around whom so much of the narrative revolves, sometimes seems too lightly drawn. She's clearly tortured and is ultimately unreachable. The author's prose is at once spare and sophisticated, and the resulting mood gentle and furious by turns. Simple details—Leigh synchronizing bites of cake with Maia—evoke astonishing emotion. The DC suburbs are appropriately generic, and the guilty comforts of the prep-school world are thoughtfully presented. The story begins and ends four years after Leigh and Maia part, and a sense of tense foreboding moves the plot.—Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 7–10—"I'm almost fifteen and I have no friends." So begins the spare narrative of desperately lonely Mirabel, who lives in a half-basement apartment with her mentally ill mother, seeing her father only during sporadic, awkward visits. Suffocating under her mother's paranoid control, black-clad Mira hides in books and in her school's library, and at home, in her aspirations to someday become a wildlife writer and artist. In art class, she is recognized by her teacher, called "the birdman," as having rare talent, if only she would complete assignments. Everything changes when a gorgeous new girl transfers to Mira's school. Cath is different and confident, and she introduces Mira to a world of friendship, color, and experimentation with boys. Then, when Cath betrays her by seemingly "stealing" a boy, the friendship shatters and, with it, Mira's newfound happiness. Gingras's translated narrative is decidedly French in feel; dramatic, almost forcefully poetic; and crowded with symbolism: dying/stark vs. colorful trees; broken/caged vs. healed/free birds; Mira's long, braided hair cut short at the end to symbolize freedom from her mother's tyranny. Mira explores her burgeoning sexuality in part through a growing obsession with the birdman, who fights returning her feelings in a theatrical scene. Ultimately the teen sees a new school therapist, a blind woman who "sees" Mira and her problems and helps her to move forward. Although it may appeal to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak (Farrar, 1999), the story is overdone, forced, and much too easily resolved.—Riva Pollard, Prospect Sierra Middle School, El Cerrito, CA

Gr 5–9—This volume begins exactly where Tunnels (Scholastic, 2008) ended—with Will, Chester, and Cal on a train taking them away from the Colony to the deeper underground wilds. The authors waste no time with backstory and leap straight into the plot; they maintain a frenetic pace throughout via short chapters and nonstop action. The Styx, who tortured children in the last book, prove to be even more malevolent in this one. After teaming up with two renegades in the Deep, Will discovers that the Styx are planning to kill all of the humans living Topsoil so that the Colony can reclaim the Earth. Determined to stop them and to find his father, who is wandering lost in this underground world, Will is constantly running for his life, enduring hardships or caught in skirmishes with the militant Styx. There are dark moments in this book—references to torture, drug use, and intense violence—and several important characters die, but the pace is so rushed that readers have no time to dwell. Purchase where Tunnels is popular or where there is a need for action/adventure for readers who aren't afraid of the dark.—Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

Gr 9 Up—This sequel to Evernight (HarperTeen, 2008) throws more plot twists at readers, but the writing has improved. The characters are also better developed, and readers find out more about their history. As the new school year begins at a private (vampire) academy, Bianca, a vampire, and Lucas, a vampire hunter, continue their illicit romance, meeting every few months. Her friend Balthazar is trying to find his sister, who is being pursued by the vampire-hunting group the Black Cross. Bianca has several encounters with wraiths and finds out that all of the humans admitted to Evernight have homes haunted by ghosts. Still confused about who and what she is, she gets hot and heavy with Balthazar but returns to Lucas in the end. Part Romeo and Juliet, part paranormal romance, part high school drama, this series will definitely continue as the author is keeping some secrets from readers. Fans of Richelle Mead and Stephenie Meyer will definitely enjoy this book.—Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 6–9—In 1867, when 11-year-old Josie Kidd finds her older sister's bridal wreath on the footbridge over a raging river, her father is "furious and sick with worry" over the disappearance of his darlin' Clementine. This opening chapter, told from Josie's point of view, dramatizes the events of the folk song. The body of the novel is narrated by Clementine, who has a distinctly different voice from her sister's. Her account, beginning in 1866, takes readers through the events leading up to her wedding day. Through her, readers learn about the realities of life in an 1860s mining town in Idaho Territory. Teens will recognize that the issues of parental alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, sexism, and discrimination are universal and timeless. Although Clem is no doubt used to living in this undesirable environment, her matter-of-fact reactions to happenings such as murders, stabbings, and a young friend succumbing to an opium den are flat and unemotional. Her courtship with her beau, Boone Reno, is sweet but also lacks feeling. Her emotions finally do get riled up following a marriage proposal that she is forced to accept, and she does come up with a way to save her family and herself. The story is neatly tied up in concluding chapters narrated by now 13-year-old Josie. Despite the novel's shortcomings, Clem is an inspiring character, and Gregory provides plenty of cliff-hangers and historical background to keep avid fans of the author, or the genre, reading.—Wendy Scalfaro, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY

Gr 5–9—In 1959, in Holcolm County, GA, there is a palpable tension. Times are slowly changing, causing resentment among some folks and optimism among others. The volatile mix sets the tone for this story of family, friendship, and racial discrimination. Jim Crow is the law of the South, separating the races, but it cannot dictate human emotions, creating the pivotal struggle of the novel. Twelve-year-old Polly Baxter, daughter of a poor white couple, and 14-year-old Timbre Ann, child of a black business owner, share the most improbable thing in this environment—a friendship. When suspicious fires, vandalism, and threats to successful black business owners cause fear and distrust among the townspeople, the strength of Polly and Timbre Ann's bond is tested. It is further jeopardized after a tragic incident threatens to separate them forever. The connection between the two girls and their families is beautifully described and believable, and the richness of the characters is apparent. The pacing of the story is deliberate and suspenseful with twists and turns that add to the bittersweet conclusion.—Margaret Auguste, Franklin Middle School, Somerset, NJ

Gr 4–6—In this well-paced time-travel novel, smart-aleck Stonewall Hinkleman is not having fun. Named for "Stonewall" Jackson, the 12-year-old spends his summers being dragged to Civil War reenactments by his enthusiastic reenactor parents. This weekend, it's the First Battle of Bull Run. However, he forgot his bugle—a key prop for a bugle boy. He finds a replacement when he meets "Tom," a curious vendor who gives him an authentic-looking instrument and warns him to be careful during the battle. On his way back to his parents, he hears another reenactor, "Senator" Dupree, ranting about how history should be different. If the South had won the war, modern America would be better off. His daughter, Ashby, and Stonewall are disgusted with Dupree's racist attitude, but move on. The next day, when Stonewall sounds the "Charge," he and Ashby find themselves at the actual battle. There, he meets his ancestor, Cyrus, and discovers that Dupree has also been transported and is attempting to reverse the outcome of the fighting. Stonewall, Cyrus, and Ashby have to stop him to prevent American history from being changed forever. Stonewall is a likable character whose attitude changes for the better in the story. There is one use of the "N" word. A good choice for historical fiction fans.—Lisa Crandall, Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Gr 8 Up—Henderson draws readers once again into the world of young British socialites in a book fraught with tension, romance, and adventure. Since the mysterious death of her crush, Dan, at her first posh party ever in Kiss Me Kill Me (Delacorte, 2008), Scarlett has switched to a different school and lives in perpetual fear that someone will figure out that she is "the Kiss of Death Girl." Teaming up with her new friend Taylor, a no-nonsense American, she decides to clear her name. Dan died of an allergic reaction and the two amateur sleuths learn that his EpiPen was stolen by one of two girls who own the same limited edition handbag. After clearing her archrival, Plum, of suspicion (unfortunately), Scarlett heads to Dan's home in Scotland to track down the other suspect. There she meets Callum, Dan's identical twin, whom she soon finds may also be in mortal danger. Beginning to fear for her own life, the teen longs for the safety she feels with Jase, a young groundskeeper she just met. Scarlett functions in an elite world of aristocrats and though this social setting may be unfamiliar to American youngsters, they will relate to her voice as she perseveres through teen angst and some extraordinary circumstances. With just the right balance of action and relationship drama, this book hits the target for libraries with strong chick-lit or mystery fans.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Gr 9 Up—This novel in verse tells the story of teenage Eddie Holder, who lives in a small Australian coal-mining town in the years after World War II. He longs to quit school, work in the mine, and spend time with his friend turned girlfriend, Sally. His brother, Larry, wants nothing more than to finish school and escape the town. Their father, Albert, has recently returned from the war a bitter, broken man and is determined that neither he nor his sons will ever set foot in the mine. Then a beautiful girl is murdered and suspicion falls on many of the men in the town, including the shady schoolteacher, some miners, and Albert and Larry. The story unfolds in a series of one- and two-page poems, each told from the point of view of a character. While the voices of Eddie, Larry, and Sally are strong and engaging, the poems from the adults, such as the teacher and the mayor, can be laborious. The strongest plot element is the mystery, which is well developed and has a surprising yet satisfying outcome. Some sexual scenarios make this most appropriate for older teens. Overall, a multilayered and affecting read.—Laura Amos, Newport News Public Library, VA

Gr 6–9—At the conclusion of Blue (Boyds Mills, 2006), Ann Fay Honeycutt's daddy is just back from the war and Ann Fay is learning to deal with her polio. The continuation of this determined protagonist's story is even richer than the first installment. It is 1945, and life is anything but normal. Ann Fay, now 14, returns to school after missing a year, and even classmates who do not mock her cannot understand her struggles. Her father's moods fluctuate between apathy and rage. When Ann Fay gets the opportunity to travel to Franklin D. Roosevelt's Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, she is torn: her desire to enter a state-of-the-art polio facility is undercut by the nagging belief that her fragile family will not cope well with her absence. Finally persuaded, she leaves North Carolina and quickly learns to love the welcoming, supportive environment of Warm Springs. Romance blossoms, and she makes rapid gains in her mobility. Then Junior shows up unexpectedly with the news that her father is physically abusing her mother. He also professes his feelings for Ann Fay, and the two, once fast friends, are weighed down by a new awkwardness. While readers of Blue will be instantly drawn into this sequel, Comfort stands alone, and newcomers will find much to appreciate in Ann Fay's attempts to come to terms with the confusion around her. Hostetter's beautiful story about rebuilding, with absorbing back matter about post-traumatic stress disorder and disability rights, is exceptional historical fiction.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 4–7—When Waggit, a dog, runs away from a farm where he was left by his owner, he begins a dangerous journey. His goal is to return to New York City's Central Park where he had lived with a pack of dogs until a woman had adopted—and then deserted—him. He befriends Felicia, a woman who can talk to dogs. He also ends up traveling with Lug, a pit bull afraid of his own shadow. The trio makes it to Central Park where Waggit is reunited with his friends but encounters some disturbing changes within the pack that he must help to rectify. Waggit is an empathetic main character whose resilience will endear him to readers. The challenges he encounters create a fast-paced tale. The wide range of human and animal characters adds interest to the story, such as kindly and resourceful Felicia and vicious and clever Tashi, leader of a rogue pack. Some special terminology is introduced to show how dogs might perceive certain things, e.g., humans are called "uprights," rats are known as "scurries," and horses are referred to as "longlegs." A glossary helps readers understand these terms, which are at times a bit awkward and, maybe, unnecessary in this spirited and appealing adventure.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

Gr 4–6—When Princess Eleanor spots a unicorn in the woods near Swinley Castle, she decides he must come with her to Buckingham Palace, not realizing that once the creature leaves both he and the forest will sicken and eventually die. Joyce, the plucky young fairy who observes the unicorn's capture, is sent by her village elders to bring him back. Having never left home before, she has no idea how she is going to manage the task set before her, but she soon encounters castle fairies who give her a map to London, and her quest begins. Meanwhile, Eleanor's sly governess hatches a wicked plot to deceive Eleanor and sell the creature. Unlike most humans, Eleanor can see the fairies that live all around them, and when Joyce arrives at the palace, the two team up to foil the villain. The novel's exposition is somewhat hackneyed and therefore slow going. The characters are stereotypical and never well developed. However, once the fairies and humans are working together, the writing includes humor and cleverness that make the story much more entertaining. Readers who like the triumvirate of fairies, princesses, and unicorns will pick this book up because of the cover. They won't find anything terribly original inside, but they'll enjoy it nonetheless.—Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Gr 6–9—This second act in a dystopian trilogy follows young Dante Cazabon, who has escaped from the evil clutches of the mysterious Dr. Sigmundus, the tyrannical ruler of Gehenna, where people 14 and older are given a drug that renders them docile and unable to dream. Life is horrific for those few who still dream, as they are treated as criminally insane. Dante enlists the help of elderly Malachy Mazotta, supervisor of a cemetery, to find his friend Bea and reconnect with the rest of the Púca (a resistance group). During his adventures, the boy gradually learns how to call upon the power of the Odyll, a realm of pure energy, in order to move inside dreams and outside time. He also knows that this special ability comes only with great personal sacrifice. The danger increases as Dante and his friends are tracked by deadly Gallowglass, a seemingly invincible once-human creature, and brought face to face with their enemy. Brief, action-packed chapters make for a quick read. Readers will want to begin with The Hollow People (Knopf, 2007) to get a handle on the characters' stories and the many abstract concepts relating to the Odylic Force. With themes that address good versus evil and demonic forces at work, this suspenseful series reads like Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" (S & S) and "Midnighters" (HarperCollins) series combined.—Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 5–8—A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at the turn of the 20th century. As the only girl in an uppercrust Texas family of seven children, Calpurnia, 11, is expected to enter young womanhood with all its trappings of tight corsets, cookery, and handiwork. Unlike other girls her age, Callie is most content when observing and collecting scientific specimens with her grandfather. Bemoaning her lack of formal knowledge, he surreptitiously gives her a copy of The Origin of Species and Callie begins her exploration of the scientific method and evolution, eventually happening upon the possible discovery of a new plant species. Callie's mother, believing that a diet of Darwin, Dickens, and her grandfather's influence will make Callie dissatisfied with life, sets her on a path of cooking lessons, handiwork improvement, and an eventual debut into society. Callie's confusion and despair over her changing life will resonate with girls who feel different or are outsiders in their own society. Callie is a charming, inquisitive protagonist; a joyous, bright, and thoughtful creation. The conclusion encompasses bewilderment, excitement, and humor as the dawn of a new century approaches. Several scenes, including a younger brother's despair over his turkeys intended for the Thanksgiving table and Callie's heartache over receiving The Science of Housewifery as a Christmas gift, mix gentle humor and pathos to great effect. The book ends with uncertainty over Callie's future, but there's no uncertainty over the achievement of Kelly's debut novel.—Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

Gr 9 Up—Pirates, reincarnation, dogs, teenage angst, a romance that spans the centuries, magic, treasure—all are wrapped up inside a fun Goth cover that belies the very adult story within. Emer Morrisey, the youthful scourge of the South Seas in the 17th century, has lived through 100 lifetimes as a dog, and now shares the body of 20th-century teen Saffron Adams. Along with fantasies about torturing and murdering most everyone around her, Saffron's sole ambition is to escape her pathetic family and find the treasure she knows lies buried somewhere in Jamaica. The book is not for the faint of heart or stomach, with painful scenes of animal and human abuse, attempted rape, battles, and murder. Particularly difficult is the character of Fred Livingston, the reincarnation of the French captain who killed Emer's lover, and who is quite obviously crazy. His very disturbed mental state is shown through his truly evil actions toward his dog and the voices that taunt him day and night. There will be teens who find Emer/Saffron's story much to their taste, but this is definitely not a book for a wide audience.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 4–6—When former best-selling children's author I.B. Grumply moves into a Victorian mansion in Ghastly, IL, to write the latest installment in his "Ghost Tamer" series, he is hindered by more than just his overwhelming case of writer's block. He is dismayed to find the mansion already occupied by an 11-year-old boy named Seymour Hope, his cat, and Olive C. Spence, a ghost living in the cupola who is unhappy because she never managed to publish her books in her lifetime. Similar to the Klises' other offerings, the story is successfully told through letters, newspaper clippings, drawings, and related devices. Although Grumply has written ghost tales, he himself is a nonbeliever, and Olive and Seymour attempt to convince him. They then collaborate on a book about their own experiences, including the possibility of the demolition of the mansion, a ghost who falls in love with the occupant of her house, and Seymour's parents and their lack of responsibility for his care. This first title in a new series will appeal to readers, especially reluctant ones, as it moves quickly and leaves its audience eager for book two, which is announced in this ghastly and fun tale.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Gr 8 Up—Beautiful Catherine Howard, 15, has attracted the attention of aging King Henry Tudor, who is becoming increasingly desperate for a son. His only son, Edward, is a sickly youngster, and Henry is worried about the succession. He has already rid himself of three wives and, now, he finds a way to dispense with his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, so he can marry Catherine. Catherine has been thrust before him by her powerful Howard relatives, and she knows that her role is to keep the king happy, but she has grown up in the morally lax household of her grandmother, the dowager Duchess of Norfolk, and she has secrets in her past that, if revealed, will ruin her. Told in Catherine's voice, the story gains real immediacy as she glories in the excitement and glamour of the court, but soon realizes that she is in great danger. Her love for young Thomas Culpepper overcomes her common sense, and their affair seals her doom. Period activities such as a bear-baiting contest are skillfully woven into the plot. The dowager Duchess and her accomplice, Lady Jane Rochford, are deliciously amoral in their relentless political scheming. One particularly effective scene has Catherine shocked at seeing a portrait of the youthful Henry and realizing how much he has deteriorated. While numerous sexual encounters are part of the political reality, they are subtly handled. A real treat for lovers of historical fiction.—Quinby Frank, Green Acres School, Rockville, MD

Gr 3–6—Manolito, 10, is back with more zany adventures to share. His life is filled with hysterical anecdotes ranging from his weekend foot-bathing boycott as a member of the Filthy Feet Gang to his brief and disastrous stint as a hairdresser for his brother, "The Bozo." Manolito's world, the Spanish neighborhood of Carabanchel, is full of eccentric and memorable characters guaranteed to make readers laugh out loud. Kids will both relate to and root for the lovable and spunky protagonist and enjoy the humorous cartoons that accompany his escapades. Readers can look forward to more adventures because as Manolito says, "Make room on the shelf because this is only the beginning."—Jessie Spalding, Tempe Public Library, AZ

Gr 5–9—In this unique and gripping fantasy, the world is divided into different realms. A society of humans exists aboveground, though corruption now taints their once-verdant kingdom, Lyonesse. Belowground exists a watery underworld populated by aquatic, amorphous monsters. The two worlds open to one another through a series of stone wells. Lyonesse, by order of the Queen regent, fishes the wells to catch the monsters. They are then dried and burned to produce power. It's a violent and destructive process, as operating the wells releases poisoned water, slowly sinking the kingdom. Its only hope lies in 11-year-old Idris Limpet, a boy rescued minutes before his execution and then trained as a monstergroom. He must find a way to overthrow the Queen regent and restore balance before Lyonesse is drowned by corruption. Llewellyn's writing style is crisp, and he keeps the action moving. The author's strength lies in his ability to make a seemingly incomprehensible world appear perfectly plausible.—Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

Gr 8 Up—Laura Brown's diary of 2015 charts the first year of carbon rationing in Great Britain. The global climate has declined so precipitously that the country has made the unilateral decision to cut its carbon emissions by 60 percent. Everyone is issued a card that tracks their allowable use of carbon for the year. This limits utility usage, travel, and purchase of anything that has been transported over a distance, including food. Laura has to cope with limits to hygiene, cell phone use, and practice time with her band and listen to lectures on reducing energy consumption. Her father's job as Head of Travel and Tourism at a local college is eliminated. Freezing weather is followed by hot drought and flooding to finish off the year. Her family initially reacts badly to the strains—her parents fight, her dad starts drinking but then tries his hand at home agriculture, her mom joins the Women Moving Forward club, and her sister, Kim, disappears for days at a time and almost dies when a cholera epidemic hits the city. The book refers to itself as an eco-thriller but it doesn't present the usual over-the-top characters and hardly believable events of so many books in that genre. It works so well because of all the normal craziness of life that has nothing to do with the environmental disaster. The family crisis, the colorful supportive neighbors, the crush on the cute boy next door, and the triumphs of Laura's band lend the story verisimilitude that will give it appeal far beyond the usual thriller for doom-and-gloom junkies.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Gr 6–9—In this entertaining collection of three dozen short stories, Lubar creates characters who will quickly engage readers. The selections range between two and six pages in length. Some are humorous, such as the title story, which involves middle schoolers in a hot-pepper-eating contest, while others are moralistic horror tales, such as "The Ratty Old Bumbershoot," in which a boy is eaten by an umbrella that he "borrows" but has no intention of returning. Still others are science fiction, as in "Galactic Zap," in which a video game created by aliens is placed on Earth and anyone who gets good at it is eliminated to help ensure a quick takeover of the planet. Most readers will find something here to their liking.—Valerie Davis, Campbell County Public Library, Newport, KY

Gr 6–8—On Jane's 12th birthday, her older sister is hospitalized, and Jane is swept into a series of painful events that swirl around beautiful, smart, and popular Lizzie, ensnaring the entire family. Her problem manifests itself as an eating disorder but ends with her death, possibly a suicide. Jane's narration reveals how she and her parents handle Lizzie's death, with each of them coming to grips with her actions first individually and with anger, and then together. Jane begins to rebuild her life when she's cared for by an understanding woman when her mother, unable to cope, leaves to visit her parents and her father has a business trip. She gets a puppy, learns to focus through a camera lens, and befriends a boy who has also suffered loss. Characterizations are plausible in this ultimately hope-filled story. Though similar in theme to Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls (Viking, 2009), this book can be appreciated by younger readers as it is thoughtfully revealed from Jane's perspective.—Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at Washington DC Public Library

Gr 6–10—Looking for excitement, five students join the new Crime Scene Club at their high school. Different forensic tools and techniques are presented in each title as the students solve crimes and mysteries that, in one case, has stumped their local Flagstaff, AZ police department for decades. The teens bring unique skills to each crime, including Wire, who can hack into Web sites with ease. They all become involved in situations that stretch believability as they elude death by escaping from blocked caves, stop bullets with a scrap piece of metal held in a bra, jump from cars as they plunge over cliffs, and wrestle drug-crazed bears while suffering from hypothermia. In spite of the police chief's threats to end the club, the members continue their activities under the direction of Detective Dorothy Kwan, who is rarely around when things get intense. Bruises, broken bones, and hospital stays are routine. Occasional computer-generated illustrations add little. Each fictional story concludes with a "Forensic Notes" chapter that includes a brief glossary for each chapter along with background information on procedures, specialized equipment, legal issues, and crime-scene strategies. These titles try to do too much by also addressing many of the social and health problems that teens face. The computer-game-style action and current interest in the topic will help this series find an audience but the heavy-handed writing and awkward dialogue may lose it.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Gr 8–10—Zachary Chase, 15, has spent his life moving from one town to another with his mom. He never knew his father, an NHL player who died drunk in a car accident, but he inherited his dad's talent on the ice. Zack's mother assumes that he will continue the tradition, although he has been having second thoughts. When they move to Haletown, MT, Zack has to deal with the usual new-kid pains, but the issues are exacerbated by a team captain who feels threatened and tries to undermine him at every turn. Not one to back down from a fight, Zack stands up to Mac's bullying, especially when he finds out that the captain's harassment extends to girls at their high school whom he has sexually exploited. Zack is drawn to Goth loner Jane, who wants nothing to do with jocks and is the sister of one of his teammates. She slowly warms up to him as she realizes that he is different from the others. Alcohol flows freely at parties, and the suicide of one of the girls whom Mac abused leads students and parents to examine their priorities. Mac's bullying reflects the mistreatment he receives from his father, but the two are almost cartoonish figures. The secondary characters are two-dimensional. Sensitive Zack is a likable protagonist, but he is a little too good to be true. Yes, the story line is full of clichés, but teens will enjoy the drama and the romance.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 9 Up—This intriguing, if not quite stand-alone, sequel to Wake (S & S, 2008) follows undercover investigators and high school seniors Janie Hannagan and her partner/boyfriend Cabel as they attempt to unmask and trap a sexual predator teaching at Fieldridge High. Janie is a dream catcher—she has the ability to be sucked into another person's dreams—and her job is to glean clues to the culprit's identity from her classmates and to act as bait. The latter task annoys protective Cabe, and their relationship, already strained by a scarcity of alone time and the need for secrecy (their last case might be jeopardized if they are seen together), is further stressed. Furthermore, Janie receives documents from her now-deceased dream-catcher mentor promising to detail the fate in store for her, and she's not sure she wants to know the truth. While there are few surprises in the main plot arc, the spare but effective narrative holds readers' attention, especially when Janie delves into the chilling truth of her ability. Teens who like the supernatural-tinged drama of shows like Ghost Whisperer and Medium may be tempted by this series.—Christi Esterle, Parker Library, CO

Gr 4–7— Sahwira is a Shona word meaning a close, close friend. In Rhodesia in the early 1960s, as the liberation war that would lead to the formation of present-day Zimbabwe is just beginning, 12-year-old Evan, an American missionary kid, and his Shona best friend, Blessing, struggle to maintain their friendship amid rising racial tensions. As ordinary boys, interested in adventure in the James Bond style, both Evan and Blessing, the son of the mission church pastor, have to balance their families' commitment to nonviolence with pressures from their peers. Told in third person, sometimes from one boy's viewpoint, sometimes from the other, the story is nevertheless Evan's, charting his growing understanding and acceptance of the different way his parents and others in the Methodist community hope to bring about political change. The complications civil conflicts bring to a society are clear. Though heavy with setting detail at first, the action takes over and the suspense will carry readers to the hoped-for conclusion. Told with sympathy and authority (the coauthor grew up in a mission in Zimbabwe), this is a worthy reminder of the history of a country that still struggles today.—Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD

Gr 6–9—In this sequel to Midnight Twins (Razorbill, 2008), 14-year-old Meredith and Mallory are still getting used to their gifts: Merry can see the past and Mally can see the future. The story is told from both of their perspectives. Mally sees a vision of a white lion swiping a cheerleader's shoes. She tells her vision to Merry, who later witnesses a cheerleader injured and hospitalized. The shoes had been sabotaged. As Merry tries to find the culprit, Mally tries to figure out who or what the white lion is. She is also worried about her friend Eden, a junior who is secretly seeing a college guy. Eden, a Cree, invites Mally to a tribal powwow, where she meets Eden's younger brother, who is visiting from prep school. She is instantly attracted to Cooper, who explains about the significance of the white lion in his tribe. Can Mally help Eden make the right choice about her relationship? Can Merry find the culprit before the next cheerleading tryouts? The plot is predictable and the characters are clichés; however, the Native American cultural elements breathe fresh life into what is otherwise standard teen chick-lit fare.—Samantha Larsen Hastings, West Jordan Public Library, UT

Gr 7–9—In this story set in ancient Rome, Marcus is asked to stop a young, idealistic soldier named Spurinna from reaching Pompey, who is at sea fighting pirates. Cicero has proposed that Spurinna and Pompey join forces and halt Caesar's rise to power. Marcus reluctantly goes, and finds himself stuck on a ship with Paulla, whom he dislikes even though his parents expect him to marry her, and she is interested in Spurinna. After a violent storm, their vessel is shipwrecked and the two, along with Spurinna's old secretary, Homer, are soon forced into slavery by an evil Spartan farmer. Once they manage to escape, they must contend with pirates, and later Greek men thirsty for vengeance. The writing in the opening part of the story is choppy, with little to no historical background, but once Marcus is at sea, the action steadies and flows smoothly. The characters are wonderfully drawn: Homer and Paulla are particularly engaging, and teenaged Marcus is a lovable, if bumbling, hero. While this appears to be a companion to Mitchell's The Roman Conspiracy (Tundra, 2005), readers need not have read that book to understand this one. If kids can wade through the first 30 pages, they will find themselves on a rollickingly good adventure.—Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA

Gr 7–10—Essa has traveled the lands of seventh-century Britain with his father, Cai, for many years without incident. In a Wolf Folk settlement, he wakes to find that his father has left without any explanation. Feeling angry and alone, he slowly comes to appreciate the people of the village, but never forgets his father's betrayal. Eventually Essa becomes sworn to a king and is sent out on a small errand. He gets himself deeper and deeper into tribal disputes and finds that the errand has become a full-blown adventure across kingdoms, with Essa taking matters into his own hands to try to influence the outcome of a potential tribal war. Well written and deeply researched, Bloodline moves along at a steady pace with enough intrigue and mystery to keep readers turning pages. It is a wonderful story of emotional and physical discovery that reads with "you are there" immediacy. The historical details are effortlessly woven throughout as the plot develops into a complete picture of the times. A map and an outline of the characters are included. This novel would make an excellent companion to a study of the Early Middle Ages and/or British and European history.—Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY

Gr 6–9—"Find the Seventh." That whispered phrase haunts Jim in this eerie mystery of death, ghosts, family secrets, and ancient rites and prophecy. Jim has moved with his father and sister Sal to Minerva Hall, a vast estate of lush gardens with more than 100 statues. It is occupied by grumpy Lord Louis Minerva III, a disagreeable man who restricts areas of the Hall and grounds and closely monitors them with closed-circuit televisions. Curious about his new home, where his father has taken a position as Head Gardener, Jim begins to explore. As he does, he meets a mysterious boy he calls Einstein, who speaks to him in riddles. The ghostly whispers and encounters with Einstein send Jim on a quest to discover the estate's secrets. He finds an old schoolroom, and listed on the board are the names of the Minerva children, each followed by "deceased." At the bottom it reads, "Follow the Statues." And as Jim uncovers clues, he is haunted by the ghosts of the children and sees the details of their deaths, and he knows that he must pursue the trail to prevent some further tragedy. Morton-Shaw skillfully weaves ancient lore into a gripping mystery. The fine plotting keeps readers turning the pages as suspense builds to the surprising end. Genre fans will likely enjoy this hunt.—Jennifer D. Montgomery, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green

Gr 8 Up—Building on her extensive research conducted after reading a newspaper article about the lynching of Sicilian grocers in Tallulah, LA, in 1899, Napoli presents a moving, sobering story about an aspect of American immigration that is probably unknown to most readers. After his mother's death, 14-year-old Calogero leaves his bustling Sicilian home for the sleepy southern town to help his uncles and younger cousin run their grocery store. White customers expect to be served before blacks and make their displeasure angrily apparent when the Sicilians fail to do so. Barred from the white school and unaware that he can attend the black school, Calogero learns English from a tutor who also tries to help him comprehend Southern American behavior. The cousins meet some African American boys who take them on a terrifying alligator hunt that firmly cements their friendship. Calogero is attracted to Patricia, a African American girl, but fails to fully understand the danger behind her fear of being seen in public with him. Although he has heard his uncles' stories of the recent lynching of Sicilians in New Orleans, he is unprepared for the horrifying tragedy that befalls his family when a local white doctor kills Uncle Francesco's goats and then convinces an angry mob that the Sicilians plan to retaliate violently. Historical events are smoothly integrated with vivid everyday details, strong characterizations, and genuine-sounding dialogue. Ultimately, the author expands her themes beyond the story's specifics, encouraging readers to reconsider the motivations behind this calamity and other manifestations of racism.—Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA

Gr 3–6—His reflexes honed chasing triplet toddler sisters, Lyle Williams, 12, earned the nickname Mudshark during an especially fierce game of Death Ball. He relishes reading and observing the world as much as he enjoys sports, and his memory for finding lost articles wins him the prestige of unofficial school detective. The inevitable trouble in paradise occurs when the librarian's psychic parrot threatens his reputation. Mudshark decides that he can simultaneously neutralize the bird and solve a missing-eraser problem with a little help from a wacky assortment of classmates. The principal's intercom announcements that introduce each chapter may cause teary-eyed chortles ("Please refrain from forming hunting parties to hunt the gerbil"). Paulsen presents readers with the unabashedly entertaining machinations of Mudshark, lone bastion of sanity in the midst of school chaos. Fresh and light with scads of humor, this is a tale that doesn't take itself too seriously. That said, the episodes of school-borne mischief hit their target audience just right. Themes of community, literacy, and determination find an oddly snug fit alongside radioactive faculty restrooms and crayfish population explosions. Use this as a classroom read-aloud or hand it to children who like quick reads with strong vocabulary. Fatten those lean humor sections with this slim charmer.—Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT

Gr 7 Up—Fans of Pierce's medieval fantasy police-procedural series will love this book as much as Terrier (Random, 2006). Beka, 17, is serving her first year as a Dog (police officer) in the Provost's Guard. She and her mentor and old partner, Goodwin, are sent from Corus to Port Caynn to try to discover the source of the counterfeit silver coins that are flooding the region, causing soaring grain prices and riots in Corus. Beka is accompanied by Achoo, the scent hound she rescued from its abusive handler. While in Port Caynn, she and Goodwin tangle with Pearl, Queen of the Thieves, and her crew. Beka falls for Dale, a handsome and charming gambler and bank courier who may be in league with Pearl. The action drags a bit in the middle to focus on the romance but makes up for it in the end. Pierce vividly imagines this world in which police procedures are different, yet similar to those of today. Ponce, Beka's wise cat, who is also a God, is mostly absent but Beka's other unusual magical sources of information-pigeons inhabited by talking ghosts of the dead and spirits in spinning dust funnels—continue to add to the series' appeal. Beka is as headstrong and feisty as ever and frequently makes errors in judgment but is willing to learn from her mistakes. She truly earns the nickname Bloodhound as she faithfully narrates her story through journal entries.—Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

Gr 7–10—This screwball comedy-cum-heartfelt drama is by turns far-fetched, enjoyable, and touching. Seventeen-year-old Annika's little brother, Jeremy, is about to undergo surgery for cancer. The teen promises him that she has a genie that will bring his favorite TV character, Teen Robin Hood, to meet him. In what seems like too much of a sitcom plot, Annika drives several hours, invades the show's set, and persuades its star to come home with her. He's on a tight schedule. Paparazzi attack them. His car breaks down. Steve and Annika fall in love, adding a sweet, but uncertain, romance to the mix. She also learns that he has a family situation of his own to resolve. Questions about the meaning of life and whether there is a caring God give the book heft but don't always jibe with its lighter aspects. Annika is a resourceful, kindhearted heroine, and her Robin Hood has dimension as well. The novel is interesting enough to attract reluctant readers, and it makes a fine, if not necessary, addition to the chick-lit shelf.—Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Gr 5–9—This slim volume is clearly intended as a stop-gap product to tide eager readers over until the final volume of the series is released. In addition to three previously unreleased short stories about Percy and his companions, it also includes such filler as interviews with the same, along with word games, portraits of some of the Gods and their half-blood offspring, and the inevitable sneak preview of Book 5. The short stories are the meat of this book, and are filled with Riordan's trademark anachronistic humor. The first one puts Percy and his enemy Clarisse, the daughter of Ares, on the same team as she tries to retrieve her father's chariot, which has been hijacked as a prank by her two immortal brothers. The second story relates an incident that occurred during one of Camp Half-Blood's infamous Capture the Flag games, when Charlie Beckendorf, the camp counselor for Hephaestus, is captured by a horde of giant, poisonous ants, and has to be rescued with the help of a mechanical dragon. The final story brings Percy, Thalia, and Nico, the son of Hades, together at the request of Persephone to help retrieve Hades's stolen sword, the loss of which could be deadly to the Gods, and the resolution of which forms a lead-up to the probable events of Book 5. Despite the fact that this is more of a marketing package than anything else, the quality of and interest in the three stories likely justifies its purchase.—Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO

Gr 9 Up—Mary knows little about the past and why the world now contains two types of people: those in her village and the undead outside the fence, who prey upon the flesh of the living. The Sisters protect their village and provide for the continuance of the human race. After her mother is bitten and joins the Unconsecrated, Mary is sent to the Sisters to be prepared for marriage to her friend Harry. But then the fences are breached and the life she has known is gone forever. Mary; Harry; Travis, whom Mary loves but who is betrothed to her best friend; her brother and his wife; and an orphaned boy set out into the unknown to search for safety, answers to their questions, and a reason to go on living. In this sci-fi/horror novel, the suspense that Ryan has created from the very first page on entices and tempts readers so that putting the book down is not an option. The author skillfully conceals and reveals just enough information to pique curiosity while also maintaining an atmosphere of creepiness that is expected in a zombie story. Some of the descriptions of death and mutilation of both the Unconsecrated and the living are graphic. The story is riveting, even though it leaves a lot of questions to be explained in the sequel.—Debra Banna, Sharon Public Library, MA

Gr 9 Up—It's the summer before senior year and Jory is obsessing over two things: her giant nose and hottie Tyler Briggs. Believing that she can't have Tyler and a "Super Schnozz," she takes a job delivering cakes to save money for surgery. During a delivery, she meets Gideon, a guy with big brown eyes and an equally big nose. She's attracted to him, but is worried about what dating him will do to her social status. To complicate matters, Jory and her friend Megan compete for Tyler's attentions while Jory's mother, in an effort to be thin, forces her family to join her in crazy fad diets. As the pressure mounts, the teen, who begins to date Gideon, desperately looks to guys for validation and naively believes that a perfect nose will beget a perfect life. Readers will identify with her insecurities, but might be turned off by her melodrama. The humor is forced and the character development superficial. Salter literally writes off the unattainable Tyler just as his story line gets interesting. Teens looking for a character with a big nose and an even bigger sense of humor should read Emily Franklin's At Face Value (Flux, 2008), which features a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac. My Big Nose is strictly an additional purchase.—Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJ

Gr 9 Up—In this often astute, occasionally awkward take on family and unwanted fame, Hannah Jackson James tries not to live in her parents' dubious shadow. Her father is an aging reality TV star with a Hugh Hefner-esque castle full of girlfriends. Her mother, a minor actress and former girlfriend of Jackson's, now makes her money hosting a webcam show in skimpy underwear. When Hannah moved with her mom to a small town at age 12, she tried her hardest to blend in. Five years later, her concerns include staying unnoticed at school, making sure her mom can pay the bills, and deciding how to approach the object of her affection, a fellow student named Josh who works next to Hannah at the drive-through call center for a fast-food chain. Then her father calls for the first time in five years to invite her to visit him in New York. Hannah is torn between her desire for his love and her suspicion that the gesture is nothing more than a cynical ratings ploy. Scott's portrayal of Hannah's family situation is subtle and convincing. Readers will understand without being told that Hannah and her mother love one another, but that Hannah is as much a parent as a child. Her relationships with her peers are less believable. Her interest in Josh never quite seems genuine, and readers realize long before she does that Finn, a kind but irreverent goofball, is a better match. Though this story treads familiar ground, many teen girls will enjoy it.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library

Gr 4–7—In this third book about Martine and her amazing gift for healing animals, the 11-year-old, her grandmother, and her friend Ben leave their South African home for Zimbabwe. They are going to help her grandmother's friend, who has had an accident, but the trip turns into much more. A giant leopard said to be in hiding in the hills near the ranch where they are staying desperately needs Martine's help. Many legends surround the creature, and the place of his death is ostensibly where a long-hidden treasure will be found. Because of this, many are determined to hunt the animal down. Through Martine's eyes, readers discover many issues plaguing modern Zimbabwe, from police corruption to animal poaching and the opportunism and tourism that threaten the traditional way of life. This fast-paced adventure story, inspired by an actual leopard now in a game preserve in Zimbabwe, includes elements that will appeal to a broad audience. Although having read The White Giraffe (2007) and Dolphin Song (2008, both Dial) gives fuller insight into Martine's story, St. John does a good job of catching readers up on the past without retelling those plots. Considering that the movie version of The White Giraffe is due out this year, there is sure to be particular interest in this series.—Genevieve Gallagher, Buford Middle School, Charlottesville, VA

Gr 8 Up—Nicole, a high school senior, falls in love with Zin the first time she sees him dance at a New York City club. But Zin is keeping a terrible secret, one that won't allow him to love her, or any mortal, for he is a Jiang Shi, one of a select few who have survived for centuries by absorbing the souls of the dying. So now Nicole must decide whether to be turned or to live out her mortal life. But immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be. And even the Jiang Shi have enemies. The romantic tension builds steadily as Nic's soulful relationship with Zin gains momentum and she is confronted with the startling realities of his existence. Peppered with sometimes strong language and vivid descriptions of the moves performed by the Toprocks (the break-dancing group to which she and Zin both belong), Nic's narration is believable, honest, and riveting. This darkly compelling read will find a niche with teens who like their fantasy well seasoned with the gritty reality of life, from the glitzy flash of the club scene to the darker, crueler side of survival on the streets.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

Gr 6–9—Emily has it all: a perfect house, a BFF who lives across the street, and a neighborhood Starbucks that serves the girls twin frozen mochas before they order. When Emily enrolls in a summer art program in Philadelphia, what could go wrong? The fact that very little does happen is part of the problem here. The teen and her life are just a tad too sunny to be real. She navigates her way through the big city, the artsy crowd, an edgy new friend, creative demands, and a forbidden first love. All this is a refreshing change from her scripted suburban life. She dumps her best friend for the excitement of it all. Some of Emily's choices, the people she trusts, and the circles in which she travels are just plain dumb—even for a naive and sheltered kid. She works as hard to reshape herself as she does to create her art. And all to great success. There are no major crises here, just affluent coming-of-age stuff. The edgy artist, Fiona, whom Emily befriends, is the most interesting character and she fades out of the story. The premise of Emily's potential, her creative talents, and her spirit of growth and risk-taking are all well and good. It's the small conflicts that never seem satisfyingly resolved that makes Emily's near misses and great luck feel contrived and sugarcoated.—Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

Gr 8 Up—"…the most important thing about the WESTEX trip isn't so much about how far we travel. It's about who we come to be along the way." Rainey and five other teens begin an eight-week school-sponsored educational/survival trek across Canada. Each member of the "Canadian Six Pack," as they call themselves, comes with a backstory. Rainey's challenge is heightened because she has an artificial leg and she learns that her mother, who abandoned her as a baby, lives near one of their stops and wants to meet her. As the trip progresses, the individuals bond and become part of a team. Slowly their stories rise to the surface, revealing a personal angst that teens everywhere can identify with. The group dynamic intensifies with a sharing and understanding thought impossible at the onset. Waldorf has written a unique story in which six very different young people are united in a common cause. Told with wit and humor, this fast-paced novel has character development that is extraordinary. Most young adults will easily identify with at least one person or theme.—Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK

Gr 7–10—It's summer vacation and Kelly, Sydney, Alexia, and Raven are back in this frothy teen soap opera. Kelly doesn't have a boyfriend so the girls write the 35-rule Crush Code to help her get one. Meanwhile, photographer Sydney's back together with Drew, but madly crushing on Quin, who volunteers in the local hospital's pediatric ICU. Raven and Horace are still a couple, and still making beautiful music together, but when Horace goes out of town for a month, Raven falls for Blake, a semi-famous skateboarder. Alexia and Ben's love would be perfect, except that he pressures her into doing something she's not ready for. Before long, Drew falls in love with Kelly, and Sydney and Kelly's friendship is strained. Finally the girls get together to put the crush rules to rest, and everything is tied up into a neat package. Teens will enjoy this story, with its focus on romance and friendship, but lack of skill in the telling makes it pale in comparison to Ann Brashares's "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series (Delacorte).—Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID

Gr 8–10—Fifteen-year-old Dani has a congenital heart defect and is waiting for a transplant. Fellow patients in the hospital include Wendy, a pesky 8-year-old awaiting a kidney, and 17-year-old Milo, the bad-boy love interest who abused his first transplanted liver and is determined to do better if given a second chance. Dani and Wendy become "transplant sisters" when they receive organs from the same donor, a 14-year-old competitive gymnast named Amanda. Readers come to know and appreciate Amanda through the remembrances of her older brother, Tyler, who discovers her true, caring nature when he searches through her computer files. Some of the characters are truly extraneous and the writing is sometimes clichéd, but readers will still feel the wrenching agony of the donor's family. The physical and emotional anguish that transplant recipients endure appears to be realistically portrayed, as is the strong language to express their anger and frustration. It is unfortunate that the book begins with a dreadfully erroneous description of a gymnastics meet, including gymnasts who vault over a pommel horse and swing from metal uneven parallel bars. It is difficult to trust the author's medical information after such a shaky introduction to the story. Nonetheless adolescent readers may be drawn to the drama surrounding organ transplants, the teen love affair, and the dynamics of Tyler and Amanda's sibling relationship.—Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

Gr 5–8—Chafing at the restrictions of being the American ambassador's daughter, 13-year-old Lucy sneaks out to the market in Addis Ababa, is kidnapped by drug dealers, and escapes into the Ethiopian bush where she faces a pride of lions. Based on a widely circulated news story of a kidnapping and lion rescue, this unusual adventure places a reassuringly typical American teenager in an intriguingly different setting. Bored by endless rounds of official visits and restricted to the American compound when not in her elite private school, Lucy whiles away her time reading books about African wildlife, dreams of her twice-monthly visits to a game park, and schemes ways to avoid her protectors. The first-person narrative includes flashbacks that reveal something of Lucy's life prior to the kidnapping. Caught up in the suspense, readers will probably accept how much Lucy's gymnastics training and naturalist reading contribute to her survival, as well as the coincidence of her ending up at the village home of a classmate. First-time novelist Yohalem researched her story with a visit to Ethiopia and her reportage may leave readers, like Lucy, wanting to know more about that world.—Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD

Gr 6 Up—Peppy writing makes up for the spare illustrations and lengthy boxed material in these volumes. The biographies of Clinton, Pelosi, and Stewart have the advantage of being up-to-date: Abrams includes Clinton's 2008 concession speech. Ray is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the strongest entries in this group, with extra quotes from food-and-lifestyle experts that explain her impact on American home life. Clear-eyed and balanced, these books don't hesitate to report the bad along with the good, and negative public opinion, where applicable, is noted. Copious source notes, bibliography, chronology, and further reading make these titles good jumping-off places for researchers.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Gr 6–10—These volumes provide overviews of the civilizations, a time line, a topographical map, and a satellite photograph. The chapters that follow are chock-full of information on class structure, political life, social customs, and daily habits, but not all of the claims can be proven. For example, Egypt states that the civilization's wall paintings show how "…of all the ancient cultures, Egyptians were the most fun," casting doubt on how well researched the text might be. Additionally, the books have no citations or bibliographies, and because entries are written in the present tense, readers may confuse the periods of the various civilizations. The distinct differences that existed, for example, between the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire are lost. The colorful illustrations show the houses, towns, and markets in detail, but the quality of these and of the artifact photos do not redeem the texts. There are many better books on all of these topics.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

Gr 5–9—Opening with Emma Lazarus's famous poem, "The New Colossus," and a powerful response poem by Naomi Shihab Nye, this volume deals frankly with the more troubling aspects of United States immigration policy. The author chose the stories of three immigrants. Each one stands alone, but read together they show a disturbing trend. Twelve-year-old German-Jew Herb Karliner was denied entry to the United States at the border when he attempted to escape Nazi Germany. Sixteen-year-old Japanese-American Mary Matsuda was detained with the rest of her family during World War II. Labor-activist Emma Goldman was deported for her "un-American" views. Each story explores parallels in the present day. The themes of the three stories are unified by the introduction and conclusion, which deal with Chinese immigration during the late 19th century and the history of immigration across the southern border of the United States, respectively. Photographs throughout will help students relate to the narrative. An extensive time line and a resource guide are included. This book is not intended to cover the entire topic of immigration, but instead focuses solely on instances in which the United States appears to have made mistakes. The author even takes time to explore possible negative consequences of making the "better" decision, acknowledging that it's impossible to know what unforeseen outcomes would have resulted. While narrow in its focus, this is an interesting and readable book, well worth purchasing for any collection.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

Gr 9 Up—This volume focuses on recent writers to emerge in this field, including Junot Díaz, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Literature. In his introduction, Bloom restates his well-known argument that literature must be evaluated by aesthetic standards, and not by the sociopolitical or ethnic viewpoint it represents. Aesthetics and the use of language are indeed among the themes addressed here. Each scholar also addresses the question of how Latino writers reflect and shape their cultural identities in fiction. Two essays focus particularly on the construction of Afro-Hispanic identity, making valuable contributions to the recognition of racial diversity within Latino cultures. The language is elevated, and the essayists make extensive use of academic jargon. Moreover, passages from Spanish are not translated into English, which requires readers to have a solid knowledge of both languages. The book also contains contributor biographies. It will be most helpful to high school libraries serving students in advanced-placement literature courses, academic libraries, and public libraries with extensive research collections.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 7–10—This interesting, informative biography of the scientist and Nobel Prize winner explores both Curie's personal and professional life. It includes numerous archival and modern photos and reproductions. The writing is awkward at times, and there are some omissions; the scientific definitions tend to be difficult, aimed at older students. The source notes confusingly use abbreviated titles (for example, MCB for Madame Curie: A Biography instead of the more standard and efficient use of the author's surname). Still, the book is far more thorough and satisfying than most biographies of Curie for teens. Carla Killough McClafferty's Something Out of Nothing: Marie Curie and Radium (Farrar, 2006) is the only other title that can be recommended.—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

Gr 6–10—Burton's accessible text is a guide for girls who are caught up in the malicious gossiping, jealousy, and social shunning that affect so many adolescents. The author neatly outlines the issues and provides common-sense approaches to breaking the cycle of meanness, envy, and passive-aggressive behaviors, and she addresses both the victims and the mean girls themselves. The balance of narrative, white space, and illustration makes this self-help tool easy to comprehend. The well-researched text is punctuated with quotes from female artists and athletes and also includes a good resource guide to finding empowering organizations. The real challenge will be getting the book into readers' hands at the right time. Solid advice presented in an easy-to-read format.—Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

Gr 5–8—Along with being based at least as much on personal interviews as on documentary and other sources, this album-sized history of the Apollo missions is also set apart by its unique illustrations. A former astronaut who walked on the Moon as part of the Apollo 12 crew, Bean has been for many years a full-time fine artist. He incorporates into moonscapes, spacecraft, and suited-up astronauts done over the course of his artistic career not only an unusually personal perspective, but also actual bits of moon dust, used mission patches, and other well-traveled memorabilia. He also provides illuminating, sometimes eloquent commentary in captions and a closing statement. Though the authors present an uncomplicated version of events with almost no discussion of the exclusion of women from the astronaut corps, for instance, and quoting Neil Armstrong's famous line as "one small step for a man" rather than what he actually said, they do tuck in memorable anecdotes (to the question "What's the most beautiful thing you saw in space?" an astronaut replies, "Urine dump at sunset"). They effectively highlight the Apollo program's magnificent achievements, as well as its moments of tension and tragedy. Supplemented with an admixture of photos and labeled diagrams, the large-scale art adds a dazzling visual element to this grand commemoration.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 8 Up—In the first book, Cobb introduces students to the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the biosphere and then discusses how they interact with one another. Lew begins by introducing acids and bases and explains how their existence and reactions are critical to the operations of the Earth. Closing chapters highlight acids and bases in industry, in the human body, and in nature. West kicks off with an introduction to carbon chemistry, followed by a review of atoms and elements. Other subjects include carbon-compound chemistry, biomolecules, the carbon cycle, the atmosphere and climate, global warming, carbon producers, and carbon and energy. Annotated, colorful photographs and illustrations appear on most spreads, and boxed areas and sidebars highlight specific subjects and areas. The explanations are clear and detailed and offer informative introductions to the topics. These comprehensive titles will be useful additions to most libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 4–7—The action plan is similar in each title, but because each author is active in the area she covers, these books are specific about problems and issues youngsters may face in trying to effect change in particular situations. All are successful in breaking down the process into doable steps. Suggestions include brainstorming ideas for what to tackle (school, community, state, national, or global); doing research to learn more about the problem and to discover who may be able to make changes (community leaders, political representatives, etc.); setting a goal and making a plan (including who else needs to be involved, possibly the media); and putting it into action. Throughout, profiles are interspersed of kids who recognized a problem and came up with a plan to address it. Color photographs of these people and descriptions of their successful projects will inspire readers. The authors use an involving, conversational style, although it sometimes results in sentence fragments. However, their approach is effective and sets readers up for success. With regard to research, they discuss biased versus objective sources and note the importance of respecting varying opinions. They warn kids that people may disagree with what they are doing, and how research and preparation will help them state their cases in a calm, mature manner. These titles will help to empower young people who often feel frustrated at their perceived lack of control over their environment to step out of their routine and truly make a difference.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 7–10—All of these titles have vibrant color illustrations and reproductions of Chinese artworks. Language is clear and jargon-free, with some minor duplication across volumes. Art includes a chapter on painting and calligraphy, and covers crafts, music, and both public and private (including mortuary) buildings. The important ink-painting Early Spring is unfortunately reproduced in purple and yellow. Two pages on gardens, on jade, on bronze, one on cloisonné, etc., are glancing overviews. Domestic architecture is also simplified, but the palace, temple, and tomb sections offer more detail, with a good illustration of the Qin warrior pits. Everyday Life covers diet, domesticity, and amusements, often in generalizations ("shoes were very important"; "jewelry reflected status"). Foot-binding is covered in three sentences. The text states that the ancient Chinese never cut their hair, leaving the shaven heads in Song, Ming, and Qing era paintings unexplained. Accounts of furnishings, houses, currency, and transport are radically abbreviated. Morrison covers dynastic history to the Yuan (1279–1368). The third chapter, on imperial power, backtracks, focusing on noted rulers from Han to Tang and explaining how the civil service worked. Final chapters trace the development of military technologies and tactics and explain societal organization. Although these volumes are appealing, their wide scope necessarily leads to superficiality. The information they offer is thin, but the attractive presentation will spark browsers' interest in their topics.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 6–8—These collections are divided into 50 monologues for boys and 50 for girls. Each one concludes with an imagination question or a hidden-clue question to be used for class discussion or as prompts for additional writing assignments. Spanish words are scattered throughout the selections; all are clear in context. In the first book, characters are presented in a variety of situations from humorous to serious and include some imaginary characters such as Edgar the Sleepy Cat. In the second book, each monologue concludes by asking readers if the character likes the place he or she is describing, and why or why not. The scenarios are common ones in which students may find themselves: walking down to the river with a friend, buying school supplies, or visiting the zoo. The third book is divided into four sections: "Kids versus the World," "Escuela," "Hermanos and Hermanas," and "Sueños." Each selection is placed in context by a few sentences that describe who, what, where, or when. Each piece also includes minimal stage directions. This collection builds upon the first two. The monologues are longer, and the characters a little more complex. The occasional black-line drawings in all three books are spare and add little. Good additional choices for middle-grade classrooms or drama clubs.—Terrilyn Fleming, Colby Public Schools, KS

Gr 4–8—A lively combo of color illustrations and photos will appeal to girls looking for a cool introductory book on embroidery. From the short, encouraging introduction to the brief but adequate descriptions of tools required and discussion of choosing colors, young crafters will be equipped to embark on an exciting and challenging hobby. Much thought and planning went into the book's design and arrangement. Basic stitches to be mastered are illustrated and explained clearly. Adult assistance will most likely be required as there are many skills to learn and master—measuring, sewing, pinning, cutting, and transferring patterns. Each project has a color photo, step-by-step full-color instructions, and many helpful tips. The assortment of projects will encourage girls to pursue this craft. Back matter contains 48 templates and instructions for using a window to transfer designs, basting, and using carbon paper. This welcome addition will supplement Judy Ann Sadler's Embroidery (Kids Can, 2004).—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up—These volumes provide concise overviews and have plenty of appealing features such as primary-source quotes throughout and extensive back matter. They include lists of key people and advocacy groups, time lines, and contact information for related organizations. While the information is helpful, it is not always cited. For instance, there are a variety of pull quotes throughout the volumes, but the speakers are not always identified. It can be assumed that the quotes are just important statements by the authors about the topic, but students needing to cite the information would have difficulty doing so. Furthermore, photos are scarce, and while the graphs and charts provide interesting information, they are random and bear little connection to the surrounding text. Finally, the layout is almost too structured. Each chapter is set up exactly like the one before; this makes the books predictable and somewhat dull. While the topics covered are pertinent and important, students might find the same information in Greenhaven's "At Issue" series more captivating.—Sarah K. Allen, Thetford Academy, VT

Gr 8 Up—Chapters are set up with mixed points of view in specific areas of each topic, and each one is prefaced by three questions for readers to consider. Due to the fact that these are compendiums of articles originally published elsewhere, the quality of the writing varies from article to article (and some have grammatical mistakes). In Childbirth, many of the selections feature birthing practices in countries in Europe where the sociocultural perspective of childbirth may not be the same as in the United States (especially where issues of socialized medicine come into play). This may be confusing for readers who are unaware of the difference. Further, articles with specifically chosen opposing viewpoints may each quote the same study, while filtering results through the authors' opinions without giving actual results. The bibliography ranges from a picture book to university publications. Birth Control includes a periodical bibliography at the end of each chapter, with Web sites, and the material will be easier for students to locate. It is well suited for debate research.—Joanie Terrizzi, New York City Public Schools

Gr 3–6—These titles introduce the work of scientists to restore California condors and red wolves to viable populations in the wild. Each book begins with the day of a captive animal's release into its natural habitat. Then, the book goes back to trace the decline of the species; the plan for capture, breeding, and release; and a review of the success of the endeavor. The narratives, meant to be read straight through, flow well and paint a clear picture of the trials and triumphs of each project. Crisp photos and maps on every page work well with the text and give faces to the scientists and animals. The back matter includes a facts page, information on related species, and an up-to-date reading list. These useful books will work equally well for curious readers who enjoy narrative nonfiction and those with assignments on either species.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

Gr 7 Up—This oversize title is a mixed bag. It covers traditional as well as nontraditional pets, and offers a clear, teen-centric perspective, which can wear thin at times. Green introduces a topic, and then quotes several teens whose experiences illustrate her point. While this is a useful approach, it makes for choppy reading. Companion animals, working animals, and the various issues involved with having close contact with animals are addressed. The focus on the emotional aspect can be somewhat tiresome. Green also touches on concerns of special interest to teens regarding their animal companions—going away to college, dealing with illness and/or death, and career advice. Overall, the book seems to cover the material adequately, but it's often quite dry. The line drawings, many of which were done by teens, are amateurish and uninspired. Purchase for large teen nonfiction collections or die-hard animal lovers.—Lisa Crandall, Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Gr 6–8—A vibrant picture of life in the Middle Ages from Spain through the Middle East. City and Countryside describe how poor or middle-class people lived, Palace focuses on the politics and leaders of Dar al-Islam (literally "the Abode of Islam"), and Faith delves further into the founding of the religion and the development of the different sects. A chapter in each book describes the role of women in the context of the title, and all but Faith devote a chapter to growing up in urban, rural, or royal families, respectively. Hinds celebrates accomplishments in science and knowledge, and the peaceful eras when communities of Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived in harmony. She does not shy away from the violence that has shaped the region, including civil wars and assassinations, but concentrates more on everyday life. Countryside, for example, discusses the impact of war on the crops of families living in rural areas rather than focusing on bloodshed. The books intersect beautifully, each informing the others with quotes and excerpts from medieval texts, to create a comprehensive view of Dar al-Islam. Reproductions from ancient manuscripts and 18th- and 19th-century paintings complement the texts. Readers may continue to have questions about Islam and the Muslim world, particularly as these books relate to current events; some of the further-reading resources listed will help. This series fills its niche beautifully.—Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 9 Up—This brief and uneven treatise on the central tenet of atheism and the arguments in its favor is meant to encourage and fortify readers who are questioning their religious beliefs. It isn't an impartial look at freethinking; instead, Hitchcock sets up and attempts to demolish arguments for the existence of God, including the lack of evidence, the contradiction in an omnipotent God who allows bad things to happen to innocent people, and the fallacy of personal feelings as proof of God's existence. Unfortunately, the quality of the analysis varies from fairly cogent explanations of scientific and philosophical concepts to smug asides like, in a discussion of original sin, "Talk about sick." The treatment of some themes (evolution, for example) is too shallow, although a brief bibliography guides readers to further resources. Sporadic cartoon-style illustrations add humor: a bearded God on a wanted poster, for one. Although the author acknowledges the special difficulties of young people who find themselves questioning their family's or community's deeply held religious beliefs, it's hard to say just who this is for: anyone who appreciates Hitchcock's arguments probably needs something more meaty, and anyone who isn't so sure about the whole subject might be put off by the cocky tone.—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

Gr 4–6—Jefferis ranges through the solar system and then far beyond in these volumes. The first book begins with a summary look at galactic types and origins, then goes on to describe cores, halos, and other structures with special reference to the Milky Way. It closes with a smattering of advice for young sky watchers and a spread of general facts about galaxies. Similarly in the second title, the author explains what space probes are for, names many that have visited each of the major planets, and then suggests where models and mock-ups (since they can't be observed directly) might be found. The third book focuses on important observatories—earthbound and orbiting—along with types of telescopes—and concludes with brief observations about binoculars and cameras. All three volumes are designed with easily digestible blocks of question-and-answer text sharing page space with large, sharply reproduced space photos and graphic art. They all close with cursory lists of further resources. The information in Galaxies is readily available elsewhere, but Space Probes and Star Spotters provide quick, useful surveys of significant discoveries about space and some of the high-tech tools that were used to make them.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 6–9—These books do an excellent job of presenting American history through the eyes of artists who took it upon themselves to document some of our country's most triumphant and devastating moments. The copiously illustrated texts provide concise yet sufficient biographies of the individuals and their times and delineate the scope of their artistic endeavors. In every case, the facts of the historical period are interwoven to explain how/why the artists chose the work that became their trademarks. The writing in each book is clear and comprehensible, highlighting both the artist's triumphs and trials. Frequent quotes do much to personalize the historical facts and to prevent the texts from becoming dry. Lange has no source notes; the other volumes include a brief note for the quotations. A two-page map outlines the geographic range of the artists' work. The illustrations, of course, are the books' strengths. Although in a few cases some of the paintings or photos appear several pages before or after being mentioned, most of them are in sync with the written word. These titles will serve both as fine introductions to the art forms of documentary painting and photography and as well-researched visual histories of America's growing pains. They could be of great assistance in preparations for History Day programs, either as research tools or to inspire students to create their own records of current local events.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, formerly at LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI

Gr 3–7—This beautiful book presents interior and exterior views of 14 extraordinary structures, from King Tut's tomb and the Temple of Kukulcan to the Sydney Opera House and the Georgia Aquarium. Each one is first shown and described from the outside—but not identified—until the question is posed: "What's inside?" The next page identifies the building and answers the question, offering specifics about what is happening in this picture, with salient facts such as the name, location, date of construction, materials, etc., listed in the left margin. The text is good, the organization is clever, but it's the art here that is truly masterful. The illustrations are made from layers and layers of cut and painted paper, and in fact may be considered sculpture—the visible dimensionality gives each page a deep tactile quality. Animals, people, domestic scenes, and landscapes both natural and manmade are depicted with skill and charm: the intricacy of this art will hold readers spellbound. The book is brought to a satisfying close with a loving re-creation of a North American small-town street and the interior of a lighted room in which two children create ziggurats and temples out of blocks and read What's Inside?—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Gr 5–8—In this collection of approximately 40 brief poems, Maddox focuses on aspects of the game from pitching and hitting to base-running and fielding. Her carefully constructed word pictures offer dramatic snapshots of infield flies and collisions between fielders, sacrifice bunts, balks and pitch-outs, stolen bases, and grand slams. "A Strike by any other name is a (sometimes) foul, is a swing/that swats only air, is doing nothing when the ball's right there—/three times is an out is an out is an out." An umpire and a player face off in the large illustration laid across one spread: under the umpire, the poem "Out" concludes "…all hard-pitched hope outthrown, thrown out/of luck, of heart, of the hard heat of summer/and what won't be." On the facing page, the poem "Safe" states, "…What-could-be hunkers down here,/dares to snare the numbers,/spike out the sure thing,/outlaw the out." Compact yet full of meaning, these selections offer glimpses of the game's pleasures and poignant moments. Sandford's black-and-white pencil drawings add to the drama, focusing viewers' attention on the gangly pitcher's calculating gaze or the single-minded pursuit of the pony-tailed infielder. Maddox's whimsical wordplay will be savored by casual sports fans and hardcore baseball addicts alike.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 6–9—Several recent Mao biographies overshadow this one. Naden's account lacks balance and clarity, occasionally distorting the record (e.g., blaming Qing for "sparking the Opium War," and the dynasty's decline on anti-opium-trade efforts, ignoring the roles of Empress "Tz'u-his" [Cixi] and the West). Yuan's dictatorship lasted four years, not "more than a decade." The text includes idiosyncratic, unsourced death figures for landowners and Korean War troops. Key details, like Chiang's deadly dike destruction, are missing, while pointless redundancies ("Mao's [family] did not go…with him. Instead, they stayed behind") are included. Essential differences between Nationalists and Communists go unexplained; Chiang's failure is made to seem purely military. Most maps are too small and uncaptioned, the time line thin. There are also multiple errors of diction and grammar. Choose Ann Malaspina's The Chinese Revolution and Mao Zedong in World History (Enslow, 2004) or Kathlyn Gay's Mao Zedong's China (21st Century Bks., 2007) instead.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 7 Up—Many titles provide tips on how to live in an environmentally responsible way. This book goes a step further, providing important ancillary information on the history and possible future of the green movement and a well-written chapter on the politics of environmental legislation. Additionally, tips for green living are offered, including sections on sustainable eating, building and construction, and personal transportation. The author writes from an environmentalist prospective but backs up most of her assertions with solidly referenced scientific evidence. The book is well organized and accessible, with an appropriate amount of background. Frequent references to the United Nations and the European Union, in addition to biographies of international environmentalists, provide a global perspective. Overall, this is an excellent primer for the green movement.—Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

Gr 8 Up—Each volume discusses an aspect of life in the Fertile Crescent, from the earliest prehistoric farmers to classical Parthian civilization to the beginning of the Muslim era; history, the arts, religion, agriculture, technology, warfare, and other social areas are covered in detail. Subjects range from major sociological transformations, such as the agricultural revolution, to specific trades performed by skilled individuals, such as glassmaking. Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurnasirpal, and other important figures are discussed. Nardo draws from various disciplines to re-create the past, including archaeology, art history, linguistics, and history; issues facing researchers are discussed, such as the incompleteness of the archaeological and historical records for many places and times. These information-rich volumes are ideal for research projects. Color photographs of artifacts, including jewelry, tools, cuneiform tablets, coins, bas-reliefs, and other materials provide visual aids to the texts; photographs of ruins, reconstructed facades, and ziggurats relate the imposing monumentalism of ancient Near Eastern architecture, while colored maps reveal the spatial dimensions of imperial and cultural influence. Though some sections rely heavily on a single scholar, each volume provides diverse annotated suggestions (including Web sites) for further study. These titles are useful examinations of the various facets of ancient Near Eastern society.—Jeff Meyer, Slater Public Library, IA

Gr 4–7—Following in the footsteps of How to Get Rich in the California Gold Rush (National Geographic, 2008), Oregon Trail is the fictionalized account of an overland journey in 1852, recorded by budding writer 15-year-old William Reed, whose well-to-do family "follows the siren call of opportunity" by going west. Both an editor's note at the outset and an afterword stress the fact that there is not a "single scrap" of evidence that Reed or his family ever lived but that much of what he describes in his journal "precisely matches historical records." The entries, which follow the teen from Springfield, IL, to Portland, OR, describe his family tribulations, rampant disease along the trail, perilous river crossings, interactions with Native tribes, and the exploits of a corrupt wagon master. As the title suggests, finances are kept close track of with an antique-looking ledger sheet recording the family's income and expenses on each page as they earn and lose money by restocking lost or used supplies and plying their various trades (father is a doctor and brother Nathan is a blacksmith and entrepreneur). A list of further reading and online resources is accompanied by a two-page "Encyclopedia of the Oregon Trail" that defines terminology used within the text. Richly illustrated with a mix of historically authentic lithographs and "William Reed's" drawings, this book is a colorful and lively introduction to the time period.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 6 Up—The past is brought to life through this exceptional work, replete with fascinating stories, fluid and expressive writing, wrenching personal accounts, and stirring visuals from the Library of Congress collection. The highly readable text documents the journey of a country built on the precept of freedom yet divided by the immorality of slavery. Diaries and interviews turn the facts of slavery into a living, breathing account of painful family separations, the lash of the whip, and the desperation to escape at any cost. The letters and personal essays of children, escaped slaves, abolitionists, and black soldiers, as well as others, lend authenticity to the brave words spoken and deeds accomplished so long ago. News accounts of slave auctions and antislavery almanacs signify the reality of the times. The Black Codes, the Fugitive Slave Law, as well as other legislation, court cases, and amendments are clearly explained, not just for their legal importance but also within the context of the effects they had on those who were enslaved. The inspired text is enhanced by the accompanying high-quality photographs, prints, and drawings. A must-have for all collections.—Margaret Auguste, Franklin Middle School, Somerset, NJ

Gr 3–7—In this clever art history book, Raczka makes Johannes Vermeer's masterpieces accessible by employing an interview format. Clearly stating that these "conversations" are "as imagined" by the author, "Bob" asks the subjects of seven paintings a series of questions about themselves and their surroundings, allowing them to give details about the art techniques, historical context, and cultural elements. Large reproductions of the works are featured, as are photos of relevant sculptures and tools. Raczka avoids editorializing in the interview format, which is a feat; the text provides straightforward analysis and information. The language used by the figures in the paintings is modern, which can be disconcerting at times, but the interviewees come across as lively individuals. The tone throughout remains light and conversational, as readers are encouraged to think about the details and stories found in each work of art. While Mike Venezia's Johannes Vermeer (Children's Press, 2002) contains more paintings, Raczka goes into more detail about the works themselves; his book is more art critique than biography. It will be useful for children learning about Vermeer, the time period in which he lived, and art critique in general.—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 6–9—These titles open with a discussion of the causes of the conflict and then cover strategies, tactics, and major battles. Rice includes information about land, sea, and air combat, and evaluates how the civilian and military leadership affected the outcome of the conflict. He is objective about the conduct of the wars, giving both praise and criticism where necessary, and he concludes each book with a short analysis of the results and aftermath of the fighting. "FYInfo" sidebars profile leaders or describe military hardware at the end of each chapter, and each book includes color maps and photographs. These titles will give students basic introductions to these topics, but they do not offer anything in terms of coverage or analysis that can't be found in the many extant titles. Reg Grant's The Korean War (World Almanac Library, 2004) is similar in length, focus, and coverage, but provides many more maps to help students understand strategies and follow battles. Rodney P. Carlisle's Persian Gulf War and Maurice Isserman's Korean War (both Facts On File, 2003) offer more detail about the political and military aspects of these two conflicts. Rice's books should be considered as supplemental purchases where demand for research materials is high.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 4–7—Robbins presents a cornucopia of information about apples, oranges, corn, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, pomegranates, grapes, and mushrooms. Each item gets about four pages of text and is accompanied by sometimes life-sized photos. In addition to sharing interesting bits of trivia, the author offers brief descriptions of related events from history, such as the Irish Potato Famine, and/or short synopses of the item's appearance in mythology. There are even some biblical stories. The coverage is ambitious, perhaps offering more than most kids want to know. However, with food being pushed to the forefront of national discussion and debate, this book could be coming along at just the right time. Students doing projects on nutrition and health will find it helpful, though they will most likely need supplementary sources as well. The omission of additional reading and sources is unfortunate. The photos lack the awe-inspiring quality of Robbins's Pumpkins (Roaring Brook, 2006). The main picture of each fruit and vegetable is set against overly shadowed or clouded backgrounds and while the images do capture the textures well, the food looks more arty than appetizing. The information is interesting and useful, but the book's shortcomings make it an additional purchase for most collections.—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 5–7—Italian imports that cover the history of reading and writing from hieroglyphs through Internet surfing and email. Age of the Book discusses the use of parchment, illustrated codices, the importance of monasteries in writing, etc. It ends with the creation of the printing press, giving credit to the Chinese for being the first to create movable, reusable characters for printing. Gift from the Gods delves into ancient Egyptian writing; papyrus; and ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Korean alphabets and finishes off with Maya and Aztec writing. Reading and Writing Today covers topics such as advertising, graffiti, and, of course, the Internet. Throughout each text, it is made clear that as progress was made in how things were published, more and more people had access to information. The books are identical in format with 12 chapter spreads in each one. The writing is clear and concise. Colorful cartoon illustrations and a few photographs enhance the texts. Each book just ends, with no summation, giving off a slightly unfinished feel. Additional choices for reports.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 5–7—Drawing pictures to convey ideas, writing letters to form an alphabet, and inventing ways to share writing with others are the main ideas of these brief titles. The fact-packed pages will help students to understand the complicated process of creating the written word, and unfamiliar ancient history that is rarely discussed brings new ideas about writing. Excellent photographs of ancient and modern forms of writing help readers to comprehend the information. Maps are beneficial when discussing geographic areas, but many are small and hard to navigate. Illustrations are fair when compared to the photographs, and students will not learn much from them. Each spread is filled with the right balance of text and images. The writing is clear but somewhat dry, making these books additional purchases for large language-history collections.—Rachel Artley, Watertown Elementary School, TN

Gr 6–9—Rylant retells the stories of Pandora, Persephone, Orpheus, Pygmalion, Narcissus, and Psyche in this trim, handsome book. Written in a modern style with an old-fashioned feel, the selections sit well with other titles in the genre. The collection is fashioned to relate tales of love, pride, struggle, and triumph; Rylant has chosen a good complement of myths to retell, sticking to the standard versions of each one. Accompanied by full-page black-and-white illustrations and sprinkled with decorations, the whole package is nicely done. Readers who enjoy a good romance or just a well-told tale will be satisfied with this small book, and those looking for material for reports will find the necessary elements within. Collections needing fresh additions to their mythology section should consider this one.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

Gr 4–6—Using photos of family members and the words of children as young as six, Shapiro shows the ups and downs of life with someone who has autism. The youngsters' voices are honest and realistic: "I was kind of embarrassed." "Sometimes I get ticked when Mary Gwen hits and screams." If anything about Jesse changed, "he wouldn't be Jesse anymore, and I would miss the old Jesse." Some of them sound a bit preachy: "You should respect people with autism for who they are." However, the children's emotions ring true, telling what they love about their sibling; the preaching comes from their hearts. This book would be useful in families and in classrooms to help explain both the struggles and the triumphs of living with someone who has this disorder.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

Gr 9 Up—A fresh and challenging collection, ideal for classroom or practical use, this eclectic volume offers more than 50 speeches. A few of them contain language that ventures into mature territory, but most teens will find everything here very accessible. The brief but fantastic introduction includes intelligent advice on how to best make use of the material and to handle auditions professionally. A helpful appendix gives contact information for copyright permissions to those seeking to produce paid performances, but all of the speeches are royalty-free for auditions or study. With selections culled from playwrights such as Shakespeare and Shaw, Beth Henley and Christopher Durang, as well as from exceptional new talents, this is a volume that theater professionals and librarians will definitely want to have.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 4–8—Stewart and Kennedy offer an engaging history of the sport, followed by profiles of some of the most impressive shots of all time and the players who made them. Whether they are discussing amazing feats at the college or professional level, the tone is conversational and informative. As students are reading the chapter on different types of shots, they might be surprised to learn that the slam dunk was originally considered poor sportsmanship. Plenty of action photographs complement the text. The authors point out that basketball is the one sport that women have played as long as men, and the book achieves a good balance of coverage of men's and women's accomplishments in the game. This title is not as broad in scope as John Hareas's Basketball (DK, 2003) or Keltie Thomas's How Basketball Works (Maple Tree, 2005), but it is a solid addition. Casual fans and die-hard followers of the game will find a wide range of information in an accessible and compact package.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 5 Up—The PeaceJam Foundation is an inspiring and acclaimed educational program that utilizes Nobel Peace laureates to model for and motivate youth to improve our world. Darcy Gifford's PeaceJam: How Young People Can Make Peace in Their Schools and Communities (Jossey-Bass, 2004) traced the works of five teens and their collaborations with Nobel laureates. A Billion Simple Acts of Peace extends this story with profiles of figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and Aung San Suu Kyi. In particular the stories revolve around their work with young adults on issues related to human rights, peace, the environment, and equity. The book is a wonderful introduction to social activism, to these Nobel laureates, and to the foundation. Perhaps more importantly, it demonstrates that young people can make a difference and can have a positive effect on the world around them. The 30-minute video offers incredible teaching opportunities. A great addition.—Ernie Bond, Salisbury University, MD

Gr 5–8—Beginning with a minute-by-minute account of the events of the morning of September 11, 2001, this title gives readers some background in fundamentalist Islam and discusses how the terrorists' plot was carried out. The final chapters cover the rescue effort and the passengers' efforts to overtake the hijackers and the deliberate crashing of Flight 93. "FYInfo" sections cover topics such as the Muslim Brotherhood, the Taliban, and the airline screening program CAPPS. The aftermath of the attacks is not covered, and even though the chronology ends with the appeal of Zacarias Moussaoui in 2008, the text merely mentions the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. A spotty and questionably useful "Timeline in History" beginning in 1948 is also included. This is a serviceable title for brief reports, but readers seeking a more comprehensive and compelling account might try Mitchel Levitas's A Nation Challenged: A Visual History of 9/11 and Its Aftermath: Young Reader's Edition (Scholastic, 2002).—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

Gr 3–6—Accompanied by large, captivating realistic paintings, this picture-book biography briefly depicts Nobel's life. According to the straightforward text, the inventor of dynamite hoped his discoveries "…would prevent war. He thought that if people were afraid of the harm that explosions could cause, perhaps they would settle things peacefully first." However, he eventually realized that he was perceived as "a man who earned his wealth by inventing ways to injure and kill," a fact that depressed him. While the text provides basic research information, it raises complicated questions in a sometimes oversimplified manner. Ultimately, it leaves readers yearning for more and wondering just who Alfred Nobel really was. A list of Nobel Peace Prize winners is appended.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

Gr 6–9—This detailed look at the Battle of Vicksburg takes the tack of viewing the siege through the eyes of three children who were eyewitnesses and left written records of their experiences. Lucy McRae, 10, was a young resident from an upper-crust family. Her experiences of living in the caves that the Vicksburg residents dug to keep themselves safe during the shelling certainly draw parallels with those of children in modern-day locations such as Sarajevo. Willie Lord, 11, shared a similar experience to Lucy's. His family was broken up when his fragile mother was evacuated with the children to the countryside, only to find that she could not manage without her husband, the local pastor. They, too, dealt with life in the caves. Frederick Grant, 12, the son of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, accompanied his father throughout the campaign. His narrative gives the Union perspective. Excellent use of primary-source documents, maps, diagrams, and period reproductions adds depth and interest to what is almost a day-by-day recounting of this crucial siege. This volume is not only an excellent source for reports but is riveting historical reading as well. Pair it with Jim Murphy's The Boys' War (Clarion, 1990) for a look at America's bloodiest conflict through the eyes of its youth.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA

Gr 4–7—The writing in these volumes flows, and the information and definitions are easily accessible. The full-color photographs fill the eye with their detail and color as they show the expanse of each area. How these wonders were formed is effortlessly described and often depicted. The aerial view of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is a great look at the way a river erodes land. Many entries include historical information and illustrations about the people who have lived near or discovered these wonders. The ancient Egyptians and the British explorer John Speke are included in the Nile River entry (Africa), and Central and South America mentions U.S. pilot James Angel for whom Angel Falls in Venezuela is named and the Pemón people, who have lived in the region for centuries and named the mountain Auyantepui, meaning "Devil's Mountain." The photographs can be exciting—a parachuting jumper leaping from the top of Angel Falls—or shocking—a strip of Amazon rain forest surrounded by bare red soil—but they are always attention-getting. A time line lists events related to each wonder, and readers are invited to select their own Eighth Wonder by using the list of books and Web sites included in the further reading. Great for reports and armchair traveling.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 8 Up—The lurid appeal of the topic is effectively captured on the cover of this solid history of the 14th-century plague. Zahler connects the seemingly unstoppable march of death to the inception of new ideas about the Church, the value of labor, and the preciousness of human life that contributed to the Reformation and the Renaissance. The emphasis on primary-source research brings vitality to the text, although in at least one case historians have cast doubt on first-person accounts that Zahler presents as fact, i.e., the siege of Italian traders by Mongols who flung diseased bodies at them by catapault. Overall, this is a well-written and well-researched volume. Full-color illustrations, a note explaining the value of primary sources, a who's who, and careful source notes make this book a valuable addition to history collections.—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM